L handles. (Ell handles)
- Thread starter ganymede
- Start date
kythri
Well-known member
I'd like one or two for my collection, but in most cases, I don't see the benefit, over a ratchet or a breaker.
I'm sure there's one-off applications where such a thing would fit better than a ratchet or a wrench, but overall, it seems like it's something that's past it's prime, effectiveness-wise.
I'm sure there's one-off applications where such a thing would fit better than a ratchet or a wrench, but overall, it seems like it's something that's past it's prime, effectiveness-wise.
Last edited:
jakemac
Well-known member
Most of the ones that were included in sets were lost, put aside to rust, or scrapped. You just don't see them at sales or flea markets. I've only been able to find 1, and that was on ebay. They're like the T-bar that is used in the hole at the end of a breaker bar, a forgotten tool that most people can't identify and is easily tossed.
jakemac
Well-known member
Same here.
Cman offered them in sets of 3/8, 1/2, and possibly 3/4 (but I'm not sure). I don't think Craftsman offered an ell in 1/4".
Cman offered them in sets of 3/8, 1/2, and possibly 3/4 (but I'm not sure). I don't think Craftsman offered an ell in 1/4".
Last edited:
I have a craftsman "set" in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2. Don't ask me where I got them or to purchase them. They belonged to a now deceased family member. In the old craftsman catalogs they are listed as a spark plug accessory. 
EDIT, I had to go look. Mine look similar to the OP's but have one - on each side of the craftsman instead of =. No other numbers or the like. Mine also seem to have a different almost smoother surface finish.
EDIT, I had to go look. Mine look similar to the OP's but have one - on each side of the craftsman instead of =. No other numbers or the like. Mine also seem to have a different almost smoother surface finish.
Last edited:
Wakefield
Well-known member
Wright Bull Bar in 3/4" drive--modern ell handle?
Nice!I have a craftsman "set" in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2. Don't ask me where I got them or to purchase them. They belonged to a now deceased family member. In the old craftsman catalogs they are listed as a spark plug accessory.
EDIT, I had to go look. Mine look similar to the OP's but have one - on each side of the craftsman instead of =. No other numbers or the like. Mine also seem to have a different almost smoother surface finish.
I think mine is from the 50's though it doesn't have a series code . Sounds like yours are older .
That's more like a sliding t- handle. Looks beastly. I like that it has knurling on one end too.
Dave455
Well-known member
These were always the cheapest handle to make, but a Sliding T is a much better option and hardly any more money, so I suppose that's why they died out?
Here in the U.K. the cheapest socket set in any manufacturers range was typically a few sockets in a metal tray with an L handle across the top. I have one of these that I leave with my lathe. Fine for that!
Here in the U.K. the cheapest socket set in any manufacturers range was typically a few sockets in a metal tray with an L handle across the top. I have one of these that I leave with my lathe. Fine for that!
toolmaven
Well-known member
I find the 3/8" ell handle quite useful when assembling "slotted steel" into shelves and fixtures. I doesn't flop like a flex handle nor spin/shift like a sliding-tee. The offset is enough to reach over the smaller side of unequal angle steel with a regular socket, and the wider side with a deep. I don't use the tool at all on cars. Pretty much exclusively for the "far side" of the work when using through-bolt construction. The 1/2" one I've used for bolting 4 x 4s in deck framing, much for the socket-is-exactly-where-you-put-it design. I've never seen a Craftsman 1/4" inch. I think the Germans still make 3/8" and 1/2". I have at least 2 each of the 3/8" and 1/2" Craftsmans, a longer black-finish 1/2" NOS Proto (was used for the deck job) and a 3/4", also a Proto, maybe, that I've never used, but would fit in a 1" nominal pipe nicely for torque abuse.
Fretters
Well-known member
I occasionally use one. There are certain jobs where they just fit the bill perfectly. No moving parts or excess weight, and they're quite compact, so they do occasionally seem to be the perfect choice for the task at hand.
I was looking at these recently (this topic came up too). Got a couple 1/2 x 9 inch single ended L handles by Urrea (nice size for compactness, saw some variation in handle lengths for both 1/2" here and 3/4 drives elsewhere), and also ordered the KT Pro Tools 1/2" double-ended 90 degree L, in addition to a 75/105 degree with their Bust-a-Bolt set, each of those are indented with marks for an adjustable handle which extends them to 4 positions (similar to one by Toptul without the indents, and there are a few sold as wheel nut wrenches in Europe). A socket extension could also work for an additional handle on double ended ones. Only single ended handles look to be made in 3/4 or 1" drives (or actually one 3/4 double is scarcely available). There are a couple 3/8" single or double ended ones around (Gedore & Genius). The only 1/4" one I've seen is a two ended hybrid T handle by Motion Pro (other than a standard type by Crossman, who seem to be looking for distributors). There's also a hinged handle by Facom that says it's a driver or locking L.
And that's all I know about L-handles. I'll probably use adapters with 1/2 inch to go smaller, since a matching set is practically out of the question. Mostly other things show up in a search for those, so you never know what's buried in such a virtual junk drawer. Even the name is inconsistent, some call them "ell", what else? Leverage handle. Angle handle? Oh yeah (Honiton, a household name) there's another foreign one in 1/4 inch... shipped within India only (relocating for a toolset).
That or they're at an antique shop? Found some alloy artifact pictures from the 1930s ("offset" handle is another name there).
1/4-Drive Obstruction Offset Handle
3/8-Drive Offset (Ell) Handle
1/2-Drive Fixed-Head Ell (Offset) Handle
Apparently just about everyone wants a ratchet with that shape (or a beam type torque wrench).
Last edited:
Trying one out, I like those older designs, or the newer extendable handle best, from the looks of them. This thing is a handle after all, so it should be large enough for a good grip on that end. The 1/2 inch Urrea isn't too bad, a little less than 1/2" on the knurled end though. Wouldn't want to go any smaller that way. I tested its torque, and get between 50-70 foot pounds out of the 9 inch handle, when I'm pushing down one-handed over a bench top (not quite hard enough to hurt myself). The 18 inch breaker bar I tried was around double the torque with a larger handle, so relatively similar, just more comfortable there. I'd more likely use the smaller handles to hold one end of something, but could get two hands on those anyway.
Last edited:
After 30+ years of all sorts of sales, I found one 1/2 ell. It's a Penens.
A quick look at the Plomb catalogs, ells were available in 1/2 and 3/4. They were not offered with sets, because sets included hinge handles. I expect they didn't sell many.
A quick look at the Plomb catalogs, ells were available in 1/2 and 3/4. They were not offered with sets, because sets included hinge handles. I expect they didn't sell many.
In the 1930s those were in socket sets for whatever reason (now sets including one are mostly, if not wholely, wheel specific, I can see how maybe any ratchet would rust in the trunk like one of my budget torque wrenches, I've since put a ratchet adapter with that and keep it in a dry place; could have restored it perhaps, but the other part serves as an extension that's also bigger around to manipulate, so it's a little better, like how modern L-handles are extended there). I guess the 105 degree ell is most effective on wheels then (or better at clearing obstructions).
Speaking of alternative handles, I've also found that a deep socket is much easier to position on lugs for a good hand hold, whether or not you'd need one depth wise (the standard socket was getting stuck on there at times). Little differences can help more than a little, and these aren't the only handles I'd want to use on my wheels. The speeder type works wonderfully on a scissor jack, and I'll have to try that spinning T-handle I picked up for most of the lug turning next time (in the process of having the wheels refinished one at a time, so I've been refining my technique).
Speaking of alternative handles, I've also found that a deep socket is much easier to position on lugs for a good hand hold, whether or not you'd need one depth wise (the standard socket was getting stuck on there at times). Little differences can help more than a little, and these aren't the only handles I'd want to use on my wheels. The speeder type works wonderfully on a scissor jack, and I'll have to try that spinning T-handle I picked up for most of the lug turning next time (in the process of having the wheels refinished one at a time, so I've been refining my technique).
Last edited:
four.cycle
Well-known member
jakemac said:
^ I think jakemac nailed it right there.
Looking at the piece, it has "knuckle skinner" written all over it. I'm not at all surprised that most of them went by the wayside.
I belive I actually bought one on Ebay - an Indestro - but cannot recall if it's 3/8" or 1/2" drive, although I'm more inclined to think it was a 1/2" - if I do have one it's lost in the morass that is called "the garage".
I've never seen one in any 1/4" kit - only the "hex" type that came with the hex drive socket sets.
Oregon rock crusher
Well-known member
This ones a little heavier than what we're talking here but I think the principal of function applies. When the battle gets hot with blue flame and long cheaters this 1" L-Handle has been a go to tool for 40+ years. It's forged from 1-1/2" hardened bar necked down to the 1" anvil. It will take abuse that would murder the Williams breaker bar beside it. That or slugger wrenches...if you have the right size and can get the BFH on them. These tools don't live in a warm box with the good tools, rather lucky to find a spot in the damp lower compartment of a tool truck, but when called on....still undefeated. Ed.
dutchgray
Well-known member
Koken makes some nice ones.
I bought a single ended 1/2" for use as wheel brace in the van as the standard tool is never really long enough.
View media item 58972Shown with the Koken zeal set which is lovely.
I bought a single ended 1/2" for use as wheel brace in the van as the standard tool is never really long enough.
View media item 58972Shown with the Koken zeal set which is lovely.
Last edited:
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Yup. And definitely not easy to find. I've seen a fair amount of single-ended L-handles at flea markets over the years, but I pass them up because they are usually too old (1920's or 1930's) for my collection niche (wartime), and because the single-ended L-handle does not meet the wartime GMTK specs.
Here is what it looked like in the wartime manuals.
Here is the nomenclature.
"HANDLE, socket wrench, offset, double-end, 1-3/4" x 6-3/4", 1/2" square drive"
In reverse, that would be a "Double-end offset socket wrench handle."
I have always thought of the double-ended handles as a combination of a T-handle and an L- or Ell-handle. If you use the short end, and hold the long end, it's exactly like using a classic L-handle. But if you turn it upright and use the long end, holding the short end, it's more like using a classic T-handle (less one side of the top cross-piece).
Duro and Hinsdale actually mfgred double-end offset wrenches they both called "L-T Handles" in the 1930's. They had a sheath that you would slide onto either shank when you wanted to hold it as a T or an L handle.
Here is the Duro...
And here is the Hinsdale...
Whatever you want to call them, double-end offset, doubled-end L, or T-L, they are one of the hardest tools in the GMTK to find.
Known manufacturers include APCO Mossberg, Armstrong, and OTC.
I am partial to the APCO-Mossberg. Here is one.
Here is another one in one of my most recent GMTKs. (The entire 1/2-inch square drive set was Snap-On with 3, E, or G date codes. But they didn’t make one of these handles as far as I know.)
Here it is in the top tray (partially obscure by the flashlight) of the same GMTK.
Here is another one in the top tray of an earlier GMTK.
I'm pretty sure my comrade-in-arms, User name already in use, will not mind me sharing these.
Here is his Armstrong...
And here is his OTC...
Great topic, ganymede.
Last edited:
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Thanks for your appreciation.
(It's funny - I've put four GMTK's together - and I just noticed for the first time in replying to your thread that in every single one of them I have placed the L-handle in the top tray, not down in the jumble of the main compartment, for the photo shoot. That pattern suggests that it must be subconsciously special to me!
) If you've never seen the entire presentation of my last one, here is a link: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=294074
Oregon rock crusher
Well-known member
Lug, that kit is really cool. No expert here but I don't think I've seen a better military style set. Ed.
InkedForLife
Active member
fanders
Well-known member
Britool made L-handles, in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" sizes; I have 1/4" and 1/2" which I like using - the 1/4" handle is useful for aircraft work, for holding sockets in confined spaces:
View media item 58504
View media item 58503
View media item 58504
View media item 58503
Definitely, I was thinking a short double-drive piece or L-shaped adapter could be functional, as part of something else. The one inch ells are all pretty long now, whereas that one looks shorter. I guess the double 3/8" are somewhat short, and could adapt a 1" extension for a substantial handle. Just a thought, well I think 1-1/4" is more like the ideal sized handle for me (got a Titan wrench that big around on the end, it's just a bit large over all for adapting to smaller things). Guess I'm weird that way, in thinking hand tools should have a handle on them (something palm sized even if they're micro drive). Perhaps it applies more to turning things (found a door knob sized palm ratchet the other day). I don't know it's kind of funny, you'd think a 1.25 inch drive square was huge, but as a handle diameter it's nothing out of the ordinary (where those are applied). My half-inch socket spinner has that size handle too. Add an L-shaped adapter there and it would be a little more functional. Seems like half-inch spinners are even less common than ells, except I doubt there are any L-adapters. Actually, there's an offset drive adapter, well no, that makes a Z-handle. Might try that though... zee, yeah "offset" is a more general term then, isn't it (and where's the rest of the alphabet)? Let's see, T, ... could call this a J-handle (just hold it underhanded, sure, the offset adapter could invert it from overhanded too, except they made the connection sideways, hmm I'll sidestep that).
Speaking of down under though, here's an AussieL with the artifactualized handle (Sidchrome).
Couple more UK tools, Draper extending Offset & Flex handles, 3/4 drive.
Last edited:
insulated breaker barI take it ells are more popular over there, the Proto Expert line doesn't include an L.
Here's another one, Britool Expert E032714 1/2″ Drive Angled Breaker Bar 400mm.
Guess it's all Stanley.
dutchgray
Well-known member
I guess that expert L is probably intended as a wheel wrench.
Notice the tools only say Expert, the only Britool branding is on the package, its a sad end for what was one of the best tool makers we ever had. They should have just killed the brand IMO.
Notice the tools only say Expert, the only Britool branding is on the package, its a sad end for what was one of the best tool makers we ever had. They should have just killed the brand IMO.
Just saw a budget extendable L-handle at AutoZone (so they are around here), and next to it was the Powerbuilt "Billy Club", a sliding T-handle with hollow 1-1/2 inch diameter aluminum handles on each end that can hold a deep socket (they total half its length).
Like Wakefield said, I think the Wright "Bull Bar" is a similar concept (and looks to be between a T and L handle), which uses set screws to lock the slider at the end or in the middle, or it could be further equipped with two heads/horns (and the billy club has grooves, but will still turn, only not slide when locked).
Like Wakefield said, I think the Wright "Bull Bar" is a similar concept (and looks to be between a T and L handle), which uses set screws to lock the slider at the end or in the middle, or it could be further equipped with two heads/horns (and the billy club has grooves, but will still turn, only not slide when locked).
Last edited:
That's cool, and I can tell you all where to find a couple of similar sets, since they popped up out of the blue.
Socket Set 1/2 3/8 1/4 Wrench L Type Handle
Socket Wrench Extension Sets (sold together or somewhat separately for each size/type)
I guess they come and go, it only took me around a year of looking, now and then, to find what would be the three most common sizes. Not to say I'd have come across the set at local stores or garage sales in however many years, or really had to. It was just hard to believe that these were adopted by the culture of India (since 1970, or some such thing), end of story.
Or it could be an international game of keep away (I'm beginning to wonder), but judging by what Ace Hardware sells in Indonesia, which would be any and every thing they can, above and beyond what they offer in the USA, I'd say it simply can't be done, in such a traditional way as where the tool originated.
Last edited:
mbshop
Well-known member
Wow, I want one or two. Don't need them but want.
Yeah, well I was thinking lately that a variety of hand tools could at least be useful for working on body mechanics and coordination, even if I didn't technically need them all for typical tasks otherwise. The different sizes, weights, shapes, and directions of movement between them could be great for my idea of becoming more ambidextrous (with my other brain). Part of me must need them, I'd like to think (or make the most of those, either way).
Last edited: