ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area light fixture tool ?

Anyone know of a tool that fits over the knobs that usually holds light fixtures to the hanging bracket, so you don't have to use your sidecutters to tighten it up. This usually messes the paint up on the knob. I've tried a 5/16 nut driver before but it don't work too good. Thanks for the help. Steve...

P.S Hope I get use to the new forum look

I always just use my fingers. If you push in on the canopy while getting the nut as tight as you can with your fingers it will be pretty tight when you let up on the canopy. If not, you might have to shorten the screws.

The thing that ticks me off is the threads are not the same as SAE threads. If you cut the outer end of the screws off you will never get the cap nut to go back on, and you can't re thread it with your Kliens. So you have to cut the back side after it is threaded thru the strap.

Several wraps of electrical tape on the jaws of channellocks/sidecutters/needlenose/lockring pliers is my secret. Also good for bending chain links without damaging the finish

I second the tape method.

Make sure you use the marking tape and not 3M 33+. The 33+ will leave a black goo.

I suppose if you were handy you could put some soft jaws on a pair of slip joint pliers. They do sell soft jaw pliers but they are spendy.

Mig welder?

Ditto all of the above - However I have on a few occassions ommitted the little balls for 8/32 stainless hex head cap screws. I needed 2 for something a few years ago, and have been driving the other 98 of them around from job to job - so I unload them at every opprotunity. From a distance they look kind of decoritive.