Swench?

[vjquan]

Anyone seen or heard of these before?

http://www.powerhawk.com/pages/SWENCH/swechfront.html

It's a manual impact wrench that looks like a ratchet but does not have a ratcheting mechanism.

 

[Freejack]

If you look at the picture lower down the page, it does look like it has a ratchet mechanism. Basicly looks like a overload mechanism that allows a moment of free play to provide a bit of impact force on the nut.

Jake

 

[vjquan]

There's no ratchet because there's a drive end on both sides, kind of like a one way gearwrench, flip over to go reverse. Also they have an accessory called a nutrunner to be used in free mode. Apparently they're used in military applications and is VERY expensive.

 

[Franz©]

Would you believe me if I told you that you never want to use one? Old technology, miserable experience to use.
If you don't have a bad back to start with, you will after working a few bolts with that thing.
I'd rather use a 1" impact, naturally with a helper to tote the gun and drag the hose. It'll break less bolts for sure.