If you were closer I’d give ya one of mine, not sure why I have more than one but I do, not really worth the cost of shippingIMO. I like them for installing sheet metal screws or anything that you don’t want to over torque. Before cordless drills and torque drivers they were the cat’s meow. I still think they’re better than cordless drivers for some things. Dan
I use mine all of the time when I am doing ***embly on parts that will later be torqued in sequence. When I worked at GM, we tested every brand of cordless tool. Not one single one of them produced the same torque reading, on the same torque setting, twice in a row. If I do use a cordless tool, it is set far below the desired torque range, and the final torque is set by hand, using a calibrated wrench.
I have two ideas, is there enough metal to peen over a small ball bearing and short pen spring behind it, , the other idea is epoxy a real shot extension to the end.
I almost never use one, except for starting and running down head, pan and timing cover bolts when ***embling an engine on the stand.. But my Dad used one everyday, sometimes all day. He had a salvage and sold a LOT of standard transmissions. This was the 60-80s so lots of Chevy 318 and Ford equivalents getting broken every Saturday night by the local teenagers. Dad couldn't keep enough used ones so repairing/rebuilding exchange units was a daily thing. Speed handles were the ticket for front bearing retainers, extension housings and shift covers when on the bench. I got to put a lot of them end and had no use for a speed handle on that end of the business. Edit: this is what he used mostly. Great version, bearings in the handle and top knob. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1661931715...i8hkbB/dy2I1mP9BibnJbs6Q==|tkp:Bk9SR7iOgq2mZA
I used the **** out of them depaneling aircraft. That was back in the 80's before all of the cordless stuff.
You're preaching to the choir here! Generally, there is never any good reason to use a ratchet or speed wrench large than a 1/4" drive on valve cover, engine oil pan, auto trans fluid pan or timing cover bolts. Using 3/8" drive or larger is why bolts get broken or sheet metal pans get distorted around the bolt holes.
Here's a set of Milwaukees on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/48-32-5033-M...pcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A358WOJA77XS76
I’ve several sets, but the 6 dollar 1/4-3/8-1/2 inch set from HF works as well as any of them. An item you don’t have to pay high dollar for.
The small impact screwdrivers are made to use with these or screwdriver bits. Way better than a cordless drill. Got a cheap one at Harbor Freight about 5 years ago. Only $21 and $12 for the battery. I've used Hell out of if it and can't kill it, works great for small fasteners. Keeps up with my son's Dewalt that cost ten times as much.
Hello, As part of our complete Craftsman tool box kit, we had a speed wrench. We had seen our friend use his on various motor rebuilds at the neighborhood Mobil Gas Station Garage. It was nice that he could spin it around several times and get finished fast. But, when I tried to use it for some simple installations, the handle was nice and set up. But, as I got going, the longish handle was not always straight. It was a good thing the fat bolts were not intricate thin bolts necessitating a steady hand. Like with a shorter rachet. So, when we flipped the new bottom crank area for installation, sitting down the speed handle helped get those larger bolts in place. But, for several, I used my rachet to similar success, while my brother was using the speed wrench on something else. So, yes, it helps to a degree. Jnaki But, when I gave away my tools to our relative involved with old cars, he asked about the speed wrench from Craftsman. I told him that the previous week, we had a large neighborhood garage sale and the wrench sitting in the tool section was the first item sold at 6:30 am, as I was opening the garage door to set up the whole garage. So, for some, it works. The speed at which is saved can be adjusted with using a more secure rachet with better results. Plus, there is no swinging around of the “longish” handle. YRMV
don't be too hard on Fleet tools. Back in the dark ages of 1962, when I was just starting out on my first car, my dad hauled me down to Pep Boys to buy some tools. I bought a Fleet 3/8 drive socket set with 3/8 to 3/4 sockets, ratchet, breaker bar, and 2 extensions. I still have those tools in my box aĺ these years later. I only had one socket split in that time. While I don't use them often any more, when I do, they still the job for me. I went onto a career in auro mechanics and Aircraft mechanics. They were used pretty often and were/are God tools if used properly. I have a top and bottom box full of Snap on, Mac, and a few other brands and still occasionally use some of my ancient Fleet tools just to keep them up.
Funny thing, I just got my speed handle out for the first time in a LONG time to start the head bolt tightening sequence on a 200 Ford 6 for my Ranchero project. I’ve seen a couple posts about using them for spark plugs. Only on an inline in my experience if it’s still in the car. No v-8 I’ve ever worked on has that kind of room in the engine compartment.
Actually, Snap-on used to have a repair kit for replacing the ball & spring. If IRC there was a staking tool for crimping it together. That was in the early 80's. I doubt that they are available anymore.
The Jalopy Journal
