Extra large adjustable wrench?

[blazemaster83]

A few months ago I started working at a boat yard. I really enjoy working there and the shop is growing, so they are buying some new tools. I worked in a machine shop for 10 years so they leave choosing the big tools to me. Currently they use a 36" pipe wrench to remove prop nuts, which ends up tearing up the nut. The ideal thing would just be a huge crescent style adjustable wrench, but it has to open up to about 6.5". I know OTC makes a 36" adjustable wrench, but it only opens to 4.75". We work on lots of sizes of boats so 1 adjustable wrench would be nicer than a huge set of 10 wrenches/sockets.

I had a thought that maybe I could buy a 48" pipe wrench and machine the teeth off the jaws, making them flat. The other option would be to have some thick plates laser/waterjet cut and weld a long handle to it. I'm sure I could also have some custom wrenches/sockets made but I don't have the budget for that. Something under $500.

Anybody know of something? Thanks!

 

[AmericanMechanic]

What tool does a boat yard typically use to remove prop nuts?

A prop shaft that necessitates a nut with 6.5" dimension across the flats seems like serious-sized work.

 

[Duke74]

I have worked on sites where the plumbers use what’s called a ‘Spud Wrench’, basically it is a pipe wrenche with no teeth. It’s for not damaging finished surfaces. I don’t know how big you can get them in.

 

[blazemaster83]

I would guess they would typically have a set of slugging wrenches, or something similar. The problem is a set up to 6.5" is probably more like 10 grand. The pipe wrench has been getting us by, but we are starting to do some bigger boats (just did the one with the 6.5" nut) and I don't like how it tears up the nut. The machinist in me cringes. The nuts generally aren't torqued on super tight, they have a large cotter pin to prevent the nut falling off.

 

[seber]

The cut plate would be the cheapest way out. But I would leave a short handle that I could slip a pipe over. They could all fit in one box.

 

[3baygarage]

Good ideas already. I like the smooth pipe wrench.

What is the access like? Would a large chain wrench get at it or could that mark it up too?

 

[65ranchero]

Would a large chain wrench get at it or could that mark it up too?

It probably will but too a lesser degree I think it will depend on how tight it is and type of steel.

The cut plate would be the cheapest way out

I agree, and just my thought is to make it so there is enough room to put a spacer in there if another nut is smaller.

 

[eejack]

How about something like this smooth jaw pipe wrench

Reed RCORP Smooth Jaw Wrench 02114

Reed Smooth Jaw Wrench RCORP 02114

thedrainagesource.com

and you have additional 'threads' ground down the handle, increasing capacity.

 

[Walkers]

Find a guy with a plasma machine and draw up hex wrenches in every size you need cut them out of 1/2” plate. Fairly cheap and easy. Will tolerate some torque and won’t chew the nuts up

 

[65ranchero]

How about something like this smooth jaw pipe wrench

Reed RCORP Smooth Jaw Wrench 02114

Reed Smooth Jaw Wrench RCORP 02114

thedrainagesource.com

and you have additional 'threads' ground down the handle, increasing capacity.

I think that's part of the problem jaws won't open wide enough. He needs 6.5" they only open to 4.5"

 

[Duke74]

That’s what the plumbers call a spud wrench that I mentioned earlier.

 

[DAustin]

That’s what the plumbers call a spud wrench that I mentioned earlier.

We always just called them Ford wrenches .

 

[akalian]

How about grinding the teeth off the large pipe wrench, and then drill a couple of 3/8" holes for dowel pins to be pressed into sticking out maybe 1/4-3/8". Then have some 1/2" bar stock cut the width and length of the pipe wrench jaws stock with corresponding holes drilled in them to mate with the dowel pins in the pipe wrench face.

Make up maybe 10 pieces and then just add the necessary flat bars to the pipe wrench to achieve the width you desire. Shouldn't cost too much either.

.

 

[Snapped-off]

Sounds more like ships, not boats. Can you weld/grind the jaws of a pipe wrench smooth? They go up to atleast 8" jaw capacity.

 

[rsanter]

Aluminum or copper sheet between the jaws and the nut

 

[Snapped-off]

We always just called them Ford wrenches .

Same, probably the most used tool on a submarine.

 

[Duke74]

I have never heard them called Ford wrenches. Interesting.

 

[DAustin]

Every Ford Model A tool kit had one in it. You can find them everywhere with the Ford script on them.

 

[nadogail]

I dimly remember my father having what I considered, at the ripe old age of 8, a monster sized wrench made with the name Trimo on it.

I see 48" long aluminum handle pipe wrench with 8" jaw capacity on Amazon for $139.95.

 

[foghorn1966]

Find a guy with a plasma machine and draw up hex wrenches in every size you need cut them out of 1/2” plate. Fairly cheap and easy. Will tolerate some torque and won’t chew the nuts up

I agree with what Walkers said here. The head & jaws of an adjustable that size will be huge. Depending on the prop blades might not be able to get on the nut straight (I'm speculating on this part). That sounds awkward.

 

[metaldad]

just checked. the ridgid m/n 31280, 25'' hex wrench, smooth jaws, only opens to 3 3/4

 

[Ronson25]

Have you looked at used large wrenches you can find slugging wrenches often enought pennies on dollar

 

[Alcap]

Could a truck axle bearing socket in the sizes you need work ? https://www.toolsource.com/axle-nut...eel-bearing-locknut-sockets-21pc-p-61561.html

 

[cherrybomb]

I like Walkers suggestion of finding a plasma cutter.Then maybe welding a old socket to the plate,in 1/2 or 3/4 drive,now a breaker or sliding tee handle would tighten up the nut.

 

[blazemaster83]

These are not quite ships, just big boats (35ft-100ft). The shop is slowly getting into larger stuff so we just need something to get by until we can get some nicer stuff down the road. I have seen some huge oldschool flat jawed adjustable wrenches, but I still don't think they get to quite 6.5". I did look and see ridgid makes a 60" pipe wrench also. There is usually a lot of room under the boats to use whatever we need.

I think I will get a few cut out of plate, with a short handle welded on and some pipe (thanks for that suggestion!).

 

[Tools4Me]

Pipe wrench teeth are very integral to their design, so I don't know if one would work well if the teeth were machined off. The moving jaw purposefully has back and forth play in it to help the teeth grab, hold, and then release when finished. Because of that pipe wrench jaw looseness, you would have to be very careful to ensure the two jaw faces are actually parallel with each other while torquing on it if the teeth were removed, and it still might not work as well as an adjustable wrench.

I like the custom made wrench idea for nuts that large. If you can't just make a large box wrench, I would do something along the lines of my drawing, insted of making a large open ended wrench. Slip the C shaped piece around the nut you want to remove and then install the handle and pins to close everything together and ready the wrench for use. Use the same removable handle attachment for all the wrench sizes you make, so everything stores quite compactly. Think of it like a flare nut crowsfoot wrench with a removable handle that actually helps to prevent the jaws from spreading while it's being used. A design like this will grab 5 of the 6 hex corners instead of only 2 like most open end wrench or "Ford type" wrenches would, so it would be much harder to damage the nut during use.

You could also make a design where the 5th and 6th side of a hex shape is a second piece of steel plate with a handle. Make it so that piece pins to the hex piece with only 4 sides, so once the two pieces are pinned together you have a complete hex shaped box wrench with a handle.

 

[blazemaster83]

Tools4me that's what I was thinking about the pipe wrench as well. The plan is to make them box wrenches, out of 1" plate. Thanks for everyone's input!

 

[Mgdoug3]

What about making a socket out of flat metal?

 

[JRPAviator]

How much shaft sticks out of the nut???

Search results for: '858C40'

www.harryepstein.com

Also,

6-1/2" - 2-1/2" Dr. 6 Pt. Std. Impact Socket (85852WR)

6-1/2" - 2-1/2" Dr. 6 Pt. Std. Impact Socket///brand_for_product_detail=Wright Tool,close_out=No,companydescription=Wright Tool - Made in the USA,condition=New,condition_google=new,cost=1740.190000,countrymade=Wright Tool - Made in the...

www.harryepstein.com

Buy once, cry once??

I don’t know your margins but if you are doing this everyday then it may be worth it. Also, these are USA made wright options. I would be shocked if there were not Taiwanese options available somewhere at half the price.

Using the right tool for the job typically will end up better for the worker and the end product.

I have never removed 6.5” nuts from prop shafts on a big workboat though. So ignore me if you need to.

 

[PoorUB]

I would be surprised if you could not find a stamped steel socket that size. I know you can buy them up to around 5". Like this, large socket
Some bar stock and a welder you could make one.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I would be surprised if you could not find a stamped steel socket that size. I know you can buy them up to around 5". Like this, large socket
Some bar stock and a welder you could make one.

That's what I was kinda thinking. Measure the flats, cut out some 4" flat metal and weld it together. Next weld a plate on the back and a handle to it and you're ready to go. Those kind of projects have always been fun to make for me.

 

[rharman]

Probably out of your price range but doesn't the manufacturer offer the right tool for this?
I know the manufacturer made/supplied special tools we used to use on motorcycles were pricey but they just work right.

 

[472scout]

Why not just buy one and grind the jaws smooth. A plasma cutter cuts with a taper which will create an edge that will dig into and mar the nut. Customers won't like that. You could grind it flat afterwards, but easier to weld one up from flat bar.

 

[Ricky Joe]

Maybe take a piece of plate and drill holes in it for dowels that just fall inside the flats of the nut, and then weld a nut to the center of the plate that you could use an impact wrench on. That way you have a socket that could fit more than one size nut. If it only requires a light preload, I am guessing that this would suffice, if access by an impact is possible.

 

[Outwest]

Some farm implements include a large wrench to make adjustments. These are constructed by welding flat bar steel inside a appropriate diameter heavy wall pipe (think 6 point socket or wrench) and then a handle welded to that. You could either make it a long handle or shorter striking wrench. If you choose this route, a set of them to cover the sizes needed shouldn’t be very expensive.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

... will create an edge that will dig into and mar the nut. Customers won't like that. You could grind it flat afterwards, ...

Imagine the dissatisfied customer: "Those guys are devils. They scratched my nut really bad. Then they tried to remove the scratches with a metal file."

 

[Maui]

This is a 48” pipe wrench that opens up to 8”, which is more than enough for your needs.

Amazon.com

As rsanter suggested, place some aluminum or copper sheets between the teeth of the pipe wrench and the nut if you are concerned about damaging the surface.

 

[LXCam]

How about a large chain wrench. I’d highly suggest rigid or another quality name brand but..

 

[dnschmidt]

Time to fire up the waterjet. CAD hexes of the appropriate sizes with a common to all sizes 8" handle that can fit an appropriately made pipe use 3/4" plate and push the go button.

 

[Ton ton]

I would talk to your local industrial supply house. They should be able to help you find something that would work. Just my 2 cents.