14mm spanner

I've been employed in real (ie not model engineering) industry for over 40 years. For only one of those years did we use Whitworth, and that company went bust. If it's destined for Europe (and that does include UK) it's metric threads, if it's for USA it's probably unified.

I worked on german envelope machines for 30 years, back in the 60s their 6mm screws had 14mm heads, then in the 70s they changed the head size to 13mm, I assume to save money etc, a 10/14 spanner was common back then but a rarity now, its 10/13 nowadays.

Just had a browse around the garage, and found a chainsaw, a grass trimmer and a generator set all with 8mm threaded bolts with 14 mm heads. I have a grass tractor with a (original) mix of 6mm threads, and 10 or 11 mm heads. I have a small japanese tractor (Yanmar), and it also has 8mm bolts with 14mm heads. I also found some 10 mm bolts, some with 15mm heads and some with 17mm. I also have a Dacia Duster car, and mmost of the 8mm threaded fittings appear to have 14mm heads, so I would say - so much for standardisation. I can't say I have ever found any of this a problem - the socket and spanner sets I own all range from about 8mm to 22mm in 1mm steps, so whats the problem? (too lazy to use the correct spanner?)

The one that really annoyed me was (to the best of my recollection) when I did some work on the cylinder of (I think) a Ford Escort (more years ago than I care to remember), and I found that the cylinder head nuts used some strange internal splined drive. I had to buy a special socket for that one job, and at that time, needless to say, I had to buy it from a Ford garage at some ridiculous price. I still have it, rusty as Hell, in my toolbox - I use it as a drift  these days. As far as I am concerned, all these 'special' fasteners should be junked - it seems to be just a scam either to prevent you working on things, or to generate cash for the manufacturers. (rant over)

Edited By An Other on 29/10/2016 19:20:57

Sorry yes 6mm is 10mm AF, but it was 11mm, and 8mm is now 13mm AF.

Ford cars use 12,14,15,16 and 18mm spanners

Back in the eighties I'm sure they had a way of making sure you needed all five sizes to remove something only held on by four bolts...

Neil

French stuff still does. That's before you discover that the bolts are made of an engineering grade of cheese.

A 14mm AF is just handy if you have old 9/16AF hex to deal with. When the old 3/8th UNF/UNC with 9/16 heads got rusty (which they did a lot if you live near the sea) a 14mm spanner might just get you out of trouble.

Mark

My complete 'King Dick' socket and spanner set includes 14mm and all metric sizes and imperial. I have 2 other sets that include 14mm and the above.

I really dont know what the fuss is about.

Some of you really ought to get a life.

Cheers,

Julian

Edited By julian atkins on 29/10/2016 23:16:58

A 14mm spanner fits a 14mm nut.

Does it matter that thread is inside it ?

Get a life.

My toolkit is comprehensive enough to never be short of the correct spanner. Years of working on old British bikes/Land Rovers and modern cars and Jap bikes has made me buy the correct stuff. Spline drive stuff used by the automotive industry is cheap enough to buy for the serious tinkerer. A N Other it would have most likely been a Ford "Pinto" engine that hade the spline drive for the cylinder head bolts.

A friend of mine thinks it is about time another set of sizes are introduced to make all the youngsters buy sets other than metric because he had to buy Whit/A/F and metric like I did. I have some rarities like 25/32" A/F found on prewar BSA and other bikes.

i get loads of use from my 14mm spanner.

also got a bit of kit with m8 bolts that used 12,13 and 14 mm spanners.

also got a 75mm spanner.

Back in the 70's and 80' it was 10mm (rocker covers) 13, 15, 17 and 19. They also bought out a brake fitting that needed a 7mm hex driver, we waited ages for Snap-On to supply those.

JS, if that was aimed at me (given the proximity to my post mentioning imperial threads) then I struggle to see your problem with it. I was simply pointing out that old rusted heads on those size nuts and bolts can sometimes be undone with a 14mm spanner - this is something I learned a long time ago working on old imperial motors and vehicles. It might just help someone out in the same predicament.

As is often mentioned on here, if you don't like a subject or the replies - stop reading them or simply ignore them.

Mark

Mention of Ford "Pinto" engines reminds me that those engines are quite rare, the common 1600 and 2000cc derivatives were actually referred to simply as ford OHC - the Pinto was a 2300cc American engine.

Mark

I agree, there were a couple of nasty replies. I expect children to be rude but not adults.

JS, yes, and the fact that you can "beat" one onto a jiggered 9/16 af head/nut is also a fact - one that might be useful to remember if you don't happen to own a nice set of snap-on flank drives.... Another useful cross over is 13mm can be persuaded to go on 1/4 BSW if I recall

Mark

11mmA/F is a bit tight on 7/16A/F

Mike

Spannering much of my working life life has meant purchasing a spanner to fit the bolt/nut needing attention and learnt to live with it, results in a toolbox full of spanners and every one useful on the relevant bolt/nut whatever size.

Sometimes if I'm really lucky having to use a 13 mm spanner on the bolt and a 14mm on the nut and not developed a complex about it.