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A long time ago my 1/4" speed handle "disappeared". I've been looking at eBay and the local Craig's list for a reasonably priced replacement. Either none, an unknown brand or junk.
With that said, I'm looking for an American made tool, and at $20 or less (the local Snap-on man said his was $35:eek: )
Thanks
We've got a killer good swap meet here.
If you don't find one, let me know.
I've been putting together a junkyard tool box.
Tools are a touch mismatched, but all American made.
Some found at garage sales, but most from the swap meet.
Along those same lines, what do you think about doing a European style speed wrench?
A "T" wrench that's nothing more than the slider bar and a 10" extension.
Craftsman based and the slider was brazed on center many years ago.
Better imo because it's not dedicated to a particular socket size.
Mine is 3/8" and I use it probably more than I do the speed handle.
Got the idea from the opening scenes of Cinerama's Grand Prix starring James Garner.
Far as I know gennie European speed wrenches or whatever they call them are a dedicated size.
If I were to make another one I'd use JB Weld to hold the slider on center.
Meant to add I've seen these with a tilting ratchet head.
One way a ratchet, the other a speed wrench with ratcheting capabilities.
I do have a 1/4" Snap-on version of the slide center 'European' wrenches that probably hasn't been used 5 times and have had it for years.Quote:
Originally Posted by C9x
Since I do use my 3/8" and 1/2" versions fairly often, figured that the 1/4" would be welcomed back to my tool box after a long absence.
I do have one more source that I had forgotten about and will run in to town tomorrow for a look.
My luck with swap meets and tools lately has been bad. I went to a swap meet early January and a guy must have had 2 of every tool made - that is but a 1/4" speed handle. Another last fall was about as bad - and I don't buy rusty and abused tools.
I'll let you know
You might look for a Proto dealer (its is generally considered an industrial line/distributor).
I have one in 1/4 drive and like it very much!
It depends on the vintage - Stanley now owns Proto(read 'Made in China' now). If I can find an older version, it will be considered- thanksQuote:
Originally Posted by ScooterCO
I hear you on the rusty tools stuff, but if it's not too bad simply using them usually cleans them up.
Or you can use some oil and 4/0 steel wool to clean them up.
That works fairly well on old guns.
As does a cloth and oil.
To my knowledge Proto was never made in china and I did know that Stanley/Proto are one company.
I don't mind a couple of rust specks - but some of the junk I've seen locally looks like the tools were stored in a swimming pool. A couple of years ago I was able to get a nice set of Snap-on combo shorty wrenches (cheap) to complement my long set.Quote:
Originally Posted by C9x
Denny,
Since I never got notified, I never responded - back to the same crap - occasionally no emails. I really wish that Brent would get another program
I have been using an adapter, 3/8>1/4 but really want to fill out my tool box.
Soooo - I just got a NEW 1/4" S-K, Made in the USA:eek: , for $12, and well within my $20 max 'budget'.
Hope that I don't need heat resistant gloves when I use it:D
Quote:
Originally Posted by DennyW
I had that feeling that Brent only does what is needed and that Bill does most of the day to day stuff.
I have Earthlink - and they have been great with clipping spam off anything that I get, especially since I can use one of my 10 anonymous email addresses which wont let a forum response into my system hard drive unless I say to download to my personal email box. I can look at it on-line, then click to go directly to the forum and respond there. Been great for my forum stuff as I seldom get more than 1-2 spam a day.
I have my welding gloves to use with the speed handle until I know its' actual "operating temperature":D :D
I looked at last Saturdays swap meet and couldn't find one.
Figures . . . since I've seen them pretty regular.
Did get a killer long Craftsman #2 Phillips screwdriver though.
Just right for the junkyard toolbox.
Cost a dollar.
Having a hard time finding an American made mid-size ball peen hammer.
I wouldn't even mind putting a new handle on one.
I've always been amazed at how some people treat tools.
Ball peens are a whole other ball game it seems.
I can't believe how many I see with ultra short handles.
Off to the pawn shops I guess, we have three good ones here.
Just gotta get lucky to catch the good stuff....
Hit the "hock shops".
The pawn shop I go to always has a bunch of old tool boxes containing a hodge-podge of tools in them, some pretty decent. Be advised, though, they may be a little hot to the touch when you pick them up.
Retirement has had a definite adverse effect on my income so the Snap-On man has been declared off limits. I've never been too proud to buy used stuff but I have in the past avoided Far East manufactured tools.
Well, I admit that I now have a number of them in my box. One reason for that is not just that they are less expensive. Some of them not only look and feel good but they are of good quality as well. Granted, I no longer make my living with tools and have reduced my mechanic status to that of "tinkerer" so lesser quality usually works OK for me.
Anyway, that might be a place to look.
Good luck
Jim
Thanks for looking - we have a swap meet coming up at Stafford Speedway in CT in early April - that's assuming the snow has gone. As usual I'll be looking for more tools - and with my luck, there will be several good $2 speed handles.Quote:
Originally Posted by C9x
Oh yeah - beat and rusty tools......not my thing
Sears.com shows a 1/4 drive speed handle/wrench for $16.99
Quote:
Originally Posted by roofcam
Thanks - but got a $12 S-K
Quote:
Originally Posted by IC2
You would really have enjoyed the ball peen hammer with the welded on re-bar for a handle....:LOL:
My source for old tools is a beat up wooden tool chest I inherited from my Dad and it includes a lot of stuff from my GrandDad. Most of the tools are for woodworking but some are universal like cold chisels and pipe wrenches. This cache of old stuff included a big 6" bench vise so I have only had to buy a new Craftsman torque wrench and some metric sockets to build three VW engines and a craftsman 3/8" drive set to rebuld a Pinto 2000 and now to assemble the SBC 350. My experience with Craftsman tools is humorous since on one of the VW engines I used the 3/8" ratchet to tighten the flywheel gland nut which requires about 215 ft. lb. so I put a 6' pipe on the handle to tighten the nut. You need to understand that on an earlier VW-Dune Buggy with an engine I did not build that nut came off and the flywheel came off while driving so I know it needs to stay on! Well the nut stayed on but the 3/8" ratchet was stripped so I went to Sears and asked for the Craftsman replacement. The Sears guy went into the back room and replaced the mechanism and the ratchet was as good as new, but for what it is worth we now know the 3/8" drive will fail somewhere around 200 ft. lb.! I am only chiming in here to say that in some cases really rusty stuff comes out looking almost like new using WD40 and steel wool. In particular a large 24" square was very rusty and you could not even see the inch marks on it but after about 15 min of the WD40-steel wool treatment it looked like new and I have used it a lot for checking the frame and measuring perpendicular distances from a flat surface as well as checking for level surfaces. Of course this is meaningful to me because I remember my Dad using some of these same tools. I guess I am admitting "crudesmanship" but I find a use for the old pipe wrenches when the visegrip is too small and I recall my Dad rearranging the pipes in the cellar of my boyhood home to move the kitchen plumbing from the front of the house to the rear, so these tools are old family friends and a source of nostalgia for me. I only wish I had at least a few gennie pieces of original 1929 Ford metal on my roadster but so far every piece is reproduction and the only stuff circa 1929 in my garage is in the tool chest!
Don Shillady
Retired Scinetist/teen rodder
I have to say that the S-K speed handle is not the quality of what they used to manufacture/sell, but for $12, what can you say - it'll do the job just fine.
Don, I really hope you have a few more tools then the ol' wooden box for your automotive hobby. But then not all car guys are tool freaks. I would like a nice big 6" vise tho. Two of the three Chinese clunkers I have are doing their job, while the third is only taking space on one of my 3 work benches. Hmmmm - gives me an idea of something to do with my Lowes gift cards (if they have any good ones, Made in the USA)