At me new job, I work with lots of very old rusted bolts that have been exposed to salt water environments and often times when I need a wrench, it becomes more of a problem than it should be. I currently use my old USA made craftsman combination wrenches and my gearwrench sets. I can usually get the nuts/bolts off with the boxed end or fit a socket over them, but when the situation calls for an open end due to tight spaces, almost 10 times out of 10 I have to resort to vise grips. My USA craftsmans are not the best at this task, though the gearwrenches would work well except for the fact that every time I put any force on the wrench I can feel the open end slipping due to the jaws opening up. I have looked at the proto sets of up to 1-1/4", but at over $300 it is a little steep at the moment. Is there any hidden gems when it comes to wrenches sets up to the 1-1/4" size? I had recently bought a large Stanley branded wrench cause I like the way they feel, but as of yesterday I lost faith in them after seeing a coworker crack a 1-1/8" Stanley wrench while trying to remove a plug. Snap on and other truck brands are out of the question for the time being. Can a guy still buy a new set of wrenches at a decent prices that will actually work?
need experienced opinions for a wrench set
- Thread starter mech-tech
- Start date
Matt_C
Well-known member
Older Proto have resisted that spreading better than others in my experiences. Price/value varies regionally but here they are reasonable.
Other than that go Euro / US rather than Asain for less springy wrenches.
I too was very budget minded once and bought the rusty Proto wrenches dirt cheap to get a ranged out set. They worked the same ugly as they are.
Other than that go Euro / US rather than Asain for less springy wrenches.
I too was very budget minded once and bought the rusty Proto wrenches dirt cheap to get a ranged out set. They worked the same ugly as they are.
OutsideMachinist
Well-known member
I have the 17 piece blackhawk by proto combo set 1/4 to 1-5/16. Got it for like $110 from zoro. Appears they ran out of them, but I think I saw toolup with a set for around $130. They work very well. I bet the wright grips are better and would like to grab a set eventually but that puts you back closer to that $300 range. Blackhawk usa is great in my opinion.
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
I would get some Wright WrightGrip wrenches.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
It's too bad that Snap-on flank drive plus combination wrenches are out of the question because they're exactly what you need. They never slip, ever.
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
This if you cannot afford SO FD+.... I will say once you try them, you will wonder how you got by W/O them! It does sound like they are perfect for you!
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
Fortunately the Wrights have identical performance but not an identical price...
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
Meh, I have both and I think the SO has a slight edge, though it comes at a huge cost.
Local
Well-known member
The nice thing with the protos anti slip is they are a little longer than the wrights. Both work great. Check amazon or eBay for the best proto prices. You should be able to pick up a set for under 150.
Brownsfan
Well-known member
Wright or Proto. A set of wright grip wrenches are on my to buy list. After seeing a video a member here posted on how well they grip.
Josey Wales
Well-known member
I think $300 for the Proto should be right in your wheelhouse. Proto ASD is flat out a joy to use IMHO.
davethorik
Well-known member
I can't say for the Snap ons or Protos but I bought my dad a set of Wright-grip wrenches from 3/8 thru 1-1/4 and he has told me they remove bolts that Craftsman raised panel wrenches cannot. He is a school bus mechanic fyi. He loves them. You pay a little more money but you get a quality tool with a lifetime warranty made in Ohio.
OHMS LAW
Well-known member
If you are wrenching everyday don't go cheap. Get the good ones and be done with it. I'm not well off but I get quality where I need it. Sockets,wrenches screwdrivers pry bars all snap on. Why, because I don't have time to mess with stripped fasteners
ClineWrench
Well-known member
Well I personally use the snap on flank drive plus wrenches. But, williams is the industrial brand for snap-on and they have more reasonable pricing to fit their wrench lines. They have a different name for their open end grip, but the concept is the same. I'd try those if you can't afford the snap-on flank drive plus.
Alternatively, I've seen a few flank drive,plus wrenches listed here on GJ for very reasonable prices. Maybe that's an option for you.
Whatever you get, buy what will work for a lifetime.
Alternatively, I've seen a few flank drive,plus wrenches listed here on GJ for very reasonable prices. Maybe that's an option for you.
Whatever you get, buy what will work for a lifetime.
Matt Irvine
Well-known member
For SAE I have German Gedores to 2", seem to be pretty good to me, don't know about availability in the US however
OHMS LAW
Well-known member
Unfortunately you may have to bite the bullet. Do what I did I just get the sizes I use most.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
The two things I don't like about the Wrights are the 10 degree box offset (Snap-on is 15 degrees) and the slightly overall shorter length. Other than than that, the Wrights are very nice wrenches.
I knew you guys would talk me into buying something!!!!!!!! I see Wright makes a wrench set up to 1'', and another set up to 1-1/4". From what I have seen at this job, the only time I usually need the bigger wrenches is on flange bolts and large tubing fittings. Would you guys say I should just go for the set up to 1" for $130???? Or does it make a difference in the larger sizes as well? I have always thought that the sizes above 1" have enough meat on them to make life a little easier if they are rusted.
Suprised carlyle. Anti slips weren't saide yet. If you can get at shop price, there worth it. Lifetime warranty to. Just call your napa if you need it.
But nothing will beat S.O/Williams, and Wright. Leaders at the designs of the wrenches for a reason.
But nothing will beat S.O/Williams, and Wright. Leaders at the designs of the wrenches for a reason.
SO doesn't make FD+ in their larger wrenches, in metric FD+ stops around 25mm. They do make larger in SAE...
I went with SO for metric and WrightGrip for SAE, as most of my work is metric. The $130 1" set would be a good place to start, it's a really good value. If you find that you like them and need want larger with Wrightgrip you could always buy them piecemeal from Epstein later. Otherwise if you need larger wrenches now bite the bullet and just get the expanded range 15 pc set now. It's a lot more money for only 4 more wrenches though.
Givl Reggin
Banned
Snap-on wrenches with the Flank Drive Plus design, and others like it, will grip and not let go... to the extent that you'll end up twisting the head off. Now, I don't know about you, but I'd rather deal with a stuck bolt than with a bolt with no head! I think there are some situations where the wrench giving way and spreading and leaving the head on the bolt are far better than the alternative.
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jethro29
Well-known member
save yourself a lot of rounded bolts and busted knuckles and just get the snappy's,there is nothing better. maybe look for a used set on e-bay.but just get the best now and be done with it,it will be a lot less aggravation.
espyking83
Well-known member
I agree with this. If money is an issue get a set of Proto Challengers off Ebay. Great set of wrenches.
There's a metric set on there now for only $35.
espyking83
Well-known member
Sorry, but there's at least two brands out there that perform as good, if not better, than any SO wrench ever made.
Oh yea, for less than half the price too.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
espyking83
Well-known member
Wrights perform the best, always have. Proto ASD is every bit as good for over $100 Cheaper. My back up Proto Challengers are roughly the same quality performance wise, though the FD has the grooves when it comes to anti slip. But to be perfectly honest, I've never had my Challengers slip off a bolt. Williams Superwrenches are up there too. Thats not even counting KTC (Japan) and all the other top notch Euro wrenches.
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espyking83
Well-known member
I'm wondering if half the people on this site went straight from Craftsman to Snap On without trying out any other brand of wrench. Most expensive =/= best quality. Not trying to start a flame war here but it is the absolute truth.
espyking83
Well-known member
Yeah, I just bought the set off Amazon a few weeks back. I've honestly never felt a wrench feel more comfortable in my hands, slides right onto the bolts and the head has a great shape. I'd give Wrights the edge when it comes to the anti-slip tests, but I'm a Proto guy, so I buy Proto lol.
methomas70
Well-known member
Well this might the reason.
Here's a list in order of how often I see them:
1. Sears store
2. Snap-On truck
3. Unicorn
4. Store that sells Wright or Proto
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
One of the best things about the internet is how it brings easy access to various brands. Fedex and UPS also both do overnight shipping if one needs it...
I just saw this videos on the side after watching the video previously posted in the thread.
Snap-on VS Wright Tool (Flank Drive Plus VS WrightGRIP)
I put the title in case the link does not work.
I would like to see the test performed with a previously rounded bolt before trying either wrench. The area where the teeth bite between the two wrenches have a difference. Also notice the difference in size of the box ends, besides the angles ( knuckle clearance).
I would like to try those wright wrenches, especially a ratcheting set.
espyking83
Well-known member
That's a good point too, lol.
espyking83
Well-known member
Don't think they would handle a rounded bolt too well, because when a bolt is rounded it physically alters its size. They're designed to prevent the rounding of a bolt after all. But now I'm curious to how they would handle it. If they did, that would be something.
I have wright, proto, snapon, and matco wrenches... Snap on is the go to overall, fd+ grips and does not slip in the slightest and never has a problem with rounded old bolts and nuts. My metric set is wright and there is nothing wrong with them although I find myself wishing they were longer. My proto's are old and rarely used. My matco's get used when I want the head of the bolt or nut to stay looking brand new as any anti slip design tends to make it's mark. Snap on has the edge overall but you have a lot of choices inbetween crafsman and gw and snap on.
Wakefield
Well-known member
There are Wrights in 1+7/16" and 1+1/2" that have the Wrightgrip open end
they have a rougher looking beam that is thicker than the smaller wrenches-things must weigh several pounds apiece
would be interesting to see the bolt torture test done with the Proto wrench
SnowDrifter
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 19, 2014
- Messages
- 46
Pricey, but I just got myself some snappy FD+ wrenches. Man are those a treat 
Watch sites like eBay. There is the occasional gem that comes along. I got mine (SOEX710) BNIB for 200
Watch sites like eBay. There is the occasional gem that comes along. I got mine (SOEX710) BNIB for 200
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Okay, apparently you're in disagreement with Mr. Skin. He doesn't share your same enthusiasm for the Proto ASD:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249225&highlight=proto&showall=1