Wright tools

[T56 Impala]

Well, in my adventure so far, I have come across a lot of brands. Most of my stuff dates from the WWII era. You have seen some of the pictures of selected items I have cleaned up. I still have more to come.

I do however want to make a comment. Of all the "brands" I have cleaned, Wright seem to be the ones that come out looking the best. Even with very heavy rust, they are not pitted at all. Once cleaned they are what I would expect them to look like new.

I see that Wright is still around. Several sets on eBay say "NEW". I even checked out the Wright web site. I must assume that these are still 100% USA made. Can anyone confirm this?

While I'm on the subject of MY old tools and Wright, if anyone has "WF" series Wright tools they might want to sell, specifically 1/2" drive, I would be VERY interested in buying them! Maybe a trade for something interesting that I have?

[wrenchr]

Wright is US made and very under estimated to!!

[MarkH]

We have used Wrights as one of the backbones of our farm repair for years. We have never had one break. Think of them jammed into a tractor box, bounced around, buried in grease and mud. Pulled out used, thrown back in. Use them that way until we loose them.

So far the only comments we have are positive, then we do not use tools as bling so the satin finish is a plus. A day in a tractor box makes a polished tool look like a scratched turd. The Wrights we have have been there for years. So in one statement I have never regretted any Wright purchases we have made.

[krusty the clown]

wright is a quality tool manufacturer........their ratchets do kinda suck though. sockets and wrenches are top notch!

[billymade]

Krusty, was Wright the primary OEM for Matco sockets/ratchets when you were a dealer? I have some 90s vintage Matco sockets I bought off the truck and AFAIK, they are all Wright; including a ratchet, which I hated and sold to a mechanic who thought it was cool.... good for him! LOL! :)

[krusty the clown]

AFAIK wright supplied the sockets (not all of them though) and ratchets. wright was a supplier to MAC in the pre stanley days. right after the split matco used most of the same vendors MAC did.

[T56 Impala]

Crap! They are cheaper than the Craftsman Pros! A 7/16 combo in satin is around $7.50. In "Industrial Black" its $8.50. (I kinda dig the "Industrial black thing!) The Same Craftsman pro is $7.49 in full polish. I know its not apples to apples but still.

I wonder if there is a local store that carries them?

[Valsmere]

I have seen a few online tool stores that carry Wright tools, but I haven't used any. They look real good though.

[billymade]

Check this link out; you can "buy online now" or find a "local" dealer: http://www.wrighttool.com/pub/how_to_buy.asp

[Uncle Buck]

Harry Epstein's sells Wright tools.

[Uncle Buck]

wright is a quality tool manufacturer........their ratchets do kinda suck though. sockets and wrenches are top notch!

I agree with this statement. :beer:

[Coach James]

I have two Wright 3/8 ratchets that work fine for me. I also have some of their deep well sockets and several combo wrenches. Nothing bad to say about any of it. The local welding supply sells me Wright wrenches for ~the same price as C-man raised panel stuff.

Coach

[dfndr]

I have 3/8 and 1/2 Wright exposed pawl ratchets. They have large handles that are easy on the hands and the exposed pawls are very handy to use as thumb-wheels. The gearing is not fine but they are excellent tools in my opinion. Never a breakdown

[davestlouis]

The only Wright tools I have are a pair of TINY 1/4 inch drive round head ratchets, model 2400. They are so small, they look like toys, but seem to work just fine. Mine were built in 1966 and 1973.

[Diesel-Mech]

I have wright 3/8" and 1/2" drive impact sockets in deep and shallow that have not given me any troubles at all. I agree its a very underestimated american made brand.

[eschoendorff]

Crap! They are cheaper than the Craftsman Pros! A 7/16 combo in satin is around $7.50. In "Industrial Black" its $8.50. (I kinda dig the "Industrial black thing!) The Same Craftsman pro is $7.49 in full polish. I know its not apples to apples but still.

I wonder if there is a local store that carries them?

Generally you can find Wright at your local welding supply center. That is, if they still stock hand tools...

[billymade]

This is the ratchet I had but it was stamped "Matco" at the time; it was a fine tooth with a unique contoured handle but the ratchet head was hard to change directions! When trying to do this; it keep free wheeling but it is possible, a new head kit would have fixed the problem.
Click on "details" to see a picture:
http://www.wrighttool.com/pub/default.asp?partno=3425&t1=Search+Results&t2=Search+Results&d=&catalog=0&search=1

[T56 Impala]

Okay, so I have tried to find a local dealer. There are three. All three seem to be working out of their houses. I know the truck guys list their home as their work address.

I would really like to see some of these tools up close and really don't feel right about going to some one's house. Mostly because I wouldn't be buying large quantities. Only a wrench here or there. I looked at the on line sites and none seem to carry all of the industrial black tools.

Anyone have a suggestion for locating these things?

[PowderKeg]

I've got a set of Wright 1/2" chrome deepwells from 3/8" to 1 1/2" - a really nice like new (may have been new) set I fished out of the bay of fleas some years ago for somewhere around $80. Also have one of those 3/8" head in the 1/4" handle round head ratchets that has served well too. I always keep an eye out for the Wright opportunities!

[John in OH]

Wright Tool is headquartered in Barberton, Ohio, about 25 miles south of Cleveland, OH. I love the Wright wrenches and sockets that I've got ... never used one of their ratchets though. Their tools seem to be available mostly from "industrial" supply houses and some on-line sources. Never seen a Wright Tool truck. In Akron, Oh, they are available from Kromedge on the south side.

I agree they are under-appreciated US made tools and far more reasonable in price than Snap-On. Also, they have a nice "feel"!

[MarkH]

On the ratchets, we use a number, they are oil only. Most of them are used changing oil on the farm machinery so are usually doused daily in oil. I was surprised how smooth one that had been doing that for a couple years vs a new one and vs a couple more over rated ratchets. They smooth out with a few days of hard work. So we do not find them as bad as some people say. Also I have never had one in for warranty yet since the mid 70's.

Not 80 teeth but a good value for hard work. They also have a couple of the cutest almost should be jewelry 1/4 and 3/8 in a 1/4 body you will ever see. I almost had them made into earrings for the wife when I got them. Also smaller and lighter than some earrings that she wore then.

[goodfellow]

Love my Wright ratchets!!! They are the most durable ratchets that I own. Bought a set in 1969 and they still function as well today, as the day I purchased them from a local auto parts store.

I admit that the rubber composite handles make them look "clunky" and less refined than other brands, but those handles will stay comfortably put in your hand when when grease and oil are dripping everywhere.

Sockets and extensions are top notch. I have several older Wards PowrKraft sets which at the time were sourced from Wright, and the chrome finish is still flawless.

Wright has to be one of the most underrated tool companies in the US market.

[rhandwor]

I purchased a 1/2 inch chrome set about 40 years ago and still have them. I was pleased with them. The factory used to be in Barberton Ohio.

[krusty the clown]

I purchased a 1/2 inch chrome set about 40 years ago and still have them. I was pleased with them. The factory used to be in Barberton Ohio.

i beleive it still is :headscrat

[bayou985]

Can't go Wrong with Wright....Ya heard Me??

[davestlouis]

My local Cummins/Tool Liquidator store has Wright ratchet/socket sets, in red steel boxes. I keep thinking I should grab one, just to have it.

[vssjim]

A great american tool company, they also private label tools for others.

[T56 Impala]

:( still can't find any local.

[crankshaftdan II]

I have a 1/4" set of wright-allied socket and ratchet set, never had a problem with sockets or ratchet, also purchased breaker and extra extensions etc. Purchased thru a local farm and fleet store (Iowa, Ill., Ind., Wisc.,), they seem to be very high quality for a reasonable price, local farm store no longer handles (went to allen). I have a box of new Wright sockets, no sets, I cannot send pictures, if anyone needs a certain size/type PM me and I will check to see if I have them. Quick review is some are 3/8" and some 1/2" drives, some metric/sae, some 6 pt./12pt., also 3/8" speeder, slightly used. Dan

[lbgradwell]

wright is a quality tool manufacturer........their ratchets do kinda suck though. sockets and wrenches are top notch!

I agree with this statement. :beer:

I am a little surprised, boys; I have a grand total of 2 Wright tools - a 3400 ratchet and a single socket that was included in a lot deal...

Love my Wright ratchets!!! They are the most durable ratchets that I own...

I admit that the rubber composite handles make them look "clunky" and less refined than other brands, but those handles will stay comfortably put in your hand when when grease and oil are dripping everywhere.

I can't attest to their durability, but I don't doubt it. I think the action of my 3400 "feels" great and the handle (while admittedly ugly) is comfortable. At 41-teeth, it's quite functional if not cutting edge.

A great american tool company, they also private label tools for others.

I know many of the companies for whom Wright manufactured in the past. Who do they do contract work for now?

I would really like to see some of these tools up close and really don't feel right about going to some one's house. Mostly because I wouldn't be buying large quantities. Only a wrench here or there.

I'm sure they won't mind! Only a fool businessman would...

[billymade]

I'm wondering the same thing too; I had a older Matco ratchet that was obvously Wright.... I also have impact sockets and allen head sockets; that are Matco OEM Wright as well.... I think the Danaher buyout of Matco, may have killed the OEM contracts with Wright. Maybe our former/current Matco dealers on here, can fill us in on the details.

[vssjim]

I know some of the SK tools big sockets like 3/4 drive were Wrights, that would be inch series as metrics were Facom at the time.

[lbgradwell]

I know some of the SK tools big sockets like 3/4 drive were Wrights, that would be inch series as metrics were Facom at the time.

Hmm, no kidding; that surprises me. How do you know this?

I can see how FACOM may not have been equipped to produce SAE, but SK would have been. Why was Wright needed?

[T56 Impala]

Dan,

I might be interested in a few of those singles you have. I'll let you know. I have a 1/2" drive set ca. 1954 and a 1/4" drive set, currently undated, on the way.


"I have a 1/4" set of wright-allied socket and ratchet set, never had a problem with sockets or ratchet, also purchased breaker and extra extensions etc. Purchased thru a local farm and fleet store (Iowa, Ill., Ind., Wisc.,), they seem to be very high quality for a reasonable price, local farm store no longer handles (went to allen). I have a box of new Wright sockets, no sets, I cannot send pictures, if anyone needs a certain size/type PM me and I will check to see if I have them. Quick review is some are 3/8" and some 1/2" drives, some metric/sae, some 6 pt./12pt., also 3/8" speeder, slightly used. Dan "