TOPIC:

Having lost my one and only Tamiya 2-way box wrench, I’d been on the lookout for another for a while … I managed to bag another one as part of a job lot a few days ago, and having polished off the top “fingernails down a blackboard” feeling layer of corrosion, I enthusiastically started researching & writing up an article on the subject …

I quickly realised that even I wasn’t that interested, and it’s a barrel without a bottom anyway. Rather than throw it all out, I thought I’d post it here, in case anyone wants to add to it.

Nb. I haven’t counted Allen keys, or cars outside the first 100.


“1” Double ended punched steel spanner with “C” shaped (not hex) 4.7mm & 5.7mm ends, unplated (?). Found in 58001 Porsche 934, 58002 Martini Porsche 935 & 58004 XR311.


“2” Double ended pot metal box spanner (nominally 7mm for M4 nut & nominal 6mm for M3 nuts) + 2.25mm(?) cross holes with external reinforcement to take M2 Allen key as a brace. Cast in “TAMIYA” lettering on one side.
Found in 58003 Tyrell P34, and most from 58005 Lamborghini Countach LP500S to 58031 Brabham BT-50 BMW Turbo.


“3” 3-way (4mm / 5mm / 5.5mm (M2, M3, M4)) punched steel Wrench (part # 4305026). At least three versions of this exist: A - “reverse” stamped Cadmium passivated with no lettering; B -Bright Zinc Plating with “TAMIYA MADE IN JAPAN” lettering; C – “T A M I Y A” lettering with end sizes marked. Found in the SRBs, 3-speeds, Hot Shot & most of the cars derived from it.

“4”: 4-way box pot metal wrench 5495003, found in everything from 58032 Tornado RM. MK. 03 and onwards. Multiple versions exist: “A” – “TAMIYA” lettering on one side, earliest version. Not sure when this ended, I’ve had very few NIB vintage kits, the latest one was a 58043 Grasshopper.
“B” - Well finished, Unmarked. “C” – well finished, 2 “+” or “-“ signs on one side. “D” Single “-“ or “+”, file/grinding wheel marks varying from a few to excessive.


“5”: Tool for E-rings 4305199. At least two versions exist – “A” – punched/pressed steel with “TAMIYA” lettering, “B” – same but BZP. Found in 58079 Egress, 58080 Astute, 58081 Nissan King Cab, 58085 Avante 2001, 58086 Hilux Monster Racer – and NOT a lot of cars where it would have been useful.