The FACOM 40.1P1/2L is an industrial 1-1/2 inch Extra-Long, High-Torque Combination Wrench from FACOM's heavy duty series.
- The Suffix Meaning: As with the other tools in this family, the legacy L (Série Longue) and modern LA suffixes indicate the exact same physical tool profile, differing only by the catalog transition era.
- The "P" Separator: The "1P1/2" format translates directly to a fractional 1-1/2" width across flats.
Core Engineering Specifications
- Extreme Mechanical Leverage: Built on a massive, heavy-duty I-beam shank, this wrench measures an extended 576 mm (approx. 22.7 inches) in total length. This deliberate scale gives technicians massive manual breaking torque on large fasteners without needing to resort to cheater bars.
- OGV® 12-Point Profile: The ring box end integrates FACOM’s patented OGV profile geometry. By altering the internal contact geometry to grip the flat sides of a hex nut instead of its sharp apexes, the wrench ensures massive torque transmission and entirely prevents costly fastener rounding.
- 15-Degree Joint Angle: The 12-point ring wall is angled at a precise 15-degree tilt relative to the handle. This critical offset spacing protects a mechanic's knuckles from hitting adjacent metal surfaces during heavy torque strokes.
- Industrial Mass: Forged from high-grade structural tool steel alloys, a single wrench carries a substantial physical footprint weight of 3.2 lbs (1.45 kg).
History of the Facom High Torque Long Combination Wrenches
1. The Genesis: The 'L' Variant (1980s) - The core structural architecture of this extended, heavy-duty industrial wrench family made its official debut in the early 1980s. The "L" suffix signifying Série Longue. This series was introduced to provide industrial field technicians with extended I-beam handles capable of pushing extreme manual breaking torque on heavy equipment fasteners without twisting. These wrenches were made in France and the country of origin was proudly displayed (cast) on the tool.
2. The Modern Shift: The 'LA' Suffix Debut (Late 1990s) - The precise "LA" revision designation debuted between 1998 and 2000. This suffix arrived during a company-wide modernization of FACOM’s inventory and manufacturing protocols. While the lengths and specs were consistent from one series to the next, the "A" update marked a subtle refinement to the forging tolerances and optimization for modern digital asset management. It was during this late 1990s window that FACOM actively migrated part numbers on the physical tool stamp from "L" to "LA". Production under Stanley ownership was moved to Taiwan. The LA series have a satin chrome finish and laser etched markings.
3. The Phase-Out Era (Late 2010s) - The fractional sizes of the extra-long 40.LA family enjoyed a long manufacturing run, but they were systematically phased out and discontinued by the late 2010s. As FACOM scaled back on niche SAE tooling to consolidate manufacturing efforts around their standard metric lines and high-performance 440 series aerospace wrenches, the fractional sizes in the 40LA series disappeared. The 40LA wrenches are still available in metric sizes from 19mm up to the massive 65mm size (a 33", 6kg/13.2 lb wrench).
