I think this topic was discussed before, but I cant find it. It seems everyone now is making wrenches with serrations in the open end. What are your thoughts? Any brand "grip" better? Some designs look like they would really "bite". If I ruin a fastener, its normally not a concern, I can easily replace them.
am I missing out? (grip style open end wrenches)
- Thread starter Haveblue
- Start date
I guess I should research a little more before asking, but its an interesting topic! Actually, Im kind of eyeballing the Carlyle wrenches, I get a good discount at NAPA. Just looking for ideas to add to my arsenal..if it makes the job easier and faster..Im all for it!
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nicksnothereman
Well-known member
Meh. Technically all should "grip" okay just some of them might adjust where they apply force. Ideally you'd want something to apply force at the center of the bolt so there's less chance of snapping. I don't know if any open wrench actually does this and I don't know if it's actually possible; I'm not an engineer and I don't use wrenches very much unless I'm in a situation that dictates that I do.
superautobacs
Well-known member
NFH2740
Well-known member
You can get by with out the serrations.
I have a set of SAE Wright wrenches that have WrightGrip. My Wright metric set does not.
I have a set of SAE Wright wrenches that have WrightGrip. My Wright metric set does not.
Gearwrench most definitely doesn't have the grip things that Carlyle and snap on have
They have off corner engagement with opposite corners of the open end having a slight bevel into the wrench. But nothing like fd+.
John in OH
Well-known member
The wrenches with the "enhanced" grip are not game changers and I doubt they will make "any job easier and faster", but they are a step forward in wrench design technology and are quite effective. Take a look at GJ member Woodstockva's video of WrightGrips in action: www.youtube.com/watch?v=phlUppL8mtA Quite impressive!!
I'm a Wright Tool fan and have Wright wrenches in both the standard style and the WrightGrip. Both styles are fine tools, but I wouldn't toss my existing standard design wrenches and spend $$ just to get the enhanced grip design wrenches. However, if I were in the market for new wrenches I'd definitely go with WrightGrips!
might be of interest, two posts, second on pg2
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=182862
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=182862
Wamsutta
Well-known member
My advice would be to not get the serrated open end for everyday use. They are slower to work with.
Chadwilliam1
Well-known member
explain...
Wamsutta
Well-known member
They are slower to work with because the serrations get caught on the corner of the nut during engagement and disengagement. They're fine if you're just breaking nuts free, but if you have a lot of open end work to do, they will slow you down. I should add that I'm only referring to SO FD+ because I haven't tried other brands.
Mohawk Dave
Well-known member
Actually yes they do. CaseyR89 on here just got the XL Cross Beam (or whatever) ratcheting set from the HOT DEALS section, and they have fd+ type thing going on. I saw them in person just a couple hours ago.
EDIT: called Surface Drive Plus. https://www.google.com/search?safe=...9.0....0...1ac.1.40.img..2.15.638.qxqWopnuRi4
Thunderbisciut
Well-known member
We've gotten by for how many years without them? If you're sitting on a nice set of wrenches wondering if you're missing out on something, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. If you're in the market though, some are certainly more aggressive than others. SO's FD+ is generally considered the most aggressive/effective. Personally I prefer a standard open end, or at least a less aggressive surface like a Proto ASD.
Actually yes they do. CaseyR89 on here just got the XL Cross Beam (or whatever) ratcheting set from the HOT DEALS section, and they have fd+ type thing going on. I saw them in person just a couple hours ago.
EDIT: called Surface Drive Plus. https://www.google.com/search?safe=...9.0....0...1ac.1.40.img..2.15.638.qxqWopnuRi4
Dave I can't find them. Lol. But I believe were talking about the same thing. My point was gearwrench isn't as aggressive as fd+. And its actually so mellow, I didn't even know my ling patterned wrenches had any modified opening until the light hit it just so one day.
Wakefield
Well-known member
If an open end spreads easily does that offset the advantage of a "grip style"?
I would think a nice tight plain open end that doesn't spread easily to be better.
One brand used to advertise that it had the strongest open end in the industry before there was any such thing as "Flank Drive Plus"?
Snap On looks wonderful but Wright still passes the "githerdone" test?
I would think a nice tight plain open end that doesn't spread easily to be better.
One brand used to advertise that it had the strongest open end in the industry before there was any such thing as "Flank Drive Plus"?
Snap On looks wonderful but Wright still passes the "githerdone" test?