spline on square nuts question

[Holt]

So I deal with a lot of 7/16 size at my job. I have 1 that is a 4 side square nut which my 7/16 wrench fits over. I figured I would buy a gearwrench 7/16 spine ratcheting wrench. The spli e side fits over 7/16 6 sided nuts but not the sqare nut. What would be the appropriate size. On square do you go up a size? The wrench is a 7/16 and on the spline end it marked 14. Fyi the spline side is to small.

 

[oldtools]

You have to use a 8 points wrench or socket. They are not common, but they do sell them (socket).

 

[mech-tech]

I believe on square you go up one size. Sears sells the 8 point sockets in 3/8 drive which would fit better.

 

[oldtools]

There is also square wrench.

http://www.google.com/shopping/prod..._igL65oC4Ag&ved=0CIkBEPMCMAQ4FA#hsec:overview

 

[mech-tech]

I believe those go by the trade name "service valve wrench" for the hvac industry, which might be able to be found at a hvac tool supply retailer.

 

[Holt]

You have to use a 8 points wrench or socket. They are not common, but they do sell them (socket).

I thought the whole point of spline was the ability to work on many fastners including 4 point. Im pretty sure ive used spline on a 4 point before on the little demo at sears.

 

[Dave455]

Spline wrenches are really designed for spline fasteners. These were developed primarily for aerospace use, and if you want to see some, just look at the wheel nuts on a Boeing 757 or somesuch!

Splines fasteners are numbered for ease if use, but the number is simply it's size in 1/32's of an inch! A No.10 spline is 10/32 or 5/16, and thus your No.14 is a 14/32 or 7/16!

Now you CAN use a spline wrench on a normal 6 sided nut, or even a 4 sided nut, but I'm not convinced it's a good idea as there just isn't the contact area! I do a lot of machine setting, always need to turn square shafts on leadscrews and machine vices, and find that you are much better off using an 8 point socket!

The best modern ones are made by Snap On. I think they are the only manufacturer to use the 'flank drive' type of profile on their 8 point sockets!

 

[oldtools]

I thought the whole point of spline was the ability to work on many fastners including 4 point. Im pretty sure ive used spline on a 4 point before on the little demo at sears.

You are right. Guess you have to find one that fit. Try the next size up. Or take the square nut to HF and see which spline socket fit the nut. HF has a set of spline socket on a rail (not sealed up).

 

[oldtools]

If you don't like HF, go to Sears and try it out on their set of spline wrench.

 

[Sureshot]

You are looking for the "right" size 12 point tool. We used to use alot of 1/2" square nuts which were a 13/16 flat wrench or 1" 12 point box(if I remember correctly).

 

[rusty65]

You can turn square nuts with many types of sockets but 8pts are the strongest and most secure plus they are fairly easy to find used because most people don't know what they are used for.


Sent From Snap On Headquarters deep in China.

 

[foxhound]

I use a 7/16 regular 12 point ratcheting box end (not spline) for beam clamps which have a square nut.
Just bought some mastercraft/ gearwrench sae flex ends and cut off the open end and welded the two box ends together. they work great on square nuts.