Do you actually ever use speeder bars?

[cyberslick188]

I see these for sale all the time in classifieds, yet I don't know if I've ever seen ANYONE use one in my lifetime other than to just try it out.

Do you use one? If so, why?

 

[RaptorDuner]

Check it at about 6:45

 

[Jawn]

I use 'em once in a while. Handy for spark plugs, among other things.

 

[Cobra6]

I bought a couple of Snap On speeders really cheap -

They are nice when you are assembling an engine on a stand, or installing/removing an intake.

I have one that came with a jack for one of my vehicles.

I have never used them on spark plugs because there usually isn't room for the handle to turn in the engine compartment.

Speeders are sorta like the old door hinge bolt wrenches and distributor wrenches. They are nice to have, but you can probably use another tool for the same thing. If you worked in an assembly shop where you couldn't use air tools, they would save some time (especially back in the day)

 

[Mazdaspeed]

Have one, never used it...especially since I got a cordless impact. For assembly where the torque values are very low (and hence not controllable with a power tool) I could see it being a good option though.

 

[Haveblue]

For teardown..no..blast that **** apart with air tools. For assembly on an engine on a stand, they are ideal. You can run fasteners down quick and evenly as a first step in your torque sequence. They are also handy for some transmission and oil pans in the vehicle, if you have room. They are a little "old school" in some peoples eyes, but I feel they have thier uses.

 

[Farmerjonathan]

My small engines students use them all the time. Faster for running bolts down than a ratchet since I won't let them use air tools on small engines (aluminum and air tools and inexperienced kids equals stripped threads!). I remember seeing them at the drag strips as a kid.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Check it at about 6:45

Awesome.

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

 

[Haveblue]

^ that is a great point farmerjonathan! I work on a lot of small gas engines at work as well.

 

[Haveblue]

That video makes a great point, with speeder bars (I call them speed wrenches) You can evenly seat bearing caps, and final torque is much quicker to reach with the torque wrench.

 

[C96]

I love my speed handle. I use it when I have the room and need something a little faster than a ratchet, yet still maintain control doing by hand when working on something delicate as opposed to using an impact.

 

[Farma11]

I use my all the time... I assemble bleachers and stadium seating.

 

[rsanter]

I use them for priming an engine and chasing the threads in the engine before assembly.
I used to use one at the track all the time because we didn't have the cordless tools we have now

Bob

 

[AJH]

I use them for priming an engine and chasing the threads in the engine before assembly.
Bob

x2 on chasing threads. When you have a whole bunch of holes to chase in an engine block, a speeder with a tap socket speeds things up.

 

[jkherd]

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

 

[senor fozz]

Death by cordless impacts, they still have their place just not like they used to. last one i bought was a 1/2" plvmb just because it was there and cheap haven't used it though.

 

[LilRichard]

Use them for adjusting fork preload on motorcycles track side. Quick adjustments, and easy to keep track of how many turns you add / subtract.

 

[Bricen18]

While in the navy we used them on the arresting gear wire supports. There like an upside leaf spring to hold the wire off the deck. So the tail-hook can engage the wire. When a aircraft would bolter or miss we would run out and check them with the speed wrenches.

 

[mrjaw14]

I use one on a old scissor jack I back up my jack stands with. Fastest way to raise the jack and control placement at the same time. I could see their use on intakes or other things where there's a lot of fasteners that need to be installed loosely at first

 

[Outlander]

thanks, I added it to my wish list

 

[JonnFX]

Death by cordless impacts, they still have their place just not like they used to. last one i bought was a 1/2" plvmb just because it was there and cheap haven't used it though.

x2

Actually, I never use them, anymore. I use my baby Makita cordless. I use the tool's clutch when assembling, etc.

 

[Doug B]

I use mine when I drop a transmission pan for service.

 

[Milton Shaw]

I have several and use them often when working on mechanical stuff. I have a snapon 3/8 that's about 36 inches long, great for top bolts on shocks on real wheel drive cars, spark plugs from under the fender well, etc. And as mentioned elsewhere transmission bolts, a pan full of oil won't ruin them like it does cordless tools.

 

[sberry]

I actually stripped mine out and sent them to storage, found a couple more that could head that way, there is a reason they are all for sale. I would be hard pressed to take them for free, they ride the box and are in the way since the first day I owned them. They came in every big sears set.

 

[Oldsmobile]

I am probably different from most on this site in that I use my 1/2" speeder mainly for tire rotations and changes. I only break lug nuts loose with an impact wrench. I spin them the rest of the way off with the speeder bar and a second socket. When putting the wheels back on I put the lug nuts in the speeder bar socket and use the speeder bar to start the threads and spin the lug nuts down until all of them are firmly seated. Then I finish everything off with a third socket on a clicker torque wrench or breaker bar and I am good to go. Least amount of effort while still minimizing possible thread damage and/or over-torquing issues.

Me too, except I use a breaker bar. I don't fire up my compressor very often, and it's just quicker & easier to use hand tools for most of my jobs. Obvs I'm not a professional.

My speeder bars are very old Snap-on, circa 1920s IIRC per Alloy Artifacts. I like them because they have two spinning handles...one on the end and one in the middle of the bar.

And I have 3/8" and 1/4" ones too. I used the 1/4" one a few months ago to take out the 8mm head bolts at the bottom of the console in my Dakota. Perfect tool for the job.

 

[MFolks]

I used mine(1/4" drive) for phillips head screws in electronic equipment. Air tools were available, but the old speed handle was best for loose assembly, until everything lined up, and it was much faster than a screwdriver, with all the twisting of a wrist.

 

[Papawswrench]

I use 3/8 often in small engine work and sometimes just to show a youngster an old school tool.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I have one in 3/8 and one in 1/2 and I actually I do use them from time to time.

Chris

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Yes, but I call it a speed handle instead of a speeder bar.

On old-timey scissors jacks
Engine assembly and thread chasing.
Spark plugs, when accessible, like on my flathead v8
Lug nuts
Oil pans, trans pans

 

[dbabicky]

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)

 

[firecracker]

Nop I have a Snap-on speed brace, never used it in anger, like many others the cordless drills have taken over in many ways.

 

[mechan]

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)

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.)

 

[Bib Overalls]

I was looking at them this morning in Harbor Freight. Old timer standing next to me started talking about how he used them back in the day to assemble automobile motors.

I have one 3/8" that gets used when I remember that I have it. Would use it more if my jobs, and my mind, were better organized. I also have a 1/4" and it gets used more often. Mostly because of the smaller fasteners and the way they are used.

Now, I have to look for a tapping socket.

 

[GYPSY400]

I've had one for 15 years.. never used it.. always opted for the air ratchet or electric impact. I've seen pro engine builders ( top fuel dragster) use them for swapping cylinder heads and such tho

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk

 

[RaptorDuner]

I also have a 1/4" and it gets used more often. Mostly because of the smaller fasteners and the way they are used.

I use a 1/4" T handle on my ATVs alot.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Have one, never used it...especially since I got a cordless impact. For assembly where the torque values are very low (and hence not controllable with a power tool) I could see it being a good option though.

When I was in the AF we used them all the time. Cordless tools were not available then, but more importantly the environment was not conducive to them.

I have one now and use it occasionally.

Jim

 

[gearhead1]

Just like others have said, I use mine for engine assembly and wherever I want to control it. Yes, you can adjust the torque on a cordless drill, but just like Milton said, that's not a good idea on something nasty like a transmission oil pan. I use air tools for disassembly though, anything else is wasting time IMO.

 

[Kev442]

I've got a 3/8 and 1/2. They see occasional use on engines. I am probably the only person left on the planet that does not use battery power under the hood. Can't stand greasy, dirty battery tools. Air power, ratchets and speeders for me.

 

[androy]

dont even own one .. cant see a use for it

 

[zkling]

Yes, all the time actually, most of the time with a 3/8" to 1/4 hex bit adapter. Unless the screws are deeply recessed, it is very fast and you can get a good amount of torque on them. Or if I go to someones house that doesn't have an air compressor, I use it to spin on the lug nuts real fast before the torque wrench.

Another older tool that I find really handy is a round, knurled 1/4" drive breaker bar.

Me too, except I use a breaker bar. I don't fire up my compressor very often, and it's just quicker & easier to use hand tools for most of my jobs. Obvs I'm not a professional.

My speeder bars are very old Snap-on, circa 1920s IIRC per Alloy Artifacts. I like them because they have two spinning handles...one on the end and one in the middle of the bar.

And I have 3/8" and 1/4" ones too. I used the 1/4" one a few months ago to take out the 8mm head bolts at the bottom of the console in my Dakota. Perfect tool for the job.

I'd like to find one of those. I don't know why more makers didn't do that. I have 2 craftsman and a "walden", all have the top handle, but rely on friction for the action hand. I could see that 2nd spinning handle being faster.