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rudder nut wrench

schlepper

schlepper

John m. Harrison
I hung upside down in the helm locker and put Lee Nicholas's spud wrench on the packing nut and I think I've got it stopped at least for now. I took Lee's spud wrench as a template and had a friend who has a fabrication shop cut a rudder packing nut wrench out of 1/2" stainless .... I was thinking of having him fashion 2 other wrenches that would be used for the prop shaft packing and jam nut. Would anyone else be interested in a three wrench kit for their boats? Using steel pipe wrenches make it difficult to do either job... I'll try to attach a photo of the stainless wrench he made.
 
schlepper said:
I hung upside down in the helm locker and put Lee Nicholas's spud wrench on the packing nut and I think I've got it stopped at least for now. I took Lee's spud wrench as a template and had a friend who has a fabrication shop cut a rudder packing nut wrench out of 1/2" stainless .... I was thinking of having him fashion 2 other wrenches that would be used for the prop shaft packing and jam nut. Would anyone else be interested in a three wrench kit for their boats? Using steel pipe wrenches make it difficult to do either job... I'll try to attach a photo of the stainless wrench he made.
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How much do you think?
 
My friend didn’t tell what he wanted for. It.. I will check it next weekend to be share it fits snugly and then will take a measure for. The. Prop packing and jam nut... I will be glad to have something that fits well and makes the. Job easier. I will post back after. I. Check it. Out.
 
Here is a. Pic of Lee. Nicholas and mine
 

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John
Beautiful work. That's the right way to make the wrench. With the opening sideways like that it won't fall off the nut while you are trying to hold it and hit it at the same time. The attached photo is the wrench I made which works fine but is hard to hold and hit while working upside down with your ass in the air. Nice job.

Jim
 

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Hey Jim, that is Chief... for whom I have to make the boat as angst free as possible! I want to see if I can have my buddy make a specialty wrench set for our boats... a set of 3, rudder and prop shaft stuffing box packing nut and jam nut... yesterday I used my Dre Mel to etch Tranquility into my wrench and did my best to emulate the Poor Richard font! If I ever sell (God forbid), how impressive for a prospective buyer to see a specialty wrench set with the boat’s name etched on it!! And in 1/2” stainless!!
 
My first attempt at etching.
 

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I just returned from the boat. While I was there I shot photos of the homemade wrenches for the rudder packing nut and the prop shaft packing gland. Because there is the packing nut and the locking nut on the prop shaft, there needs to be two wrenches. Can anyone explain to me why the two nuts are different sizes??? The packing nut is 2" and the locking nut is 2 1/8", go figure! The prop shaft wrenches are made of 3/8" aluminum and the rudder wrench is 3/8" steel.

Jim
 

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Ok I'll guess Jim. As you know, you're supposed hold the packing nut and turn the lock nut against it. Most wrench sets only have one of each size. So if they were identical sizes you'd have a full set + one more. Sailors are notoriously "thrifty"? I don't know really. I bought one of those WM adjustable packing wrenches. Absolute useless junk. Tried it on my old Northstar 38. It made me bleed when it slipped off. Hasn't been out of the toolbox in in decades.
 
Dave
Had the same experience with one of those adjustable wrenches. Only I immediately assigned it to Davey Jones's toolbox. Had a hard time keeping the blood from spilling on the boat till I got topside. I'm hoping the aluminum wrenches work better. I'll know this week when I reassemble all the parts.

Jim
 
on the propshaft packing and jam, there might be a slight space issue, so the thickness of the wrench on the semi-cycle part would likely be less than the rudder nut so it will fit in the flare of the hull. I tried the 1/2" stainless on the rudder this weekend past and it fit perfect, will sit on the nut while I repositioned my knees on the non skid over to a cushion!
 
schlepper said:
My friend didn’t tell what he wanted for. It.. I will check it next weekend to be share it fits snugly and then will take a measure for. The. Prop packing and jam nut... I will be glad to have something that fits well and makes the. Job easier. I will post back after. I. Check it. Out.
Click to expand...
Did you ever find out what your friend wanted for a set of these wrenches?
 
John, he’s a busy guy running a large business, so I have not yet hard back yet... once I hear back I will post back for sure
 
I had a socket machined that attachs to the emergency tiller. Works like a charm. Cost to fabricate was astronomical for a seldom use tool. I'll loan out for a small fee.
 
IMG_1106.PNG I have a "Ford"wrench or some call it a monkey wrench that seems to work just fine. You can use it on other things too. The offset wrench in the picture is quite handy and less money.
 
schlepper said:
John, he’s a busy guy running a large business, so I have not yet hard back yet... once I hear back I will post back for sure
Click to expand...
That’s okay ...I run two businesses of my own and consult as acting CEO for Two other large companies...I try to slow down a bit this time of year but hasn’t happened yet. Always health stuff.
 
I used a Vice Grip chain wrench on mine. Nice short handle. Need to be paying attention to where (on the nut) you clamp down, so it doesn't slip. Stay up near the top of the nut so you don't deform it in the thinner wall section below. My nut hadn't been cranked down, so not much force needed. If you have good packing, about an eighth of a turn more than hand tight is all you need. That Teflon packing is great.
 
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