Looking for Angle Wrench Advice

[John in OH]

SEE POST-CHRISTMAS FOLLOW-UP AT POST #32

At the risk of beating a subject to death ...

I'm looking to buy an inexpensive set of SAE angle wrenches for a specific project (non-professional farm tractor work). I've read numerous previous threads discussing angle wrenches and, as would be expected, the most recommended are the "good" brands such as Proto, SO, Martin, MAC, etc. Unfortunately, these are all out of my price range considering my VERY LIMITED use (maybe once a year??).

So, that leaves me with a selection of cheaper, 14-piece, angle wrench sets in the $40 to $80 range which is what I'm willing to spend. And, of course, none of the on-line info gives country of origin (which I assume will be Taiwan, China or maybe some really scary country).

Three of these SAE sets, ATD, Sunex and Tekton, all have the same head angles of 15 and 60 degrees and generally receive about the same positive and negative comments:

ATD:

Sunex:

Tekton:

The V8 set has head angles of 30 and 60 degrees, which some claim is a good feature, but gets bashed on quality.

V8:

The last contender, Klutch, has the 15-60 head angles, but doesn't seem to have been discussed in any of the GJ threads.

Klutch:

So, of these five brands, can you all provide any further feedback or experience that will help me narrow the choice? I need these soon so don't want to wait for a good CL or eBay deal.

 

[MagnumForce]

We have a Michigan Industrial Tools/Tekton set at work that we use on Hydraulic Cylinders. Gets a lot of use and has held up for years.

 

[Scott r c]

Once a year, I would buy the cheapest of the four.

 

[Zeke]

How many sizes will you actually use? Why not buy used in those sizes?

 

[bonneyman]

My Bonney's are 15 x 60 - never had a problem with them.

I'd say get a 15x60 set you can afford, and give 'em a run.

 

[MagnumForce]

How many sizes will you actually use? Why not buy used in those sizes?

If you work with hydraulics, you never know what size you will need. An entire set is needed. The Tektons are fine and hold up under heavy use in an industrial environment for me, get those.

 

[92integra]

get the 30 60 set as you already have plenty of 15 degree's

 

[T45]

If you need several of the larger pieces or if you need an absolute large number of pieces, definitely just deal with a cheaper option. However, if you really just need to use only one large one (19-27 ish) and one smaller on (10-17) you can source 2-3 good quality items and still be in the budget.

 

[royesses]

I looked at the klutch brand at Northern tools a couple of months ago. They seem to be decent tools for the price and have a no questions asked lifetime warranty. I have a set of the flare-nut crows-foot wrenches and the fit finish and chrome are very nice. Oh, and they are Taiwan coo.

 

[woody 73]

John Hi, I was just looking at E-bay to see if I could help you out, I came across one set unknown brand and it said made of carbon steel, seems to me it will not take much abuse to break just carbon steel. Are any of the sets you are showing at least made of CV steel; I would think at least the better ones should be made out of CV tool steel.

 

[woody 73]

The one from Klutch says "Heat Treated Alloy Steel"

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200612516_200612516

 

[woody 73]

The sunex set says" Drop Forged alloy steel".

http://sunextools.com/index.cfm?s=detail&subcat=148&item=860

Bonneyman where did you find your set?

 

[skylinegtr20]

I would go with the V8 cause they are 30/60 degree. They get bashed for quality but for the price and the fact your using them only a couple times a year makes that a minor point and no point in have another set of 15 degree wrenches in your drawers the 30 degree is NEEDED.. imo

If your using them a couple times a week or every day I would buy Snap On.

 

[woody 73]

The tekton reads Drop Forged heat treated carbon steel.

http://www.tektontools.com/All_Products/1958

 

[MagnumForce]

I don't know what the Tektons are made of but we have had them for 5 years and they get used daily in a factory in an industrial environment. I guarantee they are more used and abused that any auto Techs and they have held up perfectly fine. And at 40 bucks for a set it is a no Brainer to me.

 

[woody 73]

I am not able to find out much about the quality of steel in the V8 wrenches.

If I was in your shoes I would go with the tool that has an easy warranty

 

[RedneckWelder]

Get the Tektons. I use mine daily and they are great. Far, far exceeded expectations. They were the cheapest, and the cheap import sets all look to really come from the same manufacturer (with the exception of the V8 Tools) , the Tektons were the cheapest.

Later on you can upgrade if you feel the need, but several of the guys in my shop use the cheap import sets and do just fine.

 

[woody 73]

Redneckwelder what is the warranty like on your tektons if they fail is it easy to get them replaced ?

 

[RedneckWelder]

Redneckwelder what is the warranty like on your tektons if they fail is it easy to get them replaced ?

Tekton has very good customer service. I'll have to mail them in, but that's no big deal. If I was stressed about warrenty, I'd buy two sets. $80.

What the OP will also want is the larger 6 pc SAE set to complement the 14 pc set. Expect to pay around $60 for those 6 wrenches, and then that should do 'er. I'd also think about getting the Rigid smooth jaw angled pipe wrench to complement the wrench set.

http://www.sustainablesupply.com/Ri.../w283393.htm?gclid=CJ3h35r9qMICFfBj7Aodo18A-Q

And also of course a good adjustable wrench.

And If you can't get it with those, throw some crows feet and a breaker bar at it.

 

[John in OH]

John Hi, I was just looking at E-bay to see if I could help you out, I came across one set unknown brand and it said made of carbon steel, seems to me it will not take much abuse to break just carbon steel. Are any of the sets you are showing at least made of CV steel; I would think at least the better ones should be made out of CV tool steel.

Woody, There isn't much steel detail provided in the descriptions that I reviewed.

ATD - "finest drop forged steel"
Sunex - "drop forged alloy steel"
Tekton - "drop forged, heat treated carbon steel"
V8 - "drop forged, alloy steel"
Klutch - "heat treated alloy steel" However, the video clip associated with the Klutch description shows a close-in shot of a wrench that is clearly stamped "CR-V"

Upon closer reading of the Tekton information, there is a disparity in head angles. In one point the angles are given as 15 & 45; in another it is 15 & 60.

 

[MagnumForce]

Actually just email Tekton a photo and they'll send you a replacement. Very easy warranty.

 

[woody 73]

Actually just email Tekton a photo and they'll send you a replacement. Very easy warranty.

We have a winner.

 

[tbaggz]

if you can find ATD1181A they are 30/60s and not bad at all.otherwise the tektons.

 

[JUNK-MAN]

If you want my advise I'd go with Williams or Snap-On, maybe Mac.

 

[rusjack]

Heres a deal you might like

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Sktools/8661240.html

I picked up this set because I was in the same boat as you. It comes with a 9/16 Martin which is my most used size, and it is muuch nicer than the rest of the set.

Ive used the sunex ones other guys in my shop have and, honestly, they do the same job at the same angle, if you aren't using them every day I would go cheaper.

 

[benzoni]

get the 30 60 set as you already have plenty of 15 degree's

Agreed. I have a set of Mac 15/60 and they do okay but would rather have the 30/60.

 

[John in OH]

Woody, There isn't much steel detail provided in the descriptions that I reviewed.

ATD - "finest drop forged steel"
Sunex - "drop forged alloy steel"
Tekton - "drop forged, heat treated carbon steel"
V8 - "drop forged, alloy steel"
Klutch - "heat treated alloy steel" However, the video clip associated with the Klutch description shows a close-in shot of a wrench that is clearly stamped "CR-V"

Upon closer reading of the Tekton information, there is a disparity in head angles. In one point the angles are given as 15 & 45; in another it is 15 & 60.

Today I received an email from Dave.r at Tekton clarifying the head angles to be 15 and 60 degrees.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Today I received an email from Dave.r at Tekton clarifying the head angles to be 15 and 60 degrees.

Yep, the Tektons are at 15 and 60.

They work. Wish they were 30 and 60 but with the Tektons, and some crows feet, I make do.

 

[jml93]

Guy at work has the V8 30/60s. I'm a big believer in having a 30/60, since like some have mentioned, you already have a bunch of 15 degree wrenches. I was able to get a set of Snappys very cheap, so I guess I'm ultimately biased to those..

 

[aroslv]

I have the tekton ones as well and am very happy with them so far.

 

[John in OH]

A follow-up!

Based on numerous recommendations, I asked Santa for a 14-piece set of the Tekton SAE angle wrenches, set No. 2008. I cleverly fooled him again this year into thinking I was a good boy and so the set showed up under the tree on Christmas morning.

I haven’t used them yet; however, I’m a little disappointed in the APPEARANCE of the wrenches. The finish is “OK”, but not great and there are numerous flaws in the chrome. The stamping on the sides of the wrenches is uneven. The openings are rough and not as smooth or clean as I would have expected. Haven’t used them yet, so can’t yet comment on their fit or durability.

Now, before you all say, “What did you expect for a set of cheap Chinese angle wrenches”, let me offer a comparison.

A week ago I needed a ½” angle wrench for a simple task so I bought a single Sunex angle wrench, No. 991403. The finish on this wrench is smooth, lines are clean, stampings uniform, and with nicely finished openings. Mind you, I used it only on a very light task so I can't speak to its strength or durability. It also is Chinese.

Pics for your viewing pleasure!

Side-by-side comparison of the ½” Sunex (top) and ½” Tekton (bottom). Note the poor quality stamping on the Tekton vs. the uniform Sunex. Also, note the smooth Sunex chrome.



Close-up of angle openings. Note irregularities around the opening of the Tekton (bottom pic) vs. smoother Sunex at top.



Note flaws in chrome finish on the Tekton. Such flaws are not present on the Sunex.



Note rough faces on the Tekton (right). The Tekton does have a thinner profile that may be advantageous in some situations or may just cause the jaws to spread easier.



The Tektons may prove to be real workhorses with great performance and durability for my limited use. Time will tell. But, if I had it to do again, I’d ask Santa to spend the additional $20 or so, and get me the 14-piece Sunex set. If this is typical Tekton quality, I won’t be buying anything else from them.

 

[garfunkle24]

Snap-on's patent on the 30/60 angles ran out, which is why the imports are changing over to those angles. This indicates which is superior...

Who needs more 15* wrenches than all the flat wrenches you already have?

 

[1982fxr]

A follow-up!

Based on numerous recommendations, I asked Santa for a 14-piece set of the Tekton SAE angle wrenches, set No. 2008. I cleverly fooled him again this year into thinking I was a good boy and so the set showed up under the tree on Christmas morning.

I haven’t used them yet; however, I’m a little disappointed in the APPEARANCE of the wrenches. The finish is “OK”, but not great and there are numerous flaws in the chrome. The stamping on the sides of the wrenches is uneven. The openings are rough and not as smooth or clean as I would have expected. Haven’t used them yet, so can’t yet comment on their fit or durability.

Now, before you all say, “What did you expect for a set of cheap Chinese angle wrenches”, let me offer a comparison.

A week ago I needed a ½” angle wrench for a simple task so I bought a single Sunex angle wrench, No. 991403. The finish on this wrench is smooth, lines are clean, stampings uniform, and with nicely finished openings. Mind you, I used it only on a very light task so I can't speak to its strength or durability. It also is Chinese.

Pics for your viewing pleasure!

Side-by-side comparison of the ½” Sunex (top) and ½” Tekton (bottom). Note the poor quality stamping on the Tekton vs. the uniform Sunex. Also, note the smooth Sunex chrome.



Close-up of angle openings. Note irregularities around the opening of the Tekton (bottom pic) vs. smoother Sunex at top.



Note flaws in chrome finish on the Tekton. Such flaws are not present on the Sunex.



Note rough faces on the Tekton (right). The Tekton does have a thinner profile that may be advantageous in some situations or may just cause the jaws to spread easier.



The Tektons may prove to be real workhorses with great performance and durability for my limited use. Time will tell. But, if I had it to do again, I’d ask Santa to spend the additional $20 or so, and get me the 14-piece Sunex set. If this is typical Tekton quality, I won’t be buying anything else from them.

that is disappointing

 

[T45]

That metal looks bad, like the forging process isnt working right or the heat treatment is off... or something.

 

[Dave.R]

That metal looks bad, like the forging process isnt working right or the heat treatment is off... or something.

Forging is the rough shape, and heat treating doesn't change the appearance. The broach tool used for the jaws doesn't appear to have the final polish some desire. While it will function all the same, I admit it isn't as cosmetically pleasing.

 

[2oolhound]

Sorry to hear of your disappointment on your wrench purchase but appreciate your review and photos. Thanks

I had a new set of Armstrong angle wrenches. They were so perfect in fit and finish I couldn't bring myself to use them. (I sold them after finding a good used set of 30/60).
I hope this isn't a sign of things to come, I doubt any of us would buy those or recommend them if we saw them in a store first.

 

[John in OH]

Following is the text of a message I posted in the Tekton Wrench thread (http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=271221&page=3) regarding these angle wrenches .... would you LOWER-BUDGET GJers buy a nicely made 30/60 angle wrench over an equal 15/60 product?? What's the general consensus ??

"" If I were Tekton, and I saw how poorly one of my product lines compared to that of a close competitor (Sunex), I would cancel my contract with my Chinese fabricator in a heartbeat and shift production to a vendor that can produce a product better able to equal the Sunex offering. As I tried to point out with my pics in the other thread, these Tekton angle wrenches are really poorly forged, broached, stamped and finished!

The next step I would take after shifting production to a better vendor would be to consider a redesign of the angle wrenches with 30/60 degree heads in lieu of the existing 15/60 degree design. It seems that most of those commenting in my other thread (http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=271152) prefer angle wrenches with the 30/60 heads.

So, if Tekton had an angle wrench as nice as the Sunex, and offered the angle wrenches in a 30/60 design, I think Tekton would have a killer product that would outsell Sunex and even ****** some of Snap-On's 30/60 sales.

I'm not saying the Tektons would be equal to Snap-On; but, to many of us shade-tree mechanics I think we'd grab the Tekton 30/60s in an instant over an equal-quality, similarly-priced, 15/60 competitor (I'd even pay a few bucks more).""

 

[John in OH]

Bumping this to re-ask the question posed in the first paragraph of Post #38 above:

Regarding these angle wrenches .... would you LOWER-BUDGET GJers buy a nicely made 30/60 angle wrench over an equal 15/60 product?? What's the general consensus ??

 

[retDAC]

I would buy a 30/60 set, ATD or V8, if I thought the quality was decent. I presently don't have much need for angle wrenches so Snap-on is too much for 'just in case'.

I believe most manufacturers/importers feel there is not enough demand for 30/60s.

In the case of the Tektons you now have, how well do they work?

 

[RedneckWelder]

In the case of the Tektons you now have, how well do they work?

Mine continue to work very well.

I've stated that I will replace them with Snap On when able, but for now they get the job done on hydraulic lines

I've also supplemented them with this http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-E-110-Hex-Wrench-31305/100151329