Add Long Pattern Combination Wrenches or Upgrade Standard Combination?

[dmparksa]

Sorry for the long post again, TL;DR below!

This is somewhat of a continuation of my last post regarding adding some wrenches to my collection.

Background:
Home gamer, I currently have a Tekton standard combination wrench set from 8-22mm as my main wrench set. I don't have any SAE wrenches, I've gotten by with adjustables or SAE sockets. One or two of the Tekton wrenches are showing some very mild surface rust in some spots and I've noticed looser fit on some fasteners in some sizes over the years(comparing them to how sockets fit on those fasteners). It's never slipped or rounded a bolt, but it hasn't been confidence inspiring. I know I can probably warranty some of them, but just haven't seen the need to as they haven't actually given me an issue.

I use them for working on passenger vehicles(mostly Japanese or Korean) and bicycles for friends and family. Oil changes and brakes are what I do most for cars, but I also do more stuff if needed: radiators(just last week for a friend's 02' Camry), cv axles, ball joints, belts, alternators, valve cover gaskets, head gaskets, wheel bearings, etc. I don't work on any lawn mowers, jet skis, snowblowers, or anything like that... yet.

Based on some great suggestions from my last post, I went ahead and purchased a small set of non ratcheting zero offset double box end wrenches; I bought the KTC M1603 with 8x10, 12x14, and 17x19mm. I also picked up the Astro nanos 6-24mm and will be picking up the accompanying KTI43517 this month, to make a flexible reversible XL ratcheting wrench set from 6-24mm. It'll be sub-optimal due to the ratcheting wrench's head size, but I believe it should be plenty useful despite its size. I also plan to pickup the XL double box end Capri 13x15 and/or 16x18 as needed to add on to my KTC set.

Issue/Question:
I've been contemplating adding some long pattern combination wrenches to the set, but I'm thinking that they'd be redundant with less utility than the double box ends. I was looking at these Toptul AAEA Long Combo Wrenches or the Blackhawk 8 Piece 10-17mm. If I get the Blackhawk set, I'd add the Toptul AAEA 18 and 19mm.

Instead, I could "upgrade" my standard wrench set to a set of Toptul AAEW Standard Length Super Torque Combination Wrenches(which look very close to Mac/Milwaukee/Craftsman V/Facom/USAG wrenches) from 8-22mm and a maybe few common SAE sizes(1/4 - 11/16? since 3/4 is 19mm). The price should be pretty similar between the two options if I end up picking them up from Cryer Tool. Looking at around $100 for either option, probably.

I'm heavily leaning towards skipping the long pattern combination wrench set, upgrading my standard combination wrenches, and adding a few SAE sizes for when I purchase a home in a few years.


Thoughts/suggestions/comments?


TL;DR: Upgrade existing Tekton Combination Wrench set to Toptul Super Torque? Or add a set of Long Pattern Wrenches? I already have XL Double Box Ends, will be getting a ratcheting flex XL wrench set. Don't have a stubby wrench set, but will likely go for a cheaper set since they're low torque. Don't have ratcheting reversible combination wrenches, but will likely hold off on those for a while.

 

[jsmeece]

Toptul AAEL 10 to 19mm (comes in a package kit too GAAF1008)
You will thank me later.

 

[dmparksa]

Toptul AAEL 10 to 19mm (comes in a package kit too GAAF1008)
You will thank me later.

I thought about these, the only place I could track them down at a reasonable price was $99 on Amazon. It's about $62 for the super torque wrenches in 8-22mm before taxes from Cryer. If I add SAE some wrenches from Cryer(1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8), it comes out under $95 including shipping...

Are long wrenches worth it even if you have a set of XL double box ends?

 

[dutchgray]

Personally I think the extra long Toptul are too long for general use, the normal long set is better, I do have both and a set of super torque (not the same wrenches as those sold by Stanley black and decker brands).

If you don't currently have a long set, I would get longs over getting a better quality standard length set, more options is better. Combos are more use for most as you do need an open end available, you can use a double box end set but you would want a double open end or a standard length combination set on hand to get the use of the open end.
None of the options you are looking at are particularly expensive.

 

[dmparksa]

Personally I think the extra long Toptul are too long for general use, the normal long set is better, I do have both and a set of super torque (not the same wrenches as those sold by Stanley black and decker brands).

If you don't currently have a long set, I would get longs over getting a better quality standard length set, more options is better. Combos are more use for most as you do need an open end available, you can use a double box end set but you would want a double open end or a standard length combination set on hand to get the use of the open end.
None of the options you are looking at are particularly expensive.

Thank you for your insight! I have a standard combo set and a set of long zero offset double box ends(in the sizes I typically need them in).

I was wondering if people bothered getting long patterns if they already had a set of the extra long zero offset double box ends and a set of standard length combination wrenches. I'd hate to grab a whole set of long patterns and realize later that the other two sets do their jobs better. I don't have a garage at the moment, so I need to be strategic with my tool acquisition and storage!

Do you reach for your standard set or your long set more? Or is it more of "start with the standard, then go longer if more reach is needed"?

 

[jsmeece]

I have several different combination wrench sets, all different lengths. Stubby Armstrong, regular length (Danahar version Armstrong), regular length (Apex version Armstrong), long pattern Armstrong, extra long Armstrong, and extra long Toptul. And yes they are all have different lengths, even the two regular patterns are sometimes 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch difference in length.

For example (all 12 point combo wrenches) Stubby Armstrong 13mm is 4.280 inches long.
regular length (Danaher version Armstrong) 13mm 5.5 inches
regular length (Apex version Armstrong) 13mm 6.520 inches (same length in 6 point)
Urrea 13mm 7.00 inches
Gearwrench long pattern 13mm 8.114 inches
long pattern Armstrong 13mm 8.150 inches (same length in 6 point)
Older Napa long Pattern 13mm 8.25 inches
extra long Armstrong 13mm 9.381 inches
extra long Toptul 13mm 9.48 inches

I have not measured my older USA Craftsman, China Craftsman, Kobalt stubby, Max Axess Craftsman, Channellock, Carlyle, Proto, Allen, Thorsen or the 75 degree off set Toptul combo wrenches. I like having options in lengths. Others may not.

 

[ecotec]

Thank you for your insight! I have a standard combo set and a set of long zero offset double box ends(in the sizes I typically need them in).

I was wondering if people bothered getting long patterns if they already had a set of the extra long zero offset double box ends and a set of standard length combination wrenches. I'd hate to grab a whole set of long patterns and realize later that the other two sets do their jobs better. I don't have a garage at the moment, so I need to be strategic with my tool acquisition and storage!

Do you reach for your standard set or your long set more? Or is it more of "start with the standard, then go longer if more reach is needed"?

I do… but most from the secondary market. I have extra long DBEs, long pattern, regular combos, short combos, stubbies, ignition… and second sets of most of those… and most every other design (offset DBEs…)…

I wouldn’t upgrade the combos, I would buy a different length to give you another arrow in your quiver…

Edit… between regular length combination wrenches and short length combination wrenches I have Armstrong/craftsman 6pt combination wrenches.

 

[Mr_B]

A proper decent set of combination wrenches is probably best bet, you don't get a good wrench easily and it one of those tools that well worth having proper good .
Stahlwille 14 series be good for your usage and in the larger sets they work out pretty cheap out of Germany or UK and $ favourable for these purchases in recent times, world class wrench at sensible coin, MAC or Snapon could be worth looking at on the used market ...

 

[dmparksa]

Seems like versatility is key, so I think I'll go ahead and grab a set of long metric combination wrenches first.

I'll pickup a stubby set as well before upgrading my standard set as I remember some circumstances over the years where a stubby would have been handy. Will probably only grab a handful of sizes in stubby though. I only ever recall 8(?), 10, 12, and 14mm that would have benefited from a stubby.

Thank you everyone!

 

[dmparksa]

A quick update:

Contacted Chris at CryerTool to inquire about the restock timeline on the 15mm long pattern wrench, turned out he had 2 of them in stock at his warehouse, but not on the website yet.

He put together a 10mm-19mm set and tacked on a 10% set discount for me!

Also picked up an e-torx set(will probably need it sometime in the coming months for a 90s BMW transmission mounting bolts and Toyota valve cover studs, I think) and a single 1/2" 19mm deep socket to keep in the car for lug nuts.

I might have also picked up that super torque set in 8mm-22mm... GJ strikes again.

Decided against picking up the SAE set from Toptul, I think I'll slowly go looking in pawn shops and garage/estate sales for those.

Thanks again to everyone for the feedback.