SWA Spanners

Slowbutsure · Dec 7, 2015

Hello

Been disconnecting a few SWA glands from some 20mm galv conduit boxes which are screwed down to steel purlins at high level in a warehouse.

I only have adjustable spanners!, and the gland body and back-nut are close together so 2 adjustable's don't work. For the 3-core 1.5mm SWA cable I'm using the nuts are 21mm 'across the flats' and the spanners must not be any thicker than 6mm!

No problem I thought I'll just nip down to my local electrical wholesaler who'll be sure to have SWA spanners. When I asked about SWA spanners I got a mystified look with comment 'never been asked for those before', I tried several others with similar response's.

Does anyone use the correct spanners for SWA's and if so where do you get them?

Best regards

Slowbutsure.

telectrix · Dec 7, 2015

hammer and a small cold chisel. fits all sizes.

Loki · Dec 7, 2015

Hi,

I use 2x Bacho 9031T slim jaws adjustables when i do swa

bacho 9031t | eBay

Got mine from screwfix

Bahco 9031-T Adjustable Wrench with Slim & Wide Jaw 8" | Spanners | NoLinkingToThis

Michael

Pete999 · Dec 7, 2015

Slowbutsure said:
Hello

Been disconnecting a few SWA glands from some 20mm galv conduit boxes which are screwed down to steel purlins at high level in a warehouse.

I only have adjustable spanners!, and the gland body and back-nut are close together so 2 adjustable's don't work. For the 3-core 1.5mm SWA cable I'm using the nuts are 21mm 'across the flats' and the spanners must not be any thicker than 6mm!

No problem I thought I'll just nip down to my local electrical wholesaler who'll be sure to have SWA spanners. When I asked about SWA spanners I got a mystified look with comment 'never been asked for those before', I tried several others with similar response's.

Does anyone use the correct spanners for SWA's and if so where do you get them?

Best regards

Slowbutsure.

No I mustn't

Deleted member 72666 · Dec 7, 2015

I had this problem when I was an apprentice and couldn't find a spanner to fit so I made one out of 2"x 1/8th flat bar,in fact it was only last week when my apprentice had the same problem and after digging it out and dusting it off it made light work of the stubborn glands, he's going to make himself one now! It's not the prettiest of tools but hey, it works!

snowhead · Dec 7, 2015

Park Tool SCW - Shop Cone Wrench | Tweeks Cycles

Or if you want cheap,

Tacx Cone Spanner | Chain Reaction Cycles

amlu · Dec 7, 2015

+1 on those bahco spanners. quality bit of kit. checked the jaws on mine, 5mm wide.

HandySparks · Dec 7, 2015

amlu said:
+1 on those bahco spanners. quality bit of kit. checked the jaws on mine, 5mm wide.

Yep, I use one too. Not found the need yet to buy a second one. One thin jaw and one full thickness seems to suit me.

Aindowsimon · Dec 7, 2015

stantheman said:
I had this problem when I was an apprentice and couldn't find a spanner to fit so I made one out of 2"x 1/8th flat bar,in fact it was only last week when my apprentice had the same problem and after digging it out and dusting it off it made light work of the stubborn glands, he's going to make himself one now! It's not the prettiest of tools but hey, it works!

A picture would be good , I for one would be interested in seeing this !

Deleted member 72666 · Dec 7, 2015

It's a little on the basic side and like I said it's not the prettiest but I'll try and get a picture up tomorrow, but please bear in mind it's over 35 years old!

shanky887614 · Dec 7, 2015

you can get slim adjustables

there are similar on amazon etc

to be honest i tend to use grips on the inside or hammer and knocking driver

Aindowsimon · Dec 7, 2015

Tools don't need to be pretty but functional I've made a few bits and bobs at times

HandySparks · Dec 7, 2015

shanky887614 said:
you can get slim adjustables

there are similar on amazon etc

See post No.3

Deleted member 72666 · Dec 8, 2015

QUOTE=Aindowsimon;1149929]A picture would be good , I for one would be interested in seeing this ![/QUOTE]

Like I said not the prettiest.

Some other tools that were made around the same time:

Obviously I didn't make the 'footprints' but thought it worthwhile showing the tools that were 'hip' at the time!

The other tools in the picture are a pair of bush keys (20mm/25mm)short and long reach and a locknut spanner that covered sizes from 32mm up to 50mm.

shanky887614 · Dec 8, 2015

stantheman said:
QUOTE=Aindowsimon;1149929]A picture would be good , I for one would be interested in seeing this !

Like I said not the prettiest.
View attachment 30874 View attachment 30875

Some other tools that were made around the same time:
View attachment 30876
Obviously I didn't make the 'footprints' but thought it worthwhile showing the tools that were 'hip' at the time!

The other tools in the picture are a pair of bush keys (20mm/25mm)short and long reach and a locknut spanner that covered sizes from 32mm up to 50mm.[/QUOTE]
with sites like this its tempting to get parts made

www.protolabs.co.uk/cnc-machining/cnc-milling.

Deleted member 72666 · Dec 8, 2015

Aindowsimon said:
Tools don't need to be pretty but functional I've made a few bits and bobs at times

Exactly! A few pics would also be good, maybe a new thread should be started ' show us your home made tools'!

Aindowsimon · Dec 8, 2015

Will do, see wot I can dig out yours look better engineered than mine , but I have been meaning to make a bush spanner and swa stripper if I get a few minutes !

colshaws · Dec 9, 2015

LOCKNUT SPANNER 20MM CONDUIT NOT BUSH SPANNER ELECTRICIANS | eBay

Aindowsimon · Dec 10, 2015

Only thing I can find at the minute , it's the thorn light fitting key

Deleted member 72666 · Dec 10, 2015

Can I just add that the two bush spanners that I made are of little use now due to the skimpy bushes available today, I have ck bush key for these which works very well.CK TOOLS ELECTRICIANS 190mm (7.1/2") SOFT GRIP CONDUIT BUSH WRENCH - SPANNER | eBay