Combination Open End/Flex Head Socket Wrenches

[redvalkyrie]

Combination Open End/Flex Head Socket Wrenches

I was at first doubtful about the usefulness of these tools but I am beginning to see the light. These would be especially helpfulI in certain situations. I remember Facom, SK, Snap-On, and a few other companies make these but those companies' prices are out of reach for a poor boy from Oklahoma like myself. Here's the SK set for reference:

86412

I like this set because it's complete--10mm-19mm with no skipped sizes. However, it's about $260. I am not one to skip on quality but that's a lot for a tool I've lived without for a very long time.

I will scour EBay, Craigslist, and the Classifieds--but is there a quality set out there for less? I know there are some bargain basement prices for off-brands on EBay but...cheapest can sometimes cost more in the long run.

As always fellas, your knowledge and help are immensely appreciated.

Thanks,
John

 

[jeejay]

Kinda looks like a marimba.

 

[gdocktor3]

Search the term "saltus wrench" and you will find a lot of options. Cheap Chinese stuff to top of the line and a lot of used USA stuff in between. Like you said, you have lived without them this long, as have I. I found a few at a flea market a few years ago, bought them, and used them once just to say I used them....

 

[redvalkyrie]

If you already have open ends, you would most likely be better off getting this 8-19mm set for $84 shpd. Genius has a very good reputation.
http://www.geniustoolsusa.com/catal...-flex-socket-wrenches/metric/set/df-506m.html

The SAE set: 3/8-3/4" and 7/8" for $70 shpd.
http://www.geniustoolsusa.com/catal...ble-flex-socket-wrenches/sae/set/df-504s.html

Really good deal for both. http://www.ebay.com/itm/111867011874?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

The metric set is $68 with free shipping on Amazon. That's a bit more my speed.

 

[redvalkyrie]

Search the term "saltus wrench" and you will find a lot of options. Cheap Chinese stuff to top of the line and a lot of used USA stuff in between. Like you said, you have lived without them this long, as have I. I found a few at a flea market a few years ago, bought them, and used them once just to say I used them....

Ahhhh...saltus wrenches. I will check for that term. And you are indeed correct. I have lived without them. I might just be getting carried away.

 

[Mr_B]

I had a snapon set for 25yrs and little used them, got great offer on them so got sold and I picked up a taiwan set for 50bucks, taiwan set was better in one way as has a spring set in the swivel so socket retains set position better when using it.
Hunt around and find a steal used or new as certainly not worth massive expense if not got obvious planned use for them.
A compact 3/8 breaker bar and 12point socket replaces them in lot of scenarios besides extra low profile potential of the wrench socket

 

[sberry]

I have them and use them on rare occasions. Like a lot of more specialty stuff I can get by without or a simple modest set used as problem solvers.
I got no problem getting something I need but do not look for ways to toss 300 at every socket set they make.

 

[gdocktor3]

Ahhhh...saltus wrenches. I will check for that term. And you are indeed correct. I have lived without them. I might just be getting carried away.

Seems to be common thing around here...

 

[cherrybomb]

I have the Proto Brand set ,3/8-3/4,they are satin finish and normal open end,but have the Proto torque plus socket that grips away from the corner.The quality is excellent as all the Proto USA is.You don't hear much about them,but would be a great addition to a guys special tool section.I kept them in my break down kit,its nice to know your aren't missing pieces,if by chance you had an event along the road.

 

[dnschmidt]

TOPTUL makes this style of wrench but I consider them to be artifacts of the past. https://www.toptul.com/s/2/product-...Combination-Wrench-Satin-Chrome-Finished.html They were big back in the 1970's sort of how the combination flex head ratcheting wrenches are today. I had several of them in Proto SAE sizes. As cool as they looked I found that I seldom if ever used them. Seemed to be an attempt to combine a wrench with a socket and I've never found these ******* children to work out. If I can use a socket and a ratchet I do. If I need to get into something tight I use a wrench. These can neither ratchet nor get in tight. Worst of both worlds.

 

[Gmonkee]

Again, had a few and played with them at work after 'forum mania' set in a little bit.

They didn't prove to be the miracle in my uses.

Easy resale for sure and now another guy loves them more than I did.

 

[928'er]

Picked up a metric Taiwanese set just 'cause they were on clearance about 10-15 years ago, don't think I've ever found a use for them....

 

[ultgar]

Facom discontinued their 37 Series saltus wrenches 10+ years ago. Ratcheting combination wrenches are much more popular.

 

[ChrisLS8]

Fail to see how this would be anything different than a flex head ratchet with socket

 

[TT54l32v]

Timing chain and belt area stuff on fwd they are great, that said I only have 10,12,13 and 14. The 14 is pretty good for ford torque converter bolts. Wish I had a 21,8 and a 5.5 though. Also of note most low profile ratchet and socket sets dont flex head like these will. Have em and not need than need them and not have them and all that. Mine are snap on and have never broke any.

 

[Yankee]

I use my 9/16 for adjusting skids on my snowblower. Either grab a ratchet and socket or just the flex wrench, which is faster (Standard combo wrench doesn't fit in the skid)

I didn't buy the set for that reason, but I've had my set since I was a kid.

 

[sberry]

They work well on chain saw bars .

 

[Citation]

My dad had a set. I used them all the time when working on things where you hand nuts and bots vs bolt into a tapped hole or nut on a stud. They were good for tight spots. Most of the time I would pair them with a ratcheting wrench Thus I would use the flex ability to turn a fastener in a tight spot then "ratchet" back by turning the whole bolt. Great for tight locations but most of the time I'll just use a socket instead.

 

[kblee27]

I got a couple of these saltus wrench, a double flex socket.
I paint this cheap one for color coding.

I wanted to use its long handle for leverage.
However, the closed end obstructs long threads.

It's useful if you need some offset, compared to a regular boxed end.
But then you could use something like this, that is not obstructed by long threads and also have an offset.

 

[redvalkyrie]

Here's my thoughts on these. Occasionally I find my race box doesn't have enough duplicate socket. These might be one solution. Nothing worse than missing a heat because you are hunting around for a deep socket.

 

[BIG BACCHUS]

For what it's worth, a guy in my area has that exact set of wrenches for sale for $150.
Maybe you can convince him to ship?https://louisville.craigslist.org/tls/d/sksuperkrome-10-piece-metric/6252745332.html

 

[Tonyuk]

I use these 6 point facom socket wrenches often when i need to hit the end with a hammer to break a bolt loose, nice and solid compared to a thin spanner;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FACOM-TOO...841478&hash=item540bbd9d6f:g:uGsAAOSwOgdYwRIY

 

[kblee27]

I use these 6 point facom socket wrenches often when i need to hit the end with a hammer to break a bolt loose, nice and solid compared to a thin spanner;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FACOM-TOO...841478&hash=item540bbd9d6f:g:uGsAAOSwOgdYwRIY

Great idea. I have one of these too.
Just never thought of hitting it with a hammer.

 

[Farmall 1066]

Looked for years for a good used set, to no avail. Found a MAC set from 5/16 -1" for $100 and hauled *** to get it.
Within a month, stars aligned and I pieced it up to 11/8 for another $25.
Might be the odd man here but use the snot outta mine.

 

[jcfields]

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