Large Wrenches for Hydraulics

[JSGAuto]

Good Morning,

I've started chasing leaks on my skid steer, and need to buy some large wrenches. It looks like the size I need is 1-3/8"

Ideally I'd like USA made, but of course anything new is expensive. Ebay is kinda a mixed bag of "eh". I need 2 wrenches, so it would be nice if they matched.

All of my other stuff is craftsman, be nice if they matched those, but I don't think those were ever made that large?

For single wrench purchases what is a decent (and avalaible) brand? I am not a pro, so the $100/each wrenches are not a consideration.

Thanks!
Jim

 

[mike93lx]

Tekton

 

[Dave455]

The problem with big wrenches is that they do get fairly pricey. It’s pretty much unavoidable if you buy new.

I find used works well for the bigger sizes as they tend not to wear so easily, but I tend to buy them when I see them. As you are finding out, you can seldom find them when you need them in a hurry.

I reckon your best bet is to go for one of the industrial makers - Proto, Wright, Williams U.S.A.

This gives you an idea of price - Williams, U.S. made!

 

[bobg03]

Back when I had a need and a life where they were useful I had a set of Westward that went into the sizes above 1". They wouldn't win a fashion show but they worked well.

 

[autobon7]

Can prolly find good used Proto, Williams, etc on marketplace, craigslist, or ebay for relatively cheap. The new Williams pictured above is listed at a good price. Gotta get past the matching thing.

 

[rooster59]

Maybe here. Taiwan, good quality. I haven’t bought ones this big though.

https://www.menards.com/main/tools/...ation-wrench/67647/p-1524810594223-c-9157.htm

 

[crewchief888]

Couple of big adjustable will work just fine for that

 

[Lucid Moments]

It has already been said, but for me Tekton hits the sweet spot for price and quality. Their 1 3/8 is $34, and while their stuff won't match some of the others for quality I have never had any problems with them.

 

[JSGAuto]

The textron looks nice, maybe that is a good middle ground.

How is the sunex stuff? I've seen them mentioned before. $16 is cheap

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006FGOZE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Lassen Forge]

Tekton or large Crescent.

 

[Outwest]

Check Cripe Distributing online for n.o.s.

 

[RTM]

HJE has 1-3/8” US made crowfoot for $22each.

WTA Tool 1/2" Drive Open End Crowfoot 1 3/8" (1142B)

WTA Tool 1/2" Drive Open End Crowfoot 1 3/8" (1142B)

www.harryepstein.com

Wright combo at $89, and probably others

1 3/8" WrightGrip Combination Wrench 12 Point #1144

1 3/8" WrightGrip Combination Wrench 12 Point #1144

www.harryepstein.com

Doe for $80

Wright 1-3/8" x 1-7/16" Open End Wrench #1346 (1346WR)

Wright 1-3/8" x 1-7/16" Open End Wrench #1346

www.harryepstein.com

Angled at $70

1-3/8" x 1-3/8" Open End Wrench Double Angle 15 & 60 Degree (1388WR)

1-3/8" x 1-3/8" Open End Wrench Double Angle 15 & 60 Degree

www.harryepstein.com

Flare nut crowfoot at $36

1 3/16 12 Point Crowfoot Wrench Flare Nut 1/2 Drive (SC38)

1 3/16 12 Point Crowfoot Wrench Flare Nut 1/2 Drive

www.harryepstein.com

Bonney flare crowfoot at $18

1/2" Drive Box Crowfoot 1 11/16" Bonney (AF54)

1/2" Drive Box Crowfoot 1 11/16" Bonney

www.harryepstein.com

Granco crowfoot at $18

Open End Crowfoot USA 1 3/8 (1142CF)

Open End Crowfoot USA 1 3/8

www.harryepstein.com

Sorry, had wrong size at first posting

 

[619DioFan]

I have the service wrench sets from HF. 30 degree offset , thinner profile. Shorter handles but I have a piece of pipe for leverage. 60 bucks for a 15 wrench set , lifetime warranty. Not used every day but work great when needed.

 

[turner66]

I also have the 2 service wrench sets in SAE and Metric from HF. Bought them on short notice for some hydraulic line work. So far they have held up just fine. I basically bought them with intention of getting capability short term and slowly replacing as better became available. As was mentioned, it sometimes takes a while for these to become available in name brand on the used market and this is one thing i have no interest in buying snap-on new...

 

[JradM]

One thing to watch for with the cheap large wrenches is the overall length and thickness. I suspect some manufacturers use less material to hit a price point. I don't have the Sunex, but just looking at the photo I'm wondering if it's one of the shorter wrenches.

Tekton is good value for the money. The finishing is very good even on the big wrenches. Basically the only reasons a person wouldn't pick this brand are because of the country of origin or because it's no problem to pay considerably more to make sure you have the very best.

I think of Williams as the modern day equivalent of the legend that's grown up about Craftsman of olde. Very sturdy, good quality and USA-made, but sometimes the finishing is a bit substandard. I'm a big fan of Williams - but keep in mind the Tekton will almost certainly look nicer in person.

Proto is amazingly good - but you pay for it. Here in Canada we pay double for some reason, so I only have a few Proto wrenches. Pick this one only if you want the best and are willing to pay for it. Some of Proto's wrenches are made in Taiwan too - it depends on which line you're looking at. It doesn't matter to me - my favorite Proto wrenches (black chrome spline-drive reversible ratcheting with ASD) are from the Taiwan line.

Westward is a mixed bag. I don't know why they have so many versions. I have some that seem no better than Craftsman lobster claws, others that are every bit as nice or nicer than Tekton. They're all made overseas, so perhaps you won't be interested anyway. If you were going to check out Westward, I'd stick with the full-polish wrenches.

Final thought - what about the XL pliers wrench? If you're only dealing with a couple sizes, this might be a nice option. Have the ability to really grip down on the fitting if necessary. One disadvantage is that you can't whack the end with a mallet quite so easily to jar something loose, but then the pliers wrench has many other uses too.

 

[joel_400]

I have the Sunex angle wrench set for home use. Nice wrenches for the price. Only thing I didn't like at the time I used them at work was the 15/60 angles. Purchased the 30/60 Snap on over a few years...they are their most expensive wrenches. At the time I bought the 2 inch it was close to 300 for that one wrench. Very nice set to have though. They'll be with me for the rest of my days! Then my son can have them!
Joel

 

[nadogail]

Shop any used tool stores you can find. Get over the idea that matching wrenches are better than a collection of Estate Sale Specials.
As an Manufacturing Equipment Mechanic many of my tools became "Customized" over the years. I had several wrenches that were carefully ground as this as bicycle cone wrenches to reach locknuts and fittings.

 

[RedneckWelder]

All my large combo wrenches are flea market specials bought for pennies on the dollar compared to new.

 

[Pinemarten]

A good option might be Ebay. A search for 1 3/8" wrench, turned a bunch of 1 3/8" Line Service wrenches in the $18- $24 dollar range. You could get a crowfoot for even less.

 

[Tallpilot]

NOS USA from Cripe, Tekton or USA Williams. All are good options.

 

[AJHD]

The HF jumbo set works, but my god they are rough in terms of fit and finish.

Sunex is better and can be purchased individually or in a set.

If you want chrome and something a bit nicer, Tekton is your best option.

I have all 3 brands. But honestly beyond 30mm, I use an adjustable or a pipe wrench. And yes, I work on heavy equipment, mostly CAT.

 

[ecotec]

The HF jumbo set works, but my god they are rough in terms of fit and finish.

Sunex is better and can be purchased individually or in a set.

If you want chrome and something a bit nicer, Tekton is your best option.

I have all 3 brands. But honestly beyond 30mm, I use an adjustable or a pipe wrench. And yes, I work on heavy equipment, mostly CAT.

At CAT, they do not allow cheater pipes or modified tools anymore, do they?

I can see having some pretty gigantic adjustables and pipe wrenches, if they don’t.

 

[cannuck]

I work on really big power transformers, so large wrenches are a given. This may be blasphemy at GJ, but once you get over 1 1/8 and 27mm (1 1/16) it doesn't matter what brand you get or quality level as there is no way you are strong enough to hurt them. Where I did cheap out was very large crowfoots and locknut wrenches. I have Chinese sets up over 2" in each and when working for day job client we often need really big ones (for nuts on bottom of bushings inside xfrmrs but there is seldom any room, so I draw up what I need and have them laser cut then weld on a 1/2 or 3/4 drive impact socket to drive it with breaker bar (we no longer allow ratchets inside).

 

[Jason280]

Sunex are a decent option.

 

[JSGAuto]

I just bought the Sunex set.

$119 from ebay
Sunex Jumbo Wrench Set

I plan to keep my eye out for lare used wrenches. I may end up at Hersey in the fall, or maybe get lucky on ebay.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! Bob (the skidsteer) appreciates it!


Jim

 

[Zimbo]

I work on hydraulics daily as a CAT mech and I have all them big combination wrenches which I never use, I just go with my Stahlwille DIN spanners, light and slim. A similar size from Prime tools is about £14 or so. Problem with fittings etc is you nearly always end up with several tools on the job. You never need a ring end. Angle wrenches are ok but costly.

 

[428PI]

When I worked on hydraulics on farm tractors in the early 80s I bought a set of narrow angle head wrenches. Angled on one end and normal on the other. Has served me well. I think it goes up to 1 and 1/4. Bought some large combination wrenches but really used the angled wrenches just as much. Matco brand. Probably super expensive now. Just looked. 401 bucks. Ouch. Maybe I should sell them.

 

[AJHD]

At CAT, they do not allow cheater pipes or modified tools anymore, do they?

I can see having some pretty gigantic adjustables and pipe wrenches, if they don’t.

No, they don't allow anything of the sort. Safety police will nab you.