Core77

X-Beam is a wrench with a twist

By squirrelbait - August 1, 2007

in Object Culture

We recently posted some info on ATOMdesign's S2 hammer--a traditional tool that's been updated for today's modern craftsperson that looks and acts future-cool. The S2 scored Bronze in the Consumer Products category, but another winning tool, the X-beam wrench, was able to grab a Bronze award in Business and Industrial Products (here it's called the Revolutionized Wrench) by adding a simple twist. No, literally--X-Beam's handle is twisted so that the wrench heads and outer handles are perpendicular to each other. This gives the user a much larger area to grip the tool when they're really going crazy on some nuts and bolts. The comfort-minded design relieves stress to the hands and offers a much more ergonomic grip than traditional wrenches, and it even got a commendation from the National Arthritis Foundation.

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don vaughan

17 years ago

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where can i purchase the x-beam wrench set
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Thomas

17 years ago

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Being a former mechanic and current design student, this wrench intrigues me. It can be rather painful to apply a lot of force to a wrench against the "sharp" edge, and this new wrench cleverly attacks that issue. However, this variation is actually a bit unnecessary and hinders a professional's use of the wrench to a degree. In the field, to loosen a nut or bolt that is overtightened or seized, the closed end of another wrench will be looped over the open end of the primary wrench in to a "locked" arrangement. This provides a doubling of leverage via additional tool length and by default puts the user's hand against the flat side of the secondary wrench. Tightening tasks rarely require this amount of torque to be applied. I can see the average tinkerer being attracted to this new wrench, but I don't see much professional use as this previously described trick may be considered a necessary function of the average wrench. Plus it just looks dang heavy; forearm muscles cry out.
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Patrick

17 years ago

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It's designs like this one that force me to slap the ol' forehead in shame... why didn't I (or anyone for that matter) think of it sooner. Innovation don't get simpler than this folks :)
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Patrick

17 years ago

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It's designs like this one that force me to slap the ol' forehead in shame... why didn't I (or anyone for that matter) think of it sooner. Innovation don't get simpler than this folks :)
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Yoyo Ma

17 years ago

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Hasn't Sears Craftsman had this for a long time now? Or do these guys make 'em for Sears?
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zippyflounder

17 years ago

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what a "head slap" product, sucker should have won gold! I makes you wonder why it took 60 years to make this simple elegant improvement. BRAVO!
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