The WANK!

Who can resist a tool called "The WANK"

That's the first thing I thought when offered the opportunity to review this very unique and useful little tool.

WANK-

Washer
And
Nut
Keeper

The WANK assembled with bolt bottom

A solution for one of those frustrating parts of a job when you are trying to start a nut or bolt in a position with a high potential for dropping your hardware. Whether the result be just losing the hardware or more serious; dropping it into a piece of machinery, electrical equipment, or other potentially catastrophic situation.

The WANK With Bolt, Assembled, Top

When I first looked into the WANK, I thought "Welp, it's neat, but how often am I in that kind of situation? Do we really need it? Is it even necessary?" So I didn't figure that it would really be THAT useful. But then, after showing it to my 78 year old retired electrician and all around fix-it guy father, he saw that it would be PERFECT for using the 3/8" hole (or 1/4" depending on which WANK you're using) in the back to insert an extension and using it to get your nut or bolt stack up into a hole where your fat damn hands won't fit. Brilliant!

And I tell you what, next time you're trying to start a nut or bolt in an awkward position and you drop it the third time, you come back here and read this article again. Or better yet, give Todd a call at 386.589.4384 or check his website out at www.rtodds-eng.com and order one of these problem solving little gems. 

Ok, here's what we're looking at...

Made in the U.S.A. (which we LOVE) out of Styrene Butadiene (SBR), a rubber compound that can withstand temperatures as low as 30 below zero and as high as 210 degrees fahrenheit (-35* to 99 * C) and will resist taking a set, so it won't wear out and start dropping things over time. 

However, the trade off is that it has horrible resistance to ozone and sunlight so store it in your toolbox or somewhere else where it isn't exposed to the environment - problem solved. It will be fine when exposed to petroleum and chemicals (dilute acids and alkalines), but clean it after use since long exposure will start breaking it down. It can also be made in other compounds for use in different environments.

So basically treat it like all your other tools and it will last for years, don't leave it lying around, and clean it before you put it away, simple.

Something A Little Different...

Usually in a write-up of a tool, we take quite some time to use and evaluate it before we present it to you and when we do, we try to give you as much info on the tool, it's use, and how it stood up to our abuse but this article will be a bit different for two reasons. 

1. The WANK is so simple, there really isn't much more to say about the make-up and build than we did above
2. The WANK is a tool that you won't use very often, but when you need it and don't have it, you 'll really wish you did. 

So rather than wait for that unusual time and then write all you need to know about it, we'll just shut up and show you all about it through pictures and video...

WANK set, top

This is how the WANK set comes to you. You get:

• 1/4"
• 5/16"
• 3/8"
• 7/16"
• 1/2"
• 9/16"
• 5/8"
• 3/4"

All the sizes you'll need to do most all the work you'll be doing. And I was pleasantly surprised by this. When I first saw the WANK and it's $35 price tag and $13 shipping (which seems a little high), I really was wondering how they justify the cost for the one tool, but then the whole set showed up! Even with shipping, that's only $6 a tool. That's pretty reasonable. 

While using the WANK isn't rocket surgery (it's very obvious when it's in your hand), I'll show you how everything goes together so you can see here how simple and useful this thing can be...

First, Install Bolt Completely

First press the bolt (or nut) all the way into it's seat.

With the bolt, don't worry about centering it, the washers will help you with that. But with the nut, you'll want to get it centered so you don't have any issue with getting it started, we'll handle that towards the end.

Press the split washer all the way in.

Some of you fat fingered fellas will have to use something like a pen or similar to get down in there.

Press the standard flat washer all the way in.

Then press the standard flat washer in if you're using it.

Finally, press the wide flat washer in and seat it completely

And finally, press the wide flat washer in completely if you're using it.

Now, if you're starting a nut rather than a bolt, before you put the last washer in, put the washer on a bolt of the same size as the nut and thread the bolt into the nut and wiggle it around to center the nut. Press the washer in until it's seated completely and remove the bolt. Now your nut is aligned so that you won't have to struggle to get it on. 

The WANK held tight!

Of course, you won't be using all the washers all of the time so the most important one is the last. That is the one that you want to ensure is completely seated since it is the one holding the whole mess together.

Thank You For The Like!

Pros And Cons

Pros:

1. Provides a solution to a very frustrating problem.
2. Made to not only do the job, but to last for years doing it.
3. Small and inexpensive. Anyone can have one.

Cons:

None, really. If I were to really stretch, I would say shipping costs and that the RToddS web site kind of sucks which can make it hard to order. But come on, shipping costs are what they are and the site will probably be updated as they continue to develop and market new tools.

Hmmm... maybe we can help with that.

Finally, while it seems completely petty, we do reserve some consideration for the "cool" factor. The coolest thing about the WANK is it's name. and while it's the coolest name for a tool that we've seen, the tool itself is not very cool. One point subtracted.

See? Petty. : )>

Conclusion

Well thought out from someone who is not only qualified in engineering, but is also an actual user. Not just an idea from the marketing arm of a corporation trying to stay in touch with those of us in the field, but from someone who is IN the field. And it shows. 

Useful, durable. The two most important things in a quality hand tool. 

Long live The WANK!

We give it a ...

The WANK is a trademark of R. Todd Engineering LLC

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