USA made wrench recomendations.

[1950mercury]

Sounds like you should buy used. There is no usa new wrenches in that price range that are nice.

I know they are not usa but a lot of people really like the Taiwan tektons. They dont ship sizes and look real nice

 

[PJNJ]

Everything recommended to me so far costs well over $100, just for the mm set, and if I want inch, that's over $225.

At the end of the line, stands the masterforce metric set for $30, SURELY there is a midgrade set between 50-75 dollars.

I'd love to have the wright grip, but I have a lot of stuff to spend $200 on besides wrenches.

You can spend the money once or you can spend the money twice (or more times if you don't learn the first time).

 

[TimDaToolMan]

Does anyone here have any exp with the masterforce (rebranded allen usa) from Menard's?

 

[Askme42]

Does anyone here have any exp with the masterforce (rebranded allen usa) from Menard's?

Looks very very similar to the last batch of usa craftsman.

 

[franzdom]

Why would you ask this question and leave Wright out?

Anyway upon reading further I may have to give Proto the nod over S-K but they are both good. Armstrong would be ok too I guess.

 

[TimDaToolMan]

Looks very very similar to the last batch of usa craftsman.

Would you buy used SK over them?

 

[franzdom]

Would you buy used SK over them?

definitely!!!

 

[sonvolt]

Piece together a set from Cripe. Allen, Kobalt USA, Armstrong (I figure you know them), KD, and Napa

 

[Askme42]

Would you buy used SK over them?

Personally yes.

If ease of warranty is a deciding factor I would go masterforce. By ease I mean being able to walk into a store same day and warranty.

 

[AV tinker er]

I didn't read every post of the thread, but I didn't see where you posted what standard you want? SAE or metric? EBay prices favor SAE ( cheaper) from my experiences. I have a set of satin finish Proto metric ASD combos. I bought them off eBay, the listing said used but didn't show any signs of it. I think I paid 150 for a set from 10mm thru 24mm

 

[TimDaToolMan]

After reading all the replies here, and not being in a huge hurry, I think I am going to try to find used sk wrench sets in partials (they bring a lot less than full sets), then try to fill in the gaps.

 

[crbnfbr]

Sounds like you should buy used. There is no usa new wrenches in that price range that are nice.

I know they are not usa but a lot of people really like the Taiwan tektons. They dont ship sizes and look real nice

Those Tekton's do look nice especially for the price, but they're a good inch shorter than standard Snap-on length or other manufacturers long pattern. I don't even own shorter combo wrenches. I only have long and extra long pattern wrenches.

 

[fasteddie313]

Everything recommended to me so far costs well over $100, just for the mm set, and if I want inch, that's over $225.

At the end of the line, stands the masterforce metric set for $30, SURELY there is a midgrade set between 50-75 dollars.

I'd love to have the wright grip, but I have a lot of stuff to spend $200 on besides wrenches.

But in your OP you said...

Not looking to spend a **** ton of money.

But wondering among SK, Armstrong, and Proto, who makes the best?

I have some chicom ones I got at Menard's, but I was using the open end today, and the bolt head left large dents in the metal...

SK, Armstrong, and Proto are not cheap tools either, I would think there prices are very similar to wright..

Best? Snap-ON, almost always the best of anything, but the question is is that little bit better worth all that extra money vs Wright, SK, Armstrong, and Proto among others...

 

[fasteddie313]

BTW I'm thinking about selling a lot of SAE USA Cman raised panel wrenches to fund the wrights..

I could prolly get off 2 good sets of them without missing them at all..

 

[Jeremy77]

If I had wrenches that were getting me by for now but wanted better, I'd either save until I could buy a quality set or start piecing one together as others here have suggested. A quality wrench set is going to last your lifetime and even beyond that. I prefer Armstrong combo wrenches myself, a lot of people don't due to them being made under the Apex flag, but Wright, SK, Proto, Martin, Williams etc. are all excellent brands. If you are going to be using these wrenches professionally or even as a serious DIY'er, it will always pay to have a solid, well made set. Epsteins also offers a full set (SAE and Metric) of mixed new U.S.made brands. These are cheaper than a complete identical collection and might be worth looking at if you are not opposed to a non matching set.$200-$300 dollars isn't an unreasonable amount of money if you look at the investment as lasting your entire lifetime as well as making your work and projects easier to complete.

 

[Flivver250]

Hard to believe this is still a question or debate.

 

[n8n]

Would you buy used SK over them?

Yes.

Sent from my 0PJA2 using Tapatalk

 

[u118224]

That's a good read Adam, very interesting. I have quite a few Armstrong combination wrenches (from Cripe). They are definately a quality product.

 

[PureLeaf]

nice write up adam.

It'd be interesting to see how the old full polish craftsmans measure up vs armstrong. As they were supposed to be produced by APEX tools as well. Or for instance Armstrong stubby wrenches vs the USA made craftsman stubbies.

 

[toddoky]

Low cost and high quality are generally mutually exclusive. If you enjoy wrenching and plan to do a lot of it I recommend buying a nicer set of wrenches once and you'll enjoy using them every time you work with them. If you buy a Colonel Chong set, you will grow to hate them in most cases. There's nothing wrong with buying them used or saving up for them over a short period of time like previous generations of Americans were taught to do.

 

[n8n]

nice write up adam.

It'd be interesting to see how the old full polish craftsmans measure up vs armstrong. As they were supposed to be produced by APEX tools as well. Or for instance Armstrong stubby wrenches vs the USA made craftsman stubbies.

I have some of the full polish Cman Pros (which are now sadly Chinese as well, mine are old stock USA) haven't used them much as they are backups to my SKs but I agree they seem quality. Head and shoulders over any of the RPs at least made in the last 20 years. Unfortunately they are priced comparably to SK so I would buy SK for the warranty as if you warranty a Cman wrench you're as like as not to get a Chinese one but SK is still made in USA. (replace SK with Wright if you want the WrightGrip feature.)

 

[Brownsfan]

Those Tekton's do look nice especially for the price, but they're a good inch shorter than standard Snap-on length or other manufacturers long pattern. I don't even own shorter combo wrenches. I only have long and extra long pattern wrenches.

I have seen them in person and they are really nice. I may pick up a set for the service van. Don't want to lose my more expensive stuff On the road.

 

[crbnfbr]

I have seen them in person and they are really nice. I may pick up a set for the service van. Don't want to lose my more expensive stuff On the road.

Yeah, for a road box they'd be great. I currently have like a 150ish piece Craftsman socket set that has some RP wrenches in it but in very limited sizes. I may actually pick up a set of those Tektons. Hell, for an 7-19mm set for $35 you can't beat that price.

 

[Sal Bandini]

Lol you want USA-made without the USA-made price.

That's how the Asians get a foothold. Good enough quality for a majority of the users.

 

[Brownsfan]

Also the USA made Master Force at Menards are good wrenches. I bought the flare nut wrenches and a small metric set and they are identical to my USA made Craftsman wrenches. Which have never let me down. These are going to be the lowest cost USA made wrenches you can buy new.

 

[crbnfbr]

Lol you want USA-made without the USA-made price.

That's how the Asians get a foothold. Good enough quality for a majority of the users.

My thoughts exactly, and in all honesty a 10pc Williams Supercombo metric set 10-19mm for $120 isn't that bad a price. A 10-19mm Wright set I found on sale for $99. Either of those are good prices for excellent American made wrenches. I'd personally choose the Williams as I like the little extra length and the thick beam, but I like the satin finish of the Wright's better.

 

[defektes]

SK, Proto, and Wright all make excellent tools, the rest is preference. Armstrong stuff is ok but not near the quality of the other three.

I personally prefer SK, but Wright makes some stuff really well, like the big industrial wrenches that have rounded handles are pretty nice.

 

[tomwmn]

Might want to consider Blackhawk.

http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2014/05/blackhawk-tools-a-well-kept-secret/

from tools in action may 2014

 

[Flyordie]

I purchased a set of Craftsman Industrial Metric Full Polish set for $90. 10-21mm (no skipped sizes) Great wrenches in all honesty. Just like the MATCO wrenches.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I purchased a set of Craftsman Industrial Metric Full Polish set for $90. 10-21mm (no skipped sizes) Great wrenches in all honesty. Just like the MATCO wrenches.

Sure wish they had them in 6 point !