Big Wrenches

[blue302stang]

Well i got my set of 3/8-3/4" snap on wrenches that i love, but i am looking for the bigger wrenches to fill my collection. Do i have to buy each wrenches individually or is their a set that i just may be missing. They don't have to be snap-on but am looking for a high quality wrench(mac, matco, cornwell,...). I've checked all their websites and ebay but can't seem to come up with everything. Most big set will start at 1-1/6.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

snap on is big money for bigger wrenches, larger ones are annoying satin finish , my snaps go up 1 1/2 , then I have a combo of truecraft and sk up to 2 inch

 

[billymade]

I think used Proto might be a good fit for the larger wrenches; Proto doesn't seem to command the same stratospheric prices of Snapon and they have the large sizes for the industrial market.
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38&_nkw=Proto+large+wrenches&_sacat=See-All-Categories


http://shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=Proto++wrenches&_fromfsb=&_trksid=m270

 

[CAT_serviceman927]

I've got chrome Snap-On up to 1 3/8", then black finish Snap-On 1 7/16, 1 1/2, and 1 5/8. I bought everything above 1" individually. I was able to get some from school for roughly 50% off. The 3 biggest I got off the truck with a tool certificate. If you look, Cornwell has a set that goes 1 1/16 to 1 1/2" in chrome or black finish. Unfortunately though they don't sell tools on their website like Snap-On or some of the others do. Here are some links for a couple of others:

http://www.skhandtool.com/Default.aspx?fusemode=10&pid=1780

http://www.skhandtool.com/Default.aspx?fusemode=10&pid=1790

http://outagepro.com/cart.php?target=product&product_id=26915&category_id=348

If you look around enough. I am sure you can get what you want on Ebay or craigslist.

 

[trackwelder]

Proto has been supplied at my job for the about the last 5 years or so. The only ones I have seen break are the ones with 5' cheater bars on them and backhoes pushing on them. We had bluepoint,williams,armstrong, and snap on industrial and the protos are just as good.

 

[blue302stang]

I may just start piecing them together bit by bit. The biggest size i use at work right now is 1-5/8, but thats not to often. I wish i could still get my school discount of snap-on, but i moved on from there.

 

[toolfreak]

snap on is big money for bigger wrenches, larger ones are annoying satin finish , my snaps go up 1 1/2 , then I have a combo of truecraft and sk up to 2 inch

The newer snap on are chrome, not the satin finish. I have up to 1 5/8" in chrome.

 

[CAT_serviceman927]

Looking back, did you also say you needed 13/16"-1"? In that case, then yes. You will have to buy them individually unless you can find someone selling a set of those sizes on e-bay or some where else.

 

[blue302stang]

yea i also needed the 13/16 to 1" thats why i figured i might as well get them piece by piece. I was hoping proto would have the set i'm looking for since i have a 13/16"- 1-1/4" ratcheting wrench set.

 

[senlow]

The Snap-On sets are priced as the sum of the individual prices. There is no discount for buying a set. So, why not just buy them individually as you need them. I suggest that you stay with Snappy up through 1", and then maybe buy less costly wrenches in the larger sizes assuming that the larger sizes are not constantly used. The industrial finish Snap-On wrenches would also be a good way to go for the larger sizes. Let us know what you end up with.

 

[Junkman]

I have wrenches up to 1 3/4", and I can't remember when I last used anything larger than 1 1/4". Glad that I didn't pay a lot for them. Mine are the satin finish Snap-On's. I did see a 3" made in China wrench at Fastenal, and it was priced just under $200!!!

 

[krusty the clown]

i only have up to 1 1/4 wrenches. 1/4 thru 7/8 snap on in chrome and 15/16 through 1 1/4 snap on in industrial finish.

 

[Danglerb]

Big wrenches was one area I had zero trouble going with HF. $50 gets a nice set, that I will never exceed the limits of.

 

[Fedwrench]

Since I seldom use anything over 7/8 (except when removing AC hoses), I'd opt for these.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...me=Tools&cName=Mechanics+Tools&sName=Wrenches

 

[WOOS1]

I personally like and own the Wright Tool wrenches with the round handles (much easier on the hands). I have them thru 2 1/2". Much more reasonable than some other brands. Could also make a good weapon if necessary.

 

[eschoendorff]

I only have up to 1 1/8"... but if I were in the market for larger USA made wrenches, I would definitely look to Proto.

Or - this sounds bad but - just go to Harbor Freight and pick up one of their sets of huge wrenches. Much more cost-effective for the amount of use taht they're likely to see.

 

[eschoendorff]

I personally like and own the Wright Tool wrenches with the round handles (much easier on the hands). I have them thru 2 1/2". Much more reasonable than some other brands. Could also make a good weapon if necessary.

Hell yeah! May I ask where you bought those wrenches (and just for giggles, how much did that 2 1/2" go for)?

 

[rsanter]

Since I seldom use anything over 7/8 (except when removing AC hoses), I'd opt for these.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...me=Tools&cName=Mechanics+Tools&sName=Wrenches

same here, or bid on some on ebay

 

[Uncle Buck]

I go to 1&1/2" inch,and those above 1 1/4" are old Prpto wrenches I bought cheap, no more than $10 a wrench tops. I justed waited for used and bought them cheap as I found them. It isn't like most guys cannot afford to wait to find them cheap, they only get used once in a blue moon! I have them like sized in metric.

 

[Rickster]

I've got a 1 1/8 chrome Snapon OEX36 and a chrome 1 1/6 Proto 1234-500. Also a set of SKs 15/16, 1, 1 1/16 & 1 1/8 (C30,C32, C34 & C36) with kind of a satin chrome finish that are thick & heavy with edges that are rounded. Got several others that are industrial finish. Even have a huge old Thorsen thats more of a weapon than a wrench.

 

[GDA]

I got a great deal on used Hazets (Ebay) in sizes 21mm up to 46mm. I dont have all the sizes yet but I've got less than $100 in em and have 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, 32, 36, 41 and 46. I'm still working on filling in the gaps but those are not common sizes anyway. To compare those would have been hideously expensive to get off the tool truck.

If I had to make a recommendation, I'd say go for big wrenches in the high tier brands like Proto, Williams, Hazet and Gedore (German made).

 

[Moose-LandTran]

GDA, if you're working on German cars, and BMWs in particular try finding a 23mm wrench. If i recall correctly these are used on tie-rod lock nuts on the larger BMWs (E34s, E39s etc..) among other applications.

 

[GDA]

GDA, if you're working on German cars, and BMWs in particular try finding a 23mm wrench. If i recall correctly these are used on tie-rod lock nuts on the larger BMWs (E34s, E39s etc..) among other applications.

Moose, thanks for the tip! I have not run into a need for that size yet on my E34 M5 but I'll put that size on the priority list.

You are up kinda late... not going to the pub tonight?

 

[CAT_serviceman927]

I was going through some nuts today at work for hydraulic cylinders. Anyone have an 8" wrench?

 

[CAT_serviceman927]

I personally like and own the Wright Tool wrenches with the round handles (much easier on the hands). I have them thru 2 1/2". Much more reasonable than some other brands. Could also make a good weapon if necessary.

I think when i get around to getting my 1 3/4, 1 13/16, and 1 7/8, I'll end up with Wrights. I am also a fan of the round handles. Although I also like the tubular handle wrenches Williams has. Can get box end and open end with different length handles.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Moose, thanks for the tip! I have not run into a need for that size yet on my E34 M5 but I'll put that size on the priority list.

Maybe it's just E46s and E39s that use it on the lock/jamb nuts, it's been a while since i tracked one. I'm pretty sure they're used on there and also for some suspension bolts.

You are up kinda late... not going to the pub tonight?

Haven't been to the pub for a long time. Don't go there to drink anyway (tee-total) just making the most of my time off work. Spent last weekend working at home, got to get up at 7am to service my sister's car before she leaves for a long journey..

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I was going through some nuts today at work for hydraulic cylinders. Anyone have an 8" wrench?

Must be some big hydraulic cylinders! Tell me, are these cylinders like hydraulic rams or is it something else? I can't say i know too much about hydraulic systems on such machines as you work on.

Only place i've ever seen a wrench that big is at a museum for steam engines!

 

[CAT_serviceman927]

Must be some big hydraulic cylinders! Tell me, are these cylinders like hydraulic rams or is it something else? I can't say i know too much about hydraulic systems on such machines as you work on.

Only place i've ever seen a wrench that big is at a museum for steam engines!

The largest cylinders we work on come from hydraulic sheers (demolition-building eaters!!!). Some of the other large ones come from the large excavators, wheel loaders, and quarry trucks (huge dump trucks).

Also they don't use wrenches on those nuts. Really big sockets and torque multipliers.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Sweet!

I'd like your job..

 

[GDA]

The largest cylinders we work on come from hydraulic sheers (demolition-building eaters!!!). Some of the other large ones come from the large excavators, wheel loaders, and quarry trucks (huge dump trucks).

Also they don't use wrenches on those nuts. Really big sockets and torque multipliers.

Cool. You should post up a pic or two of those special large tools. I'd be interested to see their build characteristics (drive size, wall thickness and depth of the socket etc).

 

[WOOS1]

Hell yeah! May I ask where you bought those wrenches (and just for giggles, how much did that 2 1/2" go for)?

Farm auctions, pawn shops, and ebay. About half of them appear to have never been used. I have paid 9.95 up to 33.50 /ea for them. Some of them still have not been used, but when all I can afford is junk equipment, I figure that I will get some use out of them at some point.

 

[WOOS1]

Farm auctions, pawn shops, and ebay. About half of them appear to have never been used. I have paid 9.95 up to 33.50 /ea for them. Some of them still have not been used, but when all I can afford is junk equipment, I figure that I will get some use out of them at some point.

I must confess that I am a tool wh*re.

 

[CAT_serviceman927]

Cool. You should post up a pic or two of those special large tools. I'd be interested to see their build characteristics (drive size, wall thickness and depth of the socket etc).

I'll see what I can do. Here is a link to the company that makes the cylinder repair benches. They contain the driver and socket to remove the cylinder rod piston nut.

http://www.tuxco.com/tuxco-disassembly.htm

 

[CAT_serviceman927]

We also have a pair of hydraulic torque wrenches in the main shop. One in 1"dr. @ 3500ft.lbs. and one in 1 1/2" dr. @ 5500ft.lbs.

 

[blue302stang]

They way i figured i would go up to about 1-1/2 with snap-on or other high quality brand, but fill up to 2" with the cheap harbor freight.

 

[eschoendorff]

We also have a pair of hydraulic torque wrenches in the main shop. One in 1"dr. @ 3500ft.lbs. and one in 1 1/2" dr. @ 5500ft.lbs.

Whoa... that's pretty crazy stuff!


One of these days, I'd love to see the shop where you work...

Maybe once gas goes back to $2.99/gal...

 

[eschoendorff]

They way i figured i would go up to about 1-1/2 with snap-on or other high quality brand, but fill up to 2" with the cheap harbor freight.

What kind of stuff do you work on? I rarely use the craftsman Pro / Armstrong full polish wrenches that I have over 1". I don't know that I would spend a lot on wrenches over 1" if I knew that I wouldn't used them at least weekly... or unless you can get them for $2 each at a yard sale...

 

[SocketDeviler]

I saw a set of big-*** Snap-On wrenches at a pawn shop today. I believe it was a six piece set and up to 2". The were so big they looked almost cartoonish. Asking price was $900.

 

[Coach James]

A lot of the farmers around here use 1'+ size wrenches. Most use either Craftsman raised panel or Harbor Freight/Agri-Supply. Seem to work ok for them.

Coach

 

[Moose-LandTran]

A friend of mine has some big wrenches. They're Elora, like mine, and the largest he has is 80mm. Which i belive is the largest they make. It's a little over 3".