'Adequate' combination wrenches?

[MushCreek]

I'm a weekend warrior, and my wrenches are for hobby use, but I like nice stuff. That being said, I don't like to over-pay, either. I'm in the market for a set of combination wrenches to replace the mis-matched mess in my tool box. I don't want Harbor Freight cheap, or Snap-On expensive; just a good, middle range wrench that works well and will hold up.

Most of my wrenches are either Craftsman or older SK wrenches that I used to have a full set of. Honestly, I don't feel much difference using them. Looking on line, I see 'Craftsman' or 'Craftsman USA'. Are they two different lines? Or I could spend twice as much and go for SK or Williams? I bought my SK set about 40 years ago, and used them all day every day on machines with hardened bolts. (Not Grade 8, but actually hardened) Those wrenches really held up! My use now is nowhere near as extreme, though. Thoughts?

 

[maxcarp709]

Williams!Made in the USA as Snap On`s budget line.They also have Williams branded wrenches made in Taiwan,that are even cheaper.Warrantied like Snap On too.I just scored a set of SAE Williams wrenches for $40 off Ebay that were brand new.I was in the same boat as you,I had all sorts of odd wrenches that were mis-matched,except a set of metric Snap On Flank Drive wrenches that I splurged on back when I was turning wrenches for a living.I just came to the cold hard realization that Craftsman USA no longer exists.I was at a local Sears store last week and looked at all their wrench sets and they are now all made in China,even the Pro Full Chrome sets.They are still guaranteed like the old USA tools but if you need a replacement all you are gonna get is ChinaMart stuff.

 

[HCNDM]

Dont know if you can get bahco in the US. Also Snap On owned.

My sister gave me Some gearwrench and i have to say i really like them.

If you were in Europe I would-be advise stahlwille. Awesome wrenches cheaper than top end.


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[gdpolk]

I'm pleased with my Craftsman wrenches. While they aren't as refined as high end tools, they also don't cost as much and they get the job done. As a DIY guy at home, I see them as a good value for the dollar. If I made my living with them I would likely want to step up to a Williams USA or maybe higher end than that.

 

[LB-1911]

I'm a weekend warrior, and my wrenches are for hobby use, but I like nice stuff. That being said, I don't like to over-pay, either. I'm in the market for a set of combination wrenches to replace the mis-matched mess in my tool box. I don't want Harbor Freight cheap, or Snap-On expensive; just a good, middle range wrench that works well and will hold up.

Most of my wrenches are either Craftsman or older SK wrenches that I used to have a full set of. Honestly, I don't feel much difference using them. Looking on line, I see 'Craftsman' or 'Craftsman USA'. Are they two different lines? Or I could spend twice as much and go for SK or Williams? I bought my SK set about 40 years ago, and used them all day every day on machines with hardened bolts. (Not Grade 8, but actually hardened) Those wrenches really held up! My use now is nowhere near as extreme, though. Thoughts?

Take a look at Wright

http://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/catalogsearch/result/?q=wright+combination++wrench+set

UPDATE!!!


Hot off the presses! This just in!
ALL WRIGHT SETS (SOCKET/WRENCHES/WHATEVER) will be 10% off on Epstein's Day.

Jori
HJE

 

[speed bump]

I would probably just buy the dewalt ones or live with your mismatched set.

If you are super ocd about theoretical tool capabilities or enjoy toolbox voyeurism then I would either buy Proto or Wright.

 

[blown94conv]

Gearwrenchs have held up well for me. Not a fan of the industrial brands, but the ones mentioned will serve you fine.

 

[Davefr]

Most of my wrenches are either Craftsman or older SK wrenches that I used to have a full set of.

The practical answer is to take inventory and then bring them up to full sets by buying singles to fill in the gaps.

Ebay will be your friend but you can also try the wanted thread here at GJ.

If you really want shiny new sets then go with Wright. (better then SO at a fraction of the price).

 

[M6erfan]

If there's nothing wrong with what you have, I'm in the camp of filling in your sets via eBay, flea markets, whatever...

If you need new, I'd go with wright. The last wrench you'll ever need...

 

[erty67]

Around here I can find just about any size craftsman combo wrench by searching the local flea markets and swap meets. There are also used tool stores that typically stock mostly craftsman (since there's so much of it out there). I agree with filling your gaps on the craftsman set. I have all craftsman wrenches and they work fine for my back yard/driveway/race car shop/race track pit tools. I usually pay $1-3 per craftsman wrench.

 

[thool]

If you're OCD, want the same look and finish, and don't want gaps, consider a set like Craftsman. I got this Craftsman 32 piece set for $90 on sale a few weeks back and like them a lot so far.

 

[sberry]

I doubt if I own a "set" ha I am not fussy about it, as long as they work. The HF would be on my short list to start over if I had to. Same with Sears.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Why do you want to replace what you own ?

I have Craftsman combination wrenches; SAE 12 point, SAE 6 point (smaller set) and Metric 12 point. They wok perfectly.

 

[Gmonkee]

Look at stuff better than HF up to your upper price point,

Then choose sheer utility or some design factor that excites you, for me it was L socket wrenches. Not too much money and so far very useful stuff.

There isn't a large gap in quality in the middle range stuff anymore. We mainly choose on some silly preference now.

 

[MushCreek]

I'm planning to bring my collection of mutts to my new job, where they may get 'borrowed' from time to time. I'd like a nice, complete set at home (for the first time in my life). Now that there aren't any kids at home, and I have a decent shop and tool storage, there's a fair chance that I can actually keep a set together.

I see that there is now a Craftsman Industrial line, which are advertised as made in the USA. I think most of my old Craftsman are USA made, and they've held up just fine. It looks like a full SAE set of 14 wrenches or so runs about $200; roughly the same range as Wright and Proto, at least what I see on Ebay. There are a lot of other new sets of 'Craftsman USA' on Ebay; I don't know if they're NOS or what, as Sears doesn't say much about country of origin other than the Industrial line. I suppose for a hack like me, even Chinese wrenches would work OK; I just like the idea of buying American if I can.

I'm going to go through this same process getting a new set of screwdrivers, too.

 

[kblee27]

I didn't spend my money on expensive Snap-ons wrenches.
I spend it on cordless tools like M12, M18 and cheap sockets from Tektons.
It has worked so far, nothing's broken.

 

[sberry]

I have all kinds from every brand and they all work including lotso cheap ones I actually prefer in some cases. It isn't a matter of being a hack, lots seem to think they got a golden arm or are more brutal than the rest of us.
I am a pro in a hard business, own hundreds of wrenches and a thousand sockets and notice very little in the difference in utility. There are occasions when "different" is better but rarely the actual quality of the tool.
This is not exclusive as a disclaimer but when it comes to common wrenches is pretty much where the rubber hits the road. I got a 3/8 Olympic I paid a dollar for at TSC, use it as much or more than my snaps as it rides in my portable box and have beat brake bleeders free with a 20oz nail hammer with it. How much better can it get considering it has been in service 25 yrs and abused more than not.
I sposed if you parked then side by side and said take one most would have to go for the 30$ one but knowing the history I would deeply consider the dollar wrench if I had only one to take,,,,, and I do.

 

[LB-1911]

I'm planning to bring my collection of mutts to my new job, where they may get 'borrowed' from time to time. I'd like a nice, complete set at home (for the first time in my life). Now that there aren't any kids at home, and I have a decent shop and tool storage, there's a fair chance that I can actually keep a set together.

I see that there is now a Craftsman Industrial line, which are advertised as made in the USA. I think most of my old Craftsman are USA made, and they've held up just fine. It looks like a full SAE set of 14 wrenches or so runs about $200; roughly the same range as Wright and Proto, at least what I see on Ebay. There are a lot of other new sets of 'Craftsman USA' on Ebay; I don't know if they're NOS or what, as Sears doesn't say much about country of origin other than the Industrial line. I suppose for a hack like me, even Chinese wrenches would work OK; I just like the idea of buying American if I can.

I'm going to go through this same process getting a new set of screwdrivers, too.

Give these a look

Craftsman Industrial 17 Pc. 12-Point Standard Combination Wrench - 9-24410
http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/cra...ndard-combination-wrench-9-24410-p-17930.aspx

Craftsman Industrial 17 Pc. Metric Combination Wrench Set - 9-24411
http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/cra...c-combination-wrench-set-9-24411-p-17944.aspx

 

[RichWentFishing]

If your gonna spend $200 bucks for a set you might as well get the wrights. For a cheaper beater set I like Gearwrench but I recently got a set of Tektons for my girlfriends vehicle and they are really damn nice.


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[sberry]

If you want to be a collector its your money but the polishers are mostly that and a 60 yr old with a hobby Camaro or Jeep is going from more assumptions than real evidence. I have seen cheap stuff beat hard in truck shops, farm, oil field where the users absolutely don't care and the junk holds up wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better than its assumed reputation.
You would think that something that works 10 times better than its reputation or cost wouold get rave reviews but there will always be a knob that knows more about these kinds of things than most people do and despite never actually used one is absolutely certain it is bad and he guy sold it to you for a dollar is a crook.
Look how many disappointment threads come with new hi dollar tools, every blem is an agonizing gut wrenching debate,, I buy Sears and don't ever worry about it, bent, broke, lost, so what,,,, if it happened.

 

[Al Borland]

The Husky wrenches at Home Depot are definitely adequate, and affordable. COO is China though.
Harbor Freight, make sure they aren't from India, as the "steel" used in those is soft as lead.

 

[sberry]

I like the Texton stuff, good qc and good design, so well proven they badge it under a lot of names. Agree about India steel, they are really the only lace in the world that produces so much junk today and mostly because for another dollar a set one can get very good quality out of China and it has pushed that other stuff aside.

 

[MushCreek]

Give these a look

Craftsman Industrial 17 Pc. 12-Point Standard Combination Wrench - 9-24410
http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/cra...ndard-combination-wrench-9-24410-p-17930.aspx

Craftsman Industrial 17 Pc. Metric Combination Wrench Set - 9-24411
http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/cra...c-combination-wrench-set-9-24411-p-17944.aspx

That looks like a pretty good deal for what I want. It does say 'Made in USA' as well.

I have two Husky's in my collection of mutts, and they're pretty nice. They are USA made, and look a lot like a Proto. I don't know if they're making any Husky in USA anymore or not. I do know that their screwdrivers really ****.

 

[T45]

Toptul

 

[Fedwrench]

Husky isn't US made anymore. To me it is absurd to pay that much money for Craftsman because they added the word industrial to the brand

If you want a really nice wrench at a bargain price, get the Tekton full polished rack sets made in Taiwan. Now, not all Tekton wrenches are created equal. You want the fully polished ones that come in a rack.

http://www.tekton.com/Wrenches/Combination_Wrenches/15-pc-Combination-Wrench-Set-1-4-1-in

http://www.tekton.com/Wrenches/Combination_Wrenches/15-pc-Combination-Wrench-Set-8-22-mm

These wrenches are a little longer than your basic raised panel craftsman wrench. They have really nice chrome and balance. They also feature off corner engagement on the boxed end. they will serve you well. I don't think you can find a better wrench for the money purchased new. Tekton also has great warranty service.

 

[John in OH]

I can appreciate sberry's practical point of view as well as those who are more ocd regarding their tools.

I grew up using Craftsman tools, but back in the 60's and 70's there weren't nearly as many choices of "good" wrenches as there seems to be now. The fossil power plants that I retired from used, and depended on, only a few brands .... Wright, Williams, Proto, and Armstrong. Since I retired, I've replaced most of my old beat-up Cmans with WrighGrips that I totally love. They are what I consider mid-price tools if you use SO as the top end and HF as the bottom. SK is in that same mid-price range.

If I were starting with an empty toolbox and a full wallet, and didn't to screw around scouring eBay or flea markets, I would probably buy WrightGrips as my main set and Tekton as my beater set.

 

[M6erfan]

^^^^really good advice from Fedwrench above too^^^^

 

[sberry]

I was thinking about warranty with Tekton as they are sold so many places now that are not tool vendors. Meijer has grown and even seen them in Mom and Pop. The price is right, the tool is good enough but the ratchet is very good and not always the cheapest but they are selling to a crowd that likely doesn't care about a warranty and will lose or hand it off and never break or wear it out anyway.
I got one the same design I bought over the counter been about the best I ever own and survived a decade in a tool pool where it got used vs riding a box and 25 yrs of regular use and its just starting to show wear. But then again I never serviced or lubed it which probably wont hurt but I aint doing it.

 

[M6erfan]

I can appreciate sberry's practical point of view as well as those who are more ocd regarding their tools.

I grew up using Craftsman tools, but back in the 60's and 70's there weren't nearly as many choices of "good" wrenches as there seems to be now. The fossil power plants that I retired from used, and depended on, only a few brands .... Wright, Williams, Proto, and Armstrong. Since I retired, I've replaced most of my old beat-up Cmans with WrighGrips that I totally love. They are what I consider mid-price tools if you use SO as the top end and HF as the bottom. SK is in that same mid-price range.

If I were starting with an empty toolbox and a full wallet, and didn't to screw around scouring eBay or flea markets, I would probably buy WrightGrips as my main set and Tekton as my beater set.

What is a "beater set"? I've seen reference to this before but I don't get it. Why not use the Wrights or Tekton for every task and have only one set?

The OP is asking for general midrange homeowner wrench set, don't get how an additional "beater" set fits in here...

 

[Fedwrench]

I was thinking about warranty with Tekton as they are sold so many places now that are not tool vendors.

It has been posted more than once in these pages that, If you email Tekton with a picture of your broken tool, they will send you a replacement pretty quick

 

[Fedwrench]

What is a "beater set"? I've seen reference to this before but I don't get it. Why not use the Wrights or Tekton for every task and have one set?

Your question might separate the tool users from the polishers

Tools are meant to be used and you could easily use one set in all of the tasks you do day in and day out. That's how I roll. However, if I'm going to modify a wrench by heating/grinding/bending etc, then I usually won't do that to a truck brand wrench. Aside from that, everything gets used the same.

On a side note, I don't know why people put cheap tools in their trunk. I understand the chance of loss and not wanting to lose money but, if I'm broken down, I want tools that will work.

 

[sberry]

Walmart does the same thing. Those Stanley things are well proved out and they don't want to be a warranty return center. The secret is its good enough they don't have to be. By the time its depreciated from almost nothing to start with no one cares. The Walmart 1/2 set gets used on stuck lugs all the time and no one is seeing a return line at the store.
I have a few pieces someone gave me in a box, never broke one but if I did I aint foolin with it. I have a drawer of busted doo-dads and aint going to chase them down for the 3$ piece it would be.
The only time I have broken a common combo wrenches were those cheap ones used in impact backup on a regular basis and a couple open ends I am not sure were not used in the same way. I have absolutely brutalized Cman and seen the sockets from some cheap 3/4 sets go way above the call of duty.
I got some nice wrenches, I do nt favor them in general circulation and can see where a guy wanted some nice stuff. Nothing wrong with that and I can repeat it if need be but I only make clear from a mechanical standpoint that the user will not see a night and day difference in a hi dollar wrench or a modern knockoff and may even be imperceptible at the most.

 

[M6erfan]

Your question might separate the tool users from the polishers

Tools are meant to be used and you could easily use one set in all of the tasks you do day in and day out. That's how I roll. However, if I'm going to modify a wrench by heating/grinding/bending etc, then I usually won't do that to a truck brand wrench. Aside from that, everything gets used the same.

On a side note, I don't know why people put cheap tools in their trunk. I understand the chance of loss and not wanting to lose money but, if I'm broken down, I want tools that will work.

Get what your saying about modifying a wrench, but would you buy a whole set with the thought that maybe you might, in the future, have to modify one tool? Just me but I'd rather wait to cross said bridge and buy a single piece at that point.

Re: trunk tools

Depends on what you mean by cheap, Tekton is relatively cheap and I'd be perfectly confident that they would get me through any on road repair situation...

 

[outdoorspace]

Tekton seems respectable for its price.

The most I would shell out for is either Proto or Wright, definitely not Williams.

 

[sberry]

Sure, it makes sense they have a good system. Charge a bit more, cheerfully warranty the few tools that ever break.
As I mentioned, there is somewhat or can be a difference in the point of it allo but the price is what keeps Sears on the top of my short list in the event I really needed to start over. The smaller wrench setds are priced way different than the sales on large sets. They are so cheap guys break them up for flea markets. They are good at getting started and a base to work from and a lot of things a guy never uses, it can sit in the box at Sears prices as well as snaps. I got a handful of them in small sizes as I went.
I am a professional and a shop owner and at times have and do employ men who use everything provided by me. I was at a shop similar to mine yesterday, Snap truck there and lots of ******* money in hard tools.
Guy that works at the counter says he has 100 large in a tool box and we see them asking 15 for the claims they got 60 in it over the years, maybe more. I seen one with 200K in a 2 car garage, genius mechanic and cant figure out why he cant make it. Truck still stops.
I got everything to do everything and pit all works and probably aing got 10 in both boxes and a couple trucks, maybe a pinch more due to the fact I got a couple good impacts new in the day.

 

[T45]

Here ya go,

WGB 13pc Combination Wrench Set 36mm - 10mm German Made

a nice set of made in Germany of DIN metrics up to huge 36mm for $100 bucks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/191894478203

 

[sberry]

As for trunk tools, I see the line of thinking but I aint doing rebuilding in a ditch with spare trunk tools and if I am carrying my road set its another set, not "trunk tools" I try not to take snaps and tubing wrenches on the road but it doesn't mean the ones I do take can perform substandard.
We move 1000's of bolts a year, the majority by hand are simple combo wrench the rest impact and socket mostly.

 

[T45]

As an aside to some of the banter, combo wrenches are worth alot more or less to people depending on what their actual application/use case is. If you have good socketry or only use impact tools for 90% of your work, combo wrench probably is only brought out for certain edge case uses. Also if you work on large things that dont have confinement issues, or only work on dirty stuff that actually benefits a bit from looser tolerances, etc you will have totally different views. Some people like a thicker tool made of softer steel (even in high end brands) other people like the hardest steel because it has a bit more feel and smaller/lighter overall for the size wrenches (eg snap on). But like socketry, if you hit your wrench with a hammer you probably don't want to hit steel that is highly hardened, you'd like something softer.

You also have to look at your tools as a system, and see how they all complement each other. The typical DIY guy isn't gonna do this as he has no need and perhaps not even the ability to store a more complete set. The enthusuiast and the pro will have spent more time making sure that the system he has in place will cover the bases without odd waste (because storage is expensive and time consuming to sort through).

 

[md21722]

If you want to be a collector its your money but the polishers are mostly that and a 60 yr old with a hobby Camaro or Jeep is going from more assumptions than real evidence. I have seen cheap stuff beat hard in truck shops, farm, oil field where the users absolutely don't care and the junk holds up wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better than its assumed reputation.
You would think that something that works 10 times better than its reputation or cost wouold get rave reviews but there will always be a knob that knows more about these kinds of things than most people do and despite never actually used one is absolutely certain it is bad and he guy sold it to you for a dollar is a crook.
Look how many disappointment threads come with new hi dollar tools, every blem is an agonizing gut wrenching debate,, I buy Sears and don't ever worry about it, bent, broke, lost, so what,,,, if it happened.

This is good practical advice. Over the years I've done much with little. However, it doesn't stop me from wanting and buying nice new stuff for my home shop.

What is a "beater set"? I've seen reference to this before but I don't get it. Why not use the Wrights or Tekton for every task and have only one set?

The OP is asking for general midrange homeowner wrench set, don't get how an additional "beater" set fits in here...

Your question might separate the tool users from the polishers

Tools are meant to be used and you could easily use one set in all of the tasks you do day in and day out. That's how I roll. However, if I'm going to modify a wrench by heating/grinding/bending etc, then I usually won't do that to a truck brand wrench. Aside from that, everything gets used the same.

On a side note, I don't know why people put cheap tools in their trunk. I understand the chance of loss and not wanting to lose money but, if I'm broken down, I want tools that will work.

His old wrenches can become his beater set if he chooses. These are the ones that you cut, bend, grind, and hammer unmercifully on because you don't have the special factory tool for the job, don't want to buy the factory tool because you don't do it often enough, or don't have the time to wait for them to ship it to you because your car, truck, tractor or whatever isn't running and you need it to.

 

[John in OH]

What is a "beater set"? I've seen reference to this before but I don't get it. Why not use the Wrights or Tekton for every task and have only one set?...

As described by md21722, a beater set is the set that: ".... you cut, bend, grind, and hammer unmercifully on because you don't have the special factory tool for the job, don't want to buy the factory tool because you don't do it often enough, or don't have the time to wait for them to ship it to you because your car, truck, tractor or whatever isn't running and you need it to."

Essentially, it is the set that you abuse. If clearance it too tight is some space, I sure don't want to grind down the face of a WrigthGrip to gain some clearance. Nor, do I want to put a cheater on a WrightGrip or "double-up" a pair of WrightGrips to gain more leverage.

In addition, I don't see how anyone can survive without having at least two sets of combo wrenches. Even with sockets and adjustable wrenches, it is sure nice to have two 9/16" wrenches in some applications ... one for the nut and one for the head. Or, if I've carelessly laid down the 3/4" wrench, then need it and can't immediately find it (most likely covered by some greasy rag or stuck in my hip pocket) I can grab the spare 3/4" wrench. Actually, if I gathered all my miscellaneous loose wrench together, I probably have three or four sets similar to sberry's. Many of them "customized" to suit some one-time need.

The OP is asking for general midrange homeowner wrench set, don't get how an additional "beater" set fits in here...

In the OP's case, he would certainly use his existing old set of wrenches as his "beater" set. I was just making a general hypothetical reference to someone starting with an empty toolbox.