Weird new Snap On wrench WTF?

Lump · Jul 5, 2010

I bought a bunch of tools on Thursday at a yard sale, and I am finding now that there were several Snap On tools in the pile. But this one new Snap On combo wrench threw me for a loop. It is 10 MM size, but at first I thought it was broken. Indeed, the seller TOLD me it was broken, and just "threw it in" with a small pile I was building up! Later I realized that it had nearly flawless plating everywhere with no break, and that it was made that way! :wtf:

I know, I know...you professional technicians and others who are up on the latest tools will roll your eyes at my ignorance.

And it's true; I DON'T know much about the latest tools on the market. But I HAVE seen "gimmick" wrenches sort-of like this, which were supposed to replace ratchets, etc. But I never thought I would see something like this from Snap On...or the other "truck tool" companies. So...does it really work? :headscrat

Sorry about photo quality...the bright chrome finish was so reflective it was hard to shoot, and I'm so tired today that I frankly didn't feel like shooting it over again.

Part number for this wrench is SRXM10.

I am thoroughly aware that I am a "dinosaur" compared with today's highly trained technicians, so I won't be offended when you show exasperation at my ignorance. I am MUCH more comfortable dealing with the Westinghouse brand ignition system on my Hupmobile (try and find info or parts for THAT at your local auto parts store :thumbup:

), than I am raising the hood on my 2010 Silverado. But I really will appreciate your insights on this unusual wrench. :beer:

Thanks!

impulse922 · Jul 5, 2010

old style "ratcheting" wrench

GT89mustang · Jul 5, 2010

impulse922 said:
old style "ratcheting" wrench

What he said. "ratcheting" open end

Lump · Jul 5, 2010

impulse922 said:

old style "ratcheting" wrench

Click to expand...

Okay, Thanks!

Now...do you have any experience with these things? Is it an effective tool? Or is it a "gimmick tool ", like those cheapies I have seen before?

selohssa · Jul 5, 2010

I have the same thing (paid 25 cents for it because they thought it was broken too). If you are not putting a lot of torque on it, they work well. They are also good for getting funny looks from people when you show it to them.

tweety652 · Jul 5, 2010

from my experience on different brands with the same design, they work but only if the bolt/nut is already loose. you can't use the open end to break the fastener loose unless you want some knuckle damage. for this purpose i would say stick with craftsman to save $$$.

J.A.F.E. · Jul 6, 2010

They are extremely effective to run a nut or fitting. They are not good for initial breaking or final tightening. They work anywhere you'd use an open end.

Merkava_4 · Jul 6, 2010

Open end ratcheting wrench. Highly sought after on eBay.

mrshaun · Jul 6, 2010

I just sold my last set. I had been sitting on it for two years now.

rsanter · Jul 6, 2010

great wrench
I love the ones I have
break it loose with the box end then spin it around and use the ratcheting open end to get the nut/bold out quicker

bob

cheap bastard · Jul 6, 2010

They are effective enough that the auto industry uses them to install brake lines. A good operator will beat a special designed power tool every time. I have watched folks tighten five lines in an ABS box with a Craftsman version of that tool plus do two other elements AND get to and away from the car in less than 43 seconds.

Teken · Jul 6, 2010

tweety652 said:
from my experience on different brands with the same design, they work but only if the bolt/nut is already loose. you can't use the open end to break the fastener loose unless you want some knuckle damage. for this purpose i would say stick with craftsman to save $$$.

Have to agree . . . I received a set for X-Mas tried it a few times and wasn't very impressed.

Personally its another option for those who feel the need for. But, in my view its poorly executed in its over all design.

The new style one with the dipping edge from both Craftmen etc seems a little better then the open style.

Tried it on a few bolts on the display board doesn't seem any better or faster then a geared wrench at all.

Maybe if the area is very tight close quarter it might be worth while?

superautobacs · Jul 6, 2010

Teken said:
...

Maybe if the area is very tight close quarter it might be worth while?

Yup, places where a box end doesn't fit, adjustment rods, turnbuckle bolts, etc.

Definitely not for initial loosening/final tightening.

The concept is not new at all; it has been around for a century. Over time, different manufacturers have come up with modified profiles.

J.H. Williams seems to be the first to produce the idea into a product, way back in 1910! The product was called "Racho", and it's the most primitive in its design profile; however, the profile apparently allowed it to work on square nuts/bolts as well. Check Alloy Artifacts for more info.

williams_oe1822_1127c_wrench_ratcho_pat_f_cropped_inset_w400_h267.jpg

From what I can tell, Simplex Wrench Co. in N.Y. had a patent in 1924--this design allowed a single end to be used on more than one size of fastener. These were apparently sold out of the Snap-On truck. Check out this link for more info on the product and company.

simplex_oe1630_no14_wrench_ratchet_nimo_f_cropped_inset_w560_h256.jpg

The current profiles are more akin to the ones that sprung up in the early 50's. It was the start of a new generation of speed wrenches and had the name "SPEED-HED", sold under the Thorsen brand. These have a more compact head than their predecessors:

mrholeshot · Jul 6, 2010

Tool makers have been pushing the concept for as long as I can remember. It still doesn't impress me. It's not like I havent owned and used them either. Craftsman released a China built version (their first attemp was USA built way back when). I just have to wonder when they will stop trying to hock this idea. If it was worth a damn it would have made the regular open end obsolete years ago. I won't own another set of those knukle busters. If the bolt or nut has the slightest amount of wear they are worthless. The problem is that if you use them carefully it eats away at the most precious thing a tech has. TIME

Professur · Jul 6, 2010

That speed-hed is like the ones I have.

superautobacs · Jul 6, 2010

Oh, I forgot to add these attachments in the previous post...

This is model RSXSM10A
Pop that stubborn bleeder screw with the flare-nut end, then speed away with the ratcheting end:

An illustration:

superautobacs · Jul 6, 2010

mrholeshot said:
Tool makers have been pushing the concept for as long as I can remember. It still doesn't impress me. It's not like I havent owned and used them either. Craftsman released a China built version (their first attemp was USA built way back when). I just have to wonder when they will stop trying to hock this idea. If it was worth a damn it would have made the regular open end obsolete years ago. I won't own another set of those knukle busters. If the bolt or nut has the slightest amount of wear they are worthless. The problem is that if you use them carefully it eats away at the most precious thing a tech has. TIME

These were and never will be made with the intention to replace an open-end wrench set.

Like others have mentioned, it's not for initial loosening or final tightening. In cramped areas where an open-end is the only thing that'll work, the speed wrench (in conjuction with a regular open-end wrench) will make the job easier and quicker for the operater.

Teken · Jul 6, 2010

Yup I am familiar with that one picture the fishy looking style . . . For the longest time when I saw another tech using it I always pictured him actually sticking it in his mouth to take a bite! :lol_hitti

Tantara · Jul 6, 2010

I worked at the Ford Assembly plant in St. Paul in the summer of 1979. I tightened the upper air conditioning hose on over 500 truck a day with one of those. I also had to fill the power steering, connect a vacuum hose, and connect and clamp the upper radiator hose in 70 seconds. I got very fast with that wrench.

The wrench I used actually had a click style torque feature. it was designed for final tightening.

Brad

alamerang · Jul 6, 2010

I have the old CMan version of these wrenches. Like others said, not for loosening or final tightening but they work great for speeding off or on break lines and such. I actually have used them many times in those hard to reach tight space situations like removing the lines off rack and pinions where if I were using a regular open end wrench or flare wrench I'd be there for half an hour. Used them all the time before ratcheting wrenches became widely available. Now they are more of a very handy in certain situations type of tool.

Monte · Jul 6, 2010

the Facom version:

The "Speed wrenches" in action:

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bonneyman · Jul 6, 2010

Lump said:
Okay, Thanks!

Now...do you have any experience with these things? Is it an effective tool? Or is it a "gimmick tool ", like those cheapies I have seen before?

It's a cheap gimmick tool - but I'll take it off your hands! :bounce:

Sears had a style of ratcheting open end like this a couple of years ago - I think they called it the "SnakeBite".

Weird new Snap On wrench WTF?

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