Anybody Use These?

[diggerrick]

One of the tools I inherited from my great-grandfather. Haven't found a need for it yet, but it sits in my box anyway.

 

[redwrench60]

Flex box wrenches, or "dog bones" as they were commonly called used to be popular at one time but they seemed to disappear along with the guys that used them when they retired. I have a Snap On 9/16 one in my box at work someone gave me. Every once in a great while I will use it on something.

 

[Bighead38]

I want a set.

 

[Dave455]

I have a couple, and use 'em! They're good to use!

Sometimes you can fit them in where few other tools will work - removing some door hinges for example!

I'd love a set of the older pattern Snap on's like yours, they were beautifully made tools!

 

[zkling]

With the advent of ratcheting wrenches and thin profile ratchets, those have pretty much become a thing of the past.

 

[sleepy127]

They work well in a limited clearance application where you need a socket with some type of swivel to get to. The low profile ratchets and socket may take its place if you can find a flex head low profile ratchet.

 

[bob15]

I still use them. They work great with the bar nuts on chainsaws.

 

[four.cycle]

With the advent of ratcheting wrenches and thin profile ratchets, those have pretty much become a thing of the past.

^this.

you can find them on Ebay. I see listings for them all the time.
3/8" - 3/4" set of Proto $100 + $18 shipping:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Proto-J1270...:g:dw4AAOSwk1JWeb11&item=221975707172&vxp=mtr

there was an Owatonna set on there a few weeks ago for about $30 but they're gone. Craftsman sets pop up frequently. looks like there must still be a demand for them.

a buddy of mine had a set and absolutely loved them until the swivel-type ratcheting head models came into being.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I have a set of older SnapOn with the socket on one end and an open end on the other. While I don't use them on a daily basis, there are times they are the right tool for the job.

 

[RedF]

I could think of a few places I could use those. I don't have any, so I guess I don't need them that bad.

 

[gearhead1]

I have looked for a used US set but haven't found any. I was removing the cylinder head on a VW and didn't have clearance for a ratchet wrench and socket/ratchet combo was too thick. I immediately thought of these. Probably one of the few mechanics hand tools I don't have.

 

[martin666]

Have a 9/16" one in my arsenal of obstruction wrenches for Harley head bolts and barrel nuts, been using it for decades

 

[JBradley500]

I've needed them on a certain torque converter but I can't remember what vehicle it was. I also like to use them to back a nut/bolt that is recessed.

 

[LXCam]

I have a set I bought 35 years ago. At the time I wrenched on motorcycles for a living and they kicked *** but haven't used them in a very long time.

 

[garfunkle24]

For anyone looking for them, typically called Saltus wrenches,

 

[zcbauer89]

I have the exact same wrench that belonged to my grandfather. I use it every once in awhile and enjoy using it. IMHO more comfortable than the FD+ wrenches.

 

[Steevo]

I always wanted a set, either double box like the OP pictured, or the swivel box/open-end type. Early in my career, a fellow mechanic at a motorcycle shop bought a set (signed away his balls to a Mac dealer), and I was always jealous of the tools, but couldn't make myself take the plunge and go into debt for them.

Nowadays, I think the current ratcheting box wrenches make them obsolete. I can't think of a situation in which a swivel box/socket would be easier/better to use than a good ratcheting box.

Still, if I came across a set at an auction or estate sale, I'd buy them.

 

[martin666]

I have both Taiwan Gearwrench and USA ratcheting box wrenches, for my application they don't work on Harley barrel nuts because of clearance. Besides I'm sure that even if they did fit the ratcheting box would never hold up for decades ( because of torque needed ) like my Snap On Saltus has

 

[Richard Cranium]

I have a set, Used to use them a lot, I can't remember the last time I used one now

 

[royesses]

I have 4 metric saltus open/socket end wrenches. They come in handy for tweaking adjustment bolts/nuts. No longer have my snap-ons. I used them for adjusting lifters (valve adjustment) on hydraulic lifter Chevy and Pontiac engines.

 

[ssdave]

I have a set, use the 3/8 and the 1/2" one quite a bit; mostly for tight clearance assembling shelving or machinery. Don't use them for automotive much. But, for exactly the right clearance problem, they're just the solution.

I don't use ratcheting wrenches, though, so they might have made them obsolete. I've owned several sets of ratcheting wrenches, haven't liked any of them, so disposed of them. One episode of a low clearance nut trapping the wrench, and it really sours you on ratcheting wrenches. That plus lack of clearance makes the thick ratcheting wrench useless a lot of the time anyway. These socket wrenches at least don't have a clearance problem.

 

[454ragtop]

^this.

you can find them on Ebay. I see listings for them all the time.
3/8" - 3/4" set of Proto $100 + $18 shipping:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Proto-J1270...:g:dw4AAOSwk1JWeb11&item=221975707172&vxp=mtr

there was an Owatonna set on there a few weeks ago for about $30 but they're gone. Craftsman sets pop up frequently. looks like there must still be a demand for them.

a buddy of mine had a set and absolutely loved them until the swivel-type ratcheting head models came into being.

I have that exact Proto set, in better shape, I'd sell for $50 if anybody is looking. They do come in handy sometimes, have another set of mismatched brands I use.
Jim

 

[pi_guy]

The oil furnace guys like them because the fit the nozzle securely.
I have a few looked at a 1/4 one today I think I have one so wanted to check first.
They work out well when you nut and bolting a car, places you can get an open end wrench and other places with a bolt extending a bit fro the nut the socket end works great. This way you do not have to carry extra wrenches, I prefer to nut and bolt with wrenches than a socket setup. My nutting and bolting is 1/4 to 1/2 on a formula car as most is in that size range. Wheel nuts and bearing retaining nuts are done with torque wrench and at least 1/2 drive with one car wanting 250 so that is done with 1 inch drive torque wrench.
I picked up some discontinued flare wrenches with speeder open end which are less common then saltus wrenches. They were so old they did not show up on dealer software. Got a good price.

 

[Dan Jacobs]

I have 10 through 19 with open ends. I don't know why
but I use them all the time
I just grab them without thinking about it

 

[Refnump]

Had a full set of Craftsman way back when, but when my rollaway and top boxes were stolen, these were amongst the many tools which were not replaced. Had spent years filling the boxes; simply did not have the discretionary income to buy everything again. Loved them, but alas...

 

[goforride57]

My father had a set. He owned a transmission shop and used them for torque converter bolts.

 

[sk farmer]

i have a set and see everyone people are comparing them to a modern ratcheting wrench. well for starters, the don't ratchet, second, they work on recessed fasteners and third, they pivot on the centerline of the fastener. things that have nothing in common with flex ratcheting wrenches which ratchet, don't work on recessed fasteners and don't pivot on the centerline.

don't get me wrong, i like both styles but there is no comparison to the two. they both have very different features, weak and strong points. the saltus wrenches work great when you need to work a stubborn fastener back and forth or need to reach down into an area with difficult access. since they pivot on the centerline when conditions permit they can be easily flipped over to continue work without needing to remove it from the fastener.

 

[monkeyspanners]

I have a Trident 10mm one, its great for undoing fan motor guard bolts on refrigeration kit, once lose you can swivel it round 90' and use as a nut driver. Also working on the same equipment you don't always have a clear path to swing a wrench so being able to alter the angle means you can get more of a turn on the bolt.

 

[rick carpenter]

I still use them. They work great with the bar nuts on chainsaws.

Funny, I've been kinda looking for these myself. I want either these in 13mm & 19mm or a double-male end L handle for 13mm & 19mm sockets for my Stihl. I don't like the scrench!

 

[bob15]

Funny, I've been kinda looking for these myself. I want either these in 13mm & 19mm or a double-male end L handle for 13mm & 19mm sockets for my Stihl. I don't like the scrench!

19mm? What Stihl uses a 19mm for a bar nut? 090?

McCulloch uses (on their older saws): 7/16, 1/2 & 9/16 and a 13mm

 

[metaldad]

I have looked for a used US set but haven't found any. I was removing the cylinder head on a VW and didn't have clearance for a ratchet wrench and socket/ratchet combo was too thick. I immediately thought of these. Probably one of the few mechanics hand tools I don't have.

armstrong makes them.

 

[nutsnbolts]

I have a couple, but they have an open wrench on one end. I like them

 

[rick carpenter]

I still use them. They work great with the bar nuts on chainsaws.

Funny, I've been kinda looking for these myself. I want either these in 13mm & 19mm or a double-male end L handle for 13mm & 19mm sockets for my Stihl. I don't like the scrench!

19mm? What Stihl uses a 19mm for a bar nut? 090?

McCulloch uses (on their older saws): 7/16, 1/2 & 9/16 and a 13mm

My MS170 uses 19mm M8 for the bar nuts. 13mm x 19mm scrench is standard issue tool for Stihl.

 

[dutchgray]

My MS170 uses 19mm M8 for the bar nuts. 13mm x 19mm scrench is standard issue tool for Stihl.

Yep, same on my MS 261, I to am not a massive fan of the standard tool.

 

[littleponderosa]

I've found my last needed saltus wrench. Of course I had to see if there was any out there and if I once again took a beating.

But I did find a double socket/dog bone set that I'd be bidding but too many other toys have my money out. Best of luck.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SNAP...476143?hash=item4afd5f876f:g:JvgAAOSwqbZXFCMU

Bill