[AT] OT; Gasoline prices + on topic socket question

[Grant Brians]

To all, I should perhaps explain on the 7/8" 4 or 8 point socket that I want 
why a socket is needed. I am turning these plugs currently with a 15" 
crescent wrench with a 30" cheater bar and sometimes that is not enough 
force to get them to turn. With a socket I believe I can avoid having them 
round, crack and fracture before the removal happans. If the socket is close 
enough in size (that is the reason for the 7/8"), then the pressure on the 
plug sides avoids rounding and uses less torque. Where the 1" and 3/4" 
sockets fit properly, I find the plugs remove much more easily.
    As another aspect of this, I am removing pipe bushings with a 36" long 
spring steel Snap-on breaker bar and a 1-1/2" impact socket. And those often 
take a BIG pull from me! I am not that heavy (about 180 pounds, but I am 
6'6" tall and the height is in my arms too....
    So I will take Richard Walker's suggestion and check the vendors at 
Tulare this weekend (I already planned to if I did not come up with one 
sooner) and hope I find one and that it does not break in use! My current 
four point sockets are from Worchester, Massachusetts Malden or Walden 
brand. They are from the 1930's or thereabouts. Oh and Harbor Freight does 
not sell 8 point or drag link sockets - another need I am checking for 
locally. I will use the drag link sockets for agricultural sprinkler 
rebuilding.
        Grant Brians
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Larry D. Goss" <rlgoss at evansville.net>
To: "'Antique tractor email discussion group'" 
<at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2005 7:46 AM
Subject: RE: [AT] OT; Gasoline prices + on topic socket question


> Hey, Grant, go on line and check out the offerings from Harbor Freight.
> They have some specialty socket sets and may even have 3/4 and 1 inch
> stuff that would get you past the problem.  I doubt that the cost would
> be less than buying a single socket from Snap-On, though.
>
> Larry
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
> [mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Grant Brians
> Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2005 1:15 AM
> To: Antique tractor email discussion group
> Subject: Re: [AT] OT; Gasoline prices + on topic socket question
>
> Landen and all, I was the one asking about 7/8"four or eight point
> sockets.
> I have larger and smaller four point sockets (3/4", 1", 1-1/4") but not
> the
> 7/8". So far the information from the list has led to my determining
> that
> Larry Goss and Dave Rotigel are really kind and would loan the socket I
> need
> and that Snap-on appears to sell the only currently made new 7/8" 8
> point
> socket. I am very hesitant to borrow the socket though as I fear I might
>
> break it given the force I am using to turn these plugs. And the Snap-on
>
> price is far more than I can currently justify.... Also, I have learned
> that
> there are not any of them on EBay for sale either.
>    As a result I am still stuck. I will continue to look and try to
> find
> one to buy at a farmer type price - in other words economical! I have
> succeeded in breaking several more of the plugs in the meantime, but
> hope
> that I will find a socket for more permanent use. If I were to dream of
> the
> ideal socket - it might even be 3/4" drive! After all I have been using
> the
> 3/4" breaker bar on some of the other fittings I am removing.
>    Thanks to all and I hope someone may point me to an economical used
> one.
>        Grant Brians
>        Hollister, California