Spanner? - An easy one

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ICanDoItWell

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I would like to purchase a set of open ended spanners for DIY plumbing and would appreciate a list of common sizes that would be most useful.

I do already have a few odd & very old spanners, some somewhat rusted that I inherited from my father & grandfather. 1/2 whitworth/BSW x2 plus a few imperial AF of various unuseful sizes.

Finding a spanner to fit properly is time consuming and it would be better if I could quickly lay my hand on a spanner that did the job.

What I need is mainly for use with 15mm compression fittings and radiator valves.

So what sizes and types ie BSP, Withworth etc would be most useful?
 
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A selection of adjustable spanners is the best kit for univeral work, specialist tools can be got for specialist jobs.

You can buy a Conex spanner for compression fittings, but in most cases you'll also need a tool to hold the fitting
 
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There is a need for slim spanners to hold some fittings.

They just need to be tested to select the right one.

Colour coding with paint saves a pro time.

Tony
 
Thank you everyone for your replies.

I must say that I am a bit surprised, an awful lot in truth, that any professional plumber would use an adjustable wrench.

I do already have a few, four I believe, of varying sizes and ages, but there are times when they do not fit confined spaces as well as a regular open ended spanner. It surprises me that a plumber would use one and keep having to adjust it while working because they usually like things quick and efficient and having a few spanners seems the fastest way of doing it.

I am certainly not a pro plumber so speed is not very important but getting in could be an issue. Saying that I am speaking after using a larger adjustable which I don't know the size, it's 12" total length, so maybe that is why I perceive a problem.

The Bahco is very, very nice but I gulp at that price. Even just under £20 on Amazon or ebay is a lot. The same price on MTS where I was considering purchasing something else.

Best price seems to be at buyaparcel at £16.50 which seems much more enticing but plus £3.95 del so no better overall unless there is something else I need from them.


Does no one rate a spanner any more?

Thanks Agile, I have not seen a plumber use or rely on adjustables when I have watched them work so it did surprise me when people on this thread say they do.

There must be jobs where only a spanner will fit because they are usually much more compact.

I have a large adjustable so I still think that a set of spanners covering the common sizes would be my best bet. The most important question is, what sizes and types should I ensure that I get? I do mainly radiators & valves/TRV's with 15mm pipes and associated compression fittings. Plus an upcoming bathroom and kitchen.

Would it be BSP type spanners that I would need? Whitworth are not used in plumbing?

Sizes? 1/2 BSP seems to be common on radiators. Any other sizes? I don't have anything to test my radiator valves and other fittings so I don't know what I need. I have tried the 1/2 BSW(hitworth) and it was a bit of a tight fit on radiator valves 15mm compression fitting. I have nothing for the larger radiator tail compression nut so don't know it's size. Does that need a 3/4 BSP spanner or 1"?
 
You certainly do need some fixed spanners but many plumbers rely on adjustables and bodge things.

If you have old spanners the file/grind them to fit things.

Tony
 
One of the reasons plumbers use adjustables is that we have to carry the tools we use into customers houses and often up several flights of stairs. To cover the range of fittings I'd have to carry quite a weight of fixed spanners. I do have 8mm and 10mm fixed spanners in the tool bag along with 2 Bahco adjustables and a pair of pump pliers. Meatier tools stay in the van until needed.
 
ICanDoItWell said:
I would like to purchase a set of open ended spanners for DIY plumbing and would appreciate a list of common sizes that would be most useful.

I do already have a few odd & very old spanners, some somewhat rusted that I inherited from my father & grandfather. 1/2 whitworth/BSW x2 plus a few imperial AF of various unuseful sizes.

Finding a spanner to fit properly is time consuming and it would be better if I could quickly lay my hand on a spanner that did the job.

What I need is mainly for use with 15mm compression fittings and radiator valves.

So what sizes and types ie BSP, Withworth etc would be most useful?
Click to expand...

Try a nice set of open end sloggers....
http://tinyurl.com/q5aeytt

Anything tight you just get the sledge hammer out. :idea:
 
Agile said:
You certainly do need some fixed spanners but many plumbers rely on adjustables and bodge things.

If you have old spanners the file/grind them to fit things.

Tony
Click to expand...

Taking a pop at the plumbers are we?

A nut can be tightened or loosened with a piece of rope and a black thorn bush stick.
Doesn't mean the end result is bodged!

It might though if you get carried away with the sloggers. :LOL:
 
These are useful, will fit most compression fittings
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Han...ssion+Fitting+Spanner+2432mm/d10/sd210/p23418

Otherwise bahco adjustables are the way.
The price reflects the quality. £23 for a spanner for a pro is good value.
I have the bahcos in 4 sizes and the above spanner aswell as many types of grips including flat faced ones.

I have a few open ended spanners but in smaller sizes for working inside boilers. But judging by your shock at the £23 for a bahco. I don't think ill post up a link to my set of wera joker spanners ;)

Quality adjustables won't slip and adjust very easily. So work just aswell as open ended spanners.

As stated brass compression nuts are not consistent in size so it would take longer to find the correct size spanner than use an adjustable.
 
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