Throwing a wrench into the works...

[LordPsychon]

I've been doing a lot of thinking about what wrenches I still need - I have most of the common metric sizes from 5mm up to 20mm and the equivalent SAEs but none of them are ratcheting or flex-head. If I had to buy either of these types, would I be better off buying an entire set or just buying the most commonly used sizes. I would be using them on my 2007 Elantra and my 2014 Grand Caravan.

 

[ClineWrench]

For me: I'm a set guy. I don't know why but if I need one tool, I need the whole set. Ironically, I typically find myself using only a few tools out of a set after it's been purchased. That said, there have been plenty of times I've ended up needing a tool in a set that I almost bought just the single item. It always leaves me thankful I bought the whole set.

My 2 cents.

 

[sberry]

Here is my take. I live by common combination wrenches and common sockets and really use impact in 1/2 with air ratchet for 3/8 with common chrome. I use a few other things as problem solvers but its pretty rare. I have had ratchets of old that came with Sears sets and never really use them and finally got a simple 20 pc non reverse straight set from Sears on sale.
I wouldn't buy them thinking they would get hi use, would buy a smaller set of hi feature flex maybe. You don't need them in every size they invented.
I got a couple of Caravans, old beaters that need regular work and havnt used more than a handful of simple tools, maybe a tubing wrench but I live in a rusty world and it would have never failed so,,,
In todays world even more so why hoard a lot of tooling that rides the box. The stuff is cheap today and no reason to do without but let the store keep some of it handy for you in case you need it. Watch for a sale on stuff you find yourself using frequently and score other items as needed,,, auto parts stores are ideal for this. They carry economy line of well proved tools that are on the shelf if you need something.
I wouldn't own every tool they invented to take care of a couple cars and a mower. I even pass up a lot of great deals simply due to the fact I don't need it, its not practical etc.

 

[sberry]

For me: I'm a set guy. I don't know why but if I need one tool, I need the whole set. Ironically, I typically find myself using only a few tools out of a set after it's been purchased. That said, there have been plenty of times I've ended up needing a tool in a set that I almost bought just the single item. It always leaves me thankful I bought the whole set.

My 2 cents.

I agree to some extent about sets. They price small sets different but its not a perfect world. This is where the specialty stuff shines, small common sizes. Some sets are so complete you do not use all the pieces, some never.
The 6 and 7 pc sets are really pretty much adequate for what a combo wont do or you find a little regular use for piece or 2.
I will use something off standard a couple times but soon its pushed back in favor of what I normally use.

 

[LordPsychon]

I agree to some extent about sets. They price small sets different but its not a perfect world. This is where the specialty stuff shines, small common sizes. Some sets are so complete you do not use all the pieces, some never.
The 6 and 7 pc sets are really pretty much adequate for what a combo wont do or you find a little regular use for piece or 2.
I will use something off standard a couple times but soon its pushed back in favor of what I normally use.

So would you recommend the Gearwrench flex-heads because they seem to cover the most common sizes and generally have a 5-7 wrench approach? They feel really nice and I can get them at TSC, Sears, or Napa where I live.