Help me pick a combo wrench set!

[Spyder994]

Firstly, I don't use my tools professionally on a daily basis. I am a weekend mechanic working on my own stuff, but I have still known to be pretty tough on tools. I've broken my fair share of sockets, extensions, and other stuff over the years, so I've sworn off cheap tools. I bought my first house last year and have been slowly building up tools since then. While most of my purchases have been fairly easy decisions to make, I just can't make up my mind on a good combo wrench set. I currently have a set of Gearwrench and a cheap set of Stanley Combo wrenches that my dad bought for me when I got the house. While I certainly appreciate the gift, I just don't like them very much or trust them. The candidates I'm considering with the top priorities being toughness and comfort are:

SK 86265 - Reasonably priced at $130 and made in USA, but I worry about some of the quality issues I've read about here. I have an SK ratchet and socket set and love it, so I find it hard to believe the wrench sets could be that bad.

Williams MWS-15A - $160. I like that it's flank drive on both ends and they certainly appear to be high quality. Made in USA also. They don't seem to come with an organizer, which kind of bugs me, but I can do without. I know they are affiliated with Snap-On, but I don't know much of anything else about this company. They don't say long pattern, but they certainly look it.

Facom 440 - $135. Very good value for what you get. Ergonomics look great. I am a bit disappointed they are made in Taiwan though.

Stahlwille 14 - Expensive at $200 and technically long pattern, but they don't seem that long. German made quality.

Craftsman Raised Panel - Amazing price of $36 and made in USA with great warranty. The cheapskate in me tells me to buy this set, the couple sizes it's missing, and a roll-up, but the connoisseur of pretty tools in me tells me I will regret it.

Sorry for the ridiculously long post. I am just looking for input on the mentioned sets and input on others I might be missing. Price must be less than $200 for a full new set that covers ALL sizes from 8 to 19 mm, so truck brands are almost certainly out of the question.

 

[pipsters]

I bought the Craftsman Pro polished (USA) wrenches. They are pretty, that is true. So are some of the others you have posted. I ended up returning them, the value just wasn't there for me.

In the end, I ended up with the largest set Sears offers, a 43 piece raised panel combo set, for about $148 right now.

For the sizes you get, up to 1-5/16" and 32mm, you probably won't ever need another wrench. In addition, I bought the Deep offset box end set (USA) with the money I saved. These are full polish and look nicer, so I can understand where you are coming from with that full polish thought process. But in reality you don't use wrenches all that much, and I didn't buy mine for eye candy.

19mm isn't very big. I can tell you on more than one occasion I have needed up to 24mm and I am just a home DIY guy. Just something to think about. And the problem is, the bigger the wrench the more money they cost to buy individually.

If you want polished, here is a Cman Pro set, according to reviews as of 8/25/11 still made in the US (confirm with sears product support before ordering) for $140, up to 1" and 19mm.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934951000P?prdNo=6&blockNo=6&blockType=G6#reviewsWrap

 

[Wesley B]

Williams look nice. I have the sk set, they are nice but very thick. Can't stand to use the raised panel wrenches anymore.

 

[ibedayank]

i have these sets
http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10...on+Wrench+Sets&prdNo=5&blockNo=5&blockType=L5

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10...on+Wrench+Sets&prdNo=6&blockNo=6&blockType=L6

1/4 to 1 1/8 7mm-22mm
for the ease of warranty craftsman still gets my vote as you can bring back a handtool to ANY sears and get it replaced

 

[mypov]

I bought mac tool wrench set combination set - I am not sure if they are making or made by the facom, but those facom wrenches look a lot like my mac tool wrenches (as well as it seems from the photo) they look like toptul wrenches...

Anyway, I am an apprentice heavy equipment mechanic and I so far really like these wrenches. Despite being made in japan or taiwan (wherever) they are quality. The chrome looks great, they feel comfortable, and work well - I guess the best measurement is if they preform; and they do. I vote for facom....

 

[scott4]

I use this plan.

Craftsman 6 pt wrench. Personally, I prefer 6 point wrenches on 6 point fasteners. Broader contact with the fastener. 28 piece. Theres also 12 and 9 piece sets.
Break it loose, and get out the ratcheting wrench.

I've never had a complaint with the Cman 6 point combo wrenches. I've had a complaint or two with the 12 point variety, but that's only on soft or compromised fasteners.

 

[SMKS]

Look at the SK wrenches on Advance Auto. They have ridiculous discount codes and free shipping. You can do a google search, but I think "visa" is the best code they have right now. It's $50 off orders of $150 or more.

I think you'll find the SKs to be the cheapest after the discounts. They're regularly priced $154 at Advance. But, use the code visa and you can get them for $104 + tax shipped.

Also, SK wrenches are a little on the short side. I'd consider the long-pattern SK wrenches if I were you.

I recently bought a set and posted a review.

 

[bart1]

Look at Wright and Hazet.

 

[treasureseeker]

I would get the Stahlwille.

 

[dwm]

Just to add some options...

Wright 952 7mm - 19mm, 20mm, 22mm. Street price ~ $170
Wright 958 7mm - 24mm. Street price ~ $220
Toptul GPAA2602 6mm - 30mm, 32mm. $170 from thetoolchest.ca, Mike Wren might have a better price.

If going Toptul, and if strength is more important than longish pattern...

Toptul GPAW2601 6mm - 30mm, 32mm. $170 from thetoolchest.ca, Mike Wren might have a better price.

 

[Skin]

With so many options you'll get confused and stuck easily. My recommendation is to go Cman Pro. They're the cheapest highest quality USA wrenches you'll find and they're excellent in every regard. Their length is longer than most wrenches save "Extra long" ones and their thickness is a good comprimise to thick [MAC/Cornwell] and thin [Snap-On]. Buy them, dont look back, you'll be happy.

 

[slipjointed]

Look at Wright and Hazet.

This. Leaving Wright out of the equation in the OP's price range should be illegal.

 

[MrMark]

I would get the Stahlwille or Hazet if you could find them online. You'll never break these so warranty would not be an issue. Of course, what I would really do is get a used set of Snap-on and be done with it.

A practical person would do what Pipsters said. Those raised panels, at least the older ones, are hard to beat. 19mm really isn't very big and many times you need the big metrics. But the raised panel are short though AND I looked at some the other day and they didn't seem as nice as my older VV sets.

I also would have recommended the Cman Pro except that they are now China made.

 

[WR250F]

Take a look at Northern Tool.

Their full polish wrenches are nice. Fit and finish is excellent and they have a warranty just like Sears offers on Craftsman - walk in and trade it out, leave. No receipt necessary.

I don't know where they are made, but after looking at several, home/hobby user priced wrench sets, they are as good as any.

They do have the el cheapo version chicom ****, but their full polish line is at least as nice as Craftsman.

I would have bought those myself, but I found a used set that will work fine instead.

 

[MattPersman]

raised panel are a joke. the gearwrench are much better than those.

look for a good used tool truck brand IMO. the williams look real nice in the picture, the organizer is no big deal, 7 bucks or so and you get a holder. the higher end brand wrenches are usually longer than the cheapies. hold a 10 mm raised panel up to a snap on and see the length difference. the cheaper ones usually will flex at the open end

i have used gearwrench for years professionally and they have held up. only had issues with a handful of random ratcheting ends on them.

i do not know how much you use wrenches, but I like to have a large assortment, you just never know if you will need a stubby, long, angle, deep offset, ratcheting, etc

 

[countryroad82]

Up until recently, I made due with Craftsman raised panels professionally and at home. Gearwrench are very nice wrenches for the money imo. Recently I have been upgrading to Snap On, out of the $200 price range so I won't even suggest them. I have had great luck with SK tools in the past and I believe I would go with the long pattern variety.

 

[matthew]

Proto would be another good choice, warranty would be fairly easy.

 

[mooman]

What about this set?
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=114802

 

[Old Donn]

I know the GJ building will fall on me for this, but since you're not a pro, I'd go with the hated Craftsman raised panels. USA made, Sears are pretty much everywhere so they're easily warrantied, they'll do everything you need to do and you get a lot more for your money. If you can find them, a set of USA made Cman Pros will give you the longer pattern and full polish finish. They're more reasonable price-wise than the others you're looking at. If you're dead set against Craftsman, look at Toptul. They're off shore, but the ones I have are exceptional quality and you won't need a water-cooled credit card to buy them. Deal with Mike Wren directly, he'll treat you right.

 

[Spyder994]

Just to add some options...

Wright 952 7mm - 19mm, 20mm, 22mm. Street price ~ $170
Wright 958 7mm - 24mm. Street price ~ $220
Toptul GPAA2602 6mm - 30mm, 32mm. $170 from thetoolchest.ca, Mike Wren might have a better price.

If going Toptul, and if strength is more important than longish pattern...

Toptul GPAW2601 6mm - 30mm, 32mm. $170 from thetoolchest.ca, Mike Wren might have a better price.

I heard Wright mentioned here before, but didn't look too far in to it. The 752 set looks quite nice and I found it for $130.

i have these sets
http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10...on+Wrench+Sets&prdNo=5&blockNo=5&blockType=L5

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10...on+Wrench+Sets&prdNo=6&blockNo=6&blockType=L6

1/4 to 1 1/8 7mm-22mm
for the ease of warranty craftsman still gets my vote as you can bring back a handtool to ANY sears and get it replaced

That's definitely a great price for all the sizes in that set and I keep telling myself that if I cheap out on combo wrenches, I will go big on something else (deep offset wrenches for example). Are all of the current Craftsman RP flank drive? Flank Drive is a must-have, at least on the box end, of whatever I'm going to buy.

With so many options you'll get confused and stuck easily. My recommendation is to go Cman Pro. They're the cheapest highest quality USA wrenches you'll find and they're excellent in every regard. Their length is longer than most wrenches save "Extra long" ones and their thickness is a good comprimise to thick [MAC/Cornwell] and thin [Snap-On]. Buy them, dont look back, you'll be happy.

Sadly, I've read that these are now made in China. I tried to find a USA made set at my local Sears, but they don't seem to stock the professional sets at all.

 

[Fedwrench]

Williams sells another line beside the supercombo series.
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Williams-11014-Hand-Tools-Wrenches-Combination-Metric-Sets

they will serve you well. The super combos are great wrenches but, the sizes over 17 mm are more like clubs than wrenches, the beam is real thick.

There are also still some US made Craftsman Professional series wrench sets available. At $99 not on sale, it's your best choice.

Another option would be the Gearwrench long fixed (nonratcheting) combination wrenc sets.

A great Ebay choice when they show up are either the Napa Professional or KD full polished sets. The KD sets are largely government sets that run up to 32mm and usually sell for $100 to $150. The KD wrench is a sleeper. Great chrome finish, balance and feel, with off corner engagement on the boxed end.

 

[chilly460]

I have SnapOn, Proto ASD, SK Superkrome, Cman Professional, Wiliams full polish, and Wright full polish combos. I like the Williams and Wright the best. They appear to be as well machined and finished as my SnapOn, and are much cheaper, but I like them better because the beams are thicker and rounded and much more comfortable to use then the SO, Cman, Protos. The Wrights are a little wider on the open end, and they're both a little thicker on the box end then the SnapOn. I paid a little less then $100 for the Williams 10pc metric set, brand new...I paid around $135 for the 15pc Wright metric set.

Just throwing my opinion out there, everyone is different.

 

[powertrip]

I would get the Stahlwille or Hazet if you could find them online. You'll never break these so warranty would not be an issue. Of course, what I would really do is get a used set of Snap-on and be done with it.

A practical person would do what Pipsters said. Those raised panels, at least the older ones, are hard to beat. 19mm really isn't very big and many times you need the big metrics. But the raised panel are short though AND I looked at some the other day and they didn't seem as nice as my older VV sets.

I also would have recommended the Cman Pro except that they are now China made.

Craftsman professional are not china made. They were phased out and replaced by a somewhat similar looking set that are now called fully polished and are made in china. The professional line is done but you may be able to find them still.

 

[4x4gearhead]

I would spend the extra $30 on those williams, when you need a good open end the s-k's dont really fit the bill, whereas the williams with the flank drive teeth will grip anything and fight spreading. I have a long pattern set of s-ks that I used to use as my main wrench set. For the $110 I think I spent on them at the time they were great, but the open end could definitely let you down. Its up to you but this is my input.

 

[chilly460]

Williams sells another line beside the supercombo series.
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Williams-11014-Hand-Tools-Wrenches-Combination-Metric-Sets

QUOTE]

The Williams set in that link is imported, if the model number is all numeric, it's imported, if it begins with letters it's US made. Not trying to piss in anyone's cereal, just pointing it out in case OP doesn't know this, he said that he was dissapointed that Facoms are imported so figured it was relevant.

This is the set I picked up

http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Williams-MWS-10A-Hand-Tools-Wrenches-Combination-Metric-Sets

 

[Spyder994]

Williams sells another line beside the supercombo series.
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Williams-11014-Hand-Tools-Wrenches-Combination-Metric-Sets



The Williams set in that link is imported, if the model number is all numeric, it's imported, if it begins with letters it's US made. Not trying to piss in anyone's cereal, just pointing it out in case OP doesn't know this, he said that he was dissapointed that Facoms are imported so figured it was relevant.

This is the set I picked up

http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Williams-MWS-10A-Hand-Tools-Wrenches-Combination-Metric-Sets

Yes, I noticed there was a big price difference between the full polish Williams stuff and the satin sets... too big of a difference to be due to just the finish.

I'm really liking the Wright set. It covers all the sizes I need, it's flank drive on both ends, comes with a pouch, and is ergonomic according to this review. One thing I've never liked about Craftsman RP is the way they dig in to my hands, so it'd be great to have a set that won't do this.

Can anyone give me a good reason not to buy the Wright set?

 

[ibedayank]

Spyder
only thing i can think of is getting one replaced ...where and how long will it take

Me personaly if i break a wrench i can't wait 1 or 2 weeks to get my replacement from the mail/ups
so because i can walk into a EVIL sears at 5pm on a sunday... thats where i buy

remember if momma aint happy YOUR not happy..
if her car has to sit 2 weeks to get a replacement wrench she will not be happy

 

[bart1]

...

Can anyone give me a good reason not to buy the Wright set?

No.

They are very ergonomic and beefy. The denim roll is really nice, too.

 

[Monte]

Stahlwille

 

[Skin]

Sadly, I've read that these are now made in China. I tried to find a USA made set at my local Sears, but they don't seem to stock the professional sets at all.

If you arent opposed to a Standard/Metric set look for an 18pc set in a red/black box. They'll be professional. Since you also are considering online options you could also buy them on sears.com where they are still USA.

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

Picked up both the metric and imperial "new" SK wrench sets recently and I'm impressed with both. The finish on the metric isn't quite perfect, but the SAE stuff looks great. Thick beams, well-finished ring and open ends, and just overall a really nice set of wrenches. Given the discount one can get ordering them through Advance Auto, it's hard to beat what you get for what you pay with SK stuff.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Personally I'd just go with the Craftsmans. Some of the guys I work with use nothing but the old raised panels in one of the most abusive environments you could ever imagine. One of these users of the hated RP's is a machinist with 30+ years at it.

 

[dave26]

I bought a set of Hazet 600N after seeing a test in a German tool mag. It was a simple test to see which wrench could take the most force before they failed. The Hazet beat everything including the Snap-on flank drive. I love things that dont break all my knuckles after they snap in half so it seemed like an obvious choice.

 

[bobemmerich]

Here is what I have...Both SAE and Metric. here is a link, but they can be found cheaper on Ebay...http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200309111_200309111?cm_ite=152557&cm_pla=Hand Tools>Wrenches&cm_cat=Shopping&cm_ven=Aggregates

 

[Wesley B]

Personally I'd just go with the Craftsmans. Some of the guys I work with use nothing but the old raised panels in one of the most abusive environments you could ever imagine. One of these users of the hated RP's is a machinist with 30+ years at it.

Did their's strip bolt heads too? lol

 

[Skin]

I bought a set of Hazet 600N after seeing a test in a German tool mag. It was a simple test to see which wrench could take the most force before they failed. The Hazet beat everything including the Snap-on flank drive. I love things that dont break all my knuckles after they snap in half so it seemed like an obvious choice.

Erm, no the Hazet wrench tested didnt straight up beat SO wrenches in load testing. Both the SO wrenches tested and even an el cheapo Indian wrench performed just as well on the box end fail test. The Hazet only earned top marks in the open end failure test but quite honestly if you're putting ~100+ Ft/lbs [which is what the SO failed at] onto the open end of a 13mm combination wrench you deserve to have your knuckle smashed as punishment when it slips, let alone splits. The Hazet wrench in the test also was amongst the worst in open end and box end thickness so that also contributed to how well it did in load testing.

 

[premierplayer]

Go to the store, put your hands on the selections that fit your budget, see what fits, what feels good, what makes you happy. Buy those, who cares what works for the other guy.

 

[Pukeballs]

I bought a set of Hazet 600N after seeing a test in a German tool mag. It was a simple test to see which wrench could take the most force before they failed. The Hazet beat everything including the Snap-on flank drive. I love things that dont break all my knuckles after they snap in half so it seemed like an obvious choice.

Is there a link to this online? I'd like to take a look.

Thanks

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Did their's strip bolt heads too? lol

Stripped bolt heads aren't really much of a concern around here, Most of our bolts are 5/8-11 and 3/4-10 Grade BD (SAE Grade 8) or tougher. I've got RP's in 1-1/16" and 1-1/4" (most commonly lost/damaged sizes so I stock up on them) and I've never felt the need to run out and buy anything else.

My main set now is Blackhawk (the cheapest I could get from our "local" supplier), and I don't have any problems with them either. If these guys can use RP Craftsman without any problems, then for hobby use they are perfectly fine.

 

[Subyroo651]

Williams MWS-15A - $160. I like that it's flank drive on both ends and they certainly appear to be high quality. Made in USA also. They don't seem to come with an organizer, which kind of bugs me, but I can do without. I know they are affiliated with Snap-On, but I don't know much of anything else about this company. They don't say long pattern, but they certainly look it.

I just picked this exact set, I am definitely impressed with them and appreciate their feel - wider and more comfortable. I m keeping these in favor of USA made Cman pro's, better comfort and Flank drive on the open ends sold me

Also, they do come in (2) Blue nylon wrench rolls - one for larger and smaller sizes.