P&C Speed Wrench

[AZ_Catskinner]

I went on a tour of the flea market today, didn't find much overly exciting aside from a P&C #6215 ½" drive speed wrench. I paid a whole whopping dollar for it, and it's in good shape - no markings, no rust and the chrome is still nice and shiny.

I'm curious if some of the collector types can help me out and give me some idea what this thing might be worth?

Okay, let's try this again.......

 

[senlow]

All I see are the dreaded red X.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

That one work?

 

[Thumper]

Nope...try again.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Okay.....I think it might be time to buy a real camera.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Okay, I think it works now!

 

[Danglerb]

Looks like its worth a dollar, nice buy.

 

[MaximRecoil]

Do people still use those type of wrenches for anything, aside from collecting? I've noticed that they are still easy to find/buy new, but what are they normally used for? I've hung around a lot of garages in my time (my father worked at one when I was a teenager, and I've been friends with several mechanics) and I've only ever seen someone use one of those speed wrenches one time, on lug nuts, and that was only because something was on the fritz and he couldn't use the air impact wrench.

They remind me of those old manual hand drills, which have also become nearly obsolete due to electric and/or air tools. My father had one of those when I was a kid. I liked to play with it, but I never once saw him use it (not much of a point when you have a drill press and a handheld electric drill).

 

[oldjacks]

I have used them on a number of occasions like on pan bolts to run them all in quickly. Other than that they are a drag on the used market. They are everywhere anyone who has tools for sale at a swapmeet has those dam things for sale.

The best one of these if I am not using an impact wrench is the breaker bar speeder that Snappy makes. It is really great for lug nuts.

 

[ajchien]

idk about resale value. they are everywhere. i think i picked up a 3/8 SK fo $1 and a 1/2 Thorsen for $3. Ive rarely used them.

 

[Wi Fire 10]

I just picked up the same exact speed handle for $1 at an estate sale this morning. For value i'm sure you would have no problem selling it on craigslist for $7-$10. I don't think you could sell it for much on ebay, it would cost more to ship the damn thing that what you would make.

 

[rusty65]

I don't know about any one else but I really don't like using air tools so I prefer to break the bolt loose with a ratchet and then switch to the speeder to take the bolts out the rest of the way.

 

[Packard V8]

Sometimes, quieter and hands-on is better.

Yes, a flat rate tech will always reach for the air ratchet or impact.

No, I don't usually do it at home for small ops. Air ratchets and impact are so noisy, they detract more than they add for short use. I usually use a speeder for one wheel, an electric impact for all four and only get out the air gun when I need to kill an elephant.

Maybe, young guys who didn't come up with hand-powered tools are missing some of the esthetic pleasures of the process. It's good to have the choice of a hand-powered drills, saws, planes, speeders and the like. Sometimes, they're the best choice.

jack vines

 

[Airframer]

Great for stuck screws. You can really put some a$$ on a speed handle to break those free. Used them on the line in the Navy all the time.

 

[KEH]

Useful in woodworking for driving a screwdriver bit and running screws into wood. You are able to apply pressure and easily control the handle.

Lots of automotive uses. The first one I noticed was neighbor useing a 1/2 drive one to remove bolts holding the rear stub axle in a Ford car. Procedure ist to remove axle and bearing with bracket, take it to NAPA store where they used a hydraulic press to remove and install bearing.

Nephew who rebuilds Chevy v8s uses one when rebuilding one to install bearing caps and other repetitive nut and bolt running. You can feel the tension and not overtorque it. Torque later with torque wrench.

I got a cheap used one and proper socket to keep handy to remove nuts on battery box on tractor that had a weak battery, so that i could but the battery charger on it to start in cold weather, later, of course, had to get a good battery.

KEH

 

[Bryan Burns]

I purchased a Snap-on, Bonney, vintage Craftsman and a couple of Proto's from estate sales and learned they're not worth much. I sold the Snap-on (for $7 I believe) at the Flea.

I'm keeping one because they're good for removing lag screws.

 

[Armstrong1720]

I never had one in my life until last year. Now ihave a pile of them. Some proto others so old i cant find the brand. I just run it up with my fingers or a ratchet Never think of pulling one of those out

 

[bigbubba]

I have used them on a number of occasions like on pan bolts to run them all in quickly. Other than that they are a drag on the used market. They are everywhere anyone who has tools for sale at a swapmeet has those dam things for sale.

The best one of these if I am not using an impact wrench is the breaker bar speeder that Snappy makes. It is really great for lug nuts.

I use them for assembling engines/trannys and rearends