Metrinch?

[timmy!!!!!!!]

Has anybody used metrinch tools? I really like the concept of them.

http://www.metrinch.tv/

 

[winkosmosis]

They look like they would round your hex heads. Then again they are supposed to grab the flat edges instead of the corners. Very interesting...

 

[alexrex20]

looks like a gimmick. also looks like just another way to accidentally use the wrong size socket, and inadvertently round off the head of the bolt.

can't go wrong with a set of standard 6-point sockets.

 

[Root Moose]

I've always wanted to buy a small set and abuse them on some of the rusted hulks out behind the barn to see if they work.

 

[RHINO]

i ordered a set off TV infomercial 15 yrs ago? they worked, and they felt like good tools, i wanted them specifically for trail tools because of the SAE and metric in one tool, but the wife made me send them back.

 

[washington taco]

One statement clears it up for me. AS SEEN ON T.V.!!!!!!!

 

[CoastalDefender]

Get a set of Metic and Standard from Craftsman and be done with it.

 

[JeepN95YJ]

I owned a set of these about ten years ago. If you have lots of room to swing the wrench they work great, but it takes a good 15-20deg of swing for the rounded lobes to engage the flats of the fastener.

That said they were practically useless in any kind of tight situation which in automotive terms is practically everything.

I sold my set and went back to standard sockets.

I've owned a set as my trail tools since 1999. They have always worked for my application. I wanted to reduce the number of tools that I needed to carry. I've never rounded a bolt with the Metrinch. In fact, I've removed rounded fasteners using these tools. I recommend them and plan to buy another set for my other Jeep.

The only place they haven't worked for me to this point is removing my Jeep driveshafts. The best tool I've found for that is a GearWrench. Much easier to use and has a fine ratcheting mechanism.

I have a nice MATCO wrench set I use in the garage, but almost everytime I need a quick fix around the house or in the yard, I grab the Metrinch set from the Jeep.

 

[78Bronco]

It would be lighter to carry with you but they do need more range of motion so they may cause more of a headache.

Probably made in a sweat shop overseas.

 

[JeepN95YJ]

It would be lighter to carry with you but they do need more range of motion so they may cause more of a headache.

And they may not. Not really any different than other wrenches in that some work better than others depending on the specific job at hand. I have dozens of styles of wrenches in my home tool box. Shorties, long, bent, crow feet, open end, closed end, AN, tubing, etc. The list goes on. Each of these styles are perfect for some jobs, yet useless on others. I know my rigs pretty well. I carry several special tools to do specific jobs. I've even been known to build a tool if what I have available doesn't work. I don't have ANY wrench that is perfect for every job.

The dual-use provided by my Metrinch set makes it great for 95% of the uses my rigs require. The other 5% get a specific tool better suited to the task. Still keeps my kit lighter. Sometimes I still don't have the tool I need. That probably happens to all of us regardless of the tool brand we choose.

Probably made in a sweat shop overseas.

Mine are made in Taiwan. I don't know if they were made in a "sweat-shop". I doubt if you do either.

Again, I've used mine regularly for 10 years without a single failure (I have had failures of my craftsman and matco tools in that time). I wouldn't hesitate to buy another set.

 

[timmy!!!!!!!]

I really don't like the idea of having to swing the wrench extra to use it. I think I am going to stick to my good ole six points.

 

[Chris85xlt]

I owned a set of these about ten years ago. If you have lots of room to swing the wrench they work great, but it takes a good 15-20deg of swing for the rounded lobes to engage the flats of the fastener.

That said they were practically useless in any kind of tight situation which in automotive terms is practically everything.

I sold my set and went back to standard sockets.

2x
but they worked great when theres room and very strong. i also liked the ideal of being able to use on SAE and Metric

 

[RocKrawler]

I loved the set i had, about half of the set got lost in a move but the only thing I managed to break was the 3/8" extension, the sockets held strong even when used with my Snap-On 3/8" Impact - I'd buy another set in a heartbeat when I find them cheap enough

 

[michaelgroves]

I have a set which I've owned for nearly 20 years, and never broken a tool. Great quality, look like they were made in the Snap-On factory. I like the concept of driving the nut by the flats rather than the hex corners.

Having said that, their Achilles heel is that they are both metric and Imperial, so they don't fit aas well as they should. This has 3 snags:

1) The sockets are physically bigger than they need to be - not good for confined spaces.
2) There is more movement required when ratcheting back and forth, due to the extra play - also not good for confined spaces!
3) They are more likely to round a bolt-head/nut than they would if they were a perfect fit.

I have subsequently found that several other good manufacturers (Snap-On, Hazet, probably Craftsman) also make "flank-drive" sockets and spanners, but without the dual metric/imperial sloppy fit. I'm happy with my Metrinch, but if I were buying again, I would go for a plain metric set from a good manufacturer.

 

[Root Moose]

I have subsequently found that several other good manufacturers (Snap-On, Hazet, probably Craftsman) also make "flank-drive" sockets and spanners, but without the dual metric/imperial sloppy fit. I'm happy with my Metrinch, but if I were buying again, I would go for a plain metric set from a good manufacturer.

Thanks for posting this.