'Adequate' combination wrenches?

[Empty Pockets]

I have 2 sets of Wright combo wrenches that I bought new in the 1970s. Through the estates of my father and grandfather, as well many auctions and flea markets, I have probably examples of wrenches from every tool maker in the last 40-50 years.

Even with hard and constant use, the Wrights have never failed, and neither have the SK, Proto, Craftsman (USA), Indestro, Penncraft, Powr Kraft or others (except when abused).

Bottom line, is buy what you like, as long as it fits your hands, and your budget.

 

[md21722]

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.

I didn't mention it because its obvious to me, but when it comes to wrenches, have 2 sets is pretty common. Even my girlfriend who grew up on the farm understands why I have 2 sets because her father did for the same reasons I do, bolt head and nut.

 

[md21722]

I have never owned any Wright products having bought into Snap On 15 years ago but if I had to do it again I would consider them. Generally when I find a tool that works good for me I stop looking for alternatives. I always hated the way Craftsman fit & felt. The difference is less noticeable the larger you go in sizes. If I was working in a mud pit with gloves and working on tractors or large holes I may never have noticed or cared. But when working on old Mercedes, etc. the tolerance differences between Craftsman & Snap On was VERY noticeable which convinced me to switch in the first place. The crank bolt on my OM603 was a 27 mm and the Craftsman would always slip off and bust my knuckles. My buddy lent me his 27 mm Snap On and I swear it would have clung to the bolt from here to Kansas and back... So to some extent I justify the extra expense of tools as compared to the cost of ****** knuckles and trips to the hospital. If you can get a line on OLD Craftsman that would be a great value as everything my grandfather had from the 1970s-1970s was much better than the Craftsman you can get today. Another way to think about it is to buy the Snap On and be done with it because you can't buy anything better for any price...

 

[M6erfan]

I understand having more than one set of wrenches, I have 3 full sets of metric wrenches and then specialty wrenches on top of those...

It's the "beater" part I questioned. If the OP wants to keep his old set to maybe someday cut, grind, melt, whatever, more power to him.

I guess it's just a verbiage difference: 2nd set, spare set, etc. , it was the "beater" part that threw me...

 

[2oolhound]

I guess it's just a verbiage difference: 2nd set, spare set, etc. , it was the "beater" part that threw me...

I would;d say you nailed it. It's a verbiage thing. I've used the term beater for decades and it is loosely used.

I can understand Mush's desire to stick with USA made tools as I'm the same way even though in Canada there is far less choice so I stick to a largely continental designation. What scares me is how can you be sure a current brand will be around for 10 or 20 years from now so you can replace your tools with the same or similar ones. In c-man's case if you stick to their old stuff you can always find more to replace worn out stuff as it was so plentiful. This is a good point that was made above.

I was in the same boots as Mush 8 years ago when I needed to build a new set of tools for myself from scratch. I've done it with… wait for it… here it comes… Snap-On. There, I said it, but listen up, it didn't cost me much because I bought it mostly used. I think they stand a good chance of staying USA for a few more decades too but we'll see. If I need to replace any I can find them used all over the place too at similar prices to those posted above.

Final disclaimer: I'm not trying to start a s-o/taiwan debate here, I just posted because the OP stated he wanted to stick to USA brands and I thought my experience was pertinent to the conversation. When buying used I try to buy complete sets otherwise shipping can kill you on piecing together sets from individual pieces.

 

[toolaholic]

I have nicer wrenches in metric than my craftsman I still have. In SAE its craftsman six and twelve point and stahlwille deep offsets. I just used a craftsman six point 5/8 to tighten the K&N cold air intake where it goes into throttle body( it loosened a little over time) on my Dakota R/T. While I like my proto, Armstrong, stahlwille, and Gedore wrenches in metric the craftsman are fine for my SAE applications. And I used the six point cause it was closest to get.

 

[MushCreek]

I still mostly use SAE- old truck, old tractor, old outboard motors- you see the picture. Our daily drivers are metric, but I don't do much work on them. I'll get a set of metric, but they won't get used as much.

I call my current set 'mutts' because they are several different brands. I also have some really cheap beaters for the uses stated by others. I'll bring the mutts to work where it won't bother me all that much when one comes up missing, and buy new sets for my personal use.

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

I was putting the oil pump back on my shovelhead, and was having a hell of a time with my SO ratchet. Switched to my higher tooth count Kobalt and breezed through. That Kobalt was my go to for years just out of convenience, but when I moved and had room in my garage to set things up properly, I went back to my trusty old SO. I didn't realize before how much nicer the cheap ratchet really was.

 

[crab]

If I didn't have Snap-On I would have craftsman. Either the best or a serviceable tool at the best price. I might add that there warranty is as good as any and better than most. My Snap-On dealer told me that Williams is in no way involved with them, for that matter the only line that Snap-On has that isn't branded Snap-On is Blue-Point. I think he would know. Actually if I were buying tools now I'm not sure I wouldn't buy Craftsman.

 

[gdocktor3]

This topic again???

 

[oldldh]

I got the Craftsman 43 pc 12 pt and the the 28 pc 6 pt sets...Both "Forged is the USA"...I don't know if they're still available...

So far, they've done the job...

You might look at the GearWrench #81919 44 pc 12 pt set...

 

[Gmonkee]

This topic again???

Do you know of a better place for someone to look for advice on what is the CURRENT stuff in the market? Styles and suppliers change pretty quick now and the old threads may not be accurate anymore.
For some newbie or someone rebuilding a kit this is good info.

 

[gdocktor3]

Do you know of a better place for someone to look for advice on what is the CURRENT stuff in the market? Styles and suppliers change pretty quick now and the old threads may not be accurate anymore.
For some newbie or someone rebuilding a kit this is good info.

I'm just poking fun. But seriously-
Google - best wrenches for the money

See how many topics come up since 2015. Especially from GJ.

It really doesn't change much. Snap On is the best. Williams, Mac/Proto, Wright, Armstrong, SK are next. Craftsman *****, but Craftsman USA ***** less. HF, Husky, Kobalt, etc work just the same as most other wrenches, but the pros hate it. Probably because they really do do the same exact thing as their tools that cost 10x more.

 

[Gmonkee]

And that is just the N American market. Imagine if we factored in every continent.

I use Wurth, Truper and Pretul as my basic stocks without being all that far away. I can tell the same tale with names some will never see.

I do like CM and Snappy as resale items however. Good mark up and easy resale. Never cared to use them more than any other.

 

[General Geoff]

I'll throw in that KTC makes a decent working combo wrench. Made in Japan.

Sadly they don't offer full, no-skipped-sizes sets. Have to buy individuals to fill in.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I'm no pro, but I have a Gearwrench set that has been working well for me. Still have a Proto set that I like as well.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I'm no pro, but I have a Gearwrench set that has been working well for me. Still have a Proto set that I like as well.

Just a heads up that the "old" Taiwan gearwrench was "better" than the current Chinese made ones. I have both but don't use them hard. They work fine. I also have a HF beater set and the tolerance isn't as good as other brands. Some are a little loose and some are a little tight.

 

[L.Cheapo]

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.

This. People at the junkyard look at me like I just pulled a ***** out of my tool bag when they see a Snap On ratchet or screwdriver. I'm not carrying backups, I need the tools I bring to work.

 

[General Geoff]

This. People at the junkyard look at me like I just pulled a ***** out of my tool bag when they see a Snap On ratchet or screwdriver. I'm not carrying backups, I need the tools I bring to work.

I try not to bring a lot of obviously expensive tools to the junk yard unless I have a friend along to keep an eye on them. Lots of tool theft happens at the u-pull-it yards around here.

 

[Wamsutta]

I try not to bring a lot of obviously expensive tools to the junk yard unless I have a friend along to keep an eye on them. Lots of tool theft happens at the u-pull-it yards around here.

When I'm at the salvage yard, I keep my tools in a bag and keep them within arm's reach at all times. I use one tool at a time and put it back. If it's not in my hand, it's in the bag.

 

[sberry]

I never go to junk yards. Bought 1 or 2 used parts in 20 yrs and had them pulled.

 

[John in OH]

I never go to junk yards. Bought 1 or 2 used parts in 20 yrs and had them pulled.

+1 Also not a fan of junk yards.

 

[dutchgray]

Almost all sets are adequate, even cheap Chinese made ones, only the really cheap and nasty sets are rubbish now and those you can see they are junk from 10' personally I have Wright grips in metric (just ordered SAE) as well as metric Facom 440 and a heap of various different makes found cheap and often used. They all work and you feel less bad when you see one of your co worker's beating on them with a 3 lb hammer because they couldn't be bothered to get a slogging wrench from the box.

 

[SantaAna12]

"when you see one of your co worker's beating on them with a 3 lb hammer because they couldn't be bothered to get a slogging wrench from the box."

Nope.

I like the comment about borrowing a Snap On wrench and realizing what it could do for you. I relate to this.

I knew this was going to be a good thread when I saw the word "Adequate" and wrench with a question mark in it. I like threads like this.

Whatever works for you OP. I would buy a few sets and see if they make any impression on you. Here......try an old MAC set....they are smaller, and really are easy to use. Try the Facom model....nice ergos. Buy older CMAN off Ebay....see if they work for you. Try a SO on that frozen bolt that the CMAN would seem to slip off of......

So many good choices....and a great site to explore them.

 

[mrborohachi]

 

[MushCreek]

I used to go to junkyards a lot, when parts there were cheap. Now, they pre-pick everything, and charge a lot of money for what's left. My hobby vehicle is a '72 F-250, and regular junkyards don't go back that far anymore.

I'm leaning toward the Craftsman Industrial. I like the feel of the Craftsman wrenches I do have, and they're made in the USA. It's funny, I have two Snap-On wrenches that were given to me one place I worked. I'm not that crazy about them; they feel too thin in my hand.

 

[jd_1138]

Almost all sets are adequate, even cheap Chinese made ones, only the really cheap and nasty sets are rubbish now and those you can see they are junk from 10' personally I have Wright grips in metric (just ordered SAE) as well as metric Facom 440 and a heap of various different makes found cheap and often used. They all work and you feel less bad when you see one of your co worker's beating on them with a 3 lb hammer because they couldn't be bothered to get a slogging wrench from the box.

I went through my boxes and tossed about 5 or 6 Indian made really horrible wrenches into the scrap pile. I didn't want to donate them to Goodwill and inflict their awfulness onto someone else.

 

[derosa]

I picked up a couple sets of tekton for the bicycle clinic, based on the couple of polished craftsman wrenches that came with my last socket set I'd say these are about the same quality. Thicker beam but less rounded edges so not really more comfortable. Not as long as my wrightgrips but longer then the old craftsman raised panels or the basic sets we have from NAPA so a good overall length. All the sizes fit fine, only real complaint are the sizes that share blanks, but if you're not used to telling which size wrench is which at a glance it shouldn't matter. For a circa 30.00ish set it is the most complete set of wrenches, won't do any better anywhere else I can find price-wise making it a great value. I am considering getting a beater set of these, meaning they'll be tossed in the barn where family likes to show up and randomly use the tools or where I will grab a random tool as needed. If more then a random tool is needed then I just grab a tool box of good stuff.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I never go to junk yards. Bought 1 or 2 used parts in 20 yrs and had them pulled.

Last I checked, all vehicles run on used parts

 

[908Jim]

It's all about the open ends when it comes to combination wrenches. Pick up a used set of something decent and you wont regret it. Skip the big box store. Back in the 90's/early 2000's the USA made husky tools were a great buy. Now it's a **** shoot.

 

[dutchgray]

"when you see one of your co worker's beating on them with a 3 lb hammer because they couldn't be bothered to get a slogging wrench from the box."

Nope.

I'd rather they abuse one of my cheaper combo wrenches than just use an adjustable or pipe wrench on everything and round and chew up the nut/ bolt head or take the other option and just cut everything with a grinder so I have to buy all new hardware. Its the disadvantage of not working in a shop and wrenching not being our main line of work.

 

[SantaAna12]

I'd rather they abuse one of my cheaper combo wrenches than just use an adjustable or pipe wrench on everything and round and chew up the nut/ bolt head or take the other option and just cut everything with a grinder so I have to buy all new hardware. Its the disadvantage of not working in a shop and wrenching not being our main line of work.

I can see that. It has been my experience that there is usually not a shortage of coworkers that will use a hammer first.....so to speak.

I hear you dutchgray.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I can see that. It has been my experience that there is usually not a shortage of coworkers that will use a hammer first.....so to speak.

I hear you dutchgray.

After reading some of these recent posts: I am lead to believe that some of You guys work amongst a true Goone Squad.... Hammers, cheapo wrenches, pipe wrenches..... // Sure glad it's not My responsibility to supply tools for Your co-workers.... Sure glad My tool boxes have locks....

 

[Al Borland]

After reading some of these recent posts: I am lead to believe that some of You guys work amongst a true Goone Squad.... Hammers, cheapo wrenches, pipe wrenches.....

Hey! I resemble that remark!

 

[MushCreek]

Well, I thought I had made a decision. I ordered the Craftsman Industrial, and was thrilled with the metric set when it arrived. The problem is- the inch wrench set is no longer available, and they refunded my money. Now- Do I send back the metric ones and buy something else, or what? First, I'm going to search the interwebs and see if anyone else still has stock on the set I want. Grrrr!

 

[sberry]

In time one will find out that it doesn't really matter. The arm is not so golden. Having a different brand for metrics isn't a bad idea anyway, save a lot of confusion. Same for screwdrivers, I really don't care if it is a set, random is easier to use.

 

[n8n]

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?

I'd search the 'bay for whatever SKs you're missing.

My main wrenches are a mixed bag but mostly SK SuperKromes. The metric ones a buddy of mine found in a pawn shop maybe 20 years ago and I've been abusing them since. They are my favorite combos, more comfortable IMHO than SO.

 

[MushCreek]

I'd search the 'bay for whatever SKs you're missing.

My main wrenches are a mixed bag but mostly SK SuperKromes. The metric ones a buddy of mine found in a pawn shop maybe 20 years ago and I've been abusing them since. They are my favorite combos, more comfortable IMHO than SO.

That's what I decided to do. I was all set to buy a nice set of Wrights, but the vendor ignored my question as to whether they were WrightGrips or not, so I passed. I went on the 'bay yesterday, and easily found all of the SK wrenches I needed, including some NOS ones. Piece by piece, I'll rebuild my old set.

I like sberry's suggestion to have different brands for metric and SAE so they don't get mixed up so easy.

 

[Sloper0204]

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.

We had a no-name made in China wrench set in our shop for pressure testing wellhead equipment (Oilfield) that lasted years and years with some pretty impressive abuse. The wrench I remember in particular was the 7/8" we used for ball valves. It had a flat spot pounded on it from being used as a hammer wrench, and the open end was spread out to over 1" at the tips.

Finally convinced the owner of the company to buy a set of Wright wrenches when I brought my personal set in and showed him the difference in open ends on the entire size range after a particularly over zealous employee ruined a couple valve seats by rounding them off so bad we had to remove them with a pipe wrench.

The only way we finally broke one of those China combination wrenches was with a 3 foot cheater pipe hooked to a 20 ton crane.

 

[geartow]

THis thread amuses me.