Thread: I need a reasonably priced 1/4" speed handle

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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 )

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.

Originally Posted by C9x

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.

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.

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!

Originally Posted by ScooterCO

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- thanks

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.

Originally Posted by C9x

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.

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.

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 , for $12, and well within my $20 max 'budget'.

Hope that I don't need heat resistant gloves when I use it

Originally Posted by DennyW

Bill said Brent just updated the software....again recently in his reply when we were still having problems. I think Brent just dives in when he can....more or less, and does things. I know he doesn't have a good spam guard either, cause now I get 30+ spam mails a day, as in attaching themselves to links from here. And the click through things always hange a few on as well. But, I use the special note thing to auto delete them. They are getting tricky though, they now use a http:// thing to bypass again. So, I just added that, and will see how that works.

Touch that real fast, and if it's cool, use it....

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"

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

Originally Posted by C9x

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....

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.

Oh yeah - beat and rusty tools......not my thing

Sears.com shows a 1/4 drive speed handle/wrench for $16.99