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Peter, I read your article about removing and repairing the Mk1 carrying handle and saw the picture of the tool. I was wondering what the diameter of the pipe was? I have the mk2 combo tool, so assume I will need to make something else to get the nut off.
EDIT:
I figured out that I have a pipe that will do just fine!
We were TAUGHT to use the tools that were issued. In this case, the forked screwdriver on the Mk1 combination tool. But like everywhere else in the engineering world, out in the real world, we learned from our elders, copied them and made our own better tools. I still use the one I made in machine shop practice as an apprentice! BUT be VERY careful when you assemble the outer and inner nuts within the carrying handles onto the shafts. They are about a zillion TPI and because they are sunken about 1" deep, you can't see what's happening. ALWAYS try the threads before assembly and feel that they're finger tight. Then if they start to tighten up within a turn or two, you'll KNOW that somethings wrong. Been there, done that, been made to stand in front of the class and told to repeat '.....I am a butcher' several times by the ogre 'Harry' Weeks
I made up a tool and did a test run on my handle. All went well. Both nuts were just finger tight, so easy to get off. I reassembled without too much difficulty, although I had to use a large blade screwdriver to get enough force to compress the spring to get the outer nut started on the threads before finishing it off with the tool. I had seen your warnings about not cross threading and took it slow and careful. Thanks.