UK source for 17/32″ ring spanner ?

[Mike Davies 3Participant @mikedavies3]

[Mike Davies 3Participant @mikedavies3]

Hi,

Question as title : I have a chuck that came on a backplate that does not fit my lathe and the two are fitted together by hex screws with a head size of 17/32" (I assume it's 17/32", that or 13.5mm…). I believe these are used on some UK classic cars but am not into such so does anyone here know a source for 17/32" (or 13.5mm) ring spanners ?

If not then I will mangle the heads with an adjustable then turn the whole thing off…

Thanks,

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

1/4" whit may well do are they an exact imperial size or 0.525"

Edited By JasonB on 04/01/2022 15:06:36

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

1/4 whitworth in old money?

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

Depending upon origin/age of chuck, you may need a 1/4 W (also 5/16 BSF) spanner perhaps.

0.525" or 13.34mm AF

[Clive Brown 1Participant @clivebrown1]

1/4" Whitworth or 5/16" BSF spanner size is nominally 13.3 mm AF. Could it be that? If so then should be available.

[Martin ConnellyParticipant @martinconnelly55370]

Google special spanners for English cars and motorbikes 17/32" .

Martin C

[Mike Davies 3Participant @mikedavies3]

Posted by JasonB on 04/01/2022 15:05:38:

1/4" whit may well do are they an exact imperial size or 0.525"

Edited By JasonB on 04/01/2022 15:06:36

Yay ! Didn't think of that – £3.50 on eBay, ordered.

Thanks to all who pointed this out and for the replies,

[Nigel McBurney 1Participant @nigelmcburney1]

This size 17/32 may be an old American size, 60 years ago I bought a set of Gordon ring spanners and one spanner was 25/32 never used it for years until I got interested in old stationary engines,i made some new nuts for the 7/16 dia studs on an USA made 1912 Amanco stationary engine and found that some American coarse nuts had some odd sizes across flats,I found in some old info that the USA had a large hex system similar to our large nut Whitworth system ,they seem to have abandoned their system some time before we made the changes during the early part of WW2.

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

Pre-war BSA motorcycles use mainly whitworth sizes with some odd ball A/F including the above mentioned 25/32"

[VicParticipant @vic]

13mm and a file? Sorry, I’ll get my coat …

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

I've found that ratchet spanners and grabby sockets can always find a grip on the old imperial stuff

The small sizes under 5mm can be a pain though

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