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Cheap Wrenches for Trunk Toolbox: Master Forge or Craftsman (China)?

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Citation

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Jan 20, 2016
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Master Forge only because the selection of sizes seems more useful. I would probably buy some cheap set from WalMart or HF but I guess the coupon wouldn't work.
 

ecotec

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Oct 5, 2010
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5,469
Or you could go the other way...

You could buy the set you have always wanted, and move the set you have to the trunk toolbox.
 

Gmonkee

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May 9, 2010
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2,888
1956 Desoto with four million miles on the first engine or 2013 Civic?

The worse the car the better the wrenches should be. Either way the CM are a known quality and would work well for future cars too. Loss is far more probable than needing a warranty anyway.
 

ryan20021982

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Oct 27, 2015
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Northern IL
I have had a Craftsman (china) tool kit in the truck just to have there and it don't get used much in construction but we use it, the other day I went to use a wrench out of it (7/16) and it just kept slipping on the bolt spreading open, and yes it was a 7/16" bolt fit nice and tight, had to use a socket to get it off and it wasn't even that tight. I would find a used set on ebay of a better quality or at least US craftsman. Plus an older set will have better rust protection in the trunk than newer cheaper made stuff.
 
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T45

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Nov 20, 2014
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Makes a lot of sense to me!!!

Man... this is why wives hate this website... :lol:

But you do have a point...

$5 wrench sets are usually junk and a bad idea. You can probably get something for under $20, but honestly don't put **** in an emergency kit you wouldn't actually use under ideal conditions. Hand me downs or Hand me ups or whatver from another set you've retired is a good strategy instead. Even if modest quality, they are proven as you've used them.

When you really need them, of course they will have to work...and usually will be put into service under more duress than a lazy oil change. This particularly applies to missing sizes or crappy fitments. The latter may keep you from being able to remove something properly or focing you to resort to pliers or taking off a bunch of junk to improve clearances.
 
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bob15

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Dec 8, 2011
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Northeasten, CT
Why buy and put a cheap set in the vehicle? So it fails the first time you use it?

I have a Billings & Spencer wrench set in my truck which I used several years daily before being sent to the truck kit. I trust that 60 year wrench set more than i would trust the 2 sets you listed. Same holds true for the Channellock pliers and Stanley screwdrivers in my truck kit.

Don't cheapen on the emergency tool kit. If anything, that is where you want the quality, never fail tools.
 
OP
F

FlushingDIYer

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May 13, 2016
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Queens, NYC
bob15, T45, wise, wise, wise words... I'll definitely replace these (I got the CM... I'm brand loyal to a fault...) with my USA set (already in it's neat and dandy wrench roll!) after I upgrade them. Depending on how many more family members start to come to me, in the next year or so I should be in the market for a used S-O set sometime soon! Thanks all for the insight! I hope I never have to use these.
 

maxpower_hd

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Apr 17, 2015
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Massachusetts
How much do you plan on doing with this trunk set? I would think it would only be to change a battery, tire or belt. Maybe some bailing wire and jumper cables. I would just put in the kit the tools you need for what you would be willing to do on the side of the road. Anything more and I'm having it towed to my shop anyway.

A pawn shop $1 8mm wrench will remove a battery cable one time pretty easily I would think. Changing the starter out or a fuel pump for me just ain't happening on the side of the highway.

In the case of a cross country trip or something I might stock better tools but not for my basic commute to work.
 

Ign

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Jul 7, 2006
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Butte Peak ND
Why buy and put a cheap set in the vehicle? So it fails the first time you use it?

I have a Billings & Spencer wrench set in my truck which I used several years daily before being sent to the truck kit. I trust that 60 year wrench set more than i would trust the 2 sets you listed. Same holds true for the Channellock pliers and Stanley screwdrivers in my truck kit.

Don't cheapen on the emergency tool kit. If anything, that is where you want the quality, never fail tools.

Not for me, I want the "just good enough" tools. First, they're not going to be used all that often and to me it's dumb to have that $$ ******* in something you'll rarely use. Second, if you lose it/drop it/loan it out you don't cry.

There's very little reason to suspect basic inexpensive wrenches are going to outright fail during a roadside repair. I've got the basic polished chrome HF wrenches and they seem perfect for a roadside kit.

When I was 'wheeling there were a few tools I'd make sure were quality, but on the trail you also want just good enough. No one wants to be dropping a dual 80 in Moab sand or Colorado mud.

OP, these are not wrenches but they still have these kits with 75T ratchets on sale:
http://www.shopyourway.com/craftsman-16pc-3-8-drive-sae-socket-wrench-set-with-75t-ratchet/607659826

The fractional at least is a surprisingly comprehensive kit that goes to 1" in 3/8" drive (kinda rare in a basic kit) and I maintain that the 75T are incredibly nice for their price point - - other GJ members have reported finding them disappointing for reasons I don't fully understand but we all have our opinions.

The metric set is also on sale, just search sears.com or shopyourway.com (the latter is faster for my browser or connection) for "Craftsman 75T"

Sorry, not trying to get too far OT.
 
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