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Good Stubby set?

azchrisf

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Snapon apparently does not offer a Stubby set, so who has the next best thing that has excellent finish and tolerances?
 
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ddawg16

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If you are using a stubby set, tolerances are not a huge factor. It's not like you are going to get a lot of torque on the bolt or nut.

I have a set of the HF stubby's.....they look fine....and do a good job.
 

Sco Deac

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azchrisf

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Maybe I don't understand how you define stubby, but Snap on has some. Here is the 21 piece SAE. https://store.snapon.com/Short-Hand...ive-Short-Combination-Wrench-Set-P633278.aspx or their midget size https://store.snapon.com/Midget-inc...ve-Midget-Combination-Wrench-Set-P630670.aspx

Williams has them in their USA line. SK has some too. eg. https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/wrenches-combo-stand-full-polish-29007.html

Mine are Craftsman USA which I think were made by SK.

Stubby:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EHTVZV2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'm assuming the SO "Short" handle is their version of stubby? I looked at Midget and those were way too small.
 

Mr_B

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yeh most important thing with stubbies is slim profile so fit in the tight areas extra well.
I sold my snapon metric set as too chunky and hard grip the polished finish, got a satin finish bgs set .
 

Wamsutta

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I'm assuming the SO "Short" handle is their version of stubby? I looked at Midget and those were way too small.

The "midget" is their version of stubby. They're very small wrenches, but then again with that Snap-on superior wrench shape, they're easy to grab and very easy to maneuver. They have proved themselves invaluable for under sink plumbing work.
 

plinker

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I've got the two Williams sets, one Taiwan (inch, chrome), one USA (metric, satin). The Taiwan set has had the most use, they hold up just fine.

FWIW, While you may not a get lot of torque on stubby wrenches, you'd be surprised how much you can get if you're really trying.
 

poppakap

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I have these and really like them

OXIRM707.jpg
 

WWheeler

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Hard to beat Tekton in this application unless you want one with a flex head.

+1

I have in SAE & metric Tekton stubbies, Craftsman USA stubbies, GearWrench flex ratcheting stubbies, and I also have newer China Craftsman lobster-claw stubbies that I've yet to have used. Their open ends are ridiculously as large or larger than the GW flex ratcheting end. lol

The Craftsman USA stubbies I've been turning for something like 25 years now and have been perfect, no complaints. The Tektons are a fairly new addition but I've put them to use a few times so far. They look nice and can definitely turn a bolt. Not much more to say except they have a few metric sizes my Craftsman doesn't but don't have some SAE sizes my Craftsmans do. Also, the Tektons came in nice stubby holders or iirc I think you can get them in wrench roll instead.

The GearWrenches I've been turning for a year or two now. Luv'em whenever I can use them but the flex/ratcheting end is a bit bulky for some tight spots.
 

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MattT

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It's not like you are going to get a lot of torque on the bolt or nut.

Pulling by hand no. Using them as back-up wrenches they see just as much torque, and impact, as any other wrench.
 

Professional Tool User

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I would just go buy the Tekton ones. The finish is pretty good. They fit fine. I actually find that super tight tolerances will backfire on rusted and dirt encrusted fasteners.
 

Tonyuk

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I get buy just fine with a cheap set, i think it was around £15 a good few years ago. I bought a facom ratcheting stubby set to go with them and they've been really useful to have, its a pain to have to undo a tight bolt with a stubby if your hand is crammed into a small space and you need to move the spanner constantly.

Facom-Stubby-Ratchet-Spanner-Set-of-6.jpg
 

Mr_B

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facom one of the best ratchet wrenches around
nice slim rings and open end not too bulky so they pleasure to use plus finish and tolerances great .
Sensible price for the quality you getting and only brand I buy for ratchet wrenches, gearwrench and tekton not that great on ratchet wrenches .
 

Tallpilot

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facom one of the best ratchet wrenches around
nice slim rings and open end not too bulky so they pleasure to use plus finish and tolerances great .
Sensible price for the quality you getting and only brand I buy for ratchet wrenches, gearwrench and tekton not that great on ratchet wrenches .

I wish they were more sensible for us Yanks. Priced in GBP inside the EU customs union they are a great deal. Here in the states they are expensive, rarer than hen’s teeth as well as nearly impossible to warranty.
 
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Mr_B

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yeah warranty biggest problem/loss if paying high price, if look on amazon sometimes can find cheap shipping on a decent base price set .
I paid about 80bucks for stubby set , standard length around 120 .
Prices in europe seem gone up in last few months as did have the standard length sets for 90bucks
Often wonder why don't have them via MAC dealers in the US either as facom or rebranded !
 

CR888

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I've used the Facom stubbies rebranded under Aussie tool co Sidchrome & there great! Massive price difference between the two brands for the same tool. Don't know what shipping would be like but often the rebranded Facom tools are around 25%-50% cost of the exact same Facom ones. Good wrenches.
 

Mr_B

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Looks like they both using same oem
I can get facom about same as sidchrome pricing, all depends where you located and exchange/shipping to what likely best in price .
 

wkndwarrior29

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I have snap on sae and sk metric. I like the length of the snap-on better. I went with sk because I wanted a matching set with large sizes... After handling some sunex I wish I'd just have bought a set of those and added some carslyle individuals, and saved some money.

I also am now looking for flex ratcheting - probably should've just gone that route in the first place.

Just my .02.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 
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azchrisf

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For anyone who has the Tekton set, could you use your calipers and get inside jaw measurements for 3/8, 7/16, 1/2 and 9/16?
 

Tallpilot

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yeah warranty biggest problem/loss if paying high price, if look on amazon sometimes can find cheap shipping on a decent base price set .
I paid about 80bucks for stubby set , standard length around 120 .
Prices in europe seem gone up in last few months as did have the standard length sets for 90bucks
Often wonder why don't have them via MAC dealers in the US either as facom or rebranded !

That's a really good question. Snap-on sells most of the rebranded Bacho stuff. $15 is a decent price for a file that they will warranty when you wear it down.
 

Tallpilot

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For anyone who has the Tekton set, could you use your calipers and get inside jaw measurements for 3/8, 7/16, 1/2 and 9/16?

Sure. I only have non-ratcheting in standard. It would be interesting to compare and see if the tolerances are the same on both.

Open end
3/8 = .3815"
7/16 = .4435"
1/2 = .508"
9/16 = .571"

I measured about halfway down. Obviously it gets a little smaller at the bottom but I think the middle is the most likely fastener contact area.
 

Finky198

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I also am now looking for flex ratcheting - probably should've just gone that route in the first place.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

The blue points have been great tho they are Taiwan made and not super cheap, they have very stout fine tooth reversible ratcheting wrenches with no skips upto 3/4 19mm avail in fixed or flex, long reg and stubby, in sae and met. :thumbup:

I’ve had the stubby flex heads for a few years now they are definitely a time saver on occasions, and a great light weight set of wrench for on the go. or on the cart.
 
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azchrisf

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Sure. I only have non-ratcheting in standard. It would be interesting to compare and see if the tolerances are the same on both.

Open end
3/8 = .3815"
7/16 = .4435"
1/2 = .508"
9/16 = .571"

I measured about halfway down. Obviously it gets a little smaller at the bottom but I think the middle is the most likely fastener contact area.

Well within tolerances, I suppose those or the Williams (which is Blue Point) will work fine. The Gearwrench set I have is at max tolerance on every one.
 

Carquest

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I just ordered a set of SAE and Metric Facom from Ultimate Garage, I love the handles on their 467 series wrenches.
 

Mr_B

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That's a really good question. Snap-on sells most of the rebranded Bacho stuff. $15 is a decent price for a file that they will warranty when you wear it down.

Puzzles me as MAC USA rebranded the facom ns1600f yet don't do other worthwhile tools rebranded !
 

WWheeler

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For anyone who has the Tekton set, could you use your calipers and get inside jaw measurements for 3/8, 7/16, 1/2 and 9/16?

I gave it a go on my Tekton stubbies and got:
3/8" = 0.383"
7/16" = 0.446"
1/2" = 0.518"
9/16" = 0.581"

tekton-stubby-open-ends.jpg

And just for shits&giggles here's a comparison between a 5/8" Tekton stubby and several other 5/8" wrenches of various brands:

0.631" - 5/8" Craftsman USA raised panel 44697
0.636" - 5/8" Craftsman China stubby 44107
0.637" - 5/8" Tekton stubby 18049
0.639" - 5/8" Craftsman USA stubby 44107
0.635" - 5/8" GearWrench long-pattern 81658
0.630" - 5/8" GearWrench ratcheting flex
0.639" - 5/8" GearWrench stubby ratcheting flex
0.636" - 5/8" Dewalt DWMT72197
0.634" - 5/8" Wright WrightGrip 1120
0.638" - 5/8" Snap-on SOEX20
0.636" - 5/8" S-K 88220

5-8-wrench-open-end-comparison.jpg
 

Bluejoe

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Hello Mr B I was looking into the Facom and USAG brand at ultimate Garage. How are the other brand USGA sets comparison to each other. They are less and look to be compatible. I like the idea of a slimmer open end on wrenches. Some brands are too fat. It be nice if Facom and USAG come out with a ASD on their regular wrench. I know their ratcheting ones have it. They are also nice.
 

Mr_B

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I always found facom be cheapest but I purchased via amazon .
prices seem gone up buy 50% in last couple months, usag good option for pretty much same tool if prices better.
 

Motown

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Just picked up this set off a guy on craigslist, $40. Nice polished set.
 

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azchrisf

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I settled on the SK set. Snapon would have been my first choice to match the rest of my wrenches, but they don't make a non-ratcheting stubby-only set that is a true Stubby set and not a bunch of tiny sizes like Ignition wrenches.

Motown - I loved Craftsman at one point. Until I found the steel is soft - yes, the USA steel - Ask me via PM if you want to know about that.
 

Mr_B

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Snapon make a stubby set, I owned one .

craftsman are soft hence the extra chunky jaws .
Plenty decent taiwan options for under 30bucks, BGS done a nice set, facom also real nice, better than snapon imo ...
 
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Wamsutta

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I settled on the SK set. Snapon would have been my first choice to match the rest of my wrenches, but they don't make a non-ratcheting stubby-only set that is a true Stubby set and not a bunch of tiny sizes like Ignition wrenches.

Motown - I loved Craftsman at one point. Until I found the steel is soft - yes, the USA steel - Ask me via PM if you want to know about that.


Whatever gave you that idea? The part numbers for the sets are OXI706B and OEXIM710B.
 

CR888

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I have SP tools Taiwan non ratchet stubbies, I'm very happy with them. Small heads on box end, open ends not thick and decent tolerances. I kinda stole them new at auction for $26! but after using them I'd pay double that easy. There a quite a few well priced Taiwan options.
 
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