Which wrenches?

[DavidtheDuke]

I'm looking for a new set of wrenches to take the place of my Blue Points, I have the SO ratcheting offset wrenches, but now I want a better set of my fixed ones.. if it weren't for having almost all SO now I might get the SO wrenches, but their SO prices are simply outrageous nowadays. I've narrowed it down to either Craftsman professional wrencehs, or these SK ones: http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=8526

Does anyone have experience with any/either of the two? How difficult is it to get SK's warrantied? (I've seen the thread about those SK wrenches...)

 

[Danglerb]

Buy a used set of Snapon, I've pretty much decided to get at least all my basic sizes despite having Craftsman and HF already. I like the feel of the Snapon wrenches and used they sell for $5 to $12 each.

 

[Merkava_4]

if it weren't for having almost all SO now I might get the SO wrenches, but their SO prices are simply outrageous nowadays.

I'm one of the few people on this site that thinks S.O. prices are a bargain for what you back in terms quality; but that's just one man's opinion.

I think those SK wrenches are awful. Why? Because the beam is too broad near the box end and the beam itself is too square to suite my quest for comfort; they will cut into your hands hard. I would not have them if someone gave them to me.

The best wrench for the money in my opinion are Cornwell; they make a sweet wrench.

 

[Brandon_Lutz]

I have the Craftsman Pro's and I like em. A definite step up from the craftsman raised panel stuff.

 

[krusty the clown]

yes sk's warranty is horrible...........it was no problem when o'rielly's sold them but now it's almost impossible. there are a few sellers locally but no one wants to honor the warranty. there are a lot of good wrenches out there and we all have our preferences. if it were me i'd watch ebay for a while to see what things are going for.

 

[Merkava_4]

if it were me i'd watch ebay for a while to see what things are going for.

+1. I see some excellent deals on ebay for S.O. wrenches; many times they are new and still in the package.

 

[Mike83]

I have the craftsman professional full polish wrenches. They're nice, esp with the extra length, but the open ends are strange - some of the points at the end are tapered from the side. In other words, if you look at the open end from "skinny" perspective, the end is not square, but comes to a point on one side.

I have SK stubby wrenches and those seem to be of higher quality. They have a thicker handle and thinner box end than the Craftsman Pros.

 

[bchee]

These Williams Supercombo wrenches are pretty good.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-...002QQitemZ120218356900QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

The beam is nicely rounded for comfort. The open-end has grooves like the Flank Drive plus Snap on, but without serrations. They are USA made. You can still buy them new, US made from several places. I've ordered from this place: https://www.indsupply.com/
with free shipping. Of course, Snap on and Williams are related if that's important to you.

 

[Fedwrench]

I use SK, Snap on, Matco, and Craftsman Pro. You can't beat the performance of the Snap on flank drive plus wrenches but, their price is too expensive new off of the truck even with low weekly payments.
Since used Snap on can go for as much as new, that leaves few options unless you find a bargain.
I don't care for the wide hips or fat box end on SK wrenches. I can't warranty them in my area but, you can find them online fairly cheap.
The Craftsman pro wrench sets are probably a great balance between price and performance. They have extra length for additional torque. Sizes 1 inch and under and 19mm and less are easily warrantied at your local Sears. Larger sizes have to be ordered. They have decent finish, good balance, and feature off corner box end engagement. Compared to what else is out there, they're probably your best bang for the dollar unless you find a deal on a tool truck brand.

 

[cambell]

I have the old craftsman pro. wrenches, which are actually the sk's that you put up a link to. I have had them for ten years and I love them, never had a single problem. I did replace a 7/8 because I cut it in half and cut a slot in the open end with an angle grinder in an attempt to remove a stubborn o2 sensor. I dont like my new craftsman pro 7/8 at all and I'm still mad at myself for cutting up my old one, I didn't realize they changed them. If I were to do it all over again I would deffinately buy the sk's, warranty or not.

 

[Chris Adams]

I second the Williams wrenches. I have a lot of the Supercombo in metric and SAE and they are very strong wrenches.
If you are into chrome the Bahco are very good as well.

Yes, both are Snapon companies but not quite the same as Snapon.

Craftsman Pro is pretty low priced compared to Snapon, and used Mac are very nice if you don't mind paying more for used than Craftsman Pro is new.

I haven't found used Snapons to be as cheap as Danglerb finds them he must snap (sorry) up the local ones.
I have found a few for about 65-70% of new prices, way above Williams and Bahco new.

 

[Merkava_4]

Look at the broaching on this Cornwell wrench: nice and clean with no vertical lines.

Look at how they narrowed the beam on the way to the box end; and look how thin the box end is too.

 

[64merc]

Honestly, it comes down to which wrench feels best and how important ease of warranty is to you.

The SK's have a thicker feel to them, which I like, but you'll probably have to mail it in for warranty service. If you're a weekend wrencher this might not be so bad. As far as quality goes, I picked up a used set from a pawn shop and they are perfect, but I have seen some at the flea market with a mild bend in them (this was one of the problems described in an old thread I believe). If you go with the SK's look on ebay for a good deal.

The Cmans are easy to warranty but they just feel a little thin and cheapy to me. Note that I don't own any of these so I'm just going by how they felt in the store. My 2 cents

If anyone cares, what I did to "build" my fractional size set is to buy each one individually for a buck or two at the flea market/pawn shops. I have Husky(USA),SK,Armstrong,Wright,Napa, and others I can't remember right now. To me it's kind of fun to piece together sets - it hurts me to spend big bucks on new stuff.

 

[eschoendorff]

I have wrenches by Craftsman Pro, Snap On, Armstrong, Matco, MAC... really, if I were going to buy another set of wrenches it would be Craftsman Pro. 98% of the people in the world don't feel a difference between the Craftsman Pro and the Snap On wrenches. The other 2% hang out on this forum, and a few of those actually sleep with their wrenches.

I've tried them (albeit not in a professional setting) and I would put my money into the Craftsman Pros. Where else are you gonna get USA-made full polish wrenches that are as easily warrantied and that will turn bolts wit the best of them????

 

[nissan_crawler]

I sold my sk's to buy craftsman pro's, much happier. Something interesting to note, a co-worker has a pair of snap-on wrenches that are IDENTICAL in shape and size to the craftsman pro's (to the point of using a caliper), except the snap-on's are 3/16" longer.

 

[strizzy]

Cman Pros

 

[wrenchr]

I'm one of the few people on this site that thinks S.O. prices are a bargain for what you back in terms quality; but that's just one man's opinion.

I think those SK wrenches are awful. Why? Because the beam is too broad near the box end and the beam itself is too square to suite my quest for comfort; they will cut into your hands hard. I would not have them if someone gave them to me.

The best wrench for the money in my opinion are Cornwell; they make a sweet wrench.

+1 on Cornwell!!!! But most of my wrenchs are mac / snap on and matco. I would not mind cornwell though!!!

 

[wrenchr]

I second the Williams wrenches. I have a lot of the Supercombo in metric and SAE and they are very strong wrenches.
If you are into chrome the Bahco are very good as well.

Yes, both are Snapon companies but not quite the same as Snapon.

Craftsman Pro is pretty low priced compared to Snapon, and used Mac are very nice if you don't mind paying more for used than Craftsman Pro is new.

I haven't found used Snapons to be as cheap as Danglerb finds them he must snap (sorry) up the local ones.
I have found a few for about 65-70% of new prices, way above Williams and Bahco new.

He is talking about single wrenchs, complete set's will hit the pocket even second hand..

 

[Lyaec350]

I just got my 28 pc Cman pro set in the mail and they are very nicely finished. Used the 3/8" wrench to put together the wing basket for my turkey fryer in preperation for the Super Bowl, but that's the only use they've gotten so far.

 

[DavidtheDuke]

thanks guys, I'm definitely going to get the Cman's

 

[Chris Adams]

He is talking about single wrenchs, complete set's will hit the pocket even second hand..

Lately I’ve been adding a lot of wrenches, both singles and sets.
That is, I bought some sets on e-bay and they were missing various pieces.

That’s the way one vendor is selling them, and so I’ve been ‘filling in’ the missing pieces.

I have looked at 7 pawn shops, two swap meets and Craig’s List.
I’ve found the prices on singles in Snap-on run 65-70% of new prices that you get direct from Snap-on.

The prices on sets seem to be coming in at about 60% of direct prices.

Of course these prices are including shipping.

Example I bought one wrench for 5.95, but after shipping it came to 65% of what Snap-on’s site wanted. But Snap-on was out of stock on the wrench anyway.

Prices on singles seem to depend on where you live.
Around this part of Southern California the used Snap-On often is the same as new or even higher at pawn shops. Ridiculous but that’s the way it is locally.


On the Williams wrenches I bought on e-bay they have averaged about 3.39 plus shipping per wrench, or about 4.25 with shipping.
That’s for metric and standard Supercombos in satin finish and for chrome SAE standard and short wrenches.

Makes the Williams quite a bit cheaper than the Craftsman Pros even if you have to add a few Matco/Mac/Snap-on wrenches in singles to even it out.

Best bang for buck would be getting the standard and metric combo kits and filling them in with Craftsman pro.

 

[wrenchr]

Lately I’ve been adding a lot of wrenches, both singles and sets.
That is, I bought some sets on e-bay and they were missing various pieces.

That’s the way one vendor is selling them, and so I’ve been ‘filling in’ the missing pieces.

I have looked at 7 pawn shops, two swap meets and Craig’s List.
I’ve found the prices on singles in Snap-on run 65-70% of new prices that you get direct from Snap-on.

The prices on sets seem to be coming in at about 60% of direct prices.

Of course these prices are including shipping.

Example I bought one wrench for 5.95, but after shipping it came to 65% of what Snap-on’s site wanted. But Snap-on was out of stock on the wrench anyway.

Prices on singles seem to depend on where you live.
Around this part of Southern California the used Snap-On often is the same as new or even higher at pawn shops. Ridiculous but that’s the way it is locally.


On the Williams wrenches I bought on e-bay they have averaged about 3.39 plus shipping per wrench, or about 4.25 with shipping.
That’s for metric and standard Supercombos in satin finish and for chrome SAE standard and short wrenches.

Makes the Williams quite a bit cheaper than the Craftsman Pros even if you have to add a few Matco/Mac/Snap-on wrenches in singles to even it out.

Best bang for buck would be getting the standard and metric combo kits and filling them in with Craftsman pro.

Whoa,
I'm glad I live in Michigan, I get great deals all the time. But I think that is a sign of the time's here in Michigan.

 

[Chris Adams]

Whoa,
I'm glad I live in Michigan, I get great deals all the time. But I think that is a sign of the time's here in Michigan.

Well, we get computer stuff really cheap here, I guess it averages out in the long run.

 

[lbgradwell]

That is, I bought some sets on e-bay and they were missing various pieces.

That’s the way one vendor is selling them, and so I’ve been ‘filling in’ the missing pieces.

...

On the Williams wrenches I bought on e-bay they have averaged about 3.39 plus shipping per wrench, or about 4.25 with shipping.
That’s for metric and standard Supercombos in satin finish and for chrome SAE standard and short wrenches.

I won an auction for the same 12-piece metric 9-23mm Supercombos for $36.00! FANTASTIC deal! Another $11 for delivery for a total of $47 and an average of $3.92/wrench delivered...

The best online price I've found for the 23mm wrench ALONE is $31.76 + $7.03 S&H or $38.79!!!!!!

 

[Merkava_4]

I wish I could get the whole wrench in the frame, but it's a 1/2'' extra long and I'd have to stand back 10 feet to do so.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I'm looking for a new set of wrenches to take the place of my Blue Points, I have the SO ratcheting offset wrenches, but now I want a better set of my fixed ones..

Why, exactly, do you need to replace your Blue Points? Depending on their age, they are probably SO forgings with a dull chrome finish instead of the high polish. A co worker several years ago bought the Blue Point Combination wrenches in the larger sizes, above 3/4 inch, because they were quite a bit cheaper. They were US made and we could not tell any difference except for the chrome finish.

Charles

 

[DavidtheDuke]

Why, exactly, do you need to replace your Blue Points? Depending on their age, they are probably SO forgings with a dull chrome finish instead of the high polish. A co worker several years ago bought the Blue Point Combination wrenches in the larger sizes, above 3/4 inch, because they were quite a bit cheaper. They were US made and we could not tell any difference except for the chrome finish.

Charles

That's the main thing, I hate having to wipe'm. But really are they US eh? it wouldn't suprise me, but I do want bigger sizes and some of the smaller ones 8 thru 6 to around 21 to around 30 or so.

 

[Sticky]

Where can you find Cornwell? I need to fill in my gaps and like those above pics plus all the good comments here about them, but where to find them?

 

[Merkava_4]

Where can you find Cornwell? I need to fill in my gaps and like those above pics plus all the good comments here about them, but where to find them?

They are extremely rare and ultra exquisite.

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

Beta!

 

[Merkava_4]

 

[Deafautotech]

why not cornwell make more larger size in extra long wrenches??? Mac tools do, snap on do, matco tools do.... heck craftsman do as only in professioanl wrenches...

 

[Fedwrench]

They are extremely rare and ultra exquisite.

That's only because the Cornwell dealers quickly go out of business despite being nice people.

Besides who thinks of a wrench as being "ultra exquisite" anyway. I think the fumes from whatever metal polish you use when polishing your tools may be affecting you.

 

[Merkava_4]

Besides who thinks of a wrench as being "ultra exquisite" anyway. I think the fumes from whatever metal polish you use when polishing your tools may be affecting you.

Ah man . . . you don't even know the half of it.

 

[ImportTuner]

Still have not seen a Cornwell truck ... so, no experience with driver being nice or not ...

 

[wrenchr]

That's only because the Cornwell dealers quickly go out of business despite being nice people.

Besides who thinks of a wrench as being "ultra exquisite" anyway. I think the fumes from whatever metal polish you use when polishing your tools may be affecting you.

lmfao!!!!!!!!!
Fedwrench, That was exquisitely priceless!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Merkava_4]

why not cornwell make more larger size in extra long wrenches??? Mac tools do, snap on do, matco tools do.... heck craftsman do as only in professioanl wrenches...

Their drop down menu only goes up to 19mm.

 

[Fedwrench]

Still have not seen a Cornwell truck ... so, no experience with driver being nice or not ...

I've had 4 in the last 6 years. One had a black cloud hanging over him. He was robbed, broken into, had vehicle accidents, and just couldn't make it work despite trying real hard. His replacement didn't like the hours or all of the driving so, he bailed. The guy after that acted like he was doing you a favor letting you come on his truck if he showed up so, he quickly folded. The current guy is alright and I'm pulling for him but, it's not easy selling tools. They're not bad tools, and it's an employee owned company but, their selection is a little lean in some areas and they only manufacture some of their hardline.

 

[wrenchr]

Where can you find Cornwell? I need to fill in my gaps and like those above pics plus all the good comments here about them, but where to find them?

Go to their website and there should be a dealer locator type deal. I have two trucks running in the same general area, Downriver area of Michigan. The suburbs of Detroit.

 

[posaune]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Proto in all of this. How do they compare? I've been looking at them to replace my Craftsman raised panels, but it certainly would be easier to just go to Sears and pick up some Craftsman Pros if they are decent.