Does anyone else still use a Speed Wrench Driver?

MOD'S: Please move this into Lounge - posted here in error, sorry.

For some who don't know the name of it, the driver for sockets with the "C" shape bent into it is called a Speed Wrench. The Military still uses them in the field I believe.

It is for most modern purposes considered to be obsolete and I believe the only reason the US Military still uses them because they never need to rely on any power from either an outlet or a battery and they never fail. They are quit handy for multiple, repeated and tedious fastener driving tasks.

I have used them on occasion when I have dozens or hundreds of fasteners to install and a battery, 120V powered driver or air tool is not really convenient. I used to use one for lowering and raising the 50-60 special brass "retaining bolts" that my old pool's Loop-Loc cover hooked onto. I'd use three extensions so that I did not have to bend at all and the overall length was about 4.5 feet. Worked very well and was much better than using an electric or battery operated drill or ratchet and having to bend down 50-60 times.

I have been repairing, adjusting garage doors for neighbor's lately and have also converted a bunch of them from the original steel rollers to nylon rollers - quiets the door down incredibly well! Anyway, the garage doors have 1/4" self tapping sheet metal screws with a hex head. The speed wrench makes quick work of removing and replacing the almost 200 of them on a high and wide double garage door. It also allows me to tighten them to the proper torque without stripping them in the doors sheet metal. Yes - I can use a battery operated drill with a clutch to do that as well, but I find the speed wrench convenient, lightweight, easy to angle and much better for proper tightening all with one tool. Plus when it falls on the floor (as it always manages to) I never worry if it is going to break and no worries about replacing the batteries.

I also use one when installing dozens of screws or bolts or nuts on equipment, motorcycles and anywhere that there are plenty of fasteners and over torquing with a power tool can be a risk. I even have three special screwdrivers made by Klein Tools that are basically a speed wrench in the form of a screwdriver. They are GREAT when installing or taking apart multiple electrical outlets and plates.

I'd bet very few here actually still use this tool and while many might have one in the bottom of their tool box, I am curious if people still use them. I do realize they are somewhat antiquated (for the most part) but you can pick up even a high end Snap-On brand from eBay for under $20 now! New, they would probably be close to $200.

BTW, I have to laugh when I use mine and a neighbor or homeowner asks me what the tool is....

I saw one of them used just yesterday at an oil change place.

I’ve used them, but my favorite oddball tool is a knurled knob with a socket attachment - lets me use finger power in close quarters with any socket.

The C wrench is a good thing to have - like you say, no power required. But I remember having to take the backs on/off Fender speaker cabinets, wanted a drill for that, tho.

Had and used a speed wrench 1/2" drive since the 'ear;y '70's.
No to the screw drivers . Only seen them used by older electricians .

Now more than you want to know !!

I saw 2 yankee screw drivers , both a large and small size bought at a neighborhood yard sale along with a hand powered Bit Brace drill and wood bit set . Price had to be crasy low price as was about 16 at the time so that would be '71. I wanted to be a carpenter so maybe I got a deal on them .

I went to work for a custom home builder. With in a couple years there I was hanging doors no prehung doors and used the yankee's and hand crank bit driver to install hardware . These always worked and there still in good shape now . The smaller yankee worked well with there push drill bits too in hard wood .

Also acquired a small collection of Disson spring steel D-9 and D-23 hand saw's. Got them from our tool sharpener for the price to sharpen only when not payed for or picked up at his shop . These were hand filled do to the blades hardness and for my favorite one that was some what brittle if placed on a machine to sharpen .My D-9's and D-23's are all from the early1900's. Also picked up several wood handle chisels off the tool sharpener . Good ole hand powered tools .

I have one (somewhere) from my pre-compressor days. That was 40+ years ago. Now days, if I don't want to drag out the air hose, I have a multitude of DeWalt 20v drivers to choose from. There's nothing wrong with old school, but electric/air is so much faster.

I still have 1/4” and 3/8” drive speed wrenches, though I can’t remember the last time I used them. I also have a Phillips screwdriver like one of the ones you pictured, Chief. Somewhere, I’ve got one of those screwdrivers with the spiral, or helix grooves in the shaft where you push the handle in and it turns the fastener.

At a garage sale a few years ago I found a skewdriver. Those are pretty neat and I still use it fairly often to remove self tapping screws that you can’t otherwise get a good purchase on.

I use a Bit Brace, a Yankee Screwdriver, and sharpen some tools,
with a Hand Cranked Grinding Stone. Keeps the temper and is quiet.
Milwaukee makes ratchet screwdrivers, long and stubby.
Use them most every day.
I also have a small rowboat and some homemade kayaks for fishing.
Snapper shopping, Channel 2, early '90s.
Still in use.
Did I say quiet.

I had one since I bought my first tool set yrs ago, I did auto body all my life, I never used one. Always had some sort of air tool to tighten the bolt or screw and towards the end we had cordless tools. Larry

When I bought Proto tools in 73 to go to diesel school they came in the kit. They have not had much use in the last 35 years but they aren't going anywhere either.

I remember a conversation with an elderly tool-nut back around 1978 or so… he excitedly told me he had finally found a use for the “crowfoot” wrench set he had! Model A fenders, iirc…

Have one. Haven't used it in a few years, since my wife bought me a battery powered impact driver.

Have a couple. 3/8 and a Half.
Last time I recall using one I was re-hinging a Gate.

Have both 1/4" & 3/8 drive speed wrenches. But mostly I use DeWalt battery screwdrivers. Two one in the garage the other in the basement.

Not used much at all anymore is the 3/8 & 1/2 inch drive sockets, impact wrench etc. Most of my work is on three different motorcycles and I like 1/4 inch for that. Steel bolts into aluminum cases need that light touch. My favorite is a Cruz tools metric ratchet kit. Very short handle gets into everywhere and no stripped threads.

I've had one in my tool box for about 50 years. Used it quite a bit way back in the day. I haven't used it much in years. I love power tools.

Yes on the 1/4" and 3/8" drive speed wrenches. Very handy!

No on the screwdrivers of that type.

I had one of those push driver screwdrivers that I used to have from my granddad, but it jumped it's laced tracks and locked up

mikerjf said:

I remember a conversation with an elderly tool-nut back around 1978 or so… he excitedly told me he had finally found a use for the “crowfoot” wrench set he had! Model A fenders, iirc…

Click to expand...

Crowfoots were also handy for some distributor hold-downs.

Picture of Yankee Screwdriver from the web.
Mine, bought new in the '70s, and still in use,
gets graphite power to keep it running smooth.
Vacuumed as necessary.
Used it for mounting 1911 slabs, on the
manual carving machine's fixture.

chief38 said:

. . .

I also use one when installing dozens of screws or bolts or nuts on equipment, motorcycles and anywhere that there are plenty of fasteners and over torquing with a power tool can be a risk.

. . .

Click to expand...

That's what it's for. Used one in the Navy (aviation), where it was called a speed handle, and still use it occasionally at home for the above purpose. I don't even own an electric screwdriver, and don't need one.

hardluk1 said:

Had and used a speed wrench 1/2" drive since the 'ear;y '70's.
No to the screw drivers . Only seen them used by older electricians .

Now more than you want to know !!

I saw 2 yankee screw drivers , both a large and small size bought at a neighborhood yard sale along with a hand powered Bit Brace drill and wood bit set . Price had to be crasy low price as was about 16 at the time so that would be '71. I wanted to be a carpenter so maybe I got a deal on them .

I went to work for a custom home builder. With in a couple years there I was hanging doors no prehung doors and used the yankee's and hand crank bit driver to install hardware . These always worked and there still in good shape now . The smaller yankee worked well with there push drill bits too in hard wood .

Also acquired a small collection of Disson spring steel D-9 and D-23 hand saw's. Got them from our tool sharpener for the price to sharpen only when not payed for or picked up at his shop . These were hand filled do to the blades hardness and for my favorite one that was some what brittle if placed on a machine to sharpen .My D-9's and D-23's are all from the early1900's. Also picked up several wood handle chisels off the tool sharpener . Good ole hand powered tools .

Click to expand...

Imissedagain said:

Picture of Yankee Screwdriver from the web.
Mine, bought new in the '70s, and still in use,
gets graphite power to keep it running smooth.
Vacuumed as necessary.
Used it for mounting 1911 slabs, on the
manual carving machine's fixture.

Click to expand...

Ahhh…that’s what they’re called. I saw you mentioned it in an earlier post, then I was trying to describe it in my post.

I probably have a few more tools that I have no idea what the actual name is

During the 60s and 70s I did a lot of work on my own vechicles and working at my buddies speed shop/garage.

I had those speed wrenches but to be honest do not remember ever using them!

I still have them in super good condition just taking up room in the big red box!