Stanley is coming out with a new “All-in-One” socket-type product – the TwinTec ratcheting wrench (STHT72123). The new TwinTec wrench adjusts to fit fasteners with inch socket sizes from 3/8″ to 1″, and metric socket sizes from 10mm to 24mm.
In addition to standard 6pt hex fasteners, the TwinTec wrench can be used on 12pt, eyebolt, rounded (damaged), and other types of fasteners.
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While we have seen plenty of dog bone-style wrenches, such as the Black & Decker ratcheting ReadyWrench, Kobalt Multi-Drive Wrench, and Craftsman rotary wrench, this is the first time I have seen a dog bone wrench with an adjusting socket design.
The wrench body is made from composite resin (a plastic material), which helps keep the weight down.
Socket size adjustment is done via the yellow quick-adjust dials, and both ends have levers to reverse the sockets’ ratcheting directions.
Stanley says that the TwinTec ratcheting wrench is a 27-in-1 tool that replaces 26 sockets and 1 ratchet.
The TwinTec wrench can fit up to 1-inch fasteners, but looks like it might be on the short side to be able to exert – or handle – an appropriate amount of leverage. The 6 narrow points of contact in each socket might also limit their gripping strength, but I like how they clear fasteners’ corners to help reduce the chance of rounding damage.
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A potential downside is how grease and other contaminants could potentially foul up the movement the 6 sliding pins in each socket, but that doesn’t seem like a major concern. If grit does get inside the mechanisms, the sliding pins seem like they would be self-cleaning.
First Impression: the TwinTec wrench looks like a new take on the traditional dog bone socket wrench design. It looks a little bulky, and I have doubts about its plastic construction, but I find its adjustment mechanism to be interesting and potentially time-saving feature. Personally, I dislike dog bone wrenches in general, and I doubt that Stanley’s TwinTec wrench will change my mind.
Price: $29.99, available starting in September 2013.
Yadda
Just in time to be this year’s “neck tie”, Christmas gift for men.
skfarmer
yuck! will this crap never end? how many varitions of the same garbage can we have?
Stuart
I wouldn’t call it garbage without giving it a chance.
The marketing copy – turns heads and over 26 socket sizes, and turns heads and just about anything else – suggests this will be one of those tools that straddle the line between innovation and gimmick, as are most “head-turners.” In my opinion, this will undoubtedly be one of the top “must-have cool tool” gift ideas this upcoming holiday season.
Even so, it looks like it provides an improvement over traditional dog bone style wrenches, in regard to size, weight, and ease of operation.
fred
Like some fishing lures that catch more fishermen than fish – some tools have enough appeal at some level to sell. Even those who have enough experience to know better may – from time to time – be convinced that something new is worth a try – or perhaps convince themselves that an quirky feature might just come in handy for an oddball job.
Jason Offret
Look at the picture, why isn’t he using a cordless impact for that application?
mb
This thing is too big for the job in the picture… I doubt that it will allow the bolt head to go into the “counter bored” hole to sit flush in the wood without some other tool. I just got one for Christmas and being an A&P (aircraft mechanic) and working on all my own cars as much as possible, I doubt that I will find many uses for this thing other than to club people who try to borrow my other tools 🙂
However, there may be some uses for it in the shed in the back where the lawn mower is just to save time from walking back to get a real wrench or socket. If you don’t already have a good set of good tools this may work in a pinch as long as you have at least an inch of clearance around whatever it needs to tighten or loosen. Also might work for eye bolts in swing sets or hanging pots on the back porch (typically just use a big screwdriver through the eye for those), or might be able to grip some stripped out bolt head where there is a lot of room that other sockets can’t… so since it was free and I don’t know where to return it, I guess it will hang around for now.
John
The second picture (in a hand) makes me slightly more confident that it will be able to handle a reasonable amount of torque. I think I would feel better if it were made of metal. It is similar for me with fibreglass hammers; they are perfectly reasonable hammers, but I prefer hefty tools. My biggest concern is a $30 tool replacing a kit that generally sells for $70+. That sounds like too much value to be real to me. That being said, I hope I am wrong, as I am in the market for sockets.
Stuart
Fiberglass is a little different, but composite polymers are not exactly weak. I wouldn’t apply a cheater bar to this wrench, or use it for high torque applications, but it should be strong enough for general here-and-there usage.
I don’t think this will replace a socket set. This wrench is more designed as a convenient go-to wrench, and not a viable complete socket set replacement.
A Caz
It would have to be a 2 inch plus diameter cheater bar to go over that large ratchet head.
A Caz
It’s a joke tool. Look at it closely, those lag bolts are counter sunk, looking at the gripping head part of the tool you’re not going to be able to tighten down the lag bolts all the way, or you’ll damage the wood. and the head is so fat that its gonna bang up against everything. Maybe it would be for an oil change bolt.
Colin
Good observation. Theres no way for that tool to finish the job they’re showing it doing…
mb
Agree! that is the first thing I saw in the picture above. & I just posted that also before reading all the comments!!!
Noah
Holy crap that thing is Xbox huge.
Allen
How many gimmicks have to come along before some real break-through happens ? I say bring them on, somebody will see something and say ” I can improve that “. Is wrench design mature ? Nothing worthwhile yet to come ? What percent of innovations are real improvements? Keep trying out there.
John S
I tend to agree with this sentiment the most. While I do not like gimmicks, I DO desire innovation – and I know it will cost more than $30 when it arrives, but maybe this kind of stuff will spark some great invention….
LORDDiESEL (GJ Forum)
It might be good to hit someone with?
Stuart
Reminder: It’s made from plastic. Not that I condone violence.
LORDDiESEL (GJ Forum)
hahaha!!! Good point!
Stan
Honestly, this makes the Vise Grip Toolbox tool look similar to a well designed tool. A plastic handle for a wrench and fact this looks similar to a dog toy makes this tool absolutely challenging to take seriously.
I can just imagine some person buying thinking that they have a steal of a deal with a multi tool here, only to realize this item isn’t capable of exerting much torque and looks absolutely in my opinion, similar to a plastic dog toy.
Who actually buys this gimmicky junk? I mean I realize your average consumer could care less about where their products are made, but can they honestly expect this item to truly be that useful?
Brad Justinen
POOR FASTENER ACCESS = GIMMICK. Although for a serious tinkerer or technician i could see this coming in handy evey now and then. mostly on some random type or damaged bolt/nut.
Brad Justinen
STANLEY: Next time you are sitting around thinking of tools to create, go ahead and add a stainless steel tape measure to the list – in all lengths. Tape measure innovation should come with “Kobalt” or “Komelon” written on it. Sheesh. Seems like this is day one stuff.
matt
But I really like my 26 sockets and one ratchet. 😀
Another tool to disappoint dad with.
skfarmer
i know you like to reserve judgement stuart but it seems as if your readers have already made their minds up.
just to change it up. have you ever been in a room full of other writers/testers/insiders at a new tool release and some one pipes up and says? are you guys serious? is this the best you could do? do you realize the shelves are full of this same sort of stuff already? how is this really better of diferant than the last one?
i don’t own any sort of dog bone adjustable one size fits all wrench. probably never will. in truth when i go in a store and like to look for new and interesting tools, these types of tools annoy the hell out of me as they hang these up and clearance out good usable tools assuming these are a viable alternative.
again stuart, take this as my opinon and mine alone. you for the most part deal in cool new tools of all types from knives to mechanics tools to woodworking. tools for real people doing real jobs. i know you don’t necessarily promote these things but you almost give them credability just by putting them on your site. maybe you should think twice about promoting these gimmicks.
sorry for the rant bud……….. 🙂
Stuart
I do that occasionally, but in as polite a way as possible, most notably every time I am told that the latest all-in-one can help DIYers conquer those pesky external Torx and spline fasteners that I know most never come across.
With this tool, I posted about it because it does things in a certain evolutionary way, and I figured readers and visitors would find interest in it, good or bad. This isn’t a tool I would ever purchase for my own use, but I found its design interesting and discussion-worthy nonetheless.
Stanley’s design team wouldn’t produce a junky tool, at least that’s what I’m hoping, and their marketing people – despite having lost all goodwill I ever held for them – aren’t going to give the okay to a tool that they don’t expect to sell well.
I haven’t had the opportunity to speak with product managers about the TwinTec, so I lack insight into its context. It seems more aimed towards homeowners, beginner/casual DIYers, and holiday shoppers than professional users, but I could be wrong.
I have learned to refrain from early judgements, at least ones that sway me to extreme opinions. With the TwinTec, there is only so much that can be determined just by how it’s described on paper and shown in images.
It’s made from plastic, looks a little bulky when shown in scale to a hand, and is priced $10 higher than I would have expected. But that’s not enough reason for me to declare it a piece of junk that nobody should buy.
D Nort
I understand what you’re saying Stuart, don’t judge before you try it, but as A Caz pointed out on a previous post, that tool will not be able to tighten the lag bolts all the way down, at least in that picture they used. If you look closely if they attempt to tighten the lag bolts the teeth on the gripping end will damage the wood in and around the counter sunk area. Now think about it, this is their own product picture that they are using to advertise a new product. They don’t even have the common sense to notice that they will not be able to tighten that lag bolt wit out damaging the wood or maybe they did and it that’s why the bottom lag bolt isn’t tightened all the way. Funny thing is, I’ll bet they will use the same photo on retail box once these things on sale for Christmas, LOL.
Stuart
I sent an email to Stanley’s PR contact last night asking if they could share a different image or an explanation as to how the tool would work in what looks like an impossible scenario. I won’t hold my breath for a response, as they’ve been hostile towards me for a few months now.
It’s a minor gaffe, probably due to a photographer or marketing team member not fully understanding the tool or mock application before setting up the shot. It’s an honest mistake, and it does happen. This is of course assuming that the tool cannot fully seat the bolt in the counterbored hole as shown.
Morgan
Hey Stuart. JMM from the GJ forum
“I do that occasionally, but in as polite a way as possible, most notably every time I am told that the latest all-in-one can help DIYers conquer those pesky external Torx and spline fasteners that I know most never come across.s.”
My first thought when reading this was man, I wish Stuart were on the other side of the room. Seriously! I know these guys have to take their cues from the current market, but are they completely clueless?
Stuart
I don’t know if I should your wanting me on the other side of the room is a good thing or bad thing.
There are plenty of tools that I don’t like, yet my liking a tool has little bearing on my judgement. I try to put my preferences aside and look at new tools with an open mind. It helps if I know additional context, such as what type of user a tool is aimed at.
This tool will appeal to certain DIYers and homeowners, and even some more seasoned tool users with overflowing tool boxes. And it will sell well. There’s nothing wrong with that.
With this tool, I can see some user benefits, such as quick adjustments without having to hunt down the right socket on a standard dog bone wrench. Plus, since there are 6 jaws that adjust all at once, there isn’t the same inch-metric combination socket nonsense that leads to poor fitment on other recent dog bone-style tools.
Michael Veach
Stanley did make some of the most useful tools on the market. This is not one of them.
KenZ
In defense of dog bones and ‘innovation’….
I have a dogbone in my vehicle kit that stays in my van all the time, simply because it’s super minimal, and who the hell would drive a complete socket set around with them ‘just in case?’ I also have some of those spring loaded hook wrenches around, and believe it or not, when I have something I need tightened around the house, it’s the first tool I grab because it’s in the drawer, I KNOW it’ll fit anything metric or standard, and I don’t have to go to the garage just to tighten something (and I personally hate crescent wrenches).
Yeah, these are not the greatest tools, but they do have their place. As for thinking there’s no innovation left to be done, I would point to the Knipex pliers-wrench as an example of something that far outperforms the conventional tools with which it competes.
matt
I know lots of people that drive around with a full socket set and more. I personally have a complete set and a impact in my vehicle right now.. It never is taken out other then for a task that may require it.
I know I would hate to be in a tuff spot and then compile that with a horrible tool to fix the problem.
KenZ
Ahhh, but my counter to that would be does that mean you also carry a tap and die set, 12VDC soldering iron, shrink tubing, spare radiator hoses, an ARC welder, generator set, spare fuel and water cans, etc, all for your daily commute? Hats off to you then, but I’ll stick with minimalism.
KenZ
And really, why own a leatherman? It’s a crappy knife, horrible pliers, one of the worse screw drivers ever, the saw is a joke, the scissors make me cringe…. but I don’t hear anyone complaining about that. It’s a cluster of crappy tools all in one. But you know what, it f-ing works. It doesn’t do the job well, but it’s small, minimal, easy to have several all over the place, and fast to get to and use.
JayT
Look like Stanley took two of these
http://www.kobratools.com/socketpro/
and put them on either end of a dog toy.
Stuart
I saw resemblance between the TwinTec wrench and Loggerhead and Craftsman Max Axess designs, but it looks like the TwinTec was very heavily inspired by the Kobra Socket Pro design.
The Kobra Socket Pro actually looks pretty good, at least as far as tool bag-friendly all-in-one tools go.
Scottthetec
Although I don’t have an example on hand, these types of wrench heads have been around for quite a while. I remember seeing something similar in the used bins at Boeing surplus. They were a little sleeker though and expensive.
I can’t find that Kobratools SocketPro anywhere for sale. Probably got bought by Stanely.
fin3
Kids toy tool ?
Hang Fire
It looks like a tool that will do the job, in places where most any other tool will do the job as well or better.
PeterH
Why isn’t this part of Stanley’s Fat Max line of tools?
Phil
Another classic ‘brother-in-law’ tool! I’ll pass.
Stuart
You don’t like your brother in law, do you?
This reminds me of how I went out and bought a good claw hammer when compiling a tool kit for my brother in law, rather than give him my unwanted Bostitch AntiVibe one with its horrible tuning fork ringing issue.
B. Jenkins
The biggest issue I have with any of the new Stanley Twin Tech ratcheting wrench and the Fat Max Ratcheting crescent is the fact that I first saw them in Handyman mag. and wood shop mag and got interested. I then checked local home centers and got blank stares from employees who hadn’t heard nor seen them. I then went to Stanley website and was directed to other locations of “dealers”. Wal-mart, Target, and Sears were given. Well, none of them really heard or knew of the product let alone carried them or would, to their knowledge. Lastly, Sears was indicated as a dealer but when called advised that they only carried Stanley tape measures and levels but no such hand tools as “Craftsman was the only such hand tools they endorsed”. Stanley should work on actually getting the tools where one can get them “in hand” to evaluate, let alone listings of actual “dealers” that carry them. In fact after all this effort I am not so sure they will even be worth the effort.
Stuart
The TwinTec is definitely coming. We’re testing one out right now, and it arrived it what looks to be retail packaging. I would expect for the product to become available in the next few weeks, just in time for the holiday shopping season.
Tony Valerio
I’d like to have one to use on engine drain plugs
Tom T.
Just FYI, the composite plastic handle has two steel inserts/plates that expand the entire length of the tool. The steel plates also overlap in the middle of the handle to enforce even more strength.
Stuart
That’s good to know, thanks!
Evie in TX
Just saw on Walmart.com for $22.98. This will be a great Christmas present for my husband. He’s disabled and it’s hard for him to get around in the garage. We just bought an old ’94 Chevy truck for him to tinker with. I think this will be a great help, much easier to slide this in his walker bag then a whole toolbox until he sees he’ll need a different or more substantial equpment. More expensive at other websites and I do HATE giving Walmart my money but I just may order one in time for placing under the tree this year.
Stuart
Since you’re not a fan of giving Walmart your business, an alternative is to head to your local Home Depot, where the Dewalt version is on sale for $19.
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/dewalt-twintec-wrench-deal-2013/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Late to the party..
They should put an adjustable wrench on one end of this thing hehe.