Our sprinkler system has a filter to remove gunk from the canal water. The coupler for the filter housing is 4.5" diameter. (Yes, I measured circumference with a tape measure.) We have been using a oil filter style wrench which is very clumsy. There are wrenches designed to fit the housing securely. When I went to Grover's Plumbing Supply, the plumbing expert informed me that the 4.5" wrenches were arriving bigger than that, requiring you to offset from horizontal to get it to turn the coupler. I am glad she knew enough not to just drop it in my hand.
Amazon had a 4.5" filter housing wrench. It arrived. The bag clearly said 4 5". It was more like 6" so useless.
Home Depot's website listed a 4.5" wrench. I measured it: 4.75". Why does 4 5" suddenly become a nominal diameter?
UPDATE: The filter inside the housing is 4.5" diameter, not the housing.
Would an oil filter wrench work? Or the channel-lock looking pliers made for oil filters? I don't have one in front of me, but they are about 4 inches or a bit larger
ReplyDeleteOil filter wrench too clumsy to use in this situation. Channel locks would but likely to chew up fitting.
DeleteOops I didn't remember the 1st part of that when I started brainstorming
ReplyDeleteHey, Mr Cramer. The short answer is that plumbing has its own conventions. It can drive you crazy.
ReplyDeleteActually the short answer is that with plumbing the INSIDE diameter is what matters in the design. That makes the outside dimensions confusing, especially when using various grades and materials that dictate various thicknesses. It's kinda like nuts and bolts - a 3/8" bolt normally requires a 9/16" size wrench. Try a strap wrench, maybe with a ratchet extension rather than an integral handle? Most of my oil filter wrenches are made that way - with no handles. They're much more versatile.
ReplyDelete