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Plastic-handled wrench?

Stuey

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Okay, so yesterday I posted about Stanley's new all-in-one wrench over at ToolGuyd (http://toolguyd.com/stanley-twintec-wrench/) , and most reactions were negative.

I have been holding back on making any unfair judgements, but I can't shake the feeling out of my mind that plastic + torque = weakness.

Granted it's made from "composite resin," but in the end the wrench handle is still plastic.

Then again, one of my dead blow mallets has a plastic handle, and it's extremely solid. Fiberglass hammers are also quite resilient.

What do you think?
 
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box

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Oct 24, 2011
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Toms River NJ
I think....

It would make a nice chrismas present for some guy that....

....wears a suit at least 3 times per week
....does not have a tool box (or only has one made of cheap plastic)
....has never changed his own oil
....never pushed a lawn mower
....gets manicures

see where I am going with this?

BOX
 

Gmonkee

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May 9, 2010
Messages
2,706
Composite ratchets get positive reveiws all the time.

This is a double ended composite ratchet with adjustable non-removable sockets.
I can't see it being any better or worse than those in the test of breaking point. I also doubt the handle would fold before the ratchet mechanisms blow.

I like gimmick tools too. I would try to use that one.

No gimmick can ever replace the **** ton of real wrenches I'm hoarding, I just like to play with them on minor home projects.
 
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OP
S

Stuey

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Jan 8, 2008
Messages
11,034
Location
28m above sea level
I think....

It would make a nice chrismas present for some guy that....

....wears a suit at least 3 times per week
....does not have a tool box (or only has one made of cheap plastic)
....has never changed his own oil
....never pushed a lawn mower
....gets manicures

see where I am going with this?

BOX

I don't regularly wear a suit, I do have tool boxes, I have never changed my own oil, I have never pushed a lawn mower, I got a manicure once before my wedding. :willy_nil

Composite ratchets get positive reveiws all the time.

This is a double ended composite ratchet with adjustable non-removable sockets.
I can't see it being any better or worse than those in the test of breaking point. I also doubt the handle would fold before the ratchet mechanisms blow.

I like gimmick tools too. I would try to use that one.

No gimmick can ever replace the **** ton of real wrenches I'm hoarding, I just like to play with them on minor home projects.
That's true, I failed to consider composite ratchets. I've never used one - can they handle larger size fasteners without issue?

Typo in the last sentence of the review?
Thanks, fixed! I proofread everything, sometimes multiple times, but still miss a few mistypings here and there.
 
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babewatcher

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Sep 2, 2010
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East
I've been trying to find sets of metric and SAE composite combination wrenches for years-- that don't cost an arm and leg. I have situations all the time where they would come in handy.
 
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helterskelter

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Mar 26, 2010
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I don't regularly wear a suit, I do have tool boxes, I have never changed my own oil, I have never pushed a lawn mower, I got a manicure once before my wedding. :willy_nil

There are certain things you should keep to yourself around here...
 

Gmonkee

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May 9, 2010
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2,706
Stuey, I've only used an unknown brand (like it matters, they're all the same) 3/8" drive composite ratchet for short while.

It worked well without being amazing in any way. I was working in auto AC at the time so there were no real tests of hard use at all. I was not inspired to go get one of my own from that experience.

There are quite a few GJ testimonials from others though, some work the trades that these would see a true test of time and stress. General consensus of the owners and users says that these are up to the job.
 

sloppy

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Mar 3, 2013
Messages
481
Location
Ohio
That's true, I failed to consider composite ratchets. I've never used one - can they handle larger size fasteners without issue?

Most are just a composite shell over a metal ratchet May be some exceptions but thats how the ones I have used were made. So yes they handle anything a normal ratchet would handle.
 
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Stuey

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Most are just a composite shell over a metal ratchet May be some exceptions but thats how the ones I have used were made. So yes they handle anything a normal ratchet would handle.
That's what I thought, but it's unclear if these have a steel core or not. All I was told is that they're made from "durable composite resin."

Well, at least the handles are sure to be rust-resistant.
 

KinzeMech

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Jul 15, 2012
Messages
1,164
They should call that a Tonka wrench.

I'd get one for my kids to play with.
 

BK13

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Mar 1, 2013
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Location
PDX, OR
Well, Mr. Manicure, my thoughts are that I probably wouldn't buy a Stanley branded tool anyway, and this one wouldn't change my mind in the slightest.
 
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