Jumbo wrenches, what do you have, what do you like?

[exophyusical]

Just wondering what everyone owns and loves for big wrenches, as in 1 1/4" to 2" plus? I've got a mix of Proto and Westward in these sizes. The Westwards are junk, as usual, but in wrenches this big it pretty hard to break them even intentionaly. The Proto's are nice but man are they LONG!! Often awkward to use and wielding the real big ones can be a workout. Wrenches this big you can get away with double wrenching so its pretty rare to find a situation where the length is any advantage IMO. So what do you guys use/ like for jumbos?

 

[Tavy]

Proto/Armstrong/Wright. Whatever the industrial supply place next to work has handy.. all three are by far preferred over any tool truck brand in my case.

 

[kams1973]

I have a set ranging from 1" to 2". My father gave them to me. They are great wrenches from the late 70's. I also have older Williams wrenches up to 1 5/8". I prefer the Proto wrenches though.

 

[exophyusical]

I nearly forgot, I also have a couple Gray round handle wrenches. They are probably my favorite of the three brands I have

 

[TwoInch]

the few i have are all Williams superrenches. they are top notch.

 

[sselander]

I have a set of fully polished metric Wilton Columbian wrenches. (25-32)The fit and finish on them is well above any HF wrenches. They were a closeout on one of the online stores a few years back, and I was surprised at the fit and finish when I received them.
COO is overseas somewhere.

Found a link to show what mine look like:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CXJQQ8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[exophyusical]

I have a set of fully polished metric Wilton Columbian wrenches. (25-32)The fit and finish on them is well above any HF wrenches. They were a closeout on one of the online stores a few years back, and I was surprised at the fit and finish when I received them.
COO is overseas somewhere.

Found a link to show what mine look like:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CXJQQ8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Those look pretty good, a guy at work has a 10 piece set of full polish Tekton jumbo wrenches. Seems like a pretty nice set and I think they were fairly cheap.

 

[bobcatdan]

I have SK up to 1 1/2". Don't use much larger normally. Have a cheap big set. I have two random large wright and two SK. It is amazing how big USA make big chicom look like ****. I can't decide between the wright and SK which set I want to complete.

 

[The Ratchet Man]

Craftsman Pro up to 1 1/2". Anything larger is rare so I just use a large crescent wrench.

 

[GTA Matt]

I have a 'Grip' brand set. I believe they are 1-5/16 to 2". Good price and I don't think I could break one if I tried. The smaller sizes are probably around 20" long and move up in length to around 27".

 

[AndyA]

SK from 1-1/16" to 1-1/2"
Snap on from 1-9/16" to 2"
Proto 2-1/4"
SK from 20mm to 27mm, 29mm, 30mm, 32mm

If I were rebuying I'd probably go with the cheaper of any of these brands. Protos are roughly half price of the snap-on. They aren't as 'pretty' as the snap-ons, but they do the job just as well.

 

[jmm]

Craftsman Pro up to 1 1/2". Anything larger is rare so I just use a large crescent wrench.

The Craftsman Pros are really nice. They're a little shorter than normal, but they're nicely shaped -- it doesn't hurt to really lean on them. The finish is perfect and the fit is even better. They're by far my favorites.

The rest of my set was haphazardly assembled as I needed them or found them used. Besides the Craftsman Professionals, I've got Stahlwille, Wright, Williams, SK, Snap-On, Mac, Cornwell, Proto, Challenger, Armstrong and some cheap jumbo angle wrenches from NT.

The regular pattern (no. 13, I think?) Stahlwilles are short, but very thin -- great for big jam nuts and tight spaces, but harder to much torque on.

In truth, I think truck brands are overkill for wrenches bigger than about 1 1/4"; they're really nice, no doubt, but they're crazy expensive and I've never heard of anyone breaking even the cheapest of big wrenches. I can't really recommend the truck brands for that reason, though if you find them cheap, jump on them.

The Wrights, Williams, Protos, and SKs are all about equal. Proto/Challenger might make the best of that bunch The Armstrongs I have are old style extra-long pattern wrenches, with thin rectangular handles that approach being tubular. They're awesome if you have the room to swing them. They're my second favorites.

I've never used anything but the big angle wrenches from Northern Tool, but they're cheap as hell, strong, and very handy. The finish *****, and they could stand to have a little bit better fit, but I've stood on them before, so I can't complain. If you're not using them alot, I'd definitely recommend saving yourself a lot of money and going Chinese. Spend what you save on nicer tools that are more crucial.

 

[exophyusical]

The Craftsman Pros are really nice. They're a little shorter than normal, but they're nicely shaped -- it doesn't hurt to really lean on them. The finish is perfect and the fit is even better. They're by far my favorites.

The rest of my set was haphazardly assembled as I needed them or found them used. Besides the Craftsman Professionals, I've got Stahlwille, Wright, Williams, SK, Snap-On, Mac, Cornwell, Proto, Challenger, Armstrong and some cheap jumbo angle wrenches from NT.

The regular pattern (no. 13, I think?) Stahlwilles are short, but very thin -- great for big jam nuts and tight spaces, but harder to much torque on.

In truth, I think truck brands are overkill for wrenches bigger than about 1 1/4"; they're really nice, no doubt, but they're crazy expensive and I've never heard of anyone breaking even the cheapest of big wrenches. I can't really recommend the truck brands for that reason, though if you find them cheap, jump on them.

The Wrights, Williams, Protos, and SKs are all about equal. Proto/Challenger might make the best of that bunch The Armstrongs I have are old style extra-long pattern wrenches, with thin rectangular handles that approach being tubular. They're awesome if you have the room to swing them. They're my second favorites.

I've never used anything but the big angle wrenches from Northern Tool, but they're cheap as hell, strong, and very handy. The finish *****, and they could stand to have a little bit better fit, but I've stood on them before, so I can't complain. If you're not using them alot, I'd definitely recommend saving yourself a lot of money and going Chinese. Spend what you save on nicer tools that are more crucial.

Very true, up here in you can get a 10 piece jumbo wrench set at Peavy mart for $70. They are possibly the worst wrenches ever made but I've never seen one break.

When I worked the rigs I watched a particularly tough driller jump in the celler and strip a set of 3000# studs with a Westward wrench (probably the second worst wrenches ever made) while attempting to get the BOP's to stop leaking. The wrench was never even close to spreading or breaking.

 

[crewchief888]

i have a set 1 3/8" -2" i bought at least 20 years ago from a mail order place, (ie: HF or northern tool type) COO india.
they've been beaten on with every sledgehammer i have, none broke yet.
1-1/16, 1-3/16, 1-5/16 all SO all bought new
1-7/16 proto i bought used

 

[devoncoolman]

Snap-on from 1/4 to 1 5/8
Cheap chinese from 1 1/2 to 2

 

[exophyusical]

i have a set 1 3/8" -2" i bought at least 20 years ago from a mail order place, (ie: HF or northern tool type) COO india.
they've been beaten on with every sledgehammer i have, none broke yet.
1-1/16, 1-3/16, 1-5/16 all SO all bought new
1-7/16 proto i bought used

Sorry but I gotta LOL at the 1 3/16 SO, I think I've run across something like two or three times when I needed a 1 3/16 wrench in my entire career, usualy on big pipefitting jobs and even there they seem rare. For me its much like the 1" wrench, always the nicest looking wrench in the set because hardly anything uses a 1" bolt for some reason.

 

[Gmonkee]

I have the CM RP 5 pc set, 1" to 1-5/16" combo wrenches, also a 12" adjustable modified to open to 1-5/8" .
Also a offset DBE set 1/4" to 1-3/8" CH brand, old Mexican brand.

What I would want is to replace the CM with ProtoMex/Urrea DOE 1" to 1-1/2". My actual use needs rarely exceed 1-5/16" but the options are always nice to have.

 

[crewchief888]

Sorry but I gotta LOL at the 1 3/16 SO, I think I've run across something like two or three times when I needed a 1 3/16 wrench in my entire career

i actually use it quite a bit on metric bolts.
"back in the day" MM wrenches were more expensive than std wrenches, and sometimes took longer to get..
thats the reason i bought std wrenches in 1-3/16, 1-5/16, & 1-7/16.
along with angle head wrenches, deep impact sockets and 1/2" dr impact swivels

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Duro, Proto, SK, and some China junk to fill in the gap in the Bottom of the Harbor.

 

[Ign]

1 3/16" should be interchangeable with 30mm, so whichever you have. Tekton for $8.04 at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NQ182K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If anyone wants the jumbo Proto ratcheting, there's the thread in Hot Deals and I'm assuming Northern still has 'em at $20 ea. Helluva deal at that price if you actually have a use for them. Sizes are a bit spotty.

 

[softailgarage]

i recently "invested" in a set of Cornwells (I say invested 'cause they cost an arm and leg). I also have about 7 vintage bigguns I'll post later today.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

Northern Tool Jumbo wrench set is what I use.

 

[ken w.]

I have mostly Williams, Proto and Snap On in the big wrenches.All were bought used from estate sales. I'd go broke buying them new.

 

[exophyusical]

i actually use it quite a bit on metric bolts.
"back in the day" MM wrenches were more expensive than std wrenches, and sometimes took longer to get..
thats the reason i bought std wrenches in 1-3/16, 1-5/16, & 1-7/16.
along with angle head wrenches, deep impact sockets and 1/2" dr impact swivels

That makes sense, I use 1 5/16 quite a bit and 1 7/16 a little bit. I have a couple 30mm sockets specifically for working on my quad, I'll have to keep in mind that my 1 3/16 stuff will work as well, finaly found a use for it!

 

[chris142]

I only need up to 1-5/16. I have proto and a 1-5/16 craftsman.

 

[devoncoolman]

1 3/16 is comon on medium duty trucks. Wheel lugs and steering box bolts.

 

[bill5674]

snap-on up to two inch...a couple of super wrenches thrown in too...

 

[Benw455]

For 1 inch plus I have Williams. Fit and finish is a1.

 

[Ign]

1 3/16 is comon on medium duty trucks. Wheel lugs and steering box bolts.

Do you know the actual fastener size and thread pitch?

 

[bobcatdan]

John Deere tractors have been held together for about the last 40 years with 1 3/16" head bolts. Since the 7000 series came out, now held together with 30mm.

 

[sdguy55]

When I bought my wrenches I looked forever for a set from 1" to 2" no skips. Took me awhile but I found some made by grip from northern tool. Black oxide finish. Have done the job so far.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 4

 

[devoncoolman]

I think the bolts were 1in corse thread. Wheel nuts fine thread

 

[HighPlainsWrencher]

I have a set of Northern Tool sae jumbo angle wrenches 1 3/8 - 2. Use them all the time. They are pretty rough looking right out of the box but are a good wrench. After doing price comparisons for awhile I will probably end up buying Northern's 2 1/4 - 2 1/2 combo wrench set sometime this week.

 

[toolmaven]

I generally top out at 2" and 3/4" drive, as I seldom need bigger. I do have a 24" USA adjustable, and a Ridgid No. 35 hex wrench that opens to about 4-1/2" they still make the smaller No. 25. In my profile picture I am holding a Williams 7-5/8" wrench. That one wasn't for sale, but it is the biggest they used to make - a museum piece. It weighs 149 pounds and is 52 inches long. The 6-1/2 was heavier, as less was cut out of the same forging.

 

[Hyster Gareth]

I have CAT branded and Proto.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Sorry but I gotta LOL at the 1 3/16 SO, I think I've run across something like two or three times when I needed a 1 3/16 wrench in my entire career, usualy on big pipefitting jobs and even there they seem rare. For me its much like the 1" wrench, always the nicest looking wrench in the set because hardly anything uses a 1" bolt for some reason.

Just depends on what kind of job you have. I'm an airline mechanic, and 1" and 1-3/16" are both commonly used sizes.

Charles

 

[Exceller8]

I have a few Snap-On, Proto, and other quality large wrenches up to about 2-1/4". I don't use them very often, but I'm glad to have them when I need them.

I really want to buy the HF ones just to have as a beater set.

 

[rollscanhardly]

i have all the large metric gearwrench ones

27, 30, 32, 34, 36, 41, 45, 50

 

[Bib Overalls]

I needed a 2.25" to tighten the bolt that holds the wheel on my 12" mega grinder. Looked for sockets but the price, with an adapter, was always more than the big *** box/open end combo that I found on Amazon.Com. With shipping, about $20.

 

[southalabama]

Last year when lowes converted over to foreign wrenches I spent a Saturday and a tank of gas hitting all the stores I could in order to get a bunch of the wrenches. Had they not been on close out probably wouldn't have gotten the larger sizes. I'm glad I was able to pick them up at close out prices.