My detent ball has been missing for decades gotta tape the socket on... I should buy a new speeder. Any one have this from Jegs? Cheapo, cost more for shipping $22 total Mine has a knob on the end not a long handle https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/W38128/10002/-1
Doubt a speed wrench gets much HD use. Maybe this one from Amazon for less than 16 bucks with free Prime shipping? https://www.amazon.com/TITAN-68103-...6ee2abd7128e330f96c44e243f49167d&gad_source=1
I offered one . May have spoke to soon though. I only have one 3/8. Two 1/2 and one 1/4. I would give him a 1/2 or my 1/4. Don't want to give up my 3/8. Thought I had two of those. Sorry about that.
Borrow a cheap 3/8's extension form a buddy, cut the ends off both it and your broken speed wrench, weld the good one with a ball catch on your tool, tell your buddy his extension broke, buy him a beer.
What manufacturer is it? If it's a decent brand with life time warranty you might be able to get it replaced
I used to use the crap out of my 1/2" and was going to break down and buy a 3/8" but instead I bought a 1/2" long snap-on ratchet with a broke head, then I'd just flip the ratchet handle and use it as a speed wrench. That worked well enough so a bought a curved handle Mac tools 3/8" broke head ratchet and started using it as a speed handle too. Haven't pulled the speed handle out of my toolbox in probably 15-16 years.... ...
I just don't know. What is a speed wrench good for? I bought one at least fifty years ago and have never used it much. Doesn't fit in tight spaces, doesn't provide much leverage. Can't imagine it ever getting worn to the point where the detent ball gets use. Takes up space in the toolbox and that is about all. Please enlighten me. What have I missed out on all this time?
Pawn shops are really good at having some good deals on tools and you can score some quality American made stuff
But they're traditional... I have a couple, one is extra long. From back in the day, when even air tools were a luxury in the pits.
I recall as a kid watching NHRA on TV. They showed the top end being assembled by one guy with a speed wrench. When he was done another behind had a torque wrench. I’d just assumed it was a quick and safe way to snug thing down WO cross threading.
I've got a 3/8 SnapOn on my tool box that was used to run head bolts down in flathead Mopar sixes in the car back in the day before I got it. I drilled holes for it and a long 3/8 extension in the front corner of my bottom box as both are too long to fit inside. I use my shorter ones to run head bolts down or tighten pan bolts on engines on the stand because I don't use impacts or air ratchets when I assemble and engine. In the past few years I have used that speed handle and the long extension to reach through the back seat and remove the trunk latch bolts on a few cars or with a screwdriver atachment turn the lock and open the trunk. That doesn't work very often though.
I try to leave mine out in plain view so people think I use it. Those and safety wire pliers was our main tools with army helicopters in the old days.
They are still useful, but if saving seconds here and there adds up to a few minutes saved, and the old adage of time is money applies in your case, maybe much less so. They are great for tightening rod bolt nuts, as usually a 1/2" socket is a bit too large in diameter. Spark plug installation is another use, and something for which you definitely want that tactile 'feel' to ensure you don't cross thread them in. Oil pan bolts, with the engine in a stand-- also useful. I believe there is a fundamental difference when using hand vs. powered tools, and while I'm not going to try to convince anybody which they should use, the fact that this is a traditional automotive forum should tilt the scales slightly in favor of one versus the other. Not every tool needs to be used everyday to be worth keeping around, so keep a drawer filled with drum brake pliers, distributor wrenches, and speed wrenches, just in case.
Not many people use them anymore so they are pretty common at the swap meets, and not expensive. I bought a nice Snap-On one for $10.
As these have mentioned, they are all over the used market, but if you want to repair yours, another option is to braze or solder the end so it's tighter. May not last as long as the ball, but it's free at home if you have the heat and metal to melt.
Valve covers and spark plugs. I could never justify the cost as a strapped high school and college student, and was always envious of the one my cousin had. I think his was a Monkey Ward’s PowerCraft.
Got one in a box of used tools I bought. It's been laying in the big box since I put it in there, don't remember ever using it. I'll run stuff down with a socket stuck on an extension, then stick the ratchet on for final tightening.
Its the only tool I use for installing oil pans, gives the perfect feel for tightness. It's probably an early 60s Craftsman 1/4" drive.
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