I used a speedwrench yesterday on the jacks on my camper. Fast and quiet.
Does anyone else still use a Speed Wrench Driver?
- Thread starter chief38
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I have removed thousands of sheet metal screws, (and replaced them) in the aircraft I worked on in the USAF in England and France. You didn't have power on the flight line back in 1960 for drills, and battery drills weren't available then.
AJ
US Veteran
They still do not allow the use of electric screwdrivers on aircraft that I am aware of......... To easy to strip a screwhead out. The panels on the aircraft with all the screws are high stress panels and that is the reason for screws not dzus fittings. Have turned more screws with a speed handle than I care to think about.
The only speed wrench I used with used with sockets and resembles a crank. With use comes skill of operation and one could easily spin nuts down by using a rotating force on the crank part which would drive the nut down, quick tighten in place and then come back to tighten to torque after they are all done. If you were going to leave the shop we always marked the nuts torqued with a white marker, in case someone else came on the job. It helped to remember what you were doing as well.
I have some speed wrenches and a brace and bit. All setting in a tote. You can get the same effect from a flex head ratchet, I also have some air ratchets, a 1/2 and 3/4" air impacts, but mostly I now use battery powered tools. I love the wobbly extensions.
I mounted an electric jack on the tongue of my camp trailer and one on each corner of the back bumper. Moved the scissor jacks from the back midway. I use the electrics to get is close, then a battery impact on the scissor jacks to dial it in. I am old and lazy.
I mounted an electric jack on the tongue of my camp trailer and one on each corner of the back bumper. Moved the scissor jacks from the back midway. I use the electrics to get is close, then a battery impact on the scissor jacks to dial it in. I am old and lazy.
I don't recall ever seeing one of those screwdrivers.
My grandfather, a master tech for Chrysler/Dodge, had a nice tool set consisting mostly of Snap On and Craftsman. Also in his kit, he had several box and open end wrenches that he custom made by heating and contorting them into the configuration he needed to complete a particular task; ofttimes for a single job. I know he made one for adjusting Chevy distributors.
My grandfather, a master tech for Chrysler/Dodge, had a nice tool set consisting mostly of Snap On and Craftsman. Also in his kit, he had several box and open end wrenches that he custom made by heating and contorting them into the configuration he needed to complete a particular task; ofttimes for a single job. I know he made one for adjusting Chevy distributors.
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I'd say 99% of the people using those screwdrivers are Electricians - and most regular people never have the need for them. They are mainly for the screws on outlet and switch plates. They make quick easy work of removing or installing plates on many outlets in the house. They are not meant for heavy torquing applications. I do a fair amount of electrical work and they come in quite handy.
Over the course of time (Muscle car era of the late 60) -70s) I modified a bunch of wrenches for some of those impossible to reach places. Did not like to waste a good quality tool so I hit the Globmaster cheap tools for my donor wrench. For the amount of times a special-duty wrench was needed they worked perfectly. In fact I still have a few of them in my tool box.
Well if Chevy tried harder they might have been able to make a harder to get spot for the hold-down for a distributor. In those I did not modify I bought the right specialty wrenches right out of the catalog and gave them plenty of use!
AJ
US Veteran
We used the Speedhandle/speedwrench with an apex tip for removing high stress panels on the aircraft. About a zillon screws in one of those panels. Also used them with extensions to remove and reinstall bolts/screws in hard to reach areas. Most folks do not have a clue how useful they are.
AJ
US Veteran
We had a wrench built for that at my dad's shop. Mostly used it to repair company vehicles and family vehicles. I had it until a few years ago when I sold it to a guy who restores (now) antique cars. Which were pretty close to new when I used it. I sold him a bunch of those tools as I had no further need for them, but wanted them to go to someone who would appreciate and use them.
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