3/4 and 1 inch conduit lock ring wrench

[AgentLadyHawkeye]

One of the guys on my site showed me a great tool today but no one has been able to find anything about it online. It's a wrench for conduit lock rings with one end for 3/4" and the other end for 1". I've searched for a bunch of different combinations of words to try and find it, along with several other guys. I even did an image search and the only thing that came up and looked right was a photo another guy on site took of the same tool and posted to Reddit. The markings are the same on both sides.

 

[micromind]

One of the guys on my site showed me a great tool today but no one has been able to find anything about it online. It's a wrench for conduit lock rings with one end for 3/4" and the other end for 1". I've searched for a bunch of different combinations of words to try and find it, along with several other guys. I even did an image search and the only thing that came up and looked right was a photo another guy on site took of the same tool and posted to Reddit. The markings are the same on both sides.

Pretty good wrench.

Of all the thousands of locknuts I've installed over the years, it would have come in handy.

It'd be better if the ends were offset though, a lot of locknuts are in the back of panels and offset would be easier to use.

 

[signcrafter]

I haven't seen one like that but there are a few other types out there.

Google Search

I have the goofy looking ones and they work pretty good. When they don't work a flat blade screwdriver and hammer or linesman pliers get the job done.

 

[redwrench60]

I have this set of Klein conduit locknut wrenches. They are offset and work well in tight spaces.

 

[micromind]

Often, a 12 point box wrench or socket will work.

 

[AgentLadyHawkeye]

Pretty good wrench.

Of all the thousands of locknuts I've installed over the years, it would have come in handy.

It'd be better if the ends were offset though, a lot of locknuts are in the back of panels and offset would be easier to use.

Everyone who has had the opportunity to use it wants one of their own so now there's a bit of a bounty out for anyone who can find one. The closest I've been able to get is that there are some similar tools used in dairy production but none quite match this one.

 

[willf650]

I have this set of Klein conduit locknut wrenches. They are offset and work well in tight spaces.

I have set of those and I’m not fond of them. I also had a GB set that aren’t much better. Honestly a hammer/linesmans and screwdriver are better to me.

I saw this set and this is the one I’m waiting for.
This may be the best I’ve seen.
It sits on top the locknut versus trying to hook it on the outside.

Never seen one like the original poster’s.

 

[Steve_P]

I think I have the set by GB- they do work fine for occasional use, but they don't scream industrial quality.

 

[AgentLadyHawkeye]

I figured that asking here had a somewhat better chance that some old hand might see it and know what to call it but I also knew it was still a long shot. I have the channellock lock nut pliers (a freebie from Dad's tools that he gave me) but never found them to be really practical in use. Mostly I go with the old beater screwdriver technique anyways.

The new Milwaukee ones do look promising, especially for really tight panels and boxes with the KOs almost too close together.

 

[sparky 1971]

Somewhere I have a set of 1/2-3/4 but honestly don't think they have ever been used. I can't say that I've ever seen a 1". I usually grab the lockring with a 2nd pair of Channellocks. 25 years ago a locknut wrench wasn't necessary, the rings would actually grab and not slip. Except for Bridgeport, those locknuts were junk then and still are now.

I also have the Channellock lock nut pliers, but those are a gimmick.

 

[willf650]

I also have the Channellock lock nut pliers, but those are a gimmick.

I also have a set of the Channellock ones but they are actually the worst ones. They don't even make them anymore and they aren't worth buying if you find them.

 

[willf650]

The new Milwaukee lock nut wrench I pointed out above is out and available to be ordered at Home Depot.

The website says it’s available in store for pick up but that’s BS. I went to two different stores that it was “in stock” this week. Neither had it on the floor nor did staff know where they were.

I ordered a set online so let’s see if it shows up. I got an email saying it was available today and I was able to order it online with free shipping but not for in store pick up.

 

[Beerhippie]

Most of these kind of gizmos I've seen would work great if the lockring was out on a flat, open surface. In my world, they're packed together in a crowded box behind a deep lip. Screwdriver and mallet (or lineman's pliers) are still my go-to.

 

[willf650]

The new hotness showed up. I will give them a test Monday or Tuesday. Hopefully the slightly different design will make them better than the rest which are marginal at best.

 

[Beerhippie]

The new hotness showed up. I will give them a test Monday or Tuesday. Hopefully the slightly different design will make them better than the rest which are marginal at best.

Waiting for the review....

 

[ChevyEFI]

Subscribing.

 

[AEAdam]

I don't do much of this, but every time I do, I find myself with screwdriver in one hand and a hammer in the other wishing I had a better tool for this.

 

[Beerhippie]

I don't do much of this, but every time I do, I find myself with screwdriver in one hand and a hammer in the other wishing I had a better tool for this.

Don't forget the third hand holding the fitting on the outside of the box.

 

[LXCam]

The new hotness showed up. I will give them a test Monday or Tuesday. Hopefully the slightly different design will make them better than the rest which are marginal at best.

Interesting, are this notches proud of the clip facing down? Would you mind posting a profile pic?

Thanks, Cam

 

[dscheidt]

I don't do much of this, but every time I do, I find myself with screwdriver in one hand and a hammer in the other wishing I had a better tool for this.

I keep a short 3/8" punch in my pouch. use it on lockrings and knockouts. Short, because it fits in tighter spots, and is lighter. Still use a screwdriver when I need the reach, though.

 

[whateg01]

I've always used a pair a pliers. I can see where a tool like the Milwaukee might be useful. I can also see where a tool without an offset would be no better. The only time I think I don't like using a pair of pliers is in a service panel where the locknut is up behind the flange of the panel. The flange gets in the way.

 

[mike93lx]

I don't do much of this, but every time I do, I find myself with screwdriver in one hand and linesmans in the other wishing I had a better tool for this.

FTFY

 

[willf650]

Interesting, are this notches proud of the clip facing down? Would you mind posting a profile pic?

Thanks, Cam

 

[micromind]

12 point sockets will work with a lot of locknuts.

 

[willf650]

12 point sockets will work with a lot of locknuts.

No electrician is carrying a 12 point socket large enough to even fit over a 1/2 locknut, much less a 1” one.

I want to use these because I have specific hub mounted devices that need to be indexed in a specific orientation. Tightening the lock nut up with a wrench while holding the device would be preferable to beating a lock nut and then have it loosen back up as you orient the device.

 

[willf650]

Ok, I literally just got on a job and tested the Milwaukee locknut wrenches out on some existing connectors just for the hell of it.

This is by far the best locknut wrench I've used. Don't expect it to be like a nut and bolt but it's way better than the other options I've used.

Because this sits on top of the locknut the half circle section can be made to a tighter tolerance. It rests against a known and consistent dimension of an npt pipe thread.

They aren't life altering but a markedly better option.