I've found myself creeping up on 3 sets of conventional metric combinations wrenches as I upgrade. Once I factor in my ratcheting wrenches it feels like alot. Do I start building multiple boxes, keep them all In one, deep storage, or liquidation? Looking for input
How many wrench sets are too many
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2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Storage for the cheap or rarely used ones. Sacrificial wrenches need bent with a torch or cut/welded, so I keep a full set of combos just for that. Problem with upgrading is often your old stuff has such little value selling is hardly worth it.
IMO, if you're buying duplicates of the same item, like standard combo wrenches, you run into the wall about 3 sets. You can only use two of the same size at one time (rare), so that "justifies" 2 sets. The third needs a zip tie through the box end, and stored away. Once you get into various styles like.double box and ratcheting, IMO, 2 sets of combos is plenty, single sets of everything else. Now, if you have flex head ratcheting and straight fixed ratcheting, and fixed head angle/reversable ratcheting- those are 3 different tools. Whether it makes sense for a non-pro to have that level of minutia, that's a different story.
I bought a carry tool box from harbor freight to stick that kind of stuff in. 7mm 3/8 drive impact sockets, wrenches ready to die for the cause, etc.
IMO, if you're buying duplicates of the same item, like standard combo wrenches, you run into the wall about 3 sets. You can only use two of the same size at one time (rare), so that "justifies" 2 sets. The third needs a zip tie through the box end, and stored away. Once you get into various styles like.double box and ratcheting, IMO, 2 sets of combos is plenty, single sets of everything else. Now, if you have flex head ratcheting and straight fixed ratcheting, and fixed head angle/reversable ratcheting- those are 3 different tools. Whether it makes sense for a non-pro to have that level of minutia, that's a different story.
I bought a carry tool box from harbor freight to stick that kind of stuff in. 7mm 3/8 drive impact sockets, wrenches ready to die for the cause, etc.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
You can have too many when you run out of space to store them all. Why fill up a box with combo wrenches when one could use the funds and space for more variety?
Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
if you have them all, it is unfair to others.
It has more been a progression from harbor freight, to tekton to snap on. Im not a fan of "good enough" for long term tools. Im not trying to stack em deep. The cheap stuff just has minimal value on the used market. Although I suppose I could build out a set of Travel/loaner tools.
I like the hand carry box idea. I recon I could use it as a travel/loaner set as well. Even though I already have a cheap set of tools in most every piece of equipment I own. (4 plow trucks and 3 Tractors)
Boogerman
Well-known member
Sell cheap tools upgraded not for money, but help someone getting started. Don't keep cheap tools backup to good.
rancherbill
Well-known member
Rooky!!!
I have more, the problem is that you spend more and more TIME and MONEY storing and keeping and fondling them the more you get.
You just need one set and maybe a set of stubbys or crowfoots.
VolvoRyan
Well-known member
I think I have between 7-9 sets of wrenches just in metric for front-line use. As I get older, "work smarter, not harder" has become an important philosophy.
Wrenches condense pretty well into a tool box, and my tool box is probably smaller than most of the folks here.
Stuff that doesn't get used, either gets repurposed into other tool sets, or stored deep.
It's good to have some old wrenches/sockets around for when the abuse needs to happen.
-Ryan
Wrenches condense pretty well into a tool box, and my tool box is probably smaller than most of the folks here.
Stuff that doesn't get used, either gets repurposed into other tool sets, or stored deep.
It's good to have some old wrenches/sockets around for when the abuse needs to happen.
-Ryan
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
A set of good combos, a set of cheap combos for backup or modifying, stubbies, obstruction wrenches, crowfoot, flarenut, angle, service, ratcheting of a couple different types, and offset box wrenches. It’s all in my box.
a good storage method to keep sets compact, especially lesser used sets is wrap up or get some coiled wire like spring guard on a hose and store the wrenches vertically and close together
a good storage method to keep sets compact, especially lesser used sets is wrap up or get some coiled wire like spring guard on a hose and store the wrenches vertically and close together
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
I had the same problem. You’re going to have to have an honest conversation with yourself about needs and wants. It’s hard. I drug my **** for weeks. IMHO, keep the best quality ones and dump the rest. I have two sets of each at the house - one 12pt combo metric and one 6pt combo metric and two 12pt combo SAE. I have another of each at work plus my metric DOE. I figure that basically covers it outside of maybe getting some stubby or ratcheting sets in the future should the need arrive. Everything else I donated to the local community college. Turned out to be a good thing. The kids didn’t have a lot of community tools for the engineering tech/manufacturing program so I know they are being used. I’ve started to do the same with my ratchets and sockets. God help me though if I ever leave the trade because I have a ton of work tools and they are all nice so I’d struggle deciding what to keep for the house. 
dr_clyde
Well-known member
I keep basic sets of tools kitted up for various machines and applications. I probably have 4 or 5 sets of wrenches, sockets, pliers, screwdrivers, etc.
Main personal box at the shop. Home box. Portable box. Shop community box.
The mill and lathe have their own dedicated sets of whatever is needed.
Main personal box at the shop. Home box. Portable box. Shop community box.
The mill and lathe have their own dedicated sets of whatever is needed.
Wrench97
Well-known member
There such a thing as too many??
Dear is that posting under a assumed name?
Dear is that posting under a assumed name?
I use a similar system. I hate having to pull tools from the main box to work somewhere else. So i have a dedicated portable box, and if I end up carrying the portable box to the same places or machines over and over again they eventually get their own dedicated kit. This is what works best for me.
four.cycle
Well-known member
a million.
if you have a MILLION wrench sets, that's one too many.
if you have a MILLION wrench sets, that's one too many.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
More than 2 ! Still looking for long DBE metric at a reasonable price.
QtheGenius
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- Joined
- Feb 3, 2022
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- 55
I found this article in my local newsletter about this topic:
www.sdbmwcca.com
I Might Have A Tool Problem — San Diego BMW Car Club of America
For the ambitious, working on your car at home can be a sense of pride, but you need tools to get the job done, but how many tools do you need?
www.sdbmwcca.com
Ricky Joe
Well-known member
You only need one more…
Al Borland
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- Joined
- Jan 20, 2016
- Messages
- 1,598
Extra/unneeded tools go in the "Tools for Fools" box for work. Others go in the "I might need a wrench to mutilate" pile.
Some are in the house box, some in the garage. More in the truck, some in the car.
Probably 6 sets of Metric, 10 of American.
Some are in the house box, some in the garage. More in the truck, some in the car.
Probably 6 sets of Metric, 10 of American.
I would put the number at about 20 sets for being able to do most work. Now consider my first tool set I bought was over 50 years ago and it came with a set of combo's, double open end, double box end, and a set of ignition wrenches. Over the years I've added long and stubby sets, offset and straight, a couple of combo sets to have in the different areas/rigs. Now double that for metric sets. Some tubing wrench sets, sets of adjustable wrenches. Then if you add in racheting, and socket ends, which I don't have You can easily pass 20 sets.
I think you should re-ask your question to be " How many DIFFERENT sets are out there and how many do I need?"
lg
no neat sig line
I think you should re-ask your question to be " How many DIFFERENT sets are out there and how many do I need?"
lg
no neat sig line
ftfy
I've played the justification game pretty strongly here, so there's some overlaps, but also some specialty. For example, my XFrame set is my zero-offset ratcheting and my grumpy-fastener open end (I forget what SK calls their Flank Drive Plus equivalent nut-biting design) (nut-biting - #thingsIonlysayonGarageJournal). My Tekton combo set is what lives in the cart and does everything. My Hazet combo set lives in the tool roll that travels with my old BMW (and hopefully is only used on other people's cars...). Etc.
I also have a complete metric and SAE Craftsman set from the post-China transition in my "family" tool cabinet (can be used without asking kind of thing) as well as a set of Husky flex wrenches that I didn't like much for some reason.
I try not to count the specialty stuff (flare, long flex) against the total. The only SAE set I have is the Craftsman, so I give myself bonus points for my self-restraint...
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You do realize where you're posting don't you?
My wrench sets have wrench sets
You just have to rotate stock or have different sets for different applications
My wrench sets have wrench sets
You just have to rotate stock or have different sets for different applications
techkelly
Well-known member
You need separate sets for loosing and tightening.
Also;
US made wrenches for SAE
Asian for JIS.
European for DNS.
Then you have different grades and thread pitch.
Gonna need a bigger box.
Also;
US made wrenches for SAE
Asian for JIS.
European for DNS.
Then you have different grades and thread pitch.
Gonna need a bigger box.
four.cycle
Well-known member
M635_Guy said:
Okay.... honestly, I have no clue how many sets of wrenches I have here.
I know I just ordered another one today, because I'm trying to complete a set.
I don't really collect that many brands of wrenches like some guys, though.... not like BlueBomber... I only have Indestro S-K Bridgeport Danielson Wakefield Niagara Gilfillan.... and a few others.
So maybe a lot of wrench sets, but not really that many brands.
Or maybe not.
msharley
Well-known member
FIFY!
msharley
Well-known member
Call that?I found this article in my local newsletter about this topic:
I Might Have A Tool Problem — San Diego BMW Car Club of America
For the ambitious, working on your car at home can be a sense of pride, but you need tools to get the job done, but how many tools do you need?
A fair START!
Ton ton
Well-known member
I don't understand how someone can have too many sets of wrenches. Maybe I am just dense.
Threads like this makes part of my brain start taking stock. At which point another part of my brain says I should just have a vague idea and be content with that. The latter usually wins...Okay.... honestly, I have no clue how many sets of wrenches I have here.
I know I just ordered another one today, because I'm trying to complete a set.
I don't really collect that many brands of wrenches like some guys, though.... not like BlueBomber... I only have Indestro S-K Bridgeport Danielson Wakefield Niagara Gilfillan.... and a few others.
So maybe a lot of wrench sets, but not really that many brands.
Or maybe not.
I do... because those are my favorite estate sales. I like huge volumes of lightly or barely used tools. So many estate sales are hoarder sales to some degree.
The more sets that a hoarder has, the higher the chance of finding an unused or barely used set.
Boogerman
Well-known member
I found this article in my local newsletter about this topic:
I Might Have A Tool Problem — San Diego BMW Car Club of America
For the ambitious, working on your car at home can be a sense of pride, but you need tools to get the job done, but how many tools do you need?
Read it. Nice he interested, but sad. HF box blah tools makes feel like "I've made it". Not used tools I wear out use daily. First think "amateur". Then, think different way life. Big cheap green box tools less capable my emergency carry truck box.Call that?
A fair START!
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- Snap On FD/FD+ combis to 1-1/2" and 25mm
- Snap On FD+ reversible ratcheting to 3/4" and 19mm
- Snap On FD+ four ways to 3/4" and 17mm
- Mac Precision Torque Combi to 1-1/4" and 32mm
- Matco 0° Ratcheting to 1" and 25mm
- Sunex Combis to 2"
- Sunex four ways to 2"
- Craftsman USA combis to 1" and 18mm
- Mastercraft stubbies to 7/8"
- Crowsfeet to 2" and 19mm
- 7 or 8 adjustables of various sizes
Not done yet...that an answer?
- Snap On FD+ reversible ratcheting to 3/4" and 19mm
- Snap On FD+ four ways to 3/4" and 17mm
- Mac Precision Torque Combi to 1-1/4" and 32mm
- Matco 0° Ratcheting to 1" and 25mm
- Sunex Combis to 2"
- Sunex four ways to 2"
- Craftsman USA combis to 1" and 18mm
- Mastercraft stubbies to 7/8"
- Crowsfeet to 2" and 19mm
- 7 or 8 adjustables of various sizes
Not done yet...that an answer?
Dakotadadv8
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 30, 2021
- Messages
- 1,483
Nice inventory. Snap On FD+ reversible ratcheting metric are really nice. Maybe overkill for DIYer if already have regular Snapon combos FD.
100% overkill. I got them on student plan pricing and would never pay retail for them, but that argument goes for anything SO on that list. Dream is still to build out the SAE SO set to 2".