Flex head - swivel head wrenches

[Letsgobowhunting]

I just bought a bunch of tools at a yard sale last weekend and with it was Mac swivel flex head wrenches. It seems that everyone calls these something different but it basically has a socket on one end and a open end wrench on the other.

http://dirxion.mscdirect.com/BigBoo...=4.3.6.4&pagelabel=2320&search=84224120&sec=N

My question is why are these going out of style? Craftsman don't carry them any more. The ones I just got include 11/16, 5/8, 13/16 & 3/4. I am considering completing my set and looked at eBay but they aren't that common there either.

Is this a useful tool, will I use it much? Sould I complete the at with the Proto? Or does everyone find themselves using a different tool I place of these?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Wakefield]

Called Saltus wrench?
Are people using more flex/swivel sockets in 1/4" and 3/8" drive these days?

 

[Scout Driver]

Yep, saltus wrenches. Use the ones you have for awhile. See if you really find them handy before you drop hard-earned money for more of them. I remember using them in high-school on small engines. They felt oddly well-suited to that type of work. Your results may vary.

Scott

 

[crewchief888]

i have a few sizes i use fairly often.

anytime i really need a socket, but no clearance for a ratchet/socket.

 

[jmm]

Never cared for those, but I do like their cousin, the socket wrench. L-shaped, as if it has two fixed sockets on each end. Facom makes them, and for particular tasks they're great.

 

[woody 73]

I only own a few of them and I like them when I have room to swing one, but today wide open space is a luxury and not many people use them.

 

[firebox40dash5]

My boss has a metric set of SKs at the shop. The only reason I use them is convenience- he doesn't have room in his box, so they sit on the table next to it, making them an easy grab when I just need to remove one drain bolt or something. Other than that, they pretty much sit there. He did say he used them tearing down an old Willys Hurricane, because it didn't have room for a ratchet & socket... though how it had room for those I don't quite understand.

 

[metaldad]

Saltus.
Crapsman doesn't have them.
I got a beautiful set of polished SAE USA Armstrongs a year ago