SK open ends seem a little sloppy?

[cummins12ver]

Hey guys, first time poster, long time reader. I have just got the addiction to gathering tools, from cool old garage sale finds, to shiny new stuff. Mainly it's stuff to use for your average farm/automotive work. But I find it never ending and always wanting to expand the tool box! Anyways, recently I decided to upgrade my combo wrenches to a nice set that I could have for a very long time. I decided on sk because I've heard good things and I found a great deal on a SAE and metric combo wrench set. After receiving them I was like a kid in a candy store. Only real complaint would be the short size. I have grow accustom to my first wrench set (you guessed it) the trusty C'man RP, which seem to be just that "perfect length". But after getting over that I've noticed that the open end seems kind loose on the bolt heads.... I mean my old used craftsman fit tighter? Kinda depressing after I noticed. I mean they do the job, and the box end seems perfect. I just can't get over the loose feeling open end. Anyone ever had this experience? I've been tempted to sell them and spend the money on my new craving of a long pattern wrightgrip metric wrench set. Which, I mean I could keep them both, they both have a purpose. But geez, the sloppy open end is getting to me...

 

[97fordsuper]

Haven't noticed the sloppy fit on mine. You are right though about them being short. Biggest complaint I've had is, when. I was snugging a small brass fitting with my 5/16 and the jaw broke right off. First time using it.

 

[larry_g]

There are standards for wrench openings. Get yourself a caliper and measure the opening size. If in spec then OK, if not then send them back. Also check your old wrenches, how much different are they in size if measured the same way?

Without numbers it's perty hard to know anything.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[1982fxr]

There are standards for wrench openings. Get yourself a caliper and measure the opening size. If in spec then OK, if not then send them back. Also check your old wrenches, how much different are they in size if measured the same way?

Without numbers it's perty hard to know anything.

lg
no neat sig line

this^^^

 

[Dave455]

Some manufacturers work to tighter tolerances than others!

Check your wrenches as suggested, but if you want something tighter than standard, consider Nepros!

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I personally have not noticed the open ends being sloppy on the SKs, but I do prefer the long pattern wrenches.

 

[ktaps55]

Hey guys, first time poster, long time reader. I have just got the addiction to gathering tools, from cool old garage sale finds, to shiny new stuff. Mainly it's stuff to use for your average farm/automotive work. But I find it never ending and always wanting to expand the tool box! Anyways, recently I decided to upgrade my combo wrenches to a nice set that I could have for a very long time. I decided on sk because I've heard good things and I found a great deal on a SAE and metric combo wrench set. After receiving them I was like a kid in a candy store. Only real complaint would be the short size. I have grow accustom to my first wrench set (you guessed it) the trusty C'man RP, which seem to be just that "perfect length". But after getting over that I've noticed that the open end seems kind loose on the bolt heads.... I mean my old used craftsman fit tighter? Kinda depressing after I noticed. I mean they do the job, and the box end seems perfect. I just can't get over the loose feeling open end. Anyone ever had this experience? I've been tempted to sell them and spend the money on my new craving of a long pattern wrightgrip metric wrench set. Which, I mean I could keep them both, they both have a purpose. But geez, the sloppy open end is getting to me...

I've never used SK wrenches be4... So thanks for the info... I have a SK 1/4 socket set and it is by far my favorite socket set... And just an FYI the gear-wrench set I just traded in had the same issue as your SK set

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[cummins12ver]

What are the tolerances? Does anyone know? I appreciate the feedback. I'll try and get my calipers and do some measurements. And maybe I'm just over thinking things ..

 

[1950mercury]

regular open ends are about useless for breaking nuts and bolts free....who does that unless it's on machines where they are not tight

 

[OutsideMachinist]

regular open ends are about useless for breaking nuts and bolts free....who does that unless it's on machines where they are not tight

When you cant get a boxed end on the fasters. Pipeing, Valves, Pumps, Motors lots of times only open end can be used. Never had issue with sk open ends maybe you got a bad set OP. I like sk only issue is theyre shorter and too thick/wide beam on boxed end.

 

[TOOL FANATIK]

regular open ends are about useless for breaking nuts and bolts free....who does that unless it's on machines where they are not tight

Sometimes you can't get a box end on. Ex if the bolt has something just to the left or right of it. Reason why manufacturers use tooth or groove technology in their open end jaws.

 

[1950mercury]

Sometimes you can't get a box end on. Ex if the bolt has something just to the left or right of it. Reason why manufacturers use tooth or groove technology in their open end jaws.

Yes but a REGULAR open end is smooth...

 

[larry_g]

What are the tolerances? Does anyone know? I appreciate the feedback. I'll try and get my calipers and do some measurements. And maybe I'm just over thinking things ..

I have them in my Machinerys Handbook.

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=160993 Another discussion on an engineering board.

http://catalogue.salessystemsltd.com/Asset/ASTM_Fasteners_Dimension_Tables-15.pdf

I found the above and a lot more with google search on the term: wrench open tolerences

lg
no neat sig line

 

[cummins12ver]

Well, took some measurements on my metric sk wrenches,
10mm- 10.20mm
11mm- 11.25mm
12mm- 12.20mm
13mm- 13.25mm
14mm- 14.25mm
15mm- 15.25mm
16mm- 16.25mm
17mm- 17.28mm
18mm- 18.27mm

My old crafstman raised panels (mind you I'm missing a few)
10mm- 10.20mm
11mm- 11.23mm
12mm- 12.16mm
14mm- 14.21mm
15mm- 15.19mm
17mm- 17.25mm

Not much difference. So maybe I'm just paranoid..

 

[klitzke]

Hey there. I had some time a week or so ago and have a friend with sk wrenches. I put them up against several types of my own snap on wrenches and found that basically you have a surprising spread of numbers even within the professional brand! I would follow the advice above, compare the tolerances to manufacturer spec and if needed get them warrantied. Here is a picture (.0001 increments can be ignored for all practical purposes)

Good luck wrenching!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Wamsutta]

regular open ends are about useless for breaking nuts and bolts free....who does that unless it's on machines where they are not tight

The ball joint castle nut on a front wheel drive car is usually too close to the CV axle housing to fit a box end on there.

 

[hautpot]

if you have seen how 95% of spanners are made, they are broached. therefore, as the broaching tool gets worn out, the cut shape becomes smaller in dimension and the surface finish gets worse.

 

[cummins12ver]

Very interesting. Wonder how the metal content of the sk compares to other. As far as spreading is concerned

 

[TOOL FANATIK]

Yes but a REGULAR open end is smooth...

Right. They will loosen a tightened bolt or nut. You'll just have a tough time not rounding the corners of a soft or rusted bolt or nut vs using one with "teeth". Point is though that sometimes you can't avoid using the open end to tighten or loosen. I personally hate running into those situations because inevitably I know I'm gunna have to go out and buy an open end adapter for my torque wrench...can't get a socket on.

Yes but a REGULAR open end is smooth...