Cost effective solutions for large sae/metric wrenches

[kb1982]

Occasionally I run into situations where I need wrenches larger than what I currently own. 23 mm and up and 1/1/8 inch up. I was thinking the cost effective solution would be crows feet. What's the collectives opinion on this?

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[67King]

If you don't need a box end, why not an adjustable? I have bought a few cheap ones for what amounts to single uses. But I'd be reluctant to use a crows foot if it needed to be torqued down tightly.

 

[jrobb316]

Cripedistributing on eBay has metric to usually 32 and inch to 1.5 for very nice prices. Give it a look.

 

[Wamsutta]

Toptul wrenches might be worth looking into for a situation like that.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Buy used and try SAE only at first it usually fits fine on larger sizes of metric. I only own two metric wrenches larger than 19mm and that's because I got them cheap at the flea market. My other large wrenches are all US made - Wrights Williams or Proto

Lots of people use the Harbor Freight or Northern tool cheap large wrenches with good results. I just happened across a seller unloading a ton of Wright wrenches for a good price, or I would have brought a set of the cheapies

A crows foot is aggravating as hell to use so I use them only where access dictates. I use the cheap Sunex ones with a 3 ft breaker bar to get hydraulic lines that have previously been serviced by the Samsonite gorilla. Not sure about using them on a bolt or nut as the hyd lines are typically wider so much less risk of the crowsfoot slipping off from any sideways pressure



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[ocloc24]

Occasionally I run into situations where I need wrenches larger than what I currently own. 23 mm and up and 1/1/8 inch up. I was thinking the cost effective solution would be crows feet. What's the collectives opinion on this?

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I worked on heavy equipment and before I could afford all the big wrenches I got by with a jumbo crowfoot set. The two best options I found were Tekton and GRIP on Amazon. Very good prices and several guys in the shop had them and we were hard on them and never had one break. The SAE goes up to 2".

The nice thing is once you get the wrenches the crowfoots still come in handy to have around for hydraulic lines. They aren't a permanent solution differences but it's better than nothing

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[Codejack]

Gearwrench 44-piece long pattern SAE/Metric Combination Wrenches, 44-pieces, $158.

It goes up to 1-1/2" and 32mm.

 

[ChaseDE]

I inherited quite a few real big wrenches but if I didn't I would be looking at Harbor Freight. Crows feet as others have said just can't get the torque you need on a huge bolt.

 

[ocloc24]

I use my 36" 1/2" breaker bar with my jumbo crowsfeet when I can't get enough torque with a wrench or I need alot of torque In a tight spot. Never had one break. Again, I wouldn't do it as a permanent solution but you can definitely get by with crowsfeet as long as you buy a quality brand.

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[Codejack]

I inherited quite a few real big wrenches but if I didn't I would be looking at Harbor Freight.

I am a harbor freight junkie, but I'm not wild about their wrenches:

I bought that set for $19, which is a steal, but the 24mm already has tool marks on the open end... from using it to hold a camshaft in place while setting valve time. Others have made the same remarks.

Not the strongest metal in the world, in other words.

On the other hand, the fit is excellent, the finish isn't bad, and the 10mm, 12mm, 14mm and 17mm long handles have been VERY useful, and haven't broken under a decent bit of strain, i.e. those notoriously sticky Honda oil drain plugs.

They have a wrench set with larger sizes, but the skips change; my 11-piece set has 21mm, 22mm, 24mm and 26mm, while the 14-piece set has 21mm, 22mm, 24mm, 27mm, 30mm and 32mm.

-------------------------------------------------

I am saving up for that Gearwrench set.

 

[Farmall450]

Tekton has very decent prices on rolls. I got the angle SAE one.

 

[1Garageman]

I needed a big wrench for our camper, I think it is 1' 1/8". I went to a pawn shop and got it for under$2, yes two dollars. Check pawn shops!!!!

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I worked on heavy equipment and before I could afford all the big wrenches I got by with a jumbo crowfoot set. The two best options I found were Tekton and GRIP on Amazon. Very good prices and several guys in the shop had them and we were hard on them and never had one break. The SAE goes up to 2".

The nice thing is once you get the wrenches the crowfoots still come in handy to have around for hydraulic lines. They aren't a permanent solution differences but it's better than nothing

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Same here. I got Sunex crows feet up to 2 1/4 / 46mm bought off of Amazon for cheap.

 

[tarbellb]

I went to Cripe Dist and fitted out my collection w/ all USA brands like Allen, KD, Kobalt. Think the average cost was $5ea.

 

[FMC1959]

For large and inexpensive to bail you out a couple of times per year, these will do the trick....up to 2"
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/jobsmart-6-piece-large-combination-wrench-set-sae

 

[Infinia]

I use an adjustable or pipe wrench for larger than normal fasteners or one or two difficult situations.
If I was doing a job such as changing trailer hitch balls regularly I would look into a better solution and would buy that size. when it come in big ...sockets > wrenches> crowsfeet

 

[bluebolt]

You have over 100 posts, make a "wanted" add in the classifieds here in the sizes you want.

 

[gungatim]

I have the craftsman RP large wrench set, used to go on sale for $59, but they now offer it for the same price in polished. Not a huge fan of Cman RP wrenches, but in that size they are so beefy even import wrenches work well. only issue is they only go from 1" to 1-5/16". I filled in with misc. wrenches, snap-on 1-1/2" for $15 on ebay, some Popular Mechanics in 1-3/8", and Blackhawk metrics in 30 &32mm sizes, but I can't find a 1-7/16" to save my life.

metrics are 20-24mm, so the sears sets are far from complete but not a bad value if you fill in as needed.

crows feet have their uses when a wrench won't fit, but I can't see too many situations where they would be a good alternative to a wrench otherwise.

 

[John in OH]

Cripedistributing on eBay has metric to usually 32 and inch to 1.5 for very nice prices. Give it a look.

I went to Cripe Dist and fitted out my collection w/ all USA brands like Allen, KD, Kobalt. Think the average cost was $5ea.

I also vote for Cripe Distributing for one-off large metric wrenches. I went this same route and bought numerous "normal" size metric combo wrench between 22 and 32 mm. This was several years ago, so I'm sure their stock selection has changed since then.

I seem to recall the average price was a little more than $5 each, but still it is a great deal for US made (or mostly US made) wrenches.

 

[Infinia]

(or mostly US made)

"mostly" US made?
it's a binary situation, yer still analog.

 

[Matt XYZ]

Look in the ***Hot Deals*** Section. Someone listed a great deal on Wilde large wrenches for $25. Made in USA.

https://www.wildetool.com/product-category/special-offers/

 

[John in OH]

"mostly" US made?
it's a binary situation, yer still analog.

Ha! OK, I guess I'm still pretty much an analog type of guy! Still prefer the old Simpson meter to the newer digital meters, but life is an evolution!

To the actual subject, I guess all the wrenches in my pic are US made except the Gearwrench.

 

[danjayh]

Crescent stuff at Menards is pretty cheap, and goes up to very large sizes (2") As others have said, for really big stuff you can usually get away with not using metric.

 

[ocloc24]

Crescent stuff at Menards is pretty cheap, and goes up to very large sizes (2") As others have said, for really big stuff you can usually get away with not using metric.

Forgot about this, very good option if you do go the wrench route. I picked up a few big wrenches from there when I saw the price and how nice they were. I've noticed some store have the satin finish while others carry the full polish wrenches. Either way the finish is great and they're very stout. Around $20 per wrench but its nice because you can just get the sizes you need.

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[oldldh]

Sunex at Amazon...

33, 34, 36, 38, 41, 46, and 50mm --- $ 89.72...

1 5/16", 1 3/8", 1 1/2", 1 5/8", 1 3/4", 1 7/8", and 2" for $ 89.99...

Lot of big steel, for a reasonable amount...

 

[bob15]

E-bay and the GJ classifieds are your friend. Also look at flea markets, pawn shops and swap meets. Harry Epstein is also an avenue to look at.

 

[cherrybomb]

I would assess my situation carefully to see how often and what I thought is my toughest sitiuations.I would probably put something in wanted ad,or check hot deals.E-bay and pawn shops.Crow feet are an option,but I would definitely only look at quality,they are better than nothing,but maybe money would be wiser spent on SAE actual wrenches.I am a firm believer in study before instant gratification,Stay away from the HF and the tool trucks.There are many middle of the road picks,buy once and use.Buying cheap,being dissapointed,selling,upgrading,always costs more.Crunch the numbers and buy once.

 

[IMStuner]

If you don’t mind owning foreign made .




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[poncho62]

Garage sales, flea markets, swap meets........

 

[bczygan]

These HF sets:

11 Pc Fully Polished Metric Long Handle Combination Wrench Set
47067 $24.99 less 20 or 25%

Product Length 7 in, 8 in, 9 in, 10 in, 11 in, 12 in, 13 in, 14 in, 15 in, 16 in, 17 in.

Size(s) 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 14mm, 15mm, 17mm, 19mm, 21mm, 22mm, 24mm, 26mm

14 Pc Metric V-Groove Combination Wrench Set
63063 $39.99 less 20 or 25%

Size(s) 10mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 17mm, 18mm, 19mm, 21mm, 22mm, 24mm, 27mm, 30mm, 32mm

6 Pc Metric Jumbo Combination Wrench Set
33284 $49.99 less 20 or 25%

Size(s) 35, 38, 41, 45, 48, And 50mm


Get the similar sets in SAE plus this SAE one:

4 Pc SAE Super Jumbo Combination Wrench Set
61511 $89.99 less 20 or 25%

Size(s) 2-1/8 in., 2-1/4 in., 2-3/8 in., 2-1/2 in.

Bill

 

[Finky198]

Tractor supply carries large singles/sets last I checked
I bought an 1 7/16” for a 36mm fan clutch nut when I was in a bind.

I agree with ocloc24 on the breaker bar and crowsfeet. I have a 36” bar as well and it make s quick work of things...but Even a good 18” flex head ratchet and some crowsfeet can do wonders.

 

[Lelandwelds]

1.125" isnt that big. Thats the size of an O2 nut. I've never used a wrench in the sizes close to 2". We always used these. I got the hammer.

 

[Finky198]

Been there done that to my hand.

Heres a tip.

If you cap the bolt off with a large washer and a nut you don’t have to hold the wrench...

 

[tarbellb]

Been there done that to my hand.

Heres a tip.

If you cap the bolt off with a large washer and a nut you don’t have to hold the wrench...

Brillant ^^^

 

[bczygan]

Picked this one up last night:
They just raised the price from $49.99 to $54.99, but forgot to change the shelf price tag. So I got it for the lower price less 20%. Will use it on my military trailers and old USA industrial machinery. They are sure big honking wrenches. Can use for personal defense as well.

Note to self.....Use cash so wife can't see what you bought with your debit card!

6 Pc Metric Jumbo Combination Wrench Set
https://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece-sae-jumbo-combination-wrench-set-925.html

Bill

 

[finn]

The really big stuff ,in my experience, is mostly used for things like hydraulics, where the size is determined by flow requirements, not fastener clamp load, so cheap imports work well.

I think I have some HF and some generic auto parts store wrenches from India.

I hide them under the bench in my grandfathers old carpenter too box so nobody can see that I don’t that the Snapon versions.

What would people think?

 

[OutsideMachinist]

I have the HF and northern tool ''jumbo'' wrench sets. They are ok. Really best used backing up another tool/impact. I prefer the northern tool Klutch wrenches to the HF ones.
Either are more than adequate for diy. Downside is they dont have the rarer sizes in 1/16'' 's . There are 10-12 pc sets that include those. If you are getting metric and sae youll pretty much cover everything youd need in any case id imagine.

 

[kctyphoon]

Harbor freight 35 to 50 mm 6 piece set is like $50. They make a "super jumbo" set too I think.. maybe sunex is another option, that's what HF compares them to. Husky might be another. Pretty sure they sell individual wrenches right in the store.

https://m.harborfreight.com/6-piece-metric-jumbo-combination-wrench-set-33284.html

 

[kctyphoon]

1.125" isnt that big. Thats the size of an O2 nut. I've never used a wrench in the sizes close to 2". We always used these. I got the hammer.

Looks like a 3/4" cordless impact should be on the shopping list

 

[lbhsbz]

If you very rarely need something of that size, consider making one as you need it. A chunk of 3/8 or 1/2" flat bar and a cut off wheel will make most any open end wrench you need. Or get a big adjustable.

I have combo wrenches through 32mm, and a big 24" adjustable for big stuff. If I need something larger than that, I grab a piece of steel and head to the band saw.