Wrenches with 1/32 sizes

[MShaw]

I was asked a while back what the 1/32 size wrenches would fit.

I finally was able to track down the information. In the old US Standard which was superseded by the American Standard sometime in the 1940s the sizes were as follows:

5/16" bolt and nut 19/32 across the flats

7/16" bolt and nut 25/32 across the flats

9/16" bolt and nut 31/32 across the flats

So, unless you are working on something pre WW2 you will probably never use these sizes. From my experience I seem to remember that Model A Ford main bearing bolts took a 25/32 wrench and the radiator top and bottom tank flange bolts on an Austin Western road grader used a 19/32 wrench.

Most people probably won't be working on either of these in the near future.

 

[Ratchet.]

Interesting to know, have seen (and own) quite a few wrenches in those odd sizes so i guess some British market stuff used them as well, that or they coincide with some whitworth or bsf/bsw bolts.

 

[Jim C.]

I've found fasteners sized on 32nd increments on old Delta woodworking machinery from the 1940s and 1950s. There's one nut in particular, a 25/32", that shows up frequently on several different machines to include shapers and drill presses.

Jim C.

 

[safariknut]

I have several sets with 1/32nd increment sockets including 17;19;21;25;29 and 31/32nds. If I remember correctly 1950's and 60's era GM exhaust manifold and pipe nuts were either 17 or 19/32nds.

 

[Lassen Forge]

I work on mostly pre-WW2 (and some pre-WW1) stuff with scary regularity, and couldn't live without my 32nds wrenches. It's like working on firearms, and especially OLD firearms - at times you have to "roll your own" because they're so far off the beaten path nothing anywhere works.

You want real fun? Try Japanese pre-JIS Metric fasteners. It seems EVERYONE had their own size/pitch designations, and it was nothing to strip out aluminum cases on say, an early 70's Suzuki (which had their own proprietary standard as well... )

 

[jeff64]

It was based on the pre WWI standard of the nut should be 1.5 times the bolt diameter or something like that. Some of these sizes were discontinued during WWii, but sometimes a "heavy" hex nut is used, which is larger than the modern size. Some of these are still 32nd sizes.

 

[skulldrinker]

My set of Craftsman's have some 32's. Bought them in 1977.

 

[mires]

Any idea where an 11/32 would be used? I have 3 Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches in that size and may just Ebay them if they will never get used.

 

[safariknut]

It was based on the pre WWI standard of the nut should be 1.5 times the bolt diameter or something like that. Some of these sizes were discontinued during WWii, but sometimes a "heavy" hex nut is used, which is larger than the modern size. Some of these are still 32nd sizes.

I wonder if that is what this socket set is based upon.Instead of actual sizes,the sockets are numbered from 1 through 8 and the bolt head is smaller than the nut. This company was in business from 1907 through 1916.
I can't use the advertising section yet but I am still looking for a handle for this set if anyone has any knowledge of who might have one.A picture is posted of it in another post.

 

[dowmace]

Any idea where an 11/32 would be used? I have 3 Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches in that size and may just Ebay them if they will never get used.

Still used on the nut that holds fluorescent ballasts into a lay in 2x4 fixture.

 

[safariknut]

Any idea where an 11/32 would be used? I have 3 Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches in that size and may just Ebay them if they will never get used.

I think it is also used on the ignition point wire on GM distributors and ignition coils.

 

[flynlow8740]

Any idea where an 11/32 would be used? I have 3 Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches in that size and may just Ebay them if they will never get used.

11/32 is the standard size nut for an 8-32 machine screw. I use them all the time on aircraft and other random stuff.


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[mires]

Still used on the nut that holds fluorescent ballasts into a lay in 2x4 fixture.

I think it is also used on the ignition point wire on GM distributors and ignition coils.

11/32 is the standard size nut for an 8-32 machine screw. I use them all the time on aircraft and other random stuff.


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IIRC, the smaller nuts on older GM solenoids were 11/32".

Thanks for the info guys. I'll have to make a note with this info and stick it next to the wrenches

 

[Jim C.]

Any idea where an 11/32 would be used? I have 3 Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches in that size and may just Ebay them if they will never get used.

You have three wrenches all the same size that you don't use...... Okay, I'm all for economizing the space in your box, so sell two and keep the best one. As soon as you sell all three, you're gonna for sure need an 11/32" wrench for something. It practically goes without saying. I think it's a good rule of thumb to keep at least one of every size wrench and/or socket in your collection just in case you need it. There's nothing worse than not having the right size tool for the job. Since I do find myself occasionally tinkering with older machines and such, I'm always keeping an eye out for odd ball tools in unusual sizes. Wrenches and sockets sized on 1/32" increments, clutch head screw drivers, etc. are always on my want list.

Jim C.

 

[MShaw]

I just looked at my 25/32 1/2" drive socket. When I started getting into cars in the mid 50s I lived near the local Snap On dealer. When they ran "trade in" sales he would keep the serviceable tools and sell them to people just starting out. The above socket is one of those tools. It is a "Chrome X Quality" socket.

Per the alloy artifacts web site this was the brand for the Western Auto premium tools from 1936 to 1939. So 76 years later this tool is still in service although rarely used.

 

[Jim C.]

I have several sets with 1/32nd increment sockets including 17;19;21;25;29 and 31/32nds. If I remember correctly 1950's and 60's era GM exhaust manifold and pipe nuts were either 17 or 19/32nds.

I think you're right about the 1960s GM exhaust manifolds..... And I'm pretty sure the studs coming off the manifolds that connected to the pipes used 17/32" nuts.

Jim C.

 

[rmmiller]

I still have a bunch of the 32nd sized wrenches from my grandpa's tools, nobody else wanted them when they pillaged hos tools after he passed. I have no real use for them but since they were his they're staying.

On a side note, what about the axle nuts on bikes from the 70's? I know a 9/16 just didn't fit right and dad never had any metric tools, were they 32nd sizes? An adjustable fit for a while but once we rounded off the nuts (because we were idiot kids) it was on to the channel locks. By the time dad found out we had been "working" on our bikes and had to fix the mess he was one pissed off old man!

 

[Mechanical Noise]

On a side note, what about the axle nuts on bikes from the 70's? I know a 9/16 just didn't fit right and dad never had any metric tools, were they 32nd sizes?

Probably BSC (British Standard Cycle) aka, CEI (Cycle Engineer's Institute? Not 100% sure.)

British bicycle designs were licensed/cloned all around the world and the manufacturers would continue using the British spec hardware. The nuts and bolts were the same sizes across the flats as the same size British Standard Fine hardware. One size smaller than the corresponding Whitworth hardware. Whitworth/BSF wrenches are correct. Most of the usual bicycle hardware worked perfectly with wrenches at odd 1/32" sizes.

Most of the bicycle hardware was threaded at 26 tpi, so there wasn't much chance of finding correct nuts and bolts at the hardware store. Bike shops were the place to go.

 

[safariknut]

Probably BSC (British Standard Cycle) aka, CEI (Cycle Engineer's Institute? Not 100% sure.)

British bicycle designs were licensed/cloned all around the world and the manufacturers would continue using the British spec hardware. The nuts and bolts were the same sizes across the flats as the same size British Standard Fine hardware. One size smaller than the corresponding Whitworth hardware. Whitworth/BSF wrenches are correct. Most of the usual bicycle hardware worked perfectly with wrenches at odd 1/32" sizes.

Most of the bicycle hardware was threaded at 26 tpi, so there wasn't much chance of finding correct nuts and bolts at the hardware store. Bike shops were the place to go.

Ran into that problem mounting a set of driving lights(from a vintage Rolls or Jaguar)on my Mini Estate.The thread was 7/16ths by 26.Finally found a pair of nuts at a Triumph motorcycle dealer. I think I still have a spare in my hardware cabinet. Couldn't believe how many different standards there were in British hardware.

 

[TedInFlorida]

In the late 60s I had a Ford with a 427 motor in it. The nuts on the connecting rods were 19/32.

 

[snapmom]

A 29/32 Blue Point. For some of the older Plymouth-Dodge Shackle bolts.

 

[rmmiller]

Probably BSC (British Standard Cycle) aka, CEI (Cycle Engineer's Institute? Not 100% sure.)

British bicycle designs were licensed/cloned all around the world and the manufacturers would continue using the British spec hardware. The nuts and bolts were the same sizes across the flats as the same size British Standard Fine hardware. One size smaller than the corresponding Whitworth hardware. Whitworth/BSF wrenches are correct. Most of the usual bicycle hardware worked perfectly with wrenches at odd 1/32" sizes.

Most of the bicycle hardware was threaded at 26 tpi, so there wasn't much chance of finding correct nuts and bolts at the hardware store. Bike shops were the place to go.

Good info, there's a lot of truth to the hardware store issue too. Never was able to find replacements for those we rounded off.

 

[Model A Fan]

I was asked a while back what the 1/32 size wrenches would fit.

I finally was able to track down the information. In the old US Standard which was superseded by the American Standard sometime in the 1940s the sizes were as follows:

5/16" bolt and nut 19/32 across the flats

7/16" bolt and nut 25/32 across the flats

9/16" bolt and nut 31/32 across the flats

So, unless you are working on something pre WW2 you will probably never use these sizes. From my experience I seem to remember that Model A Ford main bearing bolts took a 25/32 wrench and the radiator top and bottom tank flange bolts on an Austin Western road grader used a 19/32 wrench.

Most people probably won't be working on either of these in the near future.

Thou speaketh too sooneth

So, X/16 replaced the X/32 in wrench sizes around WWII? What was the reason behind this?

 

[MShaw]

I realized that shortly after making that post. Folks interested in old tools must surely be into the vehicles they serviced.

For my part, the first car I drove on the road (in 1956) was a 1931 Model A Victoria coupe. Would love to have it now!!!!

I would settle for an AA truck but mere mortals can't afford them in today's world.