Astro to introduce Flank Bite Wrenches & Sockets

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

In an effort to perhaps receive less emails and pm's about these, yes we are making the Flank Bite Extra Long Wrenches we showed at SEMA. As well as impact sockets and protective lug sockets using this design.

* If you want to see the actual Flank Bite design, click on the attachment PI sheet. I've blurred some of the images below because these are still too new for random visitors to this site (sorry).

Purpose: Damaged, rusted or rounded bolts/nuts

At a glance:

- In the counterclockwise direction the wrenches use "teeth" to bite square into the flats of a hex head, only digging deeper into the flats as more torque is used

- In the clockwise direction it drives a bolt like a normal wrench would, thus you can install the new bolt/nut with the same wrench while you're there.

- Extra long pattern for gorilla leverage

- Sizes 7/16", 5/8" and 3/4" are designed to work well on 11mm, 16mm and 19mm in case you want full metric coverage

- Forged from Chromoly in Taiwan


Love marks
on bolts using classic 6pt Flank Drive and Astro's new Flank bite when exceeding SAE torque levels of the fastener

They were working all week at SEMA on this bolt:

Extra Long Pattern

The protective sleeve sockets (they also feature free spinning sleeves, so they wont scuff the wheels with the sleeve)

GIF Video

We're making all of these now, and some are finished. As early as March these will be sold.

 

[kwoswalt99]

How do I plug them into my air compressor?

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

How do I plug them into my air compressor?

With a 1/4" NPT air fitting into your impact?

The wrenches would be more for spaces you dont have room for an air impact or ratchet - or on fasteners you're worried about just falling apart.

 

[gdocktor3]

The box ends look like turbo sockets or some other design I've seen. What is it? I'm not a fan of the name personally. A rip off of flank drive. Otherwise they look interesting and should definitely remove stubborn fasteners. Another great job over there at Astro.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I see no pictures.

 

[WhataTool]

Sorry for the pm's, haha

It's just at SEMA the guy was saying they were definitely going to be made, then I can't find anything.

 

[gdocktor3]

They look like Pittsburgh bolt extractors. Pretty clever idea to use on box end of wrench.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jo4gj]

What will be the msrp and when will they be available

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

What will be the msrp and when will they be available

The extra long wrench set list is $79.78 SAE and $78.16 Metric


Available end or March beginning of April

 

[firworks]

The extra long wrench set list is $79.78 SAE and $78.16 Metric


Available end or March beginning of April

Any possibilities of a no skip set in the future?

 

[Buckgnarly]

As someone who lives in the rust belt and owns just about every removal tool possible, this is actually a GREAT idea for clearance issue removals! Will be grabbing those wrenches!

Remind me of these, but with built in handles...
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=314039

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Any possibilities of a no skip set in the future?

Absolutely.

 

[d.mcfarland]

As another rust belt resident, the idea is good and hopefully they work well.

 

[WWheeler]

I'm not seeing what I suspect should be images in the OP.

I'm guessing maybe the image host used was imgur? If so that would probably be why.

Imgur photos no longer work on garage journal forums?
https://community.imgur.com/t/imgur-photos-no-longer-work-on-garage-journal-forums/33800

 

[fatfillup]

As a guy who sells a lot of used tools to heavy equipment, truck and farm mechanics, I can see those selling well with good marketing.

 

[anndel]

Looking forward to its release. I'll pick up the metric set once it goes on sale.

 

[stage20]

how long did it take to settle on the word flank?

 

[d.mcfarland]

I would assume the legal department ok'd the name. If not that would ****.

 

[ssdave]

Nice idea. I don't find a lot of need for new tools anymore, these look like they will make the cut when they are available.

 

[vettex2]

I see no pictures.

same here

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Sorry for the image hosting problem. For now I'll edit to add links for each image.

 

[KnurledNut]

And what if limited access requires you to flip the wrench over for removal?
The advantage is lost.
Just a thought from the real world.


Edit (to show example):
Say the wrench in the picture below has to be in this position for removal because of room constraints and the offset of the wrench. The flank bite would not work.
The same applies to the box end. You cant always use a wrench the "right" way.

 

[wrenchr]

Looks interesting and the price point is reasonable!!

 

[T45]

I'm not a fan of the name personally. A rip off of flank drive. Otherwise they look interesting and should definitely remove stubborn fasteners. Another great job over there at Astro.

Astro does get accross the point that these will mark the fastener


Look forward to some you-tube vidyas on these

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Astro does get accross the point that these will mark the fastener

Correct, for those who like to keep their damaged, rounded or rusted bolts looking pristine consider other options

 

[Jarhead0408]

Very nice. What's the length on the 19-mil?

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Very nice. What's the length on the 19-mil?

Correction, I was way off: 14"

 

[WWheeler]

And what if limited access requires you to flip the wrench over for removal?
The advantage is lost.
Just a thought from the real world.


Edit (to show example):
Say the wrench in the picture below has to be in this position for removal because of room constraints and the offset of the wrench. The flank bite would not work.
The same applies to the box end. You cant always use a wrench the "right" way.

I get your point, but the wrench you have pictured looks to be positioned in the 'proper' direction for removal (unless that's a reverse threaded bolt) so I would assume that the flank bite would work as designed. I'm just sayin'?

 

[derosa]

Will these be available separately? 15mm would be good for all those axle nuts kids have been tightening and loosening with vice grips. And maybe a 12mm for all those underbody bolts that seem to flash rust at the first sight of salt but as a non mechanic I couldn't see a lot more use then those two

 

[Jarhead0408]

I'll have to check tomorrow. But 16.5" is ringing a bell for me right now.

Good to go. Sounds good to me. I can guesstimate the rest based off of the 19.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

I added all images as attachments for those whose browsers are not uploading the images

 

[gdocktor3]

Correct, for those who like to keep their damaged, rounded or rusted bolts looking pristine consider other options

 

[CobraRed]

Update on when these are available?

This winter has really done a number on the undersides of cars

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Just finished forging.

Mid to late March will be sold to distributors.

 

[johninct]

In an effort to perhaps receive less emails and pm's about these, yes we are making the Flank Bite Extra Long Wrenches we showed at SEMA. As well as impact sockets and protective lug sockets using this design.

* If you want to see the actual Flank Bite design, click on the attachment PI sheet. I've blurred some of the images below because these are still too new for random visitors to this site (sorry).

Purpose: Damaged, rusted or rounded bolts/nuts

At a glance:

- In the counterclockwise direction the wrenches use "teeth" to bite square into the flats of a hex head, only digging deeper into the flats as more torque is used

- In the clockwise direction it drives a bolt like a normal wrench would, thus you can install the new bolt/nut with the same wrench while you're there.

- Extra long pattern for gorilla leverage

- Sizes 7/16", 5/8" and 3/4" are designed to work well on 11mm, 16mm and 19mm in case you want full metric coverage

- Forged from Chromoly in Taiwan


Love marks
on bolts using classic 6pt Flank Drive and Astro's new Flank bite when exceeding SAE torque levels of the fastener

They were working all week at SEMA on this bolt:

Extra Long Pattern

The protective sleeve sockets (they also feature free spinning sleeves, so they wont scuff the wheels with the sleeve)

GIF Video

We're making all of these now, and some are finished. As early as March these will be sold.

What happens if you need to turn your wrench over to get a better angle because of clearance issues?

 

[firworks]

They're looking cool! I don't currently have a rusty car to work on but if I do again I'll be grabbing a set. They possibly could have saved me from cutting off a tie-rod end last year.

 

[timothylockhart]

I think these look great! I love removal tools since I seem to round off bolts...

I do wish they would remove in both directions as other users have pointed out.

Ratcheting might be a cool idea so when you are in a hard to reach spot you don't need to keep popping the wrench on and off the fastener.

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

 

[Revelations]

TAKE MY MONEY!

Sent from a Galaxy far far away.

 

[wrenchr]

Going to get the metric wrench set for sure!!! I have the astro compact 3/8 impact and that thing is cool.

 

[barrybeefburger]

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