Combination wrench thickness

[JohnAnthony]

Wrench thickness

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to restock a large portion of my toolbox, but before I purchase large sets I was looking to build some data on the tool dimensions.

My use is mostly automotive, and for me the thickness of the ends on the wrench are a big factor. Hopefully some of you guys can help me, and others with similar predicaments.

Current reference tools

HAZET 450 21/23
21mm - 6.81mm - 0.268 inches
23mm - 6.90mm - 0.272 inches

Craftmans Professional
10mm - 5.96mm - 0.235 inches
11mm - 6.05mm - 0.238 inches
12mm - 6.40mm - 0.252 inches
13mm - 6.98mm - 0.275 inches
14mm - 7.10mm - 0.280 inches
15mm - 7.54mm - 0.297 inches
16mm - 7.84mm - 0.309 inches
17mm - 8.03mm - 0.316 inches
18mm - 8.00mm - 0.315 inches
19mm - 8.93mm - 0.352 inches

Craftmans 428XX
7mm - 4.08mm - 0.161 inches
8mm - 4.62mm - 0.182 inches
9mm - N/A
10mm - 5.54mm - 0.218 inches
11mm - 5.58mm - 0.220 inches
12mm - 6.18mm - 0.243 inches
13mm - 6.26mm - 0.246 inches
14mm - 6.88mm - 0.271 inches
15mm - 7.47mm - 0.294 inches
16mm - 7.75mm - 0.305 inches
17mm - 8.14mm - 0.320 inches
18mm - 9.42mm - 0.371 inches
19mm - 9.12mm - 0.359 inches

SK 88318
16mm - 7.48mm - 0.295 inches
18mm - 8.06mm - 0.228 inches

Allied
22mm - 9.62mm - 0.379 inches

Westward
24mm - 10.51mm - 0.414 inches

GearHead
20mm - 8.49mm - 0.334 inches

Sceta Tool
12mm - 5.98mm - 0.235 inches
14mm - 5.87mm - 0.231 inches

Northern CR-V
1/2 in. - 5.78mm - 0.228 inches

as you can see the HAZET 450 is the standard I'm going against, at 23mm the thickness of the open end is still SMALLER than a 13mm, albeit its a craftsman, but other brands are equally as thick.

In my search for new tools, I'm currently looking into the following sets:
Toptul GPAA2602
Sunex 9917MPR
GearWrench 81916

If the thickness of a few wrenches could be confirmed it would help me in making the right decision. Now length is not too much of an issue, because I will also be looking to buy normal length and extended length wrenches.

 

[JohnDeere1]

They don't sell craftsman pro anymore but they are exact exact as sk as they manufactured them they are nice.
I also have Snap on and bluepoint and I prefer the bluepoint the thickness is just right although snap on are a hair longer. Matcos are very nice as well.

 

[JohnAnthony]

They don't sell craftsman pro anymore but they are exact exact as sk as they manufactured them they are nice.
I also have Snap on and bluepoint and I prefer the bluepoint the thickness is just right although snap on are a hair longer. Matcos are very nice as well.

If you have the means to measure the open-ends even if its only a few of them, I can take that info and interpolate for the rest.

These tools work for 80% of the stuff I've tackled so far. But I really don't want to have 2 sets of tools when 1 set will do. For me thinner is better, and that's what I'm trying to source right now.

 

[Olafur]

as you can see the HAZET 450 is the standard I'm going against, at 23mm the thickness of the open end is still SMALLER than a 13mm, albeit its a craftsman, but other brands are equally as thick.

Double open ended wrenches are often slim compared to their combination counterparts, so comparison between brands has to be between same wrench type to be meaningful.

For example:
Hazet 600N - 23mm has 9.5mm thick open end;
https://www.hazet.de/produktkatalog...23165&XTCsid=6b54744a552355a850eabfff383630b9

 

[Olafur]

If you want dimensions on Toptul wrenches it's all on their website:
I assume these are the wrenches you are looking at (they make several versions of combination wrenches):
https://www.toptul.com/s/2/product-...-15°-Offset-METRIC-Satin-Chrome-Finished.html

 

[JohnDeere1]

The craftsman pro or sk ar the thinnest and same for snap on and they are longer but other 2 are cheaper.
So you like thinner wrenches? Those are as thin as it gets in combo the hazet would be thicker than any I named.

 

[JohnAnthony]

If you want dimensions on Toptul wrenches it's all on their website:
I assume these are the wrenches you are looking at (they make several versions of combination wrenches):
https://www.toptul.com/s/2/product-...-15°-Offset-METRIC-Satin-Chrome-Finished.html

Thanks for that, I'll definitely be going with double open-ended then.

I'm going to reach out to toptul directly to see if there's a distributor somewhere. I found a few items on ebay from a seller recommended by the GJ, but not the double open ended wrench sets.

The craftsman pro or sk ar the thinnest and same for snap on and they are longer but other 2 are cheaper.
So you like thinner wrenches? Those are as thin as it gets in combo the hazet would be thicker than any I named.

Yes, finding thick wrenches is easy. Some of the stuff I need to reach is behind tight spaces. Even my torque wrenches, I've had to switch to the interchangeable square drives with 9x12 & 14x18 inserts

 

[bob15]

Have you looked at buying a set of tappet wrenches?

 

[PureLeaf]

Gedore No. 7 are super slim. I have a set but I dont have any calipers to give you an exact measurement.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UZ3UD4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They are by far my slimmest wrenches. i have sets of: SK X-Frames, SK regular, Wright grip, Proto ASD, Proto Ratcheting wrenches, Stahlwille no. 14, Gedore no 7, Gedore 1B. Craftsman raised panels, Craftsman stubbies, Craftsman ratcheting (chinese), and the Gedore no. 7 are the slimmest.

 

[Fbmoose48]

I have Stahlwille 13s, Snap Ons, SK Superkrome, Wera Jokers, and all kinds of craftsman. Always reach for the Stahlwille first. Super thin, surprisingly light, and exceptionally strong. I believe Stahlwille posts all their dimensions online in their catalog, but if you can't find them I could measure a few.

 

[JohnAnthony]

Have you looked at buying a set of tappet wrenches?

Didnt even know what they were, if i find a reasonably priced set theyre definitely an option. But there is such a thing as too thin, at a certain point i will also buy a Park Tool SCW set


https://www.parktool.com/category/hub-axle

Gedore No. 7 are super slim. I have a set but I dont have any calipers to give you an exact measurement.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UZ3UD4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thats not a bad price for Gedore tools

 

[bob15]

Tappet wrench set example: https://www.mactools.com/en-us/Wrenches/Open-End-and-Angle-Wrenches/SDTM5PT/5-PC-Metric-Thin-Open-End-Wrench-Set-

 

[gdocktor3]

Have you looked at buying a set of tappet wrenches?

Could one argue tappet wrenches are weaker than standard wrenches? I've used them on my Harley's push rods and had no problem, but really cranking on them could create issues, no?

 

[KnurledNut]

GearWrench 81916

6mm .161 in
7mm .169
8mm .177
9mm .185
10mm .213
11mm .236
12mm .244
13mm .252
14mm .276
15mm .291
16mm .303
17mm .319
18mm .339
19mm .360
20mm .381
21mm .400
22mm .406
23mm .417
24mm .429
27mm .469
30mm .524
32mm .524

 

[bob15]

Could one argue tappet wrenches are weaker than standard wrenches?

Yes you could make a good argument . But then what is the OP working on that only the thinnest combo wrenches are needed and that a "normal" SK, Snappy or even a Billings wrench wouldn't work?

 

[JohnAnthony]

GearWrench 81916

6mm .161 in
7mm .169
8mm .177
9mm .185
10mm .213
11mm .236
12mm .244
13mm .252
14mm .276
15mm .291
16mm .303
17mm .319
18mm .339
19mm .360
20mm .381
21mm .400
22mm .406
23mm .417
24mm .429
27mm .469
30mm .524
32mm .524

Thanks KnurledNut, that definitely puts the GearWrench set out of contention for me though

 

[JohnAnthony]

Yes you could make a good argument . But then what is the OP working on that only the thinnest combo wrenches are needed and that a "normal" SK, Snappy or even a Billings wrench wouldn't work?

They don't have to be super thin, the double open end wrenches already look to be perfect alternatives for me. Originally I didn't know that combination wrenches tended to be thicker than double open ended wrenches.

For anyone that's curious, I've got an E39 BMW; some parts are oriented in ways that tend to either clamp down on the wrenches themselves or eventually push out the wrench as the fastener starts to clamp on.

 

[bob15]

You can always take a wrench and grind the end thinner.

 

[hangfirew8]

You can always take a wrench and grind the end thinner.

I have a few like that from my Dad and Grandfather. Apparently, clearance issues are nothing new.

 

[Tonyuk]

I use facom 440's in work, the open end is relatively thin but the box end is slightly deeper than most, i can't say that it's ever been a problem though in years of use. If anything i like the extra length since it ensure it grips the full length of the bolt head.

 

[JohnAnthony]

little update on this thread, I ended up ordering a set of Gedore No. 6 (60777000) double open ended wrenches 6mm -to- 28mm + 32mm. (I had originally order Gedore 6078350, but the smaller sizes are more complete and better suited for my needs)

Also while making a stop at Harbor Freight for some unrelated stuff and I saw a big SAE set and couldn't help myself. Now if it comes down to it, I can shave the HF set down without feeling guilty.

Gedore No.6 (60777000)

06mm - 3.73mm - 0.147in
07mm - 3.77mm - 0.148in
08mm - 3.81mm - 0.150in
09mm - 3.86mm - 0.152in
10mm - 4.60mm - 0.181in
11mm - 4.60mm - 0.181in
12mm - 5.09mm - 0.200in
13mm - 4.71mm - 0.185in
14mm - 5.71mm - 0.225in
15mm - 5.64mm - 0.222in
16mm - 6.18mm - 0.243in
17mm - 6.04mm - 0.238in
18mm - 6.83mm - 0.269in
19mm - 6.62mm - 0.261in
20mm - 7.00mm - 0.276in
21mm - 7.52mm - 0.296in
22mm - 7.27mm - 0.286in
23mm - 7.86mm - 0.309in
24mm - 8.24mm - 0.324in
25mm - 8.41mm - 0.331in
26mm - 8.00mm - 0.315in
27mm - 9.20mm - 0.362in
28mm - 8.54mm - 0.336in
32mm - 9.55mm - 0.376in

Pittsburgh Chrome Vinadium INDIA SAE

1/4"____ 3.96mm - 0.156in
5/16"___ 4.69mm - 0.185in
3/8"____ 5.24mm - 0.206in
7/16"___ 5.08mm - 0.200in
1/2"____ 5.86mm - 0.230in
9/16"___ 6.02mm - 0.237in
5/8"____ 6.87mm - 0.270in
11/16"__ 6.84mm - 0.269in
3/4"____ 7.22mm - 0.284in
13/16"__ 7.55mm - 0.297in
7/8"____ 7.81mm - 0.307in
15/16"__ 8.56mm - 0.337in
1"______ 8.42mm - 0.331in
1-1/8"___ 9.08mm - 0.357in