Spoke nipple size

[mikew8760]

Hi,
I am putting together parts for a home-brew e-bike, and have encountered a small problem that's nothing to do with electricity!
I have a "Power Circle" wheel with hub motor and wish to correct the rim runout. Easy, I thought, just need to get a nipple wrench the correct size. However, I cannot find one that matches the size measured across the flats of the spoke nipple. It's 4.12mm, or 0.162" in old money; the spokes are 0.102", or 2.6mm. None of the usual wrenches come anywhere near this, although I'm still puzzling over the so-called gauge sizes. 11 gauge seems to be close, but I haven't found what size in mm or ins this relates to.
Perhaps some knowledgeable person can point me in the right direction for a suitable tool, before I am forced to resort to mole grips!!

 

[Sturmey]

Hi,
I am putting together parts for a home-brew e-bike, and have encountered a small problem that's nothing to do with electricity!
I have a "Power Circle" wheel with hub motor and wish to correct the rim runout. Easy, I thought, just need to get a nipple wrench the correct size. However, I cannot find one that matches the size measured across the flats of the spoke nipple. It's 4.12mm, or 0.162" in old money; the spokes are 0.102", or 2.6mm. None of the usual wrenches come anywhere near this, although I'm still puzzling over the so-called gauge sizes. 11 gauge seems to be close, but I haven't found what size in mm or ins this relates to.
Perhaps some knowledgeable person can point me in the right direction for a suitable tool, before I am forced to resort to mole grips!!

I think 2.6 mm is 12 gauge and sometimes used with motorcycles. e.g.https://www.custommotoredbicycles.com/11_gauge_spokes_248mm_steel_stainless_steel11g

You could try a motorcycle shop for a spoke wrench or ebay, but it can take a while for delivery from Asia.
I bought one of the type shown below but had to cut and file some extra slots for some spoke heads.
I have also made a homemade spoke wrench with a large (14m) nut by cutting slot.

 

[mikew8760]

Thanks for the response. I also came to the conclusion that the size might be more motorbike than bicycle. But having looked on ebay for a motorbike spoke wrench I find them quite expensive - even from China! So I shall do as you suggest and make one, as it's only for limited use.