0 degree offset double box end wrenches

[Cap'n]

reach and leverage

Yep, these things are perfect for that. You can put a lot of "umph" on a fastener to get them to break free without slipping off.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MATCO-SRFBZ..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item1c3a54269d&vxp=mtr

Nice set. Sadly those are SAE.

This is the metric set you need and on sale for $129


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000T8WFBU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I agree, that's probably the best set for him.

That's a good buy, tough to beat. I like the idea of being able to break it free with one end and then flip it around and ratchet it off with the other. The gear wrenches I have now are great, but are designed for different stuff (open at one end and flex ratcheting at the other, and are normal length).

I think I did pretty well getting the Mac 12x14 and 17x19 for $50 shipped. They were factory seconds and had some imperfections in the finish. We'll see when they arrive, I'll post pics to this thread. Honestly for the price, I couldn't pass them up (remember shipping and duty charges to Canada is also a pretty major factor).
Now just on the hunt for the 13x15 and 16x18. Probably will pick up a 10x11 and 21x22 at some point too, but I don't see those as major priorities. These are my uses, everyone is different.

I like the Cornwell stuff as well. I don't own anything made by them, but have used their wrenches and liked the feel. I don't really have a preference for Snap-on, Cornwell or Mac when it comes to wrenches. I think they all make great stuff.

Possibly in the future, the Genius tools will get added as a second (traveling) set. Or maybe I'll make up what I don't currently have with them...we'll see.

I see the GearWrenches as a different tool entirely...not really comparable to having two sizes in one. Nice set, and I can see owning them in the future.

 

[bcradio]

I agree, that's probably the best set for him.

These wrenches are absolutely amazing and can't be beat for the money... Hands down I'd get these over the others.

 

[sberry]

I don't got to have everyone they ever invented but those are good. Worth having in the long haul at the right price. I got a set in Sears and used one yesterday. I think if you wanted to look could find them for half that.
As the man said, if you bought it right its already half paid for.

Used mine on a golf cart belt adj. Its a unique simple shape and leverage and trade its simplicity and cost over gadgets. Its a little like the Ironworker sleever bar, a 440 channelock. They were designed so long ago that back then they had a feel for ergonomics and if you chance it at all ruin the thing. It might even take longer to use on occasion but does a lot real well. Every Sears set had them in the day.

 

[Skin]

Examples of automotive situations needing them?

Any place a ratchet with a socket wont fit, which is many spots, especially in the engine bay. They also double as good belt tensioner tools.

 

[spacedoutbob]

I put my set together with Snap On only, All of the wrenches were being sold one at a time. I scored 4 of them in one auction, 1 in another auction, and the last one at still another auction. I only bid the ones that had no or little shipping costs also. All told with shipping I spend just over $145.00, You just have to patient and keep watching.

Bob

 

[bart1]

I like the Hazet version.

 

[Danglerb]

Examples of automotive situations needing them?

The top two bellhousing bolts on a 928, wrench I pictured slips down between engine and firewall and the extended spline reaches the bolt and they come off without half an hour of loosening up ****** mounts and tilting block etc.

 

[Rakoprtr]

Every auto tech should have a 12/13 and a 14/15 best belt tensioner tools available

 

[cotjocky]

I'm a Snap-on fan, but if you are looking for a long zero degree offset wrench set and don't want to buy multiple sets. Non-ratcheting, ratcheting, flex, non-flex, etc…

The Matco set is probably the best all around wrench set due to it fitting the bill best as one single set of wrenches can. They are Taiwan COO, not USA. They aren't cheap. They ratchet and flex at one end and are your standard non ratcheting, non flexing zero degree offset type wrench at the other. Set is 10-19mm. Snap-set of non flex long ratcheting wrenches (standard zero degree non ratcheting non flexing end on the other) sells in 2 separate sets for whatever reason and is around $600 I believe for both sets. Their non ratcheting non flexing wrench set is cheaper, but is probably the shortest offering of all the truck brands. I worked with a guy that had the Mac non ratcheting non flexing zero degree offset wrenches and he had several break on him. They looked nice and were thin for access, but couldn't take a lot of force without breaking. That was 10 years ago and they may be better quality now? I doubt it.

Link to said Matco wrench set:

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/p...DEGREE-FLEX-RATCHETING-EXTRA-LONG-WRENCH-SET/

If you are looking to stay on the cheaper end, the EZRed wrench set has had a lot of praise from the members of this forum. They are now made by "Mountain". They have one end that is flush and one end that sticks out as with the non-ratcheting non flexing zero degree offset type wrenches, making access easier on some bolts. They are Taiwan made too I believe. Pretty reasonable around $130ish. They can be bought from Tooltopia which is a popular tool site mentioned a lot on this forum. They have a lifetime warranty, but I have no idea how hard it will be to get them made up. And as with SK, and EZRed, being SK discontinued them, then EZRed seems to sold them off to Mountain, by the time you need to have one made up, who knows if Mountain will still be producing them. That's the bad part of buying from lesser know companies. Warranties are only as good as the company that offers them. They can't make them up if they are out of business or no longer make the tool you purchased. YMMV and this is all just my opinion.

Link to said Mountain wrenches:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DDO1DPG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Evan(CA)]

The Matco set is on student special for 177.40. Today is the last day. I'm real tempted to pick one up but I've spent so much on tools lately.

 

[cotjocky]

The Matco set is on student special for 177.40. Today is the last day. I'm real tempted to pick one up but I've spent so much on tools lately.

Only you know your finances and can know when to pull the purse strings tight. For general automotive use, using them on a regular basis, if you think you will have a decent Matco guy to service you at your new job, I don't think you can go wrong with those wrenches at that price. Very, very handy in tight quarters. And I'm a Snap-on fan. lol…

And as some have mentioned, can double as a serpentine belt tool on many vehicles.

 

[sberry]

We had a weird location the other day with some real tight stuff, put a 3 ft pipe on a 3/4 cman like those, I really thought we would bust the wrench,,, not a deal as I see one in a re tool store for 2$ but it worked.