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Thoughts on speed wrenches? Worth having?

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NOMAD

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I know they are an old school tool and probably don't fit in many places but with the head work I'm doing I thought it might be a cool tool to have. Certainly easier than putting lots of bolts in by hand. I've only seen them used watching those nascar pit crew engine build competitions on speed channel.

Waste of money or cool tool?
 
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Uncle Buck

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NOMAD said:
I know they are an old school tool and probably don't fit in many places but with the head work I'm doing I thought it might be a cool tool to have. Certainly easier than putting lots of bolts in by hand. I've only seen them used watching those nascar pit crew engine build competitions on speed channel.

Waste of money or cool tool?
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Buying them new is a waste of money, buying them used for pennies on the dollar which is what they normally go for is great. I must have passed on hundreds of them used through the years since I have at least one in every drive size that rarely see use. Used yes, new, no way! :)
 
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nissan_crawler

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great for engine work, although my 1/4" impact does most of that now. They also work well for getting really tight screws on it, since you can put way more pressure on them than a screwdriver, and you can "jar" the screw (like an impact) loose. If that fails, put some valve lapping compound on the tip and try again.
 
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NOMAD

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so the usual brands are ok?
I'll take a look around ebay.
 
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Mike83

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Weird, I was just thinking today about whether I should get a speeder or if I would never use it. Don't do engine rebuilds, so I prob don't need one per say. I am a sucker for any tool, though :beer:
 
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eschoendorff

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I have one... it is a 1/2" drive Easco that i got for about $1.00. I put an adapter on it to use with my 3/8 stuff... rarely use it though.

You should be able to find these rather easily.
 
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Merkava_4

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eschoendorff

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Vicegrip

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I have a pile of them in a corner drawer that were included in sets I purchased or was given. None are used. I have cut up and welded a speed wrench a time or two to make a tool of some sort or another.
 
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NOMAD

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Vicegrip said:
I have a pile of them in a corner drawer that were included in sets I purchased or was given. None are used. I have cut up and welded a speed wrench a time or two to make a tool of some sort or another.
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Care to donate a 3/8" drive for the cost of postage? A cool name brand like Snap on would be nice... :bounce:
 
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Chris Adams

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I've got a 1/2 drive 'Wizard'. American made, sold by Western Auto back about 1972. A buddy of mine worked at his family’s WA store and we all got tools cheap.

Last used it working on a small block Chevy in 1990
.
They take up a lot of space in the drawer but they are pretty much obsolete technology.
 
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Merkava_4

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eschoendorff said:
I just don't think I need another "comfort knob." One's enough, thank you! :lol:
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I can get a much better grip and apply a lot more upward pressure with that knob on the end. You have to be able to break the paint line that's around the edge of the screw head. It's more like a hard push upwards and then a simultaneous quick jerk to the left and then back to the right a couple times in order to break the paint line around the screw head. Before that though, you sometimes have to dig the paint out of the Phillips groove with a sharp pick.

That spin handle is sweet. :thumbup:
 
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russlaferrera

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IMO the best speed handle ever made was the older Craftsmen. The one with the ball bearings on the hand grip.

The extra weight made it faster to screw/unscrew bolts.. After the bolt broke loose you wobbled the top of the wrench and the extra weight took over.
 
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Abodyracer

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Uncle Buck

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Merkava_4 said:
I have this one here, but I call it a Speed Handle; not a "Speeder" like SO is calling them! They're great for putting a Phillips socket driver on the end for removing access panels from airplane wings.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...5&group_ID=232&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
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Abodyracer said:
I was just thinking the same thing. Duncan Aviation sends alot of their new hires to us to get their tools most of them get 1/4" and 3/8" speed handles.
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I have heard them referred to by both names and I think it varies by manufacturer so either term sounds good to me!
 
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eschoendorff

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dxdexter said:
You mean you guys don't put pressure on your knob and simultaneous give it a quick jerk to the left ?:bounce:
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spank.jpg



I'm sorry... I couldn't resist! :lol_hitti
 
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scofo

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If you have room for a speed handle you likely have room for an extra long extension. With med to long ratchet attached, hold the extension loosely about 8" from ratchet and start "stirring" the extension in about a 6" dia circular motion. Just make sure the ratchet doesn't fly off and hit the fenders or windshield.
 
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eschoendorff

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scofo said:
If you have room for a speed handle you likely have room for an extra long extension. With med to long ratchet attached, hold the extension loosely about 8" from ratchet and start "stirring" the extension in about a 6" dia circular motion. Just make sure the ratchet doesn't fly off and hit the fenders or windshield.
Click to expand...

That sounds like a recipe for disaster....
 
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RickP330

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I gotta tell you, I always wanted a complete set of these wrenches (1/4", 3/8" and 1/2") What about T handles?
Anyway I only have an old armstrong 1/4 drive speeder and used it only occasionally. Limited use put these items way to the back of my wish list.
However, while on the truck a few months ago my cr@p-on guy offered me a complete 1/4 new set with a speeder type ratchet. see link:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=12838&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

I really only wanted the sockets (said I'd never use the ratchet) but I think it was only $20 bucks more for it so I said what the heck?!?! You know I use that damm ratchet almost every day!! I don't know how I ever got along without it. You can flip it up 90 deg and use it like a small speeder. flip it down and it's a regular ratchet.

I wish they made a 3/8" one, I haven't seen it yet... But you may want to consider this type of ratchet as well.
RickP
 
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SCguy

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The only thing I use them for are snugging up the bolts on a ****** pan. I've only ever had to use 1/4".

RD
 
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Chris Adams

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Saw a LOT of them at the swap meet today. Prices from 1.00 for old Craftsman up to 10.00 for Snap-On.
Avoided buying any...
 
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Fedwrench

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I think air ratchets and cordless tools have mad the speed wrench obsolete. However, if you do alot of transmission pans or assemble engines, a speed wrench could come in handy to get bolts started before torquing. I have a couple in 1/4 and 3/8 drive. They rarely get used and I have had them for at least 30 years.
As for those sliding t handles, I never cared for them but, they're real popular in Europe combined with an extension and a swivel socket.
 
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Moose-LandTran

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We call them Speed Braces over here.

i bought a nice Snap-on one off eBay, because i knew it would get used. not the most used tool, but i do use it a lot. good for doing up the bolts on MacPherson strut top mounts. you hold the strut and put the threads through the stut tower holes. put the nuts on by hand at first, and then use a speed brace and a universal joint to do them up quickly.

i prefer them over Air Ratchets for a lot of jobs, because you can feel the torque you're putting down.

i like mine, and will at some time get a 1/4" and 1/2" to accompany it.
 
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