Speed wrenches…anyone use them?

[DOUGD]

I have used some of the Snap-On speed wrenches. A few rare applications in the aviation world they were life savers. They actually will work on 12 point fasteners !

 

[AdAstra]

Have also put them into use in a production setting for occluded jam nuts like these, it's just the ticket.

Socket access is blocked by switch+cover, and a regular open end wrench is slowwwww.

 

[impactims]

Got the snap on speed wrenches.

Open end flank drive plus on the other end.

I went for this version because this way I get something I don’t already have on BOTH ends. I consider this important when adding to the tool box. Oddly, I had no standard length wrench with flank drive plus. With these I get flank drive plus AND speed wrenches. Win-win. I had to buy used since this version is no longer made.

 

[dchawk81]

I find no need (so far anyway) because if it's loose enough to spin off with those, it's loose enough to use my fingers.

 

[dchawk81]

Got the snap on speed wrenches.

Open end flank drive plus on the other end.

I went for this version because this way I get something I don’t already have on BOTH ends. I consider this important when adding to the tool box. Oddly, I had no standard length wrench with flank drive plus. With these I get flank drive plus AND speed wrenches. Win-win. I had to buy used since this version is no longer made.

How do you know they're not counterfeit?

 

[dchawk81]

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.

So like 3 different tools plus your fingers to remove a nut? Sounds more tedious than just using a regular open end.

 

[DAWrench]

I find no need (so far anyway) because if it's loose enough to spin off with those, it's loose enough to use my fingers.

If you can get your finger into the spot.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I bought one to try on a compressor tool where it worked in situ. Then completed the set. Adding the SAEs slowly.

 

[impactims]

How do you know they're not counterfeit?

I compared them to known good. Checked out good!

 

[impactims]

I find no need (so far anyway) because if it's loose enough to spin off with those, it's loose enough to use my fingers.

Not at all realistic.

Ever taken anything apart that had thread locking compound on the threads? Or any other irregularities? Nylon nut? Pinch nut?In those scenarios, the bolt or nut drag ALL THE WAY OUT. No way you are doing it with finger tip strength, even if you can get an ideal grip on it. These things are perfect for those cases. You are stuck with an open end anyways, and these are perfect for that.

 

[dchawk81]

Not at all realistic.

Ever taken anything apart that had thread locking compound on the threads? Or any other irregularities? Nylon nut? Pinch nut?In those scenarios, the bolt or nut drag ALL THE WAY OUT. No way you are doing it with finger tip strength, even if you can get an ideal grip on it. These things are perfect for those cases. You are stuck with an open end anyways, and these are perfect for that.

I get it, but I can't say I've ever been in such a mad rush in those scenarios that I felt like I needed a whole separate set of wrenches.

Can probably slap a ratcheting box end on it for a lot of that at least.

 

[impactims]

I get it, but I can't say I've ever been in such a mad rush in those scenarios that I felt like I needed a whole separate set of wrenches.

Can probably slap a ratcheting box end on it for a lot of that at least.

I said when you are "stuck with an open end anyways"....

Box end is not an option.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Got the snap on speed wrenches.
Open end flank drive plus on the other end.

Nice set. It makes me think if I used line wrenches more, I'd want FDP / Line combos. Not sure if they offered those.

 

[dchawk81]

I said when you are "stuck with an open end anyways"....

Box end is not an option.

I mean it's a very very specific scenario that I said from the beginning that I haven't encountered.

 

[cherrybomb]

These sound interesting but I think I'll stay with stubby versions of wrenches,versatile and more bang for the buck,and my knuckles might like my decision. I can get a lot done with my Snap-on OEX,Proto shorty combo and MAC shorty,comb,ratcheting.

 

[impactims]

I mean it's a very very specific scenario that I said from the beginning that I haven't encountered.

You mean to tell me you have never seen the head of a bolt or a nut that is too close to something to allow for the use of a box end or a socket? Or perhaps a nut that has a line or a cable going through its center? Like a throttle cable or a clutch cable. Call me crazy but I don’t see these scenarios as being all that few and far between. Maybe I’m just cursed and thus run into these scenarios more than most.

But, let’s say you had these in your arsenal anyways. What’s the worst thing that could happen?

 

[dchawk81]

You mean to tell me you have never seen the head of a bolt or a nut that is too close to something to allow for the use of a box end or a socket? Or perhaps a nut that has a line or a cable going through its center? Like a throttle cable or a clutch cable. Call me crazy but I don’t see these scenarios as being all that few and far between. Maybe I’m just cursed and thus run into these scenarios more than most.

But, let’s say you had these in your arsenal anyways. What’s the worst thing that could happen?

It's not like a regular open end won't work just takes a little more patience.

Worst thing is I blew the cash for nothing. Kinda trying to curb that.

 

[impactims]

It's not like a regular open end won't work just takes a little more patience.

Worst thing is I blew the cash for nothing. Kinda trying to curb that.

Yeah, I get it. That’s why I made sure to get something on the other end that I don’t already have either. In this case open end flank drive plus. I killed 2 birds with 1 stone. Even if the speed end isn’t used much, I will get use out of the fd+.

 

[KnurledNut]

Yeah, I get it. That’s why I made sure to get something on the other end that I don’t already have either. In this case open end flank drive plus. I killed 2 birds with 1 stone. Even if the speed end isn’t used much, I will get use out of the fd+.

I like that configuration.
I have had to beat inaccessible bolts loose with a hammer and open end wrench and then painstakingly spin them out. I got to where I could use one half of the jaw and spin the corners of the hex quickly. Hard to explain but it works pretty well.
That combination gives some advantage for breaking loose and tightening, while also having the ability to speed. Nice.

 

[dchawk81]

Yeah, I get it. That’s why I made sure to get something on the other end that I don’t already have either. In this case open end flank drive plus. I killed 2 birds with 1 stone. Even if the speed end isn’t used much, I will get use out of the fd+.

Makes sense. I already have FD+ combos and Flare wrenches for the tubing/line/cable stuff you mentioned, so that niche is even harder to justify filling.

 

[Rkcubed]

I have a set of Peterson Helix wrenches that I bought years ago. I use them off and on.

 

[KnurledNut]

I always wanted to try Kabo's version they made for Cornwell:

 

[KnurledNut]

Or perhaps a nut that has a line or a cable going through its center?

This reminded me that Jonard makes some for coax installation. I had forgotten about them until you said that.
They have some with a 15° offset for knuckle clearance which is pretty unique.

 

[cherrybomb]

I'm still not convinced to rush out and get these,I'll continue to use what works for me

 

[finn]

Wouldn't that be a socket driver?

Nope.

We always called them a speed wrench in the latest sixties and early seventies.

I suspect they fell into disfavor with the rising popularity of finer tooth count and flex head ratchets. Power tools finished the job.

 

[impactims]

I'm still not convinced to rush out and get these,I'll continue to use what works for me

What would be wrong with just having them on hand for when the time comes?

 

[Schurkey]

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.

Love mine. Have a lone Mac COBR13MM in 13mm. Full sets of Snappy SAE and Metric. All of these are discontinued ages ago.



No photos of the SAE Snappys, RSXS-series. Here's some of the Metric ones--RSXSM-series.

 

[impactims]

Love mine. Have a lone Mac COBR13MM in 13mm. Full sets of Snappy SAE and Metric. All of these are discontinued ages ago.



No photos of the SAE Snappys, RSXS-series. Here's some of the Metric ones--RSXSM-series.

Everyone that has them and knows how to use them loves them. People that say there is no viable use for them have never had them. Never even used them and if they did, they used them the wrong way...ie....under heavy load.

I have been using mine lately even though I could be using something else just to get the hang of them and they are great!! There have been times where I needed them. Not often though. But using them just to use them over something else (ie. a ratcheting box end) is nice because I get used to how they feel and how they work.

 

[neophyte]

Love mine. Have a lone Mac COBR13MM in 13mm. Full sets of Snappy SAE and Metric. All of these are discontinued ages ago.



No photos of the SAE Snappys, RSXS-series. Here's some of the Metric ones--RSXSM-series.

These look like and optimal design.
Use the flare end to break the flare nut free, snd then the ratcheting open end to spin the nut off.
Does Snap-On even make these anymore?
Does anybody else decent make this style?

 

[jblnut]

I bought a bucket of the craftsman branded ones at an auction years ago and use them for doing hydraulic line work. They’re great for that.

Also great on a number of pieces of farm machinery that have some sort of something on the threads that prevents the nut from coming off easily.

 

[Schurkey]

These look like and optimal design.
Use the flare end to break the flare nut free, snd then the ratcheting open end to spin the nut off.

Yes.

Does Snap-On even make these anymore?

I think they were made for one year, and then dropped like a broken rubber. Makes me wonder if "somebody" claimed patent-infringement or somesuch.

Does anybody else decent make this style?

Not that I am aware of. But I don't know everything.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

SO makes speed wrenches with ratcheting box end.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I think they were made for one year, and then dropped like a broken rubber. Makes me wonder if "somebody" claimed patent-infringement or somesuch.

Another one of their speed wrench designs had date codes covering 3 years total. I don't know how long they normally run a design.

 

[Schurkey]

SO makes speed wrenches with ratcheting box end.

Only metric...not SAE, unless that's a more-recent addition.

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I just discovered them and I think they are pretty cool!

You may be surprised to learn that they date back to 1891 - and Florida, of all places.

Here's a handy chart I made...



If you want to read further - warning, it's a long read, but there are plenty of photos, I did a deep research dive on them on a thread here.