Decent Budget-Priced Spanner Wrench

Old-N-Feeble · Oct 23, 2014

It seems that spanner wrenches are either way overpriced... or are very limited regarding usability... or are useless junk. The typical "pick two" scenario!!

Are there any spanner wrenches out there that meet all three criterion at least to some reasonable degree?

The last wrench I bought... the fine points BENT when trying to unscrew a cell.

Oren Grad · Oct 23, 2014

Do you have a specific price in mind?

Years ago I bought a ~$10 generic-brand spanner and it was junk - wouldn't hold a setting reliably, so it was risky to use. Then I bought the pair of SK Grimes spanners (flat- and pointy-tipped), and those have served me well. I see that the Grimes spanner set is now up to $68 including shipping, though. Because the Grimes set has been fine, I haven't had reason to look further - I don't know whether there's anything really good in that gap between $20 and $68 for the set of two.

Newt_on_Swings · Oct 23, 2014

I think I paid almost 30 for mine, off of ebay awhile back. Now that I look again the prices have come down a lot. There is one that looks pretty good with interchangeable tips that can close down to a very small size, which is useful with smaller lens widths. The only time I have bent my ebay spanners is on a part that wasn't actually something that could screw loose but had two perfectly spaced holes that looked as it was supposed to. They have more than paid for themselves with the number of cameras and lenses I have fixed this them.

Old-N-Feeble · Oct 23, 2014

ALL: I recently bought what "looked like" a good one for about $30 delivered. That's the one with soft points that bent. One could pop balloons with this one too but rubber is not metal.

David Lyga · Oct 23, 2014

Let it be known that David Lyga does not fool around when it comes to elan or propriety. Cost becomes simply no object when proper procedure is at stake.

He uses a stainless steel pair of scissors that has VERY pointy tips, probably intended for cutting cloth. That ordeal cost a whole $3 at a flea market. And, indeed, it serves its purpose (though it now refuses to actually cut cloth). Yes, it actually does what I need done. And, as complement, I also have a manicure scissors for small jobs.

These items come in handy when I need to unravel lens elements or tiny screws (with the two dots on top), like on many shutter speed dials. Of course, spanners would be nicer but I have managed to get along with only these precious items. - David Lyga

gone · Oct 23, 2014

Like David, I use a pair of needle nose pliers that have long, slender "arms", for lack of a better word. I filed each to a point. Bought them from the Dollar Tree about seven years ago for $1. Haven't found any camera lens that I couldn't take apart w/ them, nor any shutter ring that they wouldn't remove. I also found this neat LED light w/ a flexible stem there too. Perfect for finding light leaks in the bellows of folders. The pliers are a lot bigger and more robust than they look in the pic, and they will not bend, even w/ lots of pressure on them.

David Lyga · Oct 23, 2014

Thank you, momus, for legitimizing what I was afraid would be negated as not feasible.

IT WORKS. And, MOST importantly, photo items bought in stores that are not 'photo dedicated' are the best buys, by far. Also, in Philadelphia we have Dollar Tree. Years ago, they had sets of miniature screwdrivers, both regular and Philips, for only $1. I bought a dozen sets for posterity. You do NOT have to spend tons of money. - David Lyga

Dan Daniel · Oct 23, 2014

Along with grinding needle nose pliers, I've taken a grinder (Dremel) to the tips of 'real' spanner wrenches. To make circular points larger, and to reduce the width of blades.

And then there is grinding an X-acto blade for small pin needs, like on self-timer levers and such.

I've also had good luck with machinist dividers. The tips can be ground to shape. And with the adjustment system, they will pretty well stay in place, not change like pliers. You can pick up cheap pairs andm ake custom tools for repeat work. If you can't get a good twist, put standard pliers across the legs and twist.

Lou Baleur · Oct 23, 2014

David Lyga said:
Let it be known that David Lyga does not fool around when it comes to elan or propriety. Cost becomes simply no object when proper procedure is at stake.

He uses a stainless steel pair of scissors that has VERY pointy tips, probably intended for cutting cloth. That ordeal cost a whole $3 at a flea market. And, indeed, it serves its purpose (though it now refuses to actually cut cloth). Yes, it actually does what I need done. And, as complement, I also have a manicure scissors for small jobs.

These items come in handy when I need to unravel lens elements or tiny screws (with the two dots on top), like on many shutter speed dials. Of course, spanners would be nicer but I have managed to get along with only these precious items. - David Lyga

YOU RULE! Thanks!

tokam · Oct 24, 2014

Dan Daniel said:
I've also had good luck with machinist dividers. The tips can be ground to shape. And with the adjustment system, they will pretty well stay in place, not change like pliers. You can pick up cheap pairs and make custom tools for repeat work. If you can't get a good twist, put standard pliers across the legs and twist.

Thanks for this one.

I bought a very nice spanner from Micro-tools, with interchangeable tips, but it doesn't have enough reach to get at the rear element on a Yashicamat 124G. The cross bars aren't removable and the tips don't reach the retaining ring on the rear element. The camera now has its second bout of foggy rear element and I want to clean it up.

The other option I was thinking of making a custom spanner from strip brass and grinding one end with a Dremel to get my two points. Hopefully the lens ring isn't too tight.

Xmas · Oct 24, 2014

yes I use point pliers ground (filed) down.
if you buy a tool it needs to be fit for purpose.

Newt_on_Swings · Oct 24, 2014

In a pinch I've actually have used tweezers that have points, and scissors. Just last week I forgot to bring my spanners to work and had to mount two lenses onto cambo boards, kids safety scissors in the art room worked fine.

bdial · Oct 24, 2014

I was researching spanners a few weeks ago and found these; http://www.thorlabs.com/NewGroupPage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=1430

I have this one from Edmund Optics; http://www.edmundoptics.com/lab-production/general-tools/spanner-wrench-set/1457
Mine was second-hand, if I was buying new I'd probably buy the SK Grimes one. Not exactly budget, but what's the value in the lens or camera you may bugger up with a poorly working tool?
IME, it takes more skill to get good results with a bad tool than it does to get good results with a good tool. Kudos to those that can pull that off all the time.

David Lyga · Oct 24, 2014

Lou Baleur said:
YOU RULE! Thanks!

But, one caveat: when using those very pointy scissors, be absolutely certain to protect your hands with several layers of cloth. One slip and you COULD cause serious cuts with real blood and other problems. I speak from dire experience.

Using force with those scissors is MORE dangerous than at first seems. I do not want to suffer any guilt from 'misshapen mentalities' who refuse to take notice. You have been warned. - David Lyga

David A. Goldfarb · Oct 25, 2014

I've been happily using my SK Grimes spanner since SK Grimes was around to make it. Well worth the investment.

Old-N-Feeble · Oct 25, 2014

If I must spend $100+ to get a decent spanner wrench then I may have to. I just can't understand why such a relatively simple and small device should cost so much. It's not like it's a precision scientific instrument and only the tips need be hardened.

Old-N-Feeble · Oct 25, 2014

APUGuser19 said:
I was at the dentist the other day and he had this rack with not 1, but 3 of those fancy drills with the flex-drive cables. And he charged as much in 1 hour as I can save in a year. He could have done the same thing with a Dremel tool and saved me a pile of money. Seriously.

That's quite probably true. The problem is finding Dremel quality/price while weeding through all the other offerings that are either junk or simply overpriced.

mgb74 · Oct 26, 2014

tokam said:
(snip) The other option I was thinking of making a custom spanner from strip brass and grinding one end with a Dremel to get my two points. Hopefully the lens ring isn't too tight.

I have seen this approach recommended for unscrewing inside element of a Canon GIII. And is essentially what this is.

tokam · Oct 26, 2014

Yep. That's the sort of thing I need, except it would be easier to use if it were about 125mm, (5 inches), long so that I could hold it
outside of the film gate.

mgb74 · Oct 27, 2014

tokam said:
Yep. That's the sort of thing I need, except it would be easier to use if it were about 125mm, (5 inches), long so that I could hold it
outside of the film gate.

That's the premise of the DIY Canon tool. I found the reference for it.

Sirius Glass · Oct 27, 2014

Good price, high quality
http://www.skgrimes.com/products/spanner-wrench

Old-N-Feeble · Oct 27, 2014

Sirius Glass said:
Good price, high quality
http://www.skgrimes.com/products/spanner-wrench

Thanks... I'm going to order the sharp-tipped set for $38. My current set works okay regarding the flat tipped side.

EDIT #1: I've been trying to call to place my order but the phone doesn't even ring. I suppose it could be my sometimes flaky MagicJack service though.

EDIT #2: The purchase page for the spanner wrenches is confusing... about midway is a phone number which is one digit different from the number nearer the top. I called the upper number and placed my order.

Sirius Glass · Oct 27, 2014

Old-N-Feeble said:
Thanks... I'm going to order the sharp-tipped set for $38. My current set works okay regarding the flat tipped side.

EDIT: I've been trying to call to place my order but the phone doesn't even ring. I suppose it could be my sometimes flaky MagicJack service though...

I aim to please. Your aim will help.

Old-N-Feeble · Oct 27, 2014

Sirius Glass said:
I aim to please. Your aim will help.

Only when it involves photo composition, peeing in the toilet and making babies.

Sirius Glass · Oct 27, 2014

Old-N-Feeble said:
Only when it involves photo composition, peeing in the toilet and making babies.

I was getting my annual checkup at the doctor's office. The nurse led me to a room and said that I need to put my sample into one of the bottles on the shelf.

I answered, "I am a good shot, but not from here."

Decent Budget-Priced Spanner Wrench

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