From: muratlanne@gmail.com   
      
   "Bob La Londe"  wrote in message news:10kokgj$11d6g$1@dont-email.me...   
      
   On 1/20/2026 5:48 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:   
   > "Bob La Londe"  wrote in message news:10kll6q$sq3g$1@dont-email.me...   
   > I'm pretty functional, often making square drives that will fit a   
   > particular 12 point wrench or socket, but there is certainly an elegant   
   > look to a well made hex with a nice chamfer.   
   > Bob La Londe   
   > -------------------------   
   > A hex head fitted fairly closely to a 6 point socket holds up better than   
   > alternatives when cut from mild steel.   
      
   I am aware, but a square drive is faster and easier to machine for often   
   single use tools.  A year ago I made a brake caliper tool with two pins   
   and a square drive for my son's Malibu.  You have to turn the caliper   
   back in when installing new rotors and pads.  He parked it a couple   
   months ago and will be getting rid of it.  I won't even remember what   
   that tool is for a few years from now.  Okay, I'll probably remember,   
   but it only got used once, and with the ever growing web of self repair   
   denial in the industry (all industries) its unlikely it will ever get   
   used again.   
   Bob La Londe   
      
   ----------------------------   
   The quick fix is two or more axial drill holes in one end located by eye for   
   an HF adjustable pin spanner wrench. Cross-drilling for a rod is quick if   
   the center can be blocked. Neither can stand as much torque as flats. The   
   best high torque driver I've found for a square is a large pipe tap wrench   
   which balances the forces. Two bars or square tubes with the ends overlapped   
   and joined by bolts can work well too, as long as the bolt holes don't   
   weaken it much.   
      
   The two bars can also be recessed with the two halves of a hex, with   
   opposing points on the parting line. There is just enough clearance above to   
   mill the angled faces with an end mill. Instead of a complex and hard to   
   measure layout I cut a square notch the width and depth for one hex flat and   
   milled the angled faces to meet it in the corners. It was done when the two   
   bars would close tight on the hex. I made it to break loose and reshape   
   distorted 3/8" brake line flare nuts, it works on 7/16" as well.   
      
   Usually such tools are small enough for my sample kit so after using them I   
   clean them up neatly enough to show to engineers.   
      
   A couple of years ago we used a disk parking brake screw retractor in auto   
   shop night school. The students wanting to learn maintenance all drove older   
   cars.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)