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Rudder Shaft Packing Wrench

Mitchell S Allen

Active Member
Hello Everyone,
I thought a new, specific thread appropriate for this.
I have the rudder nut wrench drawing more or less finished and wanted put it here for input. I am looking at doing a run of 10 initially. Can do more or less depending on interest. Cost should be about $51 of which $10 can be donated to our Forum up keep.
Let me know your thoughts...
Thanks,
Mitchell
 

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Hello there,

When are you thinking of getting those done and how quickly could we get them in on the west coast of Canada. I'm planning a haul out this spring and my rudder shaft is leaking in a bit so I intend to fix that at the same time :).

Let me know,

Mike
 
Great! I am hoping to have these available to ship in the next couple of weeks. Fortin24, I'm in California, so Iwouldn't think shipping to you will take long. Matbe customs will slow it a bit?
Thanks guys for the interest, the more I can make will help in production. And should help us keep the boats healthy!
I will have a date on shipping soon and update this thread.
Mitchell

p.s.
see my other post here:

Fabricating a Rudder Packing Nut Wrench​

 
Mitchell
I was out at the boat yard to work on the boat today. I brought home my rudder nut wrench and the two shaft nut wrenches. I realize that I made a mistake previously. My rudder nut wrench is not made of 3/8" aluminum but 3/8" steel. The shaft nut wrenches are 3/8" aluminum. I'm sorry for this error and hope it doesn't alter your plans for manufacturing the wrenches.

Jim
 
The List so far for RUDDER Wrench:
John Flanzer
Ken Ferrari
Fortin24
Maurice
Vern Gilot
dvogeler + prop
Mark Pearson
Warren H
John Valteris
Cardo
Jose
Rick Noddin
jwolters4
CodyS
Lantzalot

Let me know if you are not on here and would like to be added for a Rudder Gland Wrench. I think I have everyone that is interested so far...
Also, if there you're interested in a pair of Prop shaft, stuffing box wrenches too.
Mitchell
 
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Hello Everyone,
I thought a new, specific thread appropriate for this.
I have the rudder nut wrench drawing more or less finished and wanted put it here for input. I am looking at doing a run of 10 initially. Can do more or less depending on interest. Cost should be about $51 of which $10 can be donated to our Forum up keep.
Let me know your thoughts...
Thanks,
Mitchell
I’d love to get one of these!
 
Mitchell

Since I already have a set of the gland wrenches, let me know when you have finished and are sending out the wrenches. I will send you the $10 for the forum.

Jim
 
Hello Everyone,
I thought a new, specific thread appropriate for this.
I have the rudder nut wrench drawing more or less finished and wanted put it here for input. I am looking at doing a run of 10 initially. Can do more or less depending on interest. Cost should be about $51 of which $10 can be donated to our Forum up keep.
Let me know your thoughts...
Thanks,
Mitchell
I'd like to have one too! Thank you for the opportunity.
Best regards,
Rick Noddin
 
The List so far for RUDDER Wrench:
John Flanzer
Ken Ferrari
Fortin24
Maurice
Vern Gilot
dvogeler + prop
Mark Pearson
Warren H
John Valteris
Cardo
Jose
Rick Noddin
CodyS

Let me know if you are not on here and would like to be added for a Rudder Gland Wrench. I think I have everyone interested so far...
Also, if there you're interested in a pair of Prop shaft, stuffing box wrenches too.
Mitchell
I’d take one for hull # 24 lantzalot
 
Lantzalot, Gottcha on the list. I am making a couple extras in this run.
Finally hoping to get wrenches into production this week. I have had several delays unfortunately, covid quarantines, design revisions (mine), etc., but it's all coming together.
Thanks everyone for your patience.
Mitchell
 
Lantzalot, Gottcha on the list. I am making a couple extras in this run.
Finally hoping to get wrenches into production this week. I have had several delays unfortunately, covid quarantines, design revisions (mine), etc., but it's all coming together.
Thanks everyone for your patience.
Mitchell
Ok thanks no rush I’m stranded in sc with my truck so put me at the end of the list .
 
Hello everyone.
Good news, wrenches are in production and I have the first one in my hands. So far I am really happy with the end product. Aluminum, with plenty of leverage available by themselves or add a 1/2" ratchet or breaker bar and do some real damage!

We ran the first one to make sure of accuracy in the cutting them. Hopefully the packing nuts are as accurate throughout the fleet.

I will begin accepting payment with this post. I have set up a paypal account just for this;
svsonata029@gmail.com please put through with "Friends and Family"
or
Checks to:
Mitchell Motor Works
3553 Leonard St.
Redding, CA
96002

Cost is $51.00 each, including shipping and donation of $10 to our incredible Forum

Thanks everyone
Mitchell

some quick photos...
20220322_164117.jpg20220322_164058.jpg
 
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Golly, looking forward to using this. Almost want to re-pack my rudder post stuffing even though it doesn’t really need it right now. ;)
I didn’t read close enough and thought we were supposed to add postage, so I sent the wrong amount. But you can keep the remainder as a tip.

I think you’re going to need everyone’s mailing address?

For everyone else: you can privately send Mitchell your address by clicking on his name, and choosing “Start Conversation”. This uses the forum’s private message feature which is not publicly posted.

Thanks for doing this, Mitchell, and helping your fellow Morganeers.
-Mark
 
Hello everyone.
Good news, wrenches are in production and I have the first one in my hands. So far I am really happy with the end product. Aluminum, with plenty of leverage available by themselves or add a 1/2" ratchet or breaker bar and do some real damage!
These look great! I return to my boat in Europe in a few weeks. I'll confirm the size of my packing nut while I'm there and aim for a fall '22 purchase. We come back to the US in October.
 
Hahaha! Thanks Mark. Yes the TOTAL PRICE is $51
Ken, I am producing a few extras in a couple sizes. But let me know, we have it down now so we can do "one offs" on a limited basis too.
The wrench in the photos is the largest and the "test". It fits, or should, John Flanzer's boat. The only one that size so far.

Also, I know it has taken a while to put all this together. So, if I have you on the list and you now don't need the wrench(s) please let me know.
Mitchell
 
Hahaha! Thanks Mark. Yes the TOTAL PRICE is $51
Ken, I am producing a few extras in a couple sizes. But let me know, we have it down now so we can do "one offs" on a limited basis too.
The wrench in the photos is the largest and the "test". It fits, or should, John Flanzer's boat. The only one that size so far.

Also, I know it has taken a while to put all this together. So, if I have you on the list and you now don't need the wrench(s) please let me know.
Mitchell
I definitely want one if it'll fit my boat, but I'm not comfortable buying one without measuring first. We're neither retired or wealthy, and we're striving to get back to full-time cruising now that covid looks to be wrapping up. So, every penny matters! I'll take some measurements as soon as we arrive in Gibraltar. If these will fit, I can get you paid right away! I've changed the packing once already about 5 years ago, and it was a giant pain in the ass with a chain wrench. And, frankly, it has leaked ever since - I don't think I was able to tighten it enough.
 
Be sure to clean the threads on the lower half of the gland real good before tightening down the packing nut. Any debris in the threads will stop the nut from fully threading on and the packing will not squeeze against the shaft.

Jim
 
Ken, It's not a problem. Just let me know the size you need. We will design and figure out the rest. If it is a "stock" size, even easier.
Good advice Jim. Thank you.
We are still in the waiting for the machine time process right now. I will let you all know as soon as we can begin in earnest.
I have in the works, a few sets of the Prop shaft wrenches as well, 2 sets are spoken for already. If more want them, I can run more.
Thanks!
Mitchell
 
Ok Folks. Get 'em while they're Hot!
I still have a little more de-burring, smoothing, and clean up work by hand to do. But I'm really pleased how they are coming out.

3/8" thick aluminum, with Morgan "M" and 1/2" drive socket hole.

I will begin shipping wrenches this Friday for those that have paid.
Thank you all,
Mitchell

Rudder wrenches with a pair of Propeller drive shaft wrenches, per Jim's specs, to the right...
20220331_083218.jpg
 
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Don't forget to include your shipping address when you send payment. If using PayPal, I believe you can also message it there.
Thanks!
Mitchell
 
Hi All,

I used my new wrench to tighten my rudder port packing gland yesterday. I have attached a few photos. It works very well. With the handle forward, you have a fair amount of swinging room. If more leverage is needed, one could extend it with a socket wrench such as a breaking bar as room permits. I will await launch to determine if it is tight enough. New packing is in. My 384 has a large round "quadrant" so it will be more difficult now that that has been re installed. I haven't tried it yet. Beautiful wrench and just in time!
 

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Hi John,
I'm glad your wrench worked well for you! Very Cool.
Thanks for posting here.
If anyone decides the handle needs to be shortened, it would be quick work with a hack saw ;)
Then use a ratchet or breaker bar, maybe an extension with the 1/2" drive hole.
Mitchell
 
Hi Mitchell,

The wrench looks beautiful. I am on your list, but I just found the thread again so I may be a little late.

Am I too late to send funds and have you forward a wrench to me? Also, seeing that you have a few sizes, do I need to get a measure of the existing packing nut on the 384?

Thanks again for your generous offer,

Maurice
 
Hey, Mitchell - I got my Allen Wrench (!) today.
It looks great and I can’t wait to use it.
Thanks for doing this!
-Mark
 
Maurice, you are not too late at all. I have made and ready to ship 3 1/4" wrenches for the rudder gland nuts. And 2" and 2.06" for the drive shaft nuts. Jim was kind enough to measure those for us. I have a feeling we will find a bit of discrepancy through the different boats and years. So, it wouldn't be a bad thing to measure for yours. If it happens to be something other than what I have made, I can do the size you need. John Flanzer's was the only one so far at 3 3/8", there may be others.
Let me know.
Mitchell
 
Mark! Thanks for the inspiration. Let me know how it works. I'm happy to be able to give back a little to this incredible Forum and everyone here.
Thank you,
Mitchell
 
Mitchell
I must thank you for the wonderful job you have done on the wrenches. Us Morgan sailors have a unique and special inter-relationship because of the Morgan Board, which is made so much better because of people like Mark Pearson and yourself. Thanks again.

Jim
 
Thank you for your kind words Jim. I have said it many times here and to others outside the Morgan 38 world, this is an incredible resource because of the people and how generous they are with their knowledge.
Mitchell
 
Hi Mitchell, I saw rhe original posting in January and am glad it's reappeared to jog my memory.
I'll purchase one of your rudder shaft packing Wrenches via PayPal and will note my shipping address (Washington State).
I'll be aboard Vixen (1981 382 #260) next week and will verify her dimensions then. I may also take you up on the wrench(s) for the drive shaft packing gland (Vixen has the old-school drippy packing).
Thanks for your work developing these tools!
 
Thanks DRynning,
Just let me know the size. We can do sizes other than 3.25" in case you need something else. It's just a matter of time to get in the cutting schedule.
I still have 2 sets of Prop shaft wrenches, but make sure of those dimensions too.
Mitchell
 
Hi Mitchell,

I was able to measure the packing nut on my 384 today. Like John Flanzer's measurement, mine also turned out to be 3 3/8". Are you able to produce one more of these?

I will send a payment via PayPal once I know if creating a wrench with this specialized measure works for you. Thanks again, Mitchell, for your work on these wrenches. It is much appreciated - and very timely for me.

Take care,

Maurice
 
Hi Maurice,
Yes I can do a wrench for you. It may take a week or two to get it into the schedule for cutting. I'll check and let you know on that.
Thank you,
Mitchell
 
Mitchell, I sent you the payment for the wrench via paypal , can you confirm receipt and advise on a ship date.

Best Regards.
Jose
 
Hi again Mitchell. I was unable to confirm the size of my rudder shaft packing gland nut last week - Vixen's Edson steering system uses their "Radial Drive" plate instead of a quadrant, and although I can put my hand on the nut via a small access hole, I cant see it, and without removing the radial plate it wasn't possible to get an accurate reading with my caliper. I'll have to put this off until I delve into servicing or replacing my pedestal's cable/chain assembly - hopefully before next fall.

Dave
(DRynning)
 
Dave, I have the same situation on Sonata too. Just let me know when you are ready. If I don't have a wrench ready to ship, we will make the appropriate size for you.
Thanks!
Mitchell
 
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