Speed wrenches…anyone use them?
- Thread starter impactims
- Start date
whateg01
Well-known member
That's not a speed wrench. This is a speed wrench.
nadogail
Well-known member
I too thought of Speed Handles when I saw the original post. Speed Handles have, in my shop, been replaced by Pneumatic Ratchets or by my Cordless Drill and a socket adapter.
neharr41
Well-known member
Never used them but always wanted to get my hands on a set. I’ve seen some older Snap-on sets that have one speed end and one flare nut end. Would be nice for hydraulic/pneumatic lines.
finn
Well-known member
I have a set, but rarely, if ever use them, and if I do, it’s usually the box end.
I always called what you guys are calling a speed handle a speed wrench, though. Always wanted one as a kid, but never bought one . Went straight to pneumatic , and then battery tools
I always called what you guys are calling a speed handle a speed wrench, though. Always wanted one as a kid, but never bought one . Went straight to pneumatic , and then battery tools
johnre
Well-known member
Whatever they are called, no way for this boy. Those are a real knuckle skinner when they slip off - and slipping off isn't a matter of if, but when.
gizardlizard
Well-known member
In a word….junk. They do nothing but slip.
olsenmotorsports
Well-known member
I use them in specific spots where otherwise we would need to use an open end. Complete game changer when you need it, but for sure not a daily use.
I could live without them, but once you use them and understand the application they are super nice to have around.
I could live without them, but once you use them and understand the application they are super nice to have around.
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
I think I still have the scar from last time I tried them. I dumped them in a tool box on a job site.
Hannahranga
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- Mar 8, 2023
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I kinda want to try them but suspect I'd A) never think to grab them out and B)the intersection of fastener I can't fit a ratchet on and also can't be snugged up by hand is slim.
In The Doghouse
Well-known member
My thoughts: if the hex fastener is free spinning, which isn't unusual, these won't function correctly. The ratchet wrenches work just fine and make those obsolete.
Bagherra
Well-known member
Same here...only paid $20 for a set...used them once and didnt really the big deal....gave them to a co-worker...
You can’t always use a true box end ratcheting wrench.
These are for when an open ended wrench must be used.
If that’s what has happened, then there must have been a significant load against the wrench. Lots of weight behind it. Which, as I understand it, is not how they are supposed to be used. You should break loose with something else, then if too much resistance to spin by hand, use these wrenches to speed up the otherwise tedious spinning out of the fastener, what ever type it may be.
Muckin_Slusher
Well-known member
That's not a speed wrench.That's not a speed wrench. This is a speed wrench.
These are speed wrenches:
DAWrench
Well-known member
I agree with Impactims. They are very useful for their intended purpose. I have a few Craftsman that I picked up dirt cheap at a garage sale thinking they would be good to throw in junk drawer to cut or bend to make custom wrench. Turned out they work better than I expected. Just don't use to break fasteners loose
I agree with this. These are stored right next to the crowfoot wrenches. Not used much but in some applications they are great. In the machine world they were great for reaching under a machine and blindly adjusting a leveling foot.
lg
KnurledNut
Well-known member
As with any tools, there are different designs and levels of quality.
I have a few applications for them where nothing else really works as efficiently.
After trying several brands, I found Facom to work the best.
IMO, the absolute strongest design which exceeds even a standard open end is the old Craftsman Extreme Grip.
The grip those things have is unbelievable! The disadvantage, or advantage in some circumstances I have found, is they are long pattern. This makes it more of a specialty tool. But, yeah, none compare in raw strength to these.
They offered them in a combo version with the old clunky ratcheting box end.
Craftsman raised panel combination wrenches were a shorter pattern. The only long pattern version I am aware of was available with the speed wrench open end. I never understood why they didn't offer these with a regular open end.
The old Bluepoint Supreme RS series were a predecessor to the Snap-on version and worked quite well.
In ending, I consider these specialty tools.
If you are expecting these to replace your regular open ends, yeah, you will be disappointed.
But for their intended use, many of them work quite well.
I have a few applications for them where nothing else really works as efficiently.
After trying several brands, I found Facom to work the best.
IMO, the absolute strongest design which exceeds even a standard open end is the old Craftsman Extreme Grip.
The grip those things have is unbelievable! The disadvantage, or advantage in some circumstances I have found, is they are long pattern. This makes it more of a specialty tool. But, yeah, none compare in raw strength to these.
They offered them in a combo version with the old clunky ratcheting box end.
Craftsman raised panel combination wrenches were a shorter pattern. The only long pattern version I am aware of was available with the speed wrench open end. I never understood why they didn't offer these with a regular open end.
The old Bluepoint Supreme RS series were a predecessor to the Snap-on version and worked quite well.
I have a set of these that are branded Lockjaw. I believe they are a later version as the jaw profile is slightly different, perhaps revised to work better. The stainless steel has held up very well in a nasty environment. These also have a thin profile that will work on jam nuts and such. A lot of good features in these.
In ending, I consider these specialty tools.
If you are expecting these to replace your regular open ends, yeah, you will be disappointed.
But for their intended use, many of them work quite well.
txvwnut
Well-known member
If I remember it right when Snapon introduced them you weren't supposed to use the speed end for high torque applications, that's what the other end was for. They never appealed to me so I never gave them a try. A speed handle has gotten many turns put on it as that is/was my go to tool when assembling engines, started using a T handle lately as it takes u less room on the bench.
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J.A.F.E.
Well-known member
Yes, I use them in certain situations and like them quite bit, at least the Snap-On's. Impactims is correct they are mainly for running the fastener not final tightening or breaking loose.
rust in the eye
Well-known member
If you guys complaining about skinning your knuckes are using these on tight fasteners you asked for it. Break 'em loose with the box end, pretty much as with any combination wrench.
That said, I have a few accidentally acquired but don't use them much, mostly because I work on a lot stuff with bolts that fight all the way off and know better. Working with new/clean fasteners these would be great.
Speed HANDLES I like quite a lot for running down lots of bolts, say as on an oil pan when assembling an engine.
That said, I have a few accidentally acquired but don't use them much, mostly because I work on a lot stuff with bolts that fight all the way off and know better. Working with new/clean fasteners these would be great.
Speed HANDLES I like quite a lot for running down lots of bolts, say as on an oil pan when assembling an engine.
Are those speed wrenches or open ends that grip....like an alternative to flank drive, RBRT etc.?IMO, the absolute strongest design which exceeds even a standard open end is the old Craftsman Extreme Grip.
The grip those things have is unbelievable! The disadvantage, or advantage in some circumstances I have found, is they are long pattern. This makes it more of a specialty tool. But, yeah, none compare in raw strength to these.
They offered them in a combo version with the old clunky ratcheting box end.
Or more of a hybrid between a flare nut wrench and an open end wrench?
jbltwin1
Well-known member
I use my SPEED HANDLES a LOT more than I would ever use those wrenches. I alwas thought they were broke! I use my speed handles to run the bolts in on oil pans so they don't get away from me. Also use my 1/4" handle to get the side bolts out of the John Deer side covers. It's easier than getting long extensions. We used to use 3-3 1/2 foot speed handles back in the day to pull the spark plugs out without having to reach down inside the engine compartment. They were great when we DID tune ups. These days, you tune it up by buying a new car!
KnurledNut
Well-known member
More like if a modified open end like Proto ASD and a speed wrench had a baby.
Easier to place than a standard open end since it has short angled jaws that locate the bolt, but not a true quick wrench.
rsanter
Well-known member
Yes, I really like the ones from snap on
Ducky
Well-known member
I have a Snap on set that I used a lot when I worked on boats. I used them mostly to drop the lower units on Mercury outboards and for splitting the upper and lower halves of a Mercruiser sterndrive unit.
Wouldn't that be a socket driver?That's not a speed wrench. This is a speed wrench.
I've put them into use in production settings where the torque requirements were not very high, it's the same thing all day, and you can't fit any other pneumatic/electric tool. They are great in that application.
I would never have any use for them in typical maintenance/repair work though.
I would never have any use for them in typical maintenance/repair work though.
I have an older Snappy DOE with the Snake Bite ends. Nice for restricted areas where you can only use an open end but don't need to remove the wrench and re-install it to get another bite. The "ratcheting" action seems to help out.
I also have a pair of pressed steel models I use on bike hub cones.
I also have a pair of pressed steel models I use on bike hub cones.
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olsenmotorsports
Well-known member
Funny I used my speed wrenches today. Air cooled Porsches have the worst bumper mounts. Through bolts buried up against the washer tank.
I’ve got a couple sets of them, the regular combination ones and then the brake line style
I’m a fan of the brake line ones as the open ends are so wide that they cover the entire surface area. Really improves your chances of success!
I’ve only ever tried the snap on ones. Interested how the other manufacturers compare!
I’ve got a couple sets of them, the regular combination ones and then the brake line style
I’m a fan of the brake line ones as the open ends are so wide that they cover the entire surface area. Really improves your chances of success!
I’ve only ever tried the snap on ones. Interested how the other manufacturers compare!
So I got a couple sets coming.
Snap on with flank drive open end on one end and speed wrench on the other end.
Also ordered a set of vintage ratchet action speed wrenches. Pretty sure they are stamped stainless steel. Speed wrench at each end.
Snap on with flank drive open end on one end and speed wrench on the other end.
Also ordered a set of vintage ratchet action speed wrenches. Pretty sure they are stamped stainless steel. Speed wrench at each end.
These showed up today. Used them a little just to be able to say I used them. And to see what they are like.
Overall, pretty cool. I like the way they work. They have coolness factor. Nicely made. USA made. Stainless. Worthy of space in the tool box for sure.
Overall, pretty cool. I like the way they work. They have coolness factor. Nicely made. USA made. Stainless. Worthy of space in the tool box for sure.
