Custom wrench project

[hdninnovations]

Hey everyone! Just wanted to share a project I've been working on for the past few months, get some feedback, suggestions, thoughts.

I'm a field mechanic in mining. I quite often work at heights, up multiple flights of stairs, in tight spaces. This means the second love of my life aside from my wife is my adjustable wrench. If I ended up in a spot where a handful of fasteners need to be removed or tightened, many times it's easier to go for the adjustable instead of all the way back down to the truck for the combination wrench.

Unfortunately in the present times of cordless tools, most fasteners get over torque, which ends up in a lot of us rounding off the heads with our adjustable wrenches, but of course this still doesn't deter us from trying anyway.

So I wanted a wrench with the 4 most common sizes I see daily that could comfortably fit in my pocket, something I could reach for instead of my adjustable and not risk rounding off the bolt head.

I know they make ratcheting versions of these wrenches, but those aren't something you want to put a great deal of torque on, or you'll risk breaking the teeth, like I said earlier a great many bolts are over torque today because of cordless tools. Also, all the ratcheting versions I found had two sizes I would use every day and the other two sizes I would hardly if ever touch.

I was surprised to find out that no one offered a 4 in 1 wrench which was non ratcheting, so After a bunch of digging and searching, I decided to just make my own. I made a 6 point and most recently a 12 point version. It's been handy as hell, I use it all the time. I still pack my adjustable wrench in my pocket, but I find myself reaching for it less often. I also use it in conjunction with an impact gun quite often, which is another feat I couldn't do with a ratcheting version of the same wrench.

Let me know what you think. If you had one, what 4 sizes would be the handiest for you to have? I'm also gauging interest to see if it would be worth starting a kickstarter campaign in order to have them made of chromoly at a decent price point.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Interesting concept.

 

[mikey03]

I could see a version in 8 and 10 on one side and 12 and 13 on the other side
could be useful for a glove box tool tbh

would want it in 12 point

you can do m5 m6 and m8 bolts for fixing stuff in your car real quick. maybe extend one side of the wrench end into a small flat head screwdriver mini pry bar for taking apart electronic connectors and the other side a #2 Phillips for low torque Philips screws.

 

[hdninnovations]

From asking around online and such, I've come up with what I think are 6 common combinations:

10, 13, 17, 19

10, 13, 15, 17

8, 10, 12, 14

8, 10, 13, 15

1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16

1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 3/4

Does anyone feel this is right? Am I missing a common set? I don't deal with enough metric on the daily to know off hand which sets would be best.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Nice concept.

I don't see all your sizes but I see 7/16 (~11mm) and 3/4 (~19mm) which are quite far apart.

These sorts work best for adjacent sizes, where less compromise is needed on length and bulk on the opposite end head. Of course from some needs those compromises don't matter, or are outweighed by the benefits - as in your case.

Here are the Facom 64C.S1 (8x10 & 12x13) and 64C.S2 (16x17 & 18x19):


The length of the S1 is 150mm. Lengths of normal ones: 8x9 128mm, 10x11 150mm, 12x13 170mm.
The length of the S2 is 230mm. Lengths of normal ones: 16x18 210mm, 17x19 230mm (which are already odd, because both are for M10 and M12 bolts just in different standards, so seems should be the same length).

 

[KnurledNut]

Craftsman made that exact type of double sided box end wrench:
https://carolinaabbeytools.com/prod...e3QpAtAYprdd1Uw48wIPyURIMGKPPiQn2O67G5AQbhX0q

A dogbone wrench would serve a similar purpose. While most of them have a straight beam, I have one I really like with cranked ends that functions more like a deep offset wrench and includes 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 19/32 & 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 7/8.

 

[hdninnovations]

Nice concept.

I don't see all your sizes but I see 7/16 (~11mm) and 3/4 (~19mm) which are quite far apart.

These sorts work best for adjacent sizes, where less compromise is needed on length and bulk on the opposite end head. Of course from some needs those compromises don't matter, or are outweighed by the benefits - as in your case.

Here to scale are the Facom 64C.S1 (8x10 & 12x13) and 64C.S2 (16x17 & 18x19):
View attachment 2522269

The length of the S1 is 150mm. Lengths of normal ones: 8x9 128mm, 10x11 150mm, 12x13 170mm.
The length of the S2 is 230mm. Lengths of normal ones: 16x18 210mm, 17x19 230mm (which are already odd, because both are for M10 and M12 bolts just in different standards, so seems should be the same length).

My wrench measures about 250mm (10 inches) which is a fairly standard length for an average 3/4 (19mm) wrench, and it is especially nice when trying to loosen and overtightened bolt that someone gave a few too many uga duga's to haha

As for the size choices, they are far apart, but I chose the sizes very specifically for my own need with these particular wrenches. I would say the most common sizes I use almost daily are 9/16, 3/4, 15/16 and 1-1/8. The problem is that if I made a wrench with those two larger sizes, the wrench would have to be at least 12-14 inches long to have any usable leverage. A wrench that long couldn't be packed in my pocket, and as such would ride in my toolbox. If the wrench sits in my toolbox, and I need one of the 4 sizes I mentioned, why would I not simply grab the combination wrench right next to it? I knew that if I couldn't pack it with me all the time that I would never use it. I would continue using my adjustable wrench, slipping off bolts, rounding off heads, before finally going down to the truck and grabbing my combination wrench, which is exactly what I was trying to avoid, or at least lessen.

So when I picked my sizes, I went with 7/16 and 1/2, because I see those very often for smaller hardware and guarding. I hardly ever use 5/8 or 11/16 ever at all, so to me it would have been useless to include those sizes. That is part of what I didn't like about those ratcheting sets, is that the wrench with the two sizes I see very often include two sizes I almost never see, so I may as well be packing a 2 in 1 instead of a 4 in 1.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Does anyone feel this is right? Am I missing a common set? I don't deal with enough metric on the daily to know off hand which sets would be best.

10, 13, 17, 19

M6, M8 in all,
M10, M12 in DIN.
All commonly used. But a big spread on one wrench, so compromises as a tool for general sale.

10, 13, 15, 17

M6 in all,
M8, M10 flange bolt, M10 in DIN.
Flange bolt is less commonly used, but makes for a smaller spread than 19. You could consider replacing 15 with 16, for M10 ISO.

8, 10, 12, 14

M5, M6 in all,
M8, M10 in JIS.
Good for Japanese things, maybe motorbike toolkit.

8, 10, 13, 15

M5, M6 in all,
M8, M10 flange bolt in DIN.
Flange bolt is less commonly used, and perhaps an odd outlier amongst the other sizes on the wrench. If you replaced 15 with 12, it'd be good for M5/6/8 in both DIN and JIS. And be less bulky. Like the Facom 64C.S1 above.

Facom also do the 64C.S3 (12x14 & 13x15), another combo to consider. Not sure what the reasoning is.

 

[hdninnovations]

Craftsman made that exact type of double sided box end wrench:
https://carolinaabbeytools.com/prod...e3QpAtAYprdd1Uw48wIPyURIMGKPPiQn2O67G5AQbhX0q

A dogbone wrench would serve a similar purpose. While most of them have a straight beam, I have one I really like with cranked ends that functions more like a deep offset wrench and includes 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 19/32 & 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 7/8.

Oh Wow that craftsman wrench is exactly it!! I wonder why they stopped making them, if they still did I would have bought one instead of making one. Personally I've never been a fan of the dog bone wrenches, although I appreciate the idea. I find they are a bit too bulky for a lot of situations, and I personally don't like the sniveling of the heads. I'm sure many people don't mind it, but personally preference prefers something that's fixed. I seldom ever even grab my swivel head ratchet unless the position I'm working in gives me absolutely no other choice.

 

[four.cycle]

I wonder why they stopped making them,

If they don't sell, production ceases.

Looks to me like a total dud (in respect to sales appeal to the retail buyer.)

There have been innumerable attempts made by tool manufacturers to "replace 27 tools with ONE!" for forever.

 

[hdninnovations]

If they don't sell, production ceases.

Looks to me like a total dud (in respect to sales appeal to the retail buyer.)

There have been innumerable attempts made by tool manufacturers to "replace 27 tools with ONE!" for forever.

Probably a lot of different factors too. I'm sure when craftsman launched them, they probably sunk quite a bit of money into tooling and such for the manufacturing process, and I'm sure they didn't just make a few 100 to test sales. Like any big company they probably made thousands or even tens of thousands to distribute around. If they didn't hit their projected sales numbers in the first year or however long, they would be pulled from production in favor of something that could do better. And most likely destroyed instead of stored. As a big company, that totally makes sense, that's how business goes, but maybe as 1 guy who's just trying to make some side money it might be okay.

It also seems to me that multi-tools have been starting to become more popular as of late. Look at all the 4 in 1 ratcheting wrenches that get sold, they do quite well. No doubt there's no single tool that can do everything. We all have 12 variations of a 19mm wrench I'm sure, and not one is a replacement for another. I do agree that when you try to do too much in one tool it becomes unusable, which is why I think those 8 in 1 dogbone wrenches have never done particularly well, they're too bulky and awkward to use. But in a lot of trades multi tools are always a welcome addition if they're done well. Anyone who work at heights, lineman, millwrights, anyone who has to pack their tools to the job on foot knows that's every single thing you bring that's not needed is just extra weight that you don't want to carry.

 

[drokihazan]

From asking around online and such, I've come up with what I think are 6 common combinations:

10, 13, 17, 19

10, 13, 15, 17

8, 10, 12, 14

8, 10, 13, 15

1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16

1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 3/4

Does anyone feel this is right? Am I missing a common set? I don't deal with enough metric on the daily to know off hand which sets would be best.

I would absolutely use 8/10/13/15 or 10/13/15/17, and I think you could probably get Land Rover parts websites like Atlantic British or Lucky8 to carry that tool.

 

[rust in the eye]

If they don't sell, production ceases.

Looks to me like a total dud (in respect to sales appeal to the retail buyer.)

There have been innumerable attempts made by tool manufacturers to "replace 27 tools with ONE!" for forever.

Trouble is those gimmick wrenches do sell, usually on late night TV. Bulk limits their usefulness as does apparent weakness.
OP's solution with this (bespoke?) wrench seems a good compromise, one piece, no moving parts. Attempting more than this invariably results in a gimmicky tool with more downside than up. Two of those could cover a wide range.
Me? I prefer and don't mind having discreet wrenches for each size but I'm not working at heights.
Regarding the ratcheting versions of this idea; They are often stronger than you think.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm going to throw my 2cents in the mix and offer this. Tread lightly.

You are a new member, I understand what you are trying to accomplish, admire the effort and appear to be sincere in doing so in asking for advice.

However, by looking at your username and the name on the wrench, HDN, It could be or may be misconstrued as SPAM. In essence, you are getting free advertising where someone else is footing the bill. I would suggest sending a PM to @Ryan and get him on board with your membership here. I'd also suggest posting "not only" talk about your wrench but sit back, relax and join in on the conversation. This is good place to spend your evenings or hang out with your fellow members.

 

[four.cycle]

Trouble is those gimmick wrenches do sell, usually on late night TV.

Thanks for reminding me.
I was working on the list last night and came across this entry.

While I admire the OP's entrepreneurial bent, I honestly do not believe he's taken the time to see what has already been done.
In the world of patents, it's called "Prior Art", and you can find the citations to "Prior Art" in any patent document.
As already demonstrated above - posts #5 and #6 - attempts along this line have been made for well over a century now.
Some good. Most bad.
To paraphrase another GJ member:
"The "multi-tool" is capable of performing many tasks, all of them poorly."

 

[Jetfixr320]

I could see a version in 8 and 10 on one side and 12 and 13 on the other side
could be useful for a glove box tool tbh

would want it in 12 point

you can do m5 m6 and m8 bolts for fixing stuff in your car real quick. maybe extend one side of the wrench end into a small flat head screwdriver mini pry bar for taking apart electronic connectors and the other side a #2 Phillips for low torque Philips screws.

10mm are you kidding? Now you just lost 4 wrenches.