lens spanner wrench of choice?

[Ramiro Elena]

I just made one with two precision flat screw drivers and a drilled piece of wood. Like the tool above but a stick of wood instead of the two horizontal rods.

[Joshua Dunn]

Another plug for the S.K. Grimes wrench. But mine did not come in a wooden box. It’s expensive but a fine tool. When buying these wrenches it’s no different than buying any other tool, it simply comes down to how much value you place it fine tools. I have the square Linos wrench and it works and is more portable. But for precision, strength and versatility wrenches like the S.K. Grimes wrench are better tools.

-Joshua

[Old-N-Feeble]

Adjustable spanners...

My favorite is the style that looks like an adjustable compass, with tips coming out at a right angle:

Leigh... Where might on buy one of these online? Automotive tools retailer?

[Adrian Pybus]

I use one from Edmund Optics, Barrington, N.J.
It has replaceable and different tips and it works fine,

Adrian

[Tony Karnezis]

One spanner to avoid is the H-type with the insertable tips, like this:


Those tips will move out of position under pressure, possibly damaging the lens or workpiece.
If you have one of these, DO NOT exert any significant downward pressure. You'll break something.

- Leigh

What a timely thread. I started looking for a good spanner today. The card type lens wrench has served my needs until now, but I just bought a lens in a recessed Linhof board that requires a spanner to reach the retaining ring. It sounds like I should avoid the design with removable tips out of concern for the tips shifting under torque.

[Jon Wilson]

The S.K. Grimes wrenches work great. I purchased both of them because when you weigh the price of a messed up shutter or lens as a result of a poor wrench job, well IMHO they are worth the price.

[seawolf66]

I got this one at ebay for 30.00 with shipping

[john borrelli]

I bought the rodenstock and then the toyo version unfortunately neither work with my wood (wisner) #0 lensboard. I guess I'll have to try the caliper style wrench instead. I have been trying to save every ounce and I thought the caliper style would weigh a little more but the lensboard is recessed and the flat wrenches can't get passed the ridge.
Perhaps this info may be useful to other first time wisner owners.