Whitworth spanners

[AndrewP]

Doing some alignment checks on the new Perfecto tonight to discover that the tailstock is 12 thou out horizontally, no problem it's adjustable - not with any spanners I've got it isn't
Since the only spanner that fits the topslide nuts is 1/4 Whit I suspect the adjustment bolts and locknuts which 5/16" AF won't go on and 11/32" spins are also Whitworth - bu***r, I bet I won't get them in B&Q tomorrow.
I've hidden the mole grips so I won't be tempted

[baggo]

Hi Andrew,

this table of jaw sizes and equivalent spanner sizes might be of use to you!

www.sat.dundee.ac.uk/~psc/spanner_jaw.html#Jaw_Size_Table

Does seem strange - you would think they would be metric! They'll probably be 1/8 W / 3/16BSF

John

[lancelot]

Hi Andrew,
if you can spare the 5/16af spanner...File it to fit...had to go down that road myself on occasion,
All the best for now,
John.

[AndrewP]

Thanks John, table downloaded and printed out - 2ba just squeezes on
John - the 5/16 is a socket but I've found some 5/8 by 1/8 bms and was throwing a milling cutter at it till baggo saved me some time.
I'll hit up the guys at the club, most of them think AF is some new fangled invention and the m word is banned altogether

Cheers, Andy

[alanstepney]

agatehouse said:

..... AF is some new fangled invention and the m word is banned altogether

Cheers, Andy

Quite right too !!

Meanwhile, wander round your local car boot sale and keep your eyes open.
Whitworth spanners can often be found for a pittance.
As indeed can many other useful items that pre-date the use of milli-thighies.

[modeng2000]

My WM180 lathe had some strange nuts holding the chuck. The thread was metric but the nut hexagon was larger AF than the normal metric size.

John

[Smifffy]

I served my apprenticeship in the Paper Industry, where I then continued to work for the best part of a decade. I've got loads of w/w spanners knocking around!
If you're still stuck let me know I may be able to get something up to you.
Mark

[AndrewP]

Thanks Smiffy, I've put together a kit from the donated box at the club, and my late Father-in-laws toolbox which I'd forgotten I had!

Cheers, Andy

[nightlight]

To determine spanner sizes it is often useful to if you know where and when an item was made.

1950's and earlier in the UK then likely to be Whitworth or BSF with smaller sizes BA.

America UNC or UNF with AF spanner sizes

"Modern" Europe Metric Threads with metric spaner sizes

Alan Swainston