panic: my 15mm socket is missing and no able to tighten the crank bolt, any alt?
 

my 15mm socket—which is the only crank bolt tool i have—is MIA, and i am having a serious nervous breakdown.
other than stepping into ebay-usps route that makes me wait not being able to go forward—
i really was having a momentum going on the winter building... and it blew.
9/16 too small, 5/8 too big.

what 'alternative' idea you magician's have had, i am wondering? any other home tool capable of twisting the crank bolt?
have got pretty much all usual-suspect home tools including bunch of open-end sorts, non fitting crank bolt area.

and yes i do consider an option of driving down to HF or HD or Lowes although i'm not sure they have any individual metric sockets.
just wondering if there's any clever ideas around.

Most places that sell socket sets and wrenches sell individual sockets. Call ahead to make sure then go get one.

I'd just go to the local hardware store and buy a new socket. Then you're guaranteed to find the missing tool as soon as you get home.

Superglue

Did you leave it attached to your torque wrench, like I always do? ;)

Are you sure 9/16 is too small? Crank bolts are usually 14mm, not 15.

Hardware store, bro!

Many older bikes have 15mm crank bolts; occasionally the standard 15mm sockets are too thick to fit inside the cut out portion of the crank where the bolt is.

as far as a replacement for a 15mm wrench, 15mm is the standard size for axle nuts and also pedal wrenches (I don't know how a pedal wrench would work, 15mm crank wrenches OTOH are often used as axle wrenches and you may have one.

Sears(Craftsman) sells individual sockets.

I can't think of anything short of tack-welding a different size bolt to the crank bolt and then turning it loose.

Not much of a suggestion I'm afraid.

Previous posters are right on - I will add though, that when I was looking to add a 15mm socket to my set a while back, I found that the common sockets sold by auto parts and hardware stores all had outer diameters too wide to fit into my cranks, I had to go to Sears to find a Craftsman brand socket with thin enough walls to fit.

I just had a vision in my mind of the OP doing the one legged stroke all the way on the bike to get to the store :-)

No problem, just grab your Park Tool CCW-2.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=428286

thanks for all swift responses and wisdoms, forks.
so it seems that another socket is only solution, i guess? running to hardware store, then.
was just wondering any genius heck around it. :)
another thing worries is the socket driver size, 3/8... let me see what my luck is.

working day, ACE and Home Depot in the city are the pretty much only option i got today.

and yes, the missing one had the perfect 'thin' wall and it's been my major crank bolt tool...
it's from a cheapo C country socket wrench set.

Keep your receipt when you buy the new socket. You're guaranteed to find the old one as soon as you get home.

Geez I think I have 2 sockets, at least one Park 14/14 ratcheting crank tool. However most of my cranks are on with 8MM self extractors.

I'll post you a socket first thing in the morning if all your local Sears, Lowes, Ace, True Value, and Home Depot are sold out of them. Do you prefer 6 or 12 point?

I just noticed your location. You can borrow mine. I'm in Hudson county. I can leave my
15mm Craftsman deep 3/8 socket with our doorman. Drop it off when you're finished.
Guttenberg - BLVD E & 70th st, 07093.

oh yes i am sure. :)

OMG Sir, very nice of you and thanks enormous for your offer.
no need to drop it off at the doorman yet. let me see if i can easily fetch any after work here and see.
if not able to get any solution, will PM you.
thanks very very much, again!

Rummage through your toolbox for a 14mm socket and grab what looks like the correct one. That usually works for me. If that doesn't work, rummage around for a 16mm socket.

Mr. Hoboken,
You have a close by Harbor Freight and a Sears at the mall as well. The tool selection at the Ace on Washington at 1st is weak. Also, those Ace sockets are kind of chunky due to heavy chrome and may not fit. You might also try ****'s or an auto supply.

D-Y-K-E'S lumber

Just a casual C&V observer but I can't help but be impressed by 20 decent responses in 2 hours.

I take it you are going for "you never find the one you are looking for"?

A lot of bike shops sell tools for the DIYer. One like the park tool is pretty handy, and since it is for bikes only, it doesn't get misplaced when you are working on the car. Some of my cars take 15mm for the oil drain plug.

for that matter, he can go his LBS and throw them some business

thanks guys again. in between my 2 jobs today, i might make quick hopping to Home Depot for the socket and REI for the Park tool.
in case of no luck, will definitely PM you @Bianchigirll THANKS for your generous offer, too!

alternatively, if i am able to kill this urge during the week, will definitely run to Sears or something over the wknd
or waiting for the MIA socket popping up.

feeling much loved :)