Is There A Special Tool..

[GorillaToast]

...for tightening these plastic nuts on thru-hulls?

I've tried slip-joint pliers, a large adjustable (Cresent) wrench (it was 1/8" shy of opening big enough), a pipewrench doesn't look like it would work too well. I even tried one of these (left photo):

Plumbers have an adjustable wrench that opens really wide, and it looks like it would work on the transome thru-hull, but it's $20, and it looks like the screw adj mechanism might keep it from laying flat enough against the liner to get a good grip.

Sorry for all these new threads, guys.

Maybe I should just save up all my questions and put them in one thread.

 

[Bilbo]

I use something called a channellock http://www.channellock.com/Category.aspx?zcid=91

 

[GorillaToast]

I use something called a channellock http://www.channellock.com/Category.aspx?zcid=91

Yes, that is what I refered to as a "slip-joint plier", wishing to avoid using the brand name.

I got it most of the way tight with those, but they're too thick to get a good grip on the nut, and prctically impossible to squeeze tight to the nut and then move them while reaching as far in as I can, keeping myself from falling into the lazarette with the other hand.

I suppose I could always try to find an 1 1/2" deep-well socket.

 

[Barry B.]

A proper size pair of straight jaw Channellock (slip joint) Pliers should do the trick, they come in an array of sizes and jaw shapes. The tool in the picture is a pair of Oil Filter slip joint pliers.

 

[GorillaToast]

A proper size pair of straight jaw Channellock (slip joint) Pliers should do the trick, they come in an array of sizes and jaw shapes. The tool in the picture is a pair of Oil Filter slip joint pliers.

Yes, I know. When I was unable to get a satisfactory grip with my Channelocks, I gave the oil filter pliers a try. I also thought they might work on the bigger thru-hulls in the hull. Those nuts are like none I've ever seen. Is it possible that the 4 landings with small dark dots on them, are molded in nuts for machine screws whose heads are on the outside ring? While the boat was in the water, I took a pipe wrench to one, and the whole fitting turned. Obviously, I stopped right then and there thinking I might break the seal and make things much worse.

 

[Ray Bowles]

A common box end wrench of the correct size will tighten or loosen the nut without any damage. Second best is a 6 sided deep well socket but these can be hard to find unless you work on large machinery.
The trouble with water pump pliers or slip joint pliers is that the handle length can cause the jaw to not contact the nut side surface correctly and they slip off or rip the nut because you are required to over tighten them due to the poor contact. ( Your knuckles rubbing against the hull cause the plier to be applied at an angle to the nut )
The box end wrench can be rented for much less that buying multipule fittings.

 

[GorillaToast]

A common box end wrench of the correct size will tighten or loosen the nut without any damage. Second best is a 6 sided deep well socket but these can be hard to find unless you work on large machinery.
The trouble with water pump pliers or slip joint pliers is that the handle length can cause the jaw to not contact the nut side surface correctly and they slip off or rip the nut because you are required to over tighten them due to the poor contact. ( Your knuckles rubbing against the hull cause the plier to be applied at an angle to the nut )
The box end wrench can be rented for much less that buying multipule fittings.

Box end wrench would be my first choice also. I just don't have one that big, and figured they cost way too much to use one time.

Never thought about renting just one wrench. I wonder if Home D#pot rents them.

Thanks.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

This is why experienced mariners like Maine Sail recommend changing to flanged through-hulls. Check out his website. http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/seacock_primer

There is also a tool to put in the open end of a through-hull to hold it in place while you tighten the nut down.

 

[Bilbo]

..........Those nuts are like none I've ever seen. Is it possible that the 4 landings with small dark dots on them, are molded in nuts for machine screws whose heads are on the outside ring?

I'm going to go out on a limb and say, probably not.

While the boat was in the water, I took a pipe wrench to one, and the whole fitting turned. Obviously, I stopped right then and there thinking I might break the seal and make things much worse.

The problem with the pipe wrench though is that as it tightens, the nut may deform and jam against the threads of the thru-hull.
The one thru-hull looks like a big crescent wrench is what's needed or an old fashioned "Monkey Wrench" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_wrench if you can find one of those.
For that odd-shaped one, If you have no one on the outside, can you removed the knurled nut on the end? If so, then you may be able to cut two slots on either side of where the threads begin and put something across the slots to hold the fitting while turning the threaded nut with some other" adjustable spanner" like a monkey wrench or a bigger crescent wrench. It may have been that there was a specially shaped light duty wrench for the one but I doubt it.

 

[Chris Patterson]

x

 

[Ken]

Those holes are for use of a spanner wrench, (picture a deep well socket with four pins welded on that fit into the holes)

 

[GorillaToast]

Those holes are for use of a spanner wrench, (picture a deep well socket with four pins welded on that fit into the holes)

I knew there was a special tool for those nuts!

Found several online, and when I get to work this evening, I'll check the Grainger catalog for one. They have a store in my neighborhood.

First, I'm gonna see if I can bolt 2 pieces of of flat steel I've got laying around and put the proper sized screw in the ends to make my own. As far as the regular plastic thru-hull nut, I'll borrow a bigger Channelock from work if we don't have a 1-3/4" box end wrench.

Thanks Ken.

I knew it...

 

[Merlin Clark]

NAPA stores used to rent big sockets and wrenches.......

 

[GorillaToast]

...a real man makes his own.

Thanks to all, and especially Ken for putting the idea of a spanner in my head. I'd heard of them, but just thought they were the English name for an open-end wrench.


Here's the end result:

 

[Ken]

Outstanding!! Your welcome..

 

[Bilbo]

and there ya go....Good work guys ! !