Advice on what wrenches to add

[Hagatronics]

Hi All

I'm after some additional wrenches to add to add. I'm a home DIY mechanic with a habbit of modifying cars, I have cheap race car we much around with etc.

I'm thinking about some stubby/midget wrenches and maybe some longer ones too for suspension bolts.

Currently all Snap On gear as it's great quality and relatively accessible here in Melbourne Australia compared to many of the other brands. I have a preference to stick with Snap On but I'm not wedded to it.

My questions are really for the mechanics who spend their whole days on the tools to give me some guidance on what works best in practice.

Current setup is the photo..

<a href="http://s613.photobucket.com/user/hagatronics/media/Tools/3O7A0941_zpsxjinaxax.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt218/hagatronics/Tools/3O7A0941_zpsxjinaxax.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 3O7A0941_zpsxjinaxax.jpg"/></a>

• Standard Flank Drive Combination Wrenches from 10-27mm (missing a few oddball size large wrenches)
• Offset DBE from 10-19mm
• Short Flank Drive from 6-10mm
• Open Ended from 10-19mm
• Ratcheting from 10-19mm (no offset)
• Some flare nut wrenches (not in photo)

So my questions are:

Thinking about some stubby/midget wrenches. (OXIRMmm set). This is a short open end with a non-offset ratcheting end. They look helpful for areas without much room, especially the ratcheting end. Do they work for this purpose? Another set of zero-offset ratcheting ends.

Thinking about some High Performance Ratcheting Box (XDHRMmm). These look great for suspension bolts etc and I like the idea of having a ratcheting end on this. Again these are zero offset. Am I better off with an offset design?

Keen for some ideas about how, without buying three of four new sets of ratchets, I can get some close-quarters open end/ratchet plus a long handled box + ratchet, ideally with an offset if that is what works better in practice.

 

[lbhsbz]

Why do you want more tools?...is the toolbox too easy to drag around at the track? Is your wallet too heavy?

I was a pro mechanic for years, had my own racecar as well as crewing for several other people over the years. I took the basics in a small tool bag for the hot pits, and had a full range in the box back at the truck. I use a certain method for building a race/travel kit:

Set an empty tool bag next to the car at the shop. Every tool you choose outta the big box to service the car in the shop goes in the bag when done. Do this, and inventory the bag every time the car gets worked on at the shop. If there is a tool you don't have or are struggling with, find a better option and add that to the kit.

Don't add things for the sake of spending more money. Add things because they will reduce downtime and increase productivity.

When I worked at Toyota dealers, I had good tools with several selections in JIS sizes, all others sizes were basic sockets/wrenches for the odd occasion I'd find an incorrect fastener. My most used wrench was a double box end long 14/17mm snappy...I bought that one wrench, not the set.

Determine what you need to be most efficient.

Having lots of tools is cool and fun and all, but if a bunch are sitting there unused, it's kind of ******. I went through my box the other day sorting things out and the only tool I found without evidence of having been used at least a few times was a 16mm 3/8" drive snappy shallow impact socket....that I've had taking up that spot in the drawer for 18 years.

 

[Wamsutta]

My opinion is the exact opposite: if you have the desire and money to spend on high end Snap-on tools, more power to you!

 

[Hagatronics]

Having expensive tools sitting there unused is ****** I agree, but not as ****** as being stuck without the tool you need when you need it. As an amateur I don't make any money from turning wrenches - I do it because I enjoy it and using quality tools puts a smile on my face.

I'm after a close-quarters open ended wrench set. The other night it took me a hour to get one fastener done up on a BMW power steering hose as there was no room and my standard length wrenches were too long.

I've taken the suspension on and off our race car a few times in the last month and, I think, I would have enjoyed using some longer box end wrenches do that.

I own my house outright and because I live in the Lucky Country I don't need to take out a mortgage to send my kids to university. Having said that I don't want sink tonnes of dough on buying some short and long wrenches and find out "I've got three sets of zero offset ratcheting end wrenches and they ****, offset is much more useful in practice", or "a stubby set of wrenches is not that useful - pro's use S shaped or moon shaped wrenches for tight spaces" etc.

I think I have been specific as to what problems I'm trying to solve and why, together with a thought on might work - but I'd like to hear what works for other people that gives me the greatest coverage without buying tools I'll never use.

Suggestions on what I might add - whether it be Snap On other another quality brand - that will give the most bang for buck to the stuff I already have.

 

[gdocktor3]

Buy midget 0 degree offset ratchet wrenches and reversible flex head ratchet wrenches. Also, you can toss those old 36t double box ratchet wrenches. Have you considered saving some money and buying Williams? http://aboloxtools.com/wrenches/com...62cUVvzNGH8bFKE-d_L-D8yU57Xoa1IR-MaAsr58P8HAQ

 

[Hagatronics]

Thanks - honestly don't know if Williams are available in Australia - never seen them.

 

[Superbec]

Having expensive tools sitting there unused is ****** I agree, but not as ****** as being stuck without the tool you need when you need it. As an amateur I don't make any money from turning wrenches - I do it because I enjoy it and using quality tools puts a smile on my face.

there's a limit to this logic , also I can tell you ... you will never have all the tools you need if you think like this.

I'm after a close-quarters open ended wrench set. The other night it took me a hour to get one fastener done up on a BMW power steering hose as there was no room and my standard length wrenches were too long.

I bet you have an angle grinder , about 10 seconds with one will make any wrench a shorty , it's harder to make them longer though

I've taken the suspension on and off our race car a few times in the last month and, I think, I would have enjoyed using some longer box end wrenches do that.

that's what pipes are made for

I own my house outright and because I live in the Lucky Country I don't need to take out a mortgage to send my kids to university. Having said that I don't want sink tonnes of dough on buying some short and long wrenches and find out "I've got three sets of zero offset ratcheting end wrenches and they ****, offset is much more useful in practice", or "a stubby set of wrenches is not that useful - pro's use S shaped or moon shaped wrenches for tight spaces" etc.

those ratcheting wrenches you have I can't stand , Sell them and get something with thinner heads and offset .


If you started with s-o and think it's affordable for you why change that? there are many good brands out there but don't know how easy you can get to them .

For the future.. Buy only what you need , not what you think you're gonna need , even if you have to wait a few days before you finish one project, don't think it's a life or death situation.

And when I say what you need I mean , one piece of stubby wrench for the bmw hose, not the hole set

I have so many tools I never used, just came in a set ,

Just yesterday I think I used a 11mm Hazet socket for the very first time... I have the hazet trolley for about 2 years now

 

[wmm2]

How about DBE with deeper offset? Each wrench covers two sizes, much of the time it will work as well as standard offset, and some times it makes work a lot easier.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Crowfoots. Tons of versatility with some ratchets and various extensions without having to have 14000 different wrenches in the box.

 

[gdocktor3]

Crowfoots. Tons of versatility with some ratchets and various extensions without having to have 14000 different wrenches in the box.

Based on my own experiences, crowsfoot wrenches are probably the worst investment a DIY'er can make as far as wrenches go.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Based on my own experiences, crowsfoot wrenches are probably the worst investment a DIY'er can make as far as wrenches go.

Yeah...maybe your right....working everyday to make my living off tools might make me a bad adviser for the DIYer.

 

[md21722]

I have select sizes of crowfoots for thing like power steering lines.

I have short wrenches in inches because they were cheap. I use them more than I thought I would.

4 way angle wrenches can also come in handy from time to time. I have these in inches too. I use them more on equipment than vehicles.

 

[popparoach]

obstruction wrenches have come in handy.half moon or s shaped.

 

[Al Borland]

Crowsfoots are bad???? Explain???

 

[AndyA]

I have a drawer full of crowfoots that I never use. Just buy them for the specific job as needed.

I have the OXIM710 set of metric midget wrenches. I would definitely buy them again.

What do you have in ratchets/sockets. I'd probably be putting money there if you don't already have them. 3/8" drive is what I use most. Then maybe buy a 1/4" drive set if you do lots of small stuff (carb, dash, etc). Or a 1/2" drive if you do mostly larger stuff.

Flare nut (aka line wrenches) are good to have. They can save your **** from tearing up stuff. I do quite a bit of brass fittings for various projects, so I use these a lot.

I have a set of combination ratchet wrenches, but I don't use them that often. For tight places, the head is often too fat to get in there. If there's room, I'll usually use a ratchet/socket instead.

 

[Al Borland]

When there's no room, crowfoot line wrench with an extension and a ratchet=job done.

 

[amorrow]

Buy midget 0 degree offset ratchet wrenches and reversible flex head ratchet wrenches. Also, you can toss those old 36t double box ratchet wrenches. Have you considered saving some money and buying Williams? http://aboloxtools.com/wrenches/com...62cUVvzNGH8bFKE-d_L-D8yU57Xoa1IR-MaAsr58P8HAQ

I agree the 0 offset stubby ratcheting wrenches would be a good choice given what you have. I don't have flex ratcheting but have reversible 15 offset, and find having two lengths and offsets very handy at times.

 

[Finky198]

+1 on the XDHRM MY favorite wrenches.

The others mentioned by gdocktor are my second favorite.
Blue point Reversible Ratcheting Flex head stubby wrenches

I have to agree with his position on Crowfoots as well. For most there of no use maybe in a few common sizes. but that all that you should need....

 

[Dave455]

That's a pretty good set up you've got there already! A full set of combo's with some rings and some open enders is pretty versatile, and the old school ratcheting rings are the perfect complement!

If you're looking at what to get next I'd mostly stick with Snap On. You obviously like it and appreciate it, and once you get used to it you will keep finding things you don't like with cheaper makes, though there are a few I like!

The two directions to go are basically "longer" and "shorter". Sometimes space demands that you use a shorter wrench. Personally I seldom need to use a short open end so I have short / midget ring spanners which I use a hell of a lot. Also, the lengths these come in seem to be about right, some of the midget combo's are just too short! As well as Snap On, I have British made Britool and a couple of Nepros. All first rate tools!

Longer are essential at times too. Personally, I don't bother with ratcheting ends, I prefer conventional. You do have a choice between extra long combo's and Snap On's "High Performance" box end wrenches, both of which are superb! Bear in mind again, that if you don't use the open end much, you can cover a given range of sizes with half the wrenches, if you get the double box end!

 

[gdocktor3]

I'll tell ya, for tight, enclosed repairs, my "go to" tools are stubby Gearwrench ratchet wrenches and my XS "dwarf" series Snap On DB wrenches. I have 3 different XS sets, one set from the 50-60s with all original packaging and tray. The newer set with flank drive bites better, but has more of a square beam while the rounded beams of the older ones feel much better. http://www.collectingsnapon.com/index.php?page=wrenches/XS Dwarf Boxockets series

On the other hand, for my XXL combo wrenches, I prefer my Mac knucklesavers over the Snap On. The Mac's have a large, squared beam that just feel good when you're putting your weight on them. The Snappys still have that thin, rounded beam that eventually starts to hurt after leaning on them for a bit.

 

[MattVette89]

If you can get gearwrench or a similar set, I'd recommend stubby flexhead ratcheting wrenches. I use mine often working on the car.

 

[T45]

The snap on short wrenches in combo and dbe are nice, as are the xdh series in any variation that suits you (15, 0 offset, or ratcheting). You simply will not be dissapointed with them if you buy the key sizes they will get used almost without a doubt.

It looks like you have the OEXM(S) set up to 10mm, consider maybe adding 12-13-14 with 11 being optional. The xdhfm 14-17 is a good tool for most Japaneese cars; the 12-13 and 17-19 are also useful for a variety of tasks if you hade DIN spec work. Lastly, look at the 8-10. It is also very hand for any bolt with a recessed fit. Its a quasi-custom size so you may need to buy it from snap on directly (it wil saving you buying 8/9 and 10/11) as they are very rare in the wild.

You can spend alot of money on these things, so I wouldn't buy them blindly. But I would not hesitate to recommend picking your select sizes and adding them to your kit. They will also hold their value, so if you buy the used to test out the waters you can maybe try that approach if you are risk averse.

Provided you have snap on short wrenches, you may be able to get away with GW or williams or similar shorty ratcheting wrenches (taiwan). If you skip the snap on short wrenches it may make more sense to look at the snap on stubby ratcheting as the open ends are better than GW should you need them.

 

[MJD1]

Snap on 4 way angle open end for limited access. For other things, hard to beat reversible ratceting combo wrenches.

 

[Hagatronics]

I have the OXIM710 set of metric midget wrenches. I would definitely buy them again.

Thanks - the OXIMmm midget appear to be the same length as the OXIRM Short ratcheting wrenches. I think a ratcheting wrench would be helpful in close quarters but your statements here are helpful.

What do you have in ratchets/sockets. I'd probably be putting money there if you don't already have them. 3/8" drive is what I use most. Then maybe buy a 1/4" drive set if you do lots of small stuff (carb, dash, etc). Or a 1/2" drive if you do mostly larger stuff.

Flare nut (aka line wrenches) are good to have. They can save your **** from tearing up stuff. I do quite a bit of brass fittings for various projects, so I use these a lot.

I'm pretty well sorted for ratchets and sockets; also have a set of flare nut wrenches.

The snap on short wrenches in combo and dbe are nice, as are the xdh series in any variation that suits you (15, 0 offset, or ratcheting). You simply will not be dissapointed with them if you buy the key sizes they will get used almost without a doubt.

It looks like you have the OEXM(S) set up to 10mm, consider maybe adding 12-13-14 with 11 being optional. The xdhfm 14-17 is a good tool for most Japaneese cars; the 12-13 and 17-19 are also useful for a variety of tasks if you hade DIN spec work. Lastly, look at the 8-10. It is also very hand for any bolt with a recessed fit. Its a quasi-custom size so you may need to buy it from snap on directly (it wil saving you buying 8/9 and 10/11) as they are very rare in the wild.

You can spend alot of money on these things, so I wouldn't buy them blindly. But I would not hesitate to recommend picking your select sizes and adding them to your kit. They will also hold their value, so if you buy the used to test out the waters you can maybe try that approach if you are risk averse.

Provided you have snap on short wrenches, you may be able to get away with GW or williams or similar shorty ratcheting wrenches (taiwan). If you skip the snap on short wrenches it may make more sense to look at the snap on stubby ratcheting as the open ends are better than GW should you need them.

This was a particularly helpful post. Thanks.

+1 on the XDHRM MY favorite wrenches.

Thanks, good to know.

Buy midget 0 degree offset ratchet wrenches and reversible flex head ratchet wrenches. Also, you can toss those old 36t double box ratchet wrenches.

I like this idea too. I really didn't like these 36T ratcheting wrenches but never considered selling them. Tools feel like an investment for life (I got my first set of Snap On wrenches for my 21st birthday; over 22 years ago). But as you've stated, no point having tools I won't use and with a bunch of 80t ratcheting wrenches they'll never get used again. I bought them in the US and will sell them in Australia and due to the price uplift we see here will probably come out even.

So here is what I'm likely to do..

1. Buy a set of OXIRMmm short ratcheting combo wrenches in 10, 12, 13, 14, and 17mm.

2. Sell the 36T flat ratcheting wrenches, put that cash to a full set of Flank Drive Plus SOEXRMmm in 10-19mm. My current combo's are not Flank Drive Plus (like I said I've had them for over 20 years and they didn't make them back then).

Step 1 and 2 gets me both flat and offset ratchets, and a set of Flank Drive Plus open ends as a bonus.

3. (Later) add a few XDHF High Performance box. I'll be well sorted for ratcheting so will get DBE and halve the cost to cover the sizes I need.

Thanks for the contributions everyone.

 

[Hagatronics]

obstruction wrenches have come in handy.half moon or s shaped.

Just wondering how often do people actually use these?

 

[Jim C.]

Based on my own experiences, crowsfoot wrenches are probably the worst investment a DIY'er can make as far as wrenches go.

I agree with this statement. I'm a serious DIYer with a metric set and an SAE set. About twenty wrenches in total. During the past fifteen years or so that I've had them, I don't recall ever using any of the metric wrenches, and only using a couple of the SAE wrenches once or twice. Basically, I've got 17 or 18 crowsfoot wrenches that I've never used, and probably never will. They're just taking up valuable real estate in my box. I guess they're handy when you need one, but I wouldn't buy them again without first having a specific job or application for them.

Jim C.

 

[AndyA]

Just wondering how often do people actually use these?

I have sets of these. They get used *maybe* once a year, BUT when you need them, you NEED them.

It's nice to reach in the toolbox, grab the tool you need, and get the job done. Is it worth the money to buy full sets (because you don't know what size you'll need in the future)? Probably not. You'll probably be better off buying a cheap wrench, and heating and bending it for the specific job.

 

[Aqua-Andy]

I never understood the reasoning behind spending huge money on SO or Mac stubby wrenches. You will never be able to put enough torque on them to utilise the stronger alloys in the more expensive tool. A twenty dollar set of stubbies from lowe's will work just fine.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I never understood the reasoning behind spending huge money on SO or Mac stubby wrenches. You will never be able to put enough torque on them to utilise the stronger alloys in the more expensive tool. A twenty dollar set of stubbies from lowe's will work just fine.

Sure you will. Work with these tools every day to make your living and I will bet you lunch that you will find that situation in process of trying to get the the work done as efficiently as possible. I can think of a couple of limited access jobs where a stubby is the prime option to put on the fastener, where no other tool fits, and then use a form of cheater (hooked over it to create a stretched out crow foot on a 90* arrangement) that would be excessive for a standard length wrench.

 

[WheelsNT]

If you don't have a set of racheting flex wrenches, you should. I have something similar to these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002NYD3K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

And they are my go-to wrenches when space is tight. I think they make a stubby version as well, but most of the time just having the flex is enough to get around the obstruction. And i'm sure Snap-On makes something similar.