Weird wrenches - - hybrid box end & socket ??

[CNGsaves]

Saw this set of WEIRD WRENCHES on CL ad.

They have box end on one end, but then socket on other, . . .
. . . . AND . . . screwdriver handle in middle ??? . . . What the heck ??

Any idea who makes these, and what are they any good for ??

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/tls/4771842980.html

 

[CNGsaves]

Anyone seen something like this before??

Maybe "nutdriver" tool for tech who always needs same size ??

 

[wornoutoldman]

Those would be in my toolbox asap.

 

[Formula]

Those look ridiculous and not very practical.

 

[CoopVA]

They are odd looking... Seem awkward. I wonder if there is a specific use for them?


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[Outlawmws]

Those would be great for a small engine and equipment mech, if decent quality.

Never seen one before though

 

[devoncoolman]

Id buy em. No real use for them. Not sure what they were origionally designed for.

 

[metaldad]

i'd buy them.
just because

 

[quattroJoe]

Can't tell from the pic, but do the socket ends swivel? If so, I could see that being useful. Swivel the socket 90* or use the box end to break a fastener loose, then straight out and use the handle to spin it off quickly.

 

[Jweebothee]

Never seen anything like that before, but I would buy them lol, just because they are odd

 

[gearhead1]

Specialized for a specific application of some sort. Think like valve lash tool.

 

[Tronyadorable]

At Garage journal / They'll buy anything !!!
Welcome to the .5% club.

 

[Bobcat753]

For spark plugs?

 

[Outlawmws]

For spark plugs?

I don't think so: its a short box on one end, and a socket driver. Basically a LARGE nutritiver set with a breaker feature. I still think Small engine/equipment. Briggs, Tecumseh, Wisconsin...

 

[Askme42]

Wow I can't believe no one knows what these are for or has never seen them.


Not because I know. Just because this is garage journal.

 

[FMC1959]

The design does not look functionally correct. Where the acetate handle is located does not seem functional for either end. For $45 or less, I would get them, like others have stated, just because, but doubt it would be a "go to" tool.

 

[gungatim]

almost looks as if someone at the factory made those for a personal set...long nutdriver with a box wrench on one end? Can't see why that would appeal to anyone. like making a ratchet with a phillips screwdriver on the handle end...just because you can doesn't mean you should...

 

[63spyder]

Looks like all the sockets have a hex head, I bet they come off you then break the bolt loose and then spin them out with the handle

 

[jkwilson]

I used to service a system that had dozens of bolts holding the cover plates on, with cables running everywhere making it difficult to use a ratchet. You were always in behind something else working on the boxes. I could see a set of those being really handy. Break them loose with the box end and then spin them out with the driver.

 

[LA1]

I want to say maybe for woodworking machinery or printing. maybe the box end wrench is used as a backup wrench with the long socket swiveled at an angle. see if you can get a part number or make off of the wrenches. was looking at the picture with a magnifier, there is something inside of the sockets.

 

[Sal Bandini]

Roto ratchet would do the same thing.

 

[Gmonkee]

Possibly telephone exchange/mainframe component rack services, back when mainframes had their own buildings to themselves?

Very specialized to something a small minority would realize the best application.

 

[shanny19]

This is as long as I've seen a "whatisit" go un-definitively answered for the short time I've been around here. Can't believe it.

 

[youngridge]

My grandfather has almost a set, I have used them quite a bit, longer than normal, more leverage, and a nice comfort handle. What there purpose was when they first came out, I have no idea. Will try to get a brand a part number soon.a

 

[Outlawmws]

almost looks as if someone at the factory made those for a personal set...long nutdriver with a box wrench on one end? Can't see why that would appeal to anyone. like making a ratchet with a phillips screwdriver on the handle end...just because you can doesn't mean you should...

Nothing of the sort. What you said has two thing completely unrelated. this is a socket and (presumably) the same size box wrench for breaking, as I suggested.

I don't think so: its a short box on one end, and a socket driver. Basically a LARGE nutritiver set with a breaker feature. I still think Small engine/equipment. Briggs, Tecumseh, Wisconsin...

And here is someone that also sees another practical use for them...

I used to service a system that had dozens of bolts holding the cover plates on, with cables running everywhere making it difficult to use a ratchet. You were always in behind something else working on the boxes. I could see a set of those being really handy. Break them loose with the box end and then spin them out with the driver.

 

[woody 73]

I sent out an E-mail (glad he does not think I am crazy) asking about any writing on any of the handles as a further clue of manufacture name and this is what he sent back.

The only words are "WORK SHOPS" on each handle does that ring a bell with anyone?
They kind of remind me of K-mart type products but still not sure at this point in time.

 

[julie.jennings.9]

I am still selling them and a whole lot of other tools from my fathers garage. He collected and restored cars and we own a tree company I have no idea what they were for but he was really good friends with a guy that opened a tool store in downtown Kansas city so his tool garage is majorly stocked. What we have no use for I am liquidating.

 

[julie.jennings.9]

Also have a tons of early 1950-early 1970's car parts. So I thank woody perhaps I can utilize the forum to connect people with stuff they maybe looking for.

 

[MJO]

Those things are great if you want to expand your novelty tool collection.

 

[warweapon762]

I asked my dad about these and he mentioned that he had some in his tool box when he worked for Motorola in the 1970s. He said these were primarily used for speed disassembly/reassembly for transceiver housings as they had alot of nuts holding down brackets and it was much faster disassemble/assemble the brackets that held electrical equipment with a set of these rather than run around with a ratchet. This was mainly due to the fact that once the nut was broke loose you couldn't really ratchet the nut off and had to spin it off by hand. These allowed you to break the nut, then spin it off quickly.

I guess these were popular in the 1970s with small time industrial manufacturing aswell. But I don't think they were just for use in telecommunications. My dad seemed to think they used these alot because line men were always losing sockets and stuff and it was much easier to keep track of something that looked like a screw driver.