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Looking for a good SAE brand

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Oberst Hajj

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Mar 20, 2014
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I'm looking for a decent tool brand to start building my SAE set (I'm using Wera for my metric needs). I'm just a weekend wrencher on my Jeep and don't need SO level tools. I looked at SK and they are a bit out of the price range I'm looking for ( I have to balance tools and parts for the Jeep after all. lol). I'd like a brand that has a nice range of tools and they have to have wrenches up to at least 1.5".

What would you guys recommend?
 
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drtyler

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If SK is out of your price range, then consider the Carlyle tools from NAPA. They are on sale right now, and the prices aren't bad.

Amazon has good deals on Tekton socket sets, and many here speak highly of their quality and customer service.

I would spring for the SK if it were me, even if used from Ebay or something.
 
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ibedayank

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if SK is out of your price range then Armstrong, Wright, Proto, Mac, Matco, Chromwell and Plomb will be to
 
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M6erfan

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Or look for older Craftsman USA sets on eBay, SAE can be had for a song...

My metric sockets are a mix of Facom/Ko-ken, SAE's are craftsman G series. Combo SAE wrenches are Craftsman USA X series
 
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OutsideMachinist

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Price range youre looking at is Asian stuff. Especially wrenches over 1''. Tekton is good for the price as others have mentioned. The larger wrenches you are looking at hf or northern jumbo sets. This set is re branded by a bunch of manufacturers and is decent. Should be around $100.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Pc-Jumbo-Black-Oxide-Raised-Panels-Wrench-Set-SAE-Standard-Extra-Large-Tools/391217905526?_trksid=p2352135.c100338.m3726&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150313114020%26meid%3D75c343ce450642848111c774fbeff7df%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D131836150197

The rest of the stuff look at tekton I am pretty happy with it for the price. Thats pretty much your options in that price range. HF sockets and ratchets are actually decent as well. I dont care for their wrenches, though I do have a set of the jumbo ones I use sometimes.
 
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willjogervais

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I have craftsman sets, snap on fdp's and wright grip's. I would choose the Wright grips over any of them. The snap on's are longer than the wrightgrips, although the beam is narrower and not as comfortable as the wright's. The craftsman wrenches are very useable and I would recommend them to u if the Wright grips are out of your price range.
 

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bob15

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I would concentrate on getting a set to 1 1/4. Once that set is built then worry about the larger sizes.

I would look at Wright. I would also look at used tool sets (pawn shops, flea markets, swap meets, ebay, c-list, classified on GJ). You could/can save a lot of money.
 
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OutsideMachinist

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Another one to look at is blackhawk by proto. I have two sets I bought and use everyday. One I got for a steal at about $100 another one I paid $150. They range from 1/4'' - 1 - 5/16'' 17pc set. Great wrenches quality tools. USA made. They dont have any modified open end, at least mine dont. Very happy with them.

http://www.protoindustrial.com/en/industrial-tools/BlackhawkByProto/Wrenches/Combination-Wrench-Sets/MF-017_Blackhawk%E2%84%A2-by-Proto%C2%AE-17-Piece-Satin-Combination-Wrench-Set---12-Point-/
 
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oldldh

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I have GearWrench sockets and ratchets, Craftsman and Sunex wrenches...

Reasonable money, for reasonable, useful tools...

Tekton has some mighty nice deals, superlative customer service and warranty, and really nice prices on wrenches...

Sunex would be the source for reasonably priced impact sockets...and stubby wrenches...
 
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gdocktor3

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I'd buy/have bought used truck brands before a cheapo set. If you don't want to go that route, look at Tekton. Though I don't own any nor have I ever used them, a lot of people seem to like them. I have some Sinex wrenches I bought from tooldiscounter.com really cheap and they're actually really nice. One set is polished finish v jaw style and the other is silver raised panel round jaw design. Both work equally as well, but the polished set looks and feels much nicer.
 
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BK13

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Probably won't fit your budget, but I sure like Wright, Proto, and KoKen...
 
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Wamsutta

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Is there anything cheaper than Harbor Freight? What's the cheapest tool brand out there? What are some of the Indian brands?
 
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gdocktor3

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Go to the dollar store. I was there yesterday. They have some real cheap wrenches and tool sets that will meet all your needs and expectations...

While I don't have any newer Indian tools, all my older stuff are actually really well made. There are also some tools sold at Ocean State Job Lot that are like $9.99 for a set of 12 wrenches or something. They start with a P but can't remember the full name at the moment.
 
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T45

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Set an actual budget and then try to make it by removing tools before cutting too many corners. Tuck brand USED SAE tools aren't "crazy" until starting to look at stuff north of 3/4. Some sets like GW are priced right for the larget sets, if you need them take a look, but keep in mind metric overlaps in large sizes (27,30, 32 etc) will save you $$ if yo already have them. The cheapest (dencent usa) sets are mil-spec surplus and sets like that KD above, which go up to 1 inch for $50 to $75 or so.
 
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popparoach

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Empty Pockets

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drtyler said:
If SK is out of your price range, then consider the Carlyle tools from NAPA. They are on sale right now, and the prices aren't bad.

Amazon has good deals on Tekton socket sets, and many here speak highly of their quality and customer service.

I would spring for the SK if it were me, even if used from Ebay or something.
Click to expand...

I would go with SK or Wright, plenty of them on eBay, previously enjoyed.

I just ordered a Tekton wrench set. I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but for the price, I couldn't say no.

There are plenty of quality used tools on eBay and craig's list. Spend a little time, you could save a ton. I have a number of tools with names or initials etched into them. They still work as they should.
 
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Gmonkee

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SAE goes cheap and used is thick on the ground at swaps and such.

Play time out for a bit and buy better quality used brands cheaper than new Asain stuff.
I bought and later resold some SAE sets after abusing them for pay. Net cost was breaking even on price plus a few years of wages in my pocket.
Mongrel mixed stuff most in better brands to start me out, later some full sets.
 
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dnschmidt

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Because nobody makes 1 3/16" wrenches or at least TOPTUL doesn't. I'll make the change to make you happy but I think your point is irrelevant and calling somebody a liar that you've never dealt with is rather classless and rude.
 
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Gmonkee

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The size is made but is not commonly included in many makes of tool sets. The only time I ever used them was hydraulic work.

that was a long time ago. There was a metric size to fit exactly also. We grabbed whichever was found first.
 
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T45

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Modern/contemporary SAE sets don't typically include it.

Ones that do are a bonus if you are looking to cover metric.

(1 3/16 is a close/crossover with metric 30mm).

In the same customary way, most modern sets no longer include 32nds

(except below 3/8) or 64ths unless (if you are below 1/4 inch)...etc.
 
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Oberst Hajj

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Thanks for all the replies guys. My initial price reaction on the SK was based on seeing the 1.5" wrench listed at $190. But I see now that the real online price is about $80 for a new one. I could justify that to my self. lol

I did pick up an Armstrong and BAHCO ratchet last year when I was experimenting to find a brand that I liked. Maybe I'll have a look around at the used Armstrong stuff. I've also got some Gearwrench SEA sockets that are not too bad.

I really dislike the polished chrome tools. It makes the sizes hard to read and always blinds me when the sun hits them while I'm working.
 
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Oberst Hajj

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I should probably add that my OCD has a hard time having mix and match tools. I'm okay having one brand for metric and another for SEA, but I'd really prefer not to mix inside of those. lol
 
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drtyler

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Considering your dislike for polished, you could always expand your Wera to include their SAE sizes.
 
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BK13

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dnschmidt said:
Because nobody makes 1 3/16" wrenches or at least TOPTUL doesn't. I'll make the change to make you happy but I think your point is irrelevant and calling somebody a liar that you've never dealt with is rather classless and rude.
Click to expand...

Kinda what I was thinking.

Oh, and by the way, thanks for bringing these out AFTER I have to sell my Jeep, so now I have no need for them (not that need makes any difference...). :lol:
 
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Oberst Hajj

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drtyler said:
Considering your dislike for polished, you could always expand your Wera to include their SAE sizes.
Click to expand...

I would if their SAE wrenches went up to the sizes I need. In metric they stop at 19 and in SAE they stop at 3/4. That's my biggest complaint about Wera... that and no deep sockets :(

gdocktor3 said:
You could buy black, red, yellow or blue Williams wrenches for your precious eyes. Made in USA and goes to 1-1/4" to get you started http://aboloxtools.com/wrenches/com...upercombo-comb-wrench-set-14-piece-3-8-1-1-4/
Click to expand...

Those are interesting, but I think I'll pass. Something more along the satin finish Wera has is more what I'd like.

And it's not so much that my eye are precious, although, my mom did give them to me, but it just ***** when the sun flashes off a tool and makes it hard to see up under a dark Jeep. I'm sure that's not an issue for guys that work in shops or nicely lit garages, but for us mere mortals that have to work half in and half out of a home garage to get good light, it just *****. Besides, if there are non chrome options out there, why not go that route?
 
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Oberst Hajj

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So, what decent brands offer satin or non-chrome tools?

Also, searching for K-D took me to the GearWrench site that also had a big link up top to Armstrong tools.... are those all made by the same company??
 
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vintage nut

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My absolute favorite sae wrenches (I almost never use metric) is a set of old hazets. Unfortunately it's a set that steps by 1/8ths, so I have it filled out with an assortment of MAC, Snap on, and proto. All of it bought used.
If I'm buying new tools, I'll hardly buy anything but proto anymore.
Most of my stuff is used though.
The V cut MAC wrenches are another favorite of mine

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk
 
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