Originally Posted by
Tank
Dougal, so you dont think a shifter (good Quality) has a place in a mechanics tool box, but you think it is OK to use a 12 or 6 sided socket, designed to grip on the 12 or 6 sided high tensile bolt or nut, on a cast iron water pipe plug (oil filler or drain plug). It seems to me you haven't come across a tight plug yet, becase when you do you will see how easy it is to round off said plug with a socket. I think you are implying that using a Shifter is only for butchers and you wouldn't do that to your vehicle. I was always taught to use the correct tool for the job and in this case a Shifter or open end spanner is the correct tool, or a pair of Stilsons (Pipe Wrench) after some tool has buggered the the plug by rounding it off, to each his own, they say, I give my advice on this forum after 40 years of Mechanical experience, you can choose to ignore it, but don't knock me because you have some ridiculous idea that a 4 sided cast iron plug should only be loosened/tightened with a 12 sided tool designed for a 6 or 12 sided bolt/nut, Regards Frank.