wrench question...opinions welcome

[Roland-5.0]

Sorry for a noob question. I've been skimming these forums for a while and finally decided to join. I have been wanting a nice set of snap on flank drive plus wrenches for a while now but the price kinda scares me away. I recently bought a few gear wrench flex head ratches and I really am impressed with their quality. I was looking on the gw website and noticed they offer a surface drive plus wrench set. I'm thinking I can get them through my work for about 75 dollars for the metric set. Worth my while? Or should I just fork out the 4 or 5 hundred for the snappy ones.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Williams are supposed to be nice too.I have there ratchets, and are nice tools, don't have the wrenches.

 

[Roland-5.0]

I have read allot of brands of tools I've never heard of on here.

 

[heyutokyo]

If your interested in some good wrenches that are okay priced go for some SK or PROTO.

 

[Roland-5.0]

There's nowhere here to get proto and SK is hard to come by also. My only tool trucks are snap on and Mac. I can order gear wrench through one of our parts suppliers and have them the same or next day. I've been using mastercraft maximum wrenches for 6 years now but its time to upgrade them.

 

[TerryH]

I'd watch the cassifieds here or check Ebay for a Snap On set. I picked up the full Snap On metric set that retails for over $400 for $200 on Ebay a few weeks ago. I know ther are other wrenches that are probably just a good but there is just something about a Snap On wrench in your hand.

 

[kams1973]

Ebay and the classified section of this forum are your friends when it comes to buying Snap On wrench sets.

 

[Subyroo651]

Williams are supposed to be nice too.I have there ratchets, and are nice tools, don't have the wrenches.

I have JH Williams SuperCombos in both Metric and SAE.. They are GREAT wrenches, simply put. Williams is an Industrial brand of Snap-On Inc. so they are built just as good if not tougher. I love the girth of the SuperCombo handles vs. the Snap-Ons whose sharp edges cut into your palms when applying force.

Matter of fact, if you act quickly there is a Metric set for ~$100 here in the classifieds (Normal price$170). He had SAE's but I bought them

 

[chris142]

The FD+ are on sale this month. The metric set is like $185 and the SAE set is like $175 or you can by the 2 sets combined for $320 something.

I just got the 2 sets. They definatly won't slip! Don't want to use them on a customers hot rod or harley though as they can mar the nuts and bolts

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

I have two sets of Gearwrench wrenches (the non-ratcheting kind), and they're pretty nice. Not quite as good as the SK wrenches I have, but for the price they're solid.

Where is "Here" at? There are some pretty good EU wrenches that might be easier to get than some of the US brands where you're at.

 

[Roland-5.0]

I'm in Ontario Canada.

 

[pipsters]

Where in Ontario? I get to Ottawa quite a bit I could bring some to you

 

[Roland-5.0]

I'm in Port Elgin.

 

[Roland-5.0]

Ottawa is about 10 hours away from me.

 

[FiendFX]

I was gonna recommend snap ons but they are ridiculous new. Either buy a used snap on set or just stick with gear wrenches.

 

[flippin]

I'm in Ottawa!! Next summer, I will probably have an open seat invitation (pretty common amongst tournament anglers) to anyone from GJ who comes to Ottawa. Kinda my way to say thank-you for all of the information which which I have learned so quickly from all of you. Sorry for high jacking your thread.

 

[highclassjunkman]

Get the wright wright grip wrenches

 

[Roland-5.0]

Priced out the 15 PC gear wrench long combination non ratcheting metric 8mm-22 and its about 125 CDN through our supplier. I think the big set that went to 32mm was 175. Our snap on guy is in today so I'll price his and see if the sale is coming up where you buy the metric and get the standard free.

 

['71 VW 1302]

Priced out the 15 PC gear wrench long combination non ratcheting metric 8mm-22 and its about 125 CDN through our supplier. I think the big set that went to 32mm was 175. Our snap on guy is in today so I'll price his and see if the sale is coming up where you buy the metric and get the standard free.

You can get SK through:

http://www.babcotools.ca/

They ship from within Canada, so there will be no surprises with with Taxe$ or Dutie$.

Their online catalog is horrible to navigate, so I just email them the Manufacturers part numbers and let them quote me that way. Not as convenient as a tool truck, but cheaper. I just bought a dozen Knipex pliers and cutters, along with the Lisle magnetic socket trays from them. It's not instant gratification, as I'm still waiting, but it was the best pricing I could find easily in Canada.



Peace,

Paul

 

[Roland-5.0]

So who actually has gear wrench non ratcheting combination wrenches and are they good. I'm looking at placing an order this week. I'm just stumped on these or the flank plus from the SO truck.

 

[CWP1616L]

I've seen the non-ratcheting GearWrenches at Fastenal. Any size below 5/8 will have defects. You can always tell how well a manufacturer makes their wrenches by inspecting their small sizes - 1/4 through 9/16.

 

[Roland-5.0]

Good call. I never thought to stop into fastenal and look at tools.

 

[KSB]

Have you thought about Gray Tools, Made in Canada, well priced. I have full SAE and Metric sets at work and they are an excellent wrench. There are two dealers in Owen Sound. If you check the flyer sometimes there are some excellent deals.

 

[Roland-5.0]

Never really thought about grey. I have the full master craft maximum set now and I'm not sure the grey would be much of an upgrade. I could be wrong tho. Where in OS sells grey?

 

[KSB]

Never had and issue with any Gray Tools. Personally, I like their wrenches.

I copied this off their website;

S.B. Simpson Group

Scott'S Industrial & Farm Equipment

I can send a PM with address details.

 

[96snma]

So who actually has gear wrench non ratcheting combination wrenches and are they good. I'm looking at placing an order this week. I'm just stumped on these or the flank plus from the SO truck.

Ive got a set and like them. No complaints and haven't broken one. I feel they work well but I don't use them professionally.

This is my set.
http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-81900pro.aspx

Gray makes quality tool. I have a bunch of stuff. Not sure if they have the flank drive option though.

 

[Subyroo651]

Did you throw out the idea of SuperCombos?

Gearwrench are nice but not in the same league by any means

 

[bob15]

Did you throw out the idea of SuperCombos?

Gearwrench are nice but not in the same league by any means

I would skip the SuperCombos.

I have a set of the SC's and FD+ and the Snappy's do not spread. My Williams SuperCombo are about 14-15 years old (when they first came out) and found they tend to spread at 1/2 and below, with the 7/16" being the worse. Never had any issues with the 5/8 and above with the Williams, but have had zero issues with any of the Snap On's 1/4" and up.


bob

 

[mtd240]

I have the 18-piece GearWrench non-ratching long pattern combo wrench set. Works great. Have used the "surface drive" open end in places where I couldn't fit the SK flares, or needed a longer wrench, and haven't rounded anything off. I doubt the SurfaceDrive works as well as FDP, but it most certainly helps. I'm not a professional, and don't use them daily (at least once a week, though).

Have also hammered (with a 3-lb Estwing engineers hammer) full force on a few of the mid-sized wrenches (14-17) when I couldn't get enough torque pulling. Haven't chipped the finish or bent/spread the open end. AND I have the "Made in China" ones. No problems here. I did get them for super cheap, though...

 

[07travis]

I have the snap on flank drive wrenches and love them. My brother just bought the flank drive plus wrenches and there is a difference. Once he got them, he says he'll never go back to anything else... and now I'm jealous of him! haha...

 

[Roland-5.0]

I used a flank plus today to try and make up my mind and it was OK but I'm not sure its worth that extra money right now. But again if I just tell the SO dealer to fill my wrench drawer with them and just give him 30 or 40 bucks every other week he shows up I'd hardly even notice the dent in the wallet.

 

[Roland-5.0]

I just won a SOEXM710 10-19 set off eBay for under 200 bucks. I think I got a good deal. They look like they haven't been used much

 

[thejudges69]

I just won a SOEXM710 10-19 set off eBay for under 200 bucks. I think I got a good deal. They look like they haven't been used much

I have gearwrench 15 piece combination wrench set, for the money I think the quality is hard to beat, I've put them to the test ******** and have no problems, I also talked to gary at tooldiscounter.com and he said that they stopped carrying sk because of warranty issues and financial issues, I don't think that was recent tho, I think sk had some financial problems in the past, BUT anyways, he said that regardless of what happens if a gearwrench item fails they will replace it, he mentioned that gearwrench has a no questions asked warranty policy, I also just picked up 6 120XP ratchets, 3 for me and 3 for my nephew and also 4 flex head 80 tooth ratchets for my nephew for his grad gift, again spot on quality. They are taiwan tools but I think there at the top of the food chain for taiwan tools. I am looking hard at buying a lot more of there socket sets and ratchets. and more wrenches. I highly recommend them.

Snap-on is good but for the price I think wrench for wrench personally your wasting your money.

Also, as a NOOB you will find this forum is ******** tool truck tools, most members on here spend a lot of money on tool truck brands because there made in the states. I personally don't give a ****, I buy the best tool to do the job regardless of where its made. read more you'll understand what I'm saying.

 

[Roland-5.0]

I do understand but I use my tools professionally every day. I think snap on wrenches are over priced but I really do notice a quality difference. I got these less than half price than off the tool truck.

 

[plinker]

I've got a set of Toptul (Taiwan) double box wrenches and IMO they are as good as any truck brand wrench. Last I knew there was a online dealer for them in Canada.

 

[lbgradwell]

Never really thought about grey. I have the full master craft maximum set now and I'm not sure the grey would be much of an upgrade. I could be wrong tho.

Most definitely wrong!

Gray would be a significant upgrade from Mastercraft Maximum. Gearwrench would only be a slight upgrade (if that)...

I see you have found a set of Snap-on; I'm sure you will be happy with them, but don't be scared of Gray for future purchases.

 

[jvitez]

I've got hard line tools from Snap-On, Gray, SK, Proto, Facom, Toptul, Wright, Stahlwille, Cornwell, and probably several more that don't come to mind right now. Gray is equal in quality to any of the top brands. Go Canada!

But anyway, congrats on the Snap-On purchase. It'll be a nice work related Christmas present to yourself. Merry Christmas!

 

[IONH]

I first bought a set of ratcheting wrenches with a non-locking flex head. On their first use, I cut open a knuckle when I put a significant force and slammed into some type of metal. From there, I vowed to purchase only locking flex head ratcheting wrenches (when flex and ratcheting being purchased).

I got a nice set of Stanley 8 through 19mm inclusive for <$100 with a supposed warranty. The two most used ones are probably 10mm and 14mm and their locking ridges have definitely seen some wear. I don't use them so much for breaking free definitely stubborn bolts/nuts so I don't fully break their ridges.

For SAE I bought a set of Craftsman for the easy in store return policy. Haven't needed them replaced yet though because most of the stuff I work on is Metric. They do appear to be of good quality though from how much I have used.

 

[shoturtle]

Nice score on ebay

 

[Skin]

I've seen the non-ratcheting GearWrenches at Fastenal. Any size below 5/8 will have defects. You can always tell how well a manufacturer makes their wrenches by inspecting their small sizes - 1/4 through 9/16.

I have two full master sets, one Standard one Metric, neither have these "defects" you speak of. Infact they have a better finish and more complete plating on the open and box ends than my Snap-Ons extra longs ($500 for a 10pc metric set now). Very very nice wrenches for the money.