Stubby wrenches - gearwrench or sunex

[techenthusiast]

I'm in the market for a full set of stubbies and this is what I'm looking at:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000NI93R0/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1UMBRA5ZTBCX8
Gearwrench set standard and metric

Or

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000PGTCDU/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000W1VIWQ/ref=ox_sc_act_image_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Sunex set standard and metric

Not a big difference in price and I get free shipping,
But is there a difference in quality and packaging/organization that comes with it to keep them organized in my wrench drawer?

Thanks.

 

[devoncoolman]

Gearwrench is better quality.

 

[wild cowboy]

Gearwrench is better quality.

how do you figure?

Sunex is likely Taiwan, GW is maybe Taiwan, maybe China

 

[Cold N Dusty]

Paid $18 for that gear wrench set at menards a couple weeks ago couldn't leave them onthe shelf they were so cheap. At the time didn't think I would use them much but have become very handy. Very nice fit and finish

 

[lightning02]

amazon states on the ad for the gearwrench that they are china.

 

[mikebramel]

Sunex is China. Only the sockets are Taiwan anymore

 

[lightning02]

i know S-K makes one hell of a stubby. just basing that off the free one that sent out a while back. VERY well made. not sure on the price tho but im sure they cost more.

 

[techenthusiast]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002LCY4JS/ref=pd_aw_sims_1?pi=SS115&simLd=1#

And

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002N7VDJ0/ref=pd_aw_sims_1?pi=SS115&simLd=1

Just came across these, about 180 for metric and standard ratcheting offset Williams stubbies , it's double the price but now I'm considering this, anyone have any input about these wrenches?



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[Bigblue&Goldie]

I'm not a big Craftsman guy, but this set is hard to beat at any price. The quality is outstanding; much better than the traditional raised panel ****. When I bought them I thought I would use them occasionally, but it turns out they are one of my most used wrench sets. Made in USA. Doesn't include racks, but fit perfect in the Ernst stubby racks.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-professional-20-pc-standard-and-metric-full/p-00934956000P?prdNo=29&blockNo=29&blockType=G29

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Just came across these, about 180 for metric and standard ratcheting offset Williams stubbies , it's double the price but now I'm considering this, anyone have any input about these wrenches?

I don't have the ratcheting versions, but paid about $90 a couple of years ago for Williams Taiwan (Blue Point) stubby wrenches in Metric and SAE in Ernst racks. They are excellent fit and finish, and have been awesome. Highly recommend the Williams wrenches.

 

[lightning02]

I'm not a big Craftsman guy, but this set is hard to beat at any price. The quality is outstanding; much better than the traditional raised panel ****. When I bought them I thought I would use them occasionally, but it turns out they are one of my most used wrench sets. Made in USA. Doesn't include racks, but fit perfect in the Ernst stubby racks.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-professional-20-pc-standard-and-metric-full/p-00934956000P?prdNo=29&blockNo=29&blockType=G29

did anyone ever find out where to get the missing sizes like 11mm?

 

[stage20]

That link for the usa stubby craftsman is the best set you will find for the money. Fit feel and finish is unlike any other tool in their line up. I have Mix of snap on and craftsman. I pick them up over my snap ons

 

[wild cowboy]

did anyone ever find out where to get the missing sizes like 11mm?

yeah, fill in with the Williams (Blue Point) from ebay, around $7 shipped (new)

 

[panknuckshovel]

Williams USA 11 piece MM is $40 at Epsteins

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/WilliamsD/WLMSTBY.html

 

[lightning02]

Williams USA 11 piece MM is $40 at Epsteins

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/WilliamsD/WLMSTBY.html

dam talk about skip lol

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Williams USA 11 piece MM is $40 at Epsteins

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/WilliamsD/WLMSTBY.html

dam talk about skip lol

seriously! you pay half and that's what you get.

 

[panknuckshovel]

dam talk about skip lol

Yah, must be to late to have caught that.

 

[wild cowboy]

again - fill in on ebay, just need 10, 13, 16, 19 maybe a 7

 

[FreeTenthsDiag]

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-piece-stubby-combination-wrench-set-97383.html

When people buy tools they really need to think about this logically. You won't use stubbys very often, when you do you will be in very tight places and they won't see a lot of torque, so even cheap-o sets won't fail or break. I got lucky and found the Kobalt kits when they were being clearanced, which are without a doubt a nicer finish set than this, but I have this set as well at home and they both work perfect.

 

[blackedout12v]

I'm really wanting to try the 8pc stubby flex head from sunex. It also has the v groove open end which I think is a nice feature my gearwrench doesn't have. Sunex SAE 8 pc and gearwrench METRIC 10 pc seemed to give me the most wrenches for my money. Sunex metric is only 8pc and gearwrench sae is 7 pc. All similarly priced , got 10pc met for 85(tooltopia) ordering 8pc sunex for 74.50 (tool discounter)

 

[blackedout12v]

I probably should have specified these are ratchet wrenches. My bad

 

[Adam.C]

I had the craftsman set many moons ago and loved them. What I liked about them was they were faster to use for a bolt you couldn't put a socket on, but didn't need a lot of torque to remove or install.

With the advent of ratcheting wrenches, I wonder if this style of wrench is still relevant. At the very least, as these are low torque tools, I would (and did) opt for ratcheting models. I bought the Snap On models on ebay. I have 8,10, &13 which are the only sizes I have ever needed. If I buy an Asian car, I will probably pick up a 12mm.

 

[Tronyadorable]

I probably should have specified these are ratchet wrenches. My bad

Go Williams. Buy here
Don't email. CALL them.
http://www.industrialsupplydenver.com/

 

[Jure]

Williams USA 11 piece MM is $40 at Epsteins

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/WilliamsD/WLMSTBY.html

there is no 13 mm in that set but its more then a good price so its not a problem

 

[gungatim]

I picked up the Stanley stubby std and metric sets at Walmart on clearance for $10ea a couple weeks ago. I've never had stubbies until I got the free SK wrench, so I figured WTH. They are actually quite nice. I know they are obviously not the same quality as SK, but I figured how much torque can you really put on a wrench that short? I figure I'd use mainly for holding bolts while ratcheting the other end. Actually used them the other day disassembling my new to me cushman husky engine and they were nice to have.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

i know S-K makes one hell of a stubby. just basing that off the free one that sent out a while back. VERY well made. not sure on the price tho but im sure they cost more.

I agree 100%.


My Blackhawk ratcheting stubbies have been very nice also.

 

[Leaky88]

Don't know if you are hard set on a particular brand. Craftsman has an online deal this week for a 20 PC Standard and Metric Professional polished set for 79,99. Wrote to company and they assured me they are made in the USA and reviews state same. Mine should arrive next week.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

With the advent of ratcheting wrenches, I wonder if this style of wrench is still relevant. At the very least, as these are low torque tools, I would (and did) opt for ratcheting models.

It's funny because I used the hell out of my Williams stubby wrenches right up until I bought a Gearwrench ratcheting flex stubby set through the Hot Deals, and I use the hell out of those instead now. The Williams have just sat in their racks. Just need to find a good deal on a metric set (or at least the sizes that don't cross over so SAE)

 

[dnschmidt]

The absolute best deal is the HF mini ratchet wrenches. They are Taiwan made, beautifully finished and dirt cheap with coupon.

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-pro-gear-metric-stubby-combo-wrench-set-93922-2764.html

As others have stated how much torque can you apply with one of these types of wrenches? It's almost impossible for them to fail, and, when you need to use them it's usually in a situation where the ratcheting feature has got to be a huge plus as you're going to have very little swing room. $24.99 minus 25% is a smokin' deal.

 

[techenthusiast]

I probably should have specified these are ratchet wrenches. My bad

What is the link for those? Thanks


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[Adam.C]

The absolute best deal is the HF mini ratchet wrenches. They are Taiwan made, beautifully finished and dirt cheap with coupon.

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-pro-gear-metric-stubby-combo-wrench-set-93922-2764.html

Man those are some ugly lobster claw wrenches. Companies do this because chinese steel is unreliable and the heat treatment is inconsistent. I think that's a a bad sign. Have a look for yourselves:

View media item 45730View media item 45731
Don't look too carefully at the ratchet end tho. The pics show opposite sides of very similar mechanisms. I believe SO purchased the rights to Gear Wrench's patent. Also possible SO sources some parts from China for their wrenches. Dunno.

Its the open end I find is the distinguishing feature. This is an indicator of low quality steel in my opinion. Not a tool I would rely on and if I can't trust it, I don't want it in my box whatever the price. That just fools me into thinking I can get something done when there's a chance I can't.

FWIW- I routinely use the open end to crack stuff free and torque stuff down, especially with non-reversing ratchet wrenches. This saves the ratchet mechanism and prevents any possibility of getting the wrench stuck.

 

[dnschmidt]

I'm missing your point. The Snap-On are radius ground at the bottom of the open end and the HF aren't, so what? Is this what you mean by lobster claw as neither wrench looks like a lobster claw to me. With a three inch fulcrum any form of steel is going to get the job done. Pig iron can handle 5 ft-lb's which is probable all you're going to able to exert with that lever arm. Also, why would you use the open end when you have a ratcheting box end particularly where space is tight? I seriously doubt that you're going to "crack stuff free and torque stuff down" with a three inch long wrench very often unless you have Superman fingers. The open end almost seems redundant to me unless it's sort of a line wrench application where only an open end can work.

These tools are under such low loadings that if all your suppositions were true, and there is no proof that they are, it still wouldn't matter.

 

[Haki]

I'm in the market for a full set of stubbies and this is what I'm looking at:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000NI93R0/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1UMBRA5ZTBCX8
Gearwrench set standard and metric

Or

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000PGTCDU/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000W1VIWQ/ref=ox_sc_act_image_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Sunex set standard and metric

Not a big difference in price and I get free shipping,
But is there a difference in quality and packaging/organization that comes with it to keep them organized in my wrench drawer?

Thanks.

I would choose gearwrench. Can't go wrong with them.

 

[stage20]

For pennies just buy the hf if you want ratcheting. I have a set of those. They are fine tooth as well

 

[blackedout12v]

get HF,gearwrench or sunex . I own HF and GW they are good quality IMO. you wont go wrong with any of the three. personally I would get HF, I have used mine a lot and they perform as they should. I would probably lose sleep at night knowing I paid for snap-on when I could have got HF for fraction of the price. that's just me...

 

[wild cowboy]

here is a link to where to get a good deal on Williams stubbies (Taiwan) on ebay to fill in the skips - www.ebay.com/itm/281182927261

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

I personally like Gearwrench or Blue Point for my ratcheting wrench needs. The ratcheting Williams wrenches are the same as the Blue Point

 

[Adam.C]

I'm missing your point. The Snap-On are radius ground at the bottom of the open end and the HF aren't, so what?

See if this helps:

View media item 45744
Chinese wrenches can be easily spotted by their oversized open ends. The lack of that radius you refer to compounds the problem, as it raises the center of the fastener further from the shank.

I agree that these wrenches are not torque critical. I'm not worried about failure of the metal here. But it appears the manufacturer is. That's why they've added all that extra metal- to stop spreading of the open end due to poor quality metal. Can't imagine why else you would do this. No respectable wrench maker makes wrenches that look like this. Maybe they are made from pig iron- that's my point.

Also, why would you use the open end when you have a ratcheting box end particularly where space is tight?

This doesn't seem to be a serious question. There are several reasons to use an open end wrench. When you need one, it's good to have one that can fit into a tight area and provide the greatest possible angle of rotation.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

everyone keeps stating that these don't see high torque situations. Maybe I'm doing it wrong but I use mine on the backside of something when I'm tightening up the front side. The wrench will get pinched inside of the truck frame or whatever. Mine definitely see high torque. They're USA cman btw....

I also have the cman ratcheting flex heads...super handy and probably most used around shop on vises, machines....tear down and put back.

 

[wild cowboy]

I never seem to encounter "stubby" and "high torque" in the same situation, so not sure strength is even relevant - stubby is needed in limited access situations, you don't have enough length to get high torque using a stubby, that is basic physics!