60 Degree Open End Angle Wrenches

[Super Sport]

I've been contemplating buying a set of 60 degree angle wrenches. I can see the angle possibly coming in handy on occasion, but I'm curious how many of you guys (especially professionals) see the need for them? They would see mostly automotive work from me.

Also, does anybody make a set with different sizes on each end, both angled to 60 degrees? I don't have much need for the 15 degree angle on the other end that most sets offer, and would rather have less wrenches. I have yet to find any, but if they exist I'm sure the GJ collective would know.

For reference, the wrenches I'm talking about look like this:

 

[redwrench60]

This category is really where Snap On shines. They use 60 and 30 degree open ends. They complement the 15 degree open ends on the combination wrenches you already have and give you new options for nut and bolt turning angles. They are a lifesaver on obstructed fasteners, sensors and hydraulic lines on machinery and equipment and vehicles. I have them in metric and SAE and I wouldn't be without them.

 

[tony m]

A must for hyd. hoses on forklifts

 

[StillTooManyHobbies]

Here's another option for a set of angle wrenches.

https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/sk-angle-wrench-set-usa.html

 

[Mhyde52]

I have a set at work, made in China, ATD or ATN, something like that. Critical for a few machines we have here. Without them it means making a tool. Awesome to have, even if it's once in a while use. These are very thin, so not useful for breaking anything loose that are very tight.

 

[Gmonkee]

There is a Taiwan import brand that carries some "almost as good as Snappy at a fraction of the cost" .

A line frequently repeated here. Reviews were decent regarding them. I cannot recall the brand.

That said that is the class of tool that pays me and if my job required them .......... I would check them over.

I have been using regular DOE without much pain meanwhile.

 

[Sanny81]

I've researched and researched the various companies that make angle wrenches from Sunex and Tekton to V8 and ATD, MAC, Martin....all the way up to Snap On and the one thing I learned is if you can afford it and will use them, pay for the big names. Snap On sets are always on ebay, same with Martin sets for under $200.

 

[dutchgray]

AFAIK, Snap-on, V8, and ATD are the only brands with 60 and 30 degree ends. Quality varies on the latter two.
Beware of NOS V8 with 60/15 ends.

I believe Nepros does 60/30 ones as well, but only metric in relatively small sizes, they would be quality but are also expensive.

 

[Ram Hemi]

Use mine all the time, i work on hyd drilling rigs with between 200-300 hoses, I have a cheap set but they work well.

 

[bob15]

Spend the money on the Snappy's 30/60. You won't regret it.

 

[P51Boilermaker]

As others have said, Snap on makes 30-60 angle wrenches. I'm a full time aircraft mechanic and use them all the time. Aircraft are notorious for tight spaces and awkward working areas, these wrenches are a must for me. They're a life saver but I don't know how often I'd need them on cars.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I had to change the hydraulic lines on my front end loaded (New Holland 7308). I bought a set of Tekton, they are a life saver

 

[66fl]

I still have a set of MAC 15/60 angle wrenches from many years back i was working in aviation. they were mostly used on hydraulics. In that shop most preferred the 15/60 angle certain tasks favored the snap on 30/60 some jobs took both. We worked in crews and usually somebody had one or the other. There were a few Protos and SK.
Because sharing was common especially for new guys starting out just about everybody was able to try the different brands . If i had to guess 50% purchased MAC 45% snap on the other 5% other brand. The company subsequently instituted inventory/tool control with mostly Armstrong.
I think the 15 degree on the MAC was popular for on nibble at a time after the fitting was broken loose turning the wrench both end to end and flipping it over you could get many angles in a short swing some times the 30 was to much also the MAC was thick and not as tight on the fitting so they kind of flowed into place.
At that time the fit on the snap on was very tight so on some fasteners the confidence of it not slipping was crucial so with older maybe corroded things with higher torque that is the way to go for you. I am not a brand snob at all but nobody was hanging off the end of a 4 foot torque wrench 50 feet in the air on a 12 point bolt with anything but snap on socket. Sometimes tools are like shoes they have to fit your feet and your purpose and you have to wear them a bit.
Some tasks took a ridiculous assortment of wrenches crowfoot and bonney service wrenches. many years ago I was a tech in the R and D division both arms deep in a brier patch of braided steel lines and sheet metal edges. Hot humid sweaty with fuel dripping on every scrape one of the engineers said "wow that is really hard to get to" I was speechless, still am I guess. They were military helicopters and being relatively field serviceable was part of the plan.
They rarely see action in automotive or other hobbies changed careers couple decades ago. I sometimes contemplated selling them but the rare time they are used they are sweet. As someone mentioned there are some good used deals. also as mentioned they are common in aviation. With that most of the aviation fittings are aluminum and relatively low torque so wear is almost non existent. Also if that was their history there is less chance of impact or crazy cheater bar pipes or whatever. With a little shopping you can find a brand or style that works not spend a ton on something you don't use much get high quality with low chance of abuse or impact. Most are still lifetime warranty.