Less seen wrench brands

[WVU Tuba Dale]

I was just curious what some of the lesser seen wrench brands are. I was looking to upgrade my mismatched set of wrenches with less popular American made wrenches. I was looking along the lines of JH Williams, Armstrong, Proto, etc. What wrenches will stand up to the test of time? What are everyones opinions on these wrenches? Any good sales going on?

I am looking for an 8-32mm set and a 1/4-2" set.

[DetroitDIESEL444]

Wright tool makes good wrenches. They make them in barberton ohio (near where i live) From what i hear they are really easy to warranty. I know 3 places nearby that sell them. Definately worth looking into.

[MarkH]

A second on the Wrights. The problem is when you find them they may be priced at any end of the spectrum. Our Grainger - Fastenel has them too high. Check out the welding supply stores for us they have been cheaper. Hey everyone needs a torch.

[Fedwrench]

Wright even makes a line of combination wrenches with teeth called the Wright Grip. I would post more but, I don't want you mopes to buy every Wright wrench up on Ebay like you've done with everything else lately.:bounce:
I would also add lesser known Governement contract brands such as Proamerica, Granco, KD, and Kal. They're not fancy but, they get the job done.

[TRTOOLSUPPLY]

Hi Dale,
The list price for the WRIGHT #760 28pcs. metric 12 pt. combo set-6mm-50mm is $1,168.48.The WRIGHT #726 26pcs.sae 12pt. combo set-1/4"-2" list for $1,737.34, these are the WRIGHTGRIP wrenches.Keep in mind I said list price!If I can help with any more info,just ask.WRIGHT Tool has been in business since 1927,hot-forged,American steel,American made!!!!
TR Tool Supply(Richard)

[TRTOOLSUPPLY]

I guess I should have added We are a distributor for WRIGHT TOOLS,We sell A ton of WRIGHT tools to the Gov't and Mil. contractors.They are always very happy with the tools.
TR TOOL SUPPLY(Richard):)

[Diesel-Mech]

Wright even makes a line of combination wrenches with teeth called the Wright Grip. I would post more but, I don't want you mopes to buy every Wright wrench up on Ebay like you've done with everything else lately.:bounce:
I would also add lesser known Governement contract brands such as Proamerica, Granco, KD, and Kal. They're not fancy but, they get the job done.
X2 on everything.

BWP opened my eyes on Granco by selling me these 12 point combo line wrenches.:bowdown:
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/Ozman2/002-3.jpg

[Merkava_4]

If you want an awesome wrench that's not widely in circulation >>> Cornwell. :)

[WVU Tuba Dale]

Hi Dale,
The list price for the WRIGHT #760 28pcs. metric 12 pt. combo set-6mm-50mm is $1,168.48.The WRIGHT #726 26pcs.sae 12pt. combo set-1/4"-2" list for $1,737.34, these are the WRIGHTGRIP wrenches.Keep in mind I said list price!If I can help with any more info,just ask.WRIGHT Tool has been in business since 1927,hot-forged,American steel,American made!!!!
TR Tool Supply(Richard)

From the recommendations in this thread I think I will explore some Wright sets. Expect a PM from me a within a few days.

If you want an awesome wrench that's not widely in circulation >>> Cornwell. :)

I found a Cornwell dealer actually, and I talked to him in person and gave him my phone number, called again and left a message. He has never gotten back to me so I guess my business isn't worth it to him. A real shame because I was going to buy some 3/4 drive impact sockets from him too.

Wright even makes a line of combination wrenches with teeth called the Wright Grip. I would post more but, I don't want you mopes to buy every Wright wrench up on Ebay like you've done with everything else lately.:bounce:
I would also add lesser known Governement contract brands such as Proamerica, Granco, KD, and Kal. They're not fancy but, they get the job done.

Exactly what I am looking for. Pure function made in USA. I don't need frills, just a solid wrench.

[chavist93]

Here is a Wright set that I recently got on ebay for around $150 shipped. I love them, they feel better in the hand than my Snap On's.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/chavist93/tools/IMG_0451.jpg

[krooser]

Before the days of high dollar tool trucks the top brands in the US were Proto and Blackhawk. The only reason they might be considered "lesser known" is advertising which has nothing to do with quality.

Wright also makes excellent products... and I've never broken a US made hand wrench since I grabbed my first one sometime in the 1950's.

Just remember that "marketing" has an immense impact on what we buy. When I was a kid in Milwaukee Schlitz was the #1 selling beer in "beer city".... followed by Pabst and Braumeister. Miller beer was a joke... deeply discounted so it would sell. The only thing that changed was the amount of advertising $$$ spent on promoting the product.

It's no different with any other product by and large.

[WVU Tuba Dale]

Are Blackhawk wrenches USA made? My MAC dealer is going to start carrying Blackhawk and Williams, and I was curious about the "relatively" low prices of Blackhawk.

[MarkH]

The newer Blackhawk is Blackhawk in name only. It is offshored.

Unfortunately.

[Paladin]

The newer Blackhawk is Blackhawk in name only. It is offshored.

Unfortunately.

X2:(. Unfortunately, if your going to buy Blackhawk, or even Williams for that matter, make sure it says "USA" on it...

[wrenchr]

Bonney wrenches can be had for cheap do to them being out of business!!

[Paladin]

Bonney wrenches can be had for cheap do to them being out of business!!

That's a fact, I got a really nice 1-1/8" Bonney combo for cheap on the Bay a couple of months back. Full polish, I think I paid $12 or so shipped. :thumbup:

[r0meyrome]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PROTO-Anti-Slip-15-pc-Metric-Wrench-Set-by-STANLEY_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1171Q7c66 Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c2 93Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZ item160326722790QQitemZ160326722790QQptZMotorsQ5fA utomotiveQ5fTools

[RRmech]

You can still find NOS, American-made wrench sets of flea-bay.
I've seen 10-12 piece Easco, Allen, and KAL combination wrenches go for a $1 a wrench.
You just have to be patient.....and lucky!

Steve

[wrenchr]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PROTO-Anti-Slip-15-pc-Metric-Wrench-Set-by-STANLEY_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1171Q7c66 Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c2 93Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZ item160326722790QQitemZ160326722790QQptZMotorsQ5fA utomotiveQ5fTools

Proto are for sure under rated!!!

[-B-]

If you want an awesome wrench that's not widely in circulation >>> Cornwell. :)

yep rare here have not see a truck in over 20 years matco could be a close second.

plenty of industral supply houses so second tiers are easy

SO, Mac and S&K are the truck tool here

[vssjim]

lots of choices Proto, Wright, Martin, Cornwell etc. etc.

[autoace]

Proto is a good choice, Grainger has good prices on them! Cornwells are great, but quite a bit of money. Proto won't do you wrong, I have not had a problem with warranty yet.

[bchee]

I'm surprised you guys haven't mentioned Harry Epstein yet
http://www.harryepstein.com/

They have some US BAHCO, Williams, Bonney, Wilde, etc.

[The Muffin Man]

Here is a Wright set that I recently got on ebay for around $150 shipped. I love them, they feel better in the hand than my Snap On's.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/chavist93/tools/IMG_0451.jpg

I bought a used set of the Wright grips mixed with a few of the regular Wright wrenches. Those wrenches are super comfortable to hold :thumbup:.

[HandyManny]

I was just curious what some of the lesser seen wrench brands are. I was looking to upgrade my mismatched set of wrenches with less popular American made wrenches. I was looking along the lines of JH Williams, Armstrong, Proto, etc. What wrenches will stand up to the test of time? What are everyones opinions on these wrenches? Any good sales going on?

I am looking for an 8-32mm set and a 1/4-2" set.

All brands mentioned are very excellent wrenches. Though the JH Williams in my opinion is a bit more difficult to find. Don't know why. I have been using Proto for years and can say they are my favorite along with the Craftsman Professional combo wrenches. Armstrong in my opinion is the same as the Cman pros, what I mean is that I'm almost certain they are forged form the same blanks at one of Dahner's facilities. Armstrong can be purchases from Sears (cataloge only), Fastenal, MSC Industrial Supply, etc. Proto can be purchased from MSC, and Grainger. Don't know where you can buy new Williams.

Someone mentioned Wright wrenches, and I do like the older ones I have, but wish they were longer pattern like the Cman Pros.

[WVU Tuba Dale]

Cool guys, thanks for all the great suggestions. I think I am going to start with a smaller set of Wright wrenches and build up on that if I like them. :bounce:

[mkdive]

those wrights are nicer and nicer looking each time I see them! :drool:

[tankboy_taylor]

yep rare here have not see a truck in over 20 years matco could be a close second.

plenty of industral supply houses so second tiers are easy

SO, Mac and S&K are the truck tool here

we had a Cornwell guy where I worked in Malden and we got a great dealer here in Londonderry.

Bonney did make some real nice wrenches Im still trying to find a good deal on there thin stubbies

[T56 Impala]

I second the Wrights. I have some vintage stuff of theirs and it is simply awesome. Its all 1942 - 1954 1/2" drive stuff but it works great and looks the part! Nice and heavy with fantastic quality.

[wrenchr]

I had some industrial wrights that I sold, 9/16 - 1". They were very sturdy wrenches!!

[caper]

Here is a Wright set that I recently got on ebay for around $150 shipped. I love them, they feel better in the hand than my Snap On's.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/chavist93/tools/IMG_0451.jpg

Those Wright's look an awful lot like the lower end mastercraft line from Canadian Tire.They were good wrenches and pretty cheap.Any of the other canucks see a resemblence?

[caper]

Credit for this pic goes to dex,it's from an old thread but it shows a good pic of the satin finish mastercraft.It may be just me but the top wrench looks an awful lot like the wright's.

[superautobacs]

I own a set of the Mastercraft stuff, and yes, the finish looks very similar indeed. However, the ring end looks different though.

The Wrights are stampled USA somewhere in the back right?