Gimmick Wrenches, Tools.

[Mikeske]

The other day I was a buddies place and he handed me this old Skill Muti-wrench. It is kind of strange and seemly well built. I just trying to figure out where Skil would use the thing.

Anybody else have these gimmicky wrenches. Lets see some pictures. I know about the cheesy Craftsman Robogrips and I had a nephew give me one and I tried to use it one time and it broke into pieces and it ended up in the recycling.

 

[davethorik]

I have a Craftsman Clench Wrench that was given to me. It is constructed similarly to the Robo Grips, of sandwiched pieces of thin stamped steel. Only the Clench Wrench has a spring loaded jaw, advertised as "ratcheting". It also folds out of a handle like a pocket knife. Never used once, don't even know where it is. Here's a stock photo.

 

[Jazz1]

I have a Mastercraft Dogbone wrench made in West Germany. I used it quite a bit at one time. Found one for my friend who carries it when working around his camp

 

[Slinger646]

I have a Mastercraft Dogbone wrench made in West Germany. I used it quite a bit at one time. Found one for my friend who carries it when working around his camp

That style started with the Williams 1999 wrench and was a favorite tool of grease monkeys in the oil change pits.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The other day I was a buddies place and he handed me this old Skill Muti-wrench.

Mike,
If that Skil wrench works like I think it looks like it's supposed to work (by sliding that dynamic piece up and back to decrease or increase the size of the hex opening inside the box end...), it is yet another knock-off on the original Neff Adjust-A-Box Wrench principle. See Pics 1 & 2 below. I am fond of my Neffs, but I will admit, while well-made, they are a tad gimmicky. Further reading on a GJ thread linked here.

Craftsman Clench Wrench

Dave,
That looks like yet another knock-off on the original Masterench and Heller Masterrench principle. See Pic 3 below. I don’t know anything about that modern Craftsman-branded approach to the same idea, but the original is not the least bit gimmicky. They work great. The easiest auto-adjusting wrench for pipes or nuts and bolts I have ever used. Further reading on a GJ thread here.

I have a Mastercraft Dogbone wrench made in West Germany.

Likely made in the US Zone after WWII during the occupation when the US was helping establish and re-establish manufacturing enterprises. Mastercraft West Germany tools were mainly pot metal or pressed steel and, when they had wooden handles, they were made of composite wood. I suspect the craftsmanship is what gave it a gimmicky feel, although a photo would help. Does it look like Pics 4, 5, & 6 but "cheaper"?

That style started with the Williams 1999 wrench and was a favorite tool of grease monkeys in the oil change pits.

Indeed. And not gimmicky at all in my opinion.

 

[woody 73]

I like the following tool very much, I guess I always thought of it as somewhat gimmicky kind of tool in that it came with interchangeable jaws.

Anyhow here it is for you to decide gimmicky or not ?

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=269558

 

[Mikeske]

I decided to google the Skil wrench and it led me directly to Amazon. Apparently the tool is still available and $12.49 you can own one.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KUX0HBO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I got the one I got for free so it is interesting that it is on the market. Some of the issues I see with this type of wrench is one is the size, 2 the wrench? is heavy for what it is, 3 the jaws are small so I can see that that nuts and bolts could very quickly get rounded off as it does not have surface area for the more common sizes of 1/2" to 5/8" and 13-16 MM.

 

[thehorse13]

The version of the Skil wrench for sale today is pretty but of the poorest quality. The weak point in the design is the slide for size selection. They break easily from what I've heard from those who have tried out the wrench. I have zero hands on experience with the tool so take my 3rd party review with this in mind.

The sweet spot for the gimmick tool era was the late 90s when Craftsman tried to sell you every sort of nutty tool that Bob Vila could pitch. Robogrip, while being nifty for certain tasks, is what most people will recognize from that awkward time.

 

[bonneyman]

Just depends on your gimmick "sensor".

I think the Robo-Grip pliers are a gimmick, but alot of people like 'em.

Then again most people think the ball drivers are gimmicky, and I love 'em!

 

[d42jeep]

Just depends on your gimmick "sensor".

I think the Robo-Grip pliers are a gimmick, but alot of people like 'em.

Then again most people think the ball drivers are gimmicky, and I love 'em!

Hey, one of those looks kind of familiar.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I’ve had more than my share of those types of tools. Here’s a dog bone multi wrench and a socket that makes all other 3/8” drive sockets obsolete.
-Don

 

[davethorik]

Mike,
Dave,
That looks like yet another knock-off on the original Masterench and Heller Masterrench principle. See Pic 3 below. I don’t know anything about that modern Craftsman-branded approach to the same idea, but the original is not the least bit gimmicky. They work great. The easiest auto-adjusting wrench for pipes or nuts and bolts I have ever used. Further reading on a GJ thread here.

I've never used one, but the Heller Masterrench looks useful. However you make it cheap (sandwiched stamped steel) and make it fold like a pocket knife, and it becomes a gimmick.

 

[d42jeep]

Now that I found this nice modern Craftsman version, like Dave’s above, I can discard all of my vintage Heller ones. Or not!
-Don

 

[Jazz1]

Mike,
If that Skil wrench works like I think it looks like it's supposed to work (by sliding that dynamic piece up and back to decrease or increase the size of the hex opening inside the box end...), it is yet another knock-off on the original Neff Adjust-A-Box Wrench principle. See Pics 1 & 2 below. I am fond of my Neffs, but I will admit, while well-made, they are a tad gimmicky. Further reading on a GJ thread linked here.


Dave,
That looks like yet another knock-off on the original Masterench and Heller Masterrench principle. See Pic 3 below. I don’t know anything about that modern Craftsman-branded approach to the same idea, but the original is not the least bit gimmicky. They work great. The easiest auto-adjusting wrench for pipes or nuts and bolts I have ever used. Further reading on a GJ thread here.


Likely made in the US Zone after WWII during the occupation when the US was helping establish and re-establish manufacturing enterprises. Mastercraft West Germany tools were mainly pot metal or pressed steel and, when they had wooden handles, they were made of composite wood. I suspect the craftsmanship is what gave it a gimmicky feel, although a photo would help. Does it look like Pics 4, 5, & 6 but "cheaper"?


Indeed. And not gimmicky at all in my opinion.

The Wrench is excellent quality considering it’s over 40 years old and very well used. I can see it’s popularity in oil change pit
Joints are tight.
Mastercraft Made in West Germany

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That is well made Williams knock off and not at all like the pot metal copies I have seen.

 

[Debcrow]

Probably the only collectable tool ever made in New Mexico. 1930s-1940s era I think.

 

[toolaholic]

CRAFTSMAN 914636 7 pc. Metric Elbow Ratcheting Wrench Set MM https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005D7JD6W/?tag=atomicindus08-20 Elbow wrenches

 

[bonneyman]

Dang it, Don - I forgot I had a Gator grip socket.

Too bad it started losing pins after the first couple of uses.

 

[woody 73]

CRAFTSMAN 914636 7 pc. Metric Elbow Ratcheting Wrench Set MM https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005D7JD6W/?tag=atomicindus08-20 Elbow wrenches

Yes sir give it another 50 years and it will fit right in with this post...

 

[Mikeske]

Yes sir give it another 50 years and it will fit right in with this post...

I think it actually fits right in.

 

[bonneyman]

Mike, we really should post some of our gimmicky Bonney tools.

Oh wait - there aren't any!

 

[3baygarage]

There’s this. Sort of like the famous Craftsman Pocket Socket, only older.

 

[d42jeep]

Even though I am a big fan of the early Champion deArment/ Channellock tools, this version of a tool that they came out with trying to compete with Vise Grips was an unnecessarily complex answer to a question that apparently very few people were asking.
-Don

 

[Jim C.]

It seems like any time one of these gimmick tool threads pops up, the dog bone wrench is one of the first to be included. I don’t necessarily agree that it’s entirely a gimmick tool. There are some limited situations or specific jobs where it might be the perfect tool to have on hand..... That being said, I haven’t personally discovered what that situation or specific job is yet. Still, I keep that one around just in case I do.

The ultimate gimmick tool, in my opinion, is the Sidewinder ratchet. What was I thinking when I bought that? It’s an interesting concept come to life in the form of a big, clunky, worthless contraption. It hangs on a peg board out in my shop, behind a miter box so I don’t have to see it and remind myself that I actually paid good money for it. The only real use it has is being photographed every once in a while for inclusion in a “Gimmick Tool” thread.

Jim C.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

When everyone in the family knows you like tools it's often what you get for Christmas gifts....It can be hard to keep a straight face and swear you can make use of some of the gifted tools that turn up under the tree though.

Then again who doesn't need a battery powered tape, or lightning quick adjustable wrench. The kids darn near wore the batteries out Christmas morning but try as they might they somehow couldn't snap the damn tape blade into pieces. Lucky we didn't have any injuries. Put out an eye with that thing. Ed.

 

[d42jeep]

If you have a weakness for nutdrivers you can’t leave one of these one size fits all models behind but I promise that I’ll never use it.
-Don

 

[Debcrow]

A couple of gimmicks. The ELGIN adjustable Jaw Wrench seems to be fairly common. The NACO adjustable pliers show up every now and then. I have never seen another KIRK SURE GRIP wrench by Lakewood tool Co. Cleveland.

 

[d42jeep]

I forgot that I had these but I was poking through my miscellaneous drawer and found them. At least they are prettier than my Heller originals and likely decent quality since they are made in Japan.
-Don

 

[bonneyman]

There’s this. Sort of like the famous Craftsman Pocket Socket, only older.

Well I'll be!

 

[bonneyman]

If you have a weakness for nutdrivers you can’t leave one of these one size fits all models behind but I promise that I’ll never use it.
-Don

Do you have one of these 4-in-1's, Don?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003DGEEWI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[d42jeep]

That’s one I haven’t run across yet.
-Don

 

[bonneyman]

I don't know if this plier ranks as a gimmick, but I've had several and for certain jobs they grip extremely well. Proto's wrenching plier #234

 

[thehorse13]

Here's my contribution to the gimmick tool thread. I found this over the weekend. It's a ratcheting plier that should have about half dozen interchangeable dynamic jaws.

The patent is from 1916.

 

[bonneyman]

Here's my contribution to the gimmick tool thread. I found this over the weekend. It's a ratcheting plier that should have about half dozen interchangeable dynamic jaws.

The patent is from 1916.

A French tool!

 

[DadsTools]

Got into a heated debate not too long ago on "gimmick" tools. Don't call anything a gimmick if someone thinks it's a legitimate tool! Them's fightin' words!

It seems that a lot depends on what your particular opinion on what "gimmick" means. I think it's often construed as some clever contraption or trick that has little practical value, and so the term "gimmick" generally has a negative connotation. However, coming from a salesman's background, I see it from the broader definition of an attention-getting novel or unconventional device or method designed to promote and sell a product or service (which also happens to be one of the legitimate standard dictionary meanings for the term). To me, that's not necessarily a negative thing.

Take fishing reels for example. There was the conventional casting reel, the basic design which goes back a long ways. Then came the 'gimmick' of the spinning reel that used a rotating head to wind line. Later came the closed-face spincast reel first marketed by the Zero Hour Bomb Company (or Zebco). These were unquestionably gimmicks in their day that were manufactured and sold with the specific intent of generating sales from their novelty, but ultimately proved to be of practical use. Lots of other reel gimmicks have come and gone because the design simply proved impractical or unprofitable, or solved a problem that too few consumers cared about spending money for that particular solution. Even today, casting reels are often called "conventional" reels as opposed to the unconventional 'gimmicky' spinning and spincasting reels (Alvey reels get honorable mention).

The tool industry has seen lots of gimmicks, and like fishing lures, the field seems to invite and encourage them. Interchangeable sockets was a gimmick. Adjustable wrenches were a gimmick. Channellocks were a gimmick. Combination wrenches were once a gimmick. Even the ratchet was a gimmick. Just because the market eventually judges a novel device to be such a practical innovation as to become mainstream does not negate its gimmicky origins. There are many more tool gimmicks that have gone away that were either impractical or had too small a following to make them commercially viable. Mechanics laugh at those one-size-fits-all sockets with the spring-loaded pins inside, but I had a job once where I had to run out a bunch of eye screws of varying sizes--best hand tool socket ever made for that job!!! It would be stupid to start an argument about it with those who think it's junk just because I happen to find that contraption useful at times. If it had a widely recognized usefulness, all the tool companies would be making them. But regardless to whether a novel tool proves to be successful or not, its origin was still a gimmick.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I spotted this at the flea market this morning and couldn't fish two bucks out of my pocket fast enough. My 'kitschy, corny, gimmicky but classic' and 'survivalist' funny bones were both tingling at the same time as soon as I saw it. I didn't actually see the name (Globemaster) or COO (Japan) until I got it cleaned up, but that hasn't diminished the appeal one iota. It is a shovel, hatchet, hammer, saw, bottle opener, nail puller, and wrench all in one.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Ironically, the only utility that is not marked is the spade-shaped shovel.

 

[Ralf11]

I was taught that all adjustable wrenches are gimmicky wrenches

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Oh, and there is one for sale on eBay right now ($78 OBO) that comes with a really nifty sheath. I haven't done any independent research yet, but according to that seller, these were made c. 1940. I am already thinking about making a reproduction sheath for it. These were marketed as the "ALL-PURPOSE CAMPING SHOVEL."

 

[bushmechanic]

I still use Robogrips.

There is a time and place, but at that time and in that place you'll be glad you have them.