Which size socket do I need?

[Wamsutta]

It's for reference number 4-2 on the drawing. I've got it eyeballed to around 2-3/16 inches, but thought one of you guys who have rebuilt floor jacks before might know the exact size. I don't want to use a pipe wrench because I think leaving teeth marks is cheesy.

Central Hydraulics Model 4172

 

[Zexx]

Get a spud wrench, no teeth.

 

[AmericanMechanic]

Do you have a caliper?

If you want to test whether it's actually 2-3/16, cut a slot that wide in a piece of paper and try it. I suppose. If using a rule isn't accurate enough for some reason.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Use a hammer and punch at a tangental angle.

 

[Wamsutta]

Do you have a caliper?

I wish I did, no. I used two pop sickle sticks and a steel ruler. I'll probably end up taking the whole hydraulic unit to a place that sells gigantic sockets and try some different sizes on it. If I had to buy a socket that size, I would probably never use it again in a 100 years.

 

[cherrybomb]

Even tho this is considered a machinist tool a digital mm.-inch caliper might give you a quick accurate measurement. Once you have one,it becomes another valuable tool in guys arsenal.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Even tho this is considered a machinist tool a digital mm.-inch caliper might give you a quick accurate measurement. Once you have one,it becomes another valuable tool in guys arsenal.

Absolutely. I picked up a Neiko 01407A (MM / Inch / Fractional) for work and was constantly bringing it home, so bought one for home. Use it all the time for just about anything I need to measure.

 

[tonyciambrone]

12" Pliers Wrench

 

[Wyoming09]

Absolutely. I picked up a Neiko 01407A (MM / Inch / Fractional) for work and was constantly bringing it home, so bought one for home. Use it all the time for just about anything I need to measure.

I have a couple of older Fowler dial calipers, a couple of Mitutoyo digitals and a Harbor Freight Pittsburgh at home and at work. Though I prefer the Mitutoyos
I have to say the $10 Pittsburgh works very well for the price point. Also the fractional function is very handy when trying to determine drill bit sizes, especially on smaller sizes where it's difficult to read the sizes stamped on the bit.

 

[454ragtop]

Probably buy another HF jack for what a socket that big is going to cost.......

 

[Lelandwelds]

I don't want to use a pipe wrench because I think leaving teeth marks is cheesy.

[

"Cheesy" treatment of a HF product. I am not a Snap-On fanboy but that is NOT something to worry about.

Take a torch to an appropriately sized piece of mild steel. Cut out an undersized spud wrench. File fit to correct size. Use it once with a 2# hammer.

I would use the pipe wrench with a clear conscience.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Don't know if they use the exact same cylinder, but I just checked my HF 3-ton version (94271) and it measures a hair over 2" (because of the paint).

 

[KnurledNut]

Can you clamp the cap upside down in a vise, and then turn the cylinder with a cinched strap and pipe?

 

[atikovi]

Central Hydraulics? Isn't that made in China? Sure you can even get the parts for it? Between the cost of a socket, the parts and shipping it's probably cheaper to get a new ******** ebay.

 

[Millwright77]

Sounds like you need an all 16ths.

 

[plinker]

I prefer not to have pipe wrench marks as well, looks shoddy. I have done it though and understand the reasoning. A large adjustable type wrench should work fine, or measure it out and make a wrench like whats said above. A chain wrench may work, the gland nut looks like it's flush except for the hex though.

 

[Advan]

Leaving teeth marks on a Chinese jack part that will never be seen is "cheesy", but measuring stuff with a ruler and two popsicle sticks isn't? Use your pipe wrench!

 

[paulsomlo]

Use a monkey wrench: https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-Proto-Facom-FA-105-280-11-Inch/dp/B002FCGDE8

The tank appears to be sealed with an o ring at the tank nut, and a rubber seal at the hydraulic body - the nut shouldn't be that tight.

 

[patchap]

It won't be super tight, if pliers or a pipe wrench doesn't work, just hit it with a chisel.

 

[mikegt4]

I use my Billings 21" monkey wrench for hydraulic cylinder work. It can take any length cheater bar that I can fit on the handle.

BTW, any HF jack is going to be metric which would be 55-56mm for 2-3/16".

 

[Dozerhand]

If you're worried about teeth marks just wrap a rag or a couple of turns of black tape on the nut. As Patchap said, it probably not that tight.

 

[pi_guy]

Pick up the big adjustable at HF it opens up to 2 5/8 and is usable on other things.
It is my go to wrench when somebody comes in and bothers me would not want to damage a good tool.

 

[atikovi]

Here the OP is concerned about scratching his Chinese jack where he will never see it, and this afternoon I spent 2 hours online searching for suspension parts that are NOT made in China. Oh the irony.

 

[sberry]

If I could do it with a pipe wrench I had I would. Get it done. Looking for, buying something else is way more the sign of an amateur than a couple marks if it came to that.