New-Style Socket Die Wrench

New-Style Socket Die Wrench FARM SHOP Tools 26-1-39 Ron Stadler, Monroe, Mich.: "It's often difficult to get a die onto a bolt in order to clean the threads, especially when doing engine work. It's hard to use a normal tee-handled wrench. "To solve the problem I came up with a new socket die wrench. It consists of a standard 1 1/4-in. deep well socket with the sides notched out, which allows access to oiling of the cutter and visibility of the work being performed. The socket is welded onto either an existing tap wrench or a bearing collar tightener with a set screw on the side. "I use a 1 9/16-in. bearing collar. A thin shim can create a tight fit along with the tightened set screw for 1 1/2-in. round dies. I welded a small washer between the socket and top side of the collar to allow for various sizes of dies. The die set I use is a Pittsburgh 45 piece. The dies I use are 1 1/2-in. round adjustable. Whether SAE or metric, the tool can be used for most rounded die sets. You could easily use a socket wrench or a sliding tee bar-handled 1/2-in. drive wrench set to fit onto the tool. You could also use extension bars to get into tight areas. Most of the time I use a tee slider wrench as it works similar to the die holder wrench, with positive back and forth action. A 3/8 or 3/4-in. version could also be used, depending on the job size. "I also have another version for use on 1-in. hexagon dies. It consists of a 1-in. deep well socket with a washer welded just above the die and a set screw to hold the die in place. It can be used the same way as the other tool."

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