Square "Spanner" Plumbing Tool.

[FrodoOne]

Below is a photo of a brass Access Bend in a 50 mm (2 ") Waste Pipe - under a sink - which must be about 65 years old!

.
While I have been able to removed this Plug - using a wrench - I know that there is/was what might be called a Square Spanner for unscrewing the Access Plug.

The hole in this Plug for such a Spanner is 19 mm square.

1. What is the name for such a spanner
and
2. where can one be obtained?

I have posed the question of obtaining one in as many was that I can think of on the WWW
but have not been able to find the item concerned.

(The diameter of the threaded part of the plug is 30 mm and I have found it difficult to purchase a replacement washer - but, that is another story.
They seem to be available [in this country] only as Automotive supplies, in packs of relatively large numbers.)

 

[HERTS P&D]

Just use a 3/4" ratchet

Andy

 

[Mottie]

I doubt it will be metric if it's 65 years old. More likely 3/4”. Just get a 1/2” to 3/4” drive adaptor and use a standard 1/2” ratchet.

Or, for @FrodoOne ….

 

[FrodoOne]

I doubt it will be metric if it's 65 years old. More likely 3/4”.

Of course,
it was not manufactured in SI but in "Imperial".

However, all pipe fittings remain of the same actual dimensions, however described,
so that new can fit with old.
(A 2" Galvanized Iron pipe is 2 " on the inside
but
the associated "fittings",
manufactured to accommodate the greater external diameter,
were still referred as 2" pipe fittings.)

The practice in this country is to refer to all plumbing dimensions in SI - using a "Soft Conversion" - rounded to the nearest approximate millimetre.

Thus,
1/2" becomes 12 mm,
3/4" becomes 19 mm,
1" becomes 25 mm
and
2" become 50 mm - as I indicated - although 51 mm would be to the nearest millimetre !

Just get a 1/2” to 3/4” drive adaptor and use a standard 1/2” ratchet.

Thank you (and HERTS P&D).

I own only a 3/8" ratchet wrench.
Hence, two adaptors would appear to be necessary.
One 3/8" Female to 1/2" Male
plus
one 1/2" Female to 3/4" Male.

I am now on the track of obtaining these.

Thanks again.

 

[Mottie]

I own only a 3/8" ratchet wrench.

1/2” ratchets can’t be that expensive and will give you more leverage.

1/2" becomes 12 mm,

13mm surely? (1/2” = 12.7mm)

 

[FrodoOne]

1/2” ratchets can’t be that expensive and will give you more leverage.

But this fitting requires a 3/4" ratchet, for which I have no other use !

13mm surely? (1/2” = 12.7mm)

Yes.
However, 12 mm is "used" for that size.
Perhaps the use of 13 was considered unlucky ?

As I stated above,
2" pipe is referred to as 50 mm (when it is 50.7 mm)

Also
3 1/2" pipe is referred to as 90 mm (when it is 88.9 mm)
4" pipe is referred to as 100 mm (when it is 101.6 mm)
A matter of "round numbers", perhaps ?

 

[JohnD]

For square drives, I have a tool with squares coming off it in all directions like a spider. They are slightly tapered. I think it was intended for sump plugs and axles. I later got a set that fit a socket wrench, they seemed quite expensive but are useful on recalcitrant old radiators.

 

[Mottie]

But this fitting requires a 3/4" ratchet, for which I have no other use !

It doesn’t require a 3/4” ratchet and you will not be able to use a 3/4” ratchet on that adaptor but if you can’t see that, I can’t explain any clearer how this would work for you. You only need an 1/2” ratchet. Sure, you won’t have any further use for it if you have no sockets to fit the ratchet but again, you won’t be able to use the adaptor for anything else either. If it’s a multi-use tool you are looking to buy, I’m all out of ideas but good luck with your search. I'm out.

 

[Stivino]

T bar
Adapter

 

[ChrisJP]

"But this fitting requires a 3/4" ratchet, for which I have no other use !"

I think the point being made is that, if you get a 1/2" ratchet you'll only need a 1/2" female to 3/4" male adapter, and not a 3/8" to 1/2" one as well. The longer handle on the 1/2" ratchet will also give you more leverage to unscrew the plug than the shorter 3/8" ratchet will do.
You could alternatively get a 1/2" breaker bar rather than a ratchet and this may be cheaper.
We're not talking about huge amounts of money here, so it doesn't seem worthwhile to obsess over whether you'll have any further use for the 1/2" ratchet. Buy some 1/2" drive sockets and they may turn out to be useful in the future.
The cost of tools is always way less than getting someone in to do a job so, if I'm confident that I can do it myself, I never hesitate over buying the right tools.

 

[JohnD]

I'd get a T bar

Not a ratchet

Because if you ever decide you want bigger sockets, you'll almost certainly buy a set, which is pretty sure to include a ratchet

Old tools are often sold cheap at carboot sales or on local websites.

Unlikely to be stolen goods, like modern power tools

If you have a car, you could consider a half-inch telescopic handle, sold as a wheel brace replacement with a couple of sockets. I think around £7

I got one for each of the family cars, will deal with tight nuts even if you are more Olive than Popeye

 

[Mottie]

You could alternatively get a 1/2" breaker bar rather than a ratchet and this may be cheaper.

All depends on the access to the cap the OP wants to unscrew. With a breaker bar, you may not be able to get any movement on it if it’s, for example, tight under a sink unit or somewhere similar. A ratchet can start off in almost any position but with a square plug and a breaker bar, it may be impossible to get the right position to get the squares lined up, let alone be able to turn it. FFS, you could get the ratchet and bit and still have change from £15!

 

[FrodoOne]

Let's not worry any further!

At present, it can be unscrewed using one's fingers
and
I used a wrench to unscrew it, initially - since it was not particularly tight.

Replacement washers are on order
and
I probably may obtain suitable adaptors for my 3/8" rachet socket wrench.

Thank you, all.

 

[Mottie]