Combo Wrenches - Craftsman ASD vs. Dewalt DirectTorque

[Finance Guy]

I'm looking to upgrade my combination wrenches with a set of long-panels ... probably narrowed down to:

1) Craftsman
Gunmetal Chrome
Proto's ASD design
Made in Taiwan

2) Dewalt
Full Polish Chrome
DirectTorque Technology
Made in Taiwan

Any opinions on the current generation Craftsman vs. Dewalt?

 

[Andres26tnt]

I'm looking to upgrade my combination wrenches with a set of long-panels ... probably narrowed down to:

1) Craftsman
Gunmetal Chrome
Proto's ASD design
Made in Taiwan

2) Dewalt
Full Polish Chrome
DirectTorque Technology
Made in Taiwan

Any opinions on the current generation Craftsman vs. Dewalt?

The same wrench, only the stamping is different.

 

[Odd-job]

The same wrench, only the stamping is different.

Am pretty sure the newer Dewalts lack ASD. Maybe Craftsman is the new poor man Protos.

 

[king1320]

As far as I understand it the new Dewalts don’t have the same asd feature on the open end like they used to...... now it is only on the Craftsman version. I have a set of the older Dewalts with the asd open end and they have worked well so far. I would however probably lean toward the latest Channellock combo wrenches or wait for the Harbor Freight Icon branded ones. These seem to be better quality with fit and finish as well as what I think is a better asd on these particular style wrenches.

 

[Finance Guy]

Am pretty sure the newer Dewalts lack ASD. Maybe Craftsman is the new poor man Protos.

That's what I'm trying to get my hands around ... in general, most of the Dewalt tools are a step above the "new" Craftsman. The sole exception appears to be the Gunmetal Chrome tools ... Proto's ASD design was removed from the Dewalt wrenches and incorporated into the Craftsman wrenches.

To those who any experience with the two designs, would you pick the Craftsman ASD over the Dewalts?

 

[Odd-job]

Price being equal would definitely go with ASD. Have an older DEWALT ratcheting set of metric with ASD and a newer SAE set without and do appreciate the extra bite of ASD on the open end.

The next time around am seriously contemplating just getting a set of the Protos or Wrights in satin. Trying to convince myself though the 3x + premium is worth it for this finance desk jockey and considering all of starving children in the world. HJE day may convince me otherwise though

 

[BillK]

If I understand it correctly the ASD wrenches have serrations that help dig into the bolt or nut ? That would actually be a big turn OFF for me. I would normally never use an open end wrench on anything that required a lot of torque anyway but I do understand that sometimes that is the only thing you can get to fit.

 

[Tonyuk]

I would go for the set with a grip in the open end.

However my favourite spanners are the 440 series by facom, and they have a standard open end.

 

[Andres26tnt]

That's what I'm trying to get my hands around ... in general, most of the Dewalt tools are a step above the "new" Craftsman. The sole exception appears to be the Gunmetal Chrome tools ... Proto's ASD design was removed from the Dewalt wrenches and incorporated into the Craftsman wrenches.

To those who any experience with the two designs, would you pick the Craftsman ASD over the Dewalts?

As I said, they are both the same wrench from the same factory. The difference is the Chrome finish, ADS(newer DeWalt don't have it) and the stampings.

I have the DeWalt with ADS, very good wrench and got them at a cheaper price in Amazon. quality wise they both come out the same factory with different stampings. Its up to you to see if you like the "Gunmetal" chrome or regular chrome and the ADS.

 

[Fedwrench]

How often do you actually need an open end with bite? i know this is garage journal where everything has teeth

Does that craftsman set skip sizes you might want? Is craftsman open stock available to expand your size range or to replacement misplaced wrenches?

Why only those two brands?
Have you looked at Milwaukee's offerings? Carlyle? or the budget version from channellock?

There are just so many options out there only to limit yourself to two brands

My other question is what are you upgrading from and why do you feel the need to upgrade? When have your current wrenches failed you?

 

[Finance Guy]

How often do you actually need an open end with bite?

I don't know, but since I'm planning to buy a new set of wrenches anyway...

Does that craftsman set skip sizes you might want? Is craftsman open stock available to expand your size range or to replacement misplaced wrenches?

The Craftsman set does skip sizes that I might want ... open stock is not (yet?) available.

Why only those two brands?
Have you looked at Milwaukee's offerings? Carlyle? or the budget version from channellock?

Craftsman and Dewalt offer cheaper alternatives to the Proto brand ... however, I am not necessarily stuck on those two. I do recall that you have often recommended Dewalt, especially the ASD's.

I am looking for long-panel wrenches, and Milwaukee's tend to be rather short ... right? I've barely looked at Carlyle, and never looked at Channellock ... not opposed to either.

My other question is what are you upgrading from and why do you feel the need to upgrade? When have your current wrenches failed you?

Craftsman raised panel ... I am looking to augment (rather than replace) with a professional long-panel wrench set.

 

[Fedwrench]

Sound reasoning

I missed the long panel in your post sorry. Milwaukee are standard length so they won't fill the bill.
Yes, I've always liked the first generation Dewalt long combination wrenches with the ASD open ends. A 10 piece set could be had for less than $40 so, you got some nice wrenches at a great price.
I don't have any experience with the craftsman gunmetal set aside from seeing it on a shelf.
Good luck in your quest

 

[Finance Guy]

Yes, I've always liked the first generation Dewalt long combination wrenches with the ASD open ends. A 10 piece set could be had for less than $40 so, you got some nice wrenches at a great price.

Thanks ... would you get the Carlyle's over the current generation Dewalt's?

 

[Fedwrench]

Thanks ... would you get the Carlyle's over the current generation Dewalt's?

I already have the Carlyles

If the Carlyles were on sale, i think i would. They are a nice long pattern wrench that is easily available and warrantied through many NAPAs.

 

[Odd-job]

I already have the Carlyles

If the Carlyles were on sale, i think i would. They are a nice long pattern wrench that is easily available and warrantied through many NAPAs.

These are conveniently on sale now.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQCW1211M

https://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/search/?text=CHT_CW1211

Not sure if they are the long patterns. Also might be slightly cheaper if you wait for 25% off bucket sale.