Hi Mark, Here is Dave Anderson site that he had made a tool like what, I think you are talking about.
http://reality.sgiweb.org/davea/elan.html
There was another tool maker that use the same socket and dipped the tool's face in a heat treated vulcanized rubber. The problem, according to him, was it did not last and my question back to him was how to I replace the vulcanized rubber since it takes 350 degree of tem. My leather is easily re-newed.
Here is another site on how to build that same type tool and how they protected the edges.
http://www.rmccar.com/techsession.html Their torque specs are way off the charts.
The protective materials used has to be replaced as the metal edges cuts into them under 200ft/lb of torque after a few uses or even the first time. Aluminum is a better material to wrap the tools edge.
The sharp edges of the tool against the spinner metal ears concentrates all of the presser on one tiny spot and cuts the material. The tool's design allow the tool to bump up against the wheel if you are not careful. My tool can not be pushed into the wheel. So Mark, if yours has worked for you, just watch for the signs of failure and be safe.
Our old weber friend, Keith used one of these and fell to the ground when the tips broke off when applying torque. That manufacturer does not made them any longer. The truck wheel socket is made of a thinner metal and the tip needs to have more meat behind the spinner not to bend or break. And not hit the wheel if you increase the tip size for strength. That is one of the reasons I made my metal tips thicker and beefier so metal fatigue does happen to the tips. I also ground the metal to spread out the contact surface and cushioned it with the leather that can take the torque. My thicker metal tips means I do not need that much metal depth behind the spinner. There is not much room behind the spinner's ears and the wheel surface to work with and still be strong.
So for those who have the means to invent cheaper tools, I hope this info will save some time.
Seaandmoor, I found one of your spinner photos and your spinner look like they are the US safety type spinners that the eared bend back. I assume its another US stupidity requirerment. All though I have never seem one here. How common are these spinners? Your photo was the first one I have ever seen. Your last photo looks like a normal spinner??
Thanks guys for all of your support. Sarto