The Flex Head Speeder

[DadsTools]

I'm stunned. Incredible collection. Thanks for sharing them.

 

[snapmom]

Two Snap on F-17

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I have not seen that top version before. Nice!

 

[3baygarage]

pretty fabulous collection there!

I never even knew there was such a thing as a "flex speeder"!

Thanks guys!



Snapmom -very nice. I’m with Oldtuleguy, not sure I’ve seen that 90 degree before.

 

[Mintgrun]

Here is an oldie made by Billmont. Unfortunately, it is missing half the handle. I thought I had both pieces, but have not come across the other one yet. Maybe some day I will turn a new one, split it and then glue it back together on the tool. I'd rather find the original though.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=737441&stc=1&d=1518834949

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=737442&stc=1&d=1518835360

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=737443&stc=1&d=1518835431

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=737444&stc=1&d=1518835495

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Awesome tools. Used to keep one in my trunk for a lug wrench.

 

[3baygarage]

That Billmont is great. It looks like the granddaddy of them all. There was a recent thread on some unknown sockets that turned out to be Billmont.

Thanks for posting that.

 

[3baygarage]

New addition to report, a Snap On 3/8” dr. Special, part # N-6636

The date stamp is 1961.

This was a special production tool. I knew there had to be a 3/8 made by them. Why it was never a catalog item is strange.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Wow. Terrific pick-up for your collection!

 

[3baygarage]

Thanks Lugz. It was lacking in 3/8, lol.

 

[joel63]

That 3/8 flex speeder is an awesome find!

I wish had one.

 

[PowderKeg]

Now that is a very cool and unique collection!! I can't recall ever seeing more than a few hinged speeders and def haven't had one.

 

[3baygarage]

A different Thorsen for the collection. The one in post #6 is a 13, this is a 13NR.

It has a different style drive square than the other one. The other Thorsen isn’t on hand to compare it to, but the P&C is. I’ve never seen two of the half speeder type in one place before.

 

[3baygarage]

Shown with the P&C.

Thorsen is 14-1/2” long while the P&C is 16”.

 

[scout80]

I can't picture how these single plane flex heads are supposed to work, as opposed to a fixed head speeder. Or were they intended to pull double duty as a speeder and a breaker bar? Because I know my breaker bars don't work to spin fasteners on/off unless the bar in lined up straight with the fastener.

 

[3baygarage]

Yep that was the idea, to use as a breaker bar and speeder. The hand grip revolves. It doesn’t seem like they were a big hit.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Picked this up at Kent's Tools in Tucson yesterday. The P&C logo is just to the left of the "6244" part number, and the bottom half of it has been worn off in use.

 

[3baygarage]

Nice find there Lugz. Thanks for sharing. As you can see, that one isn’t in the collection!

 

[MR.X]

That's a sweet find Lugz. Bonus for the unusual perpendicular stamping.

 

[Toold_up]

I have a 1/2 Plomb that I use pretty regularly. There is a guy down the street that rents an old auto parts store and sells antiques out of it every once in a while. I picked up a lot of really cool old tools from him.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I have a 1/2 Plomb that I use pretty regularly. There is a guy down the street that rents an old auto parts store and sells antiques out of it every once in a while. I picked up a lot of really cool old tools from him.

Where is it located?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks, X. I haven't collected enough P&C drive tools to have noticed that the marking was different.

As you can see, that one isn’t in the collection!

Noted. But you do have the one-handed jobbie! I could probably be talked out of this one at some point.

 

[Toold_up]

Where is it located?

In my tool box of course!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Haha. Okay. Don't want to give up the location of a good fishing hole. I respect that!

 

[BarryWells]

Thats a great collection of great tools designed back in the day when mom didn't work and dad didn't own a compressor(most mechanics didnt either--we had tanks we filled at the filling station).I've spent hours using the things disassembling engines and taking off auto transmission pans

 

[2mJps]

I have several speed handles and have used them alot but i cant remember ever seeing a flex head. I would like to try one some time.

 

[Packard V8]

FWIW, I picked up a P&C 6244 flex head speeder the other day from a cabinet shop going out of business. The speeder had been in use in that shop since it was bought new in the 1930s.

jack vines

 

[3baygarage]

I'm surprised no one jumped on that. It looks like a dupe or I would've (although that doesn't always stop me).

Good place for it in the car box. Let's hope it isn't needed but maybe you bust it out to help someone else change a flat quick.

Edit: I think Outlaw may have been interested.

 

[Packard V8]

Ran into one of these in Plomb the other day. Tried to sell it on here for $10 and no takers, so put it in my car to replace the Proto breaker bar that was there. Should work nice for lug nuts.

Good idea. I keep a beam torque wrench in each of my vehicles, but the flex speeder would be handy on a dark and stormy night.

jack vines

 

[j6o6h6n]

Pm me i have a few for sale.

 

[82355]

Any updates?

Martin

 

[3baygarage]

About the only notable one I picked up is this Thorsen 3/8" drive. Just copied images from the Thorsen thread.

"Linkjoint" Junior (3/8) One Hand Spinner #13J

As depicted in late 30's catalog.

 

[d42jeep]

Very nice! Here is my more modern one.
-Don

 

[scottybk]

This is cool, I never knew flex head speeders even existed. I usually don't pay much attention to these at the flea because I have an old C'man 1/2 drive spinner I never use, and don't really need another one. Although the idea of keeping one in the trunk for flats is a great idea. I already have an old C'man 15 inch breaker bar in the trunk with a 19 mm socket on it. I'm going to start looking closer at the flea for these flex head ones. I might have walked right by a few of them already,

 

[3baygarage]

This is an unusual oldie, and I’m happy to be able to add it to the collection.

General Tool
1/2” drive
14” long

 

[bonneyman]

Wow! Impressive collection.

I have a few I think spread out among my tools. (None are flex).
A Thorsen, an S-K, and maybe a Bonney. All 3/8" drive.

 

[3baygarage]

Thanks B-man. I would like to some day have them displayed all together. Might not be the best use of what little space I have though. Thank goodness for Garage Journal.

 

[Provincial]

This is an unusual oldie, and I’m happy to be able to add it to the collection.

General Tool
1/2” drive
14” long

Probably Thorsen-made, due to the connection between the two principals.

 

[3baygarage]

Probably Thorsen-made, due to the connection between the two principals.

Could well be. The head seems to resemble the P&C too with the step down of the drive square.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

An old p&c