Comparing wrench prices.

[TimDaToolMan]

My 1st wrench set will be metric, since I use it the most.

Don't HAVE to be Armstrong, so I looked around. Would like 12 point.

The Armstrong is a 15 piece set. $203.60 is the cheapest I could find it. That is about $13.50 a wrench. Not cheap!

Wright 18 piece set. Cheapest was $164.99

Proto 15 piece is $188.99.

As much as new wrenches are, I'm gonna look for used.

Out of Proto, Wright and Armstrong, who makes the best wrench?

 

[CWP1616L]

The best wrench is the one that feels the best in your hand. All the USA made industrial brands are excellent quality. The only reason I'd stay away from the Wrights are because they're too short for what I'm used to. I'm used to the standard length Snap-on combos which are longer than the Wrights.

 

[NIDDLE]

I'm in a similar situation you are. I've been wanting to get a standard and metric wrench set and have been back and forth on all of those brands. Had it narrowed down to Williams and Wright, until I found a 9/16 wright grip in my work toolbox. I will be getting the Wrights. Don't know if they're the "best" out of the bunch you descibed, but the one I have is better quality than my Cman pros.

 

[CWP1616L]

Wright makes a great wrench. Just wish they'd stretch them out a little bit.

 

[volaredon]

My vehicles and lawn equip at home is mostly SAE and at work I use almost all metric ****. I have no problem buying either Proto or Williams instead of S/O and Mac.

Also buying used is just fine as well.

 

[soulstryke]

i use a 15 piece fully polished ASD proto wrench set and i love them. Id say the most important thing is your application. Proto ASD wrenches are slightly longer and thicker for more torque(industrial use), while something like snap on is thinner and shorter for "tight automotive" spaces.

 

[Texican]

I am partial to Proto, they are pretty easy to pick up for a really fair price. They lack the name recognition of many other brand so a lot of sellers do not know what they have. Martin wrenches can also be had for a nice price. Most industrial brands can be found used at great prices.

 

[plinker]

S-K is another option, should be able to find a decent price on a set.
My metric set is S-K from 7-19, 20 to 36 is a complete mix of a lot of different brands. I do like the feel of the Matco/Armstrong wrenches.

 

[Armstrong1720]

Sit back and watch for proto challenger on ebay sometimes a whole set pretty cheap

 

[smothers33]

never seen a proto but wright are pretty good, and armstrong are pretty good but a little behind the wright IMO. my favorite wrenches are my snapons but i doubt you wanna spend that much. I also have some sk that are my next favorite wrenches but they are alot shorter than most other brands. id put sk in front of wright, then armstrong but thats just my opinion

 

[CWP1616L]

A set of 10mm-19mm combination wrenches made by Snap-on are up to $310 now. I payed $286.05 for the set back in 1999. But in relation to the price of everything else since 1999, they haven't gone up that much.

I just bought an Empire 16'' x 24'' carpenter square from Sears last week for $6.99 plus tax. For the same amount of money, I could've bought a one pound bag of pistachio nuts from the grocery store. Which do you think will last the longest?

 

[pipsters]

Someone on here did a review of the SnapOn flank drive plus wrenches, and showed how the open end basically dug into the nut and wouldn't flex open. Before that I thought the whole Snap-On thing was overpriced, but if I were doing this over I would buy a set for sure. In fact I might sell off my Craftsman Industrials in the smaller sizes.

 

[kts]

Someone on here did a review of the SnapOn flank drive plus wrenches, and showed how the open end basically dug into the nut and wouldn't flex open. Before that I thought the whole Snap-On thing was overpriced, but if I were doing this over I would buy a set for sure. In fact I might sell off my Craftsman Industrials in the smaller sizes.

That review and others like it on the Flank Drive Plus wrenches are what sold me on them. I'm not a pro and it was tough spending that on a wrench set but already the open end has saved me with removing a rusty old nut that I had limited access to and with my old Craftsman wrench I probably would have rounded off. I'm tackling some tie rod and control arm nuts tomorrow that the open end will let me get to and remove whereas otherwise I'd probably need to remove a few other things to get a socket on them so I can see where these can be a real time saver too.

I also like the added length over my old Craftsman wrenches and they feel much better in my hand.

 

[GIJoe4500]

Hit up pawn shops! I found a 23 pc SK metric set in a roll (well, 22 pc, was missing the 10mm) for $50. Ordered a new matching 10mm from tooltopia, and now have a complete set that looks brand new.

Just gotta keep your eyes open.

 

[RCStocker]

Hit up pawn shops! I found a 23 pc SK metric set in a roll (well, 22 pc, was missing the 10mm) for $50. Ordered a new matching 10mm from tooltopia, and now have a complete set that looks brand new.

Just gotta keep your eyes open.

WOW!!!!! I nver find anything that cheap in a pawn shop. You got a bargan. You stole the SK I have SAE and metric in standard and long style. I use them all the time. I like them. I have Snap-on sets but I never use them. I have other sets and I grew up with Craftsman raised pannel wrenches. I made a living and repaired farm machery and used them in machine shope work. I really don't find that there is all that much difference. The Snap-on's are so tight they don't always want to fit cheap bolts. I have never had a simple Craftsan wrench fail in over 50 years. I have a set of Wright SAE and many other brands. The open end on the Wrights is very sharp. I use them as a road set. They are in a roll and go form 3/8" to 1-1/4" I paid $50 for the set. They are like new.

My bottom line is buy an US made set use that is a good price. If you buy them right and don't like them you can always get your money back or make farthing then get a set you like better.

 

[Thunderbisciut]

Honestly you're not going to be disappointed choosing any of the major brands. I recently replaced my SK superkrome sets with a Proto satin ASD SAE set, and a Proto 500 series metric set. I only replaced them because I wanted some longer wrenches, and I only bought those sets because I got a great deal on both of them. I would have been just as happy getting any other brand at the prices I paid.

 

[pipsters]

Hit up pawn shops! I found a 23 pc SK metric set in a roll (well, 22 pc, was missing the 10mm) for $50. Ordered a new matching 10mm from tooltopia, and now have a complete set that looks brand new.

Just gotta keep your eyes open.

I bought the same set from CL for $50, flipped it for $170. Nice wrenches chrome wise but they flexed too much on the open end for me, ***** I wanted to like them but just too wide on the open end. Mine were actually US military it looked like.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

either brands you mentioned are ok...
I some in box, most people at work think they are junk and dont use them..
good for me..

 

[soulstryke]

Judging by your avatar and quote you have a soft spot for Armstrong. Therefore it would make sense to spend a extra buck or 2 on the Armstrong wrenches, they will hold up like any of the other brands u mentioned and you probably won't regret it.

 

[CWP1616L]

Yes, I wish I could get the OP back on track of buying the Armstrong Extra Longs.

 

[MattPersman]

As much as the OP wants us made wrenches, if I was on a limited budget I would get a set of ratcheting wrenches, gear wrench, Blackhawk, Armstrong, whatever the largest set he can find for the right price. Face it much work is done by sockets these days, wrenches are a much smaller percentage, do I love my flank drive plus sets, totally, but there are tons of times I just grab a gearwrench and put it to work for me.

Cripe dist usually has some lower priced non ratcheting wrenches on there website and ebay

 

[briandrex]

I'm definitely saving up for a flank drive set of metrics from snap on. I was able to pick up about a ten year old set of Matco metric wrenches from 10-19mm for $75 off CL. Wasn't a steel per say but a nice set at a price I could afford. Definitely had to scour CL to find them but my morning coffee time did pay off.

Set is in nice shape and I"m very happy with them. If you can't afford new just keep on looking online, at yard sales or estate sales as time permits and you will find a deal you just can't pass up on. Good luck and buy whatever suits your budget and needs.

 

[Nocturnal-G]

I know you want an American brand... but these wrenches are probably just as good or better than the ones you mentioned... made by Heyco, sold by Wiha. They come with a "Flank Drive" known as "Super Drive" box ends. Here is a 15 piece set with a tool box for 155, free shipping... They are satin finished for better grip, so keep that in mind if you want all out bling bling chrome.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YH9XBS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Forgot to mention, they are made in Germany!

 

[CNGsaves]

Knowing that TimDaToolMan was wanting to buy Made in USA tools and took liking to Armstrong, I've scouted CL a bit and found these "Mechanics Set" that have whole slew of Armstrong tools.

Anyone have these?? Price seems steep at over $1K. Comments??

Armstrong "Mechanic set" of tools in plastic toolbox at Rome, GA pawn shop for $1,400
http://gadsden.craigslist.org/tls/3535792685.html

Armstrong complete Mechanics Set in Hawaii for $1,200
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/tls/3578913938.html

 

[woody 73]

All of the wrenches that the op mentioned are fantastic choices; if I was in his shoes I would pick up a set of the craftsman industrial line wrenches all made in the USA and all at very good prices.

Now if I had to pick from his choices (leaving out the Industrial line) then I would pick the ones that fit best in my hands, some wrenches have a sharp outline that cut into my hands and some when covered in oil tend to slip very easy so find the ones that will make your job a lot easier after a long day at work.

 

[5mall5nail5]

Crastman industrial are awesome and cheap and US made

 

[Danglerb]

I like Snapon, took me awhile to find a full set buying one or two at a time, but never paid more than $10 or so for a wrench.

 

[Prior]

Check out cripe distributing. I put together a nice USA Allen set of metric combos from 10-32mm for about $80. Can't beat it.