Can this wrench be fixed?

[FastKat]

I have a Snap-On XL combo wrench OEXLM19 that was bent. I do not think it is something that will be replaced under warranty. However, it is a pain to use as-is and no longer fits in my toolbox wrench holder because the bent end sticks out. At this point it am interested in just bending it back to straight. As you can see, the chrome is disturbed on both the crunched and stretched sides of the wrench, and I know nothing can be done about that, but I can live with it. Any suggestions on how or who could straighten this wrench? Repeating the process that bent it in the first place is not an option.

Thanks in advance!

 

[4xdog]

Why wouldn’t it be replaced under warranty, by either your local route driver or corporate via email?

Seems like this is exactly what the warranty is for.

 

[finn]

Warranty will cover that.

 

[FastKat]

Really? I am thinking they would say it was misuse or abuse and refuse to replace it. I do not have a local Snap-On guy.

 

[rust in the eye]

The Sap On guy I'm familiar with would try to dodge the warranty. I'd call SO and see what they have to say, they care about their reputation.
Worst case? Clamp it in vise and bend it back.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

Put it on eBay as a custom-made obstruction wrench for 2x retail price, buy a new one, and have some beer money left over.

 

[rsanter]

I think I would ask about warranty and see what happens.
If no warranty I think I would weld up a little fixture to hold it and put it in the press to straighten

 

[Theronswanson]

Warranty will cover that.

Yup.

 

[Wamsutta]

Looks like somebody used a wrench extender on it.

 

[FastKat]

Looks like somebody used a wrench extender on it.

Wow, I've never seen one of those before but that would be a logical conclusion. The damage to this wrench occurred while working on a driveshaft.

 

[Rinspeed]

You certainly pay for it but SO has awesome customer service in my experience.

 

[finn]

Looks like somebody used a wrench extender on it.

Good observation, guess, or voice of experience?

 

[Wamsutta]

Good observation, guess, or voice of experience?

Just a guess based on the contact marks along the beam of the bent wrench in the OP's pictures.

And I should say I'm very impressed by that wrench bending instead of breaking.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I have had an OEXLM18 replaced under warranty. They're a good wrench but the length and beam thickness make them susceptible to bending. I was loosening chassis bolts (M12) on a not-very-rusty vehicle.

I have used a 20t press to straighten a 1/4 drive 4.5" long SK ratchet which may be similar in thickness to your wrench beam.

 

[Wamsutta]

I have had an OEXLM18 replaced under warranty. They're a good wrench but the length and beam thickness make them susceptible to bending. I was loosening chassis bolts (M12) on a not-very-rusty vehicle.

I have used a 20t press to straighten a 1/4 drive 4.5" long SK ratchet which may be similar in thickness to your wrench beam.

The OEXLM18 is on my list of tools I need to get and for the ball joint nut and other chassis fasteners.

 

[txvwnut]

My dad had a 3/8 get warrantied back some 40 years ago that was bent almost 180*. The dad wasn’t going to warranty it just showed it to the dealer and he said he‘d warranty do to the uniqueness of it.

 

[ChevyEFI]

The OEXLM18 is on my list of tools I need to get and for the ball joint nut and other chassis fasteners.

Zero offset XDHFM1618 or XDHFM1820 is longer and less likely to bend.

 

[Wamsutta]

Zero offset XDHFM1618 or XDHFM1820 is longer and less likely to bend.

Thanks but I have to use an open end because the ball joint stud goes upward and the CV axle housing is immediately above the castle nut.

But those two box-end wrenches would work fine for other locations though.

 

[Mr_B]

Just a guess based on the contact marks along the beam of the bent wrench in the OP's pictures.

And I should say I'm very impressed by that wrench bending instead of breaking.

The marks on it are of chrome lift/ripple at point of bend which is not point of contact of wrench extender or the usual ring over open jaw double wrenching. could of had a pipe over it I suppose.
For sure had something as didn't do it by hand, hard deny snapon wrenches are good and worth owning .

 

[Mr_B]

I have had an OEXLM18 replaced under warranty. They're a good wrench but the length and beam thickness make them susceptible to bending. I was loosening chassis bolts (M12) on a not-very-rusty vehicle.

I have used a 20t press to straighten a 1/4 drive 4.5" long SK ratchet which may be similar in thickness to your wrench beam.

This is what I done in past, can be very controlled .
If can't replace it under warranty then it be in the press for alignment improvement .
Snapon not as easy as was on replacements, drivers are getting a pain unless you got good working relationship with one, online hit and miss depending who you speak with, calling again on different day could get complete opposite outcome ...

 

[AEAdam]

My daughter is really taking advantage of REI's liberal return policy. She buys hiking boots, takes them out for 3 days on the AT, then returns them. Don't fit right. Their policy allows it. But I think its wrong of her. Or she should be paying 3X for boots (and she's not).

If you want an insurance policy on your tools to cover anything you ever do to them, you should do that. Some people think that's what you get with Snap On. That insurance is built into the tool's price. Maybe, maybe not.

Because companies allow it, doesn't mean we should exploit it. I think the OP should live with the wrench he's got or just buy a new one. "Fixing it" will work harden it further and make it less capable.

 

[Hakeem]

What is the point of a lifetime warranty if broken tools aren’t covered? There are no obvious signs of abuse, SnapOn should cover this, no questions asked.

It’s funny how midrange brands like Tekton, Capri, Icon are offering better warranty service than SnapOn.

 

[Death Row Dave]

I have broken the box end on lots of 6 point box wrenches , using the extender method , while working on the pipeline crews . The extenders were usually a 10 ft length of pipe sized to fit over the slugging wrench , and 2 men tugging away . This was a young mans job .

 

[AEAdam]

What is the point of a lifetime warranty if broken tools aren’t covered? There are no obvious signs of abuse, SnapOn should cover this, no questions asked.

It’s funny how midrange brands like Tekton, Capri, Icon are offering better warranty service than SnapOn.

Hang on.

My question was not what will Snap On do. Or what SHOULD Snap On do. I have no influence over that. My point was, what should WE reasonably expect.

Snap On by all recent accounts has warranted GJers' tools, even those bought on eBay. Snap On routinely offers amazing service on their tools.

The question is, when we abuse tools and this was clearly abuse, should we be asking for/expecting warranty service? BTW, this is kind of a hijack. This wasn't the OPs question. He asked about repairing a wrench he didn't feel would be covered by warranty. @4xdog and @finn suggested warranty.

Related question: You go to a restaurant and decide you'd like to try liver and onions for the first time. The restaurant prepares your dinner and you just don't like liver and onions. Ok to send it back? Assuming there's nothing wrong with the liver and onions. Does the restaurant exist to please you and provide you with something you will like regardless of what you ask for? I went to the movies to see Pulp Fiction and I didn't like the movie. Can I ask for my money back?

 

[liliysdad]

I went to the movies to see Pulp Fiction and I didn't like the movie.

Well that’s enough for me to discount your opinion on everything…

 

[4xdog]

To continue your analogy, @AEAdam, if the price the theater charged for the movie or the restaurant charged for the liver and onions were significantly increased to cover a lifetime warranty, yes, it would be in bounds to ask for satisfaction under that warranty.

 

[AEAdam]

To continue your analogy, @AEAdam, if the price the theater charged for the movie or the restaurant charged for the liver and onions were significantly increased to cover a lifetime warranty, yes, it would be in bounds to ask for satisfaction under that warranty.

Interesting point. I think you are right. I think Snap On DOES factor in the cost of warranty replacement on some tools - hammers for example. As a Snap On customer, I'm not sure how I feel about that.

These conversations come up fairly frequently here. No need to hash it out again. I think Snap On would replace this. I personally wouldn't ask.

 

[5ubtle]

I would heat it with a torch and bend it back into shape. Will it be "good as new"? I don't know, but it will be straight.

 

[liliysdad]

I would heat it with a torch and bend it back into shape. Will it be "good as new"? I don't know, but it will be straight.

I would take it to the big truck and trade it for one that is new…

 

[5ubtle]

I would take it to the big truck and trade it for one that is new…

Hasn't that already been suggested?

 

[liliysdad]

Hasn't that already been suggested?

About as many times as trying to fix it has been.

 

[finn]

Hang on.

My question was not what will Snap On do. Or what SHOULD Snap On do. I have no influence over that. My point was, what should WE reasonably expect.

Snap On by all recent accounts has warranted GJers' tools, even those bought on eBay. Snap On routinely offers amazing service on their tools.

The question is, when we abuse tools and this was clearly abuse, should we be asking for/expecting warranty service? BTW, this is kind of a hijack. This wasn't the OPs question. He asked about repairing a wrench he didn't feel would be covered by warranty. @4xdog and @finn suggested warranty.

Related question: You go to a restaurant and decide you'd like to try liver and onions for the first time. The restaurant prepares your dinner and you just don't like liver and onions. Ok to send it back? Assuming there's nothing wrong with the liver and onions. Does the restaurant exist to please you and provide you with something you will like regardless of what you ask for? I went to the movies to see Pulp Fiction and I didn't like the movie. Can I ask for my money back?

Just to be clear, in my opinion SnapOn shouldn’t accept clearly abused tools for replacement. I personally wouldn’t even try. It’s between the op, god, and SnapOn though, and at least per a lot of the posts here, SnapOn or their dealers are pretty loose on warranty of abused tools. I recall only one tool I sent back to SnapOn for warranty, plus a couple of ratchet kits. The warranty ratchet peeling chrome. I have several worn combination wrenches, but I’m not going to do the warranty scam. I

If I’m going to abuse a tool for whatever reason, it will be the crappiest tool I have, and it gets recycled if it fails

 

[Hakeem]

The question is, when we abuse tools and this was clearly abuse,

I respectfully disagree. I don’t see any clear and obvious signs of abuse. The OP says he didn’t use a wrench extender, and I see no reason not to believe him. (Personally I dont think using a wrench extender constitutes abuse, but I understand why someone would disagree).

“Abuse” generally means “the improper use of something”. Using the wrench as a prybar or as a hammer, for example. Pulling so hard on a wrench that it deforms plastically isn’t really using it improperly.

What would be the proper tool for loosening a tight fastener, if not a wrench? Let’s assume that a breaker bar + socket wouldn’t fit.

 

[5ubtle]

... Any suggestions on how or who could straighten this wrench? ...

About as many times as trying to fix it has been.

 

[Omnirod]

If they wont cover it, press it back straight and use a tapered punch to split the box end.

 

[Shiftless]

If they wont cover it, press it back straight and use a tapered punch to split the box end.

My father in law once told me of a guy who he worked with who wanted a new wrench so he took his old one, clamped It in a huge vise and hit the end with a 10 pound sledge hammer.

 

[308guru]

What is the point of a lifetime warranty if broken tools aren’t covered? There are no obvious signs of abuse, SnapOn should cover this, no questions asked.

It’s funny how midrange brands like Tekton, Capri, Icon are offering better warranty service than SnapOn.

Misinformation alert!!!!!

I've had zero questions/hassles/issues with SnapOn replacing tools via the email process. Doesn't matter how old, bent, beat, etc....Couldn't be easier.

All of the other brands you mention would require proof of purchase and consume more of my time to follow their warranty process.

 

[Ricky Joe]

Snap-on has a lifetime warranty…to the original purchaser. Many much cheaper tools have a better warranty. If you think about it, a lifetime warranty is a very easy and cheap way to advertise a manufacturer’s product. Many tools are bought and never used, never used to their limits, or satisfactorily meet their intended use. The minuscule number of tools warrantied is minor compared to the sales generated by the promise of lifetime service. And how valuable is that, really? Billings, Bonney, Armstrong, Herbrand; a ton of companies now out of business who made the promise can’t fulfill it. Meanwhile, the cheapest Chinese wrench set comes with the promise that the manufacturer knows will never be fulfilled because people who buy quality tools and use them to their limits would never buy their product. Snap-on increases their prices because they know that they will have a higher rate of return than others, and probably make more profit by doing so. People don’t abuse Cadillacs like they do Chevrolets. So if you are going to abuse a wrench, you will most likely choose a sacrificial cheap one and expect the worst, discard it when it fails. Try the warranty, if it doesn’t work, forget about it. Use the wrench when you need to modify one.

 

[liliysdad]

So if you are going to abuse a wrench, you will most likely choose a sacrificial cheap one and expect the worst, discard it when it fails. Try the warranty, if it doesn’t work, forget about it.

If I’m going to “abuse” it, I want the strongest, highest quality tool I can find as it’s least likely to fail.

 

[Ricky Joe]

If I’m going to “abuse” it, I want the strongest, highest quality tool I can find as it’s least likely to fail.

You must not be one of those “pretty boy” mechanics that shines his tools up every day for the last half hour on the clock.