Japanese Cross-type Combo

[corgibell]

As my understanding, total 7-kinds of Cross-type Combination Wrench are existing around the world.
I introduce Japanese one, brand name ABC.

ABC Cross-type is very rare model even for Japanese collector.
Shape is same as Craftsman, but 30% shorter than them.
ABC is made by AIBA Industry, located Tsubame Sanjyo which is Iron Industry Area in Niigata/Japan.
More than half of Japanese hand tools are manufactured by this area.
Explanation page is available as follows, with other 6-kinds;
https://ameblo.jp/corgibell/entry-12600336587.html
*Please open it by Google Chrome with English translation condition

 

[corgibell]

Detail of 7-kinds.
1st: Craftsman/made in US & China, OEM to ARMSTRONG, my favorite
2nd: Japanese one, made by ABC, AIBA Industry
3rd: Dolphin Wrench, made by whom?, OEM to KOBALT, T&E/Australia, TECNOLIT/German and Pro-Auto/Japan
4th: SATA/Taiwan, OEM to Gear Wrench, KOBALT and Pioneer Seed
5th: KABO/Taiwan, Twist-type, OEM to CRESENT, GEAR HAED, Blue Point, IIT, JIMY/Australia, HAC/Japan and Spider/Snap-on Japan
6th: INFAR/Taiwan, Twist-type, shorter than KABO and twisted opposite direction, OEM to SEALEY/UK
Last 7th: Buffalo/China, Twist-type with DIN 45-degree offset, difficult to get it (minimum order is 500s, no dealer found out)

Let me know following 3-matters:
(1) Original manufacturer of 3rd one, Dolphin
(2) 7th, Buffalo/China dealer (how to get it)
(3) Other OEM brands from 1st to 7th (except 2nd)

 

[Zeeman]

Hey Corgibel,

Tell me more about the Craftsman USA wrench you posted, please. Are they available in Japan? I've never seen one.

 

[corgibell]

Every Craftsmans were found out at US ebay.
Model name is "Cross Forth".

 

[rlitman]

Hey Corgibel,

Tell me more about the Craftsman USA wrench you posted, please. Are they available in Japan? I've never seen one.

They were sold in the US a few years back under the name "Cross Force":
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007KHGTN8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[seber]

I won't use Chrome. What is the purpose of that type wrench?

 

[corgibell]

I won't use Chrome. What is the purpose of that type wrench?

From KABO catalog, "provides 42% power up, and eliminates stress, on the user's hand".

 

[RedneckWelder]

I won't use Chrome. What is the purpose of that type wrench?

To get stuck in tight areas.

Also so pussies won’t “hurt their hands” when pulling on a wrench.

 

[rlitman]

...What is the purpose of that type wrench?

It's supposed to give your hand a wider spot to press on when you're not smart enough to be wearing gloves or using a cheater wrench.

 

[Zeeman]

Every Craftsmans were found out at US ebay.
Model name is "Cross Forth".

Interesting wrench for sure. I did look them up and saw when they were for sale. Thanks.

 

[redragoon]

7 different manufacturer designs, and still in production in some models. Clearly there are enough users to warrant manufacturer support. Craftsman and others even make ratcheting box end versions.

I certainly can understand wanting a larger hand area for usage. However, I could see it as being the perfect landing spot for a dead blow mallet. Stuck nut in a spot only large enough to fit a single hand wrench would leave few other options. Not that I'd replace my current Craftsman set with them, but I can always make room for a set at a good price.

 

[dnschmidt]

I have the Gearwrench reversible ratcheting versions. I love them. Yes, I'm a ***** and don't like hurting my delicate semiconductor clean room hands. I also hate getting dirty (screw Eric the Car Guy and the boat he came in on). I will not work on my car without first pressure washing it and I've got five bottles of Kresto (grease) and Cupran Special (used for paint) hand cleaner in my shop. Seldom use them as I always wear gloves. Spent 40 years in a Class 1 cleanroom. If I liked dirt I'd have gone into repairing farm equipment.

 

[pizza]

that ABC is a nice looking wrench. thanks for sharing

 

[RKA]

Add me to the list of people that would like a wrench like this to save my delicate hands. You don’t realize what a toll that takes until after a lifetime passes, then you look back and wonder why you weren’t smarter rather than beating on things like a Neanderthal. Meanwhile the nurse holds your sippie cup so you can have a drink.

Unfortunately my fear is the wider face would also get in the way more than it would help, so I would rather get a long pattern wrench. If I was looking for a 3rd set of wrenches and not my nth set, maybe I would consider them. But as it is, I have too many combos and I’m not dedicating a toolbox to wrenches! Really, I will NOT do it. There, it’s in writing.

 

[Skin]

To get stuck in tight areas.

Also so pussies won’t “hurt their hands” when pulling on a wrench.

Do you wrap your handles in barbed wire to prove your manliness?


These wrenches work great and I liked mine very much. Only reason I don't have them anymore is they became worth more than I paid since Craftsman discontinued them so I re-sold them. I don't like keeping tools around that cant be replaced either.

I think Duralast had a Taiwan version for a short time too.

Unfortunately my fear is the wider face would also get in the way more than it would help.

I actually never encountered that issue. Mine were USA made by Armstrong and had an offset that put the beam out of the way. I had a Gearwrench set though that did have no offset which wasn't great.

 

[Firebrick43]

If you want to save your hands get either a piece of rigid conduit (not emt) and flatten it in a press to an oval shape. Flare out the now oval opening slightly with a ball peen and now it slips over without damage.

Or if there is enough space use a breaker bar.

 

[corgibell]

I think Duralast had a Taiwan version for a short time too.

Let me know Duralast one would be Twisted-type (KABO or INFAR) or Cross-type(Craftsman), if you remenber.
I checked ebay, but no Duralast one was found.

 

[corgibell]

ABC cross-type is available only direct order to AIBA Industry.
However, they accepts only domestic delivery.

 

[mcj115]

I have Armstrong sets that you picked up last year...I think I paid $40 for the sae and $50 for the metrics. I have not used the much but it seemed like a deal for a full polished us made wrench set.

 

[superautobacs]

Corgibell,

I think the "Dolphin Wrench" might be manufactured in Taiwan by Jin Wang Industrial, Co. Ltd
イタイザメ
http://www.jinwang-tools.com/exec/product.php?mod=show&cid=2&pid=CM-518DW&lg=E

I believe the same one is sold by Suekage's "Pro-Auto" line.



Speaking of Sata, I found these in my archives. Probably from around 2008(?), when Danaher supplied Craftsman and when brands like Armstrong, Matco, and Gearwrench were under it. I think was the period when there was a transition from Gearwrench production was shifting from Taiwan's Lea Way factory to China's SATA factory for ratcheting wrenches.

Promotional adverts for the Singapore market:
You can see a regular X-beam combi and their ratcheting combi wrench.

 

[corgibell]

Corgibell,

I think the "Dolphin Wrench" might be manufactured in Taiwan by Jin Wang Industrial, Co. Ltd
イタイザメ
http://www.jinwang-tools.com/exec/product.php?mod=show&cid=2&pid=CM-518DW&lg=E

I believe the same one is sold by Suekage's "Pro-Auto" line.

Speaking of Sata, I found these in my archives. Probably from around 2008(?), when Danaher supplied Craftsman and when brands like Armstrong, Matco, and Gearwrench were under it. I think was the period when there was a transition from Gearwrench production was shifting from Taiwan's Lea Way factory to China's SATA factory for ratcheting wrenches.

Promotional adverts for the Singapore market:
You can see a regular X-beam combi and their ratcheting combi wrench.

Thanks for your nice information, which is the original manufacturer of the Dolphin wrench.
I'm interested in the logo with Japanese Katakana イタイザメ.
Immediately I have sent the question of the reason to use the Katakana to Jin Wang.

Yes, Pro-Auto by Suekage/Japan has used the Dolphin wrench in their line up.
There are 2-types, pounced logo & laser logo.