Like lashing valves or carb studs.
Do We Really Need Deep Offset Box End Wrenches
- Thread starter Joe Piro
- Start date
Whatever SK set I bought a few years ago has an 8x9 and a 9x10 included. I don't use them a lot but they are handy for rear sway bar end links on the E46 and brake bleeders. Pretty sure I had to use one on the M62 thermostat housing.
nbpt100
Well-known member
I really started thinking about getting that Capri 75 degree off set metric set. It is out of stock everywhere.
Even at the capri website.
capritools.com
Even at the capri website.
75-Degree Offset Double Box End Wrench Set, 6 to 24 mm, Mechanics Tray
Our 75 Degree Offset Box End Wrenches are great for every professional that have limited space. Leverage that can fasten at more angles. Metric
capritools.com
VolvoRyan
Well-known member
Funny thing. After wrenching almost exclusively on RWD Volvos for 20 years, I had two deep offsets. A couple years ago, from a very good friend and 30 year Volvo tech, I inherited his dealership toolboxes and tool set. He had the exact same two deep offsets.
When you need them, you need them. Some tools you want the full set with no skips. For others, you just want *only* the exact sizes you need.
-Ryan
When you need them, you need them. Some tools you want the full set with no skips. For others, you just want *only* the exact sizes you need.
-Ryan
nbpt100
Well-known member
Right now I only have 2 offsets that are 6 pt which are intended for brake bleader valves. Yes indeed. But changes seem to happen so much faster now. I would want the full set. At least from 10 to 19. 8 to 24 is ideal Even If I think right now I would use only 2. Who knows what I will own for vehicles or equipment I will have to repair over the next 10 years.
These are down in price considerablt the last couple days if someone (like me) has been on the fence.
It is kinda dumb that they have 20mm but not 21mm.
nbpt100
Well-known member
Looks like a great deal. I do agree about having a 20mm inplace of the 21mm. It ships out of the UK. Just wondering if UK made vehicles use a 20mm? Jag or Land Rover?
I realized everyone is talking about German tools but in my personal experience this set from toptul is without question top quality. It's 12 pieces and has the 21mm people are looking for.
jmtoolco.com
I bought this in the spring, JM shipped fast and answered the one question I had.
12pc 75° Offset Double Box End Wrench Set - METRIC
75º Offset Metric (6x7, 8x9, 10x11, 12x13, 14x15, 16x17, 18x19, 20x22, 21x23, 24x27, 25x28, 30x32) Satin Chrome Finish Black Pouch Bag
jmtoolco.com
I bought this in the spring, JM shipped fast and answered the one question I had.
At the price of the set you'll make out even if you buy a 21x23 or 21x24 later.
Do they exist?
RAS61
Well-known member
In stock at Samstag, KC Tool says back in stock in Dec.
My personal preference with offset wrenches is - the longer the wrench, the less of an offset. Many times when using long deep offset wrenches the wrench tends to want to pivot under high torque. This is less of an issue with low torque (i.e. shorty) wrenches.
So my long wrenches are 0 offset (like the Snappy High Performance style) or maybe 15 deg max (like my Bonney DBE's), and the deep offsets I get in shorty wrenches (i.e. Indestro Supers)
Though, those Stahwilles look great!
If I need deep penetration I use sockets. Deep and restricted areas I pull out the SALTUS wrenches.
So my long wrenches are 0 offset (like the Snappy High Performance style) or maybe 15 deg max (like my Bonney DBE's), and the deep offsets I get in shorty wrenches (i.e. Indestro Supers)
Though, those Stahwilles look great!
If I need deep penetration I use sockets. Deep and restricted areas I pull out the SALTUS wrenches.
bwringer
Well-known member
I wish they sold "Asian vehicle" sets, of these and many other tools.
I rarely, if ever, work on US or Euro brand vehicles, so sizes like 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 23mm are a waste of space and money.
For example, I bought a set of those long flex reversible ratchet "Mountain" wrenches a while back. The 8/10, 12/14, and 17/19 went into my main box and are used regularly. The 13/15 and 16/18 went into the Bottom Drawer of Mostly Useless **** in a different box against the wall and haven't seen the light of day.
I rarely, if ever, work on US or Euro brand vehicles, so sizes like 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 23mm are a waste of space and money.
For example, I bought a set of those long flex reversible ratchet "Mountain" wrenches a while back. The 8/10, 12/14, and 17/19 went into my main box and are used regularly. The 13/15 and 16/18 went into the Bottom Drawer of Mostly Useless **** in a different box against the wall and haven't seen the light of day.
Black300zx
Well-known member
Can't do? Or "can't do easily"?
The one application where my deep offset box ends are better than anything else is adjusting the camber/toe eccentric bolts on my Z. The bolt head side is recessed and blind if you're laying on the ground behind the car. You can't get a combination wrench on it. A ratchet works, but if you turn the eccentric too far, you need to flip the switch to change directions (which in itself can make you loose your spot). A breaker bar can also get the job done without the need to flip a switch, but having the socket flopping around makes it difficult to "feel" the socket onto the bolt head.
I bought my deep offset DBE set specifically after cursing those bolts while aligning my car after a suspension refresh. Needed? No. Incredibly nice to use for this situation and worth the expense? Yup. I expect any application where you need to adjust a recessed bolt to a certain orientation would be an application where deep offset box ends really can't be equalled.
nbpt100
Well-known member
Some would include the 15mm in that Asian set. Do you realy think there is a serious market for a set of ony three wrenches? If so, Just buy the three wrenches individually. People on here ***** all the time that some set skips the 17 or the 15. This is the GJ where most members are wrenching on multiple type of cars and/or machinery. They are not limiting themselves. I can see some guy who only changes his oil and rotates tires may be happy with only a few wrenches. But that is not the typical GJ member.
bwringer
Well-known member
Good points (but where have you seen 15mm on Asian vehicles?).
In the case of those wrenches I mentioned, I did indeed check the price of buying only the ones I needed individually, and it came out to more than the set of five. Maybe that's another rant... it sure would be nice sometimes if individual tools were more easily available and not so damn expensive.
And yep, needs vary tremendously. Overall, I do understand that most serious tool-using primates would be much happier with a "no-skips" set.
Tekton, for example, touts several no-skip sets, and they also usually sell sets in metric or inch, instead of forcing metric-only folks to store a bunch of useless inch stuff and vice-versa.
Yeah, asking for three variations of metric-only sets is probably a bridge too far...
Black300zx
Well-known member
It's not uncommon for the local hardware shop to have different hex sizes than OEM for the same thread size. The most common example I run into is M10 bolts having 14mm heads from the factory, but HD/Lowes M10s have 17mm heads. I think I've ran into a couple M8 and M10 replacement nuts or bolts on my Z that needed a 13mm or 15mm. McMaster-Carr shows 14, 15, 16, or 17mm hex options for M10 bolts, so it's plausible.
Not a problem if you've got a virgin vehicle, but those other sizes could be useful on a used vehicle, or of you find yourself needing to grab a replacement bolt from the local HW store.
$38 each at KT Tool. There goes all the saves.
Stahlwille 20 Double ended ring Spanner, 21 x 23 mm
Stahlwille Tools 20 Double ended ring Spanner, 21 x 23 mm
www.kctool.com
NIce. Only $66, how could I not buy them?
Price the same set at KC Tools or Samstag .$38 each at KT Tool. There goes all the saves.
Stahlwille 20 Double ended ring Spanner, 21 x 23 mm
Stahlwille Tools 20 Double ended ring Spanner, 21 x 23 mm
Keep all of them with you so when you come upon a good looking girl with a broken down VW you can help her out
Nissan uses 13, 15, and 18 quite a lot now.
15mm on a lot of Toyotas inner tie rod hex.
they're double offset, so the offset angle is only about 15 degrees, but with more clearance from the first offset.My personal preference with offset wrenches is - the longer the wrench, the less of an offset. Many times when using long deep offset wrenches the wrench tends to want to pivot under high torque. This is less of an issue with low torque (i.e. shorty) wrenches.
So my long wrenches are 0 offset (like the Snappy High Performance style) or maybe 15 deg max (like my Bonney DBE's), and the deep offsets I get in shorty wrenches (i.e. Indestro Supers)
Though, those Stahwilles look great!
If I need deep penetration I use sockets. Deep and restricted areas I pull out the SALTUS wrenches.
RAS61
Well-known member
You got me, when I found I had Amazon CC points that would cover the purchase I couldn't resist
RAS61
Well-known member
How do you figure? $66 + $38 = 104, what's a better value, are you comparing to the Toptul? Toptul is supposed to be excellent, and their set goes up to 32mm, but it's a Taiwan copy, you can't expect the German original to be lower in price$38 each at KT Tool. There goes all the saves.
Stahlwille 20 Double ended ring Spanner, 21 x 23 mm
Stahlwille Tools 20 Double ended ring Spanner, 21 x 23 mm
Something like that does exist to a degree if you seek out Japanese made hand tools. Here are a few examples of wrench sets from KTC that are geared towards working on Asian made vehices/machines.
Amazon | 京都機械工具(KTC) ストレートロングめがねレンチ セット 5本組 M1505 | メガネレンチ
京都機械工具(KTC) ストレートロングめがねレンチ セット 5本組 M1505がメガネレンチストアでいつでもお買い得。当日お急ぎ便対象商品は、当日お届け可能です。アマゾン配送商品は、通常配送無料（一部除く）。
www.amazon.co.jp
Amazon.co.jp: KTC ロングめがねレンチ 7点セット M5-7P (M5-0810,M5-1012,M5-1113,M5-1214,M5-1417,M5-1719,M5-2224) : 車＆バイク
Amazon.co.jp: KTC ロングめがねレンチ 7点セット M5-7P (M5-0810,M5-1012,M5-1113,M5-1214,M5-1417,M5-1719,M5-2224) : 車＆バイク
www.amazon.co.jp
Amazon | 京都機械工具(KTC) 15度ロングめがねレンチ セット 3本組 M1513 | メガネレンチ
京都機械工具(KTC) 15度ロングめがねレンチ セット 3本組 M1513がメガネレンチストアでいつでもお買い得。当日お急ぎ便対象商品は、当日お届け可能です。アマゾン配送商品は、通常配送無料（一部除く）。
www.amazon.co.jp
Here's a Koken zeal socket set
Amazon.co.jp: 山下工業研究所(Ko-ken) ソケットレンチエントリーセット Z-EAL 3285ZE 9Pcs 差込角:9.5mm 9個組 1セット : DIY・工具・ガーデン
Amazon.co.jp: 山下工業研究所(Ko-ken) ソケットレンチエントリーセット Z-EAL 3285ZE 9Pcs 差込角:9.5mm 9個組 1セット : DIY・工具・ガーデン
www.amazon.co.jp
and finally an entire small tool set from KTC
Amazon | 京都機械工具(KTC) 9.5sq.工具セット(型開きメタルケース)43点組 SK3434S | 工具セット・道具セット
京都機械工具(KTC) 9.5sq.工具セット(型開きメタルケース)43点組 SK3434Sが工具セット・道具セットストアでいつでもお買い得。当日お急ぎ便対象商品は、当日お届け可能です。アマゾン配送商品は、通常配送無料（一部除く）。
www.amazon.co.jp
I do think stuff like that is neat and I often see Euro tool brands have tool sets with sizes geared towards Euro machines. Sadly I can't really make good use of sets like that since I seem to have to deals with metric equipment from all over the globe along with SAE machines so I always have to think about having all that on hand.
I really started thinking about getting that Capri 75 degree off set metric set. It is out of stock everywhere.
Even at the capri website.
75-Degree Offset Double Box End Wrench Set, 6 to 24 mm, Mechanics Tray
Our 75 Degree Offset Box End Wrenches are great for every professional that have limited space. Leverage that can fasten at more angles. Metric
It's back in stock, for the moment at least, on Amazon. Both the pouch and the foam tray.
But yes, it's been out of stock for awhile now. It's on my list of tools to buy, just hope I get the chance before they disappear or otherwise go out of stock again.
Yep, KTC is great for "asian only" sets. I have their TM510 set and the wrenches are excellent.
Tone makes some sets too. AMZN JP has lots of asian specific wrench sets.
My 2011 Altima is at bit over 100k now and I've been doing a lot of work recently (with more on the way).
Few weeks back I replaced the front strut assemblies, rear shocks, front tie rod ends, sway bay end links front and rear, pads and rotors front and rear, etc... And I literally used just about every wrench and socket size I have.
I either know for a fact or strongly believe nothing I removed was a factory part (and they were not replaced with factory parts), but it felt very strange using 11mm, 13mm, 15mm, even 16mm to R&R parts on a Japanese car.
It's definitely made me rethink buying a complete set vs. a single socket or wrench (Asian cars should be 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm, 19mm and 21mm).
seber
Well-known member
I needed one once. Don't remember what for but I know I needed it because I made one by bending a cheap wrench that is still in the box.
Very good solution, have to remember that one.
bsaint
Well-known member
Got me outta a pinch once when I broke something on a toyota belt adjuster. They've earned a spot in the wrench drawer.
Unfortunately they have gone up in price and it's only a 10mm-19mm set, but does anyone have an opinion on the Icon set at HF (I don't have hands-on experience with any Icon tools)??
www.harborfreight.com
Having the additional sizes included with the Capri set would be nice, but at more than double the price of the Icon set, it's a bit more than I need or want to spend. I don't see myself using this style of wrench much, I've made it this long without them. But still something I'd like to add to my collection (even a "smaller/cheaper" set).
Professional Metric Offset Box Wrench Set, 5 Piece
Amazing deals on this 5Pc Metric Offset Box Wrench Set at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com
Having the additional sizes included with the Capri set would be nice, but at more than double the price of the Icon set, it's a bit more than I need or want to spend. I don't see myself using this style of wrench much, I've made it this long without them. But still something I'd like to add to my collection (even a "smaller/cheaper" set).
dammit
I do have a Craftsman open socket/ratchet set, which I do see as similar function, but...
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nbpt100
Well-known member
The 60 degree off set is good but not as desirable as the 75 degree. IMHO. Yes, too bad the price has gone up. I think they have a 10% off coupon on any item for this week end. Not a lot to take off but it is something. From past posts people generally have had positive comments about Icon. Some think they are over priced. But you can take it to the store to warranty and do not have to mail anything as you would with Moutain or Capri. I hope someone who owns them will chime in. Maybe there will be some good Black Friday deals.Unfortunately they have gone up in price and it's only a 10mm-19mm set, but does anyone have an opinion on the Icon set at HF (I don't have hands-on experience with any Icon tools)??
Professional Metric Offset Box Wrench Set, 5 Piece
Amazing deals on this 5Pc Metric Offset Box Wrench Set at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
Having the additional sizes included with the Capri set would be nice, but at more than double the price of the Icon set, it's a bit more than I need or want to spend. I don't see myself using this style of wrench much, I've made it this long without them. But still something I'd like to add to my collection (even a "smaller/cheaper" set).
I have the DeWalt set in fractional and it was a bit cheaper than some of the others. I didn't check their metrics but the fractionals are nice wrenches. In fractional the DeWalt was the better deal than Icon. More sizes if I remember right.
Black300zx
Well-known member
Unfortunately they have gone up in price and it's only a 10mm-19mm set, but does anyone have an opinion on the Icon set at HF (I don't have hands-on experience with any Icon tools)??
Professional Metric Offset Box Wrench Set, 5 Piece
Amazing deals on this 5Pc Metric Offset Box Wrench Set at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
I needed an offset DBE set (well....17mm and 19mm) for a specific job. I'm not a professional so I try to walk the price/quality line carefully for most tools, with a lot of Tekton/Sunex/Craftsman/Channellock in my box. When I was picking which offset DBE set I wanted I considered the Icon set (~$60), the Tekton set (link) for about the same price, and the Craftsman set (metric version of this which seems to be NLA) for around $45.
I ended up going with the Icon for a few reasons:
- The Craftsman and Tekton set were 45degree offset, versus the larger 60degree offset of the Icon. I wasn't sure if 45degree would give me the clearance I needed
- I have a HF 15 minutes down the road from me, so warranty exchanges should be quicker and easier
- The Craftsman (and some other cheaper options) have the wrench sizes in order (IE - 17 and 18mm pairs together on the same wrench). The Icon (and Tekton) have 17/19mm paired together which allows me to grab one wrench for just about all of my suspension bolts (same with 12/14 and 13/15 pairings).
. The Icon sets fits well, is finished as well as the Channellocks, and feels better in the hand than anything else I have, as they have a fairly thick edge which doesn't dig into your hand when you're pulling hard on a fastener. In short, I'm perfectly happy with them and they feel like they'll serve me just fine for years to come. If I found myself in need of an SAE set, I'd probably go Icon again, although I'm not going to sit here and blow an Icon trumpet and tell everyone that they should do the same if they're considering something higher end (Capri, SK, Wright, etc)