Author Topic: Missing spanner  (Read 3356 times)

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Missing spanner
« on: 28 March, 2021, 08:45:35 pm »


AAARGH. Installing my new hydraulic disk brakes. I get the hose cut, I get it all installed on the caliper, and the shifter. I fit the funnel to the top, pick up the syringe and double check the instructions.

It needs a 7mm spanner. I've got one of those right? I ransack the tool box. Nope, no 7mm here. I check the order history of where I get my spanners from. 8mm is smallest.

AAARGH.

And of course I can't just rock up at a hardware store, shopping is by appointment only. Well I've booked an appointment for tomorrow.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH.

Hate it when this happens

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Feanor

  • It's mostly downhill from here.
Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #1 on: 28 March, 2021, 08:48:44 pm »
Adjustables are, of course, the work of Stan, but have their uses...

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #2 on: 28 March, 2021, 08:50:16 pm »
Adjustables are, of course, the work of Stan, but have their uses...

I have one. It's a 36mm adjustable. I have it for use in plumbing. Does it work for this use case? nooo

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Cudzoziemiec

  • Ride adventurously and stop for a brew.
Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #3 on: 28 March, 2021, 08:54:00 pm »
I know that I got the 7mm spanner I have for a specific task, but I cannot remember what that task was. It definitely wasn't hydraulic brakes.
Riding a concrete path through the nebulous and chaotic future.

Feanor

  • It's mostly downhill from here.
Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #4 on: 28 March, 2021, 08:56:38 pm »
Adjustables are, of course, the work of Stan, but have their uses...

I have one. It's a 36mm adjustable. I have it for use in plumbing. Does it work for this use case? nooo

J

Get an ikkle one for these unexpected situations!

Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #5 on: 28 March, 2021, 09:12:34 pm »
10mm spanner and 3mm hex key to fill the gap

Kim

  • Timelord
    • Fediverse
Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #6 on: 28 March, 2021, 09:13:16 pm »
That reminds me, I wanted a 5.5mm spanner for something recently, as the parallel action pliers[1] were a bit chunky for the space involved.


[1] If you don't already own some, you should.  They're one of those tools that keeps coming in useful, in spite of having no obvious purpose.

Feanor

  • It's mostly downhill from here.
Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #7 on: 28 March, 2021, 09:17:19 pm »
That reminds me, I wanted a 5.5mm spanner for something recently, as the parallel action pliers[1] were a bit chunky for the space involved.


[1] If you don't already own some, you should.  They're one of those tools that keeps coming in useful, in spite of having no obvious purpose.

The obvious porpoise is squeezing scotchlock connectors closed!

Davef

Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #8 on: 28 March, 2021, 09:19:38 pm »
Adjustables are, of course, the work of Stan, but have their uses...

I have one. It's a 36mm adjustable. I have it for use in plumbing. Does it work for this use case? nooo

J

Get an ikkle one for these unexpected situations!
There is not a lot of space for even a small adjustable. For future I would splash out £4.99 on the park tool one.

FifeingEejit

  • Not Small
Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #9 on: 28 March, 2021, 09:19:53 pm »
Is that what I use my 7mm for, I've always thought it was and 8mm.

Although... I do always take a few attempts at getting the right one so...

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Davef

Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #10 on: 28 March, 2021, 09:21:44 pm »
Is that what I use my 7mm for, I've always thought it was and 8mm.

Although... I do always take a few attempts at getting the right one so...

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Mine is attached to the bottle of hydraulic fluid with a piece of string and some tape.

Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #11 on: 28 March, 2021, 09:31:49 pm »
7mm is the standard size spanner for a M4 hex head nut or bolt (or should that be screw?) I don't know why people think they should be so rare or little used. I have two, 6/7 open ended and a 7mm combination. I also have several 7mm sockets in 1/4" drive. I find uses for M4 nuts and bolts regularly!

Of course if you buy spanners in sets, particularly the cheaper sets you will normally be looking at 8mm as the smallest; I had to go out and buy mine separately. Now does anyone know where I will find a BA10 nut  'cos I've a couple of the sockets in my 1/4" drive sets?

FifeingEejit

  • Not Small
Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #12 on: 28 March, 2021, 09:33:17 pm »
Tbh I thought metric bolts went straight from 3mm to 5mm

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Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #13 on: 28 March, 2021, 09:40:06 pm »
There used to be one or two screws on B&S sidevalve lawnmower motors that needed 7mm as well. People used to tell me that these motors, being USAnian, were all UNF but the ones that I have come across in France have needed metric kit.

Tim Hall

  • Victoria is my queen
Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #14 on: 28 March, 2021, 10:05:16 pm »
Tbh I thought metric bolts went straight from 3mm to 5mm

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M3.5 is used for the screws that fix 13A sockets etc to their back boxes.
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"overhaul" it, or you can ride it.  (Jerome K Jerome)

FifeingEejit

  • Not Small
Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #15 on: 28 March, 2021, 10:13:58 pm »
Edit to previous comment

I thought metric bolts and machine screws with hexagonal heads for turning with a spanner or socket, went straight from 3 to 5.

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Davef

Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #16 on: 29 March, 2021, 06:47:16 am »
Edit to previous comment

I thought metric bolts and machine screws with hexagonal heads for turning with a spanner or socket, went straight from 3 to 5.

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Darn it https://www.westfieldfasteners.co.uk/A2_ScrewBolt_HexHd_M4_THRfull.html

Zed43

  • prefers UK hills over Dutch mountains
Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #17 on: 29 March, 2021, 07:53:57 am »
That reminds me, I wanted a 5.5mm spanner for something recently, as the parallel action pliers[1] were a bit chunky for the space involved.

[1] If you don't already own some, you should.  They're one of those tools that keeps coming in useful, in spite of having no obvious purpose.
This. Bit expensive, but really nice. I have the mini and a big one.

robgul

  • Cycle:End-to-End webmaster
  • cyclist, Cytech accredited mechanic & woodworker
    • Cycle:End-to-End
Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #18 on: 29 March, 2021, 08:04:33 am »
7mm on a bike is on a par with a 9mm for frequency of use - the only thing I've ever used a 9mm (even when I ran an LBS) was on a Shimano mech (IIRC the cable clamp) - in non-cycling work I seem to use a 6mm quite a bit.

In a parallel universe a 7mm Allen key/wrench is also a rarity - AFAIK even Park doesn't have one

Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #19 on: 29 March, 2021, 08:42:20 am »
There’s a long tradition of cycle brakes needing unusual sizes of tools.
Anyone else remember the 3.5mm hex key vital for Campag Delta brakes ? A size neede for no other purpose I know of.

Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #20 on: 29 March, 2021, 09:05:38 am »

In a parallel universe a 7mm Allen key/wrench is also a rarity - AFAIK even Park doesn't have one

Ford used to use them on their front callipers and may still do.  I went through my box of random Allen keys several times - not believing that I hadn't got one that fitted.  I ended up having to buy one from a motor factors to do the job and add to the box.

FifeingEejit

  • Not Small
Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #21 on: 29 March, 2021, 12:03:26 pm »
Edit to previous comment

I thought metric bolts and machine screws with hexagonal heads for turning with a spanner or socket, went straight from 3 to 5.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk
Darn it https://www.westfieldfasteners.co.uk/A2_ScrewBolt_HexHd_M4_THRfull.html
Learn something gnew every day

What's DIN931 that it's not to be confused with DIN933?

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Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #22 on: 29 March, 2021, 12:40:05 pm »

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #23 on: 29 March, 2021, 01:09:36 pm »


I now have a 7mm spanner

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Davef

Re: Missing spanner
« Reply #24 on: 29 March, 2021, 02:03:59 pm »
Edit to previous comment

I thought metric bolts and machine screws with hexagonal heads for turning with a spanner or socket, went straight from 3 to 5.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk
Darn it https://www.westfieldfasteners.co.uk/A2_ScrewBolt_HexHd_M4_THRfull.html
Learn something gnew every day

What's DIN931 that it's not to be confused with DIN933?

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk
Thread pitch i think