Welding a Lug Wrench

Glenn F.

Member
While removing my snow tires yesterday afternoon I
noticed my star lug wrench is split at the end I use
most. Would you weld this or throw it away. Not
sure why it happened. It is opening up a little.
I'd need to clamp it shut while welding.

Thanks,
Glenn F.
 
I would say yes you could weld it but for the cost of a new one in the long run it would be cheaper and last long to replace it
 
I go along try welding it. If you buy a new one it will most likely be made in China and bust the first time you use it.
 
Yeah , I cut off the bad one, grind a square on the end of the shaft and weld an old socket onto it works fine . Six point is better if you have it ....
 
Hi Glenn;

I'd give it a try. What's the worst that could happen? You'll certainly be careful using it until it's proven itself or failed. It's not as if it's going to fail to tighten the lug nuts but make you think it did---it will work or it won't.

Stan
 
Isn't that only true if he puts no value on his time? I'm pretty sure I could make a simple weld like that, even including grinding a vee in the crack, faster than I could buy a new one, and about fifty times faster than making a special trip to a salvage yard.

Stan
 
(quoted from post at 09:31:27 03/23/15) While removing my snow tires yesterday afternoon I
noticed my star lug wrench is split at the end I use
most. Would you weld this or throw it away. Not
sure why it happened. It is opening up a little.
I'd need to clamp it shut while welding.

Thanks,
Glenn F.

I think you will find it is made of a material that does not weld easily. It will become brittle right next to the weld, and break the first time you use it.
 
Just weld ot with 7018. I've got several sockets in my box that are welded and have held fine for many years. Worst cas it breaks again and you still have junk.
 
I take it that its the socket that is cracked. You could measure the outside diameter of socket and make a steel sleeve to slip over it and tack it in several places to hold it in place.
 
I have one just like that that I welded a socket onto.
Not because mine was cracked but because it didnt have the size I needed on it.
Welded it right onto the existing end it has worked fine since the early 90's.
Removes the guesswork figuring out which end to use as well.
 
Biggest problem is once you weld it the temper is gone and it is very likely to not be thew correct size any more
 
Dalex,

I, too, have cut off the socket and ground a square tht would fit a 1/2 drive socket.

I did not weld on any socket though, this is my go-to wrench, and armed with an arsenal of impact sockets can get into lots of places with good torque.

D.
 

For a car or light truck I would got to Harbor
Freight
and get a 1/2 drive breaker bar, then go to pawn
shop or flea market and get a good 6 inch
extension, and a good used US made socket of the
proper size. Those will take up less storage space
in the vehicle that the 4 way lug wrench and
provide more leverage. You may find a breaker bar
at the P S or flea m.

If the 1/2 inch drive breaker bar is not long
enough to suit you get a 3/4 drive breaker bar from
HF and, since IMO HF's 3/4 drive is not long enough
IMO get a piece of pipe for a cheater bar. You will
also need a 3/4 to 1/2 drive adapter unless you
find a 3/4 drive socket of the right size.

KEH
 
That's true, but all he's got to lose is a few minutes if it doesn't work---but it might. It's sure not going to work if he throws it away without trying.

I'm kind of surprised at you, Rich. I thought you would be one of the first people on this forum to try something you haven't done before. You're always fixing things, and you've got the welding skills. I'd call myself one of the first people here to try something like that, except that my style is a little different. What I would do is intend to try it, but put it aside for later and then never get around to it.

Stan
 
Reason I would not be likely to do it is I keep all the lug wrenches I even get so I have extras laying around so no need to weld up one. Yes it might be able to be done but. Shoot O keep a lug wrench laying just inside my car so it is an easy weapon if I need it
 
Weld it!
I've twisted up a couple of lug wrenches before; they're not made of anything too hard.

Try it out once it cools so you won't be caught with a flat if weld doesn't hold.
 
Its simple, weld it. Clamp it in a vise to squeeze the crack (s) shut and weld away. If it breaks again you can replace it. Cross wrenches are a dime a dozen.
 
Wow, that's great! If I send you a dollar would you pick up 120 for me? I'd gladly pay the shipping. They're a lot more than that here. I heat them and bend them into swastika shapes and then sell them on eBay as reproduction WWII Volkswagen wrenches.

Stan

P.S. Just kidding.
 
(quoted from post at 23:11:38 03/23/15) Weld it!
I've twisted up a couple of lug wrenches before; they're not made of anything too hard.

Try it out once it cools so you won't be caught with a flat if weld doesn't hold.

If it broke you can bet it is not a high grade metal or heat treated to any degree to worry about .
If it were me I would weld all six corners and test fit it . if you weld one the chances are good next time one of the other five will split . the socket idea sounds better if you have an extra .
 
I cut the broken end off and weld an impact socket on the end. I geind a square drive on the end first.
 
Tx joe, that is exactly what I did with mine
you only have to tack the socket if you grind
the shaft nicely to fit it. Ed will
 
Tx joe, that is exactly what I did with mine
you only have to tack the socket if you grind
the shaft nicely to fit it. Ed will
 

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