Craftsman quick wrenches (complete set)
- Thread starter Bdgjr215
- Start date
yamaha0343
Well-known member
I have a set somewhere at home. I don't know where because I hid them so I don't mistakenly use one ever again. 
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
That's probably the most complete set I've seen. I never really cared for them. The good thing about them was that they were longer than the standard raised panel wrench. Looking back, I think Sears would have been better off and sold more wrench sets if they just would have released a long pattern raised panel wrench & skipped the quick wrench open end.
toplessHO
Well-known member
I have a set of the SAE and can count the number of times I used them on both thumbs.
Agree that the box end is useful since the wrench is longer
Mine are also tied together hanging on a nail in garage,far away from the tool box
Agree that the box end is useful since the wrench is longer
Mine are also tied together hanging on a nail in garage,far away from the tool box
That's probably the most complete set I've seen. I never really cared for them. The good thing about them was that they were longer than the standard raised panel wrench. Looking back, I think Sears would have been better off and sold more wrench sets if they just would have released a long pattern raised panel wrench & skipped the quick wrench open end.
The extra length on them is actually what i like about them!
I've not seen that many in one spot. That said, I really don't care for the quick wrench or ratcheting open ends on wrenches. I love ratcheting box ends, but the open ends just all seem to feel like they have a sloppy fit with the quick to turn features to me.
Empty Pockets
Well-known member
I too, have both the SAE and metric sets, I bought them, as i thought they were interesting,
Now they sit on my peg board wall, covered in dust from lack of use
Now they sit on my peg board wall, covered in dust from lack of use
Sears offered a 5 piece Craftsman =V= SAE set back in the 1960s. The open end was a little different than those posted by the OP. I bought a 1960s set for purposes of adding them to my =V= collection. I wouldn't give much consideration to using them or even using the more current versions like those depicted above. They seem like gimmick tools to me.
Jim C.
Jim C.
I think I'll put these to the test for a while and see if everyone's opinions are
Valid.Ive been using a dewalt ratcheting box end set that I really like,but I'm
A Little bit intrigued about these.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
I could see a use for the open end as a stubby, single end, low torque wrench for tight quarters.. Looks like Craftsman had a different idea
HotrodHR
Well-known member
Dumbest set of wrenches that I have ever purchased. Quick ratchet or whatever they're callin it open end just feels goofy.
In my box and gets mixed in with other "real" combo wrenches. I think I purchased them on sale... at least I hope so!
In my box and gets mixed in with other "real" combo wrenches. I think I purchased them on sale... at least I hope so!
I think ratcheting box end wrenches are GREAT!! As for ratcheting open end wrenches, I'd still say, "Don't waste your money." I can't think of a single time I ever thought, "Boy, if I only had a ratcheting open end wrench right now...." I suppose they may have saved someone's *** at some point and they'll get the job done if needed. I guess all you can do is give them a try.
Jim C.
A guy posted here years ago about how his father (re?) invented the ratcheting open end some time in the 50's. A vise and a file on an old wrench basically.
He somehow never made big on it but did document his efforts. Another offered proof it had been invented earlier. Post WWII or so.
All I know is the three I have don't 'feel' like you have the fastener solidly and thus don't want to pull hard. Not too many things I work on can be left loose and one tool should start and finish the job. These cannot.
And I still buy all I can find. Lol
He somehow never made big on it but did document his efforts. Another offered proof it had been invented earlier. Post WWII or so.
All I know is the three I have don't 'feel' like you have the fastener solidly and thus don't want to pull hard. Not too many things I work on can be left loose and one tool should start and finish the job. These cannot.
And I still buy all I can find. Lol
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
In confined areas, when working on air, hydraulic, and fuel lines, where your fingers are not strong enough to turn the loosened fitting, and a full length wrench is too clunky.. I often use a bare crow foot socket to turn such fittings.. A set of those ratcheting open wrenches; cut to a short length would work good. The box end on those wrenches is convenient for a zip tie to keep the set together on a yard sale.. I would like to find a set and cut them off. One other good use is to hang the zip tied set on the inside of your entry door. A cow bell works better, but you would hear them rattle when the door was opened.
I have a set somewhere at home. I don't know where because I hid them so I don't mistakenly use one ever again.
LOL
finn
Well-known member
I have a set.
Frankly, I forgot I have them until I saw this thread.
I put them in a safe place. Just can't remember where it is.
Frankly, I forgot I have them until I saw this thread.
I put them in a safe place. Just can't remember where it is.
In confined areas, when working on air, hydraulic, and fuel lines, where your fingers are not strong enough to turn the loosened fitting, and a full length wrench is too clunky.. I often use a bare crow foot socket to turn such fittings.. A set of those ratcheting open wrenches; cut to a short length would work good. The box end on those wrenches is convenient for a zip tie to keep the set together on a yard sale.. I would like to find a set and cut them off. One other good use is to hang the zip tied set on the inside of your entry door. A cow bell works better, but you would hear them rattle when the door was opened.
It's just not right to destroy ingenuity of that level. What will be left to remind the grandkids to never do that again?
Door chimes are what Bionic wrenches were meant to be, but they failed at that too.
Rileysan
Well-known member
I wouldn't care if they worked as advertised or not -I would have purchased them just to add to my Craftsman collection. They are not very common and I have never seen a full set of metric and SAE wrenches in the same place. Well done!
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
List of usefulness is getting narrower.
Might have to settle on giving them to the in-laws as a Christmas or birthday gift.
kbkna
Well-known member
I used mine last week as I was removing the door hold open plate on my 1990 F150. Couldn't get a box end on it and of course the bolt was about 2 inches long! I guess in certain times it may come in handy. Back to where they were hanging for the last 4 years!
Thanks Rileysan.The fact that they were complete was what stopped me to look
In the first place.Then I noticed how much longer they were than a regular
Wrench, so I bit.We'll see if there useful or not, im gonna use em for a
While and see what I think.
I have a Frank Riley patent version that the plan was one open end and multiple sizes.
This was achieved by stepping one side of the open end. A side result was it sort of ratcheted, and he marketed it as such in the late 20's.
Bonney made them and they supposedly were sold through SO catalogs in the early years. I was unable to confirm that.
They suffer the same issue of it feels insecure to reef on them. But they were well made tools, rather costly in their day.
This was achieved by stepping one side of the open end. A side result was it sort of ratcheted, and he marketed it as such in the late 20's.
Bonney made them and they supposedly were sold through SO catalogs in the early years. I was unable to confirm that.
They suffer the same issue of it feels insecure to reef on them. But they were well made tools, rather costly in their day.
Art From De Leon
Well-known member
Other than removing lines, or using one to finish removing a bolt, where there is no clearance to remove the box end each time to get a new bite, I never used the open end of a wrench.
The set of Snap-on open end ratcheting wrenches I had, went unused for years, until I traded them back for something else that caught my eye.
The set of Snap-on open end ratcheting wrenches I had, went unused for years, until I traded them back for something else that caught my eye.
Commendatore
Well-known member
I bought a set of these because they would have been handy for some of the tight engine bays I used to work in. Seemed like one or two uses where an aftermarket manifold/turbo/etc just didn't leave enough room to work would have made them worth the price. Fast forward 3 years and I haven't needed one since!
Here's that Craftsman =V= set from the 1960s. The original pouch is a little worn, but as you can see, the wrenches themselves are in MINT condition, almost like they were never used. They probably never were used. I know they seem like a good idea, but even 50 years ago, someone bought these and never took them out of the package. I think the same holds true today. Except on a rare occasion, which I still have not experienced, I don't see a lot of utility in ratcheting open end wrenches. Just my opinion.
Jim C.
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disston
Well-known member
I have a set made by Blue Point. Have never used them but figure I will someday have no problem selling because of the name.
Haha yeah I can shift some stuff around in my box
sberry
Banned
I have 1 or 2, never figured out how to use it. I could find something I actually needed.
I picked up some of these for the specific job of turning nuts and bolts around tight headers. They were sometimes too big to fit, because it was so tight. Where they could fit, the back drag was so great that ratchet action would not work, and the fastener did not advance, it just went back and forth with moving in or out.
I would not get these, save your money and time. I would not sell these to someone else either. Whoever designed these, should be forced to use them everyday. Maybe they could reduce the drag and make it better, but I do not know if that would be possible or worth the effort.
I ended up using a selection of different length wrenches, including a stubby, and a crows foot. To get the job done. It was a very tedious job.
I would not get these, save your money and time. I would not sell these to someone else either. Whoever designed these, should be forced to use them everyday. Maybe they could reduce the drag and make it better, but I do not know if that would be possible or worth the effort.
I ended up using a selection of different length wrenches, including a stubby, and a crows foot. To get the job done. It was a very tedious job.
The three I have are three different off brands and they were purchased for no good reason at all. So far they have caused no problems in that capacity.
I did try the older Riley before them as I could and found it little more than a cool concept that may have worked well in a simpler world.
I did try the older Riley before them as I could and found it little more than a cool concept that may have worked well in a simpler world.
Cruzan80
Well-known member
Just saw these come up on CL. Not sure if they are quite a full set (case seems to have some holes) but quite a few...
http://denver.craigslist.org/tls/5748712005.html
http://images.craigslist.org/00K0K_lNOZ4Q3sdjU_1200x900.jpg
http://denver.craigslist.org/tls/5748712005.html
http://images.craigslist.org/00K0K_lNOZ4Q3sdjU_1200x900.jpg
1950mercury
Well-known member
Use them. How often do you use the open end anyways. ESP if they are longer. Most open ends are a waste unless they are the fdp+ style
Gotta disagree with you Sir.
I use open ends all the time and they do just fine.
Oddly none are more than a simple smooth version also. Your fancy Snapper stuff may be all YOU like but others have had different experiences.
As with all things there is difference in cut and quality, I found a bunch of really good ones and make good use of them.
I use open ends all the time and they do just fine.
Oddly none are more than a simple smooth version also. Your fancy Snapper stuff may be all YOU like but others have had different experiences.
As with all things there is difference in cut and quality, I found a bunch of really good ones and make good use of them.
For sure.the fact that there longer than a regular wrench pushed me over the edge to buy them.When i loosen or tighten a nut or bolt using a wrench ,I always spin the wrench around to the box side anyway,so I'm not worried about slippage.
I used the 5/8" version yesterday on a toilet supply line. Once you get the hang of it they worked great for this purpose. I only have the SAE versions and would love to get a set of the Metrics mostly for the extra length advantage on the box end, I don't often use open ended wrenches so the gimmick aspect wouldn't bother me.
Raven2k360
New member
Slim chance of OP replying to a thread this old, but I'm wondering if he - or anyone else - has a list of the part numbers on the individual wrenches. I've gleaned most of them from ebay ads and what I have on-hand, but just for personal OCD-sake I'd like to fill in the blanks and eventually get them all.