Angle head wrenches

[Big Grouch]

How many of you use angle head wrenches? One end 60 degree, the other 15 degree. If you work on anything with hydraulics you can hardly do without them. You were either buying from a tool truck for a small fortune, or Harbor Freight scrap metal. I recently found a set on Amazon, JH Williams, American made. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005VMTGYI/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I bought a set, should be here soon. I'll keep you posted. I've had good luck with Williams in the past, when Vulcan wrenches said Vulcan on one side and Williams on the other.

 

[neophyte]

The wrenches you posted look like they're probably manufactured by Martin tools in Texas. In the photo on Amazon one of the wrenches even appears to say Martin on it. If you're unfamiliar with Martin Sprocket, they're an industrial tool supplier. I believe they purchased the tooling from Fairmount. McMaster-Carr carries a number of items manufactured by them. I believe it's also been mentioned they forge the body hammers for Snap-On. This is their website.

http://www.martinsprocket.com/products/industrial-hand-tools

 

[bobcatdan]

They look to be the same as wright and martin which I think are the same wrenches. I have a couple martins and they are nice wrenches. When it comes to angles, I like my SK best. I hope SK starts making them again.

 

[Bikes&Bowties]

I assume anyone working on hydraulics is a pro. Which leads to a larger tool budget. Snapon angles utilize a 30 and 60 degree head. A normal combination wrench already has a 15 degree head. Snapon are the only ones to use that i believe. Only problem for most is msrp is like $700 for the 14 piece set

 

[Nocturnal-G]

I don't use them but I've seen a Hazet set in the catalog.

They are 15 degree on one end and 75 degrees on the other...

http://www.tbs-aachen.de/Doppel-Mau...5P_Doppel-Maulschluessel-Satz_i2676_11982.htm

 

[Big Grouch]

I assume anyone working on hydraulics is a pro. Which leads to a larger tool budget.

I mostly do hurry up repairs at a rental store. If I was full time at a dealer I wouldn't hesitate on buying Snap On. This job pays ****, I make half of what I made 5 years ago driving a truck. No raises for anyone, that's the policy. We refer to our paychecks as the "Bi-weekly kick in the balls".

 

[neophyte]

I don't use them but I've seen a Hazet set in the catalog.

They are 15 degree on one end and 75 degrees on the other...

http://www.tbs-aachen.de/Doppel-Mau...5P_Doppel-Maulschluessel-Satz_i2676_11982.htm

The hazet wrenches, and other German wrenches like them, are usually only available in smaller sizes up to maybe 17mm. The Wright and Martin Angle wrenches are actually available in sizes up to 2".

 

[bobcatdan]

I assume anyone working on hydraulics is a pro. Which leads to a larger tool budget. Snapon angles utilize a 30 and 60 degree head. A normal combination wrench already has a 15 degree head. Snapon are the only ones to use that i believe. Only problem for most is msrp is like $700 for the 14 piece set

I have SO angle up to 1 5/8". Personally I think the 30 degree head is a gimmick. I perfer my SK angles, just wish they made them still. More often then not, I use 1/2" Crowfeet wrenches on hydraulic lines.

 

[Big Grouch]

I find the **** HF angle heads I have fit where they need to go, I just don't like the way they fit the hex. Always seem like something is about to be rounded off.
Bobcatdan, I admire you if Bobcats is what you work on. We have about 60 white machines between 8 stores, no one likes doing repairs. Simple maintenance is easy, all the filters easily accessible. The rest...I once heard it said that working on Bobcats is "Like working on top of a porcupine in the bottom of a hole". Case and Caterpillar were much easier, in my opinion.

 

[arms1970]

I mostly do hurry up repairs at a rental store. If I was full time at a dealer I wouldn't hesitate on buying Snap On. This job pays ****, I make half of what I made 5 years ago driving a truck. No raises for anyone, that's the policy. We refer to our paychecks as the "Bi-weekly kick in the balls".

Sounds like time for another job

 

[plinker]

I've got a Wright & Martin mixed set (same wrench) to 1-1/4. No issue's, but I also find crowfeet just as useful, maybe even more so. I use stubby's a lot too. Most bought, but some I made.

 

[bobcatdan]

I find the **** HF angle heads I have fit where they need to go, I just don't like the way they fit the hex. Always seem like something is about to be rounded off.
Bobcatdan, I admire you if Bobcats is what you work on. We have about 60 white machines between 8 stores, no one likes doing repairs. Simple maintenance is easy, all the filters easily accessible. The rest...I once heard it said that working on Bobcats is "Like working on top of a porcupine in the bottom of a hole". Case and Caterpillar were much easier, in my opinion.

Bobcats arn't worse then anything, just have to be use to working on them. I persoanlly hate NH and JCB.

 

[jmm]

I have Matco and SO. They're really nice, but I only own them because I found killer deals.

To call the HF/Northern angle wrenches scrap metal is a disservice. They're not bad! Like I said, I wouldn't have gotten rid of mine if the Matco and Snap-Ons hadn't come around at such a killer price for more complete sets.

 

[basspro]

I worked with hydraulic systems all day everyday all day for a few years. Now I do Industrial repair and maintenance, but still a fair amount of hydraulic work. I like a good set of crowsfeet. The Martin angle wrenches are about is good as it gets too, just a little spendy. I wouldnt hesitate to venture out and look at HF/Northern, "most" fittings arent crazy tight, at least if its ORB or JIC. Pipe can get tight.

 

[bobcatdan]

I must be weak, I run into a lot of 10 and 12 JIC that takes my all to break loose with a crowfoot on a 24" ratchet.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I like to have all of them handy....sometimes crows feet work best - like getting one fitting out of the middle of a jungle of lines at a manifold. Other times the angle head wrenches are better due to width clearance with only a slot for the wrench to reach through - can't have an extension or a ratchet in there.....sometimes it's neither option and you end up hackin' up a cheap wrench to weld on a chunk of steel to make something up like and old distributor wrench.

 

[basspro]

Dang Dan, then they have those suckers too tight, plain and simple. I havent had an issue, but Im 25 and havent been in the game super long, Id suspect you have been going at this longer than me. Then again, 12 is big enough, if its been on there a long time, I could see it being a potential issue.

 

[Deskmechanic]

What do you find the big difference in use between service wrenches and angle wrenches is? I have a bunch of single-end service wrenches that I use for (infrequent) hydraulic repair, as well as crows-feet, but I feel like I'm missing something not having angle wrenches.

 

[AcftMx5]

I got the 7 piece set of angle head wrenches from SO (the 30/60 degree) from ebay at a good deal. They are useful to me in tight spaces where I can't get a regular wrench to fit on a bolt, fitting, etc, like under instrument panels in the planes I work on.

 

[toolfreak]

I have snap on in the common sizes I use, from 11/16"-1-5/8". There are a couple sizes missing but I have most of them.

 

[gtermini]

Don't buy cheap ones. The first time you come across a hyd fitting that has been loctite glued and torqued, you will break a wrench at a very inconvenient time. This is especially true on JIC #12 and up. Most OEM equipment manufacturers glue fittings at the factory, so be prepared. I have a set of Matco double angles I picked up for $160, I wouldn't be without them.

Greyson

 

[bonneyman]

I worked for years without angle wrenches. But since discovering the Bonney's, I can't imagine working without them.