L handles. (Ell handles)

[JradM]

This is one tool for which I have difficulty imagining the use-case.

At first I was thinking: "well, I suppose it could be stronger than a breaker bar so perhaps there's some use there?" But then I realized, why not a sliding T-handle? That would avoid the issue with the force being limited to the pin size in a breaker (if that's even an issue).

Clearance problem? We have low-profile and bit ratchets.

Fast spinning? T-handles - or roto ratchets for that matter.

Nostalgia is all I'm coming up with.

 

[Wakefield]

Not an "ell handle" but a "hinge handle" (modern breaker bar) HJE-Epstein's (Jori) has some new Wright ones come in --I think the 18" long 1/2" drive with the knurled handle --get 'em while they're hot?! 4435WR I think
"hinge handle" and "ell handle" seem to be old fashioned names,hinge handle is now sometimes called "flex handle" but almost everyone just calls them breaker bars

persuader?

 

[dscheidt]

Tekton have started selling 1/2 and 3/8 drive L handles. Dual-drive wobble L handles, because it's the 21st century.

https://www.tekton.com/hand-drive-sockets/wobble-l-handles

 

[F-22]

The wobble drive makes some sense. It allows you to use it as a modern allen wrench (except it's just a square so I guess not as smooth to turn as the hexagon).

 

[dscheidt]

The wobble drive makes some sense. It allows you to use it as a modern allen wrench (except it's just a square so I guess not as smooth to turn as the hexagon).

I bought a set. They're nicely made, beautiful finish, nice knurling. They'll look good in the toolbox they're never going to leave.

Though, thinking about it, there are some square drive drain plugs that have bad access, and a wobble to spin it out could make it easier. (of course, so does a power tool....)

 

[Oldsmobile]

My sister is hands-on, and likes to do things for herself. There's something about a ratchet that just doesn't, um, click for her and she gets frustrated by them. I hooked her up with breaker bars and ell handles and she vastly prefers their simplicity. They always move the fastener in a predictable direction--the way you turn the handle. And I can appreciate them for that reason.

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

The 3/4" drive sets they used to buy at work came with an L. I find them to be cheater pipe friendly.

 

[teagueo]

L handles are used throughout most of the world instead of ratchets. They're nice because there's only one connection point that introduces play or wobble. Usually strong AF.

This one got mangled after only a few uses though (160-230 ft-lbs).

 

[bonneyman]

I bought a set. They're nicely made, beautiful finish, nice knurling. They'll look good in the toolbox they're never going to leave.

Though, thinking about it, there are some square drive drain plugs that have bad access, and a wobble to spin it out could make it easier. (of course, so does a power tool....)

 

[bonneyman]

This one got mangled after only a few uses though (160-230 ft-lbs).

Damn, teague!

Did your titanium ratchet do that? if so, I'll take one!

 

[teagueo]

Damn, teague!

Did your titanium ratchet do that? if so, I'll take one!

That's out of the 1/4" Ti ratchets weight class lol.

It lost the fight against a 55 mm rear axle nut on my Ducati. Left the ball detent looking like a Salvador Dali painting...

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a 1/2” drive Craftsman =v= ell handle. It seems unusual to me because most =v= marked tools don’t have part numbers.
-Don

 

[Nutria]

Worth a watch on many levels:

 

[3baygarage]

That’s probably the third time I’ve seen that video. Had to watch it again though. Pretty cool. I wonder if those boys get paid by the piece.

Safety? I was glad to see glasses at what looked like a wire wheel closer to the end. Definitely looks like a few pieces of fast moving equipment could use some type of guards.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

Anyone ever try an L-handle with a Crowfoot socket for plumbing work, like removing fittings from supply lines? Basin wrench type work?

 

[d42jeep]

The first Thorsen ell that I have ever seen arrived in the mail today. Until I saw it in the eBay listing I had no idea that they even existed.
Here are some ells from my WW2 sets.
Armstrong cad plated ell
The rest are Mossberg.
Some Duro-Chrome ells
-Don

 

[Hal]

Worth a watch on many levels:

If you wonder where all that production goes, watch Pakistani Truck, and similar videos, on You Tube. I guess that those wrenches are pretty popular in the Far East.

 

[four.cycle]

^ If clearance isn't an issue, why not?

NO idea who made it, but there appears to be a 1/4" drive "ell" handle in this mish-mash of a Walden kit currently listed on ebay.

 

[bonneyman]

Here is a 1/2” drive Craftsman =v= ell handle. It seems unusual to me because most =v= marked tools don’t have part numbers.
-Don

I think I have a 3/8" Craftsman ell like that somewhere.

 

[d42jeep]

Some Plomb and possible Plomb. Here is the unmarked possible Plomb.
Genuine Plomb
Unicorn Plomb. Two have been found and I don’t own either of them.
-Don

 

[dscheidt]

I bought a set. They're nicely made, beautiful finish, nice knurling. They'll look good in the toolbox they're never going to leave.

Though, thinking about it, there are some square drive drain plugs that have bad access, and a wobble to spin it out could make it easier. (of course, so does a power tool....)

I actually used the 3/8 recently, I was installing 3/8 wedge anchors, the nut spins on and then it takes 1/2 turn with a wrench to bring it to tight (spec is 25 foot-lbs, not much). the hangers they hold up gets in the way of a wrench, and a deep socket on the L was perfect, and the short length means you need to put a little effort in it, and aren't likely to way over tighten.