They look quite substantial.
I didn't use the bolt with a spanner to increase any force as they worked fine without and putting extra force on may knacker a reasonable set of grips anyway.
Pipe wrench/stilson for outer tie rod end removal
- Thread starter AnthonyH
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Pipe wrench/stilson for outer tie rod end removal
I didn't use the bolt with a spanner to increase any force as they worked fine without and putting extra force on may knacker a reasonable set of grips anyway.
That's a completely different tool Anthony. Looks like a variation on the Stilson theme to me. The biggest obvious difference is that the Stanley tools have flat faces - like a spanner has. They are not serrated so don't damage the flat faces. Less obvious is that the Stanley tools grip the hexagon on 3 EQUALLY SPACED FLATS - so 120 degrees apart. Think about that for a minute. Most of these sort of tools, the one in your advert, Stilsons, Mole grips, footprint wrenches, and many others grip on only two faces (and often with serrated faces which damage the nut/bolt) but the big thing is that with a tool like a Stilson, as it grips on two opposed faces of the nut then the tighter the nut the more force you apply to the tool which, unfortunately, as the tool grips more tightly, also tends to squeeze the two sides of the nut together and therefore slightly collapse the nut which causes it to actually tighten up on the bolt/stud thread. The Stanley is clever because it uses the same increasing clamping force the harder you lean on it but because it's acting on 3 equidistant faces of the hexagonal nut it doesn't deform the nut - not until you reach the sort of force application which is probably going to shear the bolt/stud anyway.I've just bought a new strut and mount, onwards ever onwards, rebuilding a £450, 16 year old car...
I got google lens , a kind of AI tool to have a look for them, and it found some on Amazon US. I presume this is them? I'd guess you paid £26 for all 3, rather than just the one.
They're being described as a "Magic wrench"
Mole grips have many uses and are an excellent tool but there are many cheap versions out there which are not well made and frankly a waste of money. They also have one big disadvantage compared to the tools we are considering here which is that they don't increase their hold on the workpiece as you lean on them so tend to slip and round the fixing off. I think of them very much as clamps and use them a lot for holding stuff together when I'm welding. If you're going to buy them them splash the cash on a good quality brand. Stanley, in my mind is an "OK" brand but no more than that. However, I believe they have changed owner recently? So maybe worth another look?
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On closer inspection I can see that the ones I found are different, and of course you're right about not wanting to squash a nut on two sides tighter than before!
The mole grips i have are Rolson brand, it seems to be fairly common so is likely to be a budget option, they do slip a lot, hence my thought about getting a hex nut on there to tighten them up even more.
I can remember the stilson clicking a little when i used it, i've not examined the tightening mechanism, but imagine thats it. I'll be loking to use more often and the mole grips less.
It's horses for courses as they say, different tools for different jobs.On closer inspection I can see that the ones I found are different, and of course you're right about not wanting to squash a nut on two sides tighter than before!
The mole grips i have are Rolson brand, it seems to be fairly common so is likely to be a budget option, they do slip a lot, hence my thought about getting a hex nut on there to tighten them up even more.
I can remember the stilson clicking a little when i used it, i've not examined the tightening mechanism, but imagine thats it. I'll be loking to use more often and the mole grips less.
In the case of a seized track rod like you had then the Stilsons work best, other jobs other tools.
Rolson is a brand you often see being sold "super cheap" on market stalls and "cheapo" hardware/general goods shops. I've never bought anything of theirs so really am not qualified to comment on their quality but I've no plans to buy one anytime soonOn closer inspection I can see that the ones I found are different, and of course you're right about not wanting to squash a nut on two sides tighter than before!
The mole grips i have are Rolson brand, it seems to be fairly common so is likely to be a budget option, they do slip a lot, hence my thought about getting a hex nut on there to tighten them up even more.
I can remember the stilson clicking a little when i used it, i've not examined the tightening mechanism, but imagine thats it. I'll be loking to use more often and the mole grips less.
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It doesn't look like its going to fall apart, but it has less uses than i'd hoped, especially as the jaws are quite wide.
I don't have the new strut and mount for a few days, and missus has taken the EVO that needs a little attention, so today i'll be making up a flat pack under sink cabinet...
It's what I always considered cheap cr*p. Sorry
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
Ive done it for years but never used a spanner just mangled the end with pliers. Instructions would have bee useful. It makes the mole more useful. I have a couple now with no teeth on the jaws. My Mole mole has flat jaws and my CK has curved jaws so good for different tasks. Main use had been plumbing work. I was always told they are a poor mechnaics tool. When you are young and penniless you tend to have one tool for everthing.... It makes you marvel at the ingenuity of the person who made the first one!
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Of course. If i owned Rolson i'd take them upmarket and change the name to something better like Lambohini or Raston MartinIt's what I always considered cheap cr*p. Sorry
I remember those days, chewing nuts with a mole grip, getting nowhere fast, ahh happy days lol
Even a good name needs checking JCB on tools sounds good until you check the small print and it says PRC!Of course. If i owned Rolson i'd take them upmarket and change the name to something better like Lambohini or Raston Martin
I remember those days, chewing nuts with a mole grip, getting nowhere fast, ahh happy days lol
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
I have a number of Rolson things that have actually proved excellent. I have a folding stanley knife that is beautifully made, some of their stuff is as you say poor but some is really good. They are no longer cheap though.It's what I always considered cheap cr*p. Sorry
Stanley its self is another that has collapsed in terms of quality. My dad had a Stanley elctric drill for at least 45 years before it died. Now a Stanley drill is very poor. Thats progress. Move with the market and die. Chinese stuff used to have a clear place in the market. I think they have finally reached the 1970's in quality terms!Even a good name needs checking JCB on tools sounds good until you check the small print and it says PRC!
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This is the modern world, not better than the old world!Even a good name needs checking JCB on tools sounds good until you check the small print and it says PRC!
I have a rare quiet day, so i may wash the car, heaven behold, the first time since i bought it, except when i had to repaint it!
Might tidy my tools, i mean them shelves be not pretty lol
You would feel quite proud of your tools if you looked in my garage
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Lol, don't suppose you wanna swap my Rolson crap for your stuff? lolYou would feel quite proud of your tools if you looked in my garage
You may need a skip.
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I've got a new strut and mount to put on the same car, i can probably start this tomorrow. I did the first one 4-5 months ago, but the other has started boinging loudly.
The last strut wasn't too difficult...hopefully tomorrow i'll just be posting "job done!". But there are very few really easy suspension jobs on these olds cars i'm finding.
The last strut wasn't too difficult...hopefully tomorrow i'll just be posting "job done!". But there are very few really easy suspension jobs on these olds cars i'm finding.
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I mauled the droplink...i think its because i tried to take that off before the loosening the strut.
This is what comes from doing anything too early in the morning. I'm awake now anyway
I could elither rush off to GSF now before they shut or get some on Monday, I should have stayed in bed!
This is what comes from doing anything too early in the morning. I'm awake now anyway
I could elither rush off to GSF now before they shut or get some on Monday, I should have stayed in bed!
Don't beat yourself up over it, we've all done it! A new drop link isn't the most expensive thing you could have wrecked!I mauled the droplink...i think its because i tried to take that off before the loosening the strut.
This is what comes from doing anything too early in the morning. I'm awake now anyway
I could elither rush off to GSF now before they shut or get some on Monday, I should have stayed in bed!
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Aye, thanks for the encouragement! It took me about an hour to get the droplink off, it was kind of exhausting lol. It fought me over every 1mm turn! The droplink looks original to the car, so not a bad thing putting a new one on. I'll pick one up later this afternoon from GSF.
What i didn't know is that there is a 17mm spanner hold on the back, i had a mole grip on it tearing away at the rubber. I'm posting a picture of the droplink to remind myself of this at a later time.
