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8 Point 2 1/2 inch socket build

h20ham

Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2015
Messages
11
Don’t live close to a machine shop
Was planning on cutting 1/4 flat bar on angle, so about 4 octagons plates in thickness as the nut I need to remove is about 1” thick
Chamfering edges, welding and grinding to make the octagon
Leaving opening for 1/2” extension to be welded for torque wrench as I predict I will need to cover entire socket to add strength
About 200 ft lbs torque required on nut

Any advise please
 
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Bondo

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Dec 22, 2007
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Greenfield, Maine
Hmmmmmmm,............

A chunk of 3" steel pipe, of whatever length works, weld some little blocks inside, 'n turn it with a BFPipewrench,....

Yer Unscrewin' it Right,..??
 

matt_i

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Mar 14, 2008
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SE Michigan
If there's room, a piece of even 3/8" rod thats bent into a circle as a "belt" and then welded will really help if your socket is getting weak.
 

sberry

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Jun 18, 2005
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Brethren, Michigan
Yes, have done it with 1/8 flats and it worked well. Don't even have to bevel them much. Welded to a 1/4 plate and welded old broken socket to it for the drive.
 
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h20ham

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Jan 23, 2015
Messages
11
I do need a socket. Not sure how accurate a 3”pipe with widgets would/could be.
Thanks
 

2oolhound

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Dec 18, 2010
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BC Canada
Too bad you don't have an extra nut. I've just clamped the flat bar onto the nut and tacked them in place, then welded. You can also just drill a hole in the ends of two opposite flat bar slats and turn it with a bar.
 

The Cobbler

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Oct 24, 2013
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I think folks missed that he needs a torque wrench on it
I watched one of Keith Fenners videos where he plasma cut a large box end wrench for a project . mind you, he used cnc !
 
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LXCam

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Apr 23, 2013
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Have you considered adding up the length of the flats and seeing if there's a piece of tubing with a ID with close enough dimension. You could heat her red hot then beat it on to form the socket. The preference would be DOM tubing as its seamless and less likely to split.
 

Kevin54

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Jan 12, 2005
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Urbana, Ohio
So is this really 8 point or is it actually 4 point? If 8 point, what is it and can we see pictures?

That was my thought. And if it's going to be a one shot deal, I'd ask around. You don't need a machine shop, you need someone that works on trucks or heavy equipment and give them a few bucks if you could borrow it for an hour or so. Buy them a twelver of their brewskie of choice afterwards.:thumbup:
 
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h20ham

Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2015
Messages
11
Yes, 8 point
Chrome, from the 60’s Lotus car wheel nut
Ultimately, rubber or dipped protection, so maybe a titch larger
200 Ft lbs torque
 

Strouty

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Mar 21, 2010
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38,218
Location
Southern Maine
Steelman makes 8 point sockets that are 2 7/8” and 3” I would start there and make metal shims, once you figure out what you need, you could weld them in place. Unless you find a socket specifically made for that Lotus wheel, you are probably SOL.
 

danielbuck

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Apr 15, 2014
Messages
925
I made a hub wrench out of 3/16" flat bar. The problem wasn't the size of the nut (probably about 3" diameter), it was that it was recessed in the hub housing so I couldn't get a large pipe wrench on it, and my other hub wrenches weren't the right size.

My home made hub wrench worked just fine. I later purchased one, but my home made wrench got me through the initial tear down and rebuild.
 
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