"L" shaped extension by craftsman; what is it for?

[billymade]

I picked this up the other day at the flea; I wonder what its used for? Anyone know?

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/Lshapedextension.jpg

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/Lshapedextlogo.jpg

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/Lshapecurve.jpg

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/Lshapedend.jpg

[Danglerb]

cheapo breaker bar? ie non ratcheting socket holder thing.

[84TurboBuick]

Hmmmm....

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say......

NO IDEA! :confused:

[Detroit Diesel Man]

I have one of those but it has no markings on it at all...got it years ago from my Grandfather along with square sockets and 6pt sockets...I still use the bar and square sockets for drain plugs and pipe fittings and the bar with an oil filter wrench works perfect.



DDM

[Merkava_4]

What's the drive size and how long is it?

[eschoendorff]

Looks like an interchangeable version of this...

http://www.procarestores.com/product/general_catalog/product_info.php?products_id=009410006

[wilbilt]

It's a basic drive tool. Similar to an L-shaped hex hey in function.

[goodfellow]

Early socket sets where very basic. To keep costs down, the least expensive sets came with plain sockets and the "L" drive extension. Ratchets were a high dollar add-on and sold in more expensive sets.

[chammyman]

these are still available new over here, only in 1/2 though

[MAD]

I have a Craftsman 1/2" drive "L" handle bar like that. It was just the right tool a few times for breaking loose tough flywheel bolts by bracing the bar against the frame or the floor and tapping the starter.

[Frank Elson]

what is it for?
Well, those square bits on the ends fit into the square bits on sockets and you turn them one way or the other, depending on if you are tightening or undoing a nut or bolt.

Feel free to ask me anything else you are stuck on :-)

[Stuey]

Looks like an interchangeable version of this...

http://www.procarestores.com/product/general_catalog/product_info.php?products_id=009410006
Have you ever used that brand of tools? There seems to be a scarcity of info about them online.

[billymade]

Might have sounded like a stupid question but I was thinking it was part of another tool somehow; which a socket added to it, is essentially another tool! Merkava: it is a 3/8" drive on both ends; it is about 7" long from straight drive end to the bend at the "L" end of the tool. I haven't seen these before; thought I would ask for some insight! I will say one thing, you would never have to rebuild this "ratchet" but I think the handle is a little too short, to have enough leverage to be really comfortable/useful. Needless, to say; these aren't sold at Sears or are in the craftsman tool catalog anymore!

[MAD]

Here are some pictures from the 1954 Craftsman catalog. Thanks to the Rose Antiques site.

http://www.roseantiquetools.com/index.html

[PAToyota]

Was just going to agree with Goodfellow when MAD posted the pictures. My grandfather had a set like that to carry in his car. Just a basic compact set without a lot of fanfare. If you wanted more leverage, you could put a regular straight extension on either end.

[Frank Elson]

billymade, no offence meant, I was just (trying to) be humourous. Hence the :-)

[lauver]

I have a Craftsman 1/2" drive "L" handle bar like that. It was just the right tool a few times for breaking loose tough flywheel bolts by bracing the bar against the frame or the floor and tapping the starter.

MAD,

That sounds like a gutsy procedure. Isn't that somewhat dangerous? And could you not ruin a starter that way?

I've obviously never tried it. Just curious.

Gary

[Frank Elson]

MAD,

That sounds like a gutsy procedure. Isn't that somewhat dangerous? And could you not ruin a starter that way?

I've obviously never tried it. Just curious.

Gary

it's the standard method on this side of the pond as well.

[chammyman]

only if theres no air power handy.

Same with crank front pulley bolts.

[Moose-LandTran]

I have one of those L-shaped bars in my box, quite handy sometimes.

[MAD]

only if theres no air power handy.

Same with crank front pulley bolts.

I actually intended to say crankshaft pulley bolts, but I guess I had flywheel on the tip of my brain at the time I typed it.

I have never damaged a starter (that I know about) but I guess It could happen. The bolts have always cracked loose easily with one bump if the wrench stayed on the bolt. I would think the biggest danger of using this method for crank pulley bolts would be messing up teeth on the flywheel. I could see this happening especially if they were already a bit chewed up. Nothing bad has ever happened to me though when I have used this method. I use the starter as a last resort now but it was standard procedure in the last shop I worked in.

[billymade]

MAD, thanks for the cool craftsman catalog pics; I think "get it" now! :)