Building up first set of tools

gilchristz · Jun 13, 2014

Ok I've decided it is time to finally round out my tool box and fill it up with some quality tools mainly for working on cars,bikes, boats, jet skis and anything else with wheels or a engine. Im open to suggestions on stuff that you all have found as a worthy addition to your box.

First order if business is I'm looking at getting a set of metric wrenches as i already have standard ones from 1/4- 1 1/4

Im mainly looking at wright wrenches set #952 and sk superkromes. Of the 2 which one would you pick and why... Or is there a better option in that price range that I'm missing id prefer us made

Im also looking to get a 3/8 socket set deep drive standard

chard98 · Jun 13, 2014

Both wrench sets are good, Getting warranty on them if needed maybe difficult. The stories around the boards on S-K is kind of UN-nerveing, I think Williams are still made here, and Proto. I guess it would depend on the price you want to pay. Unless you are brand sensitive, Go with what works for you.

BK13 · Jun 13, 2014

Stories of warranty issues with SK are generally pretty old.

Do you have access to be able to try each of the wrenches? I'd pick the one that feels better in your hand, though between the two I would probably choose the Wright, but it would be a close decision... Can't go wrong with either.

Davefr · Jun 13, 2014

chard98 said:
Both wrench sets are good, Getting warranty on them if needed maybe difficult.

The odds of having to warranty either of these wrenches is about .0001% since they're quality sets.

I'd get the Wrights. I think they're the best wrenches made. However you won't go wrong with SK.

One consideration is that SK wrenches are short unless you buy the long pattern versions. Wright are just a little bit short of long pattern. The other consideration is that the Wrights come with the Wright Grip open end. SK hasn't come out with an enhanced grip open end.

Wrights are just a little thicker in the beam but it makes them feel perfect IMHO.

schmoldty · Jun 13, 2014

if you can find older craftsman made in the us

espyking83 · Jun 13, 2014

Wright wrenches for sure over SK. Not that the SK's are bad, just that wrenches are Wright's niche. Just as sockets are SK's niche. I do think that SK's chrome looks the best though.

Wera's Kratform Klassic screwdriver set was only $20 on Amazon a while back, best deal in the business IMO. Williams set was roughly $40, and they are superb.

Ainsley · Jun 13, 2014

Been getting proto expert stuff where I work. The socket and wrenches are nice for the money.
For screwdrivers the wera kraftform are my fav over the proto and klein.

espyking83 · Jun 13, 2014

Ainsley said:
Been getting proto expert stuff where I work. The socket and wrenches are nice for the money.
For screwdrivers the wera kraftform are my fav over the proto and klein.

Smart man!

Loscaldazar · Jun 13, 2014

There are several sets of "issues"/stories with sk's warranty. The first are the ones from when sk was owned by a different company then they are now and had a five dollar warranty fee (new sk has no fee and will pay to ship it to them).

The second is a certain member who tried to warranty a very old ratchet that he bought broken on eBay or Craigslist (and it had been abused to be broken), and SK warrantied his ratchet no questions asked, but sent him a booklet with pictures about what they normally do and do not warranty (abused tools being they don't generally warranty). Said member got upset about that, tried to claim he was the original owner and it was never abused (a previous thread he had stated that he bought a broken SK ratchet that was really old and was going to warranty it) and then posted his story in about 60 different places over several months.

Several people are also still running around and saying the new sk doesn't warranty any sk tools made by the previous owners of sk. That is also false and sk has put out official press releases that they will warranty any legitimate claims (ie not abuse) of sk tools made by the previous owners.

I and many other customers who have had legitimate defects or warranty issues have had no problem getting rebuild kits sent out or tools replaced.

ADSR · Jun 13, 2014

Wright grips are on my to get list.

The finish on them is beautiful.

d.mcfarland · Jun 13, 2014

LORDDiESEL said:
Wright grips are on my to get list.

The finish on them is beautiful.

The satin and chrome are both amazing in my opinion. Don't know which one to get!

alinc100 · Jun 13, 2014

gilchristz said:
Ok I've decided it is time to finally round out my tool box and fill it up with some quality tools mainly for working on cars,bikes, boats, jet skis and anything else with wheels or a engine. Im open to suggestions on stuff that you all have found as a worthy addition to your box.

First order if business is I'm looking at getting a set of metric wrenches as i already have standard ones from 1/4- 1 1/4

Im mainly looking at wright wrenches set #952 and sk superkromes. Of the 2 which one would you pick and why... Or is there a better option in that price range that I'm missing id prefer us made

Im also looking to get a 3/8 socket set deep drive standard

If your looking at the Wright 952's check out the Wright 958's .Not sure if you have a need or not for the extra three wrenches,but the cost is slightly higher. Also if your not in a hurry Harry Epstein's has the 950 set reasonably priced and I believe there is going to be a Garage Journal/Purchase at Harry Epstein's discount day right around July 4th.
Also keep an eye on Craigslist,Pawn shops, flea markets,etc.

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/MetCombWr/950.html

sonvolt · Jun 13, 2014

I have both Wright and SK and I would go with Wright, everything else would be SK !

ADSR · Jun 13, 2014

d.mcfarland said:
The satin and chrome are both amazing in my opinion. Don't know which one to get!

The satin do look awesome as well! I can't believe how much wrench you're getting for the money with wright.

ADSR · Jun 13, 2014

I have to post the comparison...

littlekillertoad · Jun 13, 2014

In my opinion you can't go wrong with either Wright or SK though I do think that the Wrights are the slightly better wrench.
In terms of chrome vs satin, it's all personal preference.
In my experience, chrome wrenches clean up a little better after use, but they show scratches a little more as well. A good wrench won't scratch quickly, but it'll acquire scratches eventually. You may also get a marginally better grip on a satin wrench in certain circumstances but overall the effect is probably mostly in my head.

In terms of use, both chrome and satin will turn a bolt and if it's a Wright, it'll do it very well. At the end of the day, it really comes down to personal preference.

gilchristz · Jun 13, 2014

Thanks for all the replies. I think i am going to go with the wright wrenches as the consensus seems to be they are worth it. Also they are eligible for amazon prime which is nice and they have both satin and chrome

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RILQP4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002M3ZEUY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

devoncoolman · Jun 13, 2014

Williams makes nice wrench's i would go with them.

skruft · Jun 14, 2014

If it is just a matter of what brand of wrenches to buy, I would just get the good US brand that feels best. I have used all of them and have had no problems. I would just note that 1/2 SK ratchets seem bulletproof, but the only brand of combination wrench mentioned here that I have seen broken was an SK (not by me).

1foxracing · Jun 14, 2014

Wright grip for me, I own both the polished & satin versions.

Davefr · Jun 14, 2014

gilchristz said:
Thanks for all the replies. I think i am going to go with the wright wrenches as the consensus seems to be they are worth it. Also they are eligible for amazon prime which is nice and they have both satin and chrome

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RILQP4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002M3ZEUY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'd get the 958 set but for some reason Amazon is totally uncompetitive with Wright sets. Go here instead:
http://www.toolbarn.com/wright-958.html

The 958 is a more complete set and it's hard to find Wright singles in full polish.

Building up first set of tools

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