Magneto spanner?

I found this while looking through an old box of tools. It has cleaned up OK and is marked "Terry's Sr.No.673876 SPANNERS". They are marked 1 to 8 with no 1 being the smallest. No 1 is a loose fit on a 6BA nut so I was wondering what if anything the numbers refer to. I seem to remember using them to adjust the contacts on the magneto, on my first motor bike, a 350 Royal Enfield.

Yep, magneto / ignition spanners - there is probably a feeler gauge (or two) and a screwdriver in there as well. Unfortunately I have no idea what the numbering refers to.

I'm pretty sure they're BA sizes but don't know why they were numbered like that. They were common issue in MOD establishments. I'll have to see if I can find a set in the miscellaneous tool drawer to have a look. and remind myself...

I am pretty sure they are not BA the smallest is No 1 and they get bigger BA starts at 0 and gets smaller.

Found a set like that when clearing out my father in law's after he died. He was a car salesman so probably picked it up at work. Don't know where I have safely stored them.

Martin C

Well if you want an answer ask your wife, I just did. Terry's numbers are not BA although other spanner makes did mark them BA. She can't remember why they are just numbered but No 8 is a 4 BA. Also Magnetos either used BA or BSF threads.

Good when you marry an ex-biker who repaired magnetos with her step dad. Embarrassing when she pounces on some poor unsuspecting biker and informs them what is wrong with their classic bike.

Adrian

Edited By AdrianR on 30/03/2020 16:27:40

A lot of men get embarassed when told, correctly, about an engineering item, by a woman.

Years ago, my next door neighbour and I set up his wife to do just that.

Every time that his car went in for service it came back with the ignition timing so badly retarded that it ran on after switching off. (Obviously the mechanics could not /would not read the BMC service manual ).

So instead of correcting the timing, and resetting mixture and idle speed, (again ) we told her what to say. She drove the car into the shop, and asked for the Service Manager. When he appeared, she then told him what was wrong after the service, adding "It shouldn't take more than ten minutes to put it right. I'll wait while you do it" The shop was silent after the noise of his jaw hitting the floor!

Since it was the last service in warranty, we did all the following services!

Howard

Mine stay in my the top of my (main) toolbox. Not used often but, when needed, I know where to find them. I’ve had them for about 50 years. They were not new back then as they were Dad’s and I was using them some time before he died in 1968.

Mine live in the Austin 7, spanner for the nut holding the points onto the post and attaching the CB wire terminal.

I have a set (also inherited from my father) which look just like the picture...except the numbers go the other way. I can confirm that mine are indeed numbered by BA sizes.

Trevor