Long Wrench Set / Recommendation?

[Elbert C.]

I'm a "old" reader of the forum but a fairly new poster here.

I'm in the market for a long wrench set, both in metric and SAE, in common sizes. I'll do some searches on the board to see what if anything I can find..but in the mean time, anyone have positive recommendations. Post brand and model # if known.

Looking for whats out there, not locked into style of wrench (open/boxed/offsets). Wrenches that have a longer "beam" (i think that's the correct reference), which allows more leverage and or access given the issue at hand.

Not looking for (made in china) stuff.

 

[bob15]

Snap On, Mac/proto & cornwell all make extra long wrenches

 

[JP Chestnut]

Regular snap on is long. Long snap on is very long. The quality can't be beat, so if you can afford them, it's a no brainer.

 

[Dave455]

Did you have a particular type of wrench in mind? i.e. Combination wrench or box end etc?

There are some good options out there, better than Chinese but without paying silly money!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Not looking for (made in china) stuff.

Good luck !

Stanley/Black & Decker, the current owners of the Craftsman brand, say they will start making tools in the US, but probably not until next year.

You might find some on eBay, but you had better check for the "Made in U.S.A." stamping.

 

[nicks78camaro]

SK long combo wrenches. I have in SAE and metric, very well made.

 

[lardy1]

I really like my Blackhawk forty five degree offset double box end wrenches. I've always liked the length and feel of the longer dbe wrenches. They seem to have fallen from favor these days,

 

[rcbk00]

If you want long pattern combination wrenches, GearWrench sells a 44 piece set (81919) for about $220. They also sell long box/racheting box wrench sets for reasonable prices as well. Unfortunately, they're all pretty much made in China.

For USA made long combination wrenches, the best of the best is Snap-On. Incredibly expensive though. SK long patterns are nice and reasonably priced, but they're not very long. Your best bang for the buck would probably be a Proto ASD set or Williams Super Combos.

 

[Elbert C.]

If you want long pattern combination wrenches, GearWrench sells a 44 piece set (81919) for about $220. They also sell long box/racheting box wrench sets for reasonable prices as well. Unfortunately, they're all pretty much made in China.

For USA made long combination wrenches, the best of the best is Snap-On. Incredibly expensive though. SK long patterns are nice and reasonably priced, but they're not very long. Your best bang for the buck would probably be a Proto ASD set or Williams Super Combos.

I like a lot of the Williams stuff...is the super combo stuff a longer beam wrench vs. "normal"? I'll have to look for the Proto you mentioned, I have a good bit of Williams stuff and a few Proto sets, both are good. I generally buy williams stuff from tools delivered web site.

 

[Elbert C.]

Good luck !

Stanley/Black & Decker, the current owners of the Craftsman brand, say they will start making tools in the US, but probably not until next year.

You might find some on eBay, but you had better check for the "Made in U.S.A." stamping.

I use to be a fan of craftsman many years ago....as a reasonable priced brand with reasonable quality. I've not had that view for some time though...based on their product line. I spent some $$ back in the 80's on craftsman, which I still have, many made in US. At some point in the timeline.....the product line became something I decided I did not want to invest in. Have to see what / or if "Craftsman" does in the future.

thanks for the feedback

 

[Elbert C.]

SK long combo wrenches. I have in SAE and metric, very well made.

How much longer is the SK "long" wrench vs. standard length ? If you know off hand... I may hunt around on their web site. Thanks

 

[nicks78camaro]

How much longer is the SK "long" wrench vs. standard length ? If you know off hand... I may hunt around on their web site. Thanks

Someone on the forum measured 9/16" wrenches of each type and got 6.72" and 8.63"

Long Pattern - 88618 / 88418 - 9/16" - 8.63

Combination - 88268 / 88218 - 9/16" - 6.72

Source - 2014 SK Tool Catalog pg 116 & 120

 

[Wamsutta]

You would absolutely LOVE the Cornwell set. If I'm not right, may lightening strike me dead right now.

 

[bob15]

Someone on the forum measured 9/16" wrenches of each type and got 6.72" and 8.63"

FYI:

For comparison, the Snap On, Mac & Cornwell 9/16 extra long wrenches are 10" long.

 

[Fedwrench]

I would recommend extra long zero offset boxed end wrenches.

Since you've ruled out Asian made and lots of excellent choices, eBay might be your best bet. Although not cheap, the truck brands offer some nice versions but, be careful as not all options are US made.

 

[nadogail]

I know that I will probably be flamed for this but, Harbor Freight tools have earned me good money in the past.

They are not the only tools I have purchased, but they have paid their way.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

If looking at chrome, the Williams Superwrenches are hard to beat. Used them for years (and replaced my Snap-on set with them).

I was looking for sets of long beam satin combos. Decided to dive into the Williams Taiwan wrenches and they've become my new favorites.
10mm-19mm and 3/8"-1" from Toolsdelivered.

 

[dnschmidt]

I don't find long combination wrenches to be that big of a deal and I sold a **** load of TOPTUL'S extra long combination wrenches which are superb. For long wrenches the zero offset box wrenches are the bomb. For example on a Hyundai 2.4L a long combination wrench will not enable you to change the drive belt as the 15 degree offset will hit the side of the cars frame. Only a long zero offset box wrench will work for this purpose.

 

[bczygan]

I know that I will probably be flamed for this but, Harbor Freight tools have earned me good money in the past.

They are not the only tools I have purchased, but they have paid their way.

I went that way also. They work as good as the SnapOn I use at school.
25$ less 20% coupon

25$ less 20% coupon

40$ less 20% coupon

40$ less 20% coupon

Bill

 

[StillTooManyHobbies]

I have both SK and Bonney (SAE only in Bonney) long pattern and I like both. Bonney will be harder to find.

 

[XJSuperman]

I love my GearWrench dbe ratcheting long wrenches. I use them on everything, and there really isn't much that I need an open end for and in tight spots I grab a ratchet/socket instead.

 

[TuxThePenguin]

I just bought the 17mm and 19mm XL Matco wrenches (my car takes those 2 sizes for most of the suspension stuff) and so far I love them. They've got a non-ratcheting box end + a ratcheting box end (of the same size) each wrench. Non-ratcheting to break, ratcheting to finish.

Edit: for combination wrenches, I have some Proto ASD wrenches that are longer than many of the other brands I have but I still wouldn't call these particularly "long" - just slightly longer than others I have

 

[zmotorsports]

If you are contemplating going to the extra long wrenches, I would recommend going with a zero offset style as they are very useful.

I purchased the Gearwrench zero offset extra long wrenches in both SAE as well as Metric about 5 years ago and have been very impressed with them. They are holding up extremely well thus far and come in a price that won't break the bank.

 

[stonesfan68]

I have the SK long pattern metric set and like them a lot.

 

[Ign]

Elbert C, see this....SK's "long" tends to be like a guy telling a woman, "Yeah, sure, that's 12 inches" :
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=404976

 

[Chevy-SS]

I've been buying and using mechanic tools for almost 50 years now. Snap-On and S-K are my favorites, followed by Craftsman.

But I have to admit, I was looking for long combo wrenches a couple of years ago, and the Harbor Freight store is nearby, so I went and looked, and immediately bought two sets, and I have been pleased as punch. They look great and perform as good as any other wrenches. YMMV

 

[Elbert C.]

Appreciate the feedback from everyone.

 

[Elbert C.]

If you are contemplating going to the extra long wrenches, I would recommend going with a zero offset style as they are very useful.

I purchased the Gearwrench zero offset extra long wrenches in both SAE as well as Metric about 5 years ago and have been very impressed with them. They are holding up extremely well thus far and come in a price that won't break the bank.

Thanks for the feedback. I like your engine swap project on your jeep, I have something similar in a way, but not as detailed and refined, A FJ60 with a 5.7 vortec. I think the V8 swap gave the vehicle a positive change in identity and made it far more fun to drive / use, once you get things where you want them.

 

[ArmyVW_GuyInTX]

Late to the posting but.....

KC tools is a great to deal with.

https://www.kctoolco.com/gedore-7-xl-0111-combination-spanner-set-11-pcs-8-22-mm/

 

[Elbert C.]

I would recommend extra long zero offset boxed end wrenches.

Since you've ruled out Asian made and lots of excellent choices, eBay might be your best bet. Although not cheap, the truck brands offer some nice versions but, be careful as not all options are US made.

I identified one country in the "Asia area" that I'm not a fan of the tools coming out that specific country. Taiwan is not China, and I have some things already from Taiwan based mfgs. that are reasonable in quality vs. price.

For example some of the Williams stuff is made in Taiwan , and even when you look through the truck brand stuff...some of that is also made in other countries as you noted.

Its been my experience that quality control is a problem with some brands/sources. I will say I do have some williams stuff not made in USA and what I have is good, but I have a lot of williams stuff that is USA made and of which I think is a good balance of quality vs. price.

Yes...its true and many things in mfg are coming out of China, tools are just one part of that segment.

appreciate the feedback

 

[zmotorsports]

Thanks for the feedback. I like your engine swap project on your jeep, I have something similar in a way, but not as detailed and refined, A FJ60 with a 5.7 vortec. I think the V8 swap gave the vehicle a positive change in identity and made it far more fun to drive / use, once you get things where you want them.

Thank you.

I can attest that putting some decent power into these projects make them so much more fun to drive and more useful overall.

 

[TuxThePenguin]

If you go on Ebay, watch out with the Gedore recommendation as you will find cheap "Gedore" branded made in India wrenches that are absolutely terrible quality. The user recommending Gedore was not linking Ebay (actually I agree that KC Tool is a very respectable company; I have ordered from them a few times too) and the link given would get you a nice set of wrenches. But be careful if you look up that particular brand on Ebay - make sure they don't say India on them. Other German brands like Hazet and Stahlwille are safe to look up on Ebay.

I have some Williams Taiwan ratchet wrenches. To me they feel decent but definitely not super high quality - the direction selector for the ratchet ends is a little cheap feeling. But I've had them a while and none have failed and I've occasionally used more torque on the ratchet mechanisms than I should. For the price they cost I would buy them again.

But cost no object I would rather have something made in USA or Germany or Japan or similar higher-end

 

[ThePostman]

Mechanic checking in. I have the long Pittsburghs still that I bought at least 15 years ago. They were handy for alignments. I purchased the gearwrench xl120 zero offset double box with flex head ratcheting end. I find myself reaching for those a lot, I haven't touched by belt tool kit since purchasing them. I also have a set of proto six points that are longer than most but not by much.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Someone on the forum measured 9/16" wrenches of each type and got 6.72" and 8.63"

Wow. Snap-On's standard length (8.75")is longer than SK's "long" according to the catalog.

I guess I'm taking SK's long pattern off my wish list.

-Ryan

 

[bob15]

Wow. Snap-On's standard length (8.75")is longer than SK's "long" according to the catalog.

I guess I'm taking SK's long pattern off my wish list.

-Ryan

And Snappy's long is 10 inches.

But, long wrenches can also be a hindrance and an annoyance to use as it is too long for tight places.

I have the Mac long pattern with the 9/16" being 10" long; I don't use it nearly as much as my shorter wrenches.

 

[Retroman]

Anybody have the Icon DBE ratcheting SKU # 56653? Not sure if there made in China or Taiwan but do have a lifetime warranty and with the current 20% off coupon about the same as the GW. Albeit one less wrench.

 

[Samuel D]

Plus, 95% of the time an open end is totally useless to me. So, get twice as many wrenches in the same space with DBE's, and 95% of the usability.

Totally agree. Too often I see people optionally using open-ended spanners. That’s not clever. Ring spanners distribute the force over six faces/corners of a fastener versus just two for an open-ended spanner, are less likely to slip, and usually have half the minimum required swing arc.

If I can get a ring spanner or socket on something, I won’t use an open-ended spanner. Even on new stuff. Fasteners and tools wear; no need to hasten that along by gratuitously using the wrong tools.

 

[kngelv]

Proto ASD is my recommendation.

James

 

[Yarpo]

If you want long pattern combination wrenches, GearWrench sells a 44 piece set (81919) for about $220. They also sell long box/racheting box wrench sets for reasonable prices as well. Unfortunately, they're all pretty much made in China.

The long 0 offset DBE wrench sets are not made in China...

I use my long DBE gearwrench wrenches almost daily. No complaints, the 8, 10, 11, 13 have made me lots of money. I'd recommend that set to anyone looking for looong wrenches.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000T8WFBU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Schurkey]

Regular snap on is long. Long snap on is very long. The quality can't be beat, so if you can afford them, it's a no brainer.

long wrenches can also be a hindrance and an annoyance to use as it is too long for tight places.

I have the Mac long pattern with the 9/16" being 10" long; I don't use it nearly as much as my shorter wrenches.

I split between Snappy and SK. I have a few Snap-On OEXL or OEXLM in specific sizes, and the rest of my long-pattern wrenches are SK. The SK are usefully longer than my "standard" wrenches, without being cumbersome. That they're reasonably priced is wonderful, too.

A lot of what you're going to want begins with what you have now. My "regular" wrenches are the old USA-Craftsman Raised Panel which were, let's face it, too damn short. The SKs are what Craftsman sold for awhile as the "Professional" series, stamped Craftsman instead of SK. Compared to the ol' raised-panel Craftsman, the extra length of the SK is just what's needed.





But, yeah, I have the extra-long Snappies for certain jobs.