OK it’s not homebuilding but I thought somebody might have a suggestion..
Had to work on my rototiller yesterday. Needed to add to the transmission gear oil. You need to open up a plug in the side of the transmission and add oil till it starts to run out. Those square-headed drain plugs, however, are a nuisance. You can’t fit a normal socket onto them, as the sockets are star-shaped or hex-shaped to accommmodate a hex head. This plug was 3/8″ and a 3/8″ open end is rather short, so there’s no moment arm for torque… and then it slips off, rounding the corners! A larger socket strips it too.
So I had a revelation…3/8..hmm. that’s the drive side of my socket set. So I took a 3/8 female to 1/2″ male adaptor and my big crescent wrench and got the crescent on the 1/2″ male and got it off!!! Yippee!!
But does anybody know where I can find a set of sockets that are square as opposed to star or hex? I can’t locate anything on the web.
Thanks
Johnny
Replies
Sometimes a 12 point socket will work on a square not. Other times a crescent wrench or open end wrench works fine.
If all else fails go for vise grips.
Here's the fancy way:
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/SK-19781.html
View Image
An 8 point socket will fit. Sears has them. Sears item #00944222000 is a 1/2" drive 1/2" 8 pt.
Exactly, that's where I got mine from.
You also use them to unbolt square nuts on fences and sill plates... after a healthy spritz of PB Blaster.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
I thought or heard that evil* Sears/Craftsman discontinued this item. But indeed the item is an eight [8] point socket. Wright tools makes them. But you have to go to a real tool store to get them.
~Peter, former photographer for the Sear's bra ads but I took the Playboy approach
*Sear's has a double standard guarantee. They state on all their advertising and receipts "Satisfaction Guaranteed or your Money Back" but if you are not satisfied [for instance your new pair of jeans you bought from them has no zipper], they WILL NOT give you your money back.
Check with Sears or a farm implement store. Look for "eight point" sockets.
Thanks guys-
I'll check out the local sears for some 8-pt sockets. My original craftsman set has served me well for about 25 yrs so far.
Johnny
I believe one of the names they go by is Weatherhead sockets or something similar. I got 8 points from Craftsman and 4 point from the Snapon truck from when I turned wrenches as an aircraft mechanic.
While we're on the topic, does anyone know of a source for some oddball plumbing wrenches. I need to remove a check valve retainer ring, and it requires an X-shaped wrench with about a 3-inch diameter.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
Another option, if the problem is simply reaching the plug with a regular wrench, is a "crow's-foot" socket. It's handy to have a set of these around anyway, and they don't take up much room in the toolbox.
If you just need one size, not a set, and it's OK if it's not pretty, just drill the appropriate size hole in a piece of steel bar stock, and file it out to make it square. I've done that a few times for special tools.
-- J.S.
Want square sockets?
Snap On has them. Have a set in my rollway. They fix on 3/8 drive.
Also have a set of farmer sockets. Might also check Craftsman catalog.
The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
just about any place that sells sockets will have 8 point sockets...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Odd, I couldn't find them at Target today. ;)
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
at Walgreens or Eckards either I bet...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I couldn't find them at WalMart either!
Just kidding! I won't go there anymore.
but they do have them...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!