Tank Connector Tool

[Dave Liquorice]

Is there a tool available for holding lugged tank connectors when tightening up the fixing nut when you are on you own and can't reach both side at the same time?

[GB]

Mole grip?

[Bob Eager]

SWMBO (well, it's what I used).

[Farmer Giles]

Yes, as others have said, mole grips. This is a job I have done recently myself, and I did so by locking the mole grips onto the lugs of the tank connector. I then turned the fixing nut until the mole grips inside engaged with the side of the tank - and with them held there you can quite easily tighten up the fixing nut.

[Dave Liquorice]

The cat is in charge of the moles, though she prefers voles. B-)

That's what I used the previous time but I got a most definate "not on your life" look when I gently explored that posibilty this time.

Completely different tank though, the old one was a tall and narrowish plastic water butt this one is a 3' x 2'6 x 3' high old galvanised water tank, plenty of room inside.

Mole grips, yes! Don't have any which is probably why I didn't think of them... Still I just about managed to get things "tight enough" yesterday and with the washer and mating faces covered in Fernox LS-X it ain't leaking this morning, though the tank only has a foot of water in so far from last nights rain.

[Bob Eager]

I once sent SWMBO up into the kitchen roof space to pull a cable from the main building. I had a bad back at the time (really).

OK, she *was* 7 months pregnant at the time...

[newshound]

No moles? How can you show your face here!

:-)

[Dave Liquorice]

We have moles, little black furry things that dig up the "lawn".

As for mole grips as I said that's the cats job.

I've never had a set of mole grips, until now not found any need for them that isn't catered for by a set of spanners, adjustable spanner or water pump pliers. I *think* there might be a pair in the limited set of tools that came with SWMBO'd.

[Martin Bonner]

She will stop reminding you about it eventually. Promise.

... but hopefully you both still have many years left.

[Matty F]

According to a stock photo, these are Mole Grips, but that can't be right:

We call locking pliers Vise Grips or Vice Grips. I use them all the time, especially when grinding lots of metal off.

[Frank Erskine]

"Mole" wrenches are/were specifically made by (W?) Mole in, ISTR, Birmingham.

[John Williamson]

I use it as a generic term , as in Hoover or Henry.

Wikilies asy this:-

"The first locking pliers, named Vise-Grips, were invented by William Petersen in De Witt, Nebraska in 1924.[1] Mole grips were developed by Thomas Coughtrie in 1955, then managing director of M. K. Mole and Son"

So, British ones would be Mole Grips, and American ones, Vise-Grips

What the picture shows, I call water pump pliers.

[polygonum]

Can't help imagining the funeral of the US chap: "Our dearly beloved and sadly departed William, after a long life dedicated to vice..."

[charles]

The postmark used to read: "Newport - home of the Mole Wrench"

[Dave Liquorice]

Water pump pliers.

That'll be an American influence rather than Britsh.

[tony sayer]

No thats not a Mole wench, more called Gas Pliers IIRC..

This is a Mole wrench but they term them self locking pliers which is as good a title!...

[Dave Liquorice]

Not Gas Pliers they are similar to Engineers Pliers but without the serated nose area and a larger rounder opening. IMHO all these descriptions/names are correct:

[Frank Erskine]

When Mole did them they were never called Mole Grips - always a "Mole Wrench".

[tony sayer]

In article , Frank Erskine scribeth thus

We always called them Mole grips dad, uncles, and misc other mechs.....