Which spanner wrench?

[Alan Gage]

Looking for a spanner wrench to pull the lens elements out of a couple LF lenses. I see them on micro-tools and SK Grimes' site. Some with pointy tips, others with flat tips, and still others with multiple tips.

Any recommendations here? Anything I should stay away from?

Alan

[Andrew Alexander]

I have not bought one yet but when I do its going to be one of the better Micro-Tools wrenches...I have read a lot of good things about the SK Grimes tools particularly from the LF mechanics - they look a bit fat or awkward for work on 35mm or MF cameras to my eye. I had asked this question some time back either on this forum or one of the others and overwhelmingly the better guys recommended spending the money for the Micros. I'd be interested in what you decide with your mechanical propensity.

[Wayne]

I've got one of the Micro-tools spanners with interchangeable tips and have been perfectly happy with it. The design has been around for ages - I think ones offered by the National Camera course many years ago were exactly the same. You can custom grind the tips to suit a particular job if required.

[melek]

I have two of the Micro-Tools spanner wrenches. The standard chrome kit with the various tips. The second is a longer wrench, which is great for reach into medium format cameras. This allows you to get into deeper lens recesses and still gives you room to grip the wrench.

[Mike Kovacs]

Yeah x2.

Wish I had the longer ones, especially for TLRs.

[Wayne]

One trick that I've used where a deeper reach is required using the standard length Micro-tools spanner... You can drift out the rod closest to the tips (which stops you reaching inside a confined space due to it's length) and replace it with a shorter rod (of the same diameter) that will allow the spanner to fit inside the confined space.

[Alan Gage]

Thanks guys. Just ordered the micro-tools with the multiple tips.

Alan

[Alan Gage]

Got the micro-tools spanner wrench in today. Feels like it's built well and no slop to speak of. Took apart a couple lenses with no issues. Looks like a winner!

Thanks again for the advice,

Alan