The HEXtension

[Shaun_Logica]

** UPDATE **

Hey guys, we are receiving our final prototype from the manufacturer soon. We will post pics on the forum that we have already received.

Thanks!

 

[Twiggss]

Neat idea.

I am curious about the guys preaching about COO though. Where was the computer, laptop, phone..etc that you sent your message stating that you wouldn't buy this tool made? The chair you were sitting on? The clothes you were wearing?

If these were made in the USA, would you change your mind if the CNC used to make the tool was made over seas?

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Neat idea.

I am curious about the guys preaching about COO though. Where was the computer, laptop, phone..etc that you sent your message stating that you wouldn't buy this tool made? The chair you were sitting on? The clothes you were wearing?

If these were made in the USA, would you change your mind if the CNC used to make the tool was made over seas?

Here we go again..............

 

[Loscaldazar]

Neat idea.

I am curious about the guys preaching about COO though. Where was the computer, laptop, phone..etc that you sent your message stating that you wouldn't buy this tool made? The chair you were sitting on? The clothes you were wearing?

If these were made in the USA, would you change your mind if the CNC used to make the tool was made over seas?

DON'T start this argument here. Your exact point has been beaten to death over and over again.

 

[Shaun_Logica]

Hey Guys. Newest pictures of the final prototype being sent to us for fitment and testing:

http://logicatool.com/blog.html

 

[Givl Reggin]

Has the black oxide coating been dropped?

 

[woodstockva]

Hey Guys. Newest pictures of the final prototype being sent to us for fitment and testing:

http://logicatool.com/blog.html

Looks great

That was FAST!!

 

[Shaun_Logica]

Has the black oxide coating been dropped?

For the stainless version we are voting against the coating. It's not neccesary and from the pictures (as long as it holds up) the finish looks very good.

We will keep you all informed. Again these are the finals that Andrew and I must review for consistency before we approve our first production run that we are setting aside for forum members.

Thanks for the continued support. There is still some room left, but please make sure to PM me and I suggest adding your email to the list as well.

 

[Outlander]

This thread got me through my morning coffee. I visited the web site. As an office guy with no serious wrenching needs I pondered, then realised that it could be one of those tools that sits there until needed then saves the day (kind of like Batman).

Logica guys - PM on it's way. This must be a really tough industry to break into. Best wishes to you, your ambition and my desire to see you succeed made up for any cost differential I might have been harbouring as I awaited the final price.

You will need some additional exposure, especially once you saturate the market of internet tool lovers & users. You might consider other options for marketing. Find a FIRST Robotics team or 2 in your area. These kids need tools, are creative spokespersons, value their sponsors, compete nationally supported by mentors (engineers, machinists etc) from industry. I am proud to see our company logo on a robot, perhaps you would be too. Now that my shameless plug is done, you will need to find an appropriate mechanism that hits your target market!

Best of luck as your product and company matures.

 

[Andrew_Logica]

Hey everyone, just checking in briefly. Thanks for your continued enthusiasm. I will be back more after Tuesday, once family finishes riding out a medical procedure.

Outlander, that's a great suggestion. I actually have have a friend who is a mentor for a robotics team. I'll make sure to get them a set or two and offer our support.

 

[Outlander]

Hey everyone, just checking in briefly. Thanks for your continued enthusiasm. I will be back more after Tuesday, once family finishes riding out a medical procedure.

Outlander, that's a great suggestion. I actually have have a friend who is a mentor for a robotics team. I'll make sure to get them a set or two and offer our support.

You made my day! Thank you sir!

 

[KnurledNut]

Shawn/Andrew,
1. Have you thought about rounding over/relieving the female end 15mm hex?
I could see it being more comfortable.
I.E. If you are ratcheting using a gearwrench and you have your fingers "hooked" under the collar stop, what prevents the sharp corner hex from digging into your hand?
2. Have you considered a 12 point version of this?
It might be a little more aggressive for turning by hand with the lack of knurling.
And it might help keep the wrench positioned, with the lack of a retention system.

 

[Hantke]

Hey Guys. Newest pictures of the final prototype being sent to us for fitment and testing:

http://logicatool.com/blog.html

Looks great!
Have you looked into the Hex adapters sold by lows? they had some similar looking products there. Keep yourselves busy!

 

[bushmechanic]

Neat idea.

I am curious about the guys preaching about COO though. Where was the computer, laptop, phone..etc that you sent your message stating that you wouldn't buy this tool made? The chair you were sitting on? The clothes you were wearing?

If these were made in the USA, would you change your mind if the CNC used to make the tool was made over seas?

LOL

Several of my posts were typed on one of my own custom builds, entirely constructed of components (all the way down to the resistors) manufactured in America, Japan, Germany, and Taiwan. Obviously, it was assembled in America.

One of them was typed on my Panasonic Toughbook, built from the ground up in Japan; every single piece.

My Phone was made in Finland, and the chair I'm sitting on was made in America. The clothes I'm wearing are made America, England, Denmark, and Italy.

A lot of fancy production equipment happens to be made in Europe, Japan, and America.

I practice what I preach, but that's neither here nor there. I understand that first production runs can be easier overseas.

It's bringing it back home afterword that matters. That won't stop me from buying that thing, though. I don't care where it's made or how much it costs.

I want the set.

 

[rtole]

I had an idea for extentions, and I dont know if its worth considering, I did not see it mentioned anywhere else. What about making them in lengths in between standard extentions? I am forever looking for extentions in between the ones I already own. I think this would make them more usefull. Also as a pro, I am about done buying chrome. I use my impact stuff whenever possible. Chrome only comes out when clearance is an issue. (not very often)

 

[rtole]

Sorry if this stuff was covered. Just spitballin. I am sorry if its stupid.

 

[Andrew_Logica]

I had an idea for extentions, and I dont know if its worth considering, I did not see it mentioned anywhere else. What about making them in lengths in between standard extentions? I am forever looking for extentions in between the ones I already own. I think this would make them more usefull. Also as a pro, I am about done buying chrome. I use my impact stuff whenever possible. Chrome only comes out when clearance is an issue. (not very often)

Not stupid at all, rtole! In fact, our standard length HEXtension is deliberately shorter than a standard 3/8" extension for added maneuverability. When I need a long extension, I reach for the really long extension, not the standard. The way our tool is designed is to fit into tight spaces and really give you the ability to get a wrench on that darn fastener!

So I think you have a great idea.

 

[Ridge Runner]

There are 2 versions. One 100mm and a shorter 50mm.

Your website gives the lengths as 50mm and 140mm. Also, I read through the thread and you said you stand behind your product, but I don't recall seeing anything about a warranty on these. Thirty days, six months, one year, lifetime, or what? I also agree with the others who say to knurl the rest for wrenches.

To be honest, $60 (before shipping) for this length of extension is the upper end of what I would be willing to pay were they made in the US. Being made in China, I would probably be willing to give $40-$45 for the pair in their current configuration. Not trying to shoot you down, I just wanted to let you know my reasons for not buying them as I do think they would be handy and are a neat idea. Just not that handy.

Good luck!

 

[Andrew_Logica]

No problem, Ridge. The website lengths are accurate. The 100mm measurement was a mistake, as that is the length of the body on the longer extension.

Warranty is going to be lifetime. We haven't yet typed up the legalese to go with it though, since we don't technically have any product yet. That will all be coming to the website soon, once we sit down with some sharks...er...lawyers.

I understand your feeling on the price. The $49.95 deal for a preordered pair is right in line with what you're looking to pay. I would suggest signing up to take advantage. The price listed is based on the steel we use, the fact that it is machined on a 4-axis machine, and that the machining process itself is a bit complicated.

I think you'd be mighty pleased with a set, especially as the final assembly and QC is done by hand in the US. I could make the tool for you now in AZ, but I'd have to ask $99.99 at the current quantities we are ordering. Just the realities of economics.

 

[Ridge Runner]

 

[bored350]

Andrew, do you have any interest in quoting with a USA shop besides those you may have already spoken with? If so, I have a contact that you may find competitive to China in the low volume you are presently facing.

Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk

 

[rick carpenter]

Hey Guys. Newest pictures of the final prototype being sent to us for fitment and testing:

http://logicatool.com/blog.html

For your next run, why not consider offsetting the lower shank hex by 15 or 30 degrees? I understand the no hex section is to reposition a box end wrench but 6 pt box wrench could 'ratchet' on the shank with even fewer degrees of swing if they were offset.

 

[Andrew_Logica]

Andrew, do you have any interest in quoting with a USA shop besides those you may have already spoken with? If so, I have a contact that you may find competitive to China in the low volume you are presently facing.

Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk

Bored350, please PM me the contact info. We're still happily exploring options.

 

[Andrew_Logica]

For your next run, why not consider offsetting the lower shank hex by 15 or 30 degrees? I understand the no hex section is to reposition a box end wrench but 6 pt box wrench could 'ratchet' on the shank with even fewer degrees of swing if they were offset.

Rick, we did consider the offset design, but found that the added complexity and cost didn't yield enough benefit. It can be challenging to find the blend of cost/function/simplicity.

 

[bahcoswed]

A regular hole is great to! Honestly it works pretty good with whatever you find on the floor or in your trashcan! So a thought is to drill a hole in your extension This one on the pic is a very old hazet 3/8 extension with a hole

Skickas från min iPhone via Tapatalk

 

[Bib Overalls]

I signed up for a first run set. Some day they may be the holly grail of collector tools.

 

[Andrew_Logica]

Thanks, Bib! By the way, you've got some great photos of some slick rods. I dig it.

 

[Shaun_Logica]

I signed up for a first run set. Some day they may be the holly grail of collector tools.

Hey Bib,

I hope so. We still have #1 of the prototypes

 

[-Brent-]

Have you guys done any strength testing?

 

[Shaun_Logica]

Hey Brent,

We have tested on our own benches hand toque beyond 100ft/lbs (the vice was not very happy). As with 3/8" extensions go you really shouldn't take it beyond those limits. Our first release will be for hand torque only. We are looking into a 1/2" version for use with higher torque loads.

 

[Givl Reggin]

We have tested on our own benches hand toque beyond 100ft/lbs (the vice was not very happy).

Just past 100ft/lbs doesn't meet ANSI/ASTM standards.... According to ASME, 3/8" ratchets must withstand 1,800 in lb (150 ft lb) of torque....if memory serves Snap-on is 70% above ASTM and I would expect to an extension to exceed that - in other words; I would not expect the extension to be the weak point that's prone to failure before that ratchet.

 

[Shaun_Logica]

Just past 100ft/lbs doesn't meet ANSI/ASTM standards.... According to ASME, 3/8" ratchets must withstand 1,800 in lb (150 ft lb) of torque....if memory serves Snap-on is 70% above ASTM and I would expect to an extension to exceed that - in other words; I would not expect the extension to be the weak point that's prone to failure before that ratchet.

Yes that is correct. I have broken many a ratchet before an extension. But I have snapped extensions in half as well.

We havnt snapped ours yet. We just maxed our testing after 120 ftlbs. Not touting any certifications at the moment, just recommending hand torque to 100 lbs.

We dont expect any issues but wil be testing the prototype the moment it gets here.

Great info!

 

[GSMotorrad]

I would prefer a 13mm hex on the shank so you can use either 13mm or 1/2" wrenches on it.

I was thinking a 16mm (5/8) would be somewhat interchangeable with a S.A.E. wrench. The female ends of my current 3/8-drive extensions are much larger in diameter: 17mm - 18mm. Common Hex Tool sizes are 10, 12, 14, 17, and 19mm, if you wanted to make it dual-use in that respect.

In this picture below, it doesn't look like there's much meat at the corners of the female square-drive, for strength. I realize it's made with clearance in mind, and I'm not an engineer, so what do I know?

If it were made in China, I'd pay $3.00 for one (on a good day).
If it were made in America (from a new start-up company I've never heard of until now, who's warranty will die if said company goes under), I'd pay $5.99 for one.
If it were made in Germany, I'd pay $13.00 for one.

440c stainless is what my cheaper knives are made from - the ones made in China. They're heat-treated as well, and easy to sharpen. I've never wished to put a wrench along the length of an extension - I'd just get a longer or shorter extension from the box. Seems like a solution looking for a problem to me.

 

[Shaun_Logica]

Hi GS,

Thanks for the input. Regarding price I wish we could get it down to those prices you are looking at, however you are comparing against established companies with standardized methods of manufacturing. We are custom CNC'ing each of the extensions in our first run here. Literally cutting it to the bone on a first run...

One day maybe we can get it that low, but for now that's just not feasible.

The steel quality is awaiting our first testing here. The corner reliefs are intended to allow for ease of insertion and strength is still maintained.

If you ever have an issue with the product, Andrew and I have agreed there would always be a 100% return of your investment.

Thanks and have a good one!

 

[Shaun_Logica]

Also, I wanted to thank those who have PM'ed in suggestions and support (even for those who just wanted to share a few words).

Some have also suggested manufacturers they would support in the local area. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to PM either of us. We are looking for RFQ's from any quality manufacturing company.

Thanks again!

 

[blaynefossati]

Snap on already makes these,I just bought a blue point set today.Just a heads up so you dont get in trouble over it.

 

[Outlawmws]

Snap on already makes these,I just bought a blue point set today.Just a heads up so you dont get in trouble over it.

Link or part No. please?

 

[-Brent-]

Snap on already makes these,I just bought a blue point set today.Just a heads up so you dont get in trouble over it.

Here's the item he's referring to:

I didn't see anything else, "similar." Looks like the HEXtension is still in the clear.

 

[GSMotorrad]

Snap on already makes these,I just bought a blue point set today.Just a heads up so you dont get in trouble over it.

Got pics?

 

[Shaun_Logica]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the heads up. These are considerably different from our design.

Hopefully we are not stepping on any toes, if we are we are open to discussing the issue with a representative.

Thanks,

Shaun