How to use a striking wrench?

[qqzj]

Do you need someone/something to hold the wrench steady while hitting the wrench with a sledge hammer? Sounds pretty dangerous to the guy holding it. If not, what prevents the wrench from flying and hitting someone in the face?

 

[subroc]

We called them slugging wrenches. Hit em' till they ring.

Anyway, hard work on any big stuff can be dangerous. Depending on the application, maybe you can work alone, maybe you need someone to hold it. If you are swinging the hammer don't hit the guy you are working with. If you are holding the wrench, don't get hit.

 

[consti2tion]

I've never seen anyone holding a striking wrench while someone was striking it, but that's not to say it's not done that way.

 

[CS454]

slugging wrench retainer.

 

[subroc]

In all the years I used them, I have never seen one of those retainers.

When the shipyard got the high torque machines I thought I died and went to heaven.

 

[RTM]

Only time I saw one in use, one guy had a foot on the nut and wrench, the other guy hit with the sledge. It was easy being on a vertical facing nut. I suspect a horizontal facing it might be a bit more challenging to balance to keep a foot on the wrench.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

You tie a string around the middle of the wrench, someone holds tension on it from a safe distance (2-3') while another person hits it with a hammer.

 

[bwringer]

I'm thinking wooden stick from a safe-ish distance.

I've never really heard of anyone holding a slugging wrench for someone else, but I guess there are situations where that would become necessary.

 

[BukitCase]

Useta have older VW bugs, axle wrench was IIRC a 37mm striker - also have a "pickle fork" bit for my air hammer, .401" bit. Last time I used that wrench I used the pickle fork (straddling the striker end) instead of a hammer - worked great... Steve

 

[metaldad]

never had one held.
although the biggest was 2 1/8.
sounds like some you guys had bigger wrenches

 

[ttpete]

Useta have older VW bugs, axle wrench was IIRC a 37mm striker - also have a "pickle fork" bit for my air hammer, .401" bit. Last time I used that wrench I used the pickle fork (straddling the striker end) instead of a hammer - worked great... Steve

36 mm. You're off by 1. Back in the 1960s, we just used impact guns. My 1/2" IR would work fine. Same for the flywheel nut.

 

[Kscardsfan]

You tie a string around the middle of the wrench, someone holds tension on it from a safe distance (2-3') while another person hits it with a hammer.

That’s how they made them use them in the oilfield.

 

[gmwelder86]

Used them solo, used them with help. Helper used a rope to hold in place. I’m pretty good with a hammer but I wouldn’t want to have my hands on that when someone else is swinging a 10 pound hammer at it.