recomendation for speed wrench?

[TDWendt]

Looking in to getting a speed wrench in 3/8in and possibly 1/4in drive. Worth the purchase or not? Seen like they could come in handy on certain jobs, or at least it would seen too in my mind.

Brand?
What do you use Em,for?
Review?

 

[HICKS]

I bought one to use during motor builds, and never used it, ended up selling it.

 

[CWP1616L]

Snap-on F4LBK. Look no further.

 

[fivespdcat]

I have a speed wrench bought honestly never use it. I prefer a bent handle ratchet that you can double up as a speeder. It is way more versatile for me...

 

[chrenan]

I like mine for intake, cam box and even head bolts once they're broken free. I use a 3/8 and 1/2 vintage Proto Challenger.

 

[Flatintoone]

Started using them at home on lug nuts (nervous about using impact tools on wheel locks, spline-drive lug nuts, and/or wheels without clearance for impact sockets).
MUCH faster than spinning on by hand or with a ratchet.
I set up speeders and breakers with the size I'm going to use to minimize switching time. A good time to use those 12-point sockets.
Today I used a Speedmaster and a Mustang, though I have a number in the "collectible tool" pile to choose from.

If I worked on cars for a living or had a powered driver tool, I can see how my speeders would be seldom used.

 

[Skin]

Looking in to getting a speed wrench in 3/8in and possibly 1/4in drive. Worth the purchase or not? Seen like they could come in handy on certain jobs, or at least it would seen too in my mind.

Brand?
What do you use Em,for?
Review?

Useful 20-30 years ago, today not so much. I could really only see using one for nostalgia, otherwise the impacts/air ratchets do this job faster and with less effort.

 

[Vvmvbb]

It is nice for lug nuts, I agree. If that's all you will ever use it for, maybe just get 1/2" so no fussing with an adapter every time.
I use a 3/8" Cman which does all it needs to do.

 

[Outlawmws]

The thing to be looking for is a decent handle on the end, instead of those damn knobs. having a spinner handle on the crank part is a plus also. I've got quite a few I've collected over the years, and still use them from time to time, but I've gotten choosy about the handles...

Brand? Any of the top name brands make good tools, so its hard to go wrong on one of these. It's not like they see a ton of torque...

Most of my use is probably during engine build and tear down for low torque cover and pan bolts and screws, and similar work.

 

[DandDMachine]

I use mine all the time I use them for snugging up camshaft cap bolts. I agree that for many cases air or electric tools are faster but sometimes you need to be a little gentler and the speed handles if used correctly are the fastest hand powered method I can use to snug up those bolts. I have all 3 drive sizes and use the 3/8 the most, occasionally the 1/2 and almost never the 1/4. I bought all of them used, paid a buck or two each for them. I dont remember the brands but they are all USA made. I have had many different brands and they all seem to do the job equally well.

 

[unslow1]

I have a couple and the only thing they get used for is oil pans. I'll have to give the lug nuts a try. That might have come in handy a couple of days ago.

 

[RCRGarage]

I use an fslf936 and a tslf936 for speeders and my almost regular use ratchets. There are times when you're ratcheting and could use a speeder for a second, there are times when your speeding nuts down where you could use a ratchet for a second... you can do either anytime. I even swapped the heads to dual 80 heads, pretty badass ratchets.

 

[ATC]

I've never encountered a bolt or nut that is smooth enough to use one. I'd always get a couple spins with it then it would stop.

A ratchet spun around with one finger is a lot easier/faster for me...

 

[retDAC]

Another possibility:

One of these:
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/MilitarySurplus/BRACE.html
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/BracesRatchet/BR10.html

With one of these:
D. Brace Driver - 3/8" Socket
50J61.06 http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=32300&cat=1,180,42337&ap=1

Or possibly these:
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=44490&cat=1,180,42334&ap=1

 

[William Payne]

Some still use speeders. Technique has alot to do with it.

 

[dankicksass]

I use speeders (Mac USA, Husky USA) on engines. Don't do as much engine work as I used to, but they're the right tool for me.

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=674824&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

I have that one at work. I love it. But we use it for something enirely different than you probably will. I work on aircraft where there are tons of screws that like to get stuck. so if you put an apex addapter on the end and some grinding compound you can push really really hard with the speed wrench and it gives you more feel of what the screw is doing. and is more gentle. but the large pomel is great i really love it

 

[CWP1616L]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...674824&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

Look no further. It's the be-all end-all of speed handles. The best in the world. Might as well end this thread now because you won't find no better.

 

[Alchymist]

Like Darkscope said, most useful around aircraft. Still have several, never used them on lugnuts. 4 way takes 'em off and puts 'em on just as fast. Have use mine with an adapter to take 1/4" phillips and torx bits for wood screws where you are installing or removing a bunch of them. You won't be driving large long screws, but for the shorter smaller ones, you can drive or remove a lot in a short time. Course the battery operated drill/driver did away with that also.

 

[jetmech09]

I use mine at work all the time. I have the snappy one with the black handle. Outside of that, I don't see much use for it...air tools have kind of made things a lot faster. If you're still considering getting one, don't consider anything but the snap on. If you don't believe me, wait until you have to put a ton of pressure on the handle.

 

[TDWendt]

I do agree that air tools/ cordless tools have made stuff faster, thus making speeders pretty much obsolete in automotive general service. I still find myself seeing where they can be useful to have( engine covers, pesky air boxes with lots of screws, under trays ect....where the screws might be too delicate for an air ratchet or even a 12v(10.8v) driver.

Next Monday I'll ask my snappy driver about Em(he was in,a pissy mood this week and didn't even come get my payment I had for him lol)

 

[3xpendable]

I use a old snap on 3/8. It is awesome for removing and installing r/v water heater drain plugs. Works good for the stabilizer jacks too but a batt drill and 3/4 socket have won the day on that one

(x)

 

[wafrederick]

I have a Snap On I bought used,use for the plastic lugnut covers holding on hubcaps on cars.I never use an impact on them since they are plastic and strip out easily with an impact.A quick snug is enough.