Combination Wrench Recommendations

[climb.on]

I'm not a big car guy and my wrenches are making me money, but I tend to fix most of my own equipment we use on our acreage. I've used Craftsman Raised Panel wrenches for many years. They have served me well and my only complaint is sometimes I find the open end is a bit too thick. Something thinner would be nice, especially for hydraulic lines/fittings. Last year I decided to add a ratcheting combination set to the drawer and went with Techtron. I really don't like them, but they are a tiny bit thinner (~.050" on a 3/4" wrench). The open end is already getting mangled and some of the ratcheting ends flop around and some are too stiff. They just feel cheap. I'm fine keeping consider keeping the Craftsman set for really cranking on something and getting a nice set of ratcheting combination wrenches for the rest of the time, if the open ends are thinner than the craftsman. I don't want to spend Snap On money, but obviously the $150 Tekton sets aren't getting it done either. Any recommendations for something in the $250-$350 per set range? Anyone have the Wiha set?

 

[boom_bap]

Icon from the old harbor freight are pretty decent taiwan COO.

 

[BrandonV]

Gedore. I like the fact they're serviceable.

 

[four.cycle]

sae? metric? used? new? you look at ebay?

don't forget TIATA (Tekton is always the answer.)

if you want an SAE set I'll make you a hell of a deal.

 

[nadogail]

I have several “Special Wrenches” that I have carefully ground thinner. I pay a lot of attention to keep the “Donor” wrench from overheating while I am reducing it’s thickness.

The “Donor”wrenches are typically from Harbor Freight or yard sale finds.

 

[Junker]

I'm not a big car guy and my wrenches are making me money, but I tend to fix most of my own equipment we use on our acreage. I've used Craftsman Raised Panel wrenches for many years. They have served me well and my only complaint is sometimes I find the open end is a bit too thick. Something thinner would be nice, especially for hydraulic lines/fittings. Last year I decided to add a ratcheting combination set to the drawer and went with Techtron. I really don't like them, but they are a tiny bit thinner (~.050" on a 3/4" wrench). The open end is already getting mangled and some of the ratcheting ends flop around and some are too stiff. They just feel cheap. I'm fine keeping consider keeping the Craftsman set for really cranking on something and getting a nice set of ratcheting combination wrenches for the rest of the time, if the open ends are thinner than the craftsman. I don't want to spend Snap On money, but obviously the $150 Tekton sets aren't getting it done either. Any recommendations for something in the $250-$350 per set range? Anyone have the Wiha set?

I got a set of gear wrench ratcheting wrenches and they've been good. The box end is able to be tightened. I wouldn't break a bolt loose with them though, they simply aren't built like solid wrenches. As for thinner wrenches you generally won't find them for cheap because the steel isn't that good. But, if you just need a couple thinner ones for common sizes then I'd go pick up a bunch at second hand stores or flea markets and grind them down

 

[climb.on]

I got a set of gear wrench ratcheting wrenches and they've been good. The box end is able to be tightened. I wouldn't break a bolt loose with them though, they simply aren't built like solid wrenches. As for thinner wrenches you generally won't find them for cheap because the steel isn't that good. But, if you just need a couple thinner ones for common sizes then I'd go pick up a bunch at second hand stores or flea markets and grind them down

Yah I ended up up with Snap On. Just searched eBay and waited for a fair deal. Still spent too much, but good tools are usually worth it. They are well used, but I took them apart, cleaned snd greased them and I’m sure they will still out last me. They are so damn nice to use.

 

[ducatithunder]

Stahlwille would be my choice. Nice german wrenches. They wont break the bank like proto or box trucks. They have thin webs and jaws which are ideal for low clearance. Ive gotten sets online, ebay, FB marketplace. Another option would be some of the ashia tools from japan .. again nice forged wrenches with great ergonomics.

 

[Beemer]

My tool chest is mostly full of vintage Craftsmen, one set of Armstrong, one set of Snap-On.
The latter two names are shinier. They all do the job just fine and none have ever had a failure.

 

[Rinspeed]

https://palmac.net/wright-tools-com...set-12-point-metric-full-polish-7mm-22mm-952/

 

[Etchase]

European wrench designs are generally thinner. FACOM, USAG and the Craftsman v-series are worth looking at. Proto too.

 

[four.cycle]

^ I had a few "Elora" open-ends that were crazy thin, but I sent them to a member here about a year back. Mid-range stuff made in Germany. Not bad. Nice shape on the beams.

 

[CR888]

I'd forget Wiha, they are overpriced Asian made and not that great design. You live on acreage or farm, polished chrome will get all scratched up with tools in a box in a tractor or set in concrete etc. Why not go DIRECT to one of the best combination wrench manufacturers in Taiwan who makes the highly priced combination wrenches for Facom, MAC, Sidchrome, Mac RBRT and many others. This is their basic PRO grade design that is VERY cleverly thought out. Beautiful in the hand, clever box offset that's not just a bent beam like Snap On. These can be had at a small fraction of the price of Tool truck choices or USA made offering. I paid $80aud for these and I've got a similar set, same design same factory under a different brand I paid $400 for. This metric set is 7-19mm no skips with an extra 22mm & 24mm. I've got Stahlwille, Hazet, KTC, Sidchrome and other high end wrenches. These are by far THE best bang for buck I've seen. I actually prefer using these over wrenches I've paid over 5X the price. Nice thin but sturdy open end, no gimmicks, just clever design beautifully executed. Rotary Machinery co ltd. Taiwan. IFA a better wrench exists for the price, Id love to know what it is. 

 

[bassbone52]

I'd forget Wiha, they are overpriced Asian made and not that great design. You live on acreage or farm, polished chrome will get all scratched up with tools in a box in a tractor or set in concrete etc. Why not go DIRECT to one of the best combination wrench manufacturers in Taiwan who makes the highly priced combination wrenches for Facom, MAC, Sidchrome, Mac RBRT and many others. This is their basic PRO grade design that is VERY cleverly thought out. Beautiful in the hand, clever box offset that's not just a bent beam like Snap On. These can be had at a small fraction of the price of Tool truck choices or USA made offering. I paid $80aud for these and I've got a similar set, same design same factory under a different brand I paid $400 for. This metric set is 7-19mm no skips with an extra 22mm & 24mm. I've got Stahlwille, Hazet, KTC, Sidchrome and other high end wrenches. These are by far THE best bang for buck I've seen. I actually prefer using these over wrenches I've paid over 5X the price. Nice thin but sturdy open end, no gimmicks, just clever design beautifully executed. Rotary Machinery co ltd. Taiwan. IFA a better wrench exists for the price, Id love to know what it is. 

There are some Toptul sets available in the Classified section as I type. Both metric and SAE.

 

[CraigStu]

If I need thinner I grab the oldest one I have and grind it. Yep it probably won't last very long but usually a situation needing thin doesn't need super strength. I have wrenches that I cut and welded because I needed a high angle open end. I have one that looks like a 1/2 moon because I needed to hold a starter mount bolt while I tightened the nut. That wrench was used by every tech in the shop who had to do the same job. I have a couple of combination wrenches that I cut in half or took some out of the middle to make real short versions. Most of my modded wrenches could have been found and bought but I needed them now so I made them.

 

[Mike65]

I have a bunch of Mac tools wrenches that I bought when I was a mechanic many years ago.

 

[Pen & Wrench]

My go to set is my Craftsman set that I bought in the early 80s, when they were still made in the USA, and metric. I love my John Deere set, I know it was made by someone else, I just like that they say John Deere. Then I ended up buying a Tekton set for when I haul the Bobcat around, I haven't used them enough to see them wear yet. I'd love to have a set of standard and metric S-K wrenches. But I have too many now, probably won't wear them out.

 

[Toold_up]

^ I had a few "Elora" open-ends that were crazy thin, but I sent them to a member here about a year back. Mid-range stuff made in Germany. Not bad. Nice shape on the beams.

I believe those are tappet wrenches. VERY thin, used to adjusting pushrods, not for breaking fasteners loose.

 

[Toold_up]

My go to set is my Craftsman set that I bought in the early 80s, when they were still made in the USA, and metric. I love my John Deere set, I know it was made by someone else, I just like that they say John Deere. Then I ended up buying a Tekton set for when I haul the Bobcat around, I haven't used them enough to see them wear yet. I'd love to have a set of standard and metric S-K wrenches. But I have too many now, probably won't wear them out.

I believe those John Deere wrenches were made by Armstrong.

 

[HannibalLecter]

facom/ craftsman 467
The Gedore are too bulky

 

[four.cycle]

I believe those are tappet wrenches.

just their version of an open-end. thinner than a standard combination wrench. thicker than a tappet wrench.