Best Wrench Recommendations

I am in the market for a complete wrench set and am interested in hearing recommendations and opinions. In an effort to avoid some expected comments, I would like to open by saying I realize there is no one agreed upon "best" wrench. With that said, opinions are valuable.

A little about me and my needs--first of all, I am blessed enough that I CAN afford anything and I typically want to buy quality. I do not want something that is disposable, needs to be upgraded, or I will ever wish I had spent a little more to get a little more. Secondly, I am relatively inexperienced but still want quality and longevity in my tools. Along those lines, I know folks will say to "try them out." I understand this advice and it is good advice. But, not practical for me. Combine my inexperience with my infrequent use and determining the difference in quality is not so easy. If I remove a bolt and a wrench seems to work better than one did previously I don't have enough experience to know if one bolt was stripped, was it rusted a little more, was I feeling stronger, etc. The point I am trying to make it with my experience level and infrequent use I would probably not be able to distinguish between several different brands. However, that does not change the fact that I want quality one day I may be able to see a difference even though I may not right now. So, in short, I will be making a decision based upon recommendations and not trying out Matco vs. Snap On vs. Craftsman vs. Kobalt.

I know the tool truck brands will be high on many lists. I have the money to buy them but do wonder if I will ever be good enough or use them enough to justify the difference. If you go one step below the Snap On and Matco price range, what are the best name brands?

I don't necessarily need tool truck brands (but am not opposed....I typically buy the best) but absolutely do NOT want consumer grade quality. I definitely want something in the "professional" or "industrial" class.

I would be very appreciative of any thoughts, comments, or opinions. Again, I realize there isn't one answer but your opinion is very important and valuable. Thanks!

Wright wrenches are as good as any ive used.

Jonny-I have come across them in my research, although I've never used one. Seems that they are high quality and not quite the price of the tool truck brands. Thanks for your valuable input!

Hundreds of posts on the subject. Just my opinion, stay away from Asian **** and buy Wright tools. Strong as can be had and very reasonably priced. I have Snap-On and Wright, and Wright are just as good as the former.

I've used a bit of everything. If you are talking basic combo wrenches? I have Armstrong and KD at home, Matco metric ratcheting stubbies, Kobalt metric stubbies, with some Craftsman RP wrenches in SAE. At work? It's a mix of Proto, Blackhawk, Snappy, Matco, Craftsman, Thorsen, SK. It all works. SK isn't bad at all (my line wrenches, and large metrics and line wrenches at work are SK). I like the Proto stuff plenty as well (industrial finish). Line wrenches at home are satin chrome Astros with flex heads. Very impressive pieces they are. Oh, I've also got a lot of raised panel Cman at work. It all gets the job done.

Out of the bunch (non-anti slips) it's Armstrong, SK, Proto for basic combos. I really like my Astro line wrenches, and sort of wish I could talk the employer into issuing a set (not happening), because I like using them. For anti-slip, the only one I have experience with are Proto's ASD. They're really nice for what they are.

Williams.. there long beefy and have that non slip groves in the jaws. get the american made set. I have the set that goes up to 1 1/4. cant beat the price at 220.

Mac tools ks2 long pattern wrenches. Very durable. I've had snap on and cornwell wrench sets. Mac ones are my jam but everyone is different. The wright wrenches as mentioned before are nice too.

I just picked up a 230 piece Craftsman Complete Mechanics Tool Set on sale for 89.99 on the Craftsman Club. With my points I ended up spending about 75 bucks on the set.
You don't have to break the bank to get a decent set of tools just because you can. If you are not a pro and will only use the tools as a hobby thing, this set would be more then you would probably ever need.
Mark

I vote Wright.

Proto ASD's are a great choice. I personally prefer the slightly fatter and more rounded beam of the Proto to the thinner, sharper beam of Armstrong and Snap-On, but YMMV.

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I like Snap On, SK, Armstrong, and Wright. Used them all. All great. Only non-U.S. wrenches I use are Gearwrench. Only Craftsman I use are the older U.S. made ones. The new China made ones are junk. I've seen a lot of good things about Williams as well.

Go with any name brand and avoid anything cheaper than craftsman. When you have a slightly rounded fitting, you want a well made wrench that has a tight tolerance on the size. That's what you're spending your money on.

Bonney, Craftsman, Mac, Matco, Proto, SK, Snap-On, Williams, Wright. Buy a set from one of these companies and you'll be happy.

You have the money to blow....buy snap on and be done with it

I have snap on at home and a mix of USA stuff at work(industrial mechanic) and out of the stuff I have at work I really like the Armstrong wrenches.




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For combo wrenches go with Wright.

They're better then SO or any of the other truck brands for a fraction of the price.

After that it's Proto, Williams, or SK.

Just for the sake of being different, how about Gray tools. Any old timer from Canada will vouch for them. Wrench sets are on sale in the fall promotion. Not only that, if you are American your dollar will go a long way.

http://shopgraytools.com/

just bought the wrightgrip 958 set after selling my snap on SOEXM710.

I sure do like the the feel of these vs snap on. They have a thicker/beefier feel vs snap on/matco ( I had both) and you get more wrenches for the $$$. **** If i was money bags I would buy both.

SMLWinds said:

If you go one step below the Snap On and Matco price range, what are the best name brands?

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I guess I would say WrightGrip or Proto ASD. I use FD+ wrenches at work, but I have a few random WrightGrip and Proto ASD wrenches at home that I have used a little. I haven't noticed a difference in terms of performance out of the three. The Wright and Proto are heavier and thicker than the Snap On, but all three seem equally as tough of a wrench.

I've had Wright for years and been well satisfied

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Davefr said:

For combo wrenches go with Wright.

They're better then SO or any of the other truck brands for a fraction of the price.

After that it's Proto, Williams, or SK.

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Can you explain how wright is better?

I am very interested in this myself.

Snap-on has good warranty but if you don't have a truck isn't it all the same warranty?

Does wright have ratcheting box end sets?


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zcbauer89 said:

I vote Wright.

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Another wright vote here.

Vortaku said:

Can you explain how wright is better?

I am very interested in this myself.

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Wright just feels better in my hand. They're just a little thicker and the edges are nicely rounded. If you put a blindfold on and hold a SO and then a Wright I bet you'll like the feel of the Wright better. It's kind of hard to explain but they just feel perfect. SO wrenches are too thin IMHO.

I also like the Wright Grip open end serration pattern better then SO FD+. Wright has more of them and they're finer.

The only reason I'd choose SO over Wright is they're just a little bit longer.

Snap-on has good warranty but if you don't have a truck isn't it all the same warranty?

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To me, warranty on high quality professional grade combo wrenches is meaningless. I've never once broken a wrench so I'm not going to even worry about it in my purchase criteria. I might feel differently about warranties on ratcheting wrenches.

Snap on flank drive plus combination wrenches are the best.

Davefr said:

Wright just feels better in my hand. They're just a little thicker and the edges are nicely rounded. If you put a blindfold on and hold a SO and then a Wright I bet you'll like the feel of the Wright better. It's kind of hard to explain but they just feel perfect. SO wrenches are too thin IMHO.

I also like the Wright Grip open end serration pattern better then SO FD+. Wright has more of them and they're finer.

The only reason I'd choose SO over Wright is they're just a little bit longer.



To me, warranty on high quality professional grade combo wrenches is meaningless. I've never once broken a wrench so I'm not going to even worry about it in my purchase criteria. I might feel differently about warranties on ratcheting wrenches.

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Thank you for the response, I appreciate it.

While warranty isn't something that most people should consider, people still take it into account so I figured I would ask

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1978silverado said:

Snap on flank drive plus combination wrenches are the best.

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Why?

Try Ebay. There is nothing wrong with a used Snap-On wrench. I bought a new set of Snap-On SAE combo's cheap last year there but still use my old Snap-On's. Quality isn't that much more. Also, buy a set of Snap-On 4-ways.

90zcar said:

You have the money to blow....buy snap on and be done with it

I have snap on at home and a mix of USA stuff at work(industrial mechanic) and out of the stuff I have at work I really like the Armstrong wrenches.




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I sold my metric Snap-On FD+ and bought Proto ASD's.
My SAE are Wright grip and XXXL Armstrong combos bought from a Mac dealer. They're all good wrenches.
If I had to have just one set it would be the Protos.

This thread has lots of good suggestions. I don't think you can go wrong with anything from snap on, Wright, sk, proto or any of the others mentioned here. I've only handled them in the stores but gearwrench combination wrenches look pretty good for an occasional user too.

My go to wrenches are a 12 pt set of made in Taiwan acdelco and a 6 pt set of craftsman. I've considered upgrading a few times to Wright or sk but I've never had any reason to be disappointed in what I have. They do what they're designed to do.

If I were starting fresh I might consider buying nicer ones. If I were you I'd get my hands on as many of the brands mentioned in this thread and make the decision based on what fits my hand and my budget the best.

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I have never sold a wrench.

Kensgarage said:

I sold my metric Snap-On FD+ and bought Proto ASD's.
My SAE are Wright grip and XXXL Armstrong combos bought from a Mac dealer. They're all good wrenches.
If I had to have just one set it would be the Protos.

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Why the Protos?

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1978silverado said:

Snap on flank drive plus combination wrenches are the best.

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Probably but the Wright Grip don't cost as much and might feel better in hand
Snap On might be supreme in reaching into tight places on newer cars
video made by "Woodstock" a member here showed that both Wrightgrip and Snap On FD+ have open ends that grip better than traditional open ends
I don't know if the enhanced open ends are available on Double Open End wrenches. (Talking the open end of combination wrenches here)

Anyone else have a problem with the snap on flank drive plus getting stuck on fasteners? I use mine mostly on classic cars and trucks and i find if i use the open end to back up something while i'm tightening a bolt it sticks so freaking good i cant get it off the nut. I also don't like that it chews up the fasteners so much. I'm just a hobbiest so i don't use them a whole lot. Do they wear in so they're not so grabby?

I still need a metric set and am curious if i should just ditch the grip design all together, or if i should get a different brand.

Mate - you are going to get SO many opinions on this it's unreal!

However, I'll chuck in my bit for what it's worth, and I'll try to justify it too, as I realise a lot of folks apart from the O.P. read these responses! (And I'm stuck waiting around for a flight!)

A little bit of background - firstly, I'm a Brit, so if I reccomend a U.S. wrench, it's a balanced reccomendation, not patriotism! Secondly, my family have been 'wrench turners' in some form for generations, so I've got a load of different brands, and used a lot more!

The all round very best, without any doubt, are Snap On! Now before everybody starts screaming 'Snail Brand are stronger' or 'bodgit are cheaper' I have to point out that EVERY wrench is a compromise of some sort! Yes, you may find stronger, but they will probably be much bigger tools, and you will certainly find cheaper, but Snap On are the overall best!

Their steel is first class, and by the time it's hardened there is little better. Drop a Snap On wrench on another and the other usually marks first! They are one of the few companies who actually broach their wrench jaws rather than just punching them. This, coupled with their cold forging process, results in a superbly accurate tool! Finally, take a look inside the jaw of an open ender and you will find a finish few other firms can match - important if you are working on classics or maybe aerospace fasteners!

Many firms offer a range of (usually costly) tools that meet the various aerospace specs for hand tools! I think Snap On are the only firm who's regular tools meet those specs already!

The real proof, of course, is in the using! I could show you British garages in dodgy back streets that havn't spent money on new tools in ages. Everything will be covered in grime and I wouldn't trust the lift, but there will be a set of Snap On wrenches, probably decades old, the finish dull from repeated abrasion, probably with blobs of overspray and filler, but still working as good as new! End of!

Also out there, well I have to admit I love Nepros! They are Japanese, not to everybodys taste, but very much to mine! They are the top end of Japanese tools, and are basically the result of the Koyoto Tool Company chucking huge resources into making a better tool than Snap On!

The downside to Nepros is that the range of tools is limited, and they are priced up there with Snap On! The upside is that they are superb tools! They say, and I believe, that they are made to much tighter tolarences! Yep, a vey snug fit on any bolt! They are also very tough. They say they use a 'hexavalent' (6 layer) chroming process. All I know is that I've dropped mine a few times but they remain unmarked! As yet we don't know how durable they will prove in the long term, but I suspect the answer will be 'very'!

From Germany you have Stahlwille and Hazet! They are both 'top end' in my opinion! Many of my Metric tools are Stahlwille (SAE being Snap On) so I've had a good deal of use out of these without issues! Stahlwille are Satin finished (proper Satin, not rough forged with a lot of ******** like some others) and this is a practical finish? It doesn't pick up scratches, and if anything polishes slightly over the years, so my 15 year old ring spanners (box end wrences) really do look as good as new! Hardness up there with Snap On!

Hazet are as tough as Stahlwille. Slightly different styles (as good as Stahlwille, just different) and slightly different finish (part matte, part polished). I find these tools very 'usable' for reasons that are hard to quantify! Probably something to do with balance, something to do with the durability of the finish (use them without fear if damaging it) and something to do with with some of their styles being very close to my beloved, but long discontinued, Britool!

So, there you have my top four! Pick any and I doubt you will have regrets! If money isn't a problem pick some of each, and form your own opinion!

Now, there are other brands that I SUSPECT should be considered 'top tier' (Wright comes to mind) but I don't own these myself so can't confirm!

There are a whole load of others, who are very close, and perfectly usable tools, but are lacking in some area that prevents me considering them 'top end'!

Enjoy deciding!

VoodooCLD said:

Anyone else have a problem with the snap on flank drive plus getting stuck on fasteners? I use mine mostly on classic cars and trucks and i find if i use the open end to back up something while i'm tightening a bolt it sticks so freaking good i cant get it off the nut. I also don't like that it chews up the fasteners so much. I'm just a hobbiest so i don't use them a whole lot. Do they wear in so they're not so grabby?

I still need a metric set and am curious if i should just ditch the grip design all together, or if i should get a different brand.

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They are suppose to grip like that so the wrench does not slip. For what you are doing, Snap-On regular wrenches would work best.

I don't mind my SO open ends getting stuck sometimes. I seldom use the open end of a wrench anyways but when I do I need it to stick for a reason!!
if I'm worried about "marring" up a faster I use the open end of my hear wrench ratcheting wrenches or I use my pliers wrench. The only things I could think u wouldt want little marks would be AN fittings or chrome nuts on a show car or bike


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SO's might get stuck because of the notch on the open end:



Wright Grips don't have the notch but have more serrations (5 vs 3) and they are finer pitch:



However I don't have a clue as to which design works better. I'd think the Wright design wouldn't mar the fastener as much as SO.

. . . . . . .ANY . . . . . wrench that you HAVE with you . . . WHEN you need it . . . .
. . . . . . is the "BEST" wrench !! . .

How can OP have all the money in world, been on GJ nearly 3 years, and not yet have a set of wrenches ??

What country is OP ?? What is the NEED for wrenches ?? What used for ??

OP . . . Update GJ Profile with Country / State / City or some Location. The "best" wrenches in Europe would be totally different group than USA/Canada.

I have Matco (Armstrong) and Matco (bonney) snap on fd+ and Cornwell and hazet

And a prefer the hazet the best due to angle of boxed end and comfortable in my hands

The Bonney made one I love but I don't like the conventional hex on box end but by far one of the most comfortable wrenches out there

Snap on are great and strong as can be but the beam can be sharp with heavy hits

Matco (Armstrong) are comfortable but heads are bulky compared to others and not sure how long these will be made before apex switches everything to gearwrench

Germany the source of the best extra deep offset double box end wrenches?
Double end Saltus wrench? Saltus obsolete because of flex ratcheting wrench?

Yah you say you have lots of money - get Snap-On and call it a day!

I also like SK and Gearwrench, and US-made Craftsman.

You will get a thousand GOOD suggestions from forum members, because there is a LOT of talent here.

This is probably NOT one of them, but.........................................

I have a complete set of 1960's Blue Line (Philadelphia, PA) SAE combination wrenches.
They look similar to Bonney wrenches, and are solid quality American -made wrenches.
And the best part?
You will probably NOT find another set within 100 miles of you in any direction?

Steve