"The Extender" Wrench Extender Review

[jacob_coulter]

I came across this product that looked like a great idea, and haven't seen anyone mention it on the board. It's like a cheater bar for wrenches, but it works a lot better than trying to slip a pipe over a wrench or trying to to connect another wrench onto one. Here is a link for an overview

http://www.places2ride.com/restoration_tools/item.asp?SKU=12395


I purchased the tool from Eastwood, and it is a handy tool that does what it says, but the fit and finish of the tool is absolutely awful, especially for the price, it was around $60.00. It has the feel that it's made up of metal flakes that have been compressed together, with casting flash and potmarks all over the tool. It says it's made in the USA, but it feels like a tool beneath Harbor Freight's standards.

I just though I would pass this info on, and was curious if there is anything else similar on the market.

BTW, I've ordered from Eastwood before, and they seem to carry a few specialized tools that no one else has, but they all seem to be mediocre quality at high prices.

 

[eschoendorff]

Geez... for $60 you coulda bought a decent long-pattern wrench.

 

[-lecroix-]

dumbest tool. ever.

 

[MAD]

I am working on a version for ratchets and breaker bars. It will be available in a variety of diameters to conform to different tool handles in either a black or rust resistant galvanized finish. Additional extensions up to 21' long can be added with special threaded couplings. I am going to be rich when this hits the market.

 

[kidney]

Thanks for the review. It's always nice to read something that gives actual personal experience with the tool.

 

[dxdexter]

I have a couple drawers full of "wrench extenders".

 

[Finley]

call me a cheap *******, but i'll use 2 wrenches linked together...and if i need that much more torque, i'll use a torque wrench.

 

[george4]

I have a couple drawers full of "wrench extenders".

I was pretty sure I was not the only one to do that.

 

[wrenchr]

For $60.00 it should be of the highest standard's! It sound's like to me that it's finish is as cast, not polished. Just better hope it is forged good.

 

[wrenchr]

By the way the finish on tools has a benefit other than just good look's, It also helps to make the tool / forging stronger. I would stay clear of that tool.

 

[jacob_coulter]

Why is there so much hostility towards this tool?

Of course there's other ways to get the same result, but isn't the whole purpose of a tool to make a job easier? I think it's an innovative idea, I just thought the actual tool itself had a poor fit and finish for the price.

We've all put two wrenches together to get the extra length or torque, but it's hardly ideal. It seems every time I've done it, the wrenches end up slipping or popping out of place. You also are putting a lot of stress where the two wrenches are connected together, easily injuring yourself or snapping the open end of the wrench, whereas this tool has a much better grip on the wrench and you can really put a lot of torque down. It's like I just got an entire set of longer wrenches.

It's not a tool for everyone, but damn, you would think a web forum for tool junkies wouldn't a little more open-minded about something like this.

I see the members with $8,000 tool boxes, and this is considered a dumb purchase?

 

[wrenchr]

No I think it is a good idea, With that price the quality should be top notch.

 

[-lecroix-]

I wouldn't call it "hostility" ... I'd call it amusing more than anything that you would actually spend $60 on it.

 

[wrenchr]

Take a floor jack handle, use that. If the end of the wrench does not fit and you have a extra jack handle, hammer it flatter until the wrench fit's. Nothing a BFH can not handle.

 

[jacob_coulter]

I wouldn't call it "hostility" ... I'd call it amusing more than anything that you would actually spend $60 on it.

A few posts up you said it was the dumbest tool ever. I'd call that hostile.

 

[jacob_coulter]

Take a floor jack handle, use that. If the end of the wrench does not fit and you have a extra jack handle, hammer it flatter until the wrench fit's. Nothing a BFH can not handle.

You can do that, it's another variation of a cheater bar, but it's usually unwieldy to use such a long piece of tube when you only need about 8 more inches.

Also, with this extender, you can guide the wrench in precisely to the bolt you're trying to remove, rather than trying to get the wrench to stay on while you try to place a pipe over it. Usually I'm using it for a bolt that is hard to get access to. It's also sometimes difficult to find a pipe large enough to fit over the open end of say a 1" wrench. This extender makes a tight fit on all my wrenches, large to small.

There are definitely cheaper solutions, but I think this tool is a better way to do it, it's just overpriced for what it is.

 

[eschoendorff]

Okay, Jacob....


You come out and say that the quality of the product is substandard... but when we point out the problems with the thing, you get all defensive and defend your purchase. Why the hell did you bring this up?????

I'm with lecroix here. It's a silly tool and possibly dangerous.

 

[wrenchr]

You can do that, it's another variation of a cheater bar, but it's usually unwieldy to use such a long piece of tube when you only need about 8 more inches.

Also, with this extender, you can guide the wrench in precisely to the bolt you're trying to remove, rather than trying to get the wrench to stay on while you try to place a pipe over it. Usually I'm using it for a bolt that is hard to get access to. It's also sometimes difficult to find a pipe large enough to fit over the open end of say a 1" wrench. This extender makes a tight fit on all my wrenches, large to small.

There are definitely cheaper solutions, but I think this tool is a better way to do it, it's just overpriced for what it is.

That is what I'm pretty much saying, sound's like it is working good for you!
The way I look at tool purchase's is, If I find my self going for it often then it was worth the price!

 

[jacob_coulter]

Okay, Jacob....


You come out and say that the quality of the product is substandard... but when we point out the problems with the thing, you get all defensive and defend your purchase. Why the hell did you bring this up?????

I'm with lecroix here. It's a silly tool and possibly dangerous.

I'm not trying to defend the purchase, I came right out and said in the original post that I thought I paid too much for the tool. I just gave my opinion in case anyone else on the forum was interested in purchasing it. If you don't think it's a tool you would would use, fine, but some of the bashing I thought was over the top.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion, but statements like it's the "dumbest tool ever" are just childish. When I see someone discuss a tool that I don't find a use for, or think is overpriced, like say Snap On's "Telescoping Breaker Bar" that was discussed here recently, I don't find the need to insult the tool or the person posting information about it. Other users here may indeed find a legitimate use for the tool, and it's just not my place to be insulting to them.

I'm just asking for a little common courtesy towards our fellow tool enthusiasts. I think that's a reasonable request.

 

[kidney]

Wait...What?

 

[oldgoat]

For me I have some pipe that I use for cheaters or will do sometimes like in the picture with two wrenches although I usually try to avoid that. I did buy a set of long pattern SAE and Metric wrenches from HF. What little I have used them they seem to do OK and the finish on them was pretty decent.
The basic idea seems to be decent but for the price I would expect a fairly quality wrench.

 

[-lecroix-]

A few posts up you said it was the dumbest tool ever. I'd call that hostile ...

I'm just asking for a little common courtesy towards our fellow tool enthusiasts. I think that's a reasonable request.

Woah woah woah ... back the truck up here a minute! You seemed to post giving your opinion on a wrench ... but when others voice their opinion on the subject you get all huffy.

Listen bub, this ain't no Oprah Winfrey forum on hand tools and improving self esteem ... it's a forum by & for big *** burley guys (and little ones too) with grease under their nails.

Think of it as hanging out in the garage (hence the name) where you're gonna hear some naughty words and where sugar-coating is a no no. We are all grown ups here and we call'em as we see'em. If my calling it "the dumbest tool ever" is considered "hostile" by your standards, then you're not gonna enjoy your stay here and predict you won't be around very long.

P.S. Get over it.

 

[kythri]

Are you selling this hunk-of-junk or something? Is that the reason why you've got all this attitude about the negative comments towards it?

This is a pretty sponsor-free area where people are able to post their opinions on products, whatever they may be. If people don't like your $60 tool that replaces a $2 chunk of pipe, oh darn.

 

[mulepackin]

dumbest tool. ever.

To me, this is a direct, straightforward, no ******** opinion on a tool. No hostility sensed.

 

[kartracer55]

Yeah, not what i want to spend 60$ on.

If your using that much leverage on an open end, its likely that your going to spread the jaws out anyway.

 

[Ray in Kingwood]

I'll keep y 2foot piece of iron pipe thanks

 

[peejay75]

(Old thread, but...)

I think I may get the Capri version of this tool, didn't know they existed until a few weeks ago (been under a rock) and had a situation today where it may have come in handy.

 

[Shiftless]

Guys have been using cheaters since time began.
Here is a good modern example. How many pound feet do you suppose they are applying here?

 

[seber]

LOL. The right way, the wrong way, and the army way. In this case the army way is with the tail chain inside where the lever needs to go. How much effort can we totally waste on this?

 

[JradM]

Lee Valley sells these. They're not expensive.



I own one, but I've rarely used it. If I need the leverage I'm more likely to put the wrench on the fastener and whack it with a non-marring hammer. When I have used it though, it works well.

 

[lugnut71]

they do have their place. I got a heavy equipment guy that uses his weekly

 

[Cruzan80]

Guys have been using cheaters since time began.
Here is a good modern example. How many pound feet do you suppose they are applying here?

Well, it is at least three "grunts" tight...

 

[mreisner]

I've been happy with this one.

 

[Nutria]

I use one sometimes. I'd use it more often, but 80% of the time there is some kind of access issue.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I had one that was cast (I recall it was similar to the original post). It broke after a few uses.

 

[cherrybomb]

Guys have been using cheaters since time began.
Here is a good modern example. How many pound feet do you suppose they are applying here?

I'll keep using a ratchet binder

 

[Coach James]

LOL. The right way, the wrong way, and the army way. In this case the army way is with the tail chain inside where the lever needs to go. How much effort can we totally waste on this?

This might be what you said seber, but I want to make sure. That looks to my bad eyes like a load binder. If so, it looks like one section of chain is going to interfere with the binder closing. Correct or am I seeing it wrong?

 

[seber]

This might be what you said seber, but I want to make sure. That looks to my bad eyes like a load binder. If so, it looks like one section of chain is going to interfere with the binder closing. Correct or am I seeing it wrong?

Exactly.

 

[bonneyman]

I've seen those but when I cheat I use a steel pipe.

 

[VolvoRyan]

I have the Mueller-Kueps version. Works as intended. It really only shines when you have to use the open end on something, so the wrench-on-wrench truck doesn't work.

Worth having, I suppose, but there's only been a handful of places where it was the right solution.

-Ryan

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