Whether you call it a Saltus Wrench or a flex combination wrench, it still looks like you left your sockets alone in the dark with your wrenches for too long. I remember running into one of these wrenches in my dad’s toolbox as a kid and thinking, “What the hell is this for?” Given the proliferation of ratcheting box end wrenches and other innovations, most people probably don’t run into these wrenches anymore.

The open end and the socket on one of these wrenches are the same size, and the socket isn’t removable. The socket usually rotates on the end of the wrench, somewhat like a socket on the head of a breaker bar — this setup might get you into some areas too tight for a ratchet and socket.

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SK is rolling into 2009 with a limited-edition toolbox.  If you’re wondering how different this box is from their regular Commando-Pro line of toolboxes, the answer is –- not very.

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SK Hand Tools recently added a 3/8″-drive Mini Wobble Ratchet to their air tools line. Wobble ratchets are handy to have around because they allow 16 degrees of angle in a 360 degree range of motion. This little edge gives the mechanic more freedom to cram the tool in and get at hard-to-reach bolts. Once powered up it also wobbles, which helps un-stick the really stubborn ones.

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Recently SK Hand Tools released their nine-piece No-Sparking and Non-Marring Replaceable-Tip Dead-Blow Hammer Kit. The mallet accepts two screw-on replacement tips, and SK incorporates a non-slip grip and a flanged-butt into the handle to keep the hammer in your hands, not flying across the room.

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SK recenly introduced a new ergonomic Tri-molded series screwdriver line which features an anti-slip design plus a soft grip area for extra comfort. And though it’s only mentioned way down on the feature list in the SK press release, we like the fact that the drivers are color coded on the top by size and type. We also like the permanent laser etching on the blade that provides code, symbol, and dimension.

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The spring-type clamps auto manufacturers apply on nearly every hose fitting are an endless source of frustration for most of us; they’re often buried in the engine compartment where only Stuart Little could get at them.  But with S-K’s cable-operated clamp pliers, it’s a cable that twists and winds through the hot engine instead of your arm.

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SK recently overhauled their site from the ground up and launched an entirely new interface.  This includes their shopping cart and direct tool buying areas. The new interface looks very Apple iPhone-ish, but the change is welcome.

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All you German-car drivin’ Toolmongers can rejoice: S-K recently announced a new 75-degree offset, reversible, double-box, universal-spline version of their G-Pro ratcheting wrenches.   Extreme offset wrenches like these are just the ticket for dealing with some of the, umm, crazier engineering concepts found on Porsches and Volkswagens, and the ratcheting feature really helps, too. 

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SK Hand tools announced their new line of dead blow hammers today.  All four new models are made in the USA and feature fully molded Trucothane (read: rubber plastic coating) shells that protect the head from splitting, even when you do incredibly stupid things with ‘em.  (What else are dead blows for?)

The dead blow hammer is called such because of its shot-filled canister that counteracts a hammer’s natural tendency to bounce back.  The steel canister is welded to the rod and fully incased in the handle for safety.

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Much like a bird I am attracted to anything shiny. This is a well known fact around the shop, and (thanks to Chuck) all over the internet as well; almost anyone can tempt me with something as long as the word “chrome” appears in the sentence.  So as you might imagine, the name “Superkrome” grabbed my attention.

Superkrome is mega-shiny chrome designed to protect the tool from the crap found in harsh working environments — like oil, grime, and grease.  It wipes of easy when it comes time to clean the tools as the end of a job. 

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We found this press release under the desk here in the office, which explains why we didn’t pass this on back on October when it hit the street: SK’s expanding their “universal spline” line from wrenches to sockets with a number of different kits now on the market.

For those not familiar, their “universal spline” sets use a uniquely-shaped tool end to grip six-point, twelve-point, female Torx, square, and even 50% rounded fasteners.  A pic past the jump illustrates how the shapes fit together.

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When Indiana Jones lost the Cross of Coronado in the third movie, the guy who took it from him said “You lost today kid – but you don’t have to like it” — then handed him a hat.  If the young Jones was working on a stubborn bolt stuck at a funny angle, the guy would have handled him a universal impact joint.  Seriously.

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It looks a bit like someone got into one of those fights with the tools and came out swinging, but the Palm control is supposed to look that way – we swear.  It’s very odd how something just a touch off from normal in a tool can mean the difference between ending up stuck in your tracks or moving onto the next phase of the project. The Palm control is basically a normal ratchet with an 18 degree kink in the handle.

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A number of online tool shops are calling these “the ultimate locking pliers” for good reason: they don’t “pop” and jump off your workpiece when released.  Instead, you release them by firmly squeezing the top and bottom handles together.

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If you haven’t seen a set of these before, we’re not surprised; Offset wrenches aren’t a common find.  They’ve been around for a long time, but you can go a long time in the shop without having a burning need for one.

But when you do finally come across that need it will indeed burn, and the virtues of the offset wrench can make your project go from nightmare to possible – as we found out recently trying to remove a water pump from an ‘89 Porsche 944S2. 

Offset wrenches are just normal normal box-end wrenches with a bend on each end that helps them reach deeply countersunk nuts or bolts that you can’t get at with sockets or standard wrenches.

The kit shown here offers two sizes on each wrench and they’re available in standard or metric sizes.  It’s from S•K Hand Tools, and it’s available at a street price of around $110. Not cheap, but if you need them you need them pretty bad.

Offset Wrenches [S•K Hand Tools]
Price Search for Offset Wrenches [Froogle/Google]

PS: Time to ‘fess up.  The set we used was borrowed from a friend, and was significantly cooler than this set.  It featured an almost 90-degree offset, which was absolutely perfect for fitting into the deep pulley we were dealing with.  A lesser offset wouldn’t have handled the job.  We’re still looking for the details on the set we used, and when we find it we’ll pass it on — right as soon as we order one for ourselves.

While trying to push and maneuver your ratchet into a space it was never designed to go, have you ever wished you could remove the handle and just use the ratchet head itself?  Yeah, S-K thought that, too.

Their Thumbwheel sports just that kind of handle-free operation for turning nuts and bolts in tight spots.  It features a completely enclosed ratcheting mechanism which is easy to remove and replace for cleaning by a pinching wire lock system that holds the mechanism in its sleeve.  The Thumbwheel, like other S-K Professional Series ratchets, features a hardened pawl and hardened teeth for durability and long life, plus a knobby grip for some extra cranking power.

The Thumbwheel is widely available on the web and can be found in sets with extensions that go for around $30 – or by itself for $15.  Though the set looks nice, if you already have extensions buying just the Thumbwheel itself might be the way to go.

Thumbwheel Ratchet [S-K HandTools]
Street Pricing [Froogle]

Having the right tool for the job is always the best way to go, right?  So we guess the second best way to go is an adapter for the tool you already have. Thus, the best way to pull a expansion plug is with a plug puller kit, but if you, like us, are short a puller kit, then a expansion puller adapter for your slide hammer is an acceptable alternative.

The adapter screws to the end of a slide hammer on one end and connects to the plug in queston with the other – a handy solution for those of you needing to remove that subborn holdout.

They’re widely available on the web for around $24, and are a great way to expand your capabilities without leaving your wallet too thin.

Expansion Puller Adapter [SK Hand Tools]
Street Pricing [Froogle]