Sugino cranks sometimes have a threaded bolt behind the crank arm that doesn't require the slotted female bit.
I think that is what it is.
I was able to get it off with the help of
this video. I managed the same job with one of the tools that was in the bike bits box. Don't even know what the tool was but it worked by the same method as in the video.
I got the one behind the crank off to compare and noticed that one is a few mm smaller than the others so replacing the others with ones that length I am thinking.
Other than the old chainring I was thinking what else I could use to diy some spacers but couldn't think of anything to hand. There are a couple of boxes of washers in the garage but was unable to find suitable ones to plug the gap of the extra space for all those nuts.
So if there are no other suggestions of DIYing the spacer I will just buy the spacers.
Can you put a cassette on without the specific tools? I saw a chap do it rather effectively earlier with just a pair of needlenose pliers in the ring and an old chain wrapped around the cassete and one end jammed under the chair leg. Will the pliers, or other method, do the trick without damaging components?
I am loath to buy tools which can be hacked as I was able to do today with the slotted nuts, after I got over the learning curve.
Also what are some other available fastening on the back side to avoid the BS with the ones requiring this special tool in future.
Might get the travative double allen key ones to do away with the need for that awfully conceived slot nut crap!