I met a company in Switzerland last year who made very smart sockets which fit on a standard torque wrench for tightening (and removing) wheel spinners and nuts. They have just contacted me again to say that they now have one tailored for the Elan three eared spinners. I know that spinners are getting expensive and that owners don’t always like hitting them with hammers (lead, nylon, leather or otherwise).
These ‘sockets’ are going to sell for around ?170 which sounds like a lot to me.
Would people be willing to spend this amount on a socket to avoid damaging their spinners? Perhaps if we can get enough interest I can ask for a discount? I am interested myself but feel that ?170 is a bit expensive (even by Swiss standards). As soon as I get more information I will post it up here (hopefully along with a photo).
I guess I just wanted owners opinions as to whether anybody would be interested?
You might look at the spanner/wrech currently offered by www.rdent.com. It has leather cushions on the contact surfaces. I have an earlier version that doesn’t have the leather, so the knock-off ears get bitten.
Paul Garrett
Had a look at the link you sent. Some parts in the US seem a lot more expensive that parts over here… As Elan owners can’t we get together and arrange some way to ship bits across the pond to each other.?
This is a hot topic for me at the moment. I have just completed a design for a spinner removal tool with a friend. We are selling the device for ?95 +P&P. We have a web site under development so the e-mail links on the link below don’t work at the moment. If anyone would like further details please send me a PM.
Had been thinking of getting one of Sarto’s creations anyway, so when I saw this post it galvanised me to enquire further.
I responded to the original post and then emailed Sarto about a ‘group’ buy.
He will ship 10+ units for $98 + $7 shipping, each. Units would be shipped to a central point, so add further postage on to individual UK/European locations.
Have you any info on the Swiss company … website etc?
As regards the disproportionate costs of UK versus USA supplied parts
… well I for one have never worked out why our excellent UK based suppliers haven’t pushed the USA market !!!
Beggars belief to me … unless there’s a hidden import duty, or something similar.
I disagree, in ‘true Lotus tradition’ we would just use something off another car (ideally mass produced) and put it in a nice box (or plastic bag) with a logo…and charge accordingly…
Perhaps we can ask Sarto to send them over in kit form, then we could say ‘Made in England’…
I meant to mention that C&E will charge VAT + duty and the shipper will charge for having to collect the money on behalf of C&E.
But it will still be a good deal with the current exchange rate.
I’m sure a quantity of say 50 will sell without a problem, and maybe a better deal with Sarto can be negotiated.
I’ve asked Sarto to send me one for evaluation.
This will also reveal what duty Customs & Excise might levy, so I will then have some accurate figures for those who are interested.
I have several pictures of the tool, and will email same to anyone who is interested.
Send me a PM if you want either the tool or the pictures.
