Let’s talk combination wrench sets - SK - Proto - Wright - Milwaukee - Carlyle

[JVB]

I have done plenty of research but have not found a clear cut choice here. My research has brought me to the SK - Proto - Wright - Milwaukee - Carlyle

I am not too concerned with COO and that is not a determining factor for me . Just looking for the “best” wrench sets for the money. I want to upgrade to a more complete matching set as most of mine are pieced together from other sets and singles. I like the 15 pc set or similar as it offers a broad range of sizes.

Is there a real winner here or is it really just what feels and looks best to the end user? Also open to other options and budget is not a huge concern but I do enjoy the best bang for your buck options. I hear the tekton are great for the cash
( under 50$ each set) but they have me hesitant on fit and finish compared to the other sets listed.

 

[RPH]

I have sk, been using the products since I was 14, 64 now. I have both inch and metric. With the metric being the super chrome version. Also have the shorties, line wrenches, and sockets sets. They haven’t failed me over the years. In fact I just cracked my first socket in all this time, more likely to misplace one then break it. They are great tools for a reasonable price. I highly recommend them to anybody. Ideal is trying to win people over but it takes time. They will warranty any of the old sk stock, this they did not have to do as they got sk in bankruptcy.

 

[Davefr]

Wright, unless you need long pattern.

 

[BK13]

Not to confuse the issue further, but Channelock are supposed to be the same as Carlyle.
(It's on the internet, so it must be true, right?)

You also need to figure out if you want the grippy teeth on the open end (ASD/FD+/Wrightgrip)

 

[highland512]

I love my SK and Proto wrench sets, use them every week in the shop. With that said if I was going to buy a new wrench set today it would be Wright. I have a set of Wright grip's in SAE, they are beautiful wrenchs that perform flawlessly. Wright is the wrench I carry in my truck because if I'm using tools out of my truck box I dont have time to be screwin around with stripped fasteners and need something I trust, and for me that's Wright.

 

[rattler459]

Not to confuse the issue further, but Channelock are supposed to be the same as Carlyle.
(It's on the internet, so it must be true, right?)

You also need to figure out if you want the grippy teeth on the open end (ASD/FD+/Wrightgrip)

ordered the channel locks wrenches and compared them to my dad's carlyle and they are the same.
get the part numbers here https://www.channellockproducts.com/categories/combo-wrenches

then search for them here https://toolsourcedirect.com/

did from 7 to 19 for $69.83 shipped
the carlyle set is 9 to 19 for 103.99


Channellock 309443 10-Piece Metric Combination Wrench Set
Channellock 347175 Combination Wrench
Channellock 347159 Combination Wrench
Channellock 347140 Combination Wrench

Also if you have a do it best hardware near you they have them in store too

 

[sberry]

Why spend 50$ when you can get the same work done for 200.

 

[bobcatdan]

Wright or SK.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I've upgraded from my RP Craftsman wrenches to SK and happy I did. SK, Wright, and Proto are all great choices though. I can't comment on Milwaukee but I have a set of Carlyle line wrenches I bought a couple of weeks ago. So far I like them but I need to see how they hold up.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Wright or SK.

For me, wright and SK are preferred. Probably a slight advantage to wright.

 

[PJNJ]

Among other wrenches I own, I have a set of satin finish Wright Grip metric from 10-19. The open ends have come in handy twice now and saved me a great deal of time and trouble. If I was limited to one brand and set it would be Wright for the usefulness and cost.

 

[1982fxr]

Another vote for wright

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

wright if I had the money...but I have a set of metric gearwrench(non ratchet) and they are pretty nice overall.

 

[KBATN]

Milwaukee, Channel lock and Carlyle are all the same. Only difference is the length. I know Carlyle are long pattern. Milwaukee are shorter, but i can't say on channel lock. I notice the wrench sets for the consumer seem to be shorter vs Snap On, Mac and Matco. I think Infar is the company that manufacture these wrenches.

I have Snap on, Wright, Craftsman, Pittsburgh and some misc of Sk, bonny and Carlyle.
Snap On is my favorite, but wright has a nice thick feel to them. I would say Carlyle are nice for the price, but their open ends don't last or grab like snap on or wright grip.

 

[sk farmer]

any of the sets listed above would be fine. it boils down to feel more than anything. everyones hand shape and sense of comfort are different. i like sk and wright best of the ones you listed with snap-on a distant third. no real insight on the carlyle or milwaukee other than passing glances at them on the shelf although the milwaukee seemed blocky and thick.

 

[isuhunter]

I purchased the wright grip sets off amazon warehouse deals. I love them! But if I was saving money I'd definitely look at a channellock/carlyle set.

 

[JiminAZ]

I own SK and Wright. I'm not a pro, just a DIY guy with a bunch of kids who own beater/near beater cars.

If I had to pick one set it would be Wright. The WrightGrip has saved us a lot of headache on older fasteners that were "stuck".

I like the shorter pattern SK's for lighter duty/tight quarters work on my outboard and cars.

Also own Cman USA and china, Tekton, and Stahlwille. All are serviceable. Stahlwille is superb.

 

[Yarpo]

I have the Wright Wright grip 2.0 and am very pleased with them. I got a metric set, 7-22 for pretty cheap (150) and they're USA made with beautiful chrome. I've used them at work for the last two months and really like them. Sometimes I wish they where long pattern and other times I'm glad they're the size they're. For leverage and breaking things free I use my Carlyle long DBE flex or my GW DBE so them being rather average sized it works out well

 

[bimmer630]

SK open ends have a tendency to spread more than other brands of wrenches that I have experience with. I have not used Wright wrenches but they seem on par with SO flank drive as far as the open end goes

 

[JVB]

Seems to be an overwhelming number of you liking the wright and sk but more so the Wright. They were my top 2 contenders . What Wright sets seem to be best value and what vendor did you use? Summit has the sae set for around 200$ after coupon. The metric set is pricier there than others though.

 

[Xcursion88]

SK...

But I advise getting the SK long variety. Specify.

Their long version is on par with snap on regular in length.

If you get 12 point version the length is nary an issue.

At the end of the day but what you like in the hand.

That's what matters.

Lots of good companies but not all will feel good to you.

My personal favorite feeling wrench is the SK X frame frame ratcheting wrench.

I grab them every time I can get away with it.

 

[Yarpo]

Seems to be an overwhelming number of you liking the wright and sk but more so the Wright. They were my top 2 contenders . What Wright sets seem to be best value and what vendor did you use? Summit has the sae set for around 200$ after coupon. The metric set is pricier there than others though.

I got my metric set from summit but through ebay...I think. I was able to use an ebay coupon if I recall, so must have. Didn't intend for it to happen that way as I didn't see who I bought them from until I got the box in the mail and noticed it was from summit, but it worked out lol.

Tool barn and tool discounter both have them for 167 which doesn't seem bad. I'm not sure if you where looking at the 952 or the 958 tho (3 more wrenches)

https://www.toolbarn.com/wright-952.html/

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=WRI952

I think the wrenches will last forever and are a great investment when you consider the price. As you and Xcursion88 pointed out tho, everyone prefers somthing different. These wrights are a little "wider" in the beam. I prefer the very narrow snap on ones, but these I've grown to really enjoy using.

 

[JVB]

I was looking at the 958 metric and possibly the 915 sae

 

[drtyler]

Zoro.com has the 958 set for $231. They have two 20% coupon codes available now, FLRPLUS and TUULUP, which work for hand tool purchase over $200. FLRPLUS expires on Feb 28, and TUULUP on March 1.

I was looking at the 958 metric and possibly the 915 sae

 

[Corvair]

Love my Wright Grip wrenches! I bought them on Amazon.

 

[JVB]

Zoro.com has the 958 set for $231. They have two 20% coupon codes available now, FLRPLUS and TUULUP, which work for hand tool purchase over $200. FLRPLUS expires on Feb 28, and TUULUP on March 1.

I did find that thank you. The sae set 915 is around 50$ more everywhere and is 3 less pieces. Is that normal with these sets ?

 

[drtyler]

Looks like ~$230 is the going rate on that set at Summit Racing and others.

If you don't mind the matte/satin chrome finish, search for Wright 715. There may be some better deals out there. Or be patient on the auction site with either set. Matter of fact, Summit on the auction site has the 715 set for $215.99 (# 332950765423).

Or buy one of the other suggested brands in fractional/sae -- SK, Tekton (save a few $$), or Williams.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll be happy with them.

I did find that thank you. The sae set 915 is around 50$ more everywhere and is 3 less pieces. Is that normal with these sets ?

 

[Flybye]

I’ve grown up with Craftsman since the early 90s and never considered much else until now that I have started expanding.

I am about 90% sure to expand with Proto. The thing I have noticed is not many have used Proto and don’t have much to comment on, but the few people that have used it usually love them. I purchased a 10mm ratcheting wrench to try out, and I love how it feels in the hand, and it looks great. I have always wondered why there are not any Proto dealers around, but I figured they simply cater more to the industrial sector.

 

[cherrybomb]

I have SK-Proto-Wright,they are all excellent choices.It depends on the feel in your hand you are looking for.I like Proto.

 

[nmantas]

Why spend 50$ when you can get the same work done for 200.

So true, I bought an unused Proto ASD set albeit cheap on facebook marketplace. I never had a problem with the Ace hardware Taiwanese combo wrench set I got when I was 15 so I really don't know why I upgraded after 25 years but they sure look nice.

 

[Shane6377]

My favorite combo wrench is the matte finish WrightGrip 715's.

I have SK full polish and some of the black industrial finish. Also Proto pre-ASD wrenches and Williams USA full polish. All are great and will last a lifetime. It's really just personal preference on length and finish.

Checkout Harry J Epstein's. They carry the Wright's, SK and Williams.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Steve_P]

Why spend 50$ when you can get the same work done for 200.

The only real answer is to give a job to an American.

Williams USA wrenches are also nice, not sure if you missed them. Beefy and comfy beams

 

[PJNJ]

Why spend 50$ when you can get the same work done for 200.

I spent $111.98 for my set of Wright wrenches. I bought the 751 satin set that goes from 10-19mm - I figured that would be the size range that I might have problems with nuts or bolts that I may have to use the open end on. I have other sets made up of different brands and larger/smaller wrenches (6 to 24, 27, 30 and 32mm plus SAE). The Wrights are worth every penny and doubt I could find a $50 set that is as good.

When I have some extra money, I'll buy an SAE set of Wrights.

 

[sweet victory]

Seems to be an overwhelming number of you liking the wright and sk but more so the Wright. They were my top 2 contenders . What Wright sets seem to be best value and what vendor did you use? Summit has the sae set for around 200$ after coupon. The metric set is pricier there than others though.

I bought Wright Wrightgrips and SK Superkromes at the same time. The Wrights are hands down a superior product. I've since sold the SK wrenches.

I purchased my Wright set on Amazon, but since the prices fluctuate, you should definitely shop around.

 

[KnurledNut]

Not sure how soon you are looking to make a purchase, but HF is launching new Icon branded wrenches this year.
http://iconprotools.com
They look promising, if the price is right.

Among your options, i like Proto ASD.

 

[Yankee]

I already had sets of wrenches but wanted to see the sk and Wrights, so I purchased a 9/16 of each. If I had to pick between the two, I would pick the Wrights.

I’ve gotten all my Wright stuff from HJE.

 

[JVB]

I bought Wright Suregrips and SK Superkromes at the same time. The Wrights are hands down a superior product. I've since sold the SK wrenches.

I purchased my Wright set on Amazon, but since the prices fluctuate, you should definitely shop around.

This is helpful as you have had both side by side.

Pretty set on the Wright sets . As always too many options - satin or chrome

Appreciate the input everyone.

 

[bigjeff94]

Have the satin wright grips and the sks in long pattern 6 point. They are both fine wrenches but I really like the extra length of the sks in the smaller sizes.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[redwrench60]

I have three sets of Wright Grip wrenches. Two in SAE and one in metric. I do like them a lot but they have badly inconsistent box end offset bend angles nowhere near the spec'd 15 degrees and one set that has problems with the chrome coming off several of the wrenches. Some are bad and almost unusable without leather gloves and began peeling chrome almost immediately after putting them to use. The wrenches are tough as nails but I haven't had the best luck with their fit and finish. I need to get around to warrantying them.

 

[Fedwrench]

Of the three brands listed, i would opt for Proto. I don't care for the wide in the hips thick boxed ends of SK. I don't care for the almost zero offset boxed ends on some wright wrenches along with their standard length, so that leaves Proto. Proto are quite nice but, the satin finished ones won't win any beauty contests. I like the length of Proto Wrenches, their balance, and fit. The Proto anti slip end is less about teeth and more about a couple of well placed notches.