What is the proper wrench/tool to loosen both the lock nut and tighten the packing nut for a stuffing box. I’ve seen adjustable wrenches, channel locks, pipe wrenches, and chain wrenches. I’ve also heard the refrain “much easier with the proper tool” but no reference to the proper tool.
Proper Wrench for Stuffing Box Maintenance
- Thread starter Monterey385
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- stuffing box
I purchased an open end wrench 1 7/8" from Amazon that fits my box perfectly and use a small pipe wrench also to hold the main nut while using the box wrench to tighten the lock nut.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,217
Perhaps because we all have different configurations of the same stuffing box system. How your boat is designed, the access (room to work), influences the best tool for you.
I use the above tools. Most helpful in my boat is the plumbers straight wrench.
Two fixed size wrenches (I can't recall the proper name) are best. Nothing to adjust and large flat surfaces that will engage the nuts without slipping.
Having said that, I use two 24" adjustable wrenches from Harbor Freight. The 24" length gives lots of leverage. I always had leverage issues with the straight wrench that is pictured above.
Having said that, I use two 24" adjustable wrenches from Harbor Freight. The 24" length gives lots of leverage. I always had leverage issues with the straight wrench that is pictured above.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,217
What works best on our boat is this Service Wrench of the proper size: https://www.amazon.com/Wright-Tool-...words=service+wrenches&qid=1625326703&sr=8-44
I've tried all the others mentioned so far and they have not worked. I use a piece of SS tubing crimped on one end to slide over the handle to provide additional leverage when needed. Our stuffing box requires two different sizes; one size for the box, a separate size for the lock nut. Also, I add some anti seize compound to the threads and lock nut face in order to prevent them from seizing up over time.
I've tried all the others mentioned so far and they have not worked. I use a piece of SS tubing crimped on one end to slide over the handle to provide additional leverage when needed. Our stuffing box requires two different sizes; one size for the box, a separate size for the lock nut. Also, I add some anti seize compound to the threads and lock nut face in order to prevent them from seizing up over time.
It depends on your stuffing box…flat sided nuts can easily be adjusted with the plumbers wrench that @jssailem referenced.
but my stuffing box does not have a flat sided nut…
so that wrench is pretty useless to me.
I use a small pipe wrench or a pair of channel locks.
So, yes size matters, but also the right tool for the job, which in this case means for the specific stuffing box nut you have.
Greg
but my stuffing box does not have a flat sided nut…
so that wrench is pretty useless to me.
I use a small pipe wrench or a pair of channel locks.
So, yes size matters, but also the right tool for the job, which in this case means for the specific stuffing box nut you have.
Greg
Here's the bible on stuffing box maintenance include wrenches
Re-Packing A Traditional Stuffing Box - Marine How To
The Stuffing Box (click any image to see a larger version) While digging around in some old boat parts boxes I found a stuffing box from an older sailboat. I though it would be a good time to rig it up
marinehowto.com
Not my bible when it comes to wrenches. The two referenced, pipe and adjustable, which I have tried and they failed, have to be the poorest choice when it comes to tools. Over time, pipe wrenches round off the flats and the adjustable ones tend to flex. A Service Wrench of the correct size is your better choice. There is an upside to having the better tools for your boat.Here's the bible on stuffing box maintenance include wrenches
Re-Packing A Traditional Stuffing Box - Marine How To
The Stuffing Box (click any image to see a larger version) While digging around in some old boat parts boxes I found a stuffing box from an older sailboat. I though it would be a good time to rig it upmarinehowto.com
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Does 2.25” make sense as a standard size for a 2016 Yanmar 3JH5E on a Catalina 385 and if so can you buy open wrenches at that size?
I’ve succeeded with the adjustable wrenches but I want to get the right size open wrench. I just measured the inside of the adjustable set to fit.
I’ve succeeded with the adjustable wrenches but I want to get the right size open wrench. I just measured the inside of the adjustable set to fit.
After too long suffering with the tools Terry mentioned, I went to a tool shop, bought the right size for my lock nut and had the tools shop cut it in half. Works great. I still use the adjustable on the box itself which turns easily once the lock nut is backed off. Photo shows the cut long combo wrench and the old fixed jaw which never seemed to fit the lock nut.
From the referenced article:
"TIP: While I show these wrenches as wrenches you can use I would urge you to purchase as set of proper stuffing box wrenches for your particular box. Buck Algonquin and others sell packing box wrenches and they can be purchased from vendors such as Hamilton Marine."
It will certainly depend on your access and type of nuts. Mine are like Tally Ho's and packing gland wrenches, plumbers wrenches and regular open end wrenches don't work well for me. I use two small pipe wrenches.
Stu is 100% correct. Having the correctly sized open end wrenches is the only way to go. Those adjustable plumbers' wrenches that you get from places like Home Depot are especially useless.
I always end up soaking the lock nut with bp blaster for a few days and then placing a big screw driver against the nut and wacking it to get it loose enough to turn. THEN I start rotating through my collection of wrenches to make the adjustment.
This sounds very familiar (except the banging on screwdriver), hence why I asked about the 2.25” wrenches. After this latest episode, I want to have the right tools onboard and exercise and lubricate the lock nut when I exercise my thru-hulls
You overlooked the obvious. Amazon.com : stuffing box wrench
Of course you need to know the size you need. Or you can do what I did with some old scrap and make your own.
Of course you need to know the size you need. Or you can do what I did with some old scrap and make your own.
Attachments
After you slay that monster, have a go with your rudder shaft packing nut.
I bought the following from Amazon last year: it's great if you have limited room:
It's the ARES 70303 - 53mm Stubby Adjustable Wrench:
This is a really nicely machined adjustable that I use on the thin lock nut. I hated the cheap pot-metal plumber's wrenches. Still need a really big one for the large (non-lock) nut: that's on my to-buy list.
It's the ARES 70303 - 53mm Stubby Adjustable Wrench:
This is a really nicely machined adjustable that I use on the thin lock nut. I hated the cheap pot-metal plumber's wrenches. Still need a really big one for the large (non-lock) nut: that's on my to-buy list.