Obstruction and Half-Moon Wrenches- How often do you use 'em?

[CoogarXR]

Well, I am slowly filling out my wrench drawer. I got my crows-foot wrenches last week, and I just (with the help of you guys in This thread) found a deal on some offset wrenches. Now I am thinking about obstruction wrenches (S shaped) and the half-moon (C shaped) wrenches. I try to only buy stuff that I have had a need for. I was working on an 80s Toyota product a while back where a half-moon would have made my life easier. But that was the only time I wished I had one.

But my question to you mechanics- how often do you use obstruction/half-moon wrenches? Are they more of a gimmick-tool, or do you find yourself using them often?

 

[Corndoggeh]

I never realized why anyone would needed to buy half moon wrenches for years until i actually needed one for an intake manifold. HF suffices for anything nonprofessional but id probably sink more cash into a set if i used them for a living like proto.

 

[bcradio]

Not ever even once. I have full sets of S and half-moon wrenches in both SAE and Metric, but have never even come close to needing one ever.

I would say one of the bigger useless tool purchases I have made to date.

 

[ecotec]

I have one Proto Los Angeles 5/8 x 9/16 half moon obstruction wrench. I have never used it. I think I paid a quarter for it.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

"half moon" type -- never, I don't own any.

many other forms of "obstruction wrenches" (crow foot, cut / bent / welded wrenches) -- very often working around / in between hydraulic lines / components mostly. I have a decent sized drawer full of the homemade ones I've collected over the years, and most do get used much more than just once.

 

[chris142]

I bought one to use on the PT pump on my Cummins. Have not used it since and sold that truck 4 years ago.

 

[KM223]

Great for around bell housings, drive shafts, starter motors etc. other than that I don't use them for a whole lot.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Used to be useful changing out starting motors (which was a common repair) on many vehicles.
I've had to bend/cut/grind/weld other wrenches several times. Never seem to need them again.

If it makes you feel better you can use them where no obstruction exists.

 

[DTE]

I have one Proto Los Angeles 5/8 x 9/16 half moon obstruction wrench. I have never used it. I think I paid a quarter for it.

That would be the go to wrench for changing a V - 8 Chrysler starter. Probably not to many guys changing those today.

 

[firworks]

I picked up a set of Sunex half moon wrenches for a steal on Amazon Warehouse Deals. If I never need them it was 14$ wasted but if they ever come in handy once they'll have easily paid for themselves.

 

[enrare]

I bought one to use on the PT pump on my Cummins. Have not used it since and sold that truck 4 years ago.

What year truck? Was it the P 7100 pump you where referring to?

 

[Tuc04]

OP I was in your same boat and this is what I did.

I bought some torque adapters and some socket adapters (like Proto JHAM4S). The torque adapters are around 3 inches long and with the socket adapter I can chain 2 together to make a half moon or S or whatever.

The torque adapters have the added benefit of being useful when torquing hard to reach bolts. Depending on the angle you use them you may need to adjust the torque reading for the added length.

 

[Art From De Leon]

I have a couple of MAC "MicroTurn" curved wrenches that were great for removing the PT fuel pump on "N" and "L" series Cummins engines.

 

[M6erfan]

I have all of ONE obstruction wrench. Used it once many years ago to replace a starter on S38 BMW motor. Not sure where it is...

 

[Super Sport]

I have 3 different half moon wrenches. All came out of sets I was parting out so all were basically free. I might have actually paid money for one, just to have it on hand. I've never used any of them.

I did buy some metric GW ratcheting S-wrenches. They were posted in the hot deals section, but I can't remember for how much. Again, I have yet to use them.

My wrench drawers are full of "I might need it one day" wrenches that I'll likely never actually need. Better to have than have not!

 

[Cope]

Years ago I used a couple on starter bolts. Now days the starter is buried and you likely need a long extension to get to the bolts. I picked up a couple of Snap-on with peeling chrome and my dealer warrantied them. Never been used.

 

[ckblum]

I've used mine quite a bit on Komatsu and Cat equipment. Only really the 16 or 17 I think and the 9/16, 5/8 and 3/4. No way in hell would I pay what Snap-On wanted for a set, what a joke. Bougt mine dirt cheap on sale as well, not used often but used them enough and shared with the other guys in the shop that it's been worth the money for sure.

 

[johninct]

Hardly ever but when you need it, you really need it.

 

[Tim37]

It's one of those tools that you rarely use but make life so much easier when you do need one.

 

[rsanter]

Very rare. If you need one then buy the one you need.
I only have a couple of them and still don't use them much but when you need them you need them.
I think a ratcheting obstruction wrench would be better if you have the space

Bob

 

[gdocktor3]

Not ever even once. I have full sets of S and half-moon wrenches in both SAE and Metric, but have never even come close to needing one ever.

I would say one of the bigger useless tool purchases I have made to date.

Me too. Along with crowsfoot wrenches lol. I've used them just to use them, but haven't actually needed them.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I have a set that I got in an auction deal with a bunch of tools, nope, never used them yet. But If I need them I got them.

 

[sberry]

Very rare,

 

[bobcatdan]

I have half moons and while I have seen me use them, not enough to really justify. Thing I have found is you get one snaked in and there isn't enough leverage to do anything. Get torque adapters, 100,000 times more handy.

 

[dutchgray]

Almost never, maybe I have used a C shape twice. I have a few but they have been bought used for cheap apart from a Hazet that Amazon was giving away. I wouldn't buy a new set.

 

[toolmutt]

I found both sae and metric Gearwrench half moon sets for a great clearance price several years ago. I thought, "Those might come in handy someday." Still haven't yet. I'm considering selling them to clear up some drawer space.

 

[royesses]

I used them a lot working on CAT engines in 18 wheelers. 1693 water pump inner bolt to oil cooler, brakesaver oil coolers starters and some odball stuff. They are not used every day but when needed they can save time on a job.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I have a Snap-On 9/16" and 5/8" half moon. I got it to use for starters on older John Deere tractors. Mainly for starters. But I haven't used it because the only starters I've had to replace have 9/16" bolts and John Deere makes a special starter wrench you can get for about $20 that works better.


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[sberry]

I make those, have a couple. I was on the road a while back and had to remove 1 without it and about half a tool set. Took me about 20 minutes but I got it.

 

[R W]

It pays to have them because situations can occur where they will make things easier
and save time.
Certain machines tractors cars trucks etc usually have a hard to get bolt somewhere.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

"half moon" type -- never, I don't own any.

many other forms of "obstruction wrenches" (crow foot, cut / bent / welded wrenches) -- very often working around / in between hydraulic lines / components mostly. I have a decent sized drawer full of the homemade ones I've collected over the years, and most do get used much more than just once.

Yep, I make mine as needed.

Most of the time, crowfoot/flare-nut crowfoot do just fine. Add a set of snap-on right angle adapters and you can get to most anything. I buy a HF wrench set from time to time to make custom wrenches out of, as the price is right for rarely used specialty wrenches.


FWIW: many people have told me their (Insert header on engine of X-brand) require obstruction wrenches. I have yet to meet one that a universal, crowsfoot, or standard wrench could not remove.

 

[brooksdr]

I have 2. I have seen times where you can use them, but I have never had a time that without a obstruction wrench it couldn't be done another way. Not saying that couldn't happen. I just haven't ran into it.

 

[R_einan]

Have 7/16"-5/8" half moons, found them useful for starters and header bolts, not required by any means, as there are plenty of other solutions. But they are quicker and easier that some of the other solutions. Not bad to have if you get them for a good price, but retail off the truck... Probably not a necessity.

 

[toolaholic]

I have metric falcons in half moon with the exception of a 19x22 is a Elora. The same half moons are a mix of craftsman and mac. Used a 15mm facom once doing rear sway bar bushings in my Dakota R/T. And I could of used something else instead.

 

[619DioFan]

I have just one, the craftsman starter / obstruction wrench that most everyone probably got back in the day. can't remember the last time I used it. that said... I have considered picking up a set of half moons in metric and sae. why ? because of the sickness that comes along with being a member here . the sickness that says " you don't have them but they are out there so you must need them "

 

[owdlvr]

Very rarely need my S-Bend wrenches. But wow, when you need one...you REALLY need one. While my regular wrenches are a professional series, I just bought Princess Auto (HF) S-Bend wrenches. For the rare occasion I use them, I don't need expensive ones.

Turns out, though, that I'll be buying two or three 11mm, 12mm and 13mm versions as I use them quite often on the beetles for carbs and intakes. Need to add them to the mobile tool bag each beetle carries.

-D

 

[CutterFarms]

I have the s shaped wrenches just needed the metric set for VP on my Cummins and use the sae for starters on JD tractors. If I came across a good deal I would buy half moon wrenches also. I would rather have them just incase than really need them and not have them.

 

[crewchief888]

I have a Snap-On 9/16" and 5/8" half moon. I got it to use for starters on older John Deere tractors. Mainly for starters. But I haven't used it because the only starters I've had to replace have 9/16" bolts and John Deere makes a special starter wrench you can get for about $20 that works better.


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i have snapon's version of the JD starter wrench. JD has 2 types, one for RH side starters and one for LH starters. SO version is double ended.
i have one 1/2 moon wrench that i modified for one particular job...

 

[lazer50]

I have a full set of mac "half moon"just for detroit diesel water pumps.i bought back i n the 90s and used then.havent used since lol!

 

[geartow]

i have both the half moon and s shaped wrenches .sea and metric , they are sunex brand that were around all four sets for $75