Split Ring Compression Fitting Spanner 24/32mm

[polygonum]

Am so excited! Having had one of these spanners in my plumbing kit bag for several years, I have at last used it in earnest. Replacing a 3-post valve. It managed to do all three 22mm nuts easily and efficiently. There was enough space to undo/do-up the nuts using a fairly decent arc.

Last time I tried, it was promising, but the space was too cramped and I switched to an ordinary spanner of some sort as soon as the nut had started moving.

In case you want to know of what I speak:

[Cash]

Used to use them some 50 years ago to change the brake pipes on the [original] Austin/Morris mini - still got the spanner in the garage!

Cash

[Bob Eager]

Strange, the stories we recall for some tools we still have. I have in my toolbox an enormous socket that I bought specifically for the steering head on my Honda CB72 - which I sold in 1974. And a 4BA box spanner that still has tape wrapped round it to make a jig for dismantling locks in my flat in an Essex university tower block (about the same vintage).

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Not quite clear what the advantage is? On brake pipe fittings on a car, this type of spanner is less likely to damage the nut. But I've never had a compression fitting which was so tight there was a danger of this happening with the correct open ended spanner. But by that I do mean the correct one. ;-)

[Richard]

The advantage is that it is easier to use in tight spaces.

[polygonum]

I don't think that there is a huge advantage - but sometimes, in awkward locations, or where an open spanner is relatively loose on the nut, it is possible it holds on to the nut rather better.

Don't think I'd buy one if I didn't have one. Which I must have bought many years ago...

[News]

In message , polygonum writes

Delighted for you! I too have one I've never used, and bought due to recommendations here, years ago. Replacing a bathroom suite is on the hit list for one day, so I'm confident it will be used at some point.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Don't put the valve in a tight space then? ;-)

[Dave Plowman (News)]

I'd agree if you're trying to use a open ender which is a poor fit. But the answer to that is don't. ;-) I have metric, AF and BSW types. One will always be a perfect fit.

[Sam Plusnet]

I used these spanners when working on kit which had loads of "tight" but very little "space".