Williams supercombo or Stahlwille wrench set

[HalfFlip]

I am slowly working to build up my own tool collection and I want to get a good set of metric wrenches for working on my car and motorcycle.

I am currently stuck between this set of williams supercombos

OR

this stahlwille set

the extra cost doesnt bother me if the stahlwilles are better than the williams set

Thanks for any input

 

[lbgradwell]

Both are excellent, but I'd rather have a 19mm than a 7mm...

 

[HalfFlip]

Both are excellent, but I'd rather have a 19mm than a 7mm...

oh wow, I dont know how I didnt catch that earlier...thats for pointing that out!

 

[davesnothere]

If you're considering stahlwille, forget williams and go snapon.

 

[jmm]

The Williams are longer -- I'd take those all day. The Stahlwille no. 13 series is great, but I'll only have them as a second set. I have metric Stahlwilles behind my Snap-Ons. Because they're shorter and thinner, they're good in tight spots.

Besides that, warranty will be a million times easier with the Williams set. Getting the Stahlwilles swapped will be a nightmare.

 

[Farmall450]

I agree Williams/SO for warranty purposes.

 

[CWP1616L]

The Stahlwille 14 series would be more comparable to Williams. The 13 series are too short.

 

[alinc100]

For about the same price per wrench you can buy this Wright set of 18 Metric full polish wrenches.I am very happy with mine.
Not that either of your two choices were bad.

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=WRI958&source=froogle&kw=WRI958

 

[relic7680]

Williams all day.

 

[CWP1616L]

Williams all day.

Which wrenches do you use at night?

 

[Mopar-Scooby-Doo]

Williams for the win

 

[jmm]

Which wrenches do you use at night?

The No. 14 series, of course.

 

[devoncoolman]

That williams set is missing 16,18,&19. Very comon sizes. Go for the williams but get the rest of the sizes and get a 21 too.

 

[reptilezs]

super combos are great. long length and super thick beams. really nice wrench

 

[nanofrog]

That williams set is missing 16,18,&19. Very comon sizes. Go for the williams but get the rest of the sizes and get a 21 too.

Might as well get the MWS-15A then (7 - 21, nothing skipped) if going for these sizes in the Williams SuperCombo's.

Site for the Williams in the OP's link has them at $152.56 FWIW (seems a good price in a quick search).

 

[Applesauce]

For about the same price per wrench you can buy this Wright set of 18 Metric full polish wrenches.I am very happy with mine.
Not that either of your two choices were bad.

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=WRI958&source=froogle&kw=WRI958

I've heard that, for the price, Wright-Grip is superior to most other similar "modified" open-ends.

Still, those Stahlwilles have North American uniqueness on their side. I have a set of Japanese-brand Lobster combination wrenches that I seem to use most, or a set of Hazet open-ends, if only because of their neat-o-ness...

 

[Bears Fan]

I think both sets are way over priced

 

[devoncoolman]

I think both sets are way over priced

Look up a snap-on set. You'll change that statement. These arn't craftsman wrench's. or hf wrench's.

 

[SMKS]

I've heard that, for the price, Wright-Grip is superior to most other similar "modified" open-ends.

Where'd you hear this? I'd be interested in reading it.

To the OP-
If you want something that's unique that performs well, and you're willing to sacrifice money and easy customer service, get the Stahlwille.

NOTE - I'm not saying that in a pejorative sense. I sometimes spend more to buy something unique and different because I like the qualities it has. Check out my Stihl wet/dry vac, for example.

If you want something with good/easy customer service, good quality, USA-made, and a little more affordable, then check out Williams, Wright, Proto, etc.

If I were in your shoes, I would not get the Stahlwille. The choices from Williams, Wright and others are just too good to pass up.

 

[CWP1616L]

This is the correct set right here:

Williams MWS-10A

That other set starts at 7mm.

 

[scaron]

my (SAE) combination set is split roughly half and half between wright tool "wrightgrip" wrenches and williams "supercombo" wrenches. i like both products equally... i would say in general the supercombos have thicker handles (which are nice to hold but makes the tool feel a bit heavier), the satin finish on the wrightgrips is nicer, the implementation of the general "flank drive" concept on the wrightgrips is a lot more aggressive than on the supercombos, both makes are robust, fine, domestically manufactured tools that will last a lifetime if taken care of. i'd recommend either one... i haven't looked but i have a feeling that you could probably find the williams cheaper than the wrights on ebay or something. i don't have any stahlwille so i can't comment on that. fwiw my metric set is stocked with wrightgrips and old NOS bonneys, actually, and again, both great tools, but for some reason the bonneys are almost my favorite (personal preference). maybe consider proto as well, another good USA make, i haven't used a proto wrench personally so can't comment (but i like their ratchets and sockets). proto stuff seems available on ebay for what seems like crazy cheap to me. but anyway, all this rambling, tl,dr: if i were you i'd go for the williams, the quality is great, i'm sure every bit the equal of the stahlwille, it's got at least a mild implementation of the "flank drive" concept (if you like that sort of thing; i think it's cool; please correct me if the stahlwille has similar design; from pics i've seen, i don't think so), and it's like 75% of the cost. who can argue with that?

edit (i just keep going...): and you do not need to drop major coin to get a real nice set of wrenches. the metric set i mention before, i started out as a 12-piece set buying piecemeal from epstein's, for $97.85 (6mm-19mm, skipping 18mm). i'm sure their order fulfillment dept. hated it because it took them like three days to fill my order, LOL, but money's money, no? i filled in later an 18 and a 20 and i'm still at like $125 for 14 pieces. if you're willing to put in a few hours and scrounge you can save a lot of dough versus a single manufacturer pre-made set.

 

[HalfFlip]

so would it be best to get the MWS-10A set and then add whatever I need to that? Im not too sure how small of wrenches I will need for my vw and f4i

 

[SMKS]

Skip combo wrenches below 10, unless you work on bicycles or know a situation where you'll need them, IMO.

I can't remember a time I used an 8 or 9 mm wrench on a car. I've never used a 7mm.

 

[scaron]

yeah, a lot of my wrenching is on old 50 cc european mopeds so my needs probably scale down for what you'd need for a full sized bike. didn't mean to make any implicit suggestions on what sizes you need, you can best determine that from your application... and it's true that the bigger the wrench the higher the cost, but you can still save a lot of cash from scrounging. also don't be afraid consider a good used set from any of the above mentioned brands if on a budget.

 

[CWP1616L]

so would it be best to get the MWS-10A set and then add whatever I need to that?

Yes ......

 

[Fedwrench]

Skip combo wrenches below 10, unless you Work on bicycles or know a situation where you'll need them, IMO.

I can't remember a time I used an 8 or 9 mm wrench on a car. I've never used a 7mm.

I disagree. I would not want to be without an 8mm wrench. Side post battery terminals and brake bleeder ******* are two common uses (at least for me).

I've also used a 7mm through the years. My 9mm is aged but, unused. It all depends on what you work on.

I don't own any stahlwille wrenches but, I do own both the Williams supercombos, and full polished wrightgrips mentioned in the thread. The supercombos are long pattern wrenches whereas, the wrights are shorter, more of a standard length wrench. The supercombos have thick handle beams, no knife edges. Very comfortable but, this also makes the larger sizes a little on the heavy side. All of the brands mentioned will serve you well. On a side note, toolsdelivered is an excellent source for williams tools. I've ordered from them more than a few times, great prices, prompt shipping, and a great selection.

 

[bahcoswed]

Stahlwille all day long,Very thin and strong! In tight spots you will love them more than SO! If you thought they are to short, buy no.14! Stahlwille quality is sick...looks like new after 20 years of abusing!

 

[Nocturnal-G]

If I had to choose from the two you mentioned, I'd go with the Stahlwille. I found the 14's on Amazon, they carry Stahlwille now. So I assume getting them warrantied shouldn't be much of an issue... I don't own either wrench... I'm going based off what I know.

The Stahlwille open ends don't have teeth, the Williams do. I use box ends most of the time to break fasteners loose... if you want to break fasteners loose using the Stahlwille open ends, go with the Williams.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C13B5J4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Dave455]

I've never been a great fan of these fancy jaw patterns on the open end of a wrench! Flank drive or whatever on the box end, is fine, but I don't like anything other than a smooth parallel open jaw!

I bought some Snap On Flank Drive Plus wrenches when I last visited the USA, and while they work well, they do mark the bolt or nut you are working on! Not a good idea when you're working on a minty E type!

Having said that, I would agree with everyone who advises going for the longer pattern wrenches! Much more usable, and the Williams look to be much better value in any case! Wish I could buy decent USA made wrenches cheaper than Stahlwille!

If you ever work on a European vehicle you will use 7 and 8mm a lot! These are ISO metric standard wrench sizes for 4mm and 5mm Bolts, but are inexpensive to acquire individually!

I don't know how these things are priced in the USA, but in the U.K. the Stahlwille No. 14 long combination wrenches are no more expensive than the short ones! These might be a better compromise. Nice to use and the satin finish is really durable!

 

[Farmall450]

Those stahlwells don't look the comfiest either.

 

[devoncoolman]

Just chiming in on my opinion here. But an 8mm wrench gets used just as much as a 12 or 13 in my box. All sorts of uses. Blend door motors, brake bleeders, etc. im a complete set kinda guy. But i work on all sorts of vehicles at work and home so i run into different instances where i need various size wrenches. But in my opinion get 8-21 skip 9,11,&20. 20 is more common then 9&11 but still usually unneeded if ur working on a VW. 11 is common on fords but a 7/16 wrench will get u by if u run across a 11mm fastener.

 

[3xpendable]

I have a set of Stahlwills that my dad got me when I was a kid to work on my dirt bikes. They are DOE and come in a roll up bag. I love them they feel of the highest quality and are very thin. The thinness of them can hurt my hands under high torque situations tho. I keep them in my roll cart and use them mostly to install slide out awnings the awning lock is a 8mm

Anyway just my 0.2

 

[Wakefield]

Are the newest Supercombos only coming in the mirror shine "Polish" version or are the bone texture "satin" still being made?
Anyone compare Stahlwells to Nepros?
I think Wright certainly an alternative to these (especially the ones that are not too shiny)

 

[SMKS]

I disagree. I would not want to be without an 8mm wrench. Side post battery terminals and brake bleeder ******* are two common uses (at least for me).

That's true. I forgot about brake bleeders. I have used an 8mm on those. Getting an 8mm wouldn't be a bad idea.

But, I still would not tell the OP to get a 7 and 9mm right off the bat unless he's one of the OCD people here who have to have a complete set and full Hansen trays, or he knows for a fact he'll need them. If he ever works on bikes, then 9mm will be needed.

 

[P Henry]

I just recently finished a long search/debate about upgrading my combination wrenches. I went with the Stahlwille 14 pattern and couldn't be happier. They are light and strong, and I like the shape that is thin in the middle and thicker on the edges (like an I-beam) more than the opposite where the middle is thicker and the edges are thin (like SO). The latter dig into my hands more when pulling/pushing on them. Not a big deal, but not too comfortable either. I ended up buying examples of the different beam types to try them and also sat in front of my TV for a while just handling them (don't laugh, I can't be the only one who ever did this ) to decide.

And I agree on the the grooved jaws...not cool when they mark up the bolts and nuts on your toys. Fine (or better) for tractors and working trucks, not so desirable for restorations or keeping things nice.

 

[Monte]

Stahlwille open box 14

 

[Tinner]

Stahlwille makes really great wrenches. I have some of their deep offset boxes, std. and metric and they're a joy to use. They may be a bit of a pain to warranty, but I really don't expect them to break.

Nothing wrong with Williams, they've made consistently good tools for a long time.

 

[bahcoswed]

I choose stahlwille over snap on and every expensive brand because its works fine all the time and it doesnt get old or get scratched like all high polished wrenches are after a week in use! This is my personal thought, nice and shiny finnish on tools looks real good, even better than unshiny finish, but they are not beautiful when the chrome are not so shiny anymore! Yes it works just as good even if the chrome are fucked up, but i truly hate when my SO ratchets are starting to get small scratches all over the place,it tears a hole in my heart

 

[DMAR]

I've got a set of the Supercombos and they are very nice. Super comfortable beam, nice long length, and do what they are supposed to do... They are much more comfortable than my Snap On combos when you really need to pull. They are a little chunky, but that is not normally an issue. I've also got Wright's without the 'Wright Grip,' and they are also a nice wrench, but not as long as the SCs.

Those Stahwile 14s look good, too, but I'm not looking to sell the SCs to pick up a set. Maybe I'll spring for a set someday...