The FACOM 40.1P3/8L is a premium, industrial 1-3/8 inch Extra-Long, High-Torque Combination Wrench from FACOM's classic catalog lineup. Consistent with FACOM's specific inventory nomenclature:
- The "P" Separator: The "1P3/8" format denotes an SAE fractional dimension of 1-3/8 inches width-across-flats.
- The 'L' and 'LA' Suffixes: The legacy single L (Série Longue) and modern LA codes refer to the exact same physical wrench, indicating an extended shank chassis engineered specifically to transfer high manual leverage.
Core Engineering Specifications
- High Mechanical Advantage: Designed explicitly for heavy equipment maintenance, mining, and plant operations. To allow technicians to break free large frozen fasteners with ease, this long-pattern wrench features an extended total length of approx. 540 mm (21.2 inches).
- OGV® 12-Point Profile: The closed ring end utilizes FACOM's patented OGV profile geometry. Instead of exerting pressure onto the vulnerable corners of a large hex bolt or nut, the internal walls grip the larger flat sides. This contact shift drastically reduces the probability of rounding off critical components.
- 15-Degree Hand Clearance: Both the open-jaw fork and the 12-point box eye are pitched at a precise 15-degree offset tilt. This angle clears obstructions easily and protects knuckles from impacting surrounding steel structures during heavy torque sweeps.
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).
