Snap On 6 pt Wrenches That Much More $$ than 12 pt?

I decided Id like to get a set of wrenches with 6 point box ends, as I often work with 50+ year old fasteners. I have a full set of SAE flank drive plus wrenches, which will put markings on a fastener. A set of regular 6pt wrenches will serve both to protect visable fasteners that a flank plus will mark up, and give me 6 point box end. So I look on snap on's site (mainly to get a part number and start looking on ebay), and what a surprise! The 6 points are a LOT more money than the exact same set in 12 point. There isnt an exact equivalent set offered (the larger 12 point set doesnt have a 15/16" or 1"), but with the 15/16 and 1" wrenches added, the prices are:

12 point, standard length 3/8-1" set: $350.00

6 point, standard length, 3/8-1" set: $459.45


So thats a difference of $110. I know that the production numbers have to be less for the 6 point, but come on, with what their markup has to be, $110 more for a minor difference seems a bit silly to me.

I have a feeling however, the 6 pt may be less desirable on the used market, I gotta keep an eye on ebay...

Or you could buy standard and metric sets of Craftsman, be done with the issue and go back to work instead of lookin around for a needle in a haystack!

chad s,
you have a PM.

I have to agree with hholmberg on this. I've been an technician for around 21 years now and mostly buy snap on, mac, and matco tools but when I was looking for a set of 6 point box wrenches I couldn't justify buying the tool truck wrenches because I wouldn't be using them very often. I ended up buying the craftsman wrenches around 2 years ago on sale and have only used them a handful of times on fastners that were trying to round off but they have never let me down and for the price you can't beat them.JMO

Here in MA with all of the salt they put on the roads in the winter it is nice to have six point box wrenches to use on rusty fasteners sometimes. I have a set of Kobalt 6 point metric combination wrenches from when they were made by JH Williams. It is a shame those are not available now. They are long pattern and polished unlike the Craftsman but they were very affordable back when you could still buy them from Lowes.

I'm the resident Snap On-a-holic and if you are just looking for boxed ends you won't really notice much of a difference between Craftsman and Snap On other then the Snap On MAY fit into some tighter places because they are thinner and may not break as easily if you have trouble breaking boxed ends. If we were talking about combination wrenches then yeah snap on all the way, but double boxed you won't notice much of a difference.

On a side note, I did break several Mac double boxed 12 points. It got old after a while so I sold my Mac's and bought Snap On and I am please to report I have never broken my Snapy's.

I have also wanted a set of 6 point combo wrenches but snap on is too high for no more than I would use them. I deal with alot of rusted hardware that are in between sizes due to corrosion and twelve points just round them off. I have watched ebay alot and have not seen any good deals on them yet. Does Williams make a 6 point combo wrench? If so that is the brand I would go with if they are reasonable.

toolfreak said:

I have also wanted a set of 6 point combo wrenches but snap on is too high for no more than I would use them. I deal with alot of rusted hardware that are in between sizes due to corrosion and twelve points just round them off. I have watched ebay alot and have not seen any good deals on them yet. Does Williams make a 6 point combo wrench? If so that is the brand I would go with if they are reasonable.

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Agree. I'll admit I am a SO tool junky too. I have been watching ebay and craigslist for a SAE 6pt set and they seem to command quite a premium when they do show up. I've got a metric 6pt comb set. They are worth having for those rusted nuts/bolts and stubborn exhaust bolts.