From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
The advantages of single-ended spanners over double-ended ones.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 55\1\ Scan135 | |
| Date | 13th February 1937 | |
| HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}) from R.{Sir Henry Royce} By S. Sq. 1704. R.G.E. &P8a Re. Car Spanners. L.C. Sal. 13/2/37 X7580 X5580 I hope you will not press for the change of spanners from single to double sided ones. (1) We have already very good & right angle & straight ones which we have spent much time to get to R R perfection & it would take much time to get back the cost of changing. (2) Single ended ones were adopted because they have the following advantages. a) They require less room in use to get the required turning angle. b) Often one required the spanner on the other end of the double one to hold the head. & our T bolts have heads that need the # spanner to hold, very necessary in frame work. c) Each size of nut has its proper length of handle. whereas double ended spanners are relatively larger and heavier for the smaller nut. d) Single ended one are better for hammering or lengthening by tube as I generally do for certain work. e) One has to get the same number of ends on the same sizes & we only save part of a handle in weight & cost. f) If one end is damaged we discard a single ended one, but a double ended one is a nuisance for ever. R [Text in left margin, written vertically]: The bulk of the tool kit in with the other items than these. Small spanners, & Equipment that is 25cwt car size. is quite a weighty item. Next universal jt. & propeller shaft must now be carried R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||