Help make up my mind on wrenches

NC-Fordguy · Jun 19, 2012

I have this set of wrenches.

http://www.harborfreight.com/11-pie...long-handle-combination-wrench-set-44718.html

These are extra long pattern and I like the length for use on breaking loose front end parts--tie rods, track bars, drag links, etc--

The issue is I have bent some of these. I carried one back to HF and got a new one. Looked at my set more closely and I see I've also bent two more along the way in the past.

So I started looking around for perhaps something more sturdy and came up with two options.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=674996&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...921x00003a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=00983305000

Obviously these two sets are more expensive. I can pick up the armstrong set for around $225 from sears through the wifes employee discount.

To purchase the snap on set to include 13/16 - 1 inch sizes I'm looking at nearly $650.

What I wonder are any of these to sets going to be more sturdy and not bend. If they too tend to bend under high stress applications obviously they are not worth the money.

Reading on this forum armstrong warranty process can be frustrating and the local snap on guys ****. I found a good snap on dealer but he is an hour drive to get up with.

Or am I better off just to return the HF wrenches when I bend them again and get a new one. That is a 15 minute drive. I just hate to warranty the same tool over and over.

Thoughts??

BrokewrenchLS1 · Jun 19, 2012

I'd take the Armstrong of those two sets and spend the other $400 on more tools or stuff to use tools on.

Outlawmws · Jun 19, 2012

HF: "Carbon steel combination wrench set"

Did they turn the clock back over 100 years? or are they simply maroons that don't understand current steels technologies?

Run away from the HF stuff...

For the cost/value, I'd go Armstrong; Odds are you may never need the warranty.

RedFordTruck · Jun 19, 2012

From those two options, go with the Armstrong. BUT...

I would go with a WRIGHT set from Harry epstein. A 12-piece set is gonna be around $140, and they are extremely high quality. Im not sure if they have long pattern, but the regular wrenches are great. And for 1/2 the price of Armstrong

woody 73 · Jun 19, 2012

Outlawmws said:
HF: "Carbon steel combination wrench set"

Did they turn the clock back over 100 years? or are they simply maroons that don't understand current steels technologies?

Run away from the HF stuff...

Good point you don't want to mess with carbon steel.

For the cost/value, I'd go Armstrong; Odds are you may never need the warranty.

RedFordTruck said:
From those two options, go with the Armstrong. BUT...

I would go with a WRIGHT set from Harry epstein. A 12-piece set is gonna be around $140, and they are extremely high quality. Im not sure if they have long pattern, but the regular wrenches are great. And for 1/2 the price of Armstrong

Two good points, stay away from carbon steel and give the wright set a run for your money it looks to be a very nice set.

amolaver · Jun 19, 2012

the wrights are great wrenches - they are my favorite non-ratcheters...but they are definitely not long pattern. great oval beam shape that is super comfortable and great fit on fasteners. you might consider the gearwrench XL ratcheting wrenches. they are both long and high quality, plus, they ratchet

i think the williams supercombos might also be a long pattern wrench and i believe are reasonably priced. people seem to think very highly of them as well. $650 for a standard set of combo wrenches is freaking crazy IMO...

ahm

bcradio · Jun 19, 2012

Since you are looking for long wrenches, I don't think you'll find Wright in long style. I'd check out Williams Supercombos myself.

cgv69 · Jun 19, 2012

bcradio said:
I'd check out Williams Supercombos myself.

+1

madbasser · Jun 19, 2012

I am looking at a set of Proto ASD right now. They seem really good. Not sure if they are "long" pattern or not, but they are about 1" longer than my RP's.
You can find a 15pcs set for about 150 bucks.

NC-Fordguy · Jun 19, 2012

Wright doesn't have an extra long pattern

I already have the hf set, hence the bending and looking for something better

I do not beleive the proto and williams are as long as the armstrong, hf, and snappy sets

I think matco has a set as well, but I haven't located a dealer in my area

thejudges69 · Jun 19, 2012

Gearwrench has a 15 piece standard and metric on amazon, bout 150 for both sets. Its a long pattern super combo I think.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/B000NICGBU/ref=aw_d_cr_hi?qid=1340126606&sr=8-5

Humble Mechanic · Jun 19, 2012

I think that S&K makes a good set of long wrenches.

steelespeed · Jun 19, 2012

it's a tough spot to be in. i know, i was just there myself.

i was lucky enough to come across an absolutely stupid deal on a craftsman professional 18 piece combo wrench module. the price was so good (think raised panel prices) that i went back 5 minutes later and bought another set as well as the 10 piece module with the large sizes.

i was a bit nervous about making the buy as i have seen PLENTY of the pro series wrenches that look like total ****, ie.- peeling chrome and beams as wavy as the high seas. i must have got a good batch because i only managed to find two wrenches with issues (chrome related) that were promptly swapped for better versions.

i was really leaning towards a set of wright's combos, but the slightly shorter length and super shallow angle on the box end were putting me off. i also thought about proto but my local industrial supply house was pricing them pretty high. nice wrench but a bit thin in the beam.

my heart wanted snap-on or hazet, but my wallet and timing said craftsman pro. hopefully with two sets i'll be well served since it seems as though the entire line is moving to chinese production.

bcradio · Jun 19, 2012

How similar are the Cman Pro USA wrenches to the Armstrongs?

I thought they were pretty much the same.

EDIT: not the SK ones but danahar

NC-Fordguy · Jun 19, 2012

The crafty pro set is shorter than the hf, snappy and armstrong sets I posted up about

So are the gearwrench and s&k sets

The ones I posted up about are called extra long pattern.

I'll see about taking a picture and posting it up so you all can see the differences

Notwerk · Jun 19, 2012

Not sure if you'll find something in the size range of those Snappies. Perhaps Top Tul if youre cool with foreign coo.

kippieland · Jun 19, 2012

I have a Williams 17mm Supercombo that is about the same length as a my Craftsman Pro 19mm. Love that thing!

But to your question: I would go with the Armstrong.....great quality and not near the money iMO.

woody 73 · Jun 19, 2012

How long of a wrench were you looking for?

NC-Fordguy · Jun 19, 2012

Heres some pics of 3/4 inch wrenches

The top is the hf/pittsburgh that like to bend under hi stress

2nd from top is a crafty crossforce--really strong wrench. This is what I used when the hf starts giving me issues

3rd from top is a gearwrench long pattern

4th from top is an sk 6pt long pattern

5th from top is a standard crafty rp

The armstrong and snappy sets I posted up earlier are the same length as the hf. This length is what I am looking for

PRH44 · Jun 19, 2012

I have some older Williams super wrenches. I love those things

shoturtle · Jun 19, 2012

If you want a longer wrench go with the armstrong. I have the craftsman pros, and really like them. But I have seen the armstrong and snap on and they are a bit longer. And for the value, the armstrong is just as good as the snap on. But you save a bunch of money.

The GW long are about the same as the craftsman pros.

RedFordTruck · Jun 19, 2012

Yeah of the two options you have there I would Go Armstrong and save the $$$.

But you still should take a look at wright. High quality. You'll never see one bend.

chris142 · Jun 19, 2012

My go to wrenches at work are Matco's. I have no complaints with them.

NC-Fordguy · Jun 19, 2012

RedFordTruck said:
Yeah of the two options you have there I would Go Armstrong and save the $$$.

But you still should take a look at wright. High quality. You'll never see one bend.

Haven't ever bent or broke another brand of wrench, just the hf ones, so another standard length wrench isn't needed. I really have too many wrenches as it is

amolaver · Jun 21, 2012

just to add some fuel to this fire

from top to bottom (all 17mm):

genius zero degree double box

toptul super extra long combo (not their real naming)

gearwrench XL (zero degree, non reversible)

gearwrench XL non-ratcheting

gearwrench non-ratcheting

wright

the toptul is the longest combo by quite a bit. none of them have bent or broken on me, but i'll admit i do worry about it when applying a lot of force with them. the genius however...if you can use a box end wrench in your application, that extra 4" of leverage makes a big difference...

ahm

crewchief888 · Jun 21, 2012

if i was bending one or 2 "cheap" wrenches all the time, why not replace those sizes with something better?
rather than buying a full set of 'expensive" wrenches...

just my $0.02

:beer:

Help make up my mind on wrenches

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