Cutting a wrench in half?

[mslim]

My vintage German motorcycle is the only one that has Dellorto Italian carbs. Mechanically it's a good feature but nothing in the on-board tool kit has a 22mm wrench for removing the float bowl nut.

I bought a nice enough Tekton 22mm combo wrench that takes up too much space in the toolbox so i thought I'd just slice it in half or less (the float bowl nut doesn't need much torque). Then I thought it might start the chrome to flake off. I don't mind chasing a little rust but I was put off by possibly flaking chrome everytime I grabbed this wrench.

Has anybody done this? Was flaking chrome an issue?

 

[Chipm]

Yes, I have cut down several for various reasons. Cut it, file the edge smooth, and it should be fine.

 

[Codyboy]

I've torched and bent and cut several chrome wrenches and have never had one start peeling off chrome.

 

[The Cobbler]

the chrome is electrically bonded to the base metal. by cutting the wrench in half won't affect that

 

[rsanter]

Dip the end in that plasicdip stuff

 

[micromind]

Every time I break an open-end wrench, I cut off the broken part and use the other end.

The easiest way to cut a wrench is with an angle grinder and a thin cut-off wheel. Never tried it but I doubt if a hacksaw or a sawzall would work.

When it's cut off, just smooth the edges with a grinder of some sort.

 

[KnurledNut]

How about a crowsfoot or service wrench?

 

[RTM]

Dip the end in that plasicdip stuff

I was thinking a good shrink wrap myself

 

[Rockable]

Do a search on Amazon for 22mm stubby wrench and pick the on that bes suits you....or you could cut that long one off.

 

[MovingAlong]

Following @Rockable's advice, also saw this cool little adjustable wrench that goes to 24mm (and only $10):



Space is tight on a bike, might be handy to have something that could do more than just one thing.