Combo Wrenches: Facing Some Tough Choices

[jerk_chicken]

So now I'm thinking about making some gifts to myself a new combo wrench set. Got CM Pros, as well as assorted higher quality wrenches, but nothing to make a consistent set.

I'll put it out there that I don't truly need a new set and the CM's are doing ok, just wanted to treat myself a bit and I generally keep two sets (gave away my car set before I moved from the US) or wrenches. So now I have some choices.

I dig Armstrong, but am concerned about whether Danaher cheaped them out and I'll basically be getting a clone of what I already have. Even though the Macs are supposedly not the same, they're close enough for me to look right past them. I think 99% usage and feel would be the same.

Snap On Flanks. Those aren't terribly priced, sometimes under $200, if I'm not mistaken, on Fleabay. Don't know how much a difference the profile makes, but they are standards for long lasting equipment.

Something German. Don't know what. I'd still like a long pattern and I'm still trying to figure them out by quality and feel. Usually satin/rough finishes.

SK- Again, don't know if I should go all out on a German or a Snap On set.

So what's the call?

 

[Diesel-Mech]

My go to combo wrenches are snappy flank drives, I like them a lot but some people feel that the beam is too sharp and uncomfortable. I also like Cornwell and Mac knuckle saver wrenches (I'm assuming you meant matco when you said mac above). With that said if I was in Germany I would want try out the local fare I think.

 

[CAT_serviceman927]

I'd have to agree with Diesel-Mech. Being that you are in Germany, I would be looking at German companies like Hazet and Elora. I really like the look of those tools as well as the off-set box end combo wrenches they have. I have Snap-On, MAC, Proto, Easco, Craftsman, and Matco. Honestly I think they all have good qualities. If you don't need them that bad, then just be patient and watch ebay and other used markets for a good deal.

 

[Monte]

Hazet 600N !

 

[HolisticPerformance]

I've been fighting this bug myself. I have been telling myself that I need some some Flank Drive plus wrenches, even though, my current selection has never began to let me down. The hole open-end teeth design just lures me, so consider me guilty of buying into a marketing ploy.

 

[lethallyinjected]

Those hazet pics are ****, exact set I'm contemplating right now.

 

[Danglerb]

Those hazet pics are ****, exact set I'm contemplating right now.

Those Hazet wrenches would be worth having in your box just so you could say no when people ask to borrow them.

I'd lay them out on one of my Hazet "Porsche" factory shop towels, and maybe not even let myself use them.

OTOH what I actually have and use are a small set of most used sizes in Snapon flank drive, and a full set of Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches.

 

[Merkava_4]

Snap-on wrenches are longer than those Hazets; even their standard lengths are longer; something to consider....

 

[Monte]

once you`re in germany It makes more sense to buy the Hazets as a souvenir than to buy other tools
ps: the 10 piece set (8-19mm) of the 600N wrenches are on sale until end of february for just 55.- Euro + tax.... on the other hand for the same price you could buy 2 snap-on wrenches.....hmmm

 

[Merkava_4]

once you`re in germany It makes more sense to buy the Hazets as a souvenir than to buy other tools
ps: the 10 piece set (8-19mm) of the 600N wrenches are on sale until end of february for just 55.- Euro + tax.... on the other hand for the same price you could buy 2 snap-on wrenches.....hmmm

How much is 55 Euros? Like 300 Dollars?

 

[lethallyinjected]

100 give or take I think...


actually just checked a conversion, its 71.2997 USD!

 

[billymade]

According to a currency convertor I just used; it is equivalent to $71.36 American dollars!

 

[billymade]

I think we need to have Monte, do a group buy for us now and send them back to us here in the USA! LOL! Ok, Monte, spill it; what do we have to bribe you with to do this, for us? LOL! Monte, just think of all the German tools you could sell us! Ohh, do I see a business opportunity here? Its all your fault Monte! You are seducing us with all these cool Teutonic tool goodness! LOL! ::: Make it all stop! AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! Your showing us all the good things we can't have!

 

[jdcompman]

Mmmmmmm Hazet Wrenches!

 

[Gregster]

I love my SO Flank Drive Plus wrenchs

but those Hazet ones are nice and for the price amazing value..

 

[Monte]

@billymade:
calm down lol
you just have the wrong tool truck which you buy from. Someone posted here his cornwell truck also sells Hazet... so its your fault
Actually a couple of years ago i was self employed and imported a lot from the US like model cars, T-shirts and stuff like that, but i don`t know how to export (money transfer etc.) otherwise i could get you some deals like 45$ for the 3/8 zyklop , NOS Knipex w/ plastic handle for 9.- $ ea. , knipex style locking pliers for about 50% off the US price etc. etc. .... or you can come and pick everything up here or maybe you could ask jerk_chicken if he could send you some tools

@jerk chicken:
Here is a video how the 600N wrenches are made
http://www.d-tonal.de/hazet_filme/01_film_maus/ (no longer on the Hazet site) and another one http://www.hazet.de/fileadmin/media/download/hazet_filme/03_film_kabel1/

 

[billymade]

A good price for a 3/8" wera zyklop online is about $70 plus shipping; man, thats almost 50% en Deutschland! Argh!!!! Dieses treibt mich verrückt an! (online trans, , don't know if its right! LOL!)

 

[voidifused]

My Snap on Flank Drive are pretty good, I like my craftsman combo raised panels better though don't seem to cut into my hand as much there fat but not to fat, the SO Flank Drive do reach into narrow places and are a bit longer though.

 

[bushhawg73]

I would buy a set of the Hazet's for 72.00 no question.

 

[vssjim]

I think if I lived in europe I would probably buy european tools weather it be Hazet Usag Beta Stahlwille Gedore Facom or some of the many others but I can't see ordering SO from across the pond nobody can show me that SO wrenches are better than Hazet etc.

 

[Paladin]

HAZET!!! For $70 bucks? HAZET!!!

 

[Merkava_4]

Yeah.... I thought it'd be a lot more than that, like $400 or something. $71.36 for a set of 10-19mm Hazet wrenches is incredible!

 

[billymade]

You guys should sell them on ebay USA; you could make a killing and ship them over here!

 

[Paladin]

I think I need to send some hard earned money to Monte or jerk chicken for some wrenches!!!

 

[wrenchr]

I think I need to send some hard earned money to Monte or jerk chicken for some wrenches!!!

The last part of that sentence did not sound right!!!!

 

[Paladin]

The last part of that sentence did not sound right!!!!

HAHAHA!!! Hey, if I gotta jerk some chicken to get some Hazet wrenches...

 

[nissan_crawler]

The last part of that sentence did not sound right!!!!

That took me a second when I read that. My first thought was WTF?!...then I realized what he meant.

I want some Hazet's!! Oh, and the $9 knipex pliers, and the locking ones, and, and...

Hey, I have a german friend that is clueless about tools (woman). Is there a good website to get this cheap stuff at? Maybe I could send her money and talk her into shipping me some tools...

 

[r6_cannibal]

I nearly half chocked on a cracker when I read a set of Hazet wrenches for $72-US!!
Deustches werkzeuge uber alles! wtf? what did i just say? i don't speak german! the hazet wrenches are making me do things!!
seriously though, if there's a group buy i want in (i'm keeping my fingers crossed)

 

[jerk_chicken]

Wow, 55€ for those? WHat's the regular price and who's selling the Hazets? For a friggin' souvenir, hell yeah.

 

[autoace]

Hazet 600N !

Those Hazet 600's are on my have to have list. I have a full set of Hazet 610 offset box wrenches. I would buy the Hazet 600's

I'll give a second vote for Cornwell or Snap-on

 

[autoace]

@billymade:
calm down lol
you just have the wrong tool truck which you buy from. Someone posted here his cornwell truck also sells Hazet... so its your fault
Actually a couple of years ago i was self employed and imported a lot from the US like model cars, T-shirts and stuff like that, but i don`t know how to export (money transfer etc.) otherwise i could get you some deals like 45$ for the 3/8 zyklop , NOS Knipex w/ plastic handle for 9.- $ ea. , knipex style locking pliers for about 50% off the US price etc. etc. .... or you can come and pick everything up here or maybe you could ask jerk_chicken if he could send you some tools

@jerk chicken:
Here is a video how the 600N wrenches are made
http://www.d-tonal.de/hazet_filme/01_film_maus/ (no longer on the Hazet site) and another one http://www.hazet.de/fileadmin/media/download/hazet_filme/03_film_kabel1/

Yep! That was me, I have a Cornwell dealer with full Hazet catalog availability (at list prices though), or darn close to.I can use my Cornwell Tech Credit for Hazet though. If I became a tool dealer I want to be a USA Hazet tool dealer. Wow, I could "snub" the Snap-on dealer. Move over SO, the Creme de la Creme is coming through! Don't know If I could deal with all the drool on the Hazet tool truck floor though.

 

[autoace]

I think we need to have Monte, do a group buy for us now and send them back to us here in the USA! LOL! Ok, Monte, spill it; what do we have to bribe you with to do this, for us? LOL! Monte, just think of all the German tools you could sell us! Ohh, do I see a business opportunity here? Its all your fault Monte! You are seducing us with all these cool Teutonic tool goodness! LOL! ::: Make it all stop! AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! Your showing us all the good things we can't have!

Billymade, I can set you up to get ANY Hazet tool your heart desires, but not at cheap prices. Hazet tools are more than Snap-on here in the USA, and I will still buy them, as I can. They don't seem to break! something about their fit and finish is seducing! I have a 46 pc. socket set on my list that is 700 bucks! Monte..what would the 882-1 socket set cost in germany?

 

[billymade]

Autoace, if there really is such a big savings, buying them from Germany and shipping them here, might be a viable option; especially, since you are going to eventually get a large "set"! Now, its just figuring out the logistics of how it can be done!
I know Hazet can be purchased in the USA but not at $77 for a full set of wrenches!!!!! Maybe, I need to get in contact with my German relatives!

 

[autoace]

Autoace, if there really is such a big savings, buying them from Germany and shipping them here, might be a viable option; especially, since you are going to eventually get a large "set"! Now, its just figuring out the logistics of how it can be done!
I know Hazet can be purchased in the USA but not at $77 for a full set of wrenches!!!!! Maybe, I need to get in contact with my German relatives!

I'm gonna have a large Hazet set, bought piece by piece, should be done by the time of my death!

 

[mkdive]

Hazet 600N !

Those are a thing of beauty!

 

[jerk_chicken]

Still looking for that price, as well as even looking for the 600n10 set. I see n8, n12, n17, and n21.

Also, since I don't know too much about Hazet's lines thus far, do they do lines of various quality, or is this the real deal, high-quality stuff? If I can get these for the Aktionpreis, I'll tack on some Gedore or Hazet Innensechkant socket sets with it.

After then, I'd need to get a metal box to put them in. I have lots of loose sockets that are organized, but I'd rather get metal boxes to stack them in.

While we're talking about Flanks (I still like the advice of bringing some souvenirs of Germany back in a few years), do they feel any different with the profiling of the open ends? I also noted the box end looks a bit different than the profiling from most companies. Someone mentioned elsehwere that the Flank profile is off patent and other companies are using it now? Who are they?

 

[jerk_chicken]

Has anyone found who is selling the combo wrench set for 55€ yet? Come on, Monte! Spill the beans! I'm ready to buy and add my hex sockets to the order!

 

[Monte]

ok here Hazet-600SPC-Ring-Maulschluessel-Satz they are 59,95 Euro (VAT incl.) If they send them overseas you can deduct 19% VAT i think since you have to pay the USA VAT. Anyone interested should contact them about shipping charges and payment (no credit card... ) They ship europe-wide but maybe they also send to the US, someone from Taiwan here posted he got his Hazet stuff also direct from here .

Here is an overview which tools are on sale right now sale 1 and sale 2 . All prices are in Euro ( 1 Euro = 1,30 Dollar)

this shop has fair prices for the Knipex range Knipex overview unfortunately also only in german language. They also have Gedore and Wera/Wiha.

 

[zuspiel]

Nice Hazet set!

Other wrench thoughts: I wanted some FlankDrive Plus, surface drive, knuckle saver, or whatever you want to call it wrenches, too. I ended up with a set of extra long MAC KS2s (for cheap on eBay) which I'm extremely happy with (and they make Merk drool ). I have to admit, though, the length is what I like most. The KS2 open ends seem to work but it's not a night and day difference. They still failed to turn an exhaust header bolt that had seen better days. The box end (tried that first, obviously) didn't do the trick, either. What saved my **** was a Cman raised panel 6pt combo... So, I'd suggest looking at some extra long wrenches. The reach really helps and they are comfy since it takes less effort. Not suitable for my father-in-law, though. He's a bit, ahm, heavy handed...

Ok, gotta go polish the KS2s again...

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I'd say Elora 205s, i love mine.