Crowfoot Alternative

[Ashley Burton]

I like the idea of these:

A typical job I could see them working well on is tie rods when doing wheel alignment

 

[slim_boy_fat]

^^ A clever idea, but Google search shows them as either 'Out of Stock' or 'Discontinued'. Possibly one of those cases where a smart invention dies from lack of investment or advertising?

 

[Ashley Burton]

^^ A clever idea, but Google search shows them as either 'Out of Stock' or 'Discontinued'. Possibly one of those cases where a smart invention dies from lack of investment or advertising?

I think I'm going to make my own as they will be handy when needed!

Nothing worse than smashing up your knuckles

 

[Kayos]

I have an extensive set of crows feet, 6-34mm i think and i very very rarely use them, but when i do its because nothing else will do the job

 

[Ashley Burton]

I have an extensive set of crows feet, 6-34mm i think and i very very rarely use them, but when i do its because nothing else will do the job

They are just one of those tools!

 

[atomant48]

Pretty neat idea but maybe a bit fiddly in practice. Not sure it would always be easy to get the ratchet in but I guess you’d make it up with extensions.

I’ve got a set of flare nut spanners which do a similar job but only if the jaws are wide enough to slip over the thread, which sadly often they are not.

 

[tlovatt]

^^ A clever idea, but Google search shows them as either 'Out of Stock' or 'Discontinued'. Possibly one of those cases where a smart invention dies from lack of investment or advertising?

If you search for them as butterfly sockets you will find them for sale, you can even have them on amazon prime if you are in a rush!

 

[Ashley Burton]

If you search for them as butterfly sockets you will find them for sale, you can even have them on amazon prime if you are in a rush!

It does amaze me how there so many names for the same thing!

Unfortunately that set doesn't go big enough, Mainly want the 20mm + Sizes.

Thanks though

 

[slim_boy_fat]

If you search for them as butterfly sockets you will find them for sale, you can even have them on amazon prime if you are in a rush!

Sadly, I'm too mean to pay £107 for a set of 4 at 3/8" drive [or any drive, for that matter ]

 

[Ashley Burton]

Sadly, I'm too mean to pay £107 for a set of 4 at 3/8" drive [or any drive, for that matter ]

That is pricey for only a set of 4!

 

[slim_boy_fat]

That is pricey for only a set of 4!

Consider yourself henceforth an Honorary Scot

 

[Shox Dr]

These gadgets look usefull, but in reality they never fit in the gap you need them to fit into.

I think I’ll chance removing skin, as that grows back faster than 107quid

 

[slim_boy_fat]

as that grows back faster than 107quid

I hope you don't think for one minute that I had out Honorary awards as a matter of course.......?

 

[Shox Dr]

I hope you don't think for one minute that I had out Honorary awards as a matter of course.......?

Unfortunately you have no need, it appers I’m already part Scot, well at least he was born there

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Middleton,_1st_Baron_Barham

 

[8ob]

These gadgets look usefull, but in reality they never fit in the gap you need them to fit into.

I have bought a set of these crow foot type ring spanners ( dont know the proper name ), so much better in confined spaces which is normally the only reason you use them.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Unfortunately you have no need, it appers I’m already part Scot, well at least he was born there

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Middleton,_1st_Baron_Barham

Really?

He doesn't count because he was a politician [oops, did I really use that word? Alarms will be going off at 'Mod HQ' ]

However, I'm prepared to make an exception, based on what is reported in your link.....

"I find politics have got too great a hold on [the Navy Board] for me to withstand it ... I shall contend no more for the public, having raised a nest of hornets already by so doing. I trust those who follow me will have more weight than I have had, and influence ministers to correct these evils."
— Extract from an unsent letter to John Montagu, First Lord of the Admiralty in 1786. Middleton resigned his Navy Board positions in 1790.

He sounds just like the kind of chap the Collective would approve of.......

EDIT: Aaaand back on topic

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

I like the idea of these:

A typical job I could see them working well on is tie rods when doing wheel alignment

Years ago when "Kiddie" fire extinguishers were as common as muck. They had similar tools to allow the head nut to be removed.

When the unit was due a DTR or refill you would clamp said tool round the nut and using the Kiddie tool bar attempt to remove the head nut.
Attempt was the key word. I think it only worked when the units were new, as they got old the steel tool would bite into the brass head nut and spin of.

I still have the Kiddie approved tool kit, lost in to loft of garage, covered in dust, never to be used again.

A good idea, if made correctly.

 

[Bill Edwards]

I have bought a set of these crow foot type ring spanners ( dont know the proper name ), so much better in confined spaces which is normally the only reason you use them.

When you say better than, do you mean better than ordinary spanners or better than the fancy things which are the discussion topic of this thread?

 

[Ashley Burton]

I have bought a set of these crow foot type ring spanners ( dont know the proper name ), so much better in confined spaces which is normally the only reason you use them.

Quality seems to vary on the traditional crows foot spanners. In that some of them seem to flex open! Probably pays to get decent ones, But these Hexforce/wrap around ones seem to over come that problem due to their design.

 

[8ob]

When you say better than, do you mean better than ordinary spanners or better than the fancy things which are the discussion topic of this thread?

Bill I was just agreeing with @Shox Dr about getting these things in tight spaces. example of this would be pipes on a spool valve . The gadget the OP refers to would not get into a tight spot like this and it would be a struggle with a conventional crows foots hence the the ring version shown. Getting in and among pipes like below and those ring crows feet are the biz

Quality seems to vary on the traditional crows foot spanners. In that some of them seem to flex open! Probably pays to get decent ones, But these Hexforce/wrap around ones seem to over come that problem due to their design.

I wont mention the snapon word then Ashley Back to the tool you originally posted up ,I dont think there can be a better tool for undoing lock nuts on track rod ends but unless they can come up with a more realistic price I will carry on with my hook shifter which fits the lot without rounding anything off.

These go 17-24mm