Wrenches with "flank drive plus" technology

[Fedwrench]

I take it the only USA options for this are Williams, Wright, and Snap-on?

No, there's also Proto, MAC, & MATCO all of which are US made.

 

[dnschmidt]

I will have some TOPTUL SAE sets in stock in a couple of months (the order has been placed) however they will not be flank drive plus (or whatever they call it) These will be their normal long pattern combination wrenches. The Super Torque Dynamic are not made in SAE sets and they don't actually use what is being discussed here. The super torque dynamic look a lot like flare nut wrenches. They don't use teeth or notches on the open ends. They use what looks like a box wrench on the back of the open ends.

This discussion is interesting to me as I never use an open end wrench to loosen anything. I use a box wrench or a socket. This whole idea seems to be a solution looking for a problem but that's just me. Also, is it the magic teeth that do the work or is it a better grade of steel that doesn't spread open (that's what I think). Real tool reviews used a cheap Craftsman raised panel as the "bad" wrench when they compared the Wright Grip and the Snap-On. To me if the open end doesn't spread (and the raised panels definitely do spread) there shouldn't be a problem.

 

[kblee27]

A couple of days ago, I had a rounded off nut stuck on a battery terminal.
I used the Sunex V-groove and spline end first, but it couldn't remove the nut, just keeps slipping.

Then I tried this Metrinch. And thankfully it works.

 

[cesski]

dang......i was super hopeful at that price point....

I take it the only USA options for this are Williams, Wright, and Snap-on?

You and I both! I got super excited for nothing lol

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

 

[Wes J]

This discussion is interesting to me as I never use an open end wrench to loosen anything. I use a box wrench or a socket. This whole idea seems to be a solution looking for a problem but that's just me. Also, is it the magic teeth that do the work or is it a better grade of steel that doesn't spread open (that's what I think). Real tool reviews used a cheap Craftsman raised panel as the "bad" wrench when they compared the Wright Grip and the Snap-On. To me if the open end doesn't spread (and the raised panels definitely do spread) there shouldn't be a problem.

You are lucky. I run into things that can only be done with an open end wrench all the time. The most obvious are hydraulic hose fittings. You can't use a line wrench on them either.

Another example are "knock bolts". They are basically just bolts but the head of the bolt is used to push something into alignment. So, the threads are engaged into something on one end and the head touches something on the other end.

I've run into lots of situations where a nut or head of a bolt is under a lip or ledge that blocks the top. No way to get a socket or even a box end on those. Shocks on a semi truck are frequently done this way. The top of the shock is right up against the plate that holds the sliding 5th wheel. Usually we torch them off, but the last 10 turns or so when installing is open end wrench only.

Plenty of other examples. Turn buckles/tensioners, applications of all thread, various adjusters, tight spaces, anyplace you need a crow foot, etc.