Ignition wrenches ???

[bratwurst]

So why are these called ignition wrenches, are they made specially for ignitions ?

 

[M6erfan]

Back in the day, yes.

 

[bratwurst]

Back in the day, yes.

I had no idea, I was just looking for some cheap Cman wrenches.

 

[DTE]

Back in the day, so to speak you would use them when changing points , coil , under dash work sometimes. They come in handi at least they have for me.

 

[Ray-CA]

Back in the day, so to speak you would use them when changing points , coil , under dash work sometimes. They come in handi at least they have for me.

This.....

And I use them for making the connections to my Auto-Meter gauges.

Ray

 

[DFB]

I used to use them for tightening the site pins on my compound bow years ago

 

[M6erfan]

I still use mine, fairly often. Not for ignitions really but I do run into 5.5. 7, 8, 9mm fasteners on the vintage motorcycles I work on. The run of the mill 'ignition wrenches' are pretty low quality. The S-o Midget wrenches are outstanding though.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I use mine for low access areas, mainly to spin out a fastener already broken free.

 

[Mick56]

I have a big handful of Cman ignition wrenches, very handy.

 

[bratwurst]

You guys convinced me, I just ordered these.They will work perfect for some
Dashboard work.

 

[Jeremy77]

I’ve got 3 or 4 sets lying around. Occasionally I’ll run into a fastener and ***** & curse while I try to use a socket or combo wrench before I remember I have them. Very useful in certain applications.

 

[Farleyfan]

I use them for r/c car repair and adjustment quiet a bit.
And occasional automotive.

 

[MikeF2316]

Back in the day, distributors had a multitude of small nuts and bolts, many with fiber bushings and washers to insulate them. So they made a complete set of wrenches to work on them. I have a complete set of SAE and metric, I just hate to run across a fastener I can't deal with!

 

[Bretny]

Why would you spend $23 on micro wrenches? Those are the least used wrenches in my tool boxes. I think I have two sets of each and it's been prob 5-6 years since I even moved the plastic sleve.

 

[ZRX61]

I found the perfect toolbox for mine Sears sold these years ago as containers for gift cards. They were available in red or silver. Shortly after that, Horrible Fright copied the idea. I have no idea if HF still have them.


In related news, Lowes also has a small novelty toolbox for gift cards. Perfect for keeping bandaids in

 

[yrly]

I’ve used them on various electronics and appliances

 

[ZRX61]

Proto:
https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/87042388

 

[Kwikasfaki]

I used mine today on an external light fitting. Probably the first time in 15 years!

 

[Bighead38]

You guys convinced me, I just ordered these.They will work perfect for some
Dashboard work.

Dashboard stuff is where I use them the most. Used them recently for a blower motor and putting a rear bmw back bumper on.

 

[PelicanPines]

I looked in my wrench drawer and blew the dust off mine... had to be careful not to launch them out of the drawer... with too much air.

 

[matt_i]

I've been systematically eliminating breaker points in my old tractors one at a time. Ain't nobody got time for that.

I have the wrenches and they are indispensible to have on certain days, the full size wrenches are much bigger and bulkier....compare 3/8" of both flavors. Nut drivers could potentially handle the work but sometimes there's no room for those.

 

[four.cycle]

If somebody is actually looking for wrenches of this nature and you want something a step up from the cheap stamped Oxwall/Dunlap/Kastar low-end models, there are currently several options available (for less than $23.00) on Ebay manufactured by Jensen Tool, ROCO, Meteor, and VIM. (all US made / forged and polished)
No reason to spend more than $15-$18 bucks for a nice set of these (with roll-up sleeve) in SAE sizes.

 

[mike93lx]

I must be the only one here that has never used a single one in either set I have.

Only reason I own them is they came with large socket sets.

 

[four.cycle]

^ I have used one or two over the course of the last 50 years. Not much use for them unless you're installing points and condenser.
I had to dig one out to adjust the oddball-sized nut on a Chinese-made work light. Issue was clearance - didn't have room for a 4-inch adjustable in there.

 

[Bretny]

I have a old 1957 ford tractor with points..i still don't use them. Lol

 

[jgromada]

I remember points, yes i have a set of these SAE & Metric but thankfully never really need these.

I general just always use sockets rather than wrenches anyway. Wonder if that is the way it is for most people?

 

[HenryAZ]

I have both metric and SAE sets. Haven't used any of the SAE in 30 years (since I got rid of the '56 Chevy). I do find myself using the metric ones quite often.

 

[ptgarcia]

I have an SAE and metric set that came in my Craftsman set from the early nineties. Only used them a couple times in the 25+ years I've owned them, but I'm just a DIY guy, not a pro.

 

[Motorman55]

Still have my old Craftsman set which I use on my old Harley with its points and condenser, generator, coil and regulator as well as other electrical connections.

Also used them on my MGA, old Hot Rods, motorcycles and pretty much anything where they fit better and I want to keep from overtightening and snapping off the bolts/threads of gauges, etc.

And of course this is GJ and if we only needed to use a tool once in a lifetime, it would pay for itself to justify their purchase. And that's the excuse I tell my wife every time.

 

[Dave455]

I use ‘em quite a lot, but hardly ever for ignition work these days!

Here’s one of my BA sizes in use, changing an element on a toaster very recently!

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I bought a Craftsman box end version and never used them on points, but man, have they come in handy gunsmithing.

 

[ColumbianRon]

When I was doing tune up work years ago, I never had a need for these wrenches. Never had one in my box. But now that I have read this thread, I realize the day might come when I will need a miniature wrench. Based on four.cycle's recommendation above, I went to ebay and found what I might need someday. SAE or Metric? No way to know which will be needed, so just get both. You guys are great.

 

[bpjr]

Back in the day I used them for my dyi ignition work. Not sure the last time I used them for that but probably the late 1970s. Now I use them mostly for R/C and CL model planes where a nut driver won't fit. Other times for taking apart electronics.

 

[22george]

Don't use them very often, but sometimes you need a thin and/or short wrench. In those cases they are quite handy.
There are a lot of tools that you don't use much but in certain situations they are the only thing that works.

 

[Shadowdog500]

As other said they are for working on point ignitions. Having a 67 year old vehicle I still use tappet wrenches as well. They are long skinny wrenches meant for adjusting valve tappets of flat head engines while the engine is running. Most people today use them to fit in narrow spaces.

 

[Rickster]

I don't use them very often but every now and then when I'm taking something apart they come in handy. As said above, used them on old school ignition systems and alternators too.

 

[turnthewrench 2.0]

They come in handy. I've owned this set for 20 years and only used them a few times. Good wrenches to have around.

 

[DFB]

As other said they are for working on point ignitions. Having a 67 year old vehicle I still use tappet wrenches as well. They are long skinny wrenches meant for adjusting valve tappets of flat head engines while the engine is running. Most people today use them to fit in narrow spaces.

Tappet wrenches also come in handy on some plumbing applications especially where you maybe have a stem nut to tighten (like on a flow valve) but the adjuster won't allow a regular wrench to used

I have two sets of the old USA Craftsman

 

[PassnThru]

They come in handy when you have a square drive on something like a screw extractor in a tight space.
That is from experience unfortunately.

 

[Ray-CA]

They're like crow foot wrenches. Don't need them often but when you do, they are a job saver.

Ray