who makes the smallest head 8mm wrench?

[tommydog35]

I am looking for the smallest head open end wrench in 8mm. Most of the open end 8mm Snap-on wrenches have a head width of around 17mm, which is too large for my application. Who makes an 8mm wrench with the smallest head?

 

[The Cobbler]

I recently ran into an 8mm bolt that my wrench wouldn't slip over because the head was too large . I ended up grinding the box end down to fit

 

[RedneckWelder]

Grind that ***** down and get to work.

 

[M6erfan]

Yep, buy a cheap 8mm OE wrench and "modify it" with your grinder.

 

[itylerstewart]

Yep, buy a cheap 8mm OE wrench and "modify it" with your grinder.

This

 

[Don1357]

What everybody else said.

I have a small bucket of modified tools and wrenches. One is a 15mm wrench I had to bend into an "L" so I could reach a bolt under a carburetor in an engine.

 

[gizardlizard]

Agreed. I needed a rail bolt wrench to tighten rail bolt nuts on the underside of a railing. They wanted a rediculous amount of money for one. They have super thin and narrow box heads. Bought a cheap wrench and ground it. Problem solved.

 

[macgee]

Grind that ***** down and get to work.

+1

Quite a common thing to do.

 

[JRC3]

I have a few classic Craftsman sets that are awesome for tight work. Box, open and right angle. Too cold out there right now but I can look at the item numbers and post it tomorrow, unless someone else knows.

 

[mikegt4]

I have a few classic Craftsman sets that are awesome for tight work. Box, open and right angle. Too cold out there right now but I can look at the item numbers and post it tomorrow, unless someone else knows.

I have some of those sets too, one of those tools that you don't use often except when nothing else will do. They sold them as "ignition wrench" sets used for replacing distributor points. Come in handy for working on small outboard engines as well.

 

[tommydog35]

Grind that ***** down and get to work.

There is no way I am doing that. Most of my tools I really cherish, as they were given to me by my father who is long deceased. Yes I could buy something else and grind it down, but if I am buying something anyway, I may as well buy something that will fit.

 

[tommydog35]

They sold them as "ignition wrench" sets used for replacing distributor points. Come in handy for working on small outboard engines as well.

That could be exactly what I am looking for - thank you!

Out of interest, do you know if they make such a small profile wrench as they ignition wrenches, but for torque applications?

 

[tommydog35]

I think something like the below would work, but does anyone make anything with a longer handle?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I think something like the below would work, but does anyone make anything with a longer handle?

Those mini obstruction wrenches are designed for super tight areas, not really for long handles and big torque.

https://www.tekton.com/angle-head-o...metric-size=8-mm&unit=metric&inch-size=3-8-in

I'd look into one of those, and a grinder.

 

[4xdog]

There is no way I am doing that...

I understand your objection -- I'd never sacrifice a cherished tool either -- but, truly, making a tool for a specific task can be a very satisfying thing to do. Consider giving it a try.

 

[welder4956]

How about this one?

https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-Angle-Head-Wrench-WAE84008/dp/B07JHWZD4X/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=8mm+open+end+tight+clearance+wrench&qid=1612707712&sr=8-10#productDetails

 

[Qualitytools]

I understand your objection -- I'd never sacrifice a cherished tool either -- but, truly, making a tool for a specific task can be a very satisfying thing to do. Consider giving it a try.

I too understand your objection however, tool companies make special tools all the time for various manufacturers especially the automotive side for various applications and charge a lot of money for them. It's done often

Purchase a tool for the purpose of modifying it for your need if you can't find it.

 

[bwringer]

I have four or five cheap-but-decent-enough 10mm wrenches stashed for exactly these sorts of purposes. If I need to reach something unreachable, these get bent, cut, ground, welded, etc., not my good stuff.

Classic Craftsman made in USA raised panel wrenches had the smallest exterior dimensions, and they were FAR more useful because of this.

Same for the made-in-USA "Masterforce" wrenches that used to be in Menards; they were pretty much identical to Craftsman RP. And yes, it does make a big difference quite often in stuff like motorcycle work.

Both Sears and Menards went to giant-headed lobster claw Chinese **** made from chromed cheddar cheese a while back.

Tekton's wrenches are pretty good quality and cheap enough for raw material if needed. Home Depot, Northern Tool, and most auto parts stores sell individual wrenches. Carlyle at a large Napa store might be a good option.

 

[JRC3]

Wrenches I pictured earlier. Not sure if Craftsman still makes these but I'm sure they could be had on ebay. Shown are the actual 8mm wrenches from those two sets.

Also in the pic is a modified (flattened) box end of a 12mm. Had to replace a coolant bleeder/outlet housing on a buddy's Chrysler 2.7 and it required breaking the plenum loose ...Nah, I have some old cheap wrenches to MacGyver and I will get at that bolt. It still sits in my wrench drawer. I guess that pic doesn't really show how thin it is.

 

[Mr_B]

tekton one looks good choice if want buy something.
I think a decent alloy old wrench on the bench grinder give you a workable tool too .

 

[ovilla]

Check out a brand called Park Tool. They make great quality tools for bikes and will have flat wrenches that are even flatter than what you need. Having said that, if it was me, I’d go buy a wrench at HF and then just grind the head to fit the application.

 

[Kscardsfan]

I have a few classic Craftsman sets that are awesome for tight work. Box, open and right angle. Too cold out there right now but I can look at the item numbers and post it tomorrow, unless someone else knows.

I thought I was the only person who hoarded ignition wrench sets lol.

 

[Strouty]

I was going to suggest Moody, but they don't make wrenches that big.

As a few others have said, just go buy a cheap wrench and grind it, bend it, twist it to fit. I actually have a couple sets of HF wrenches specifically for that purpose. Another tough would be to weld a cutoff socket onto a wrench or piece of steel.

I guess you might be able to use a 5/16"

 

[JRC3]

I thought I was the only person who hoarded ignition wrench sets lol.

My stepfather was a real "tool polisher" in 70s and early 80s, he basically ordered up most of the Sears catalog, and he is also a hoarder. Lucky for me.

 

[macgee]

Check out a brand called Park Tool. They make great quality tools for bikes and will have flat wrenches that are even flatter than what you need. Having said that, if it was me, I’d go buy a wrench at HF and then just grind the head to fit the application.

This ^

I was going to take pics of mine, I have very long vintage Schwinn ultra thin bike mechanic metric wrenches that are used to work on bike hubs. They're significantly longer than those Craftsman mini wrenches.

Also have a long metic set made for copier machine mechanics/repairman working on Japanese copiers.

Sometimes these are called tappet wrenches but usually found in SAE sizes

There's also these:

https://www.amazon.com/Capri-Tools-Super-Thin-Wrench-Metric/dp/B0791X9CXZ

Otherwise, you'll find that this is a good reason to have a belt grinder to shape you own using a cheap HF one.

 

[Strouty]

For reference, these are the moody wrenches, some of the nicest made little wrenches I have ever used.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00209TOAG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Dustball]

I was going to suggest Moody, but they don't make wrenches that big.

As a few others have said, just go buy a cheap wrench and grind it, bend it, twist it to fit. I actually have a couple sets of HF wrenches specifically for that purpose. Another tough would be to weld a cutoff socket onto a wrench or piece of steel.

I guess you might be able to use a 5/16"

Yup, I've ordered and used one of their wrenches before. They don't make a 8mm specifically but the 5/16" may work. It's worth a shot considering the low cost.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004W8D78I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[JRC3]

I took it that the OP wanted smaller diameter head like the "a" dimension and not the "e" (thin) like in this drawing.

 

[Strouty]

I think the wrenches that have been posted are fitting that criteria.

Also when I suggested grinding, I was under the impression it was understood that it was the extra material around the wrench, not the thickness. It just happens to be that these thin profile wrenches also have thin profiles in the "A" dimension too.

 

[Strouty]

These may work

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Proto-500-...976289?hash=item28a838a4a1:g:rvcAAOSwHqVgGF27

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Capri-Tool...hDarwoV3BBEV2b&_trksid=p2047675.c101195.m1851

 

[KnurledNut]

If the application is lower torque, you might look into RC wrenches.
Some of them are pretty small and reasonably priced.


https://traxxas.com/products/parts/2748X
https://www.amazon.com/Traxxas-2748X-Wrench-U-Joint-Wrenches/dp/B007DIBYAW/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=2748X&qid=1612719397&sr=8-1

 

[gigamel]

Yep, like said above Craftsman ignition is fairly small



You can always add a box end for more leverage



PS: 5/16" = 8 mm maybe you have an old 5/16" you don't mind grinding

 

[macgee]

Here's pics of my thin ones (low torque), german made Ames; they're long for the size. Is this the type of wrench you're looking for or something different?

 

[Ralf11]

OP, do you need an open end or is there any way to access the fastener with a box end or brake line wrench?

 

[noid]

Finger for scale.

 

[nadogail]

More than once I have "modified" a wrench with a torch, Grinder, or welder to solve a problem.

Some of those "Special Tools" were left behind for my replacement to use.

 

[tommydog35]

Here's pics of my thin ones (low torque), german made Ames; they're long for the size. Is this the type of wrench you're looking for or something different?

Yes that looks perfect. Never heard of Ames before - does it have a current model number - or is it a vintage tool? You say it's long for the size - what does it measure?

 

[tommydog35]

I took it that the OP wanted smaller diameter head like the "a" dimension and not the "e" (thin) like in this drawing.

Yes thats correct

 

[tommydog35]

For reference, these are the moody wrenches, some of the nicest made little wrenches I have ever used.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00209TOAG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They do look nice. Where are they made?

 

[Strouty]

As far as I know, they are made in the USA. They make lots of precision tools.