Quickie question: What size Hex Keys are on a Scuba Tool?

[Mo2vation]

The standard, ubiquitous, everybody has one tool.




There are generally two hex keys - a large one and a small one.

The small one fits my reg ports.

What size is that? I'm away from home, don't have it in front of me (not that its marked) and I need to order a couple of the same size hex key for some other project.

Thanks

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Ken

[TobinGeorge]

The standard, ubiquitous, everybody has one tool.




There are generally two hex keys - a large one and a small one.

The small one fits my reg ports.

What size is that? I'm away from home, don't have it in front of me (not that its marked) and I need to order a couple of the same size hex key for some other project.

Thanks

---
Ken

Every size but the one you need RIGHT NOW

Not all port plugs have the same size broaching, I've seen two imperial sizes and one metric, all on LP port plugs.

The small one on the combi tool is 5/32" BTW.

Tobin

[vbcoachchris]

the small one is 5/32 (4mm) for sure
the bigger one is 3/16 (5mm or 5.5 mm) I think

Scott

[Mo2vation]

Every size but the one you need RIGHT NOW

Not all port plugs have the same size broaching, I've seen two imperial sizes and one metric, all on LP port plugs.

The small one on the combi tool is 5/32" BTW.

Tobin

On my camera housing, the ball on top of the handle that the strobe arms attach to (there's some sentence structure...) is attached to the handle by a hex bolt - and that hex bolt is the same size as the small hex key on my scuba tool.

The deal is this: as I go through the Transformers act (thank you, James) and pull out the arms, shoot, retract the arms, etc - sometimes it comes loose. Plus scootering with the arms open just stresses that to the point that it will come loose.

Not good.

I've taken a Scuba tool down several times before to fix it, but then I'm carrying around another 9 or 10 things I don't need.

I just need a long-handled hex that fits that. Sounds like 5/32".

And I need to figure out a way to carry it. Probably put some small some surgical tubing over the handle that I can tie to a bolt snap or something and add to the pocket kit, or maybe slide into the wetnotes next to the zip ties.

Thanks


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Ken

[JS1scuba]

On my camera housing, the ball on top of the handle that the strobe arms attach to (there's some sentence structure...) is attached to the handle by a hex bolt - and that hex bolt is the same size as the small hex key on my scuba tool.
Ken

Change the bolt to one that you can put a knob on so you can tighten it up. OR have a good welder weld a little T-handle to the bolt head.


Cheers
JDS

[renoun]

My local specialty stores (the good kind that are full of little bins) that sell fasteners have plastic thumb wheels to press fit on to socket head cap screws. Alternatively there are also little t handles available.

Here is a photo with an example. There is some extraneous hardware on the 1/4-20x2" cap screws. The red part is the piece you should attempt to source for your hardware.

P1000732.jpg

[TobinGeorge]

On my camera housing, the ball on top of the handle that the strobe arms attach to (there's some sentence structure...) is attached to the handle by a hex bolt - and that hex bolt is the same size as the small hex key on my scuba tool.

Minor point, but it might confuse a salesman when you are looking for an alternative fastener;

Threaded fastners with a female hex broaching are not "hex bolts" they are "hex socket head cap screw" A hex bolt has an external hex.

You may have trouble finding stainless steel allen wrenches, same basic problem as SS knives, the alloys that can be hardened rust, and the corrosion resistant alloys can only be work hardened, not heat treated.

My guess is your app is low torque. Which end of the wrench do you engage in the fastener? The "short" end (most torque via the longer handle) or the long end?

Let me know if I can help.

Tobin

[Mo2vation]

Minor point, but it might confuse a salesman when you are looking for an alternative fastener;

Threaded fastners with a female hex broaching are not "hex bolts" they are "hex socket head cap screw" A hex bolt has an external hex.

You may have trouble finding stainless steel allen wrenches, same basic problem as SS knives, the alloys that can be hardened rust, and the corrosion resistant alloys can only be work hardened, not heat treated.

My guess is your app is low torque. Which end of the wrench do you engage in the fastener? The "short" end (most torque via the longer handle) or the long end?

Let me know if I can help.

Tobin

I will be using the long end to torque the thing down. Believe me, if I could I'd have the thing brazed, welded and molecularly bonded to the ball. The way I work I don't hit the water and deploy the arms. I open them and stow them, open them and stow them - as I use very long arms and rarely kick dive with the rig.

It just wasn't designed to do what I ask it to do very well.

'sall good. I just need to remember to give it a little squeeze before I go in - and when I forget I'll have my new McMaster stainless 5/32" in my wetnotes to make an in-water adjustment!


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Ken

[JS1scuba]

You may have trouble finding stainless steel allen wrenches, same basic problem as SS knives, the alloys that can be hardened rust, and the corrosion resistant alloys can only be work hardened, not heat treated.

Tobin

Ahhh Tobin -- you mean there is a place that I know about for tools that you don't? WOW.......

www.steritool.com

Stainless Steel Tools for Nautical and Medical use.

http://www.steritool.com/tools/hex_keys.htm#T_inch

This one is my favorite in my box



But at $163.00 the last one i got was a present.

They used to be in Brooklyn. Now they seem to be in Connecticut. I have a few different tools from them and they last forever. Or until one of your friends borrows them.

Cheers
JDS

[TobinGeorge]

Ahhh Tobin -- you mean there is a place that I know about for tools that you don't? WOW.......

www.steritool.com

Stainless Steel Tools for Nautical and Medical use.

http://www.steritool.com/tools/hex_keys.htm#T_inch

This one is my favorite in my box



But at $163.00 the last one i got was a present.

They used to be in Brooklyn. Now they seem to be in Connecticut. I have a few different tools from them and they last forever. Or until one of your friends borrows them.

Cheers
JDS

I know SS tools and bronze tools, and berylium copper tools etc. exist, but they are often not as widely available for the reasons noted.

Hex wrenches can be very highly loaded, with failure of the hardened high carbon type routinely seen, I round off, bend or break hex wrenches at least a couple times a year.

Steritool does make beautiful stuff.

Tobin

[do it easy]

For $163, it should include a bottle opener!

[JS1scuba]

For $163, it should include a bottle opener!

You do not need a bottle opener for champagne.

[Mo2vation]

Ahhh Tobin -- you mean there is a place that I know about for tools that you don't? WOW.......

www.steritool.com

Stainless Steel Tools for Nautical and Medical use.

http://www.steritool.com/tools/hex_keys.htm#T_inch

This one is my favorite in my box



But at $163.00 the last one i got was a present.

They used to be in Brooklyn. Now they seem to be in Connecticut. I have a few different tools from them and they last forever. Or until one of your friends borrows them.

Cheers
JDS

McMaster - Stainless is pennies compared to the Steritool.



I've seen the Steri stuff in catalogs - looks fab. But way too expensive for my occasional water proximity use.

I saw the MMC wrenches this weekend in MoCal and was quite pleased. Probably tuff enough for my ghetto stuff.

I ended up getting nickle plated hex keys from MMC - I'll just watch them closely and toss 'em into the US cleaner if they get groaty. The SS from Steritool (and even the SS from MMC) were way too dear.

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Ken
Ken

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[do it easy]

You do not need a bottle opener for champagne.

Beer- the champagne of champions!

or maybe chumps?