Does anyone know where I could get hold of a miniature socket set - basically just need a very small socket for those pesky Peco kit nuts.

A mini-socket or something like a sparkplug spanner would be ideal!

It could be a neat little (no pun intended) 3D printer project to make one perhaps.

The actual nuts are 3mm across and 1mm thick.

I found this http://www.amazon.co.uk/miniature-spinner-Japanese-quality-engineer/dp/B000W9IWCC/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1415348481&sr=8-8&keywords=3mm+hex+driver but it doesn't have 3mm! 

This http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shank-Socket-Setter-Spanner-Driver/dp/B00B3026V2/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1415348481&sr=8-15&keywords=3mm+hex+driver is 3mm but looks like it's going to be too thick to fit between the axle mounts! 

If anyone has found something suitable I'd love to know!

I could just glue the chassis, but that would remove the potential for coupling changes at a later date.

Quote from: DarthBadger on November 07, 2014, 08:29:36 AM

I found this http://www.amazon.co.uk/miniature-spinner-Japanese-quality-engineer/dp/B000W9IWCC/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1415348481&sr=8-8&keywords=3mm+hex+driver but it doesn't have 3mm! 

It says it has 3mm

"This set includes drivers for nut diameters (across flats) 3.0mm, 3.5mm, 4.0mm, 4.5mm ,5.0mm, 5.5mm, 6.0mm"


Paul

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ratchet-Wrench-Socket-Phillips-Security/dp/B00MFNZN1G/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1415349350&sr=8-9&keywords=3mm+hex+driver

Any good?

Dave G

What you're after are called nut spinners or nut drivers.

DCC Supplies sell various sizes as do places like Maplins. Found this on their website which may be of use to anyone who lives near the stores with stock;

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/5-part-miniature-nut-spinner-set-yw61r

Quote from: mickeyflinn on November 07, 2014, 08:47:52 AM
What you're after are called nut spinners or nut drivers.

DCC Supplies sell various sizes as do places like Maplins. Found this on their website which may be of use to anyone who lives near the stores with stock;

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/5-part-miniature-nut-spinner-set-yw61r

Perfect!

Quote from: daveg on November 07, 2014, 08:38:38 AM
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ratchet-Wrench-Socket-Phillips-Security/dp/B00MFNZN1G/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1415349350&sr=8-9&keywords=3mm+hex+driver

Any good?

Dave G

How did I miss that?! I even used the same search term!

Thanks Dave

If you are buying this just for the peco kits then I think that it will cause you problems.
The pips that are cut by the steel nuts are very thin and will snap off if you over tighten them.
I have found the best tool for this job is long-nose pliers or stiff tweezers. Do the nut up so that the coupling sits level then stop tightening. You will find that there is about another turn left in the nut once this level is reached. This is the point where the nut grounds against the chassis base and pulls/snaps off the pip.

Elmo

I like Peco kits , but these nuts are a pain. As elmo states a pair of fine long nose pliers works well,
some of the kits just press together firmly and don't always need the nuts. Due to the size of the nuts
I think that trying to tighten them on the plastic pip with a socket set is a needless hassle.

Quote from: Agrippa on November 07, 2014, 11:01:00 AM
I like Peco kits , but these nuts are a pain. As elmo states a pair of fine long nose pliers works well,
some of the kits just press together firmly and don't always need the nuts. Due to the size of the nuts
I think that trying to tighten them on the plastic pip with a socket set is a needless hassle.

Totally agree and/but do see why DB was asking about socket sets.

I find the really fiddly bit is getting the things started. I guess it's all down to the dexterity or lack of, of the modeller.

As already cautioned, don't over tighten the nut!

Dave G