The Ford Barn

Steinar · 05-04-2011, 01:19 PM

I'm now trying to free the brake-tube from one of the rear wheel-cylinders. (Converted to hydraulics). I've got some tools, in inches, but it seems like 1/2" is far too big, and the one next to it, in my toolbox, the 7/16" is too small. Should it be something in between there? Maybe the guys at Kamasa Tools didn't tell me the whole story..?
Also, in metric, 11 mm are too small, 12 mm too roomy..

Steinar

mjw · 05-04-2011, 01:29 PM

It is probably something like 15/32. I have one around here somewhere but I usually file down a 1/2 wrench. Filing a socket would not be easy.

Steinar · 05-04-2011, 01:33 PM

Ok, thanks! I'll go to the hardware store tomorrow trying to get one.

edzaha · 05-04-2011, 01:39 PM

How can you file down a 1/2 in wrench to make it smaller than a 1/2 inch?

mot · 05-04-2011, 01:43 PM

15/32 is really an odd ball size
I know of no nut or bolt that uses one( I think bicycles use it)
it sounds like its a 7/16 thats been rounded off making the wrench too small
can you get a file and square up the edges of the nut?
you should be using a tubing wrench to remove the nut,not an open end
see ebay 320692538781
the open end wrenches slip and cause rounding of the edges of the nut,making it almost impossible to losen them
tom

Steinar · 05-04-2011, 01:49 PM

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I use a tubing one, but I also tried an open one just to see if it was possible to get it on. The nut looks very good, doesn't look rounded at all..

S

Steinar · 05-04-2011, 02:01 PM

I was out in the garage, checking out the other side. Seems to be the same situation there. I think I once heard that an inch was not necessarily an inch. I think maybe an english inch was different from an american one? Maybe this could cause the problem?

Dave72dt · 05-04-2011, 02:15 PM

I recall inheriting some odd size sockets at one time that were gauged in /32s, 17 and 19 come to mind and there were some nuts they fit perfectly on when nothing standard fit properly.

Keith True · 05-04-2011, 02:20 PM

Is it possibly Whitworth? Parts made in England years ago maybe?

Steinar · 05-04-2011, 02:39 PM

That might be. The car has been standing still for many years. I know it was on the road in 1978, but could have been converted to hydraulics long time before that. I thought BSW (British Standard Whitworth) was about threads, but maybe it also meant a difference to the head?

Keith True · 05-04-2011, 02:47 PM

Yes,there is a difference in the heads.However.most things can be done on British bikes with a combination of metric and SAE.I bought a set of Whitworth sockets and wrenches in the mid 70's when I had a couple of old Jaguars.I've had a pile of British bikes since,so I still use them from time to time.There's really only a couple of sizes that can't be gotten around with metric or SAE,it sounds as if you found one of them.

Steinar · 05-04-2011, 03:03 PM

Sounds like I have. I'll see what I can find in the store tomorrow. But I'm afraid they maybe have not even heard about Withworth, I might be surprised though.
Well, thanks anyway!

S

Jim Parker Toronto · 05-04-2011, 03:27 PM

Try using a six point socket or BOXED end wrench, maybe that will work. The 12 point stuff sometimes won't grip it right.

Steinar · 05-04-2011, 03:33 PM

The one I have is a 7/16 six point but partly open, special tool for use on brake tubes. But to small. 1/2" is too big. A totally boxed one can not be used, if I understand boxed right, I need to grip over the tube..

Jason in TX · 05-04-2011, 03:35 PM

Was the car converted to hydraulic in a metric country? Is this a more simple answer that your fittings are metric? (those are usually a size between ASE, so it's sometimes good to try both)

Steinar · 05-04-2011, 03:38 PM

I have a full set of metrics, but this is something between 11 mm and 12 mm. But none of those could be used..

Kurt in NJ · 05-04-2011, 06:55 PM

I measured some of my whitworth wrenches ---the one labeled 3/16 W --1/4BSF is between 11mm, and 12mm -----it measures 11.5 mm

Another possibility is vice grip pliers, they have some without teeth, made for nuts---1 jaw is a vee, the other has a flat.

Steinar · 05-05-2011, 01:56 AM

Ok, sounds like this 3/16 W --1/4BSF should be about right then. I'll go and ask for it, hopefully it will turn out right. Thanks!

Steinar · 05-05-2011, 05:15 AM

Went to store today, unfortunately they could not find a 'brake wrench' in their catalog this size, but I ordered a standard open Whitworth 3/16 wrench. Hopefully that will do. I'll pick it up first coming monday.
Thanks to all of you!

Roger V · 05-05-2011, 09:34 AM

For what it's worth:

http://www.samstagsales.com/whitworth_table.htm

Could you change your order to a box-end wrench and cut a slot to slip over the tubing?

05-04-2011, 01:19 PM	#1
Steinar Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Norway Posts: 66	I'm from the metric part of the world... I'm now trying to free the brake-tube from one of the rear wheel-cylinders. (Converted to hydraulics). I've got some tools, in inches, but it seems like 1/2" is far too big, and the one next to it, in my toolbox, the 7/16" is too small. Should it be something in between there? Maybe the guys at Kamasa Tools didn't tell me the whole story..? Also, in metric, 11 mm are too small, 12 mm too roomy.. Steinar

05-04-2011, 01:29 PM	#2
mjw Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Jersey Posts: 319	Re: I'm from the metric part of the world... It is probably something like 15/32. I have one around here somewhere but I usually file down a 1/2 wrench. Filing a socket would not be easy.

05-04-2011, 01:33 PM	#3
Steinar Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Norway Posts: 66	Re: I'm from the metric part of the world... Ok, thanks! I'll go to the hardware store tomorrow trying to get one.

05-04-2011, 01:39 PM	#4
edzaha Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 206	Re: I'm from the metric part of the world... How can you file down a 1/2 in wrench to make it smaller than a 1/2 inch?

05-04-2011, 01:43 PM	#5
mot Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sacramento Ca Posts: 1,179	Re: I'm from the metric part of the world... 15/32 is really an odd ball size I know of no nut or bolt that uses one( I think bicycles use it) it sounds like its a 7/16 thats been rounded off making the wrench too small can you get a file and square up the edges of the nut? you should be using a tubing wrench to remove the nut,not an open end see ebay 320692538781 the open end wrenches slip and cause rounding of the edges of the nut,making it almost impossible to losen them tom

05-04-2011, 01:49 PM	#6
Steinar Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Norway Posts: 66	Re: I'm from the metric part of the world... Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I use a tubing one, but I also tried an open one just to see if it was possible to get it on. The nut looks very good, doesn't look rounded at all.. S

05-04-2011, 02:01 PM	#7
Steinar Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Norway Posts: 66	Re: I'm from the metric part of the world... I was out in the garage, checking out the other side. Seems to be the same situation there. I think I once heard that an inch was not necessarily an inch. I think maybe an english inch was different from an american one? Maybe this could cause the problem?

05-04-2011, 02:15 PM	#8
Dave72dt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SW WI Posts: 359	Re: I'm from the metric part of the world... I recall inheriting some odd size sockets at one time that were gauged in /32s, 17 and 19 come to mind and there were some nuts they fit perfectly on when nothing standard fit properly.

05-04-2011, 02:20 PM	#9
Keith True Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Epping N.H. Posts: 2,990	Re: I'm from the metric part of the world... Is it possibly Whitworth? Parts made in England years ago maybe?

05-04-2011, 02:39 PM	#10
Steinar Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Norway Posts: 66	Re: I'm from the metric part of the world... That might be. The car has been standing still for many years. I know it was on the road in 1978, but could have been converted to hydraulics long time before that. I thought BSW (British Standard Whitworth) was about threads, but maybe it also meant a difference to the head?

05-04-2011, 02:47 PM	#11
Keith True Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Epping N.H. Posts: 2,990	Re: I'm from the metric part of the world... Yes,there is a difference in the heads.However.most things can be done on British bikes with a combination of metric and SAE.I bought a set of Whitworth sockets and wrenches in the mid 70's when I had a couple of old Jaguars.I've had a pile of British bikes since,so I still use them from time to time.There's really only a couple of sizes that can't be gotten around with metric or SAE,it sounds as if you found one of them.

05-04-2011, 03:03 PM	#12
Steinar Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Norway Posts: 66	Re: I'm from the metric part of the world... Sounds like I have. I'll see what I can find in the store tomorrow. But I'm afraid they maybe have not even heard about Withworth, I might be surprised though. Well, thanks anyway! S

05-04-2011, 03:27 PM	#13
Jim Parker Toronto Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,289	Re: I'm from the metric part of the world... Try using a six point socket or *BOXED* end wrench, maybe that will work. The 12 point stuff sometimes won't grip it right.

05-04-2011, 03:33 PM	#14
Steinar Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Norway Posts: 66	Re: I'm from the metric part of the world... The one I have is a 7/16 six point but partly open, special tool for use on brake tubes. But to small. 1/2" is too big. A totally boxed one can not be used, if I understand boxed right, I need to grip over the tube..

05-04-2011, 03:35 PM	#15
Jason in TX Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ⓉⒺXⒶⓈ Posts: 2,047	Re: I'm from the metric part of the world... Was the car converted to hydraulic in a metric country? Is this a more simple answer that your fittings are metric? (those are usually a size between ASE, so it's sometimes good to try both) __________________ -------------- Drive it like you know how to fix it! DMAFC / OILERS CC-MC

05-04-2011, 03:38 PM	#16
Steinar Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Norway Posts: 66	Re: I'm from the metric part of the world... I have a full set of metrics, but this is something between 11 mm and 12 mm. But none of those could be used..

05-04-2011, 06:55 PM	#17
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: I'm from the metric part of the world... I measured some of my whitworth wrenches ---the one labeled 3/16 W --1/4BSF is between 11mm, and 12mm -----it measures 11.5 mm Another possibility is vice grip pliers, they have some without teeth, made for nuts---1 jaw is a vee, the other has a flat.

05-05-2011, 01:56 AM	#18
Steinar Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Norway Posts: 66	Re: I'm from the metric part of the world... Ok, sounds like this 3/16 W --1/4BSF should be about right then. I'll go and ask for it, hopefully it will turn out right. Thanks!

05-05-2011, 05:15 AM	#19
Steinar Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Norway Posts: 66	Re: I'm from the metric part of the world... Went to store today, unfortunately they could not find a 'brake wrench' in their catalog this size, but I ordered a standard open Whitworth 3/16 wrench. Hopefully that will do. I'll pick it up first coming monday. Thanks to all of you!

05-05-2011, 09:34 AM	#20
Roger V Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,593	Re: I'm from the metric part of the world... For what it's worth: http://www.samstagsales.com/whitworth_table.htm Could you change your order to a box-end wrench and cut a slot to slip over the tubing? Last edited by Roger V; 05-05-2011 at 09:44 AM.