Though I’m pretty sure long-time Toolmonger PutnamEco, who took the picture above and posted it to our Flickr pool, will answer this question, I can’t help but ask anyway: What’s the most common use for a bent/angled adjustable wrench? I’ve seen enough of ‘em on the ‘net and in toolboxes that I know there’s a pretty common application. I guess I just haven’t run into it yet.
And before you write to thrash me for my ignorance, let me say that I have the utmost respect for specialty tools. Hell, deep-offset wrenches have saved the day for me on at least one occasion, and I keep a drawer full of oddball screwdrivers, well, just in case.
One thing’s certain: It looks like mister Eco’s got himself around $100 worth of Westcotts, if we’re to believe current eBay auctions.
Westcott Wrenches [TM Flickr Pool]
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3 Responses to Reader Question: Bent Adjustables?
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{ He should produce it in small quantities,their is so much demand ,but little in the way of products for the disabled.A little reminder,665 confirmed child... } – May 21, 2:06 PM
{ Note the similarity to the Wilton: http://www.amazon.com/Wilton-11127-Opening-Utility-Workshop/dp/B0008JF9PO/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1337607288&sr=1-2 @ $100.30 Guess I'll go for the Sears. The Amazon price is beter then a lot on E-bay... } – May 21, 7:40 AM
{ If you need an old vice, there are many on ebay! } – May 19, 6:08 PM
{ I have had little experience with Honda although people I know who own them swear by them. I have owned and used B&S powered lawn... } – May 19, 3:53 PM
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One use for these wrenches was on the old Fordson tractors. It had something to do with reaching a bolt/nut that was located in a very tight spot behind the radiator – I think it had t do with a pulley that was notorious for loosening through normal use of the tractor. You could slip the wrench down there easily enough but not your hand. It also had a lot to do with the angle of the wrench on the nut – as in you couldn’t place the wrench just anywhere on the bolt/nut because of clearance issues. Just something I recall reading when doing some antique tractor research.
They are made to be used in areas of limited and or confined access. I also believe they are more ergonomic, They are indeed comfortable to use. You can put a surprising amount of torque on a nut with one of these short handled wonders.
If you are not bending wrenches into new shapes with a rosebud, well you are not really dealing with any real problems.