Favorite unique tool.

Kinja'd!!! "Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond)
08/14/2017 at 00:18 • Filed to: None

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A variable size box wrench, i think its called. It was my dad’s, who wasn’t a mechanic by any means but this is definitely crazy useful for the unknown sized surprises anywhere. Used it a LOT.


DISCUSSION (9)


Kinja'd!!! I have another burner, try to guess it! > Grindintosecond
08/14/2017 at 00:25

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Omg I need one Asap!


Kinja'd!!! Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief > Grindintosecond
08/14/2017 at 00:41

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I remember seeing these advertised on TV when I was a kid. I’ve used a few but not in two decades. I always wondered why I didn’t continue to see them but figured it as was an “as seen on TV” product made out of recycled Yugo cars with a patent that kept anyone from making them properly.

I wonder if they have any inherent design flaws about rounding heads off or something. I thought they were rad but I was a kid when I last saw one. Clearly remember it though.


Kinja'd!!! lone_liberal > Grindintosecond
08/14/2017 at 00:42

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I think my dad had one of those. I’m not sure if he still does but he used to. It’s not that different but I love my GearWrench socket set. The kind that has a middle pass through so you can use them on long bolts and studs.


Kinja'd!!! TheRealBicycleBuck > Grindintosecond
08/14/2017 at 00:42

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I used to have one. It was bad about rounding off nuts. It finally broke at the pin when I tried a little too hard To get a rusty nut to break loose.


Kinja'd!!! SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Grindintosecond
08/14/2017 at 01:03

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I’ve got one. It looks quite striking in my young son’s toolbox that he uses to create stories with...

Utterly useless as a wrench. More effective as a floppy hammer.


Kinja'd!!! NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > Grindintosecond
08/14/2017 at 01:21

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I have one of these! Don’t use it much, but it’s a pretty cool idea.


Kinja'd!!! Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > Grindintosecond
08/14/2017 at 03:08

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Really useful for removing a stiff nut or bolt 1/8 turn at a time, coz they’re easier to put & take than a regular box wrench.

Not much use for anything else though - put decent torque on and they round off nuts about as well as a file does.


Kinja'd!!! Jayvincent > Grindintosecond
08/14/2017 at 07:39

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I definitely had a pair when I was a kid, handed down from my Dad who probably realized they were more interesting than useful. I probably still have them at the bottom of a toolbox, somewhere. As I recall, the flaws were legion:

- weak pin meant you couldn’t apply much force

- large head meant they wouldn’t fin in tight spaces

- unidirectional (so you always put it on the wrong way first)

- non-equal sides on the head contact points were meant to line up with different size nuts/bolts, but really meant they didn’t line up with anything

- cam action provided a small contact patch for the pivot, which would slip and round off the nut/bolt

- I cant explain why, but I recall they were only functional as a push tool, if you pulled the wrench towards you, it was almost guaranteed to slip off

Used with care (and lots of PB Blaster) you can successfully tighten and loosen a multitude of things with just this one handy tool. Thanks for that trip down memory lane.


Kinja'd!!! Dave the car guy , still here > Grindintosecond
08/14/2017 at 09:01

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Cool, I have one I keep in the trunk with an assortment of sockets and ratchet for emergencies. They are VERY handy. Also have one of the Gator grip sockets in with legit sizes just in case I don’t have the exact size with me. The ratchet that came with the gator grip is course toothed and I just keep it for when I want to have several ratchets handy on a project. I might use it once or twice a year instead of my Husky, Craftsman or Snap-ons. Its strong just to little teeth in it.