applications for small wrenches

[scottmlew]

There have been numerous threads regarding applications of large wrench (and socket) sizes. What are some applications for small (< 10mm) wrenches? In my experience, most small fasteners readily accommodate sockets, and often demand them (or a deep offset box, I suppose) due to clearance issues. I ask partially because I'm just curious, and partially because I'm trying to decide if I should add the 6mm to the Stahlwille set I just got and the 7-9mm to my SO FDP set.

 

[justinmc]

Depends on what you work on... if you do much with imported vehicles you'll find yourself reaching for small diameter wrenches often. Sometimes under a dash, etc there just isn't enough room to get a ratchet in there and a long pattern wrench is your friend.

 

[speed bump]

9mm is for Honda bike brake bleeds.
7mm I used once I can't remember why.

8mm I use a bunch for something but I can't remember what it is.

I use my 1/4" a lot for turnings taps and valves.

 

[Mike83]

I use a 7mm wrench for the coolant bleeder valve on my car. Don't want to fumble with a socket when coolant is spilling out.

A 5.5mm wrench would have been handy for the blower motor resistor bolts. Not much room for a socket wrench under the glove compartment.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

8mm or 5/16 wrench for bleeders on toyota's, gm
7mm on gm's and some fords

 

[back2class]

8mm is near everything on honda motorcycles

 

[Mickey O]

They are great for filling up the small notches at the begining of wrench racks.

Use the small one on Yamaha motorcycles all the time and a few thing on newer cars/vans/trucks.

 

[scottmlew]

They are great for filling up the small notches at the begining of wrench racks.

Yeah, I've noticed that!

Thanks for the other mentions of applications. Sounds like the small sizes will be useful to have on hand in case I need them.

 

[makgreens]

a ton of stuff on my toyota truck and my kawasaki bike

 

[bcjames]

I seem to use the small ones a fair bit for carb work, depending on the set up there isnt always much access for a socket in a mini!

 

[Ozz]

I recondition various brackets and such for Fords, the hood latch lock assemblies have some hex-head screws that are 1/4 and under. Great use for tiny wrenches.

 

[supertooljunkie]

7mm, door panel bolts in a Chevy truck. 8mm just about every small bolt in a Ford engine compartment.

 

[krehmkej]

7mm for choke cable nuts on BMW airhead motorcycles.

 

[ZRX61]

RR Merlin Mag's ...

 

[BB26]

I use 8mm wrenches on my Ford and it is extremely common size on Honda/Acura products. I have also used 6 and 7mm on Honda's as well. Distributor cap bolts are one application that I recall. I would recommend getting 6-9mm. If you do much work on modern vehicles, you will use all of them. At a minimum, get an 8mm wrench.

 

[Jononon]

Since the smaller the nut the more likely the nut who designed the thing will have hidden it somewhere completely inaccessible , I'd go for midget wrenches in the smaller sizes.

I don't know how readily available they are in the US (ultimategarage.com may have them), but Facom's 34 Series, with zero offset 15° and 75° open ends, are a life saver in 'who the f*&^ designed that?!' situations.

RR Merlin Mag's ...

Show off

 

[Mike662]

8mm for the u-joint bolts on my F350...remarkably easy to round off!

 

[Moose-LandTran]

The only thing that comes to mind is a 5mm for holding the shock rod on some struts. Otherwise, they look nice in my drawer.

 

[CBradio]

Small engines:

4.5 or 5 for some Briggs carb studs
8 for throttle cable clamps
8 for top covers on Toro Homeowner Push mowers
6,7, or 8 for Toro Lawn tractor safety switches.

 

[snapmom]

Drawer pulls.

 

[tw33k2514]

8mm for most Chrysler blower motor/resistor bolts.

 

[quattrojon]

I seem to use the small ones a fair bit for carb work, depending on the set up there isnt always much access for a socket in a mini!

I used to have a 1275GT with twin HS6 su's = zero room to work and grazed knuckles.

 

[06jds377]

I use 8mm wrenches on Mercury outboards ALL THE TIME