Metric Wrenches--USA or other?

[Hohn]

One thing is for sure as a wrench buyer-- never in history have better tools been offered at more reasonable prices. It's quite stunning actually how good AND affordable a modern wrench can be.

If I'm buying a combination wrench set, I'm starting first with WRIGHT Satin finish. I have the smaller set that stops at 19mm because bigger sizes are 1) less likely to be used 2) big enough that a lower grade tool has plenty of bite and still fits well, and 3) Cost a LOT more in a premium USA tool. In other words, above 19mm, the value of a premium tool is just much worse. I did Wright combos for 19mm on down and switched to individual Tektons above that.

The open end of the WrightGrip is a the main justification for Wright IMO. THe box end is good, but so is almost everyone else's box end. If you just want good double box ends, get the Williams.

While I've had good experience with a lot of ICON stuff, the offset DBEs are one of the least impressive ICON products I've used. They do NOT inspire confidence compared to the Williams.

I have the Capri super long zero-offset DBEs and they are super handy to have. As I get older, I really appreciate the leverage of a long handle. They don't feel very snug on the fastener, but almost none of the newer flankdrive-ish box ends really do.

If you need a precision fit and unrivaled "feel", the NEPROS from Japan is my top vote. The tiny handful of Nepros DBEs I've splurged on is just incredible. Expensive, but awesome.

 

[Samuel D]

In other words, above 19mm, the value of a premium tool is just much worse.

Agreed.

THe box end is good, but so is almost everyone else's box end.

Versus:

While I've had good experience with a lot of ICON stuff, the offset DBEs are one of the least impressive ICON products I've used.

What about the ICON DBE is unimpressive, especially given that everyone’s box end is good? I don’t have access to ICON tools to see for myself.

 

[Hohn]

Agreed.


What about the ICON DBE is unimpressive, especially given that everyone’s box end is good? I don’t have access to ICON tools to see for myself.

Ah, hence my "almost" in "almost everyone else's box end" being good. The Icons just feel sloppy and are notably harder to keep on a fastener. I haven't figured out the exact reason for this-- I suspect it's excessive chamfer on the ends combined with looser fitment in general. They just do not give the confidence that you'd expect from a box end.

Note this is just the offset DBEs, I've not used any of their other box ends. And knowing HF, there's a good chance the different wrenches are all made by different vendors.

I'm actually thinking about donating these when I find of better offset DBE. I kind of want to try Capri here, they have a nice deep offset at 75°.

 

[alinc100]

To the OP I put together a set of (non-ASD) Proto with the 24 being an Armstrong,18mm Challenger by Proto, 6mm thru 20mm,23mm,24mm I'd sell for $100 shipped.

 

[kctgb]

I have some Japanese sockets, they fit fasteners very tight. Very well made.

 

[kctgb]

Ah, hence my "almost" in "almost everyone else's box end" being good. The Icons just feel sloppy and are notably harder to keep on a fastener. I haven't figured out the exact reason for this-- I suspect it's excessive chamfer on the ends combined with looser fitment in general. They just do not give the confidence that you'd expect from a box end.

Note this is just the offset DBEs, I've not used any of their other box ends. And knowing HF, there's a good chance the different wrenches are all made by different vendors.

I'm actually thinking about donating these when I find of better offset DBE. I kind of want to try Capri here, they have a nice deep offset at 75°.

I agree with the chamfer, the only thing that does, in my opinion, is make the wrench slip off the fastener. On big wrenches the Chamfer is 1/8 inch, that’s 15 or 20 percent of the wrench surface not touching the fastener. I bought a set of wrenches and ground the chamfer off on a belt sander. Much improvement gripping fasters. I would be happy with no chamfer. My old Thorsen wrenches made 48 years ago have hardly any chamfer, they work great breaking loose fasteners.

 

[Hohn]

My best fitting wrenches have to be the 6pt Nepros. They have almost no chamfer at all.

 

[bkdc]

Totally agree with chamfer on large wrenches. There is no need for that much chamfer although it does help with engaging the wrench onto the fastener. I had to return a large 46mm wrench because of an aggressive chamfer which limited contact surface on a slim nut that I was getting repeated slipping.

 

[Etchase]

The Amazon global store is offering some lower than typical prices on Facom stuff shipped to the US.

https://a.co/d/4aIwx30

 

[kctgb]

This is what I do with chamfer, as far as I’m concerned it does nothing but round off fasteners.

 

[Ohio Andy]

The open end of the WrightGrip is a the main justification for Wright IMO. THe box end is good, but so is almost everyone else's box end. If you just want good double box ends, get the Williams.

This...... (Above).

I have metric and SAE. I really like the feel.

For a reversible ratcheting I have Proto.

My Tekton are fine, but not wright grip.

I do like my Craftsman overdrive but they are tight so it is a bit more work getting the open end onto the bolt. I think my overdrive set is only 9 pieces and my Craftsman pro ratcheting set is 11, but for a quick small job, I like the packaging.

My flex ratcheting are all Tekton long handles.

I like my old USA made Craftsman.

My wright SAE set I put into a Tekton pouch because I like it in better. Thinking about doing the same with my metric set and taking it up to 32mm from 25mm.

 

[Hohn]

This is what I do with chamfer, as far as I’m concerned it does nothing but round off fasteners.

I never felt strongly enough about it to ruin the chrome and invite peeling.

 

[kctgb]

I never felt strongly enough about it to ruin the chrome and invite peeling.

It isn’t something I do to my good wrenches. I live in the Midwest salt belt, rusted fasteners are way to common. Grinding off the chamfer on an old set of wrenches makes my job much easier.

 

[Ohio Andy]

It isn’t something I do to my good wrenches. I live in the Midwest salt belt, rusted fasteners are way to common. Grinding off the chamfer on an old set of wrenches makes my job much easier.

Wright wrenches have a pretty loose fit and then grip like crazy.

Craftsman overdrive are always tight

 

[kctgb]

Wright wrenches have a pretty loose fit and then grip like crazy.

Craftsman overdrive are always tight

I have a set of overdrive. They are good, still not as good as me grinding the chamfer off. It’s amazing how much different a wrench grabs a bolt/nut when there’s no chamfer. Even cheap wrenches grab way better with no chamfer. I ground the chamfer off a set of Walmart wrenches for a neighbor. He couldn’t believe the difference.

 

[BobsYourUncle69]

This is what I do with chamfer, as far as I’m concerned it does nothing but round off fasteners.

Me too , although my Gedore wrenches don't really have chamfer , my Ampro's do up until 14mm or 16mm but after that they don't.
Removing the bottom bolt of my seatbelt in my Tacoma , I used my foot to apply weight to the wrench with a jump , it flew off , while it didn't totally round the bolt , the marks it left on the bolt show just how little contact was being made because of the chamfer. I dislike chamfer but I. Only really seeing it on cheaper sets or NOS.

 

[neonlazer]

Since this got resurrected. Excuse to post Wright satin set!

 

[Ohio Andy]

Since this got resurrected. Excuse to post Wright satin set!

Wright makes my favorites....

 

[AEAdam]

I’m learning to love and trust my combos (and ratchet wrenches) but for the jobs the OP mentioned (earlier this year) my hand goes to my double box ends first. I have zero degree and 15 degree offsets. Thought I’d prefer the zeros, but I find the 15s fit almost everywhere (just like combos). If this was a newer thread I would have recommended looking at double box ends.

 

[shoggoth80]

I run older Armstrong wrenches mostly. 6pt on the box end. Cripe still has Armstrong stuff at reasonable prices. There's a NAPA set on there that's dirty cheap that I've been tempted by just for some long pattern spares

Tekton make a decent set of no frills combo wrenches. If I can ever pony up the funds, I'd be hard tempted by the Icon anti slip set. Co-worker has the regular ones, and they're quite nice. Another contender would be Capri wave drive wrenches for stubborn fasteners/extraction purposes. Maybe Husky Bite because the price is easier to eat

Just a matter of working budget really. There's plenty of decent kit out there these days. Even the offshore stuff is serviceable. Someone mentioned it earlier in the thread, and it's something coworkers and I have talked about before: it's kind of a time of plenty. Lots of decent, serviceable stuff for not a lot of money.

 

[Rinspeed]

 

[Hohn]

I see your 20mm is as pristine as mine.

 

[usatoollover]

I like Wright, Proto and Williams, Bahco sold a USA made wrench set which was similar to Williams.

Don't buy Harbor Freight garbage. My dream would come true when Harbor Freight is closed for good and ceases to exist.

 

[impactims]

Been helping a buddy of mine a lot with his stuff, and his family's stuff is almost exclusively '80s and '90s GM. And it's been requiring a lot of metric, same goes for the '01 Deere riding mower of ours.

Problem is--I'm not that good on metric. From when he was younger than me, to when he was last able to do much--Granddad always bought SAE. I've got several extensive, or at least partial sets of SAE (from ignition wrenches through like 2")--Craftsman of varying vintage, Blackhawk, SK, Proto, and Action by Thorsen--plus loads of generic Taiwan/China stuff. Metric--partial Craftsman, HTD Japan (have little info on this company--bought 'em used in Proto rolls at a flea market a decade ago), and Benchtop. I'm exploring just going out and buying a whole new set as well for an apprentice-style portable set I'm building.

Back when Lowe's first started selling Craftsman, I bought a wrench rack and assembled the Craftsman metric in it--I was missing 9mm and 20mm. I was able to source the 9mm from my HTD set. Seem to recall a job a couple weeks ago that required a 22mm.


Locally, I've got a few offerings. I want US, but am open to other makes.

Trucks--but not at $60 or so a wrench. Especially when Mac's signature Knuclesavers are basically a fancier (read, highly polished and slippery) version of my favorite Proto ASDs at double the price. I'm sure CAT has a cheaper version of SO's wrenches too.

Proto from my local mine supply. Probably some old-stock SK I may be able to get for half-price since they no longer stock it (I found a random 12mm laying on the floor in the tool section--they gave it to me as they've struck most SK from inventory, but still have it on the shelves). Looking at online, they'll probably ask around $30-40 for the 20mm.

Urrea. My local mine supply's budget range. I know they used to be Mexican-made, lower-finish Proto; but it seems they have been moving a lot to Taiwan like US brands.

CAT--my dealer has a few odds and ends in stock right away, but unsure on much metric.

Flea markets--you never know, even though the amount of American-made stuff dwindles each year.

While not US origin, Harbor Freight... Might as well try Icon. Looking at $90 for the set of 20mm-24mm. May wait for coupons to bring that down lower.


Online;

Williams. US-made, cheaper than Snap-On despite being made on the same lines.

Wright--they seem to be much cheaper on all the US-made stuff in the lineup. I also like the denim canvas pouches they're packed in. Applied doesn't show anything as in-stock. They supposedly ordered some Williams stuff for me in Feb. OF LAST YEAR that never showed up.

Facom/USAG from Ultimate Garage. As it appears my grandmother wants to get the '83 Pininfarina 124 Spider Azzura back from my Dad soon (who drove it for a few years in the '90s, then ended up in a string of bad marriages--car's been parked in his garage since at least '94), I think it would be cool to have some Italian tools for working on an Italian car.

Of what you listed, I say Proto. Or CAT (if it's made by snap on).

In your shoes, I say Cornwell, Snap on and MAC are the way to go.

Grippy for problematic situations? MAC RBRT
Daily general use? USA Cornwell or Snap on