Help me choose some combo wrenches.

[racerjohnbf]

Ok I know this has been gone over many times but I'm going to ask anyway. Who has the best affordable combo wrenches?

Here's my story.... I work on turf equipment mainly. I've been using Tekton combos for the last 3 or 4 years at work and raised panel Crafstman at home. I had been wanting to upgrade for a while so when a found a good deal on some Wright Grips I ordered 2 complete standard and metric sets, one for work one for home.

I found out quickly the Wright Grips are too aggressive for me and marred up nuts that get loosened and tightened multiple times a week.

So now I'm looking for some decently priced wrenches good for every day use. COO is not super important, I just want something that will hold up and not mar fasteners.

I am considering in no particular order... Proto, Blackhawk (seem too short according to specs), Gearwrench, Carlyle (cant find specs), or just getting another set of Tektons to use at home and keeping the set I use at work since I haven't had any problems with them.

Opinions.....

 

[bobcatdan]

SK makes pretty nice wrenches.

 

[lardy1]

SK is my choice.

 

[Rabid Badger]

If you're looking for USA made SK is a good choice. If you don't mind imports you can add Icon to your list. They're on par with Carlyle but cheaper.

 

[Lisamelting]

I've been using Blackhawk industrial finished combo wrenches at my primary job for over 25 years.

When I got a part time job and needed to fill another box I purchased Tekton. I've been happy with both.

Everyone's situation is different, but if was looking for more wrenches I would buy Tekton again and save a bunch of money.

 

[KnurledNut]

Ill trade you a set a Tektons for your WrightGrips....

 

[shawhite]

I think you will find any anti slip design will leave some sort of mark. Proto has anti slip on its open end. May be a silly question but can you just use the box end to eliminate this problem.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I am a big fan of SK and Wright. As you said, the Wrightgrip wrenches are too aggressive, so, I'd go for SK. As a bonus, they are made in the USA

 

[ChrisLS8]

Keep in mind the SK are pretty short, even the XL's.

 

[CafeTools]

Icons have a very mellow anti slip design. The ratcheting wrenches are very long and the regular combo wrenches are normal length. Both of these sets together cover a lot of ground.

 

[Torque&Recoil]

Keep in mind the SK are pretty short, even the XL's.

I really hate to say this, but ... my SK's are so fricking short that I just bought a set of Tektons to replace the SK's.

 

[Mr_B]

stahlwille series 14 via amazon germany .

 

[Joebass]

I have the Proto T500 ASD's, the satin professional line and the Challenger by Proto line. Very happy with all of them.

 

[seanb02]

SK would be my recommendation. That is what I have, 1/4" up to 1-1/2" in long pattern. Also a complete metric set. I wouldn't go for the regular length ones, but the long pattern ones are just right to me.

I also have a set of Wright Grips, they are a hair on the short side, but overall I like the feel of those ones as well. So if you like your current Wright Grips, you will almost certainly like the SK wrenches as well.

You mention Carlyle, you won't go wrong there either. They are good quality tools, and I have a set of them in the main shop box, people around here lose them, but I haven't seen any come back broken yet, and they fit the hand comfortably and do the job no problem.

 

[Yarpo]

Before reading your post I was going to immediately reccomend Wrights. They're my favorite without a doubt. Having read your post however, maybe buy Williams or SK? I'm not sure what fasteners you where using them on but I find mine may mar up the finish of a fastner, but they're not causing any damage that would make the fastner unusable or unpresentable.

 

[turnthewrench 2.0]

stahlwille series 14 via amazon germany .

This or Proto.

 

[tutti57]

Mac has a deal right now on a full set from 6-32mm. I believe it goes straight from 6-24 before the skips start. $400. They are the precision torque wrenches that are not too short. I have the ratcheting 6 point flex set and they are really short. I had to talk myself out of the big set just today. If not that set, I also like SK, then Gearwrench.

Nissan Technician

 

[81turbota]

SK long pattern. They’re a little short standard.

 

[CJM8515]

williams

 

[racerjohnbf]

Lots of great advise already.....

I really like the looks of the long pattern SK wrenches, but price may become a factor here. They cost more than I paid for the the Wrights. May have to only buy one set right now if I go that route.

Proto still a consideration and really like the looks of those and from what I've read they dont ****** up fasteners too bad.

I'll have to check out the Icon

Can anyone give me specs onto the regular length Carlyles? Lengths?

Yes I could use the box end however it would slow me down and that would defeat the purpose of spending money on new wrenches.

The location of the nuts I'm working with most cause me to have to get at them from an angle. And yes I could use a socket or box end, but again that would slow me down by having to use more than one tool.

More Tektons still an option as well as Gearwrench long patterns. But really looking for a one and done purchase, wrenches that will last.

Must be pretty soft fasteners because the Wright were actually cutting grooves in the nut after only one use.

 

[racerjohnbf]

Just saw the post about the Mac wrenches. I'll have to check those out. Probably a bit to high on the price scale for me though.

And have heard good and bad about the William's. Seems I read they are kinda clunky.

Does anyone have any experience with the Gearwrench long patterns of current manufacture?

 

[yellow wagon]

What about used Snap-on? I still think their wrenches feel the best in hand

 

[californiaHank]

Lots of good US 'standard length' alternatives - Proto or SK are two good choices.
If you want long pattern - Stahlwille 14 series or SK long pattern.
Not a fan of the Asian alternatives.

 

[Yarpo]

Just saw the post about the Mac wrenches. I'll have to check those out. Probably a bit to high on the price scale for me though.

And have heard good and bad about the William's. Seems I read they are kinda clunky.

Does anyone have any experience with the Gearwrench long patterns of current manufacture?

I own a set of the long pattern GW. They're nice, not great not bad. They're no better than Tekton tho, so I wouldn't advise buying as I believe they're more expensive. I like them tho, first set I got when I got into the trades a few years ago. Good length and good beam size. Open ends are similar to William's, which I dislike however, and they're made in China if I recall.

 

[nichocha33]

Long pattern Carlyle


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[n8n]

What about used Snap-on? I still think their wrenches feel the best in hand

Depends on if you work with or without gloves. With gloves, Snap-On is great. I'm old school and usually don't bother with gloves, and I prefer my old SuperKromes even though they are heavier.

 

[ZRX61]

My go-to's are Husky Pro. Used daily for 20 years or so, no issues.

 

[montanafordman]

I've had full polish USA craftsman pro wrenches that were made by Armstrong and also rebranded as Matco for years and they've been fine but on a whim I bought some SK wrenches that were being clearanced from a closing tool store - and I REALLY like these SK wrenches. They are very comfortable to use and have a really nice balance and feel to them. I will echo what others are saying about the SK.

 

[Wamsutta]

I've tried all kinds of combination wrenches. I keep going back to Snap-on.

 

[rustbucket5]

i believe those mac wrenches are rebranded facoms so you might be able to get them cheaper through facom. i would not recommend the carlyle/milwaukee/icon/channellock wrenches in your case as the open end can still mar up fasteners, they are all made with the same open end they just differ in length and beam style/size

 

[BDT/NWMN]

In Your case: I would run a red line thru any particular set of combination wrenches that have any form of grip grooves in the open end. Take note that certain tool manufacturers offer both anti slip and "normal" open end combination wrenches. I speak highly of most of My Proto combination wrenches; except for one particular toothed monster that snuck in with a set of used wrenches. I would not miss it if I lost it or gave it away.

 

[Matt XYZ]

I bought a set of Tekton and really like them. I also purchased Proto Professionals off eBay for a great deal and they are my go to wrenches. I've moved my Craftsman RPs into storage.

I'm also building a mixed set of Stahlwille, Hazet and other German brands from flea markets for peanuts and they are probably my favorite. I'm just a DIYer so I don't use them every day and can't justify Snap on.

 

[bixxjs]

Gear wrench, affordable and won't leave marks on fasteners

 

[Dave455]

Generally speaking, you get the best value buying tools that don’t have to travel far. In the U.K. or Europe I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend any number of European makers that offer good products at reasonable prices, but if I was in the U.S. I would be looking at domestic made.

Proto - yes. Decent tools, no issues, probably ideal, but perhaps towards the top of your budget? Keep an eye on deals. Do you have to have combo wrenches? I often see sets of open ended wrenches, and box end, on deals.

Williams Super Combo. Nice feeling tools. Similar proportions to Snap On, good length, but the edges are much more rounded. The open ends do have teeth. I don’t have a problem with this, but if you are working on soft fasteners you might.

How about Snap On (Flank Drive, not Flank Drive Plus with teeth). Again, there are deals, there are used, or what about considering the ‘industrial finish’. Less costly than regular for no drop in quality!

 

[Tonyuk]

Gedore XL

Facom 440

Hazet XL

 

[cherrybomb]

I would start at looking in the Proto line up.My second choice would be SK in the long pattern.They will last,they both are just that good.Part of good wrenching,is enjoying quality tools.

 

[racerjohnbf]

So after looking at all the options proposed, I think I have narrowed down my choices to SK long pattern, Proto, or Carlyle standard length. If I do either of these I should be able to buy inch and metric for work and still get another set of Tektons to replace the RP Crafstman at home. Or just keep using the Craftsmans at home for now since I don't wrench at home that often right now anyway.

SK long pattern is probably my #1 choice as of now, but due to cost I would probably have to do the 13pc sets and get a few bigger wrenches from Tekton or Carlyle.

Proto would be my second choice, maybe even first, but I don't see in their catalog that they do a plain smooth open end.

Standard length Carlyle looks pretty good too and the standard length has a smooth open end. Can't find any spec on length on these though.

 

[parks31]

Check out the sunex 9917mp. No skips currently 119 on Amazon. They have the bonney style pattern.

 

[Ohmthis]

I was also going to suggest Wright, as I have them and do love them. I agree the open end is aggressive, but that is one of the things I like about them. I also use Proto ASD at work and I find that they are not that aggressive. I will say that the wrights are more comfortable to me than my Proto wrenches. Have you thought about a NONWrightgrip wrench? If you like the wrenches, get them without the grip part. I have not tried SK or Williams so I won’t comment on them.

 

[racerjohnbf]

I didn't know Wright made non Wrightgrip wrenches. At least I haven't seen then anywhere and the nice lady at Wright that I have been talking to hasn't said anything about them.

Right now I'm hoping someone will talk me into the Proto ASDs. I think I can get the most for my money with them. How are they at marking fasteners?

Keep in mind I'm working on mostly turf equipment so some marking is not an issue. I just dont want to dig grooves in like the Wrights did.