18Watt.com

I just discovered that the chrome nut on Cliff jacks is 11.3 mm. None of my metric or American wrenches or nut drivers fit this correctly. This really annoys me, so I made an aluminum wrench today to be sure I don't mangle the nice finish on these parts. Does anyone know the origin of this hardware size? Is it a British legacy standard?

Jack

That particular nut [CORRECTION: fits well enough with a 12mm] socket wrench. I use a Cruz Tools combo wrench, it usually fits any pot or jack I use.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... lsrc=aw.ds

That's not right. The nut is specified as 11.3mm by Cliff (0.445"), and mine are actually closer to 0.447". A 7/16" wrench should be 0.4375. That's nearly 0.010" smaller. I have several types of 7/16" wrenches and sockets, but none will go over these nuts. Believe me, I don't make tools when I don't have to.

Jack

I use this newfangled technology called an "adjustable" wrench.

Oh man, I've seen a lot of gear scratched and scarred by those things. Banned from my audio company and every company I ever worked for.

TriodeLuvr wrote: ↑

Wed 01/27/21 12:31 pm

Oh man, I've seen a lot of gear scratched and scarred by those things. Banned from my audio company and every company I ever worked for.

That's what they call "user error."

Or what we call in the IT field a "PEBKAC" error.

The user error in this case would be the failure to use the right tool for the job. Adjustable wrenches are for plumbers and pipefitters.

Jack

TriodeLuvr wrote: ↑

Wed 01/27/21 3:10 pm

The user error in this case would be the failure to use the right tool for the job. Adjustable wrenches are for plumbers and pipefitters.

Jack

No way, my adorable little wrench is definitely not looking for a career change.

LOL, I wouldn't retire it either. But just to be clear, the plastic nut on that jack is much larger than the chrome fitting I'm talking about. It's 15mm vs 11.3mm. I still wouldn't use an adjustable wrench on it, especially considering standard metric sockets and nut drivers will fit. If you feel you have to though, it's a lot easier to grab and less likely to slip than the little chrome piece.

Jack

I highly recommend Rocket Sockets. I use them and one of them, maybe the #12, fits the Cliff jack nuts perfectly. And, being nylon the never scratch the chassis. Great for pots too. and pedal stomp switches.