I notice that plumbers seem to use adjustable wrenches more than spanners. Is this because you just can't buy large spanners easily? It's rare to find more than a 25 mm spanner - is there a supplier in the UK that specialises in large size spanners?!
M.
I'd say it's because there are such a bewildering range of sizes, and 'proper' spanners of this size are both large, expensive and heavy. I do have proper spanners for 1/2" compression fittings which are the most common domestically, and I got them in Halfords under their pro brand. Not cheap, though.
But if you really want proper spanners, go to either an engineer's supplier, or to a decent motor factor that has a tool section and deals with trucks.
=============== Screwfix do these:
Focus / Do-it-All currently have a set of large spanners (about 28 to 40mm) at about £14-00 which is very good value.
Cic.
It certainly is. Think my IIRC 24mm ones for the 1/2" fittings from Halfords were more like a tenner each.
================= It's surprising how expensive the larger sizes are. You can get a serviceable set of 8 to 17mm combination spanners for less than a tenner but once you need anything a little bigger you need a mortgage.
Now that I've reminded myself of the large set at Focus I might buy a set on the off chance that they might be needed one day. It seems too good a bargain to miss regardless of quality.
Cic.
I acquired my collection of plumbing-size spanners (3/4in to 1.5in) by keeping my eyes open in 'anything for a pound' type of store & from market stalls :-}}
Most are the combined open end+ring end style in bright or chrome plated chrome vanadium. Most are imperial, but then UK plumbing components still use nuts in imperial, even if quoted size is mm. Anyway, at that size it doesn't matter much whether the spanner is nominally mm or imperial either will work almost as well if near enough the nut size.
They're all tough spanners. Never had any regrets. Never paid over a quid, sometimes it was 2 or 3 for a quid. If I see a new size, I always buy a pair.
good luck
Most good tool merchants can order any size spanner you want, at a price Ive got a 3-3/8 AF King Dick spanner that fits immersion heaters, but its not the ideal weight to carry in you tool box. :-( Boot sales/steam rallies are a good place to acquire larger size spanners.
You tend to use a spanner when you need to apply serious torque, and a socket will not fit.
For less demanding applications a wrench is far more useful.
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