It is easy to not think much about common tools like screwdrivers and wrenches. But not for [Torque Test Channel]. The channel does a lot of testing of tools and in the video, below, they test a new wrench that is, oddly enough, laser cut instead of forged like the usual wrench.
You would expect a machined wrench to be weaker than a forged wrench. We were impressed, though, that there is so much difference between wrenches when you start making measurements.
Speaking of measurements, we would like to see more details of the test setups shown both in the video and in some of the video clips included. We did enjoy seeing the examination of the internal grain structure of both wrenches.
Be forewarned. Watching this video is likely going to send you to the computer to buy some new wrenches, especially if you don’t have 30/60 head wrenches.
The real question is why laser cut a wrench? It doesn’t seem like it is actually better than the forged variant. It is more expensive, but the setup costs for forging are higher. Particularly for a tool made in the United States, forging is both expensive and it is difficult to find time on the limited number of large-scale forges left in the country.
As the video points out, the tool is fine for its intended purpose. However, we still love these detailed analyses of almost anything. For example, high-flow 3D printing. If you are into common hand tools, what about screwdrivers?
Makes me wonder if you could make these on a waterjet cutter, and how much a used waterjet cutter is?
a waterjet needs abrasive media which you can’t recycle, it tends to get rather expensive…
Didn’t know the abrasive wasn’t recyclable, that’s an onion in the ointment.
The costs and availability mentioned above about forging is a common misconception. Forging is economic and available in the US.
There is still a strong forging industry in the US capable of low to high production runs. Costs are not as high as similar production methods.
I cannot imagine how many subsidies it takes before Americans making $15 an hour are competitive with Chinese people making 15 yen an hour.
That’s not even the right monetary unit. Your comment is not credible.
I think they are probably paid in Yuan. Currently about 20 Yen to the Yuan.
Renminbi is the Chinese currency. Everyone here hasn’t a clue!
From https://www.investopedia.com/articles/forex/061115/yuan-vs-rmb-understanding-difference.asp Chinese money comes by two names: the Chinese Yuan (CNY) and the people’s renminbi (RMB). The distinction is subtle: while the renminbi is the official currency of China, the yuan is the principal unit of account for that currency.
KEY TAKEAWAYS The Chinese Yuan (CNY) and Renminbi (RMB) are interchangeable terms for China’s currency. The Renminbi(RMB) is the official name of China’s currency. The principal unit of RMB is called the Chinese Yuan (CNY).
China has Yuans, and xenophobic people have ignorance as only “wealth”
Because he used the wrong monitary denomination = xenophobic. Ight buddy, also I can say the Chinese government is terrible without hating Chinese people. Grow up.
How many wrenches do you think a worker makes in an hour? How much is a wrench?
The lowest minimum wage in China is 10rmb, or about 1.47usd. Spreading this out over all the tools made during a shift is,what, a dime, maybe a dollar more for a tool?
How much of the tool’s cost is to recuperate shipping from China? Tariffs? Profits paid for execs and shareholders?
This is an odd comment that seems to suggest American factory workers don’t deserve a living wage –solely so other Americans can afford to upgrade from a medium to a large fry every once in a while.
Kinda weird that the jobs hasn’t been outsourced when it’s such an obvious candidate for it. I mean, lower environmental concerns, lower wages, lower energy costs…. Why not?
Because [evil | right-wing | redneck | patriots] love stuff stamped “made in the USA”. I don’t get why “made in the USA” isn’t pushed more for the environment and work-conditions angles.
Because wealth is built on the misfortune of others. Western workers are just a bit unfortunate, where east-Asian workers are a lot unfortunate.
I’d rather buy something made in literally any other country other than china. Qc is God awful in China and I don’t want to support the Chinese government.
Furrow: I’ve been involved in Chinese production. QC can be as good as you wish. You do have to work at it. Most buyers are more interested in cost than quality assurance.
That isn’t the Chinese factories fault. Just like anywhere else you get what you pay for, if you want quality you pay more for it. You can get high quality stuff manufactured in China but at that point it may cost the same as or close to getting it manufactured elsewhere like in the US, at which point outsourcing it to a Chinese factory is pretty pointless.
They already have, not totally however.
very interesting comments on the status of forging in the US. I had a rough idea that this could be the case, but had no idea the manufacturing was this limited.
We outsourced a lot of our manufacturing capacity in the ’80s or so, when “cutting manufacturing costs for higher profits” was all the rage.
Those 80s and 90s trade agreements have caused pain that few truly understand today, even though it’s still ruining lives
Give James McMurtry’s “We Can’t Make it Here” a listen
A lot of industry moved to dodge EPA regs too.
Not to mention the strategic disadvantages of not being able to make stuff here anymore.
I still like my Craftsman USA wrenches and sockets, though for ratchets, I would hope they add some more clicks.
They have been Made China since around the time Sears collapsed.
These wrenches are purpose specific. They are made for hydraulic fittings. They are reffered to in industry as service wrenches and are not made for high torque applications. On a hydraulic fitting you tighten hand tight and then go a certain amount past that which is dependent on the fitting. This is refered to as “indexing” a fitting. The purpose is to minimize leaks. If you ever have to work on a hydraulic valve body the fittings can be very close together and these give you more access by the angle of the heads. https://www.hydraulic-master.com/hydraulic-valve-4-functions-120lmin-33-gpm-full-proportional-24-v-crane.html In this image the yellow caps are where the lines connect to the body and you can see how close together they are. No regular wrench will fit.
^this^ May be the most important comment of this blog!
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