Stuck flexplate

I broke down and rented a u joint press from the auto parts store this week to do the u joints on my classic Oldsmobile. I didn't want to take the chance of damaging the drive shaft by using a hammer and sockets. I could have bought one from HF for $90, but gotta keep momma happy...
What are their purpose exactly? In what circumstances would you need too or want to, turn the engine over by the flywheel/flexplate where you wouldn't want/ need to turn it over using the crank bolt? Is it more for productivity purposes, so the mechanic doesn't have to get up from under the vehicle to turn it over and crawl back under, I take it? A shade tree doesn't care much I suppose, up,down,up,down to spin it over to get to the next converter stud, cus how often ya gunna do it, but a guy making a living, looking to shave some time, I can see. Any other purposes?
I have a "modified" screw driver for the same purpose, does make life easier. Technically speaking, you really shouldnt turn an engine over by the balancer bolt, i stripped one out of a 390 i was trying to turn over once.
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78ford351m
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