Combination Wrench Selection (modified open end)

neurotic · Nov 30, 2013

I'm Looking for some advice on upgrading my wrench collection from Craftsman and Gearwrench to something nicer. So far, I have identified the following desired attributes:
- Long pattern (~280mm for a 19mm wrench)
- Metric (7-21mm sets, perhaps 10-19mm sets)
- Modified open end (non-slip)
- 12 point
- Chrome or satin
- Good value

Thus far, I have considered the following:
- Dewalt (poor size selection; unknown lengths)
- Wrightgrip (short)
- SK (standard open end)
- Proto ASD (contender)
- Williams Supercombo (contender)
- Snap-On FD+ (very expensive)
- Gearwrench (these are getting lobster claws?)
- Craftsman Clinch (inadequate sizes)
- Armstrong (modified open end?, difficult to determine)

Thus far I have found the following candidates:
- Williams MWS-15A ($153 shipped; tooldelivered.com)
- Proto J1200F-MASD ($149 shipped; zorotools.com CM)
- Armstrong 52-634 ($193 w/o shipping; tooldiscounter.com)

So, does the group have any other options, or preferences between the Supercombos and ASDs?

Thanks.

bobcatdan · Nov 30, 2013

Of all the wrench sets I own, I really like the wright grip. They are only a hair shorter then my SO and I have not experience any downfall to this. I picked the wright set up super cheaper long after buyingSO and Mac knuckle savers. The wrights have quickly grown to be my favorite.

neurotic · Nov 30, 2013

bobcatdan said:
Of all the wrench sets I own, I really like the wright grip. They are only a hair shorter then my SO and I have not experience any downfall to this. I picked the wright set up super cheaper long after buyingSO and Mac knuckle savers. The wrights have quickly grown to be my favorite.

I've read quite a few positive comments about the Wright's. Although, according to the catalogs, they are about an inch shorter than the Williams, Armstongs & Protos (for the 19mm).

Thanks.

TJJP77 · Nov 30, 2013

According to the Proto site, wrenches from 9mm and below don't have the anti-slip feature, so if that matters to you that may help with your decision.

Personally, I'd go with the Williams. Owned by Snap-On, probably made in the same plant as FD+ wrenches. Anti slip feature in all sizes, near as I can tell.

neurotic · Nov 30, 2013

TJJP77 said:
According to the Proto site, wrenches from 9mm and below don't have the anti-slip feature, so if that matters to you that may help with your decision.

Personally, I'd go with the Williams. Owned by Snap-On, probably made in the same plant as FD+ wrenches. Anti slip feature in all sizes, near as I can tell.

Hmm...I hadn't noticed that. Although, I doubt it is necessary with fasteners that small.

bob15 · Nov 30, 2013

Skip the Williams Supercombos. Softer steel than FD+ and will tend to spread on the smaller sizes (1/2, 7/16, etc). A couple months ago I posted the Rockwell numbers, which showed a significant difference.

I prefer FD+, and it can be bought relatively cheap on e-bay and the classifieds on this site. I would take the Wright and SK wrenches over the Williams. I wouldn't sweat over their length. Longer isn't always better.......

Proto's aren't bad, i just have a bad feeling about them from 15-20 years ago when the FTC fine their owner (Stanley) for selling US made wrenches, when in fact they were only polishing them here. i don't remember which line and do not believe it was everyone. But yes, i do hold a grudge at times. plus, the way Stanley has sent so many jobs overseas, i have problems buying their **** (tools and hardware).

For me, i would go find a set on Bonney's. No warranty, but they are comfortable to use.

bob

CWP1616L · Nov 30, 2013

The only modified open end I've tried is the Snap-on and while it works very well, the teeth will get caught on the corners of the nut when you pull away from it. For a lot of fast open end work, I wouldn't recommend it. For the occasional rounded off nut, it's ideal.

The Wrights are very nice but are on the short side.

The Armstrongs have a conventional open end (I believe) and have a beam similar to Snap-on.

The Protos are longer than the Wrights but have a comfortable beam as well.

The Williams I haven't had in my hand yet.

Cornwell will have a beam similar to Bonney and will have the fastest open end out of all the wrenches above.

neurotic · Nov 30, 2013

That's interesting information regarding the Williams vs. Snap-On. So I'm now leaning towards the Protos.

I have a few conventional open end, extra long Armstrongs that kill my hands when I forget to wear gloves.

I rarely use open ends, only when a box end cannot be used (e.g. tie rods, rod ends, tight spaces, etc...). Consequently, I would prefer a modified open end that does not mar fasteners, even though I have conventional open end wrenches. Do the Wrightgrip or Proto ASD designs mar fasteners?

Fedwrench · Nov 30, 2013

For my boredom and your education pictured below are wright grip, Proto ASD polished, Proto ASD satin, snap on flank drive plus, williams supercombo, and a long pattern SK. all wrenches are size 14mm. From my spares box.

From the pictures you can get a feel for lengths, beam thickness, and what their modified open end looks like. The SK doesn't have a modified open end. I posted it because in the past, people have said I descriminate against SK wrenches so here ya go.

I will tell you that I own a set in each style in 8-24 mm. The Proto polished ASD skip 20 and 23 but, they're trying to save you money. It's entirely up to you which ones you like like. Despite the epedemic written in these pages about spreading open ends, I don't think I ever have. All of these wrenches will serve you well. It's just a matter of personal preference as to beam thickness, overall weight, feel, finish, and cost.
Not pictured are matco, dewalt, and gearwrench as they're at work. Lastly, I'm not a photographer so, don't ***** about the pictures. :beer:

neurotic · Nov 30, 2013

Fedwrench said:
For my boredom and your education pictured below are wright grip, Proto ASD polished, Proto ASD satin, snap on flank drive plus, williams supercombo, and a long pattern SK. all wrenches are size 14mm. From my spares box.

From the pictures you can get a feel for lengths, beam thickness, and what their modified open end looks like. The SK doesn't have a modified open end. I posted it because in the past, people have said I descriminate against SK wrenches so here ya go.

I will tell you that I own a set in each style in 8-24 mm. The Proto polished ASD skip 20 and 23 but, they're trying to save you money. It's entirely up to you which ones you like like. Despite the epedemic written in these pages about spreading open ends, I don't think I ever have. All of these wrenches will serve you well. It's just a matter of personal preference as to beam thickness, overall weight, feel, finish, and cost.
Not pictured are matco, dewalt, and gearwrench as they're at work. Lastly, I'm not a photographer so, don't ***** about the pictures.

Thanks for the pictures. It seems the Protos will suit me best. The open end is shorter than the Williams, and the beam width is between the Snap-On (narrow) and Williams (wide).

If the Wright was longer, I would likely purchase them over the Protos.

Any thoughts on the Dewalts?

CWP1616L · Nov 30, 2013

The Wright and the Snap-on look like they have a forged offset. The Proto and the Williams are definitely bent. The Snap-on must be an older one to have a forged offset like that.

Skin · Nov 30, 2013

I found Proto ASD/MAC Knuckle saver to be essentially worthless. The notches need to be moved on the inside of the jaws instead of placed toward the end because two things happen, the bolt tends to roll out and into the interior of the open end as it deforms, and the further out the more spread. Proto makes a very nice combination wrench for the money but don't buy them for their open ends because they aren't special.

If you want the BEST modified open ends get Matco (probably Armstrong also) or Snap-On FD+. I did a thread about some of what I had here.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2827447&postcount=1
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2832990&postcount=29

Only problem with Armstrong is the fact that there is so much old stock floating around in distribution channels and many are just standard open ends. Armstrong was never too quick to adapt new features to their own lines like they added for Matco.

nicksnothereman · Dec 1, 2013

neurotic said:
I'm Looking for some advice on upgrading my wrench collection from Craftsman and Gearwrench to something nicer. So far, I have identified the following desired attributes:
- Long pattern (~280mm for a 19mm wrench)
- Metric (7-21mm sets, perhaps 10-19mm sets)
- Modified open end (non-slip)
- 12 point
- Chrome or satin
- Good value

Thus far, I have considered the following:
- Dewalt (poor size selection; unknown lengths)
- Wrightgrip (short)
- SK (standard open end)
- Proto ASD (contender)
- Williams Supercombo (contender)
- Snap-On FD+ (very expensive)
- Gearwrench (these are getting lobster claws?)
- Craftsman Clinch (inadequate sizes)
- Armstrong (modified open end?, difficult to determine)

Thus far I have found the following candidates:
- Williams MWS-15A ($153 shipped; tooldelivered.com)
- Proto J1200F-MASD ($149 shipped; zorotools.com CM)
- Armstrong 52-634 ($193 w/o shipping; tooldiscounter.com)

So, does the group have any other options, or preferences between the Supercombos and ASDs?

Thanks.

Ignore your whim. You already seem to have wrenches. If you want an upgrade, upgrade your sockets if you need to.

How many wrenches you need bro? :lol:

I'm not being too snippy here but "collection" and "nicer" aren't words used when describing a working man's tools. "Durable", "comfortable", yeah sure. If you want durable any of these brands will do except dewalt (stanley?) unless that's a professional (taiwan?) line. Just sayin.

neurotic · Dec 1, 2013

nicksnothereman said:
Ignore your whim. You already seem to have wrenches. If you want an upgrade, upgrade your sockets if you need to.

How many wrenches you need bro?

I'm not being too snippy here but "collection" and "nicer" aren't words used when describing a working man's tools. "Durable", "comfortable", yeah sure. If you want durable any of these brands will do except dewalt (stanley?) unless that's a professional (taiwan?) line. Just sayin.

Need? The same as everyone else, one for each fastener size encountered.

Want? A long pattern wrench set that doesn't ****. I bought some extra long Armstongs for specific applications, and after each use wonder why I don't use long patterns for everything. Since I am looking to spend real money, I might as well get wrenches with the latest features that won't punish my hands; the Armstrongs require gloves.

The Dewalts could be an import version of the Proto ASD, but I haven't found much first hand user information. Therefore, they are on the list because utility and value are more important than COO; why Snap-On is listed as too expensive.

Fedwrench · Dec 1, 2013

Too many wrenches? :wtf:

There's no such thing. Maybe you're on the wrong forum.

Ok, boys and girls here's round two. I had to recover a vehicle this morning so, I grabbed a few more wrenches for your continued education. Today we have a dewalt, Matco optitorque, gearwrench, craftsman professional (USA), and a Napa professional. Again, all are 14mm. Again you can judge lengths, modified open ends, and beam thickness from my crappy pictures.
A few points. One. the Dewalt set isn't a bad set. It has nice chrome, balance, and finish seem good. I wouldn't pay $60 for them but, I'd pay $30 on sale. At $3 a wrench for 10-19mm set, you're not risking a whole lot. Now the question is, Are the Dewalts the same as the Bostich at Wal-Mart? Are dewalts and Bostich the same as the Expert line sold off a Mac truck and part of Proto/Blackhawk tool? I don't know, just food for thought.
The Gearwrench pictured is an older Taiwan vintage. It's solid value if you shop around or get a BOGO special. Love my Matcos. I'm a sucker for the Danaher wrenches. :thumbup:

Let's talk about that Napa professional wrench. Those were a limited run set as it's a long pattern not standard length and it's from Taiwan. I paid $10 for a 7 piece set (10,12,13,14,15,17, & 18mm) from Cripe Distributing. It has most of the popular sizes covered. At about $1.43 a wrench, you just can't go wrong. Now there's a second version of this wrench floating around. It hails from the PRC and was a part of a limited run set that had stuuby and long wrenches in it.
There's no reason in the world to pay $300 for a set of wrenches off of a truck when there are so many other options. Good luck in your qwest!! :beer:

CWP1616L · Dec 1, 2013

neurotic said:
Want? A long pattern wrench set that doesn't ****. I bought some extra long Armstongs for specific applications, and after each use wonder why I don't use long patterns for everything. Since I am looking to spend real money, I might as well get wrenches with the latest features that won't punish my hands; the Armstrongs require gloves.

A long wrench that's comfortable in the hand? Cornwell, they're bad-***. :thumbup:

bob15 · Dec 1, 2013

Buy this set and be done with it

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LOOK-10-Pc-Snap-On-Flank-Drive-Plus-Wrenches-With-Case-SOEXM710-/221321782400?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item3387ce6480&vxp=mtr

or if you want cheaper:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mac-wrench-set-11-pc-metric-12-point-/231106171881?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item35cf0053e9&vxp=mtr

these are very comfortable in the hands and are a nice satin finish:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Wright-Tool-958-18Pc-Metric-Combination-Wrench-Set-7-24mm-12pt-USA-/231105950750?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item35cefcf41e&vxp=mtr

or buy all three sets and see which one you like best and report back.....
bob

CWP1616L · Dec 1, 2013

Fedwrench, what's the date code on that Snap-on 14mm ?

I bet it's 1999 or older.

Combination Wrench Selection (modified open end)

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