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Simon Johnston
United Kingdom
6303 Posts |
Posted - 25/10/2024 : 09:21:15
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It’s been a bit quiet round here these days so here’s a suggestion for your Xmas list - The Adjustable Spanner, History, Origins and Development to 1970 by Ron Geesin. See https://www.headscope.co.uk/printed/product/the-adjustable-spanner-2
Truly essential reading with nine - yes, NINE - pages of tables detailing the development of the King Dick adjustable spanners, as found in Triple-M toolkits.
(The picture upload doesn’t seem to be working)
Only deals with Imperial adjustables, however.
Edited to correct the link which was to Volume ii, not Volume i
Simon J J3437 |
Edited by - Simon Johnston on 25/10/2024 09:47:36 |
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coracle
United Kingdom
2074 Posts |
Posted - 25/10/2024 : 09:42:09
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Sounds gripping. |
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Westbury
United Kingdom
2133 Posts |
Posted - 25/10/2024 : 09:51:22
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We all know what Sir Henry Royce’s view of adjustable spanners was. Immediate sacking of anyone caught using one, apparently. Chris |
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George Eagle
United Kingdom
3266 Posts |
Posted - 25/10/2024 : 10:45:52
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I think the adjustable spanner was known in East Africa, where I used lived, as the Uganda half inch!
George |
Edited by - George Eagle on 25/10/2024 10:46:57 |
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BOB27
Australia
140 Posts |
Posted - 25/10/2024 : 10:53:02
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Hi All. Adjustable spanners are a no no in a professional workshop. The only time we used them was for very large hydraulic fittings. |
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coracle
United Kingdom
2074 Posts |
Posted - 25/10/2024 : 11:35:27
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quote: Originally posted by Westbury
We all know what Sir Henry Royce’s view of adjustable spanners was. Immediate sacking of anyone caught using one, apparently. Chris
Taking up the slack here, it is not generally known that a number of Sir Henry's workers persisted in secretly continuing to use adjustable spanners spawning an underground resistance movement at his works.
Sir Henry, having heard leaks of this, decided to tighten things up by sending in a "Mole" to try and infiltrate the movement.
Unbeknownst to him the "Mole" was turned and became one of the leading protagonists in the further development of the adjustable spanner into a self gripping wrench.
At the time it became known as "Mole's Wrench."
We all know them now as Mole Wrenches or Mole grips.
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Edited by - coracle on 25/10/2024 11:37:16 |
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coracle
United Kingdom
2074 Posts |
Posted - 25/10/2024 : 11:45:44
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quote: Originally posted by BOB27
Hi All. Adjustable spanners are a no no in a professional workshop. The only time we used them was for very large hydraulic fittings.
Phew!
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Simon Johnston
United Kingdom
6303 Posts |
Posted - 25/10/2024 : 13:17:51
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This is the front cover picture I couldn’t upload earlier.
It really is a splendid book - highly recommended. The author, Ron Geesin, is a man of many parts including composing for Pink Floyd - do check out his website.
Simon J J3437 |
Edited by - Simon Johnston on 25/10/2024 13:19:13 |
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DanPA
USA
152 Posts |
Posted - 25/10/2024 : 15:13:47
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We called them "metric wrenches" in my youth as the US was transitioning to metric fasteners.
Dan
Daniel Shockey |
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Gerhard Maier
Germany
896 Posts |
Posted - 25/10/2024 : 15:59:33
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But always choose the most powerful of your adjustable spanners if you hear a menacing noise at the workshop door in the evening !! Gerhard |
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coracle
United Kingdom
2074 Posts |
Posted - 25/10/2024 : 16:56:18
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There have been many variations on the self gripping wrench, but most turned out to be just "pipe dreams." |
Edited by - coracle on 25/10/2024 17:24:20 |
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Westbury
United Kingdom
2133 Posts |
Posted - 25/10/2024 : 17:10:10
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Funny, Nigel, I was going to use the same description to explain your ‘Mole’ story as above! Regards, Chris |
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Oz34
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
Posted - 25/10/2024 : 18:58:35
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Barker & Corbett; Blackham & Harrill?
Dave |
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Foz
United Kingdom
776 Posts |
Posted - 25/10/2024 : 19:24:59
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Molesworth...... didn't he invent the universal constant? FOZ |
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BOB27
Australia
140 Posts |
Posted - 25/10/2024 : 21:37:30
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Hi All. Next time you are trying to remove a buggered drain plug think of the bloody drongo (aussie slang) that gave you the problem. BOB 2M1272 |
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coracle
United Kingdom
2074 Posts |
Posted - 26/10/2024 : 15:07:56
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quote: Originally posted by Gerhard Maier
But always choose the most powerful of your adjustable spanners if you hear a menacing noise at the workshop door in the evening !! Gerhard
The trouble for me is that my 36" stillson weighs in at over 9kg and is thus not that maneuverable.
The 18" is still around 2.4kg and rattles potentially forewarning one's opponent.
I find the best approach is to remove your shirt (thus exercising one's "right to bare arms) and grab the 5/8" & 3/4" Whitworth open ended spanner. This is the ideal stealth tool having a nateral non reflective patina and is silent in action.
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