Decent Combination Wrench Set

[theZombie]

Hi guys, long time ready and DIY wrench turner, first time posting. I've learned alot and have been slowly filling up my tool box with quality tools and replacing some tools that have been a bit disappointing.

That said, I'm looking for a decent metric and SAE combination wrench set. My budget is ~$150. I work on my Jeep Wrangler every other weekend. I went to sears and was about to purchase a few craftsman sets, but when handling them, they seemed extremely poor in quality. The 12pts looked very uneven like they were going to strip or not fit my bolts. Nothing like my craftsman sockets I got a few years back. I would love snapon and etc., but that would be a dream of mine, even used

Any recommendations or help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[volvo92906]

I like Husky tools a lot. Been buying more of them to get away from Sears garbage. (Not for COO but because of quality). Heck, even the O'Reillys wrenches "Extreme" are good.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

kobalt

 

[jmm]

Gearwrench makes very good tools that can be had for cheap. Their standard (non-ratcheting) combo wrenches are nice. You might check SK, too.

 

[absolutelybillsmood]

I've had these for a while, I like them...

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Stanley-11-Piece-Wrench-Set-Metric/14146055?findingMethod=rr

 

[mech-tech]

My honest experience...the older USA made craftsman are about the cheapest you would want to go, not due to bad metal or warrenty, but more because every time I buy a cheap set of wrenches, there is always at least one wrench that won't even fit on a fastener due to poor quality control. I would go for gearwrench, sunex, or any other decent name brand that been around for a while.

 

[gagreen]

If you're looking for a combination wrench set you can give the dewalt line a shot. They fit your budget and they are damn nice. They sit right next to my snap on in my toolbox and hold their own.

If you want sockets check out blackhawk by proto the sockets are made in the usa and are extremely high quality. I use them professionally and am pretty much a true believer in them. They are also extremely affordable and fall under Proto warranty if you ever have an issue. I will not replace them with snap on. example of the price range you get with blackhawk sockets. You don't have to spend pro money to get very high quality tools in your at home box. I make believers out of the blackhawk sockets everytime i use them around guys at work. Blackhawk ratchets on the other hand are mostly a waste of money go with armstrong, or proto

 

[devoncoolman]

Buy some nice williams wrenches. Ull be very happy with them.

 

[toolstools]

Classifieds on here. If you really want snap on $150 for a used metric OR sae us easily attainable. Id go metric first since you have a jeep. Or dewalts new line. $107 for both sets and no skips. Or watch classifieds here for lower brands. Ie- I'm getting ready to receive gearwrench long pattern 6-22 and 1/4-1&1/16 for $120, shipped.

 

[zkling]

I like my craftsman standard "raised panel" USA made wrenches. Just watch out as most of the sets in stores are China made now I am trying to get away from craftsman tools because of that.

You should be able to get NOS, or used Craftsman USA on ebay, both sets for <$150.

I am starting to look at SK for good USA tools, but there is a quite a price jump from USA craftsman to SK.

I would personally look at the used route. Look for brands like Bonney, Proto, SK, Wright, Plomb (seen Plvmb), Armstrong, fleet, Cornwell. These are all good quality brands that don't seem to fetch the crazy prices the more well known brands like Snap on and Mac do. The only offshore wrenchs I would consider would be gearwrench.

EDIT,

You could always try the craigslist or garage sale route. However if you value your time it would probably be easier to purchase them all at once.

There are a few USA craftsman wrench sets on ebay for ~$45 each, shipped. What do you consider a complete "set", up to what size?

 

[theZombie]

Thanks guys. Yah my old craftsman sockets are made in USA and have never given me any problems, except for the ratchets themselves. These new ones I was handling are all made in china. I have some Kobalt impact sockets that are excellent fit as well. Really impressed by the Kobalt actually. So in the socket department I'm good.

If I went with the Kobalt ones, would I be let down? I do like that I can run down to lowes and switch them out if they give problems. On the other side I like those SK recommended earlier. Most of my bolts are metric and can get away with just 1 set for now. I'm going to take a look at proto as well.

 

[SMKS]

You may want to also look at Blackhawk. Their wrenches (except ratcheting) and sockets are made in the USA. They're pretty affordable, too.

As strange as it may seem to say it, Stanley (the parent of Blackhawk) now seems to be a good source for USA made tools. Now that Apex has shipped so much production offshore you really don't have many other options in that price range.

You can also consider Wright, Williams, SK and Armstrong, but they would probably stretch your budget for both sets.

Personally, if I had that budget I would probably get a new metric set (if that's what you use more) or a lightly used set. You could then pick up a cheaper SAE set on ebay or locally. I see way more SAE stuff going for cheap, but I really have almost no use for SAE stuff, so my SAE sets were assembled for cheap with swap meet purchases.

 

[CWP1616L]

I'm going to take a look at proto as well.

That's what I was gonna recommend. They're a heckuva lot better than Kobalt.

 

[wornoutoldman]

Check ebay for SO sets with owners initials. They can be had pretty cheap. Also look for Blupoint the taiwanese SO sets.

 

[gagreen]

Thanks guys. Yah my old craftsman sockets are made in USA and have never given me any problems, except for the ratchets themselves. These new ones I was handling are all made in china. I have some Kobalt impact sockets that are excellent fit as well. Really impressed by the Kobalt actually. So in the socket department I'm good.

If I went with the Kobalt ones, would I be let down? I do like that I can run down to lowes and switch them out if they give problems. On the other side I like those SK recommended earlier. Most of my bolts are metric and can get away with just 1 set for now. I'm going to take a look at proto as well.

I have kobalt ratcheting wrenches (covers head in preparation for an assault) and stubby combo's, they fit, they ratchet, and haven't rounded off a fastener yet, they do everything I've asked them to do lol. I do like my dewalt wrenches better, they can be had a sears. I don't see any major detractions from kobalt as a viable wrench in many cases. No airplane that I've used my kobalts on have fallen out of the sky because the wrenches were bought at lowes lol.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

If I went with the Kobalt ones, would I be let down? I do like that I can run down to lowes and switch them out if they give problems. On the other side I like those SK recommended earlier. Most of my bolts are metric and can get away with just 1 set for now. I'm going to take a look at proto as well.

The kobalts will serve you fine. Can't go wrong price or strength wise with those

The RP USA craftys are good as well. In nearly 40 years of wrenching I've broken one, So you'd likely never have to warranty one. I use a crafty 7/8 six point wrench, 5 foot long piece of pipe and piece of hex stock to break dana 60 king pins loose when an impact won't budge them.

Craftsman Industrial is also an option. These can be found at times on Sears.com and zoro tools at thrifty prices

 

[SMKS]

Also look for Blupoint the taiwanese SO sets.

If you want to go Taiwanese, the Williams import wrenches are the same as Blue Point but cost less.

 

[Mickey O]

Start with looking for "Made in USA" on a set, you can't go wrong.

 

[toolstools]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=207799

10-19 snap on asking 160 like new. Bet you could swing an extra $10 or he'd come down $10. This is who i bought the long patterns from.

Im not a snap on man, but if thats what you want that set is made for you. Metric will tear apart your entire jeep. Then either wait or get a cheaper set of sae. Like GW or even HF.

 

[Rickster]

Have you looked at the Craftsman Pro's?

 

[bobemmerich]

I'm going to take a look at proto as well.

I think you'll find Proto a little out of your price range, at least from the pricing I've seen.
Craftsman Industrial, Blackhawk, SK, Stanley (even though they're made offshore, they're still a good brand) or if you can find the USA made ones, Allen brand.
I have these and they've never let me down...

 

[theZombie]

Thanks toolstools. I am definitely considering that set. These are some of the others I'm considering recommended by you guys.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002NYCT0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LVG9TE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'm really leaning towards either the SK or Proto due to having a 21mm to help when I re-torque down my trackbar and control arms.

 

[devan7815]

I have to agree with member jmm. The non-ratcheting Gearwrench line would be my choice if I were starting over looking for wrench sets. Nice long pattern and good finish. A good choice also because they seem to be on the shelves at Advance Auto Parts stores(behind the counter). Availability is kind of a big deal if you need duplicates in certain sizes or replacing one that gets lost. I think the K-D stuff is the same as Gearwrench BTW. The numbers etched on the wrenches seem to be the same on the ones I've seen.
Glad to hear everyone's input. Curious about the Proto stuff everyone raves about. Never had one in my hand.

 

[gagreen]

Thanks toolstools. I am definitely considering that set. These are some of the others I'm considering recommended by you guys.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002NYCT0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LVG9TE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'm really leaning towards either the SK or Proto due to having a 21mm to help when I re-torque down my trackbar and control arms.

I'm partial to proto generally but either set will serve you and your kids, and their kids, and lol. Got to love amazon prime lol

 

[Coach James]

Truthfully, any of those brands would serve you fine. Kobalt, Husky, Allan, Gearwrench, Stanley, Craftsman, SK and several others would all get your Jeep fixed.

One of my former students works part time at a BMW or Mercedes shop, I forget which, and he uses Stanley wrenches he got at WalMart.

I would pick the ones that were most comfortable to hold and were a complete enough set to fit the fasteners you would be working with.

Coach

 

[CWP1616L]

I'm really leaning towards either the SK or Proto due to having a 21mm to help when I re-torque down my trackbar and control arms.

I'm thinking you should lean more towards Proto than SK.

 

[theZombie]

Thanks guys. I ordered the SK set up to 8-22mm. This should take care of all my immediate needs. I can always order the SAE later.

 

[Nocturnal-G]

Wish I had seen this thread earlier...

Stahlwille 10 piece set for 140... Under the 150 budget.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008632DVW/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1373897194&sr=8-3&pi=SL75

Enjoy the SK set... The only SK in my box is a breaker bar, It's really nice.

 

[AmericanPreferred]

Good luck with the SK's. If you are looking for SAE Northern sells a USA made Allen set for about $22. You can usually find a 5$off a 15$ promo code to get them in the teens. I pieced together a 16 pc set(10-25mm) Armstrong metric 6pt's at Cripe for around $80.

 

[CWP1616L]

Thanks guys. I ordered the SK set up to 8-22mm.

They're gonna be some chunky square wrenches.

The Proto's would have been rounded, nicely sculptured wrenches.

 

[SMKS]

They're gonna be some chunky square wrenches.

The Proto's would have been rounded, nicely sculptured wrenches.

My god, give it up, Merk.

You complain about having to wrap a rag around Snap-on wrenches because they're too thin and sharp, but others are too square and chunky.

Good lord.

And, I don't agree that they're "chunky square wrenches." I've never heard anyone complain about the beam profile.

Good crimany seriously? Pulling on those thin beam Snap-on wrenches must've hurt. I hope you had a glove on or a towel wrapped around it.

 

[air]

I like SK wrenches

 

[wrh3]

What about this Gearwrench set, has just about every wrench you would ever need:

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=KDT81916&source=froogle&kw=KDT81916 - Cheapest HERE

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003L1ZZVY/?tag=atomicindus08-20 - Better Pics and Reviews HERE

I have this one in my Jeep among other things......

 

[theZombie]

Good thing about amazon is i do like their return policy. I get the SK's tomorrow. You really dont know until you put them in your hand. Once i crank down and a few bolts, I'll let ya'll know how i like them. If not, I'll be swapping them out for the proto's.

 

[SMKS]

They're actually pretty nice, IMO. Some people here will look for ways to complain about any tool.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

They're actually pretty nice, IMO. Some people here will look for ways to complain about any tool.

Here on this forum? Surely you jest.

 

[theZombie]

Well I got an update on the wrenches. They arrived today and they are some nicely crafted instruments. Fit real good and solid in my hands. There is a downside though I got a wild set. I am missing 16mm and 17mm and got two 20mm and 21mm

That is not a good first impressing for me. I read a review on there where someone else got a 6pt 17mm instead of 12pt. I am really disappointed in QC. I talked with amazon and got a label and tomorrow they will be on their way back.

The search is still on. Proto or Wright?

 

[Nocturnal-G]

Well I got an update on the wrenches. They arrived today and they are some nicely crafted instruments. Fit real good and solid in my hands. There is a downside though I got a wild set. I am missing 16mm and 17mm and got two 20mm and 21mm

That is not a good first impressing for me. I read a review on there where someone else got a 6pt 17mm instead of 12pt. I am really disappointed in QC. I talked with amazon and got a label and tomorrow they will be on their way back.

The search is still on. Proto or Wright?

What are you looking for in a wrench? Quality, thin, open end "teeth", certain sizes (I recall seeing you need 21mm), etc?

 

[theZombie]

Quality where I would not need to replace it during use as long as its not abused (cheater bars, etc). Quality also means consistency for me, I dont want 1 bad wrench out of the bunch. I need 21, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, and 13 at least. I could care less if it's polished or satin.

 

[Hiball]

My advice, if your gonna buy SK, use a dealer like tooltopia that is gonna have fresh stock.. I suspect there is a lot of poor QC sets still lingering in the system. Or.. Simply call the current Sk regime and see if they will remedy any past issues, my advice only.