Craftsman, strange combo wrench

[nochina1966]

Can any of the C-man gurus help me out with this tool ? , picked the whole set at a local pawn shop, 7/16" thru 3/4", 6 wrenches. He realized after he sold them to me for $20 that he had the wrong price tag on them. The box end ratchets and flip over for reverse. The open end seems designed to slip back on the fastener after the first turn like a ratchet would without removing it. The one pictured is the 3/4", v and upside down v pt# 43465... Thanks C-men !!


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[metaleltr]

Craftsman speed wrench

 

[mark18mwm]

I think you may have answered your own question. that is a "ratcheting" open end. I bought a snap on set once thinking they would be handy, I traded them back to the snap on guy a couple years later with the box still unopened.

 

[Craftsman1]

I have a set of something similar to those, just not ratcheting. The open end actually comes in handy quite a bit. I love them, saves a decent amount of time.

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

I have a set of metric double open end wrenches with that open end. I can't remember the name at the moment. If I recall correctly they're supposed to be a high torque open end for damaged or frozen fasteners.

I've used mine a few times and was satisfied with their performance albeit with limited utility.

 

[AndrewV]

Hmmm. Pay day friday. May need some new wrenches.

 

[metaldad]

another set i have, unused in the crypt
also, they are no longer made, in the USA, if, at all
ratchet end is rough, and if you put pressure on it a certain way, it free wheels

 

[nochina1966]

I think you may have answered your own question. that is a "ratcheting" open end. I bought a snap on set once thinking they would be handy, I traded them back to the snap on guy a couple years later with the box still unopened.

In your all's valued opinion, are they worth holding on to ? Any ideas as to how long a production run ? I am curious as to how they might perform, I haven't put them thru the ringer yet, but for $20, I think it was a good investment, even if I just hold them, ratchet them, and call them Snuggles for a while !!


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[metaldad]

In your all's valued opinion, are they worth holding on to ? Any ideas as to how long a production run ? I am curious as to how they might perform, I haven't put them thru the ringer yet, but for $20, I think it was a good investment, even if I just hold them, ratchet them, and call them Snuggles for a while !!


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20 bucks, keep 'em.

 

[stage20]

another set i have, unused in the crypt
also, they are no longer made, in the USA, if, at all
ratchet end is rough, and if you put pressure on it a certain way, it free wheels

oh the free wheel. hate when that happens. only when you REALLY need it too.

ive got some of those somewhere at my dads. ive never used them. got them for christmas one year.

 

[franzdom]

I think 20 is probably what they are worth, sounds like they were priced right, just wanted to make sure the sale stuck.

 

[ARFLY]

I have a set of metric double open end wrenches with that open end. I can't remember the name at the moment. If I recall correctly they're supposed to be a high torque open end for damaged or frozen fasteners.

I've used mine a few times and was satisfied with their performance albeit with limited utility.

I have the same wrenches. A set of metric and set of SAE. I think I paid $60 for them. I bought them because they are different and looked kind of neat. I had no use for them, but I wanted them. I didn't know Craftsman had them with the ratcheting box end. I will have to look for a set of those.

 

[nochina1966]

I've never come across these before, would they be considered as a limited production run because they **** ?! Or what is the reason why I haven't seen them . C-men experts please , not that I don't value your all's opinions, I am relatively new to this forum, would like to stay in the good graces of all involved, just need to hammer down some more details on these ...thanks for your continued interest in the post !


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[bonneyman]

I think the Sears labelling on the package called them "Snake Bite" wrenches. because the open end looks like a cobra with its mouth open and the protruding tang looked like fangs.

I didn't grab them, and now regret it. I think for restricted areas and tight fasteners, these things would grab away from the corners and do well.

 

[dogdog]

......I can't remember the name at the moment. If I recall correctly they're supposed to be a high torque open end for damaged or frozen fasteners.

I've used mine a few times and was satisfied with their performance albeit with limited utility.

I have both the metric and SAE set never worked right to lose any nuts that is too tough with regular wrench and socket. Bought them to change belts on tight areas on my old Honda. Never was able to get any nuts loose with that wrench. Wonder why they discontinued it around 2008 / 2009. they were on sell for $9.99 from $49.99 for 3 wrench 6 popular size. when it was first introduced.

the open end is this GIMMICK :
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/sears-wrench/sears-craftsman-extreme-grip-wrench.htm


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16109&page=2

 

[SMKS]

They aren't ratcheting open end wrenches. As already said, they open end is designed to bite harder and stronger than a regular open end.

Whether it works or not I don't know.

the open end is this GIMMICK :
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/sears-wrench/sears-craftsman-extreme-grip-wrench.htm

Actually, if you read the review the reviewer seemed to indicate that they do work.

They do seem to make it much easier to remove any type of fastener, besides those that have been applied with high torque levels. The wrenches might also be useful for someone with arthritis or other wrist or hand problems; the extra length and their strong bite on the fastener make you feel like you have some extra muscle power.

....

Conclusion
The Sears Craftsman Extreme Grip wrenches provide a good grip on a variety of fasteners. However, they might not be as generally useful as, for example, a set of Gearwrench ratcheting box-end wrenches for motorcycle use. Plumbers or other mechanics may find more applications for this type of wrench, but the nature of motorcycle metallurgy generally precludes the need for a wrench that can remove a fastener that is not removable with common hand tools.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16109&page=2

This thread, too, has some positive comments about the Extreme Grip wrenches:

They are very heavy duty, there have been times in my life they would have been really useful.
Don't have a lot of money ******* in them. Both sets came to less than 45 bucks and that covers 12 sizes.

 

[dogdog]

nope never worked when the nuts are really stuck. Especially on the Honda and VWs. Means that if there are the nuts that you can't turn with your regular wrench, this extreme grip definitely won't lose it either. I tried and tried crossed my fingers and hope for a miracle that never happened. Either that or the Frozen Honda and VW nuts ad too tough for this wrench. I get better luck with a good long handle wrench.

 

[nochina1966]

Thanks to all of you for enlightening me on these. I'm going to give them a whirl sometime soon and post an opinion


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[Cameronl]

I"ve got a set in both metric and SAE. They were on clearance at Sears Hardware for a buck a piece. I got them for the ratcheting end. I can't get the hang of the open end. As others have said, the ratchet free-wheels sometimes. I'm tempted to warrentee them to see what they'll give me in return. Unfortunately, probably chinese junk.

 

[BFHtime]

Not for speed. For rounded bolts. I have a set without the ratcheting box ends. The open end ratchets are different.

 

[BFHtime]

I bought these on sale, but have yet to use them. I have had them at least 2 years maybe three. They were on sale.

 

[Josey Wales]

The ratchet is supposed to free wheel, to provide zero back drag. You release the pawl by pressing the wrench to one side while it's on the bolt head. At least that's my understanding.