Got a question on long patterns. Currently I just have USA raised panel Craftsman's and sk x frame wrench's. working on a old truck and length/leverage has been a issue I'm looking into what be the best brand to get standards and metrics. Rarely see a number for how long they actually are. Sets I've looked at are the gedore xl, facom high torque, sk longs, hazet. Trying to stay European/American.
Long pattern wrenches
- Thread starter TexF18
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71firebird400
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2016
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- 142
Toptul makes a fantastic set of extra long metric wrenches, however I don't believe they make them in standard.
jmtoolco.com
10pc Extra Long Combination Wrench Set - METRIC
15º Offset Satin Chrome Finish Metric (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
jmtoolco.com
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I think the best route to go would be a set of extra long, zero offset boxed end wrenches. I don't know what your budget is so, I'll recommend what I feel is a quality wrench that won't break the bank.
capritools.com
If you scroll down to the wrench chart, they tell you the length of each wrench. These wrenches are made in Taiwan so, if that's an issue for you then I recommend shopping for a used truck brand set on ebay or elsewhere in the secondary market.
Extra Long Double Box End Wrenches
The Capri Tools 0 Degree Offset Extra Long Double Box End Wrenches are designed to let you easily tackle recessed bolts and bolts in tight spots.
capritools.com
If you scroll down to the wrench chart, they tell you the length of each wrench. These wrenches are made in Taiwan so, if that's an issue for you then I recommend shopping for a used truck brand set on ebay or elsewhere in the secondary market.
Toptul has had a lot of favourable reviews here:
cryertool.com
cryertool.com
They also have an extra-long pattern. Not sure if they make it in inches:
cryertool.com
Personally if I wanted to add to my wrench collection I’d also consider a set of Stahlwille double box ends. You shouldn’t need more length on the open ends than your existing set, and I believe double box are fairly long pattern.
Buy TOPTUL Long Combo Wrench - SAE ACEA
cryertool.com
Buy TOPTUL Long Combo Wrench - METRIC AAEA
cryertool.com
They also have an extra-long pattern. Not sure if they make it in inches:
Buy TOPTUL Extra Long Combo Wrench - METRIC AAEL
cryertool.com
Personally if I wanted to add to my wrench collection I’d also consider a set of Stahlwille double box ends. You shouldn’t need more length on the open ends than your existing set, and I believe double box are fairly long pattern.
Sounds like you are looking at combination wrenches, do you specifically need another set of those? There are some slightly longer combination wrenches but nowhere near as long as double box end options. Or maybe a wrench extender would work with your current sets?
I strongly suggest following what Fedwrench suggested on the zero offset boxed wrenches. When you need more torque you want the boxed end and at the long length any angle can limit your throw. I like boxed on one end and ratchet on the other, so break it free and flip and crank it off fast.
Consider you may want a long open end wrench then combo is your answer, but long boxed is the way to go here IMO. If you go with long ratcheting wrenches consider flexed or not flexed, reversible or not reversible, and especially splined, hex, or double hex. I suggest avoiding splined as they have a tendency to chew things up, and can be annoying to get off.
A breaker bar and a socket is always good, but I feel a long ratchet is better. At least with Snap-on the 2ft flex ratchet works better than the breaker bar. I know this is not what you asked about, but it is a good thing to consider.
Consider you may want a long open end wrench then combo is your answer, but long boxed is the way to go here IMO. If you go with long ratcheting wrenches consider flexed or not flexed, reversible or not reversible, and especially splined, hex, or double hex. I suggest avoiding splined as they have a tendency to chew things up, and can be annoying to get off.
A breaker bar and a socket is always good, but I feel a long ratchet is better. At least with Snap-on the 2ft flex ratchet works better than the breaker bar. I know this is not what you asked about, but it is a good thing to consider.
I know it's not the COO you asked for, but the gear wrench long pattern zero offset wrenches can be found in standard and metric, have a box end on one side and a ratchet wrench on the other, and are quite a bit longer than the standard pattern.
They're much like an aircraft wrench in that the box end is flush on one side of the wrench and the back side has a standoff of approx 1/4" to clear adjacent fasteners. The ratchet side has is zero degree and non reversible.
The XL SAE set is on cripe dist for $82 iirc, and the Metric was recently on Amazon for $75. I've owned the SAE for two years and recently bought the metric set.
Both Taiwan.
They're much like an aircraft wrench in that the box end is flush on one side of the wrench and the back side has a standoff of approx 1/4" to clear adjacent fasteners. The ratchet side has is zero degree and non reversible.
The XL SAE set is on cripe dist for $82 iirc, and the Metric was recently on Amazon for $75. I've owned the SAE for two years and recently bought the metric set.
Both Taiwan.
I will eventually get some zeros. Right now combos come in handier. Working on a humvee. Need the length and open end to crack open hard lines. The slight offset have been better than no offset. I've had a set of regular gear wrenchs and they have never seemed that strong.
I have a 2 foot 3/8 snapon ratchet and some crows feet and that works about 1/2 the time but dont always have the room.
I have a 2 foot 3/8 snapon ratchet and some crows feet and that works about 1/2 the time but dont always have the room.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
For LONG combination wrenches the TOPTUL are the answer and as mentioned above are available in SAE, they simply are not available as an SAE set as they are in metric. If things really get bad Muller-Kueps and others make wrench extenders that can be used with these to get really long.
Toptul extra long in SAE is different design to the metric (typical taiwan issue on how they outsource and use what already got tooling)
They still proper long though but only do 7 sizes and hardly anyone stocks them .
Is another useful thread on long combo wrenches (metric) with some length measures that may help make decisions on what work for you ...
www.garagejournal.com
Some long wrenches I really find useful daily is the ICON long combo ratchet wrenches by high-five, nice XL length (pretty much same as toptul extra long) and very useful ...
They still proper long though but only do 7 sizes and hardly anyone stocks them .
Is another useful thread on long combo wrenches (metric) with some length measures that may help make decisions on what work for you ...
Long handle metric wrenches?
I would like to find long combination metric wrenches in 10 and 12mm sizes. What I have found is either 1" longer (not helpful) than a standard combination wrench (HF or some online stuff), or it's a Snap On and each wrench is $50. When I say 'longer', I mean the wrench is 12-14" long so you...
www.garagejournal.com
Some long wrenches I really find useful daily is the ICON long combo ratchet wrenches by high-five, nice XL length (pretty much same as toptul extra long) and very useful ...
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VolvoRyan
Well-known member
Worth looking around on the interwebs for specs. One company's "standard" is another company's "long pattern".
One strategy might be to look at the Torque Test Channel's wrench ratings, and get a wrench extender:
When I see "open end wrenches" and "leverage" in the same sentence, my mind goes to higher end wrenches. Perhaps WrightGrip or FD+ if there are some "Hail Mary" fasteners in your future.
I have a set of the Capri super-long DBE wrenches. They are nice when you need them.
-Ryan
One strategy might be to look at the Torque Test Channel's wrench ratings, and get a wrench extender:
When I see "open end wrenches" and "leverage" in the same sentence, my mind goes to higher end wrenches. Perhaps WrightGrip or FD+ if there are some "Hail Mary" fasteners in your future.
I have a set of the Capri super-long DBE wrenches. They are nice when you need them.
-Ryan
dnschmidt
Well-known member
I agree with the Icon recommendation. TOPTUL is interesting in that for their SAE stuff they typically go full polished rather than Satin Chrome as is the case with these extra long combination wrenches. When I was selling them somebody who's on this board (I don't remember exactly who - It might have been Jim in Virginia) had me bring in individual boxes of the SAE TOPTUL. I suppose he made up his own sets from them.Toptul extra long in SAE is different design to the metric (typical taiwan issue on how they outsource and use what already got tooling)
They still proper long though but only do 7 sizes and hardly anyone stocks them .
Is another useful thread on long combo wrenches (metric) with some length measures that may help make decisions on what work for you ...
Long handle metric wrenches?
I would like to find long combination metric wrenches in 10 and 12mm sizes. What I have found is either 1" longer (not helpful) than a standard combination wrench (HF or some online stuff), or it's a Snap On and each wrench is $50. When I say 'longer', I mean the wrench is 12-14" long so you...
Some long wrenches I really find useful daily is the ICON long combo ratchet wrenches by high-five, nice XL length (pretty much same as toptul extra long) and very useful ...
Ricky Joe
Well-known member
Mac made excellent long pattern combination wrenches. Used on eBay might help.
You are going to want a flare nut wrench or flare nut crows feet for hardline fittings.
If they are that seized up that you feel the need for a long wrench, an open end combination wrench will likely butcher them, especially the smaller sizes used for those fittings.
Huh, they look pretty much exactly like the Cornwell ones. Interesting.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
If you want a really long boxed end wrench set with a 15 degree offset, VIM offers what they refer to as a drain plug wrench set.
Don't buy it from VIM direct as it's much cheaper elsewhere. The only drawback to this set is it doesn't have an 18mm.
As for long combination wrenches, Hazet makes a good set but, you might as well get Snap on for price.
If you're using craftsman raised panels & X Frames, you might want to look at Proto with the anti slip open end. They're much longer than the raised panel Craftsmans. I think the anti slip open end on the X frame is about as good as it can get. Good luck in your quest
Don't buy it from VIM direct as it's much cheaper elsewhere. The only drawback to this set is it doesn't have an 18mm.
As for long combination wrenches, Hazet makes a good set but, you might as well get Snap on for price.
If you're using craftsman raised panels & X Frames, you might want to look at Proto with the anti slip open end. They're much longer than the raised panel Craftsmans. I think the anti slip open end on the X frame is about as good as it can get. Good luck in your quest
Agreed! I like my long wrenches with very little if any offset for this very reason. Then, for the deep offset wrenches, I prefer the shorty 12 points.
Now - if you need long AND deep offset - I think I would try one of those wrench extended thingeys with the shorty wrench. Though the Stahwill's are both long and offset. I wouldn't mind finding a set of those under the Christmas tree!
Kasal
Well-known member
Toptul vs Snapon
yeah but it not just finish polished, the wrench forging design totally differs too, it more a snapon style beam and ends rather than than recessed and slender german style of the metric set, seems to me they just use whatever tooling the foundry already has available rather than up production costs of specific design, same reason they got lot of size skips/limited range ... they kind of too stingy sourcing manufacture and backing the products to actually make what would be easy brand gains up the professional class tool podium .
KnurledNut
Well-known member
For extra long combos, I've always been partial to the square edge beams of Cornwell and Hazet.
Facom has good ergonomics too, but the open end and box ring can be girthy.
Urrea would be a good option if they could ever get the QC of their box broaching lined out. Ive seen some that was pretty rough.
If I was reefing on some fasteners with the open end that were critical not to round, I might consider trying the Astro flank bite wrenches.
Proto made long combos back in the day. Same part numbers, but end with L. Good stuff as expected.
If I needed to purchase both SAE and metric sets for the job right at this moment, I'd get the Icons.
Because its the only option I can have in hand today, in less than an hour.
Facom has good ergonomics too, but the open end and box ring can be girthy.
Urrea would be a good option if they could ever get the QC of their box broaching lined out. Ive seen some that was pretty rough.
If I was reefing on some fasteners with the open end that were critical not to round, I might consider trying the Astro flank bite wrenches.
Proto made long combos back in the day. Same part numbers, but end with L. Good stuff as expected.
If I needed to purchase both SAE and metric sets for the job right at this moment, I'd get the Icons.
Because its the only option I can have in hand today, in less than an hour.
WWheeler
Well-known member
I've been (ab)using GearWrench's 44pc set (25 metric 6mm-32mm & 19 SAE 1/4"-1-1/2") of long pattern 12pt wrenches for almost 6 years now and I'm very happy with them. Haven't seen (m)any sets this comprehensive with so few skips as this for anywhere near this price.
MalWart: GearWrench 81919 44 Pc. 12 Point Sae/metric Long Pattern Combination Wrench Set
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H2W7LVK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
MalWart: GearWrench 81919 44 Pc. 12 Point Sae/metric Long Pattern Combination Wrench Set
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H2W7LVK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
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Found this wrench set with 16x18If you want a really long boxed end wrench set with a 15 degree offset, VIM offers what they refer to as a drain plug wrench set.
Don't buy it from VIM direct as it's much cheaper elsewhere. The only drawback to this set is it doesn't have an 18mm.
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
Not 100% sure why the escalation there.
Very common for people to not want to buy questionable quality tools made in Asia (China, India, etc.).
LWB
Well-known member
Curious, why would you buy a set of Gearwrench if you don't want to buy "Non USA made"? Just but a couple of USA made sizes that you need to get the job done? You can always sell them and buy a set later.
Wrench extender?
Wrench Extender is an Elegant Cheater Bar
toolguyd.com
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O I hear you. thought real hard about just buying the cheapies for now. Im sure they would be fine. buying asian manufacture is more of a mental block. I did buy some Bonney flare nut crowsfeet for the hard lines off ebay. Ended up just ordering a set of Hazet 600's found a deal on the standards for 150. looking forward to trying them out. Thanks for all the suggestions.Curious, why would you buy a set of Gearwrench if you don't want to buy "Non USA made"? Just but a couple of USA made sizes that you need to get the job done? You can always sell them and buy a set later.
Wrench extender?
Wrench Extender is an Elegant Cheater Bar
I'd probably get these... Perhaps even the deeper offset. I think the offset is more helpful than not having it. It rarely gets in the way for my needs, but a straight one probably would. I don't think you can spin a straight/no-offset one if there are other screws around? It would hit the other screw heads.
richfinn
Well-known member
Stahlwille 14 series are good
LWB
Well-known member
I've recently discovered some finely made Japanese and Taiwanese tools. Have a look.