Remember when you had to guess the right cone wrench size?

Back in the 90s, I'd pull a hub apart and just grab a handful of cone wrenches, trying each one until something fit. It was a mess, and you'd round off a cone edge sometimes. Around 2005, I started writing the size on the locknut with a paint pen as soon as I got the wheel in the stand. Now I just look, grab the right one, and get to work. Anyone else have a simple trick that saved a ton of time on old cup and cone hubs?

3 comments

3 Comments

anthony1272mo ago

Writing the size on the locknut" is a great example of a small system preventing future frustration.

rose_hart312mo ago

My old socket set had the sizes printed in tiny raised numbers that wore off completely. Spent ten minutes last week trying to find the right one for a 10mm bolt. @anthony127 is totally right, writing it on there with a paint pen is a game changer. I started doing it on my Allen wrenches too because the labels on the rack fell off. It's such a simple fix that saves so much time when you're in the middle of a project and your hands are dirty. You just grab the right tool and keep going.

taylorcarr20h ago

3/8" drive sockets are the worst for that, the numbers are practically printed on there with hopes and prayers. I've got an old Craftsman set from the 90s where half of them are just silver blanks now. Started using a fine tipped paint marker a few years back and it's been solid - just make sure you clean the socket with brake cleaner first or the paint won't stick for crap. @anthony127 hit the nail on the head about the Allen wrenches too, because trying to squint at the end of a short hex key when you're already under the hood is a joke.