Good Quality Metric Ignition Wrench Set Recomendations?

[extropic]

I needed a 4mm open end wrench today. Don't have one, so used an adjustable.

The need brought to my attention that I don't own a set of metric ignition wrenches. No problem, I thought. I'll check the web and buy a set.

I'm not a very informed tool shopper anymore. I bought most of what I need many years ago. I'm constantly adding to the collection but the world has gotten much larger and I don't pretend to keep up with the options. So, I'm asking the community for recommendations.

I Googled and came up with so few options, I thought you all could help. Is the Craftsman set still USA mfg (I'll check next time I go to Ace Hardware)? Snap-On offers a lovely 10 piece set for a mere $234.05 (do they really need that extra nickel, or is it another way to say "screw you"?). Nothing from Williams, Proto. Armstrong (looks like Craftsman) only goes down 5.5mm.

I want a set that goes down to 4mm or less. Also, don't want Moody stamped steel type. Want forged & polished please.

Any options other than Snap-On. Good quality non-USA OK too.

Help me spend a few $$.

TIA

 

[Mechanical Noise]

The Menard's Masterforce set goes down to 4 mm and is inexpensive:

https://www.menards.com/main/tools-...ination-wrench-set-metric/p-1444428609711.htm

These are basically the same as the Craftsman wrenches. The edges are a little rough, especially when compared with the old V series wrenches.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I have an old USA Craftsman set (1990s). They're ok. These are not high torque fasteners.

As for the Snap On pricing...they usually just add up all the individual prices to price the set. Rarely is there a discount for buying a set vs individuals. Though you will usually get a case/roll/tray/etc with the set.

 

[kblee27]

I have the Techni-Tool and Wright Tool SAE open end ignition wrench set.
They both looked the same to me and USA made.

The tool quality is very nice and highly polished.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000WUPZ8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[gdpolk]

My US made Craftsman ignition wrenches were what I would call acceptable. They were stamped, but you could see that there was also some effort put into cleaning them up, deburring, and polishing prior to chrome plating them. They aren't the toughest steel but how much torque do you really need on an ignition wrench anyway?

My more current Craftsman sets were Chinese made and poor quality. They were crudely stamped, with sharp edges and burrs left on, and a crummy job of chrome plating where it's surface was varied in color and thickness.

I don't automatically hate all non-US made Craftsman stuff just because of COO, because some of their foreign made tools are just fine. Their Chinese made ignition wrench sets that I got though probably had the worst quality control of anything I've ever seen by Craftsman and I would recommend looking for a vintage set if you go with Craftsman on these or shopping through another vendor.

 

[outdoorspace]

The current run of Craftsman ignition wrenches bundled in kits is unfortunately made in China. There are still a lot of sets in open stock that are made in USA but the quality took a huge dive some years ago especially in the open-box combination variety that almost give the appearance of stamped steel. It might be a good idea to look for an older set at garage sales or on eBay; ignition wrench sets are seldom used anymore and one of those items like hex keys that people wind up having in triplicate because they were bundled with every small-to-moderate sized tool kit.

 

[ryan20021982]

10 piece USA made Craftsman set $13.79 free shipping
Goes down to 4mm

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Craftsman-U...ewItem&hash=item43d3401673:g:obMAAOxygPtS7CC-

He also has the SAE set for the same price and a promo if you buy 2 items you get 10% off right now

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Craftsman-U...on-Small-Midget-Mini-Wrench-Set-/291269210983

 

[SantaAna12]

I own older CMAN and the newer stamped CMAN ignition wrenches.

I will not be buying any more.

Old Mac is what I ended up with from Ebay.

 

[Tenex]

Wright 788

 

[T45]

They had decent NOS cman over at epsteins for $20/set, maybe check em out

edit: keep in mind poor tolerances can be magnified at very small fastener sizes. so don't totally cheap out on these guys if you need them.

 

[M6erfan]

http://www.cripedistributing.com/kobalt-10pc-midget-comb-wrenches-metric-23603-usa.html

 

[Ericgst]

I was at Sears a couple days ago and like normal I look to see what else is now made in China. I specifically looked at the ignition wrench sets and every one of the packs on the shelf said made in the USA.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-10-pc-metric-combination-ignition-wrench-set/p-00942339000P

But just to be clear, I have never seen what I would call a high quality ignition wrench. All the ones I have seen have been stamped. Never seen a forged and machined ignition wrench.

 

[four.cycle]

check Ebay for older Craftsman. seems like most of the sellers want an arm and a leg for the old =V= and -V- production code sets, though.

others you can check on Ebay which are of excellent quality - they show up every now and then - almost all of these were GSA/military contract stuff:
ES Tool
JS Tool / JS Technology
Duro Indestro
Jensen Tool

this is an ES set I found on Ebay a few months ago - SAE, but you get the idea:

 

[lilcraigford]

check Ebay for older Craftsman. seems like most of the sellers want an arm and a leg for the old =V= and -V- production code sets, though.

others you can check on Ebay which are of excellent quality - they show up every now and then - almost all of these were GSA/military contract stuff:
ES Tool
JS Tool / JS Technology
Duro Indestro
Jensen Tool

this is an ES set I found on Ebay a few months ago - SAE, but you get the idea:

(image)

That ES set looks really nice; more robust in appearance than most ignition wrenches.

I have only dealt with the older Craftsman (early '90s) sets my dad has. As stated the newer Craftsman sets (USA or not) are mediocre stampings. I thought I read somewhere that even the current Wright sets suffer the same construction. It seems like a lot of current offerings fall short in the quality department (via pictures and reviews at least). I have been casually looking out for an older Craftsman ignition wrenches but just might hold out for some from one of the companies you (four.cycle) suggested!

 

[extropic]

Thanks for all the info.
You've shown many options to consider.
Not sure which way I'll go yet.

 

[ryan20021982]

They had decent NOS cman over at epsteins for $20/set, maybe check em out

Almost half that on ebay with the links I posted above.

 

[T45]

They were -V- series NOS...now sold out, unfortunately

http://www.harryepstein.com/blogs/usa-nos-craftsman-v-westcraft-wrenches/

 

[afazz]

I have a partial set of these Facom midget wrenches and I really like them. They're a fine satin finish instead of polished chrome.

http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?cPath=35_61_1076&products_id=5685

 

[Jim C.]

10 piece USA made Craftsman set.....Goes down to 4mm..........

Correct......my Cman 10 piece metric combo set has sizes 4mm through 11mm, forged and polished. Seems like the way to go, and a lot more economical than the snap on set. That being said, I don't think I've ever used a single one of mine. I've used a few of the SAE sizes over the years, but only occasionally. Just wondering what the OP is using such a small wrench on.

Jim C.

 

[warweapon762]

I would look on ebay for a set of 1990s or earlier CMAN ignition wrenches. I was lucky and found mine on sale at my local Sears in 2005 or so right when they began flushing the inventory of the USA made stuff.

 

[apdxyk]

http://www.samstagsales.com/carl_walter.htm#Electrical

just an example, Stahlwille has them too

 

[four.cycle]

doing a search on Ebay I am seeing a bunch of "VIM" metric sets, but the prices on them are just nuts:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VIM-Tools-V...:g:EYAAAOxy4fBTjp9d&item=191201783965&vxp=mtr
^ that's one of the lesser expensive ones and it comes in at about $28.

here's a "KLUTCH" set, but it's about $26 and my best guess is it's either Chinese or Taiwan:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Klutch-8-Pc...:g:kW8AAOSwPcVVzR3Y&item=400977230708&vxp=mtr

I didn't pay anywhere near that for that ES set on the previous page, and it's US-made (government contract stuff.) I believe it came in right about $15-$18 including shipping.
There WAS a partial Duro-Indestro set listed a few days ago, but it looks like it's gone.
Some stuff on Ebay is cyclical - about 4-5 months ago there were all kinds of little Jensen sets listed but I'm not seeing any now. You can buy direct from Jensen, but they're higher than hell - best way to buy their stuff is through an Ebay seller who's trying to unload it.

 

[AA/FC]

I would look on ebay for a set of 1990s or earlier CMAN ignition wrenches. I was lucky and found mine on sale at my local Sears in 2005 or so right when they began flushing the inventory of the USA made stuff.

I was at my local sears this past weekend and happened to notice some USA made ignition wrench sets on display...... they were hanging on the same hook along with the Chinese sets.

 

[MShaw]

I have a Gedore set from about 25 years ago. they are definitely forged. One caution, the Gedore set has the 15 degree and 90 degree openings on the same wrench. My SAE snap on set has 15 degree end on one wrench and the 90 degree end on the companion wrench. That way you get two wrenches of each size. There are times when having two wrenches of the same size is very handy.

 

[ryan20021982]

I have a Gedore set from about 25 years ago. they are definitely forged. One caution, the Gedore set has the 15 degree and 90 degree openings on the same wrench. My SAE snap on set has 15 degree end on one wrench and the 90 degree end on the companion wrench. That way you get two wrenches of each size. There are times when having two wrenches of the same size is very handy.

I agree thats why I got both the craftsman sets years ago when they were us made. They make them just like that and standard.