1/4 whitworth ring spanner

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Saber

Saber

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Hello All,
I will be removing the head on my '74 850 mk2a. Before I go the route of buying and grinding a 1/4 whitworth ring spanner (for the rear center nut #2), do any of you have one that you would be interested in selling? Or does anyone sell one that is thin enough to work without grinding? If so, send me a note. Thanks!
 
Before you grind it try it. I have two different ones and they both fit without any grinding needed. One is a Craftsman.
 
i bought a 1/4w open end and ground it down little by little. when it was finally thin enough to fit, it was too thin, the wrench started opening so I stopped.
 
Saber said:
i bought a 1/4w open end and ground it down little by little. when it was finally thin enough to fit, it was too thin, the wrench started opening so I stopped.
Click to expand...

I think this is why ring spanner, or box end wrench is needed. Also, unless the wrench has an offset, an open end wrench will not be
able to fit the flats of the nut at all points of the rotation. I ground down a box end 1/4w wrench and it works fine. These can
be found used on eBay.
 
lazyeye6 said:
I think this is why ring spanner, or box end wrench is needed. Also, unless the wrench has an offset, an open end wrench will not be
able to fit the flats of the nut at all points of the rotation. I ground down a box end 1/4w wrench and it works fine. These can
be found used on eBay.
Click to expand...

Ditto. I did the same. The wrench is also useful for that one inner gearbox cover nut that's too close to the case for a socket. All other 1/4 Whits on the head can be had with a thin walled socket.

Someone here said that a 14 mm is close to 1/4-W, so maybe a cheap metric wrench can be sacrificed to the grinder.
 
maylar said:
Someone here said that a 14 mm is close to 1/4-W, so maybe a cheap metric wrench can be sacrificed to the grinder.
Click to expand...
1/4W = 13.34mm so an unworn 14mm is fine for snugging, but I wouldn't try final tightening.
 
Here is the rundown on 14mm sockets. I have a craftsman set so I started there.
Craftsman 3/8 drive deep 6 point - does not fit in holes for #1, #9, #10
Craftsman 3/8 drive 12 point - fits in #9 & #10 but definite concern with using the slightly oversized 12 point. Did not go there.
I was at Home Depot so I checked out their 14mm sockets. They had a Husky 1/4 drive 6 point for a couple bucks. I used this and it worked well for #9 and #10 but did not fit in #1.

So I bought a 3/8 drive 1/4w 12 point socket from moss motors ($22 w shipping, easy order, quick delivery). Worked like a charm in #1.

I can order a 1/4w ring spanner from Moss for about $30 and will do so unless someone in this forum has an extra to sell.

Was just struggling with putting $50+ into a wrench and socket. Then having to dick around with grinding and potentially messing up the investment.

Thanks for all your replies and suggestions!
 
Like I said check it before you grind it. It might not need it.
 
Norvil 5.90 GBP 1/4 W combination
AN is outragious....
also try:
British Cycle Supply or Walridge

Don't destroy your hardware there is NO metric on commando. Do not use open end!!!
Many current manufacture will fit commando but earlier NHT may require more thinning of the box end... DAMHIK
Isn't Moss the most expensive?
 
dynodave said:
Norvil 5.90 GBP 1/4 W combination
AN is outragious....
also try:
British Cycle Supply or Walridge

Don't destroy your hardware there is NO metric on commando. Do not use open end!!!
Many current manufacture will fit commando but earlier NHT may require more thinning of the box end... DAMHIK
Isn't Moss the most expensive?
Click to expand...
Walridge has a bent 1/4" WHT combo...but it's $47 CDN. Part Number "13-1660". Their standard 1/4" WHT combo is $20.
 
Over the years you find and collect these specialty tools. Think I got this on eBay for $5 several years ago.
 

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Saber said:
Hello All,
I will be removing the head on my '74 850 mk2a. Before I go the route of buying and grinding a 1/4 whitworth ring spanner (for the rear center nut #2), do any of you have one that you would be interested in selling? Or does anyone sell one that is thin enough to work without grinding? If so, send me a note. Thanks!
Click to expand...

I have always used a Britool 1/4 whitworth combined thin walled ring and open ender.. You might get one or a set off ebay .
 
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