Subject: 3 1/8" socket needed for project

From: [email-masked]
Date: 11 Dec 1996 03:48:33 GMT

I am dismantling a 200 ton cross compound steam engine to move to a
museum.  I need a 3 1/8" socket to remove six bolts that are located in a
most inaccessible place.  Anyone have one for sale or one that I might
borrow.

Rick Rowlands
Tod Engine Project

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From: [email-masked] (Ernie Leimkuhler)
Date: Thu, 12 Dec 1996 02:08:58 -0700

> most inaccessible place.  Anyone have one for sale or one that I might

I'd be willing to make you one if you can't find one.
Drop me a line if you need it.

-- 
Best of luck

*********************************************************************
                            Ernie Leimkuhler
                   STAGESMITH PRODUCTIONS
                     Custom Metal Fabrication
       ABANA       AWS        SCA        IATSE Local 15/488
                        Renton, Washington, USA
*********************************************************************
" 'Reverse primary thrust, Marvin,' that's what they say to me, 'open airlock number three, Marvin. Marvin, can you pick up that piece of paper?' Can I pick up that piece of paper! Here I am, brain the size of a planet, and they ask me to ...." - Douglas_Adams

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From: [email-masked] (Roger Feeley)
Date: Thu, 12 Dec 1996 02:03:02 GMT

I posted a reply to this from work, but couldn't find it from home.
I'm not sure the work ones are getting through.

Anyway,  my father in law used to work in a natural gas compressor
plant.  They use enourmous internal combustion engines that burn the
natural gas they pump to boost the pressure in the main transmission
lines.  These engines are big!  3 foot cylinders that a man can crawl
through.  I have an intake valve from one.  It stands about 30" high,
weighs 80 lbs and has a face 10" across.  

They used to have very large wrenches (needed chain falls).

I would suggest that you call your local natural gas pipeline company
and see if they have anything you can borrow.

Note:  Any of you jokers out there thinking of making one of these
engines into a chainsaw, forget it.

Roger

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From: [email-masked]
Date: 12 Dec 1996 20:07:24 GMT

In article <[email-masked]>, [email-masked] (Fitch R.
Williams) writes:

>handle - or weld on a short 1" drive socket extension.  I am
>assuming that you need to be able to apply some serious
>torque to the nuts if they are that large.  A welded up tool
>should last through the removal and replacement of 6 nuts.  
>
>

Hey Fitch, think CNC. A lump of 4" round cut to about 3" long. Take 5
minutes to write a program to cut a hex, go back with a smaller cutter and
cut back the corners to clear the hex points, weld the largsest socket you
can find at a pawn shop tool table and the guy can go loosen the bolts?
Yes?

Peter

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From: [email-masked] (Russ Kepler)
Date: Fri, 13 Dec 1996 05:35:44 GMT

In article <[email-masked]>,
>engines into a chainsaw, forget it.

Naaah - might make a nice drag saw, though.

-- 
Russ Kepler                                              [email-masked]

                      Please Don't Feed the Engineers

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From: [email-masked] (Robert Van Zant)
Date: 13 Dec 1996 17:49:26 GMT

>most inaccessible place.  Anyone have one for sale or one that I might

     If I recall correctly, my Peterbuilt had 3 1/8" nuts holding the drums
on the rear axles.  Any truck supply should have stamped steel 1" drive sockets
in that size range.  They'll probably be too flimsy for your use, but should
be a simple matter to beef 'em up a little.  Cheap too, as I recall, maybe
$20 bucks or so.  In fact, if I still have on laying around, you can have
it.

bob

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From: [email-masked] (Fitch R. Williams)
Date: Fri, 13 Dec 1996 06:42:23 GMT

>Peter

Yes.  I was afraid of that.   Sigh ...

Fitch
Re-reading all the advertisements for affordable cnc ...
they wrinkel when you drool on them ...

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From: [email-masked] (Dave Shepard)
Date: 13 Dec 1996 23:32:08 GMT

I believe 3 1/8" sockets are a standard size in 1" drive socket sets.
I can think of two sources:

  Most repair shops that work on large trucks, buses, etc.. will have
  a set of these with a breaker bar and ratchet.  Perhaps you can work
  something out with one of the mechanics.

  Some tool rental places (Taylor rental in the N.E. US) will rent large
  socket sets for reasonable prices.

  If you end up wanting to buy one, most places that sell large socket
  sets will stock them.  You could get a cheap set with this size through
  Harbor Freight tools I bet.

Cheers,
--Dave

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From: [email-masked] (Fitch R. Williams)
Date: Thu, 12 Dec 1996 06:16:56 GMT

>On 11 Dec 1996 03:48:33 GMT, [email-masked] wrote:

Naw, we wouldn't do that, but into a car, maybe with a small
radial as the pony motor for starting, of course!   <G>

Fitch