High Quality Flat Wrenches
- Thread starter BrandonV
- Start date
Snapped-off
Well-known member
I've got a set of Craftsman tappet wrenches from 10-12 years ago.
four.cycle
Well-known member
those are a fairly large opening size. check out V8 tools - mainland China (PRC) decent but not real spendy
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
For really thin wrenches look at the type used for bicycle repair. They're typically called cone wrenches, normally used for working on bike wheels. Park Tools is one major manufacturer, you can find them or something similar at most any local bike shop. https://www.parktool.com/en-us/category/hub-axle
619DioFan
Well-known member
I also,have the craftsman tappet wrenches , for metric I have a set from Vim.
I bought a set of metric Chinese super thin wrenches from Amazon to adjust the clutch in my cheap Chines tractor. The brand was DER ERWACHTE, whatever that means. But they are actually decent for the price. My Craftsman tappet wrenches where to thick.
finn
Well-known member
Bench grinder and a sacrificial import wrench, if it’s a one time deal.
think Pittsburgh from HF, or anything from India.
think Pittsburgh from HF, or anything from India.
Dave455
Well-known member
The best are probably the Snap On.
Facom are nice too. For me, currently a third of the price of the Snap On. These are older ones.
KTC Profit are the other stand out’s. Slightly shorter than the Snap On or Facom, but they offer different styles.
Facom are nice too. For me, currently a third of the price of the Snap On. These are older ones.
KTC Profit are the other stand out’s. Slightly shorter than the Snap On or Facom, but they offer different styles.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
I bought a set of Facom primarily for holding caliper pins while I buzzed out the pin bolt. They've held up very well for me,, including against power tools.
neophyte
Well-known member
Martin makes Check Nut wrenches in both SAE and Metric.
The wrenches were thinner than my Craftsman Tappet wrenches.
The wrenches are not cheap though, and are not really pretty either. (More Fugly)
Industrial supply places like McMaster-Carr carry the wrenches, although you can sometimes find them on eBay as well.
I have some very thin spanners for bicycles mostly, but I also have a set of Stahlwille Open Box 13 combination spanners. The open ends on those are thinner than most regular spanners and are very useful for that reason. Indeed I used them for my washing machine feet (since you mentioned that). And when they do fit, they’re a lot stronger than bicycle cone spanners and the like.
JimH74
Well-known member
I have the Capri set, and a set of Craftsman tappet in sae. The capri are thinner than the craftsman. They work just fine for what I piddle around with here at the house. I don't know how they would hold up in a professional setting being used every day.
I have the ancient USA Cman tappet wrenches in inch sizes and Facom in metric. The Facom is thinner than a USA tappet wrench. The Facom's have rarely seen any use, but are ok so far. If I was buying metric today, I'd look at the Capri. I don't think this thin a wrench can inspire confidence, but it would be interesting to hear more feedback on them since Capri pretty much gets excellent reviews here.
I have a V8 tools set that I bought ~10 years ago. I wasn't expecting much for the price, but was still absolutely shocked at how ****** they are. Absolute garbage. Stamped out of mild steel sheet, plating is the worst I've ever seen..... I'd give them away tomorrow....
I have a V8 tools set that I bought ~10 years ago. I wasn't expecting much for the price, but was still absolutely shocked at how ****** they are. Absolute garbage. Stamped out of mild steel sheet, plating is the worst I've ever seen..... I'd give them away tomorrow....
LWB
Well-known member
I have a set of these wrenches by Genius
I also have a set of Capri. The Genius are far better IMO.
I also have a set of Capri. The Genius are far better IMO.
oilslick
Well-known member
I just got Carlyle @napa . 80$ goes up to 1 1/18!
LWB
Well-known member
The Genius are thicker and have more meat to them. The Capri are stamped steel with a hard edge. These are sold under various other names too just like most tools. Olsa comes to mind. Both work as intended but I prefer the Genius, I would also prefer snap on, falcom, and others for the same reason.
If you think the Capri are stamped steel with a hard edge, you need to buy a set of the V8 ones. The V8 ones ARE stamped sheet steel, about half as thick as the Capri appear- which seem to be copies of the Facom. The V8 are absolute garbage and I'm surprised whenever anyone recommends them here; I don't think I've bought any tool that was shittier in my 35+ years of buying tools.
LWB
Well-known member
Hey Steve. I'm glad I've never heard of them lol
My calipers at work, I think from 2021 or 2022. These have the buttons sticking out a bit.
By the way, another point to take into consideration for calipers: the steel.
Mitutoyo stainless steel is specifically chosen and processed to be wear resistant in caliper usage and remain accurate for years. Cheap calipers not so much so. Even the way mitutoyo is ground, you can see the ways are ground lengthwise to minimize wear over time.
I see this a lot as I work in a technical ceramics factory - working with highly abrasive super hard materials takes its tool on measuring equipment. For actually measuring the ceramic products we typically use carbide tipped calipers, which are in an entirely different sphere of cost. But the workers also got some very cheap calipers (in think in the 50€ range) that look similar to mitutoyos but the jaws wear out much faster.
For the best budget caliper - the mitutoyo clones actually shouldn't be slept on. If you know what you're buying. I think they go on Aliexpress for 30-40€. It is very bad to buy one for the mitutoyo price because the accuracy isn't there, but for 30-40€ those may be among the best on the market.
The clones are also "absolute", but they work a bit different. I can move my real mitutoyo anywhere on the scale, turn it on and it accurately shows the reading. But the clones immediately turn on as soon as you move them - so they're also absolute, but it is easy to distinguish it.
By the way, another point to take into consideration for calipers: the steel.
Mitutoyo stainless steel is specifically chosen and processed to be wear resistant in caliper usage and remain accurate for years. Cheap calipers not so much so. Even the way mitutoyo is ground, you can see the ways are ground lengthwise to minimize wear over time.
I see this a lot as I work in a technical ceramics factory - working with highly abrasive super hard materials takes its tool on measuring equipment. For actually measuring the ceramic products we typically use carbide tipped calipers, which are in an entirely different sphere of cost. But the workers also got some very cheap calipers (in think in the 50€ range) that look similar to mitutoyos but the jaws wear out much faster.
For the best budget caliper - the mitutoyo clones actually shouldn't be slept on. If you know what you're buying. I think they go on Aliexpress for 30-40€. It is very bad to buy one for the mitutoyo price because the accuracy isn't there, but for 30-40€ those may be among the best on the market.
The clones are also "absolute", but they work a bit different. I can move my real mitutoyo anywhere on the scale, turn it on and it accurately shows the reading. But the clones immediately turn on as soon as you move them - so they're also absolute, but it is easy to distinguish it.
bcradio
Well-known member
?My calipers at work, I think from 2021 or 2022. These have the buttons sticking out a bit.
By the way, another point to take into consideration for calipers: the steel.
Mitutoyo stainless steel is specifically chosen and processed to be wear resistant in caliper usage and remain accurate for years. Cheap calipers not so much so. Even the way mitutoyo is ground, you can see the ways are ground lengthwise to minimize wear over time.
I see this a lot as I work in a technical ceramics factory - working with highly abrasive super hard materials takes its tool on measuring equipment. For actually measuring the ceramic products we typically use carbide tipped calipers, which are in an entirely different sphere of cost. But the workers also got some very cheap calipers (in think in the 50€ range) that look similar to mitutoyos but the jaws wear out much faster.
For the best budget caliper - the mitutoyo clones actually shouldn't be slept on. If you know what you're buying. I think they go on Aliexpress for 30-40€. It is very bad to buy one for the mitutoyo price because the accuracy isn't there, but for 30-40€ those may be among the best on the market.
The clones are also "absolute", but they work a bit different. I can move my real mitutoyo anywhere on the scale, turn it on and it accurately shows the reading. But the clones immediately turn on as soon as you move them - so they're also absolute, but it is easy to distinguish it.
Bought some for the same purpose. Mine are VIM, I have no complaints
Seems Toptul width is the same as Facom. 18x19 is rated at 4.6mm width from both brands. Also the exact same "head" dimensions. Maybe Rotar makes them for Facom too? Of course all wrenches have similar shapes, but these look exactly the same except that the Toptul ones have quite generic wrench stamping and the Facoms look much cooler.
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
MAC has thin wrenches, I believe. I don't know if they get as big as you would need for washing machine feet though.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Craftsman tappet wrenches.
They are great for getting into tight spaces like washing machine feet. But not very useful for getting hair out of shopping cart wheels.
They are great for getting into tight spaces like washing machine feet. But not very useful for getting hair out of shopping cart wheels.
cherrybomb
Well-known member
I'm very happy with my Stahwille
oldschoolcraft
Well-known member
VIM tools makes them. No experience but I'm tempted.
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Wamsutta
Well-known member
whitesco
Well-known member
I had a couple of old Craftsman thin wrenches in SAE sizes, but recently bought the MAC sets in Metric and SAE. Obviously low torque, I wouldn't lean on them much but they're good for holding the flats of a tie rod or ball joint, or adjusting appliance feet as you have the need. 
four.cycle
Well-known member
I thought this thread died a couple months ago.
I had a partial set of these old "Elora 100" models but sent them to another member here a while back.
I thought they had a pretty thin profile. I never put a set of calipers on them.
This full set was listed on ebay just a few days ago (listing date 04/23). Price is too high - Elora is not Stahlwille.
Maybe you can get the seller to give you some measurements and/or come down on the price a bit.
I had a partial set of these old "Elora 100" models but sent them to another member here a while back.
I thought they had a pretty thin profile. I never put a set of calipers on them.
This full set was listed on ebay just a few days ago (listing date 04/23). Price is too high - Elora is not Stahlwille.
Maybe you can get the seller to give you some measurements and/or come down on the price a bit.
Grant Gunderson
Well-known member
left to right is a Park cone wrench, Snapon low torque and a Snapon flank drive plus.
They each have their benefits. I work on a lot of mountain bike suspensions, so the Snapon low-torque are my go to for that.
However the Park cone wrenches can be placed on a torque wrench and used as a thin crowfoot when needed.
rust in the eye
Well-known member
I needed to look up the Berry amendment.
Leveling military clothes washers??
Maybe this old thread will be useful:https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...-made-in-the-usa-thin-wrenches-by-zogs.77529/