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.

In article ,
Markus Splenius wrote:
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?!

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.

--
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Dave Plowman London SW
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"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Markus Splenius wrote:
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?!

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.

--
*Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

===============
Screwfix do these:
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...35515&id=82712 but they're
pressed steel and not very good if you're dealing with old / tight fixings.

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.

In article ,
Cicero wrote:
Focus / Do-it-All currently have a set of large spanners (about 28 to
40mm) at about £14-00 which is very good value.

It certainly is. Think my IIRC 24mm ones for the 1/2" fittings from
Halfords were more like a tenner each.

--
*If at first you do succeed, try not to look too astonished.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Cicero wrote:
Focus / Do-it-All currently have a set of large spanners (about 28 to
40mm) at about £14-00 which is very good value.

It certainly is. Think my IIRC 24mm ones for the 1/2" fittings from
Halfords were more like a tenner each.

--
*If at first you do succeed, try not to look too astonished.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

=================
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.

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

Markus Splenius typed:

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.

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.

Markus Splenius wrote:

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.


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.

Markus Splenius wrote:
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?!

I used to get Britool Spanners when I were a lad working on Tractors.
Still have a tool box of "big" ones, though 36 was the biggest we'd
usually have to deal with.

Here's a bigger one though
http://www.diytools.co.uk/diy/Main/P...roductID=17926

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"Pet @ www.gymratz.co.uk" wrote in message
k...
Markus Splenius wrote:
I notice that plumbers seem to use adjustable wrenches more than
spanners. Is this because you just can't buy large spanners easily?

No - its because they don't want a hernia carrying a bagfull of all the
"right size" spanners all day