Removing chromed brass nuts without damage - espresso m/c

[GrahamGKD]

We just bought a new espresso machine. It has an industry standard E61 group head and I know from experience that in due course I will need to disassemble the group to lube the cam inside with the special food grade lube. With our previous machine I used Rothenberger adjustable spanners with plastic jaw covers but they are not great - the plastic is a bit soft and the spanners are prone to slipping off. The hex nuts in question are 22mm and 26mm. Any suggestions as to the best way to remove the nuts without marking the chrome. I am thinking a ring spanner with a wrap of masking tape might be better than the Rothenburgers? I have looked at various coffee forums but, although the question has been asked many times, I didn't come across an answer. It's the two nuts right of centre mid-way up this picture.

 

[mtt.tr]

Hmm about knipex plier wrenches?

 

[Maker]

Hmm about knipex plier wrenches?

Probably what I'd use too, maybe with some masking tape on the jaws to make sure you've got a clean surface.

 

[Blobber]

With similar stuff like chrome taps I used to use a decent cotton cloth and double it up around the nut and use good quality adjustable spanner, it shouldnt be that tight as I would have thought it has some kind of seal

 

[8ob]

I suppose you could super glue six slithers of .5mm plastic to the inside of a 23mm and 27mm hex socket.

Bob

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

I have some ptfe jawed slip jaws, I used them for similar jobs.

 

[GrahamGKD]

I suppose you could super glue six slithers of .5mm plastic to the inside of a 23mm and 27mm hex socket.

Bob

Hmm, someone on one of the coffee forums was on about 3D printing some hex sleeves but there was no follow up.

You would think there would be something on the market - the E61 group has been widely used worldwide since...... 1961!!

 

[GrahamGKD]

I have some ptfe jawed slip jaws, I used them for similar jobs.

Is that something you can buy or did you make them?

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Is that something you can buy or did you make them?

Just been to playu pen.
They were made by Draper.

 

[GrahamGKD]

Would someone be so kind as to post a link to the knipex plier wrenches - pliers just don't sound right but I'm open to suggestions.

When I google knipex plier wrench I get the ones with horrid sharp jaws?

 

[mike os]

Electric tape on the face and a socket ...you shouldn't mark the nut unless it's stupidly tight,,,but then you are going to mark it whatever you do

 

[winchman]

81 13 250 | Knipex Pipe Wrench, 250 mm Overall, Angled Tip | RS

uk.rs-online.com

Other brands are available

 

[Moose McAlpine]

Protective jaws covers for Pliers Wrenches too:

Knipex 8609250V01 Protective Jaw Covers for 8609250 V01 (3 Pairs)

Protective Jaw Covers for the revised pliers wrench (model from 2018) in the 250 mm length. These give damage-free gripping

www.toolstop.co.uk

 

[winchman]

Draper 19207 Soft Jaw Water Pump Pliers | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Draper 19207 Soft Jaw Water Pump Pliers at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Maker]

When I google knipex plier wrench I get the ones with horrid sharp jaws?

These things, they've got smooth faced jaws which stay parallel. The 5" version is probably my most used hand tool, I think they're brilliant.

 

[gaz1]

use a fixed wide jaw as they dont mark as easily or round the nuts

these have no grippers or anything to mark the nuts

King Dick Toolkit Adjustable Spanner, MGA, Triumph, Original - Rogers Motors

# - King Dick Toolkit Adjustable Spanner, MGA, Triumph, Original

jollyrogersmotors.com

alot use the adjustable spanners but they can mark or round a nut easily

 

[hotponyshoes]

Job for a 3d printer,
Make up some sleeves that slide over the nuts and then accept the next size up wrench.

Or, you can get aluminium Spanners for doing the anodized aeroquip fittings without marking them.
Or cut a wrench yourself from a bit of alloy or nylon etc.

Or, one of those plastic dome nut covers popped on then mole grips or whatever onto that.

 

[voipio]

Hmm, is the owner a bit OCD? A bit of patina from the jaws of a spanner shouldn't matter to a pragmatist.

 

[Maker]

There's nothing OCD about it, if you spend twelve hundred quid on a kitchen appliance, you want to keep it nice.

Nice machine btw Graham, I'm very jealous.

 

[GrahamGKD]

Thanks for all the links - I'll get some because they will be useful for other jobs as well.