Odd Spanner

Random question- anyone come across a spanner like this before?

Actually it is effective, and varies from 10-22mm. I assume continental origin based on the spelling and metric nature, and was found in a gutter years ago.

Surprisingly useful, but never seen similar for sale? The irregular hexagonal ends rotate on the pins, in case that’s not obvious!

There are several variants of this design floating around. I've handled two and seen at least three more illustrated / pictured.

As you say they are effective but can be a pain to get on the nut or bolt head. Hopeless with the modern tapered all ways integrated bolt head & washer systems but can be very good on damaged heads.

I din't particularly miss mine when it disappeared on loan.

Clive

I have a set of three to cover quite a size range. No idea where I bought them, might have been in Germany as I lived there for 15 years a couple of decades ago. Actually, can't ever remember using them as my first choice is always a proper spanner or socket!

I think I've seen them in Aldi, some time ago. I've certainly seen them before

Looks like an "Ideal Home Show" special. Bought because it looked good at the time, but then just languishes in a drawer somewhere, because a regular spanner is more convenient.

+1 for the Ideal Home Exhibition special. Worked OK for a time but snapped when it met a tight nut, and not really missed as it had a tendency to chew up the nuts.

Rod

The slang in German for that wrench type, at least in Augsburg area, is "mutternwracke". Translated to English, it is "nut-ruiner" (for good reason).

Not the exact one, but I have one or two in one of my toolboxes... Rarely used.

I do have a couple of those somewhere, but never been that impressed with them.

Cromna ones however, whilst no longer made, really do work well; they grip rusty and rounded fasteners, as well as round bar if used carefully. Available in sizes 1-4.

I've not reproduced the photos here to save clogging up the forum storage, but there's a few either side of that photo in my flickr album.
There's also a few extra ones in my Facebook album if you have access to that particular social media.

Bill

I have one.

i think I bought it from Radiospares around 40 years ago.

i think I know where it is too!

Have number of this sort of spanner, almost all unused, but seemed "A good idea at the time"

If the worst comes to the worst, a "footprint", Stilson or Mole wrench usually do the trick,, but at the expense of the the appearance of the piece being rotated.

Howard

Have a very cheaply made version (no idea where from, I certainly didn't pay for it) that twists out of shape when used for anything even slightly tight.

I think the basic idea is good, if properly made. I prefer my Adjust-a-Box wrench though.

Rob

I have one as in the photo at the top. On one side it says "#A210 Taiwan 3/8-13/16"" (yes one set of double apostrophes from the spanner, and one from me).

On the other side it says " (Strange symbol I can't reproduce) 15-22 MASTER9-14 N".

The heads are chromium plated, and coming off, whilst the main handle looks as if it might be chrome-vanadium.

Peter G. Shaw

There are many variations of self adjusting spanners around - in general it seems true to say 'They fit every nut equally badly'. But still, 100% better than stillsons - unless you have no regard for the skin on your fingers.

And in case anyone has forgotten, the double apostrophe after a number often means inches. Or it did in the good old days.

Cheers, Tim

No Tim, I hadn't - I just wanted to be clear that it wasn't a typing error.

Peter G. Shaw