ToolGuyd: Craftsman’s new folding ratcheting clench wrenches have adjustable jaws that can fit a wide range of fastener sizes. Form the looks of it, they auto-fit to any 6pt metric or inch hex fasteners, and potentially several other types as well.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Craftsman Ratcheting Clench Wrench
ToolGuyd: Craftsman’s new folding ratcheting clench wrenches have adjustable jaws that can fit a wide range of fastener sizes. Form the looks of it, they auto-fit to any 6pt metric or inch hex fasteners, and potentially several other types as well.
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11 comments:
Im definitely one who is skeptical about these kind of tools. We always try to improve tools that work great. Ratchets take time to find the right size and don't always fit with the space you have. Wrenches might be a nicer fit for small shallow places but take more time to use. Craftsman just made a faster wrench, but Im sure there is a learning curve and some difficulties while you first start to use it, just like any speed wrench. I wonder how the spring loaded jaws will hold out over time and if the constant spring loaded pounding force on bolts will strip them. this wrench will help with speed and possibly access to tight spaces with a ratchet, but sometimes we really need to ask if its a necessity.
This does seem like it could be a good substitute to the ratchets that we usually use. It would definitely condense space in your tool bag if you didn't have to carry all the different socket sizes. If you're traveling, it also would cut down on weight, which is always a good thing as well. But I think before buying into it I would like to see some real reviews from people who have actually used it before and see what they think about it. This article just talks about what you can see in the picture, of what it looks like it can do, and not the actual functionality of it.
I have seen a lot of these tools and they work real well when wrapped under a Christmas tree or given at father's day. The only issue is that I never see any one actually using these types of a tool. Especially a master electrician. When I see Todd Brown carrying around any kind of wrench that is not a crescent, I will go out and buy one tomorrow.
I am skeptical of how strong the wrench actually is given that it has the knife blade action. While there are times where having a fold-up knife would be useful, I have never found myself thinking that a normal c-wrench was too big to fit in a pocket. The article implies some kind of ratcheting action, but based on the pictures I can not tell exactly where that action happens. It is a neat idea and all, but it seems to me like they re-designed something that really did not need fixing.
I never trust these "solves everything" type of tool, maybe its just me being in the generation of junk. The general consensus on most of the tools of this type is- one is it worth the money? and two does it actually work? the problem with many of the tools like this is that they dont work - and if they do work -they were made so cheaply that they fall apart before you can get any real use out of it. this might not be one of those tools but people have been trying to replace or quicken the process of using a ratchet for years and most alternative tools tend not to perform very well and most dont take wear very well.
Just what the world needs - another bolt rounder. If used carefully then this can probably be a useful tool, but for the vast majority of people they'll pick it up and try to let it grab in any position, taking corners off of nuts and bolt heads all around the country. There's some degree of additional squeezing force like a pipe wrench exhibits, but again that only makes sense if used correctly and not just blindly thrown at a problem. Crescent wrenches have a similar reputation, not because they are inherently bad but more because they are so often misused.
i feel a bit like i am echoing everyone else saying this but like all tools there is a trade off. my guess is that this tool works really well as a fast wrench that can fit a lot of different types of bolts and by extension like a crescent wrench you don't “need” a set of box wrenches or a socket set. i am weary of this tool not because i think it will be “bad” or of poor quality but because people will miss use it. like a leatherman or a dremel tool people will use it to cut corners. A box wrench is better than a crescent wrench because it the exact size of the bolt and a socket is better still because it can apply torque more evenly on a bolt.i think like anything it comes down to using the right tool for the right job. a perfect socket set is no good if i am lazy and just use the leatherman in my back pocket.
My take on this tool is that I really want to get my hands on one and try it out in practice. The thing that I really like is that it is only $30, which makes it cheap enough for you to get as a travel tool or to put in your toolbag as a quick tool when you don't have time to/want to find the right size wrench. As Tom pointed out, this can be used to round bolt heads and such, but I think in the right hands this tool could be really useful, and for only $30 its worth getting to find out.
I had one of those Kobalt cwrenches with the slider that adjusted its width; it seemed really cool and really easier to use, and then it jammed on a lighting focus call while I was in the Tension grid.
Crescent wrenches are not something upon which we should be improving or turning into gimmicks; in addition to the old addage 'if it ain't broke don't fix it,' it's potentially destructive to become accustomed to using a complex tool for a simple task for fear that you would be in a hurt place if you had to use the old kind again.
A lot of people like ultimate focus tools, and the ones with no moving parts are fine by me, but I still prefer a traditional cwrench.
I personally love new and innovative tools. The potential of this tool somewhat eludes me though. It seems to be a clever idea, light weight compact and fairly universal. i do see a potential for this tools use in a theatrical setting, think jesus wrench with less holes. but just as AJ said it all comes down to is it actually necessary?
So in the world of innovative adjustable wrenches I have never not been disappointed. Each one promises to be easy to use and to work with anything, but comes with a lot of slop in a direction you don't want or a lot of pain to adjust. These ones appear to only work one way, so you loose all the advantages that used to come from the crooked head, letting you minimize the clearance needed. It also looks like it would fail on very small bolts, because the loose jaw is curved and small.
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