Half moon wrenches?

[Joelfke]

Im studying auto mechanics in school and I am 75% done with the program. I am wondering what application the half moon wrenches are for? Are they for certain makes/models that sadistic engineers put fasteners on ridiculous spots? I see them from all manufacturers but I havent needed one as of yet (knock on wood)

Example: http://www.mactools.com/productdetails/tabid/119/c-23015-half-moon-wrenches.aspx

 

[CAT_serviceman927]

I have used those several times at work. Usually for taking off something that is in a confined space such as a starter or a hydraulic pump. They aren't needed very often but when you find the need they can be a life saver.

 

[krusty the clown]

in 29 years i have only used them on shovelhead cylinder heads

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

In older catalogs (1930's--1950's) those are almost always noted as being for starters.
Benefit was being able to reach all the bolts from above without having to crawl under, rather than actual total accessibility.

 

[Mike83]

Manifolds maybe?

 

[Uncle Buck]

I have a few, and keep adding new sizes as I find them cheap just because I can. I have never used one, ever.

 

[Joelfke]

In older catalogs (1930's--1950's) those are almost always noted as being for starters.
Benefit was being able to reach all the bolts from above without having to crawl under, rather than actual total accessibility.

so they arent needed for a newbie mechanic like myself?

 

[Uncle Buck]

In older catalogs (1930's--1950's) those are almost always noted as being for starters.
Benefit was being able to reach all the bolts from above without having to crawl under, rather than actual total accessibility.

However, more times than not the starter is going to be removed from the bottom because of clearance issues on the top side these days, so whatever benefit they provided in days gone by has just disappeared due to design changes.

 

[Uncle Buck]

so they arent needed for a newbie mechanic like myself?

No pro wrench here, but I bet the guys that do this for a living tell you no, do not buy them.

 

[ImportTuner]

With 40+ years of wrenching, I must not need it because I don't own any ..

 

[krusty the clown]

spend your money on other tools

 

[Joelfke]

im just curious about them because ive seen them everywhere....everywhere except in a mechanics hands.....

 

[-B-]

Used for starters on cars mostly from the 60's to 80's if that is what you are going to be working on get them other wise fill them in when needed.

 

[Vulturej]

Half moon wrenches are like a lot of tools I have in my tool box I don't use them all the time but when I need them it saves me time and frustration. I don't use them enough to justify buying the SO, Matco, or Mac sets. I bought SAE & metric sets from Sunex for $60.00 for both.

 

[caper]

I'm a diesel mechanic and I use them a bit but not everyday by any means.Air compressors,accessory drives,fuel pumps,hydraulic pumps.Also find some uses on the aerial devices I work on.They wouldn't be one of the first things I'd buy if I was starting over but I would buy them again.I'm always on the lookout for oddball wrenches,you never know when they'll save your ****.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

My Craftsman is marked "manifold & starter". It is, IIRC a 9/16 x 5/8

Charles

 

[rsanter]

they are not used much but are worth it WHEN you need one.
I would buy the ratcheting ones from gearwrench if you are going to buy them because they will save a bunch of time over the standard ones

bob

 

[Delray]

they are not used much but are worth it WHEN you need one.
I would buy the ratcheting ones from gearwrench if you are going to buy them because they will save a bunch of time over the standard ones

bob

I have these also and I agree. There may be more important tools for a guy just starting out though.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

My Craftsman is marked "manifold & starter". It is, IIRC a 9/16 x 5/8

Charles

If buying (if your planning on working on older cars), THIS IS THE ONE, to get. On a good note, I picked up a Snap-On years ago on Ebay. It cost more to ship, then I got it for, and total, it was still under the Craftsman.

Never needed it, but for the five bucks it cost....

 

[ZRX61]

The front/center carb nut on a P&W 1340...

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Any of you guys use S-shaped wrenches? I have a set of them, have used the a couple times on starters and suspension work.

 

[Danglerb]

My half moon set is sitting beside me at my desk, and I have two S wrenches being shipped from Amazon. Not a clue what I will use them for.

I did make sure to get the sizes that should work with the GearWrench bit holder, and pass thru sockets.

 

[Vinko]

I've used S and Moon shaped wrenches on a '51 Buick. There was one section (I can't remember now it was a few years ago), where I absolutely needed a moon wrench to get to a certain space. Maybe a better mechanic wouldn't have, but I couldn't figure out another way I was disassembling the entire engine, piece by piece. And I had a hell of a lot of fun with it.

 

[Autoguy]

Used to reach bolts and nuts in awkward places around the engine

 

[rhandwor]

I have a couple but never used them. I can use a correct length extension long enough to get an air ratchet on a starter bolt. I could have the job done and drink a cup of coffee before you could get one bolt out with this wrench.
If you want some buy them at flea markets for a couple of dollars.
J Kent Moore makes a couple for doors but they don't look like these.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I have a couple but never used them. I can use a correct length extension long enough to get an air ratchet on a starter bolt. I could have the job done and drink a cup of coffee before you could get one bolt out with this wrench.

In some cases that might be true, but I've encountered an instance or two, where extensions, ratchets, air ratchets, whatever, would not come close. These are one of those wrenches that fall into the "you don't know you need it till you NEED it" tools, that will lay around for years till you use it once.

Charles

 

[rhandwor]

I have some but I purchased made in USA for a couple bucks. What I really need I will buy new but the rest I always look for used.
If he looked on ebay I'm sure he could get them cheap.

 

[Chris Adams]

I think I used one once or twice back in about 72, working on 50's Fords, starter and once, maybe a generator, not alternator.

Save your money.
You may need it for tools you will use.
I have some in metric but have never gotten them dirty

 

[Uncle Buck]

In some cases that might be true, but I've encountered an instance or two, where extensions, ratchets, air ratchets, whatever, would not come close. These are one of those wrenches that fall into the "you don't know you need it till you NEED it" tools, that will lay around for years till you use it once.

Charles

Yup, for sure. That is why I always buy goofy shaped wrenches I don't have used and cheap when possible. When that will not work it's HF

 

[Rickster]

I have a bunch of these in my toolbox. I pick them up whenever I see them. I don't believe I've ever used one but I figure if I ever need one I've got several to choose from!

 

[bgott]

The problem I would have with wrenches like those is that I have worked without them for 30 some- odd years, I would forget that I had them and just work around as usual.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I've seen a few places where only those or a jack-off wrench will work.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I've seen a few places where only those or a jack-off wrench will work.

What in the name of all that's holy is a "jack-off" wrench?

 

[nissan_crawler]

What in the name of all that's holy is a "jack-off" wrench?

http://http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=hand&item_ID=5020&group_ID=544&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Like that, except mine are homemade (one handle, multiple wrenches for the handle), don't ratchet, and the handle is clocked 90* from that one.

I have 1/4"-3/4" open and box end for a total of a $12 investment.

 

[Vinko]

. I pick them up whenever I see them.

Same here. I think I've got about 4 -- Hinsdale brand. $2 a piece. What the hell. At that price, why not?

 

[chevelle67]

I agree with Krusty, Shovelheads and I`m a steamfitter so I have used them on pipe flanges that are in implossible places. They are a life saver when needed.