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I'm looking for a small 8mm nut driver

JustinL

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Feb 22, 2014
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103
Location
Utah
At work, I have a tool that has several 8mm nuts that need to be tightened a few times a day. It comes with a cheap plastic nut driver like this

iXbhdqa.jpg


But I break and lose them all the time, I'm trying to find a really small metal 8mm nut driver that I can keep in my pocket or put on a key chain.

Ideally, I'd like to find something similar to a drum key wrench like this

E8UbpSo.jpg


But I haven't had any luck. Does anyone here have any ideas where I could find something like that?
 
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MayerMR

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Feb 13, 2018
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Dallas, Texas
At work, I have a tool that has several 8mm nuts that need to be tightened a few times a day. It comes with a cheap plastic nut driver like this

iXbhdqa.jpg


But I break and lose them all the time, I'm trying to find a small metal 8mm nut driver that I can keep in my pocket.

Ideally, I'd like to find something similar to a drum key wrench like this

E8UbpSo.jpg


But I haven't had any luck. Does anyone here have any ideas where I could find something like that?

Delete the "s" from behind the "https".
 

Katodog

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Mar 23, 2014
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737
Location
Carol Stream Illinois
Looks identical to the tool on one of my camera tripods...Manfrotto Tripod Wrench


Can't say I've ever lost one. In fact, when it seemed to be getting "loose" on the tripod leg I just warmed it with the heat gun and squeezed it a little tighter to make sure it wouldn't fall off. Years later it's still there when I need it.
 
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JustinL

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Joined
Feb 22, 2014
Messages
103
Location
Utah
Looks identical to the tool on one of my camera tripods...Manfrotto Tripod Wrench


Can't say I've ever lost one. In fact, when it seemed to be getting "loose" on the tripod leg I just warmed it with the heat gun and squeezed it a little tighter to make sure it wouldn't fall off. Years later it's still there when I need it.

That's what it is, I'm a tourism photographer and my tripods get tossed around by baggage people and carted all over the place for shoots 12 hours a day every single day and they fall off and get lost. Just today my assistant closed a leg on a tripod that pushed on it and it fired off like a rocket across a boat dock. I've been ordering 5 packs of them from B&H but I was hoping to find a small metal one I can keep on a keychain.
 
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JustinL

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Feb 22, 2014
Messages
103
Location
Utah
Thanks for all the suggestion everyone, I think I'm gonna have to end up making one like a few of you said. I can find plenty of T handle nut drivers but I was trying to find a really small one that I can drill a hole in and put on a keychain or have in my pocket 12 hours a day.
 
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J

JustinL

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Joined
Feb 22, 2014
Messages
103
Location
Utah
How about a stubby bit holder with an 8mm nut setter epoxied into the drive end?

That's actually what I'm using now, I was hoping to find something even smaller with a handle flat so it fits in my pocket well. The nuts can only be hand tight but they're slightly recessed so it still needs to be a socket.
 

DerekV

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Oct 12, 2016
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1,070
Location
Central TX
I understand what you're after and I like the drum key + socket idea. If you know a welder buddy it'd take less than a minute. JB Weld is pretty cool stuff but I don't think it'd last for this application especially being on your key chain. Be sure to grab a 1/4" drive 8mm socket.
 

4xdog

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Aug 18, 2012
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Santa Fe, NM
That's what it is, I'm a tourism photographer and my tripods get tossed around by baggage people and carted all over the place for shoots 12 hours a day every single day and they fall off and get lost. Just today my assistant closed a leg on a tripod that pushed on it and it fired off like a rocket across a boat dock. I've been ordering 5 packs of them from B&H but I was hoping to find a small metal one I can keep on a keychain.

Maybe Really Right Stuff for gear that works as hard as yours? They're not cheap, but, man, is their support equipment good!
 

tonyprovo723

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Joined
Jul 2, 2016
Messages
150
Maybe expand your search verbiage to 5/16". It may be bulkier then you are looking for, but what about the shaft of a multi tip screwdriver. Most have a shaft that is 5/16" on one end.

Sent from my SM-G965U using The Garage Journal mobile app
 

WildwoodChuck

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Aug 25, 2013
Messages
524
Location
Peru Indiana
The plumbing section at the Big Box hardware stores sells a 5/16" nut driver for band/hose clamps. If I remember correctly some of them have a feature to prevent over tightening the clamps and ruining them.
 
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4xdog

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Aug 18, 2012
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Santa Fe, NM
My friends in France really like their clés à pipes.

I have a few, and with time, they grow on ya.
cle-a-pipe-debouchee-topcar-12203-numero-6-T-29087-7220203_1.jpg


cle-a-pipe-debouchee-serie-94-5453112.jpg
 
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BaMaDuDe87

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Mar 4, 2013
Messages
500
Location
AL
Just get an 8mm deep socket with some knurling on the end, drill a hole through it and put it on a key ring.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
 

archy99

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Jan 14, 2015
Messages
40
Location
Everett, WA
Am I the only one that is more concerned about finding a solution for the bolts that keep coming loose? Spring washers, locktite, replacement of nuts?


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CR888

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Feb 19, 2017
Messages
1,198
A thumb/finger ratchet with 8mm socket would work. But you could make something smaller like cutting a 1/4' sliding 'T' down and epoxy/weld into a shallow 8mm socket.
 

wkndwarrior29

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Jan 19, 2015
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NorthEast
I bought one of these (8mm)on eBay for $2 from China to check out the quality and was very impressed. I just couldn't hypothesize enough uses to spend the $50 for the rest of the set though... What scenarios do you use them in?
My friends in France really like their clés à pipe.

I have a few, and with time, they grow on ya.
cle-a-pipe-debouchee-topcar-12203-numero-6-T-29087-7220203_1.jpg


cle-a-pipe-debouchee-serie-94-5453112.jpg

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 

Snakebyt

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Sep 2, 2014
Messages
1,075
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Lubbock Tx
Am I the only one that is more concerned about finding a solution for the bolts that keep coming loose? Spring washers, locktite, replacement of nuts?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was thinking he needed to loosen and tighten them several times a day.
 

4xdog

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Location
Santa Fe, NM
I bought one of these (8mm)on eBay for $2 from China to check out the quality and was very impressed. I just couldn't hypothesize enough uses to spend the $50 for the rest of the set though... What scenarios do you use them in?

Some of our European correspondents may come in with better information, but from my limited experience the clé à pipe is an alternative to a box wrench, sort of crossed with a nut driver. The series of wrenches are sized such that one of the larger sizes will fit over the end of the smaller sizes in a way that acts like a breaker bar and extension on a socket for extra leverage. In addition, the elbow is open so the wrench will slide over a bolt like an open end wrench. The best translation of the French name is probably "socket wrench"

The most common thing I use mine for is a battery terminal wrench. But on my Tacomas, the 10 mm "pipe key" is getting used all the time these days as I change interiors between my old 2001 and new 2003.

The ones I have are French-made by Bost. Might be worth starting a dedicated thread on these...
http://www.bost-tools.com/eng/index.php
 
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nelstomlinson

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Jul 27, 2009
Messages
649
Location
Interior Alaska
Get a 1/4" drive 8mm socket. Find a stout fender washer that will work for a handle. Take your Dremel tool with a cutoff wheel, and notch the drive end of the socket so the washer sits down in the notch a little bit. JB Weld the washer in the notch. You have your keychain tool.
 

dnschmidt

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Oct 3, 2014
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Phoenix, AZ
I have several Manfrotto tripods and they are the best. As far as I'm concerned they make the best tripods in the world. Quality ****.
 

tanukiboy

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Dec 24, 2016
Messages
314
Location
Japan
those are actually pretty awesome

Even though I don't have a Manfrotto tripod to use these wrenches on (and frankly can't think of any other reason I would need them), I ended up ordering the 3-piece set just because they're so damn nifty. Their cool value alone is worth the $12 price. :pimpflash
 
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Snakebyt

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Lubbock Tx
Even though I don't have a Manfrotto tripod to use these wrenches on (and frankly can't think of any other reason I would need them), I ended up ordering the 3-piece set just because they're so damn nifty. Their cool value alone is worth the $12 price. :pimpflash


did you find a US seller with them for $12? I dont really need any, but wouldnt be bad to keep on the motorcycle
 
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