Fabricating Box End Wrenches

Fabricating Box End Wrenches



by Walter W. Warder

The North American Live Steamer, March 1956

Here is how I make box end wrenches from socket head cap screws. First, I take two screws of the size I want and chuck them in the lathe and turn the head down some as in Figure 1. This gives you a thin box end and will work in tight places. Next, I take the parting tool and cut off a ring about the thickness of the nut or bolt head which the wench will fit. Next, I file a piece of metal for the handle as in Figure 3, and braze the little rings to the ends of this.

Next, bend the handle a little at each end to offset the heads as in Figure 4. To finish, I round the edges of the handle and polish with fine emory cloth. This makes a very neat little box end wrench. I don't think a wrench of this type needs to be case-hardened, as they seem plenty strong.

P.S. Don't use socket head set screws because they are very hard.