Moderately Priced Wrench Set

[redvalkyrie]

I think the teeth on the open end is being a little played up here. I rarely use the open end. It's always the box end. And my vote would be the Toptul extra long set Dennis sells on EBay. I've had the same set of Toptul long patterns sinceabout 2003. They've ever let me down.

Sure, I have more expensive wrenches made by top tier manufacturers but those Toptuls are tough. Actually, I've never had any kind of an issue with Toptul. Wrenches, ratchets, sockets, body tools, torque wrenches, hex wrenches...never a single problem.

 

[buckwheat_la]

Funny you bring them up, As soon as I sell the new proto set in the classifieds here, I'm going to pull the trigger on these 2 sets.....

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=KDT86229

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=KDT86126

Yeah been keeping a eye on those. I figure at some point they will offer some bogo deal or something on them....

 

[buckwheat_la]

There was a link to a wrightgrip test earlier in the thread, and the GW (they tested) was poor, worse than a smooth jaw SK. The jaws look liked they had toothed open ends, but it was a quick shot of the jaws.

They also were an unspecified model so who knows vs what their latest version is. They could have been smooth jaws with dents or markes from previous failures.

Pretty sure the GW were smooth jawed as well. But doesn't really matter, i am in the camp that thinks you should probably get your box end on that thing to loosen it up first.

 

[BIG BACCHUS]

Room for an open end and no room for the box end is pretty much insulting to GarageJournal's collective intelligence. This is one of those "pics or it didn't happen" things.

Pretty sure the GW were smooth jawed as well. But doesn't really matter, i am in the camp that thinks you should probably get your box end on that thing to loosen it up first.

I haven't wrenched an old Jeep in a while, but I run into it all the time on my cars.

Perhaps I am not part of your collective intelligence.

+1 For hangfirew8
I've been in a situation more times than I can count where a box end wouldn't fit but an open end would.

 

[ADSR]

Yeah been keeping a eye on those. I figure at some point they will offer some bogo deal or something on them....

hahah!! we think alike. That's what i've been waiting on too

 

[Cato]

I would recommend the Facom 467AS set. Teeth at the open end and a good reversible ratchet action with a ring stop. Lifetime Warranty if bought through and authorised dealer.

That's a good looking wrench.

 

[1982fxr]

Pretty sure the GW were smooth jawed as well. But doesn't really matter, i am in the camp that thinks you should probably get your box end on that thing to loosen it up first.

I guess in a perfect world...

 

[cherrybomb]

I'm thinking with out pictures for all of us,most think box end.I can't imagine the manufacturer not using some power tool.I have a Williams brand angle wrench that actually came with vee machined in the open end that grips three sides,or take a air grinder and make a bit of clearance.

 

[SuitorsGarage]

1982fxr is right.
The first time you need an open end to get the job done, you will be glad that you have something that will get it done without adding more headache.

 

[hangfirew8]

There was a link to a wrightgrip test earlier in the thread, and the GW (they tested) was poor, worse than a smooth jaw SK. The jaws look liked they had toothed open ends, but it was a quick shot of the jaws.

Please, let's be clear, for those who don't have time to watch the entire video. The SK that fell between the worst and best was from the 60's or 70's. It was an old Raised Panel, a type they haven't made in a long, long time.

Disappointed, but not at all surprised, by the poor performance of the open ends of the GearWrench and (worst of all) the Craftsman. He didn't get into which GW he had, Taiwan (old) or PRC (new). I have both, but haven't tested them like that.

 

[fras_auto]

Use the boxed end then

Another vote here for the Carlyle antislip combination wrenches

NAPA sells two versions one with the teeth and one without.

The wrightgrips are very nice too but, not as long.

Carlyle all the way i spent over $7000.00 in carlyle tools alone in the last 3 years i cant help it they are my favorite by far overall for price quality and warranty......the cant be beat IMHO!!

 

[Infinia]

+1 For hangfirew8
I've been in a situation more times than I can count where a box end wouldn't fit but an open end would.

That's cuz yer always working at it from the wrong end. Remember to hold the nut & turn the bolt.

 

[ultgar]

I think Facom has discontinued the 467AS series....they're really focusing on their 467B line which came out this year in Facom and last year (as the 285KA) in USAG.

 

[cherrybomb]

Those facom wrenches look interesting,where can a guy buy one ,on line to try?

 

[ultgar]

Those facom wrenches look interesting,where can a guy buy one ,on line to try?

The only Facom size I have is 17mm......$22.00 . I stock the 12pc clip set in USAG (identical to the 467B.JP12) for $240.00......see http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?cPath=1226&products_id=8538 . The Facom set is $295.

 

[maxpower_hd]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Sorry to hear the gearwrench non slip ones spread. I plan on buying their xp120 ratchets and socket set. I've felt those in advance Auto and those ratchets feel almost like snap on. They feel great.

Sounds like wright grip are something to consider.

I don't care about the fastener. I want no spread and BITE.

I have that ratchet in a long pivoting head version. I've had it for two years and use it all the time at work. It has help up well so far. The only complaint I have is I don't really like the rubber handle. I would prefer a polished handle. The rubber one holds the grease and is hard to clean off. Other than that it has been a good purchase.

 

[Tallpilot]

I wish WrightGrip made a 6 point set. I already have too many 12 point wrenches to justify another set (absurd, I know one can always use another set of wrenches especially on GJ) to have a better open end. I was considering the Astro flank drive but really don't want to have to buy both metric and SAE to not have skips.

 

[visionguru]

Please, let's be clear, for those who don't have time to watch the entire video. The SK that fell between the worst and best was from the 60's or 70's. It was an old Raised Panel, a type they haven't made in a long, long time.

Disappointed, but not at all surprised, by the poor performance of the open ends of the GearWrench and (worst of all) the Craftsman. He didn't get into which GW he had, Taiwan (old) or PRC (new). I have both, but haven't tested them like that.

The video is largely B.S., it's a paid infomercial ad! Sounded like one too.

His testing method is questionable, far from scientific. Imagine one wrench is pushed in by the cheater bar harder, the wrench is less likely to slip than the one that slightly let go. If he wanted, he can make Craftsman the best too.

 

[Jaysreal]

The video is largely B.S., it's a paid infomercial ad! Sounded like one too.

His testing method is questionable, far from scientific. Imagine one wrench is pushed in by the cheater bar harder, the wrench is less likely to slip than the one that slightly let go. If he wanted, he can make Craftsman the best too.

It's gonna be pretty hard to adhere to a truly scientific test when it comes to a wrench, many if not most manufacturers broach multiple wrenches at the same time.

For example, Snap-on broaches 5 wrenches at a time. That means one would have to test at least 10 for consistency to assure you're not just testing from one batch of end broaching. Even then, that's an incredibly small sample size. Let's just say Snap-on has produced 1,000,000 17mm combination wrenches, that's 200,000 broaching operations. Testing even 10 wrenches would not be a single percentage of the wrenches produced, your 10 wrench test would have no validity. Factor in the need to do this for every brand of wrench you're testing and... Yeah.

So in short, it's not really feasible for a 3rd party to scientifically test wrenches, I mean a manufacturer may do it for their own products and needs but it will be very expensive for a 3rd party or even a youtuber to test true to a scientific method when it comes to tools. Plus, the stakes aren't even that high, tools are not Aerospace parts.

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[48548]

SK X-Frame wrenches. They have the grippy open end, and a 6 point ratcheting box end.

SK X frame are excellent. 6 point ratcheting on one end and teeth on the other. I've taken a few rounded/rusted fasteners off with both ends.

My vote would be SK X Frames. You get the grippy open end and ratcheting all in one. The downside is that the SAE set doesnt go above 3/4 or include a 13/16

CameraZOOM-20170301181850659 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/110082568@N08/

This... I love my sk as well and they were tested and held up fine sheering a bolt apart....

 

[FlushingDIYer]

How are there eight pages here!

I agree about the Wrights. They're really creme-de-la-creme. But you're paying for it.

A good USA alternative would be these Blackhawks. I got my brother a set of these and I kind of wish I'd kept them and given him my CM/KD/Allen USA Combo set! I found this seller to be quite reasonable and a quick shipper!

Blackhawk Combination Wrench Set (11 Pieces) Metric
$45 or best offer...

 

[1982fxr]

The video is largely B.S., it's a paid infomercial ad! Sounded like one too.

His testing method is questionable, far from scientific. Imagine one wrench is pushed in by the cheater bar harder, the wrench is less likely to slip than the one that slightly let go. If he wanted, he can make Craftsman the best too.

If this is about the realtoolreviews, those aren't infomercials. All of his videos sound like that. It's just the way he does them. I asked a question about something on here once and blammo---next thing I know he made a video to address the question. Pretty cool of him imho.

There is really no way for anyone without deep pockets to do truly scientific testing in this case. What's largely bs? The wrights and Snap ons performed as advertised. They wouldn't let go.

 

[visionguru]

If this is about the realtoolreviews, those aren't infomercials. All of his videos sound like that. It's just the way he does them. I asked a question about something on here once and blammo---next thing I know he made a video to address the question. Pretty cool of him imho.

There is really no way for anyone without deep pockets to do truly scientific testing in this case. What's largely bs? The wrights and Snap ons performed as advertised. They wouldn't let go.

I watched many of his videos before. To me, he lost credibility by doing the Wright Tool video. If you go to the beginning, you can see the video subtitle "By Wright Tool Company". It is an infomercial. The narratives like "see, I didn't edit the video....", typical infomercial type.

I know that when wrenching a tight bolt with the open end, if I don't hold the wrench tightly on the bolt, the wrench can easily slide off and round the corners. How convenient is that? He basically had the total control of result.

 

[kb1982]

How are there eight pages here! [emoji38]_hitti

I agree about the Wrights. They're really creme-de-la-creme. But you're paying for it.

A good USA alternative would be these Blackhawks. I got my brother a set of these and I kind of wish I'd kept them and given him my CM/KD/Allen USA Combo set! I found this seller to be quite reasonable and a quick shipper!

Blackhawk Combination Wrench Set (11 Pieces) Metric
$45 or best offer...

I just bought an sae set for my tool bag at work. 1/4 through 3/4 for 34 dollars.

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[FlushingDIYer]

I just bought an sae set for my tool bag at work. 1/4 through 3/4 for 34 dollars.

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Great little set, no? I was really surprised and how they felt stiffer than my USA CMS.

I think for most wrenchers, this is more than enough. They represent a SIGNIFICANT upgrade over the later years of USA CM stuff. And less than half the price of Wrights. (Not saying the Wright's aren't worth it!) But for most that means money better directed towards pliers, screwdrivers, used cars, etc!

 

[kythri]

I watched many of his videos before. To me, he lost credibility by doing the Wright Tool video. If you go to the beginning, you can see the video subtitle "By Wright Tool Company". It is an infomercial. The narratives like "see, I didn't edit the video....", typical infomercial type.

The byline is for the wrench, not the video, dude.

 

[-->]

My vote will go to SK. I have lots of them and they've never let me down. It depends on what you call affordable though.

Honestly, I also have my original Husky set from back in the mid 90's. That thing kicks ****. I work on caterpillars and for years that's all I had. I only ever broke 2 sockets out of it and it's now my road box for my car. Still going strong.

 

[colin39]

I can recommend the facom, but 6-32 aint cheap im probably into these for £500


Anf a lot more with the open end ratchet set probably well over a bag of sand

 

[JohnDeere1]

The Taiwan Mac wrenches have teeth same with the sockets forgot the name it's like precision torque or torque something lol but they are cheaper on ebay than snappy less than half.