HELP!! Wrenches, ratches, and sockets...oh my...

[pbunt911]

Hey everybody!! I've spent some time snooping around this forum the past few days and it's been very helpful so far. I've wanted to put together a nice set of tools for about 10 years but always had such a hard time deciding what to buy that I would ultimately just give up. I'm not a professional but I do most of my own auto and motorcycle work and I also rebuild antique tractors so my tools do get used quite a bit. I'm generally of the opinion that it's better to buy the best first but usually find that doesn't mean buying the most expensive thing I can find. I worked in a motorcycle shop in a previous life and it was all Snap-On all the time so I know they make great tools and I like them but I'm just not totally sold they are worth the extra coin. Maybe they are.

At any rate, I'm starting with wrenches (combo or box), ratchets (3/8), and sockets (semi-deep) and would like to know what you guys think of each of the following brands in those tools:

GearWrench
Proto
Wright
Armstrong
Williams
SK

Do any of these really stand out to you as as-good or better than anything else? Like Snap-On, for example? Thanks!!!

 

[jshillin]

You're gonna get a ton of answers on this board. I have a little bit of everything, SK, Craftsman, Proto, Snapon, Toptul, etc and I don't have any complaints. Look around for good deals on good tools and jump on them!!

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I have stuff from all the brands you mentioned, as well as a few others. Buy what feels good to you, and what you get good deals on. If you find something failing you then replace it.

 

[bmwpower]

MAC is not on your list. They are a worthy competitor to Snappy...for less dough. I actually like them more.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Semi deep sockets = SK deepwell (they are not as deep as most other brands)

Ratchets = What feels good to you. I like SO here (one of the rare times I prefer SO but I don't have that many ratchets) My second choice would be Sears low profile (seems nuts don't it)

Extensions = Proto or SK

Combo or boxed end wrenches = What feels good to you. I like some meat in mine (mostly SK and Proto) but I do have some SO for tight spots. They are thinner but do hurt my hands a little more than my others. Sears pro wrenches are also good here.

Gear wrenches = Gear wrench (not from Sears) or SK

Flare nut wrenches = SO... I have SK's (and like them) but after using a set of SO's out of my buddies box, I will be buying some next week. They just "feel right".

For the most part, get your hands on them and see how they feel to you. They will ALL do the job but it is more important to feel comfortable (and confident) with your tools than anything else. This is more like a Ford vs Chevy vs Honda vs Toyota vs BMW. The only thing all of those people can agree on is that they feel sorry for the Mopar fanatic

 

[Merkava_4]

I'm not a professional. . .

Some would tell you that you have no business owning professional tools if you're not a professional; flat out frickin' immoral.

 

[autoace]

Some would tell you that you have no business owning professional tools if you're not a professional; flat out frickin' immoral.

+1
From your list, I'm a bit partial to Proto, very good quality, no dealers/trucks to hunt down, good deals through MSC and Grainger, I always had good warranty relations with Proto. Compared to truck brand tools, Proto prices are very good, and I feel, through experience, they give nothing up to the higher brands. Most of their stuff it USA manufactured. Wright is also very good, and you can't help but have some Gearwrench in the mix for ratcheting wrenches, etc...

 

[pbunt911]

You mean there's not one ratchet that's the clear, undisputed champ?!?! That's kinda what I figured. I guess what I'd really like to know is if any of these should be avoided for one reason or another. If not, I'll just pick based on price or appearance. I doubt I'll have a chance to get any hands-on time with any of them before buying, unfortunately. Thanks for the input so far!

 

[pbunt911]

Thanks autoace!! That's VERY helpful! The Proto stuff does look pretty nice. Not sure I fully understand the moral issues surrounding hand tool ownership but I guess I'll take my chances.

 

[Merkava_4]

You mean there's not one ratchet that's the clear, undisputed champ?!?!

I'd say Snap-on is the champ for ratchets, and then I'd say Cornwell is the champ for combination wrenches. For shallow and deep sockets, I like PROTO. For flex sockets, I'd whether stick with Snap-on. PB Swiss makes some nice screwdrivers, and KAL Tool makes some nice pliers. You don't have to stay with one brand for everything.

 

[Ttankersley]

I've been using Gearwrench ratchets daily for the past few months. I haven't had a problem out of them yet and don't plan to either. The Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches are a blessing. They work in the tightest of spaces. I keep Mac, Matco, Gearwrench, SK, Snap On, and Craftsman pro in my box. Basically whatever gets the job done with the least breakage/headache.

Tim

 

[The Muffin Man]

I'd have to cast my vote for the Wright wrenches. Out of all the wrenches I own and/or used, I must admit that the Wright combination wrenches are the most comfortable wrenches. The handles are nicely rounded; they (the handles) are also thicker than any of the other brands you listed.

I don't think you will be disappointed with any of the brands above though, all of them make superb wrenches .

 

[Mike83]

Perhaps you excluded it purposely, but Craftsman is not mentioned. Forget their ratchets in general (thin profile is decent, though) however for things like extensions, adaptors, sockets and the pro wrenches I think you would be happy with the performance for the price. Just saying...

Oh, and look out for C-man relabeled goods that might save you some money i.e. Cobra pliers and the hose clamp pliers. I also buy relabels for ease of warranty since I live close to Sears - it is easier than mailing the tool back, etc. if I need to.

I have many SK wrench sets and they have been good to me. Awesome finish on them. Gearwrench ratchets and wrenches are also very nice to have and can be warrantied at Sears.

 

[jkeyser14]

I use wrenches all day long at work, and then some at home after work. I've used mostly craftsman stuff and have only broken one of their tools ever. It was a craftsman geared wrench that I used to break a really tough bolt free with, when I should have been using a regular boxed end to break it free first. I wound up shearing a couple of teeth off inside the gear wrench.

The only other tool I've ever broken are Bondhus's ball drive hex wrenches where I've snapped the balls off trying to do things like remove cross threaded fasteners.

So it ultimately comes down to what you feel comfortable paying for. I'm perfectly fine with craftsman myself.

 

[Danglerb]

Snapon ratchets, combo wrenches, and screwdrivers.
Craftsman chrome sockets
HF or Grey Pneumatic impacts sockets
GearWrench ratcheting wrenches, regular, stubby, and flexhead.
Knipex or Klein pliers and cutters
IR air tools.
Harbor Freight or Craftsman for anything my personal use makes it practical.

 

[HandyManny]

At any rate, I'm starting with wrenches (combo or box), ratchets (3/8), and sockets (semi-deep) and would like to know what you guys think of each of the following brands in those tools:

GearWrench
Proto
Wright
Armstrong
Williams
SK

Do any of these really stand out to you as as-good or better than anything else? Like Snap-On, for example? Thanks!!!

Any of the last five you listed. Especially Proto. You won't be disappointed.

 

[HandyManny]

pbunt911,
What happened to all your tools that you used when working in a motocycle shop? Don't you have them anymore. Just curious?

 

[pbunt911]

Thanks everyone!! This is REALLY helpful!! I think I'll just start piecing things together as I go through this next tractor restoration, especially if I can find deals at pawn shops and on e-bay.

I actually never had my own tools before. I was kinda like the shop "swingman" before I moved to parts manager, so I just sort of..."borrowed" tools from everyone else. I know you all really like having guys like that in the shop. Despite being a fairly honest thief, I was constantly berated by most of the techs. Nothing a case of Bud wouldn't smooth over.

Thanks again!!

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

GearWrench, cheap! I hate them so much(ratchets!!, did not work right off the box
Proto, ok
Wright ok
Armstrong ok
Williams ok
SK, ratchets are to huge and socket are thick..
I would stay way from Craftsman Ratchets, expect:
The round head ones, and the Craftsman pro ones( the thin)
And the special ones such as: 42794
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00942794000P?keyword=craftsman+ratchets#reviewsWrap

The only problem with these is, that they do not carry them in the store.
I would stay way from Matco, I bought a needle nose pliers, they were made in Taiwan.

 

[DSKA Tools]

SK is ok our customers are rather fond of them. However, Grey Pneumatic and Genius Tools make one heck of an impact socket. Genius also carries a great line of hand sockets and wrenches.