High Performance, Long Box Wrenches, for the Weekend Guys!

[autoace]

When I visited my dad at Christmas, he gave me these long, zero offset, box end wrenches, as one of my gifts. I have the metric and SAE sets.

I already had some slight offset Snap-on ones (you know, 90 bucks a wrench), so I was skeptical, but thanked my dad. These things are longer than my Snap-on ones, and I have put them through their paces with suspension work, to see what they were made of.

Great choice, for those of you, who don't want to shell out 400 bucks a set, but would like wrenches like these. Fit and finish is very good, they could pass for USA tools, if stamped, and I'm a real picky bastard. See link below

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=96295

[autoace]

Almost forgot the SAE set link, these are buried in HF never never land.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=96212

[Nealcrenshaw]

I do like the metric set, but they're missing some critical sizes like a 9,11,15,16,18,20,21,22,23,24mm

I would go with the ATD set for $25 more. Check 'em out

http://www.etoolcart.com/boxendwrenchsetatd1465.aspx

[Merkava_4]

I'm not buying no damn flunky tools from HF.

How's that for a negative, thread ruining post? :spit:

[amishman]

I'm not buying no damn flunky tools from HF.

How's that for a negative, thread ruining post? :spit:

Being a current HF buyer, I am starting to see this a tad now. At least for precision tools. Big heavy metal things like bearing pullers and stuff like that, I will continue buying from HF. I have been happy with what I have purchased. But, having recently purchased some Pittsburgh Pro Pliers from them, I think for more precisions tools I will now steer clear. The needle nose now has some play in it after only a few uses where the teeth of the needle nose no longer line up too well. The larger plier type seem OK still but has got me thinking on what I will buy from them from now on.

Still very happy with my HF Roto Ratchets but I think the rest of my hand tools will be something else.

Now big wrenches I may only use once in awhile, I think I may check these long box ends out.

I just can't afford $90 for one wrench. If that is what they are. Never looked at pricing for Snap-On recently. Is that what one wrench sells for?

tj

[Fedwrench]

Ok, the Snap on metric long zero offset box wrenches are more like $46.28 a wrench based on a 6 piece set. There's no since in making Snap on prices appear worse than they are.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?search=true&item_ID=68131&PartNo=xdhfm606&group_id=612&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

Although, I would opt for these long zero offset wrenches because, you can break a fastener loose with the fixed end and then speed it off with the ratcheting end. They are handy when you need a long reach.

http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=37542

[Fedwrench]

I'm not buying no damn flunky tools from HF.

How's that for a negative, thread ruining post? :spit:

I don't think it ruins the thread, it just takes up space. Ok, I get that you don't like Harbor Freight tools. They are cheap, disposable, and smell funny. Instead of telling me that you won't buy them, post a reasonably priced alternative when looking for long zero offset wrenches.:headscrat

[speed bump]

Ok, the Snap on metric long zero offset box wrenches are more like $46.28 a wrench based on a 6 piece set. There's no since in making Snap on prices appear worse than they are.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?search=true&item_ID=68131&PartNo=xdhfm606&group_id=612&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

Although, I would opt for these long zero offset wrenches because, you can break a fastener loose with the fixed end and then speed it off with the ratcheting end. They are handy when you need a long reach.

http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=37542

Thats a pretty good price for those KD-tools one I might have to pick some of those up.

[Adam McLaughlin]

I'm not buying no damn flunky tools from HF.

How's that for a negative, thread ruining post? :spit:

Preach on brother, protect your way of life and buy American! I won't even buy Blue Point - if it doesn't say USA on the side, I don't want it.

Adam

[Moose-LandTran]

I paid $102.50 for my almost new 6-piece Snap-on long wrench set, not sure if they're 0 degree or 15 degree though.

[Merkava_4]

Instead of telling me that you won't buy them, post a reasonably priced alternative when looking for long zero offset wrenches.:headscrat

A reasonably priced alternative to a HF product made with Asian labor and imported from a country that purposely devalues their currency in order to gain an unfair trade advantage on the global market? I can't think of any no. :cool:

[autoace]

I'm not buying no damn flunky tools from HF.

How's that for a negative, thread ruining post? :spit:

They are as good as Gearwrench, made in Taiwan, so how are they different from your, Gearwrench tools?

[autoace]

I do like the metric set, but they're missing some critical sizes like a 9,11,15,16,18,20,21,22,23,24mm

I would go with the ATD set for $25 more. Check 'em out

http://www.etoolcart.com/boxendwrenchsetatd1465.aspx

That is why I said for the weekend guys, HF makes a very long combo set, that would compliment these for sizes, for the weekend wrencher. I will still buy Cornwell ones for metric anyway. I was thinking of the hobby guys, who didn't want to spend much money.:thumbup:

[xroad]

I looked at that HF set. No 11mm, no 15mm. If they made it a 4 piece set to include 11 & 15, I would buy it.

[Merkava_4]

They are as good as Gearwrench, made in Taiwan, so how are they different from your, Gearwrench tools?

I still 'til this day have never purchased any GearWrench products; you on the other hand, have. :D

[autoace]

Ok, the Snap on metric long zero offset box wrenches are more like $46.28 a wrench based on a 6 piece set. There's no since in making Snap on prices appear worse than they are.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?search=true&item_ID=68131&PartNo=xdhfm606&group_id=612&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

Although, I would opt for these long zero offset wrenches because, you can break a fastener loose with the fixed end and then speed it off with the ratcheting end. They are handy when you need a long reach.

http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=37542

I was thinking the price for the spline one I had, my bad on that, checked 55 buck for the 17/19, still I posted them for the hobby guy, I thought they were a good value for 26.99, longer than my SO ones.

[kartracer55]

Been looking for a set, I can't seem to find a way around buying truck brand or Gearbox. The toptul and HF ones skip the 18mm, which is a common size on US cars.

Im leaning towards the gearbox ones, but at the same time they take up a lot more room than a traditional 2 sized set, and even with the new box, space is already at a premium.

[Merkava_4]

I'd rather buy the SO's one at a time off eBay. I'm thinking about getting me a zero degree offset 15mm for getting to the A/C on my Buick. ;)

[autoace]

Preach on brother, protect your way of life and buy American! I won't even buy Blue Point - if it doesn't say USA on the side, I don't want it.

Adam

I agree with you, I have 3 BIG tool sets to maintain, and build, there are places for tools like this. I don't bring my SO/Cornwell?Hazet,etc... on road calls, or to the junkyard.too risky. I will buy the rest of the SO ones or Cornwell. I posted this for the guys, that don't care about origin, and want good quality cheap.

[Merkava_4]

I don't bring my SO/Cornwell?Hazet,etc... on road calls, or to the junkyard.too risky.

I take them, but they're always within arm's length of me in my carry tote, and if anyone dares look at them, they get a mean scowl of a look back. :D

[xroad]

Actually, the HF price set is not that good. I can get 3 pieces from Sears, 10x11, 12x13, 14x15 for about $30.

[autoace]

I still 'til this day have never purchased any GearWrench products; you on the other hand, have. :D

I need tools, scanners, specialty tools, shop equipment, etc... for ALL makes and models. I have had days where there is a '71 caddy, and a 2006 Prius in my yard at the same time. Makes A through Z, I need everything, and doubles in most cases for the guys at the shop to use. I spend sick money on equipment, all my purchases are tax deductible though.:bounce: You would realize, you cannot buy Snap-on everything, when there is so many thing to buy. I probably contribute 20x the money to the USA manufacturers, than most of the guys here do, even though I have some import stuff, in the mix.

[autoace]

I take them, but they're always within arm's length of me in my carry tote, and if anyone dares look at them, they get a mean scowl of a look back. :D

You would not take your SO tools to the junkyard, or on the road. It would be too hard to keep the cardboard under them! and they would get DIRTY.:lol_hitti

[autoace]

Actually, the HF price set is not that good. I can get 3 pieces from Sears, 10x11, 12x13, 14x15 for about $30.

Sears doesn't make these, I have Sears, long box wrench set, remember these were a gift, I didn't really need them but.....I was impressed, and I am real fussy. If you saw them in the steel, you would drop 26.99 for them in a heartbeat. By all means buy the Craftsman ones, I have them, and they have been great. Wait and buy the master set at 169 bucks from Sears, a good value. These below

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00942962000P?vName=Tools&cName=Mechanics+Tools&sName=Wrenches

[T56 Impala]

Sears doesn't make these, I have Sears, long box wrench set, remember these were a gift, I didn't really need them but.....I was impressed, and I am real fussy. If you saw them in the steel, you would drop 26.99 for them in a heartbeat. By all means buy the Craftsman ones, I have them, and they have been great. Wait and buy the master set at 169 bucks from Sears, a good value. These below

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00942962000P?vName=Tools&cName=Mechanics+Tools&sName=Wrenches


If Sears had these in Full Polish, I'd have a set in my box tomorrow.

There is something about double box ends that I like. Maybe its nostalgia from days gone by , working with my dad. I'm not sure. I still grab the double box as my first choice when I'm wrenching.

[Uncle Buck]

If Sears had these in Full Polish, I'd have a set in my box tomorrow.

There is something about double box ends that I like. Maybe its nostalgia from days gone by , working with my dad. I'm not sure. I still grab the double box as my first choice when I'm wrenching.

It isn't just you, I prefer them as well! :beer:

[SpiderGearsMan]

A reasonably priced alternative to a HF product made with Asian labor and imported from a country that purposely devalues their currency in order to gain an unfair trade advantage on the global market? I can't think of any no. :cool:

add excessive government social spending and you have our current economic conditions in a nut shell

[bushhawg73]

Does anyone have the set that Autoace posted. If so are they 0 degree offset? I for one just can not shell out the cost of the truck brands for the same tool. The Crafstman set also gets into larger sizes that I currently have in my combo wrenches.
Thanks for any input.

[Uncle Buck]

Almost forgot the SAE set link, these are buried in HF never never land.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=96212

I would give them a try for those prices, they looked decent too. :thumbup:

Merkava, check yer underwear and yer sneakers and tell me where they were made? :lol_hitti

[Merkava_4]

Merkava, check yer underwear and yer sneakers and tell me where they were made? :lol_hitti

I've got USA made Redwing boots on, but my extra-long boxer briefs are from Pakistan. :)

[xroad]

I've got USA made Redwing boots on, but my extra-long boxer briefs are from Pakistan. :)

I read, in a motorcycle magazine, that Red Wing is quietly shifting manufacture to China.

[autoace]

Does anyone have the set that Autoace posted. If so are they 0 degree offset? I for one just can not shell out the cost of the truck brands for the same tool. The Crafstman set also gets into larger sizes that I currently have in my combo wrenches.
Thanks for any input.

I have both HF sets, if they had a USA stamp on them, no one would be wise to the Taiwan origin. I am real picky, so you can bet they are good.

[Nealcrenshaw]

That is why I said for the weekend guys, HF makes a very long combo set, that would compliment these for sizes, for the weekend wrencher.


Us Weekend wrenchers spend good money on tools as well.

[autoace]

Us Weekend wrenchers spend good money on tools as well.

Most techs don't even have these type of wrenches. If I thought they were up to par, they would be great for anyone really. I was impressed, and have Snap-on ones right next to them. I thought they were a super deal, good enough, that the SAE ones will be adequate for keeps, even for me, and I'm the first to cry junk, if something is.:thumbup:

[Fedwrench]

All of the US made rantings lead me to search for zero offset long fixed box wrenches that were US made. I avoided the tool truck brands due to price and was only able to find a Proto set at MSC. If you go for a 15 degree offset, Armstrong, Craftsman, and Proto have sets. There are plenty of Asian made long zero offset sets available from Genius, V8, Toptul, ATD and others. I guess this type of wrench is a low demand item for US manufacturers aside from the tool trucks.

[Nealcrenshaw]

My problem is why couldn't they add just a couple more wrenches to each of these sets and rival some of the top brands. Most of SO,Mac,Cornwells,Matco zero degree offsets come with at least 5 Wrenches. Would it have hurt to add two more wrenches to these sets and sell the sets for $49.99?

[Skyline]

One problem with the Snap-on sets is that they skip the top few sizes that you can get from some of the Asian makes though...my only real complaint.

I had one of the V8 sets recently, (sold on ebay) and they were VERY nice to the touch; really excellent finish. Also very nice was that they went up to 24mm. Not so nice was the total lack of precision on the box ends. In other words, the loop of the box end varried in thickness. Given the torque you might need to apply to loosen a 24mm bolt...this is not too reassuring. What I did not notice at all was that one had a hairline crack, (needles to say, I had to offer a refund to the buyer). Since this wrench showed absolutely no signs of missuse...kind of makes me wonder about steel quality. The feel of a wrench in your hands is NOT the only thing.

[autoace]

My problem is why couldn't they add just a couple more wrenches to each of these sets and rival some of the top brands. Most of SO,Mac,Cornwells,Matco zero degree offsets come with at least 5 Wrenches. Would it have hurt to add two more wrenches to these sets and sell the sets for $49.99?

Those ATD ones don't look as good, the HF ones are damn close to SO. I wish they had a few more sizes, but it gets you quite a few sizes, for short cash, and virtually no compromise from the truck brands, they seem that good. Hope they offer more sizes in the future. Maybe they were seeing if they sold well:dunno:

[yellowbox]

zero offset wrenches are great i have a snap on set ....8 mm thru 20mm use them all the time very pricy though and the 15 mm is given to you twice one wrench is 14 mm and 15 mm and another is 15 mm and 16 mm