We would like to welcome a new tool to Tools in Action called Grip Edge Hex. Let me guess, you have never heard of them? Well we had not either until they reached out to us. We get a lot of manufacturers who reach out to us that want us to try their tools, but I would have to say a majority of them we turn down, unless they have something interesting, which Grip Edge Tools has.
How many times have you striped or broke a hex screw? I am sure we all have. We deal with hex screws that have been sitting in the same place for years. They rust, they wear and then we strip them. Well that’s where Grip Edge Hex comes into play. They found a way to make stripping a hex screw almost impossible. What they did is machine the tool with small little fins that actually grip the inside of the hex head and allow you to extract it from the hole. When you think about it, this is a pretty cool and useful invention. Don’t worry, you can still use the same tool to tighten a hex screw.
Well that is pretty much the nuts and bolts of how this system works. While we think the $99 is a hefty price tag for a homeowner, for a mechanic doing a job, it’s not a bad price.
Very smart concept of trying to make the wheel better term I guess you would say. If they were tool steel or something tempered were you can use them in a impact they would be worth the 99 dollars. Its nice too have that impact to help move a seized or a slightly striped head. Idk just a thought.
I love these thing and wish I had them on several occasions, they would have bailed me out of a lot of work. Now with that said. I wish they were not so expensive. Wow. $99.00 for a set of 6? And they are not impacted rated! Thanks Dan for getting these and reviewing them. #TIA baby.
These will be available as a set of 8 in either metric or SAE at a special introductory price on indiegogo.com soon. The design features on this tool negate the use of an impact wrench. However the use of an impact wrench may cause the Grip-Edge Hex to round out the bolt head.
I don’t know if you’d want these to be impact rated. I think that, at times, an impact gun can cause more trouble than it helps you with. I suspect some folks over-use one because it’s “fast”, not because it will remove a fastener any better than working it by hand. The head of a bolt can be sheared off in the blink of an eye when using a windy gun, or a wheel stud cross-threaded. You often need to start out slowly, to determine how much force can be safely applied. I prefer a manual impact driver for home projects, where I can better control the amount of force used. This applies as well to working on cars, where you can bugger up a bolt or nut beyond repair in a hurry.
The working edges on these appear to bite into the fastener as you turn it counter-clockwise. If you were to use an impact gun, these might spin quickly inside the hex, rounding it out. Then you’d have to go to Plan B, using an easy-out of some kind to remove it. Instead, go slow and get the job done right the first time. If it’s really stuck, you should employ a long breaker bar. Just as important, you need to know when a project is beyond your abilities (or the tools the have to work with). Before starting, review and understand what needs to be done, then determine if it’s something you can handle. There’s no shame in deciding to let a professional (i.e., someone that does this for a living) handle the job. He or she does this day-in, day-out, has seen most of the problems that can occur and probably has any specialty tools or equipment needed to do it correctly.
Hi steve,
You are correct in your statement regarding this tool not being impact rated. it may cause the bolt head to round out. These will be available on indiegogo.com soon at a special introductory offer. Your support would be greatly appreciated.
Eric–I looked these up in the current Snap-on catalogue (pg. 158). The set they mention is a 212EFTAY Based on their video, I thought Snap-on offered this same set for a lot more money (which is usually the case). The manufacturer is comparing its 6-piece set against a 12-piece set of Snap-on regular SAE hex sockets, which costs $260.00. However, that is a set of standard hex (Allen) sockets, while this item is a set of extractors; the first has twelve sockets, while this has only six sockets. I don’t know why they’re comparing the two sets, other than trying to make us think that the price is not out of line ($99.99) for their product, compared with Snap-on’s at $260.00.
I like the product; it looks like it would be a great set for auto technicians to have in their toolbox. The market for this product will primarily be professional mechanics, who are used to paying high prices for unique tools. I’m just not sure why they’re comparing apples and oranges here.
It seems from the design that these are intended for extracting only? They still want me to use a standard bit for the install?
That’s probably an accurate assumption. The sharp edges (or fins, or Eric refers to them) actually cut into the hex bolt/screw to engage the fastener. It can be seen as a tool of last resort, therefore, as it will chew up the hex shape in use. In an installation scenario, it will still cut into the hex a bit (though not seriously); the manufacturer probably doesn’t recommend doing it very often.
If you don’t have a set of hex keys, I suggest you buy one to have on hand for normal installation/removal tasks. Loose, L-shaped keys are probably the cheapest type, but I’d get a set with ball ends at a minimum. They permit you to start and remove set screws and hex fasteners from an angle when space is at a premium. There are also screwdriver types and hex sockets; both allow you to crank down hard on fasteners when you need to.