Angle wrenches

[Sanny81]

I've been lookin for a set of angle wrenches and it seems there's the lower end (Sunex, Tekton, V8) and the high end (SO, Mac, Martin etc..) and not much in between. My questions are....at under $100 are the lower end sets of decent quality? And which sets offer 30/60 design these day?

Right now I'm debating just ordering the Sunex set for $40 but I'm not sold on them or any in that price range really. For reference these will be used in a professional setting but not on a daily or maybe even weekly basis which is why I'm just considering the Sunex for now.

 

[espyking83]

Sk on Harry Epstein is under $100 i think. Pretty sure they're made by Martin too.

 

[drewvdw]

I just bought Sunex and from the little I've used them, I say that are great quality. 3/8 up to 2" (in a heavy equipment tech). I know several guys here have had them for years without issue. And Sunex has a lifetime warranty too, so you can't really go wrong.

 

[Sanny81]

Great info thank you. Now the difference between a 15/60 set vs a 30/60 set....is it that big?

 

[bobcatdan]

Sk on Harry Epstein is under $100 i think. Pretty sure they're made by Martin too.

Martin and SK angle wrenches are different. The SK ones are very nice, wish SK would bring them back. Martin are also very good, only complaint is as a guy who uses 1 5/16", they skip that size. The 30/60 design I think is overrated as I never found it a real lifesaver over my 15/60 SK. Kinda prefer my SK over SO. To the OP, I'd pony up the money for Martin's.

 

[KnurledNut]

If you decide to go the used route, look for Fairmount angle wrenches.
The company is now Martin Tools.

 

[John in OH]

Sanny81, check out this thread from a year or so ago for additional discussions of angle wrenches.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=271152

Note, in particular, post #32 comparing the Sunex and Tekton wrenches.

 

[RedneckWelder]

The Tekton and Sunex offerings are OK for cheapies. They are 15/60 deg ones. My Tektons have a crappy finish but they work OK for the money.

The Snap Ons have the 30/60s and I think the only one on the market imitating them are the V8Tools. When I brought my Tektons the V8s were out of stock everywhere so I didn't order them.

For the occassional use the cheapies work but I prefer the 30/60 opening. If you find yourself using them often enough I wouldn't hesitate to upgrade. I brought the Tektons just to hold me over till I could get the Snap Ons.

By the way you may want to pick up one of these too for hydraulic fittings to complement the angle wrenches http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009W9BT0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[johninct]

Great info thank you. Now the difference between a 15/60 set vs a 30/60 set....is it that big?

YES!!!! If you have ever been in a tight spot, the more options to turn the nut the better. 15/15 on one wrench then 30/60 on the other wrench gives you 6 options. I would even buy other options if I could find them.

 

[plinker]

I Have a set of Wright & Martin, they are the same wrench. No problems with them, No 1-5/16 as noted(annoying). They are a little bulky on the open ends but not terrible. I have a few Proto's in metric they are nice wrenches.

On the 15/60 vs 30/60 issue, I think a 60/90 wrench would be the most useful combination . Based on my experience if the 15/60 wont work, a crowfoot on a breaker bar at 90* will.

 

[plinker]

By the way you may want to pick up one of these too for hydraulic fittings to complement the angle wrenches http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009W9BT0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I found these work nicely for that reason. I also have a 15" Diamond "monkey" wrench that gets used on occasion.

 

[camd64]

I bought a SO set years ago mostly for working on hydraulic control valves in very cramped spaces, the 30/60 setup and thin profile made all the difference. I use my 3/8 all the time these days on big tube headers, a 15 degree just doesn't cut it. I haven't used any of the less expensive options but on a budget I would still probably get the SO ones but only the ones I needed and buy them used.

 

[bob15]

Buy the Snappy 30/60 once and be done with it. They are the best 4 angle wrench out there.

 

[2oolhound]

Most combo wrenches already have a 15' end so you're paying the money only for the 60' end realistically. When you buy 30/60 wrenches you're paying 1/2 the money for each end.

 

[DieselSaves]

Buy the Snappy 30/60 once and be done with it. They are the best 4 angle wrench out there.

They can be had new for a little cheaper from a Cat dealer. Made by Snap On and stamped Cat and I think the 3/8-3/4 set was $170?

Well worth the money and an absolute bear to find used.