Help me pick a combo wrench set!

[Spyder994]

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.

I wish there was a store nearby that actually carried all these brands. I have the most experience with Craftsman RP and they've always gotten the job done, but they just don't feel too nice to me.

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

Thanks

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=665385&postcount=1087

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

Wow, those can be had for super cheap on eBay... almost too cheap.

There is a 15 piece Wright Metric set sitting in my cart on Amazon right now. Wright seems hard to beat when it comes to having professional quality for the price. Of course, I'll probably find something else I like better a couple days from now. That's what I've been doing for the past week (changing my mind every day). If I still feel good about the Wright by Monday, I'll probably pull the trigger on them.

Monte, I've told myself I will have at least 1 set of German made tools in my box, but I don't know if I can justify the $80 premium right now.

 

[matthew]

Wright is a good choice, I think.

I do need to comment that I'm surprised nobody else said Proto, though - I guess the Proto fans aren't on this thread. They're fairly common on the used market, and even new you should be able to find some for somewhat less tha list price.

 

[Bikes&Bowties]

What about Blackhawks/proto suregrip. Black hawk is in your price range $100-$160 depending on size

 

[dave26]

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

Thanks

link here : http://wiesemann.eu/_UPLOAD/files/Oldtimermarkt.pdf

 

[muibubbles]

what do you guys think about blackhawk by proto?
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/BLACKHAWK-BY-PROTO-Combination-Wrench-Set-3VY62?Pid=search

has anyone heard of westward??
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/WESTWARD-Combination-Wrench-Set-3XU46

 

[slipjointed]

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

No, unless you like spending more money for no increase in quality.

Wright is as good as it gets IMO. It's an added bonus that you can get a set like the 752 brand new for 2/3 to 1/2 what a used snap-on set sells for on ebay... and that's if you manage to snag a really good deal on the snap-on set.

Search the completed listings and see if I'm telling a fib.


If you do go Wright, you won't regret it, trust me.

 

[msnow]

I have been using the wright full polished set for a couple weeks now and am blown away. These are best wrenches I have ever held and love the thickness. It feels like you are using a real wrench and not something that hurts your hand. The thickness is what sells these wrenches for me, when you grab the 1-1/4 you will understand.

 

[slipjointed]

I have been using the wright full polished set for a couple weeks now and am blown away. These are best wrenches I have ever held and love the thickness. It feels like you are using a real wrench and not something that hurts your hand. The thickness is what sells these wrenches for me, when you grab the 1-1/4 you will understand.

Yep, they have thick round edges that you can really put some force on without hurting your hands.

If that was the only deciding factor, and cost/durability/reputation wasn't in the equation, I'd still pick Wright over Snap-on.

 

[Spyder994]

So I bought the Wright 752 set and overall, I am happy with them. The chrome on the polished ends is not perfect, but I figure that they may have been hitting each other while en route to me. All of the wrenches feel very nice in my hands and I can tell they're going to be comfortable to use.

There is a big problem with the 12 mm wrench though. The chrome is already peeling on one edge! I only noticed it because it stabbed me when I was handling it. It was tough to get good pictures of it, but I did my best. I suppose I'll have to call Wright on Monday to see about a replacement.

 

[Fedwrench]

Perhaps the Wright set wasn't the right choice afterall.

 

[richfinn]

I use an old set of Metric Snap On Spanners, they are old and the lengths and even the logos dont match, the chrome is dull and they look a bit beat up, but they are comfy and never slip. Best £60 I have ever spent and the same goes for socketry, they just work for mechanics

 

[DRhodes]

Wright makes a great tool. I have several in my box and I have been pleased. They will be a great set for years to come! Let us know how you like them in a couple of months after some hard use

 

[Wesley B]

Perhaps the Wright set wasn't the right choice afterall.

What williams set do you reccomend? ! have the usa cman pros but am looking for a quality flank drive style to buy for christmas!

 

[Skin]

Perhaps the Wright set wasn't the right choice afterall.

impossible, Wright can do no wrong!

 

[GTO]

I looked and looked for months,and was able to find a set OEXLs for 160,and a set of CM Professionals for $65.
It pays to not too jump on the first set you see.
Good luck

 

[Fedwrench]

What williams set do you reccomend? ! have the usa cman pros but am looking for a quality flank drive style to buy for christmas!

Do you really use your open end that much? Which sizes?

If you want a Williams set, the SuperCombos are very nice but, quickly get fairly heavy and clublike at 18mm and over.

http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Williams-MWS-15A-Hand-Tools-Wrenches-Combination-Metric-Sets

I like the Matco optitorque wrenches myself. Well balanced and durable up to 24mm.

If you're on a budget, watch Ebay for a set of the Gearwrench long nonratcheting combination wrenches preferably Taiwan Vintage. They're durable and have a modified open end.

On a different note, the Wright 752 set wrenches, do they have they the Wright grip open end with teeth? I thought the Wright Grip was only available in SAE sizes.

 

[Hiball]

I thought the Wright Grip was only available in SAE sizes.

http://http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/MetCombWr/750-SET.html

Might want to have epsteins inspect the wrenches prior to shipping, There is a thread where a members had issues with some peeling.

 

[Wesley B]

Do you really use your open end that much? Which sizes?

If you want a Williams set, the SuperCombos are very nice but, quickly get fairly heavy and clublike at 18mm and over.

http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Williams-MWS-15A-Hand-Tools-Wrenches-Combination-Metric-Sets

I like the Matco optitorque wrenches myself. Well balanced and durable up to 24mm.

If you're on a budget, watch Ebay for a set of the Gearwrench long nonratcheting combination wrenches preferably Taiwan Vintage. They're durable and have a modified open end.

On a different note, the Wright 752 set wrenches, do they have they the Wright grip open end with teeth? I thought the Wright Grip was only available in SAE sizes.

I use open 19mm or 3/4 ALOT! other than that not really, i just checked out matco, those look really nice. Maybe i'll just get a single 19mm to try out?

 

[Spyder994]

On a different note, the Wright 752 set wrenches, do they have they the Wright grip open end with teeth? I thought the Wright Grip was only available in SAE sizes.

Yes, the 752 set has Wright Grip on the open end. The ends on these wrenches are the nicest I've ever seen. They look and feel super precise.

 

[PowerGenGuy]

I currently use a Mastercraft Professional series set daily at work. I do a fair bit of work on diesel gensets, and these wrenches have stood the test of 11 years. They all still have good polish on them and they are easy on the hands. I do not use them as strikers. This set is made offshore (I believe Taiwan) and did not cost a lot of money. If any of them break CT here will take them back and replace. I do not have a photo but if you google Canadian Tire and follow links you find them easy, remember that CT has a cheap reg. length satin finish line, and what they call Maximum series, they are full polish, which replaced the Professional series. At one time it was rumored that they old Professional line was made by SO, but I have never been able to confirm that rumor, so I do not believe it. I currently wish that I had a set that was made in N.A.( Canada or US), because I cannot stand seeing everything made offshore, I would rather support local jobs. So, which set do I look at now, thinking of pulling the trigger and buying a set of Wright.

 

[greybeard]

For my money, Craftsman can't be beat. Reasonable price, made in the USA, lifetime warranty and you can get service at any Sears. Anything else is gonna cost more and won't be as easy to get service on. (jmho)

 

[smoky]

I surprised that no one mentioned knuckle saver wrenches.
http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-320015-scw15ks.aspx

there is something to be said about professional tools, you only need to buy them once. poor quality wrenches, will just cause more time on repairs due to loose tolerances.

 

[Spyder994]

So I sent the Wrightgrip 752 back to the vendor and asked them to inspect the other sets they had to ensure that I wouldn't be sent another set with these defects. After waiting some time, they reported that all sets they had in stock exhibited the same defects I reported (water spots on the 9 mm, peeling on the 12 mm, and rust on the 22 mm), so they issued a refund.

I really wanted the Wright stuff to work out, but it's just not in the cards right now apparently. I pulled the trigger on the Craftsman 26 pc RP Metric set while it was on sale today. It covers every size from 7-22 mm and also includes those tiny ignition wrenches and a hard case for $44.99. It's hard to turn a deal like that down. At least I can beat on them and not feel guilty about it like I would with a super nice set.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00946936000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

 

[greasemonkey44]

wright wrenchs are great; thick beams and strong as a bull
they bite very well and are affordable

 

[dwm]

For whatever it's worth for others, JD Industrial Supply has the 952 set for $170 right now. That's 7mm-19mm, 21mm, 22mm full polish. No flaws on either of the D978 and D980 full-polished sets I bought from them recently. They were shipped directly from Wright, and the D980 set has WrightGrip, so I assume they're brand new stock.

 

[mofo62]

Stahlwille

+1

Facom made in Taiwan ...very sad...


V!

 

[Skin]

So I sent the Wrightgrip 752 back to the vendor and asked them to inspect the other sets they had to ensure that I wouldn't be sent another set with these defects. After waiting some time, they reported that all sets they had in stock exhibited the same defects I reported (water spots on the 9 mm, peeling on the 12 mm, and rust on the 22 mm), so they issued a refund.

I really wanted the Wright stuff to work out, but it's just not in the cards right now apparently. I pulled the trigger on the Craftsman 26 pc RP Metric set while it was on sale today. It covers every size from 7-22 mm and also includes those tiny ignition wrenches and a hard case for $44.99. It's hard to turn a deal like that down. At least I can beat on them and not feel guilty about it like I would with a super nice set.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00946936000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

You absolutely cannot go wrong with raised panels. Especially at less than $2 a wrench. If they made longer versions its probably all i'd own.

 

[HarveyM]

Just to add to the discussion - I have a set of the Facom 440 (fishbellys). Without question the most comfortable wrenches around. Their shape is wonderful in the hand.
Downsides? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but... Also they’re shorter than most wrenches available, which reduces the torque you can apply. I find them just about perfect for my needs (maintenance on my motorcycle/scooters).


Not a great photo, but you get the idea: Facom 440 (lower) compared to a Toptul super torque (middle) & a Craftsman raised panel (upper). All in 24mm size.

 

[Monte]

+1

V!

 

[SMKS]

I pulled the trigger on the Craftsman 26 pc RP Metric set while it was on sale today. It covers every size from 7-22 mm and also includes those tiny ignition wrenches and a hard case for $44.99. It's hard to turn a deal like that down. At least I can beat on them and not feel guilty about it like I would with a super nice set.

You know, in reality Craftsman raised panel wrenches would probably do any job 95% of GJ members would need them to do. Many of us are just tool nerds/snobs and want other brands.

I'm including myself as a tool nerd/snob. I got rid of my raised panels and bought other brands, but just because I wanted to try other brands.