ICON S-style wrenches. Are these useful.

[dnschmidt]

I was watching a Rainman Ray video and he said that he bought and liked the ICON S style wrenches. ARE THESE IN FACT USEFUL? They clearly look cool, I'm not asking that, but are there situations that these can get you out of that I'm unaware of? An example or two would be nice. Does the S-shape accomplish something that normal wrenches can't. I'm actually trying not to buy these as I'm a self-confessed tool junkie but if they are in fact useful well then I guess I've got to sonder on down to Harbor Freight and get me a metric set.

 

[KnurledNut]

You need the SBXM605.

 

[Bucko]

I figure it's one of those tools you don't realize you need it until you NEED it. There may be a few ways to get to a particular nut or bolt but it could be the easiest.

I too am a tool junkie but not a too snob that everything needs to say snap on and figure for some of those rare needs the cheaper version will work. With that being said the Pittsburg set is $17 vs $60 for the icon. You could get the SAE AND Metric for $34 and save $26, or blown it on other random **** while you are there. It is free flashlight weekeknd...hahaha

ETA: the snap on reference was not a dig at KnurledNut. I was cropping the coupon while he posted and beat me.

 

[Jswain]

I've had a set(different brand same thing) of the S, & the U...metric and standard of course...for at least 12 years, and I don't think I've used them yet.

I'm not a professional just a weekend warrior...but I think your money might be better off elsewhere, into other tools

 

[Fedwrench]

They can be useful. Just like the old school starter, half moon, or obstruction wrenches were back in the day depending on what you work on. I can't give you a recent specific example using them and mine have a layer of dust on them.
Unlike a stubby wrench, the S or U shaped wrench allows you to generate more torque in a tighter arc or space. However, you can usually attack the fastener with something else like swivel sockets, crowfoot, flex head ratcheting wrench, wobble extensions, etc.
I'm surprised you're hesitating on these Denny. I'm sure they would make a nice addition to your mammoth wrench assortment. Notice, I didn't say they would complete it. The idea of one having all the wrenches they would ever need doesn't seem possible to me.

 

[ecotec]

I have about twenty obstruction wrenches, and I have only used one of them.

 

[Mr_B]

Obstruction wrenches is what they are, can be useful at times to get on a bolt on a flange where a direct path is minimal and either can't get on it or got no swing space before wrench body hitting .
Ideal item buy when next get a good coupon deal .
Toptul do the half moon C style but I tend find S style potentially more useful but it rare scenarios to truly need them ...

 

[DrinkMan]

As stated above, you only need them when you NEED them. I use one about once every 2 years. 2 examples - getting the lower nut on the 4th exhaust port on the Alfa NORD engine to tighten/loosen it. But I could also use a cheap combo wrench that I torched and bent a little and hit it with the grinder to get it to work. The other example was the upper bolt on the driver's side rear brake caliper on a W108 Mercedes when I had some stuff in wheel well blocking easy reach. I could have just moved that stuff but didn't want to disturb what I was doing. I've also used them on starter bolts.

 

[Wrench97]

Useful- yes, but having half moon, S style, offset open end and angle open end I can say I rarely use them maybe once or twice a month do I find a use for one of the styles. I also have a collection of shop bent/modified wrenches that usually only got used for one purpose and when those vehicles moved out of the fleet the tools became unused......................

 

[ecotec]

Useful- yes, but having half moon, S style, offset open end and angle open end I can say I rarely use them maybe once or twice a month do I find a use for one of the styles. I also have a collection of shop bent/modified wrenches that usually only got used for one purpose and when those vehicles moved out of the fleet the tools became unused......................

I have a lot of custom bent or thinned out wrenches. I do not remember what the majority of them are even for.

 

[isb cornbinder]

It is more than obvious, to me, that you do not need these "S" wrenches.
I am a retired mechanic. I worked in a shop where all of the engines were Cummins "C" and Detroit 6V92. My "S" wrenches are MAC. There were very few situations that required an "S" wrench. Since I expected my tools to be reliable and help me earn a living, I bought MAC.
If you are buying tools to fill a space, the real bragging rights come from having SnapOn or MAC.
The only times I bought those import brands was for cutting up and making a specialty tool. I often put these imported tools in my milling machine and removed to identifying COO.

 

[four.cycle]

@dnschmidt -

you might want to consider this EZRED unit as an alternative.

 

[mhejl]

Most common example I have is the forward 13mm carb nuts on porsche/VW boxer engines. I have a SO set from the '80s I bought specifically for that application when I was a mechanic and I've used them in a number of other instances on manifold bolts, primarily. I bought a 10 and 15mm ratcheting GearWrench specifically for Miata manifold bolts (bottom of intake 10mm and exhaust 15mm).

I also have a full set of MAC half-moon. I find the "S" wrenches more useful and really like the ratcheting over fixed box end - but sometimes the larger head won't fit.

 

[M635_Guy]

They can be useful. Just like the old school starter, half moon, or obstruction wrenches were back in the day depending on what you work on. I can't give you a recent specific example using them and mine have a layer of dust on them.
Unlike a stubby wrench, the S or U shaped wrench allows you to generate more torque in a tighter arc or space. However, you can usually attack the fastener with something else like swivel sockets, crowfoot, flex head ratcheting wrench, wobble extensions, etc.
I'm surprised you're hesitating on these Denny. I'm sure they would make a nice addition to your mammoth wrench assortment. Notice, I didn't say they would complete it. The idea of one having all the wrenches they would ever need doesn't seem possible to me.

The top bolt on starters on my old BMW's was the only thing I could come up with where it might come in handy, but I've always figured it out. It really is a PITA though. On my car, it requires the removal of the (large metal) air intake manifold to get to the still-awkwardly-placed starter.

I laughed as I did the starter on my mom's Toyota in about 20 minutes, and only that long because it was the first time I'd done it and I was watching a YT video on the process at the time. I'd probably be able to get it well under 10 minutes if I did it a couple more times. Zero challenging things to get to.

 

[mark-NJ]

I inherited my grandfathers tools 40 years ago, and some S wrenches were included. For the last decade or so I've needed one or 2 for wrenching on '50s-era outboard motors, but beyond that, I've never had a need. Even at that, had a removed some other componentry, I wouldn't have needed them at all.

If you've come "this far" without needing S wrenches, I'm betting you don't need them at all.

 

[mrvm]

Have GearWrench Metric/SAE ratcheting "S" or half moon obstruction wrenches that look cool in the tool box. Can't recall when I ever used them or needed them.

 

[unslow1]

I have some misc ones. It's very rare that they get used. Personally that's the kind of thing to pick up at a garage sale or pawn shop.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I have about twenty obstruction wrenches, and I have only used one of them.

This is my experience with the funky shaped wrenches. I do oil changes with them from time to time when I first buy them.

With a torch, you can make bendy wrenches as required. I have moon wrenches, no S wrenches.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Most common example I have is the forward 13mm carb nuts on porsch/VW boxer engines. I have a SO set from the '80s I bought specifically for that application when I was a mechanic and I've used them in a number of other instances on manifold bolts, primarily. I bought a 10 and 15mm ratcheting GearWrench specifically for Miata manifold bolts (bottom of intake 10mm and exhaust 15mm).

I also have a full set of MAC half-moon. I find the "S" wrenches more useful and really like the ratcheting over fixed box end - but sometimes the larger head won't fit.

Would that be a Porsche?

 

[DAustin]

I bought one S wrench for working on my old VW Bugs it was from Snap on and was a 13x14mm wrench. I think back in the day you could get them off the Mac truck also.

 

[Woods_Wanderer]

I've only ever truly needed one for installing a car door. At the time, I would have very happily paid a premium for the ratcheting version - but I've never needed one since.

 

[4lug39]

^^^What Wanderer said. That is the only appliacation I can think of that I have needed anything like that. All I ever did was cut up old wrenches to the shape or angle I needed. I have had a few times where I have needed and used an obstruction wrench, starters, intake manifolds and some clutchs. I bought this thinking it might come in handy. I just spent half an hour digging for it so it has not been very handy.

 

[Coach James]

I used one to replace the EGR valve on a Dodge minivan. A U shaped wrench would have worked also.
Coach

 

[Dig Doug]

I have a set of the Icon’s. I use it for checking bolts on my can am sxs ( it’s glorified gold cart - 35inch tires & does 90 mph) we do a lot of multi day long distance rides. We just finished a 500 mile ride in 4 days In Arizona.

some of the suspension bolts are tucked up and easier to get to with the S wrench. My mechanic buddy said to get em, so I got em….


they look great in the tool box also.