Do you actually ever use speeder bars?

[bob from indiana]

At one plant we did electrical work for we used speeder handles to open explosion proof electrical enclosures. They had many 1/2" bolts along the edges of the door to seal them shut. It was Quite a job to get one open. I have two Craftsman 1/2" drive and a Snap-On 3/8" speeders. I have used them to dissemble engines and too run down bolts during engine assembly.

 

[sbarrett]

go to tool for oil pan and timing cover installations/removals...

Sonny

 

[pepi]

Only time I had a need for the Speed wrench, btw the proper name of the tool, was installing the skins on planes. Anyone ever doing that will know there are hundreds of screws on a piece of skin. About an inch spacing all the way around..



speeder bars ?
That is like calling a mustache a hair lip .

 

[mobilus]

Yep, Speed Handle. We used them every day in the Airforce as a mechanic. Remove and replacing panels on aircraft. Many other assorted jobs. At the time we could not use battery powered or air powered tools on the planes. Later on we were allowed to use for removal, but not installation. (Everything on the aircraft has a torque value, so we had to install by hand)

I teach new recruits (and a few cross-trainees from other career fields) to be crew chiefs on the F-16 and the speed handle is definitely still in use. We have the 1/4" and 3/8" speed handles in the tool box, but the 3/8" is a better tool and I prefer my students use an adapter when 1/4" is needed (like manually raising the canopy).

I find use for it in my garage, but like most have indicated, only on assembly. The speed and torque of an 18v impact is very handy.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Only time I had a need for the Speed wrench, btw the proper name of the tool, was installing the skins on planes. Anyone ever doing that will know there are hundreds of screws on a piece of skin. About an inch spacing all the way around..
.

Jim

 

[chrenan]

I do use a regular 3/8 and 1/2 speeder for engine work - they are great for engine stripping and assembly, fast but you don't lose any feel. I have a nice matching proto canada vintage pair. I just wrench for a hobby so absolute speed isn't key for me. My favourite is my Plomb 1/2 flex head speeder, it's great for breaking loose and removing lug nuts with one tool. Dates to 1942.

 

[zkling]

My favourite is my Plomb 1/2 flex head speeder, it's great for breaking loose and removing lug nuts with one tool. Dates to 1942.

Can you really remove lug nuts without bending that at the offset handle area?

 

[chrenan]

Can you really remove lug nuts without bending that at the offset handle area?

Highest torque ones I use it on are tightened to 120 ft/lbs, no issues at all with that level of torque. If you place it beside a regular non-flex head 1/2 speeder, even a contemporary plomb version, it is built much thicker.

 

[zkling]

Highest torque ones I use it on are tightened to 120 ft/lbs, no issues at all with that level of torque. If you place it beside a regular non-flex head 1/2 speeder, even a contemporary plomb version, it is built much thicker.

Ah, that makes sense, they probably did that on purpose expecting people to use it as a breaker bar with the flex head. Does sound very handy for those times an impact is not available. I was thinking about the 1/2" speeder I have, non flex head, I can't image using it to break loose lugs if it was flex head capable. Hence my question.

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ Great use for your speed wrench !

If you don't have a 4-way lug wrench, a 1/2" drive speeder would be perfect.

 

[dbabicky]

Speed handles can be a great first attempt at removing stuck fasteners as well with a pad pressed on the end of it. (Removed way too many stuck fasteners on the aircraft from crew chiefs hehe.)

Yep, I was an Engine Mech. Damn "Nose-Picker's", (Crew-Chiefs), were always screwing up panel screws. Used the pad method a lot for stuck screws. You could get a lot of leverage with the big round pad on the end.

 

[mechan]

Yep, I was an Engine Mech. Damn "Nose-Picker's", (Crew-Chiefs), were always screwing up panel screws. Used the pad method a lot for stuck screws. You could get a lot of leverage with the big round pad on the end.

We machined a lot of those pads for guys to use on their speed handles. Makes it a *ton* easier to put some *** into getting out a screw. Actually works pretty good once the hole has been drilled with a shallow helical style easy out.

 

[Fixnfly]

They work great at busting rusty screws loose!

 

[38Chevy454]

Like others my use for then is assembling engines, chasing threads, pan bolts and similar. An old school tool that does have it usefulness. However for disassembly an air tool is much faster.

 

[Heavy tech]

Some big rig locking spindle nuts require the socket to be on the nut to disengage the lock and allow the nut to turn. I yes my 1/2" speed handle with a 1/2"f-3/4"m adapter for running them on/off

3/8" for big rig hub caps.

1/4" for removing the dash on Hyster lift trucks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rlitman]

I use my 1/2" and 3/8" all the time for reassembly. In the 3/8", I find I'm reaching for the one with the spinning handle (Snap On) rather than the one with the pad (Craftsman).

I also use my 1/4" a lot, but mostly with nutdriver sockets on hose clamps.

 

[djjsr]

Does any tool company actually call them a speeder bar?

 

[byoungblood]

I use mine for running lug nuts down, and the last time I assembled an engine I used one extensively. Aside from that, the 3 I have just take up room in my toolbox.

 

[jake00]

We use one every time we service the dust collector at work.

 

[ZRX61]

Used them for years in service working on aircraft,

What he said...

 

[zkling]

They work great at busting rusty screws loose!

One that I use quite often, is an old brace with a 3/8" drive adapter. Can really lean into it.

Only time I had a need for the Speed wrench, btw the proper name of the tool, was installing the skins on planes. Anyone ever doing that will know there are hundreds of screws on a piece of skin. About an inch spacing all the way around..

speeder bars ?
That is like calling a mustache a hair lip .

Actually they seem to have a few correct names.

Snap On = Speeder or speeder bar
Plomb & Proto = Speed handle
Mac = Speeder
Craftsman = Speeder wrench
SK = speeder handle

 

[NitroShark]

Use one all the time in the pits working on the Top fuel bike.

Shawn

 

[Honda guy]

I use one for installing fork springs on motorcycles. If it's a really stiff spring, you can really lean into it to compress the spring, while getting the cap threads started.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Awesome.

"If they can build an engine in 20 minutes, why does it take an hour to get my oil changed"...

Good point, but here's another-
Those engines only have to live for about 10 seconds...

Tommy

 

[DandDMachine]

I have five 3/8" and two 1/2" drive speed wrenches at the shop. One in every toolbox. Use them on a daily basis. I use one to chase spark plug threads on cylinder heads. In the assembly area I need to assemble camshafts in cylinder heads. I use speed wrenches because they are the fastest way to evenly tighten the cam caps while still giving me some "feel" if something isn't going correctly.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Many of the reasons I use them have been covered, and I will add that there are times when grabbing a speed handle and spinning a dozen bolts can take less time than dragging an air hose out and putting it back. An air hose is ready to use in my shop, but not always the case when on a field service call or working in a host shop.

 

[UncleDirty]

I still use my speed handle at work. Cordless stuff is nice but the battery is never dead on my speed handle.

 

[rlitman]

I still use my speed handle at work. Cordless stuff is nice but the battery is never dead on my speed handle.

That's the exact reason I use my Yankee and ratcheting screwdrivers.

 

[Flivver250]

I use mine all the time. I do have air ratchets and such, but I still prefer feeling every thread a fastner travels. To me air tools may be okay for dissassembly, but not reassembly. I am not a mechanic for hire working flat rate. I can afford the luxury of time and the sense of touch.

 

[Steves32]

392 Hemi here so they work great for plugs.

 

[lh4x4]

In 1962 I bought a big set of Craftsman tools. It included one. Never used it. Still in the tool chest.

However most of the jobs that I do at home are inside of vehicles/boats/motorcycles and another type of tool worked better. I can see using it when something is on a stand or bench.

 

[chadman]

My cordless impact has eliminated my use for a speeder bar. I do still have it in the tool box though just in case I feel nostalgic.

 

[bhalv]

Use my 3/8" with palm handle all the time for removing stuck screws on aircraft

 

[joebachor]

we cant use anything else on some of the machinery we work on, so I use them and I prefer the type with a rotating center section. I have them in 1/4" ,3/8" and 1/2" .

 

[rlitman]

I prefer the type with a rotating center section.

That's what I have in my 1/2" speeders. I've never seen it in 3/8" or 1/4".

 

[onewaydave]

Used them for years in service working on aircraft, have a couple in my toolbox but rarely use them now.

Yeah, pulling panels off a TA4 or RF4B to get to the innards. Hundreds of screws per panel. "course, cordless wasn't around yet, but I got into the habit and today will still use one for repetitive tasks.

With a quality speedy, good handle bearings, one can spin one with one hand. Way faster than a cordless or ratchet. Maybe not an air ratchet, though.

Dave.

 

[893cv]

I have 3-3/8" speeders and 1-1/2". I still use them from time to time. I also have a Koken 3/8" T handle with a spinning grip, it gets lots of use.

 

[rr1963]

I used them a few times when I was a mechanic but found it more convenient to use a flex handled ratchet.

 

[T-Mac]

I do a lot of engine and trans work-any time a steel bolt goes into aluminum or plastic I use a speeder-have 1/4 in to 3/4 in-yes I have a 3/4 in speeder bar.

 

[Jim B]

Wow! When did my speed handles become "old school"?

In the video I notice even though they are trying to assemble those engines quickly nobody has figured out how to use their speed handle with one hand (much faster for running nuts down). Of course two handed is a better workout.

BTW, what are these kids supposed to be learning from this competition? Certainly doesn't seem to be teaching a useful skill like troubleshooting like in the old Plymouth Troubleshooting Contest.