Tool to loosen/tighten toggle switch nuts?

PonchoGreg

You know the one... the fine-toothed style on Switchcraft toggles. Always found these to be a PITA to deal with, and I feel like pliers are probably the worst tool for the job.

Beyond pricey specialist wrenches from StewMac and the like, what do you guys tend to use?

skippy76

Hi mate, there is a specialist tool for this, you can pick them up on ebay for around £5 from memory, also good for removing knobs. I’ll see if I can find a link

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Guitar-Wrench-Tool-Tightening-pot-Knob-Jack-Switches-Tunner-Bass-Luthier-Spanner/313118352047?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item48e74ee2af:g:gsgAAOSwrvle6dmZ&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAACcBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%252Fn%252BzU5L90Z278x5ickkRjLZq23gAR%252BKma9gM2Z1htKd5HxX6qRUuH2qy0IgdNR0vrFfUfRVS9RtTehv1%252B5agu5D2lrY%252B0UEFiIenL2aRy09%252B70fKEe1M88lgEyFPAiA%252BgAD1iaamonQeW%252Fa4sB0gJMax8TIuGIldfnYPPGyYtLqvQSv0d26gWVYim%252BkgPIZ4CuP2rnsgR7CetVFzwg0dfTtt0a7bBqUn1IkX4d6vfzMh%252FhTRJ49QP1FbnmOmgURe%252BZIdYfZDrWMOxNDbMKeRCUZf0RSfztDRwAP6%252FP6RYH4XKqie46lVl1qqfmIRnuFZ4nVIWxwJIQVbGocT9398gXxKfvWyi06oR%252F1sUSKGPjwcGPwfBRD7qngSGs2tD4SNLB0eW9ZXXfbQyhmDflgBbR80KRCEKlArc%252B%252FPp6h2upHjF87JrAwWckEFpkhT8qrzfH2h1VowP1yf2CIyXe602WWRRVWBjSGE2on3ziNlaBRzQjKu4mKkvkCENSVzyQrbiS4GLIVz6MpCRCMpCeQCnQcT1OUph79BXv68tpjSRUT%252B7mjL3DxoJXMt8cdd88JoETdJ5tonyjSDb5hw0NPML%252FHYp3r4UFsY6jp0TmdP2BzLPg6mKUOWOojgOX0WMK7%252FYmremTfqk7BGabD9AEgoEBamKqcfOx4DvxBIs92awz1hnUo7dxqRIFEWyQOKgVIUWsT8I3XBPbufVu1lvPGgW4oB7zXj4DUBSxl1jyrDZgF7GKMX4G4TlTI24%252BBwa0HngM8STn80PfHhhKvnRZFrw%252Fwl2vtHybi0t7CkvO2UQ%253D%253D%7Ccksum%3A313118352047e11aa1657bf045a38c0280e5540b860a%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2334524

SteveRobinson

That's what I use, I have one of the original ESP design.

PonchoGreg

Ah cool, thanks gents - always been a bit wary of marring the finish with these (if working on something that hasn't got a poker chip under the toggle), but it does look like the right tool for the job!

ICBM

Hosco Guitar Nut Cube.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hosco-Japan-Cube-Guitar-Puller/dp/B0794JMKD9

Not fantastically cheap, but it has a lot more uses so I think it's good value for money. You do need to put a piece of masking tape either side of the nut if there isn't a fairly thick washer under it - I would protect a 'poker chip' as well. And it doesn't work on PRS recessed ones.

For that you need one of these - 

https://www.thomann.de/gb/allparts_toggle_switch_wrench.htm

bbill335

rocket sockets
https://shop.pedalparts.co.uk/Rocket_Sockets/p847124_20254102.aspx

PonchoGreg

bbill335 said:

rocket sockets
https://shop.pedalparts.co.uk/Rocket_Sockets/p847124_20254102.aspx

Man these look great! Looks like they're all for standard (hexagonal) nuts though... Shame as that's a good idea, and easy to spot in a tools drawer

PonchoGreg

ICBM said:

And it doesn't work on PRS recessed ones.

For that you need one of these - 

https://www.thomann.de/gb/allparts_toggle_switch_wrench.htm

This might be the winner (as I would ideally need it to work on a recessed top)

Headphones

I use the Hosco cube from further up.  Excellent tool.

The cube's good too.

skunkwerx

I use pliers lined in a cloth.. but its far from ideal lol! 

Sassafras

I use needle nose pliers with some of that Theraband rubber between the jaws.

bbill335

PonchoGreg said:

bbill335 said:

rocket sockets
https://shop.pedalparts.co.uk/Rocket_Sockets/p847124_20254102.aspx

Man these look great! Looks like they're all for standard (hexagonal) nuts though... Shame as that's a good idea, and easy to spot in a tools drawer

oooooh, i (stupidly) thought you meant the dinky little toggles used for coil taps/on pedals etc!

ICBM

Having used pliers in the past, I would say get a proper tool. I thought I didn’t need to spend money unnecessarily... until I actually tried one. The difference it makes to how easily, safely, tightly and accurately - if you’re trying to hold the switch at the perfect position while tightening the nut - you can do it is amazing.