Snap On socket end wrenches
- Thread starter nutsnbolts
- Start date
They're called Saltus wrenches. I've assembled a "mutt" SAE set of various brands, and a pair of metrics. Haven't had the situation that needed them yet, but, when I do, they are ready.
I think Bonney had those in the mid 70's.
I think Bonney had those in the mid 70's.
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OP
nutsnbolts
Well-known member
Yeah, I have a few that I picked up here and there, in random lots.
OP
nutsnbolts
Well-known member
Good to know!
I like the idea of finding an old USA set, but I haven't been super impressed with the few Bonney tools I have gotten. Proto and Plomb are way nicer.
geartow
Well-known member
I have an sae set made by SK, I am looking at metrics from carlyle. As a near future purchase.
Wakefield
Well-known member
"Collecting Snap-On" website? (I don't think the Alloy Artifacts has a great deal about the more recent tool lines (but has a lot about,say,50 year ago stuff)
radrush
Well-known member
Technically it's a flex-head socket wrench.
Saltus is Latin for antiquated.
The saltus wrench has been replaced by a new invention called a flex-head socket wrench.
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shockwave
Well-known member
They have been around for years but uncommon these days I have a few snap on metrics
But usually demand top dollar even thru eBay
You will see more sae than metrics on this style
Gedore and hazet make double box ends but not with open ends anymore
But usually demand top dollar even thru eBay
You will see more sae than metrics on this style
Gedore and hazet make double box ends but not with open ends anymore
OP
nutsnbolts
Well-known member
Yeah I haven't been able to find many. It might be a set that is pieced together one by one.
nevertoomanytools
Active member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2015
- Messages
- 34
what's the point vs a flex head ratchet? clearance?
plinker
Well-known member
You can get a straight 90* angle with these. A breaker bar and socket would do the same thing. I have encountered a trunk latch among other things where a normal wrench would not fit but one of these would.
Certified Drunk
Well-known member
One of the best tools in my box, I have a 10mm and 13mm. Bought them back in the early 90's.
OP
nutsnbolts
Well-known member
Gotcha. I have a couple of the Snap On ones, and they have different style logos on them, so I figured they must have been around for a while.
I just found a 14mm Mac on Ebay and bought it for $21. One by one...and I might end up with a "mutt" set like someone else said they had
OP
nutsnbolts
Well-known member
I would venture a couple hundred bucks for the full 12 or 13 piece set (whatever it is). I only see them occasionally, and usually just a single
littleponderosa
Well-known member
Proto still makes this style in SAE, don't know about the metrics. Memory is shorting out, so sizes from 3/8" thru 3/4" if I actually do remember right.
Bill
Bill
Empty Pockets
Well-known member
I have a number of Snappy SAE wrenches. They came to me in the 80's as part of a box lot.
They have served me well over the years. While I don't use them regularly, they are useful when I do
They have served me well over the years. While I don't use them regularly, they are useful when I do
bry@n
Well-known member
What are the uses you guys have used them for?
I have a few that I inherited and haven't found a need for them yet.
I have a few that I inherited and haven't found a need for them yet.
Dave455
Well-known member
There is a German firm called Saltus who are a wrench manufacturer.
They only produce a small range of tools, but one of their specialities is these wrenches!
As I've only ever heard these called 'Saltus Wrenches' in America, I would assume that the first to arrive there were actually manufactured by Saltus, hence 'Saltus Wrench'!
'Flex head socket wrench' makes much more sense if it's made by anyone else!
As to uses, well yes, to a certain extent these have been superseded by interchangeable socket wrenches. The Saltus manufactured tools even have a hole near the open end for a Tommy bar to turn the socket in the vertical position, which I doubt few use now!
However, like so many tools, you don't realise quite how 'usable' these things are till you've tried them! They really are 'nice' to use, and make a great complement to a set of combination wrenches.
There are also some jobs that you can tackle with these thst would otherwise need a model specific tool. Some door removal / refitting jobs come to mind! I've taken doors off with these when no other tool will fit!
They only produce a small range of tools, but one of their specialities is these wrenches!
As I've only ever heard these called 'Saltus Wrenches' in America, I would assume that the first to arrive there were actually manufactured by Saltus, hence 'Saltus Wrench'!
'Flex head socket wrench' makes much more sense if it's made by anyone else!
As to uses, well yes, to a certain extent these have been superseded by interchangeable socket wrenches. The Saltus manufactured tools even have a hole near the open end for a Tommy bar to turn the socket in the vertical position, which I doubt few use now!
However, like so many tools, you don't realise quite how 'usable' these things are till you've tried them! They really are 'nice' to use, and make a great complement to a set of combination wrenches.
There are also some jobs that you can tackle with these thst would otherwise need a model specific tool. Some door removal / refitting jobs come to mind! I've taken doors off with these when no other tool will fit!
four.cycle
Well-known member
^ made by a number of different tool manufacturers over the years.
Craftsman and Proto come immediately to mind.
Herbrand made them with double-ends - a socket on each end off the wrench.
I see them on Ebay frequently, often in singles, and almost always SAE.
Craftsman and Proto come immediately to mind.
Herbrand made them with double-ends - a socket on each end off the wrench.
I see them on Ebay frequently, often in singles, and almost always SAE.
fatfillup
Well-known member
Snap on does not sell that 10 to 19 set any more, they have a small set and you add what you want. 10 to 19 will set you back $729. The 19mm is $95.
I have been told small engine guys love them.
https://store.snapon.com/SearchResu...e&IsPartsSearch=0&departmentName=Tool Catalog
I have been told small engine guys love them.
https://store.snapon.com/SearchResu...e&IsPartsSearch=0&departmentName=Tool Catalog
The Toolest Guy
Banned
Those snappy sets are still good up to 17mm, so yep seemed tailored to small engine work. I guess the virtue of this is it works on semi-recessed fasteners withoout the need to build-up or tear down a socket/extension/flex-ratchet...which saves time and repetiive labour. Same logic behind dedicated t-handles and what not. The times the larger sizes are called for, I suppose are fewer and the assembly of a socket is less of a hassle, and the liklihood of wanting a breaker bar go up.
fatfillup
Well-known member
OP
nutsnbolts
Well-known member
Or 15 or 18, for that matter
littleponderosa
Well-known member
Ebay right now. Metrics. 6 of 'em/1 auction going for what I think is a fair price.
Have fun.
Bill
Have fun.
Bill
fatfillup
Well-known member
^^^^^^^^Climbing fast
littleponderosa
Well-known member
$130, still fair.
fatfillup
Well-known member
$152.30
New $401. Very good deal
New $401. Very good deal
pauls_workshop
Well-known member
Yeah, x2, I'm one of those small engine guys. I have an odd assortment of Saltus I've picked up last few years to make a set. Some SK, some Herbrand, a Bonney, some Craftsman. Back in the day these were made by several US companies. SK still makes new ones. I want to find a metric set used when I can for cheap as mine are all SAE. - Paul
dnschmidt
Well-known member
TOPTUL still makes these but I've got no idea as to why anybody would want them. I have some Proto ones that I've never used. A flex head ratchet does everything these do and is far more versatile.
Daddie05
Active member
These are some nice looking wrenches! If they were ratchet wrenches, I'd be looking for a set of Metric and Standard sets on CL and eBay now.
wafrederick
Well-known member
I have a Mac set,an SAE set that is no longer made.Bought it off the Matco tool truck as a trade in for $60.00.
Farmall 1066
Well-known member
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