German Double offset box wrench set

[mikey03]

I like the looks of these double deep offset box end wrenches but idk how often I’d actually use them. If I wanted to buy one to keep in the toolbox do you guys think a smaller or bigger size would be the most handy in this style?

Im thinking either small like a 8x10 or larger like a 17x19 or a 22x24

I use 17 and 19 more than I use 22 and 24 but when I do need to work on 22 24 I need all the help I can get. I used an XL long double box 22x24 to take off some O2 sensors recently and man it was a true pleasure in life to thread the wiring harness through and crack them loose like nothing. I swear to god I thought I stripped the sensor, it just turned so smooth and easily I figured the sensor rounded out and the wrench turned on its own

So anyways if I was going to get just one just to see if I’d ever use it should I go really small or go really big?

Already got a full set of XL zero degree double box, and full set of regular length combo wrenches and shorty length combos. And long flex double box ratcheting wrenches.

So this would be my 5th wrench style but I don’t want a full set, I’m still growing my basic tools but want to see if I find one useful ever.

 

[BobsYourUncle69]

Oh yeah, the infamous Gedore India wrenches from the 80s. They are a common sight around here, and while not the worst wrenches ever, they are clearly far away from what people would consider a good tool.

As far as I know, the plan at the time was to produce cheaper tools for the emerging markets in Asia and thus profit from the growth there.
In the end, however, a large number of these wrenches ended up in Western markets, where they were sold by numerous hardware stores, among others, which actually hurt Gedore's reputation pretty bad.
This does not seem to have resulted in any long-term learning effect, as these days imported tools from China are being sold under the label "Gedore red".

Which Gedore Red tools are made in China ? Ive only seen Gedore red tools that are made in Taiwan , India and a couple in Germany but never China.

 

[AJHD]

Which Gedore Red tools are made in China ? Ive only seen Gedore red tools that are made in Taiwan , India and a couple in Germany but never China.

The weird thing is both Gedore blue and red tools seem to share common countries of origin.

For example I had 2 Gedore red pliers a few years ago made in Austria. But there are also Gedore blue pliers made in Austria.

Beyond cost, I'm not sure what dictates the reasons behind where Gedore sources their tools from.

 

[BobsYourUncle69]

The weird thing is both Gedore blue and red tools seem to share common countries of origin.

For example I had 2 Gedore red pliers a few years ago made in Austria. But there are also Gedore blue pliers made in Austria.

Beyond cost, I'm not sure what dictates the reasons behind where Gedore sources their tools from.

Are you reffering to the pliers in the pic ? If so , those aren't gedore red , they're just Gedores which the handles have been dipped red , I have a pair of cutters like that too.
Gedore Red will say "GedoreRed" on the tool , have a model nunber that starts with "R" abd have no COO on the tool unless its made in Germany. So those in your pic are Regular Gedore, or as now known as , Gedore Blue despite being red.

 

[AJHD]

Are you reffering to the pliers in the pic ? If so , those aren't gedore red , they're just Gedores which the handles have been dipped red , I have a pair of cutters like that too.
Gedore Red will say "GedoreRed" on the tool , have a model nunber that starts with "R" abd have no COO on the tool unless its made in Germany. So those in your pic are Regular Gedore, or as now known as , Gedore Blue despite being red.

Jesus, way to make it ******* confusing. I hate these damn tools companies.

 

[ecotec]

I have the 8pc Stahlwille 20 set. It has been terrific so far. I wish that I had bought a larger set instead.

I also bought a Stahlwille Motor 10 set. It is very nice, but I have never used it.

 

[Typhon]

I have the 8pc Stahlwille 20 set. It has been terrific so far. I wish that I had bought a larger set instead.

I also bought a Stahlwille Motor 10 set. It is very nice, but I have never used it.

I usually buy sets directly, even though I know that many sizes in a set rarely get used in practice.
Afterwards, it’s hard not to feel a bit frustrated, as if I spent money unnecessarily.
The only exception for me is the Stahlwille 20. With that set, I actually feel I shouldn’t have bought just the smaller 7-piece set—in hindsight, starting with a more complete set would have been the better choice.

 

[BobsYourUncle69]

I usually buy sets directly, even though I know that many sizes in a set rarely get used in practice.
Afterwards, it’s hard not to feel a bit frustrated, as if I spent money unnecessarily.
The only exception for me is the Stahlwille 20. With that set, I actually feel I shouldn’t have bought just the smaller 7-piece set—in hindsight, starting with a more complete set would have been the better choice.

I've always had the Gedore 1B which is an offset combination and then some generic non offsets when space didn't allow for the 1B. I always pulled the 1B out 1st as it's a nice wrench to use. I had an SAE double box end set for just incase.

There were a lot of tools I couldn't bring with when I moved countries, and one of them was my 1B set. Seeing what 1B's cost here , I thought I'd opt for Gedore NR2 double box end offset and topped that off with a Dowidat NR2 double box end offset ( identical to the Gedore )
I then also bought the Stahwille 7 PC set you mention here as id heard good things about them.

Well , I ended up buying a Gedore 1B set anyway as non offset wrenches don't feel as nice to use and neither do these double box end ones. The clearance on the larger sizes isn't that different when you consider the beam is thicker on the double box end set. The smaller sizes though , the double box ends do have more clearance.

I wish I'd just bought what I had before , Metric 1B set and double box end SAE set and not bought a metric double box end set at all , thinking I was spending a few hundred less , I ended up spending a few hundred more.

I'll probably keep the 8 pc Gedore set but I've let the Stahlwille set go as it was the heavier of the 2 sets and I'll let the Dowidat set go as I don't see reason to keep them as my larger 1B will function the same for the most part and are still to me , the most comfortable wrenches to use.

 

[finn]

I have some Gedores I picked up when we lived in Germany a long time ago. I don’t know if they’re representative of tosay‘s product, but I haven’t used them in years.

I do occasionally use the few Crafrsman from the late seventies. Those old Craftsman double offsets are superior to my Gedores.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

I've always had the Gedore 1B which is an offset combination and then some generic non offsets when space didn't allow for the 1B. I always pulled the 1B out 1st as it's a nice wrench to use. I had an SAE double box end set for just incase.

There were a lot of tools I couldn't bring with when I moved countries, and one of them was my 1B set. Seeing what 1B's cost here , I thought I'd opt for Gedore NR2 double box end offset and topped that off with a Dowidat NR2 double box end offset ( identical to the Gedore )
I then also bought the Stahwille 7 PC set you mention here as id heard good things about them.

Well , I ended up buying a Gedore 1B set anyway as non offset wrenches don't feel as nice to use and neither do these double box end ones. The clearance on the larger sizes isn't that different when you consider the beam is thicker on the double box end set. The smaller sizes though , the double box ends do have more clearance.

I wish I'd just bought what I had before , Metric 1B set and double box end SAE set and not bought a metric double box end set at all , thinking I was spending a few hundred less , I ended up spending a few hundred more.

I'll probably keep the 8 pc Gedore set but I've let the Stahlwille set go as it was the heavier of the 2 sets and I'll let the Dowidat set go as I don't see reason to keep them as my larger 1B will function the same for the most part and are still to me , the most comfortable wrenches to use.

The 1B is a really good wrench. They are my primary set in the garage. I agree that the Stahlwille Series 20 can get a bit unwieldy, so I have some Series 23 which are a bit more user friendly. I’m slowly building up my Gedore collection. I have the 1Bs, the 7s, the XLs and a few of the double open ends plus the offset ratcheting wrenches. I’m missing a few sizes but I either don’t use them, they’ve been on backorder, or I’ve gotten by using a different series. The Gedore finish is really nice. The only Gedore wrenches I do not own besides an 8x10mm are the deep double box. The beam is quite round and it’s hard to really push and pull on the wrench.

 

[roofdweller49]

I'm deciding between the stahlwille 21 and 23

Is the 21 more versatile for general purposes? What are situations that a 23 would work but a ratchet wouldn't?

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

I'm deciding between the stahlwille 21 and 23

Is the 21 more versatile for general purposes? What are situations that a 23 would work but a ratchet wouldn't?

Been considering about this recently, and we touched on it here a few days ago https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...-usefulness-of-different-wrench-types.558698/

I'd say the 21 is less versatile. Being completely flat, you can swing it in a narrow space, but it won't clear any obstructions nor make room for your hand.

For each one, there's situations it's better at or where only it will work.

Someone in the linked thread mentioned the ends of the 23 are quite similar to combination spanners such as the 14. What you go for needs to bear in mind what your whole collection will look like.

Also note the lengths, e.g. in 12x13mm: 21 150mm, 23 203mm, 20 220mm.


21 Stabil (flat)


23 Corona (shallow)


20 Stabil (deep)

 

[roofdweller49]

Whoops, I meant 20 and 23.

Lots of people on this thread saying the 23 isn't that useful and they reach for the 20 first.

 

[Hakeem]

Whoops, I meant 20 and 23.

Lots of people on this thread saying the 23 isn't that useful and they reach for the 20 first.

Yeah , having both sets I’d agree. The 23 wrench is mostly redundant if you have combo wrenches (the offset *is* different from the typical 15deg offset but not by much) but the 20 wrenches can get on fasteners where nothing else will.

 

[Dave455]

I'm deciding between the stahlwille 21 and 23

Is the 21 more versatile for general purposes? What are situations that a 23 would work but a ratchet wouldn't?

I have both the 20 and 23.

They are both good designs, but I find myself using the No.23 Corona’s all the time. They have pretty much become my “go to”. The size, balance, everything, is just right. I have them up to 32mm and love using them.

Sure, there are some situations where you haven’t got quite enough offset with the 23’s, but equally, there are times the No.20 has too much.

The design of the No. 20 is pretty unique though. I can’t think of any other design that offers an offset angle so large, yet with so much clearance. And as Hakeem suggested they are a good complement to a set of combination wrenches.

I guess that’s a pretty useless answer, effectively the GJ fallback of “get both “!

 

[BobsYourUncle69]

Id personally go for the 20 if I were in your shoes unless you have a very specific daily that the 23 will suffice but then if it's a daily use item , I'd just go with the Gedore 1B combination for comfort(or any other offset combination ,just can't think of others offhand that are available here )

The 20 seems like the most logical buy here without knowing specially what you need them for. If you need an offset for the odd job where you need an offset? Nothing worse than going through the expense and then there isn't enough of an offset for a specific task and then needing to go through the expense again to get the deeper offset. I say that only because of you were willing to buy both sets , you wouldn't be battling to decide between them.

My opinion.