Metric Ignition Wrench Set Options

[redragoon]

Couldn't find much discussion about slim ignition wrenches that weren't vintage. I wouldn't mind a set of those, but I don't have time to hunt at the moment.

Background: I have a new cheap 3D printer that I am using to make small tools and repair/replace broken plastic in things I am restoring. It came with a couple of the terrible stamped steel wrenches for making adjustments. One of those wrenches is already damaged and will not work, but there are some small spaces that my other narrow wrenches do not fit.

At work I have a small Stahwille 12/10 5mm ignition style wrench. It is the wrong size, but fits the tiny slot on the machine. This wrench is ~2mm thick.
Since everything on the machine is small, I figured I would get a metric mini ignition wrench set, but I can't tell how thick some are. The set needs to cover ~4mm to 10mm.

I need it to be the same thickness as the Stahlwille, but I'm wondering if I should just get the 12/10 set anyway.
Does anyone have some other suggestions from other manufacturers? Japan, Euro, USA preferably.

 

[chard98]

There is a tool importer in South Carolina that carries those wrenches. I can't recall the name.

 

[Ditchdigger]

The Facom thin offset DOE set starts at 2.5mm thick on the 3.2mm wrench and graduates up to 4.5mm thick on the 17mm. The 5mm is 2.5

 

[DAustin]

How about the Craftsman ones? You could go by Lowes or Ace and look at them and see if they will work.

 

[Dave455]

Sadly, small wrenches are costly, especially good ones. Definitely worth acquiring though. They take little space to store so something to buy for long term.

Snap On are absolutely top end quality. Top end price too, but I think about the best if you want it. As well as “ignition” wrenches, they also offer “slimline” wrenches, which as the name suggests are a slim version of a standard size wrench.

In Imperial sizes I have some older British made wrenches, Britool and Bedford. The latter are particularly nice, should you be able to find any used.

For new, my first thought was Stahlwille too, but again, costly. Hazet also offer ignition wrenches, their “440” series. Similar pattern to the Stahlwille (I suspect specified by German DIN) but maybe a bit nicer. Similar price.

Facom offer regular (not offset) ignition wrenches. These are Italian made, relatively inexpensive, and acceptable quality. (I have a set in Metric).

If you can get hold of a set, I’d consider KTC Profit. Again, these are a slim, rather than ignition style, wrench, but the only ones I’ve seen were first class quality. They also offer 3 styles of wrench.

These are on my “wish list”!

 

[DAustin]

Take a look at Elora Tools they have some really small wrenches that even go down to 2.5mm.

Elora Tools made in Germany

Elora Werkzeugfabrik top quality German hand tools offered for purchase online. Products include a wide variety Wrenches, Sockets, Pliers, Screwdrivers, Cutting tools, Pullers, Impact tools, and Insulated tools, for sale at our online store.

www.bloomertool.com

 

[Tools4Me]

OP, the open ends of the wrenches in that Stahlwille 12/10 wrench set you mentioned increase from 2mm thick to 3mm thick for all sizes 8mm and larger, so if you need the larger sizes to be 2mm thick that set won't work for you.

The attached image is a screengrab from the latest Stahlwille tool catalog.

I have been through this same thing myself, trying to make a workable assortment of good quality mini/thin wrenches without spending too much money. It is very hard. For the very small stuff, when a small socket, small nut driver bit, or a precision nut driver won't fit, I use Moody Tools USA made open end wrench sets for the SAE and metric stuff that's 7mm or 5/16" and smaller whenever the wrench end needs to be thin. The open ends are 1.5mm thick for all sizes, and the tips can be replaced for several dollars if one gets mangled up. I find them to be amazingly durable for what they are. The metric sets you pretty much have to buy new, but the SAE sets have been around for a long time so they can be found on the used market.

Each size has it's own handle- https://www.zoro.com/moody-tool-open-end-wrench-set-30-deg-25-7mm-8-pc-58-0161/i/G1209695/
One handle with replaceable tips- https://www.techni-tool.com/product/580IE0144-58-0144

For similar nut sizes and/or areas that can handle a bit thicker wrench, I have been using vintage USA Craftsman midget/ignition wrenches. The old ones, from when Craftsman ignition wrenches actually had machined surfaces inside the open end of the wrench instead of the wrenches just being stamped out and left rather crude and with poor tolerances like their newer stuff. 4mm to 11mm sizes, but between 3mm and 4mm thick at the open end depending on the size. For my thin wrench needs 13mm in size and over, I have a Park Tool cone wrench set (designed for working on bicycles). All sizes are about 2.15mm thick at the open end. They are US made, and likely as durable and strong as a wrench that thin can be. I only use them when the situation demands a super thin wrench, because they will never be strong enough to do the job of a more normal thickness wrench.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H3T8U1M/?tag=atomicindus08-20

As you can probably already tell, I don't currently have any wrenches that are around 2mm in thickness that fit fasteners 8mm to 12mm in size. Luckily I haven't needed them yet. There are cheap stamped steel wrench sets out there that I could use to fill the gap, but they are likely not very good quality.

Options- You might want to look on R/C forums. Lots of R/C car and R/C airplane enthusiasts use small tools regularly. There are a lot of good quality niche tool brands out there that most have never heard of (like MIP hex drivers). I'm sure someone out there makes a good set of thin small open end wrenches in the size range you are seeking.

I don't know if it would work for you, but another thought would be to use a thin jawed adjustable wrench if you can fit the head into the areas you need to reach. There are several versions available out there but the more common Channellock or Bahco versions are all in the 3-4mm jaw thickness range. The only ones I know of with 2mm thick jaws are the Engineer TWM-03 or TWM-07. The Engineer pliers I own were made in Japan, but the COO of their thin adjustables would have to be verified. I don't know if everything they sell is made in Japan.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TGHOCW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MJJ9EK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Good luck, and maybe if you find something good quality that covers the 8mm to 12mm size range for a decent price I will buy a set for myself too. If not, I will probably eventually buy or DIY my own version of one of the thin jawed adjustables just to cover my bases a bit more.

 

[redragoon]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Most of the nuts needed are under 10mm. I decided on the Stahlwille set since I know they will work, and I've used them in the past.

Those Engineer wrenches are another good option if I have this problem in the future.