Sockets for gland nuts

[Agroshield]

I modify a half inch drive socket in the lathe by trimming the internal chamfer off so you get full engagement on the locknut.

I think the limit on that in a shallow depth box could be the size of the ratchet head turning it.

Ideally you need a turning device no larger in diameter than the socket itself.

I did not go looking for this, only for 3/8" drive 24mm sockets but this (called an oil filter socket) looks promising:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/202297336314

 

[bricol]

Today I turned down a deep 3/4" 41mm socket in my lathe for a job - "special thin walled - hub nut socket".

Picked an ancient old chrome plated/rusty Elora six sided one for the job.

Not used lathe for over a year I would guess - but it's handy to have - when you need to do something on a bank holiday weekend...

Tipped cutter - they really not that hard - your average socket...

First time I did the wheel bearings on my Lancia 30 yrs ago - thick walled 41mm 1/2" drive socket - no lathe. A session on the rough wheel on a bench grinder and I had a "precision" fitted socket.
that socket went walkabout so bought a cheap one from ebay. Now if I had read the description properly, I wouldn't have bought 1-1/2" drive 41mm socket! That was a really thick wall socket! I thin I finally chucked it in the scrap.

Lathe certainly makes a nicer job - had to turn one down to fit the crankshaft bolt - it sits inside the bottom pulley assembly.

I bought a £9.99 1/4 drive socket set from Aldi quite a few years ago - turned down the 10mm to fit something - only a cheap set, it didn't matter. That set has become my go-to 1/4" drive set - nothing has broken, seems to be wearing well, clear markings on the sockets. I bought another for spares not long after - sits unopened on the shelf as I don't need any spares.