Need help making a decision on combo wrenches

[Soon2AdjustYou]

Hey all,

I am retiring my old childhood combo wrench set to a trail repair tool kit. They were a gift from my parents about 15 years ago. It was a "workbench" set or something like it.

The wife is allowing me to spend 200$ on new wrenches for now.

In my spare time I wrench on primarily Jeeps, but am starting to look for a hot rod project. Along with woodworking, I also do all the typical home repair and maintenance on our cars. So having as many sizes in SAE and metric is pretty important to me.

The only set I can think of for the money are these craftsman raised panel sets...
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00946936000P
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00946935000P

They offer pretty much all the sizes I would want and come in under budget.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks in advanced

Dr. B

 

[seagravedriver]

They have done me well in the past, but I am no pro. The newer ratchets have given me a bit of grief, but not the wrenches.

If you want to consider it, I have had great luck at pawnshops, and I got to know a Snap-On dealer and got some used and re-po stuff. I get a lot for my money at a pawnshop. I used to go in and purposly look for broken items

 

[mrholeshot]

I think a set of SAE and Metrics of the raised panels will do you fine. It the most underrated wrench made. I would trust a set in any of my toolboxes

 

[Homoudont]

There isn't anything wrong with Craftsman combo wrenches for the home user despite the haters on this board. I'm a DIYer and I have a complete set of both metric and SAE in the Master Mechanic combo wrench. I've slowly been upgrading the most commonly used sizes via pawnshops, Ebay, flea-markets and garage sales.

I actually would like a set of long handle combo wrenches and have been eying up the Harbor freight set. Next time they have a sale on them for $20 I'll run down and add that to my tool collection. In addition I have a set of Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches and I don't know how I worked without them before.

 

[FastKat]

The raised panel are good quality. They're tried and true, and good for 99% of the stuff you're going to come across. It's that other 1% that can cause you problems. If you want a step up that's going to give you a god bit of bang for the buck, take a look at these:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934951000P?prdNo=8

There was a 28 piece set on sale a while back, but I didn't see it when I searched. It had a couple larger wrenches.

If you don't mind buying Asian tools, you could look into the Gearwrench line of regular non-ratcheting combo wrenches. They are a "long pattern" which will give you more leverage on bolts and should be a little more comfortable to use in most situations. They come in 15-piece piece sets (15 metric and 15 SAE) and offer a lot of sizes, comparable to the Craftsman sets you found. They run around $100 for each 15-piece set - definitely a lot of tool for the money.

 

[lauver]

Soon2,

I don't think you could go wrong with the two Crafty sets you have identified. These are great wrenches and should last you two lifetimes. Both sets are comprehensive in the range of sizes and neither has any missing sizes within the ranges.

You can spend way more money, but I doubt you will get any more value for your money. At some point, you may want to add other wrench patterns, like long pattern deep offset double box ends or short deep offsett double box ends, but you can always add these as the need arises. But, the combo sets you've identified completely cover the waterfront for the immediate future and will get you well on your way to some pretty exotic projects.

Go for it...

 

[SMKS]

I'm sort of a 6-point guy. I have this set. It's on sale for $89 right now. That's a pretty good deal.

28 piece 6 pt. Craftsman wrench set

It has a few less sizes than the sets you listed, but it doesn't come with a dozen useless ignition wrenches. It's also considerably cheaper.

Also, finding 12-point wrenches is super easy compared to 6 point, so you could always add a few other sizes that you want and still be way under your $200 limit.

 

[filtered]

You may want to wait to buy those. I do see them on sale for less. Unless it's a spend the money before the wife changes her mind situation. lol

Check craigslist, ebay, pawn shops, yard sales. Some times you make out pretty good. Those sets are nice but some of those sizes you'll never use. I personally have never used a wrench 9mm or smaller. So that would be 11 of those 26 that would never get used. Plus the other ones that I can't seem to find bolts for like 11mm, 20mm.

 

[Danglerb]

Each to his own, but those two sets are far from floating my boat. I have and still use my raised panel Craftsman wrenches, but they are not my go to wrench. Too many times the bulky heads have clearance issues, so I tend to grab a full polish of some kind.

I also don't like paying for miniature wrenches I may never use. Besides hard to find swap meet where you couldn't get a full set of raised panel wrenches for 50 cents to a buck each.

 

[Indy_500]

For the price nothing beats the Craftsman raised panels

 

[griff99]

I think I am about to buy this set. I am a big fan of full polish wrenches because you can get them clean when you are done using them. Not that I worry about dirty tools but still it is nice for easy wiping down. Plus they are still made in the USA.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934273000P?prdNo=20&blockNo=20&blockType=G20

They are $129 in the store, but online they are on sale for $89.99. I found a coupon code "ITSFALL" (starts tomorrow) that is for $10 off $75, so if they are still $89.99 tomorrow I will buy them with the coupon...

The modular kits seem to be worth it, I priced the standard and metrics separately and it was a bit more $$$.

And if you need larger sizes you can add this set...

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934274000P?prdNo=71&blockNo=71&blockType=G71

 

[rayzor32]

agree, craftsman raised panels best wrench for the money, proven performer.

 

[moparmuscle88]

i use them every day, and they are good for weekend wrenching, but they seem hit or miss to me. now and then i get one that the jaws spread on, and sometims the box end will strip out.

maybe thats because i work on heavy equipment and alot of stuck rusty bolts, but if you have $200 that will get you a decent pawnshop or ebay snap on, older mac or matco set

 

[Stick Figure]

I picked up this set for home.... http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NICG9M/?tag=atomicindus08-20

it was on sale for $125 w/ two free Roto head ratchets. I've never been a huge fan of the craftsman raised panels, not for the lack of strength on the open end or for comfort though.

 

[griff99]

I think I am about to buy this set. I am a big fan of full polish wrenches because you can get them clean when you are done using them. Not that I worry about dirty tools but still it is nice for easy wiping down. Plus they are still made in the USA.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934273000P?prdNo=20&blockNo=20&blockType=G20

They are $129 in the store, but online they are on sale for $89.99. I found a coupon code "ITSFALL" (starts tomorrow) that is for $10 off $75, so if they are still $89.99 tomorrow I will buy them with the coupon...

The modular kits seem to be worth it, I priced the standard and metrics separately and it was a bit more $$$.

And if you need larger sizes you can add this set...

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934274000P?prdNo=71&blockNo=71&blockType=G71

Coupon didn't work.

 

[Soon2AdjustYou]

Thanks for the input guys!

I'm comfortable with choosing the two sets I mentioned in the OP. I do however love the full polished ones as well. I'm going to sears today to gather more visual input.

thanks again. I love this board!

Dr. B

 

[mrholeshot]

I'm sort of a 6-point guy. I have this set. It's on sale for $89 right now. That's a pretty good deal.

28 piece 6 pt. Craftsman wrench set

It has a few less sizes than the sets you listed, but it doesn't come with a dozen useless ignition wrenches. It's also considerably cheaper.

Also, finding 12-point wrenches is super easy compared to 6 point, so you could always add a few other sizes that you want and still be way under your $200 limit.

6 point wrenches don't work in tight spots or even close to tight spots. they have a 60 degree engaugement so in many instance unless the bolt is completly out in the open they are useless. I have a set and took them out of my toolbox about 10 years ago. They never got used. With the better bolts and tighter working conditions these days 6 point wrenches are about obsolete.

 

[gabeancounter]

I am with griff99. The two sets he posted are $200 together. I have the polished and raised panels. I never use the raised panels unless I need an extra wrench in the same size as my polished. Feel both and you will buy the polished ones.Good luck.

 

[kythri]

Try this one:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...8000&viewType=gal&sLevel=0&prop17=00944048000

I believe, other than the "midget wrenches", this is every 12pt raised-panel that they make.

The two posted 26pc wrench sets both contain a 10pc midget packet of tiny little "ignition wrenches" (if you can even call them that) which will rarely, if ever, be used - bringing the set down to a 26pc set of usable wrenches, for about $135.

The 43pc set is a catalog/online only deal, but for $171, shipped free, it's hard to beat.

If you're set on the full polish Craftsman Professional stuff, move fast, start touring your stores, and find some on the shelf that are still US made. You can always warranty for Chinese-manufactured ones at a later date.

 

[Jim C.]

I like the Craftsman raised panel wrenches. I bought a small standard set back in the early 1980s and have added various sizes to my collection occasionally as needed. A little later, I also bought a small set of Craftsman raised panel metric wrenches. (I seem to use the 10mm wrench the most.) I've never had a problem with any of them and they've always met my needs. If you don't want to buy new, these wrenches can be found at very affordable prices at almost any garage sale, flea market, pawn shop, or swap meet. Of course, most will be in used condition, but the price is usually more than right.

Several years ago, I also bought a four piece set of Craftsman tappet wrenches. I've actually used these wrenches more than once, and they're very handy because they have long handles, and thin heads. Granted they're not combination wrenches, and only come in open end patterns, but the four open end wrenches provide the eight most commonly used standard sizes (3/8", 1/2", etc). I've found them to be very useful on certain occasions. You don't see these as often at flea markets, etc., but they do pop up here and there. Maybe it's not the first set of wrenches you would buy, but they're certainly worth some consideration later on down the road.

Good luck with your decision.

Jim C.

 

[kythri]

If the 6pts are important to you, they're only $90 for the entire 28pc range that is available:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...8000&viewType=gal&sLevel=0&prop17=00944098000

I'd buy the 12pts first, if you're on a budget.

 

[griff99]

I picked up the 1st set I posted tonight, $84.99, I used the SEARS5OFF50 coupon. Wish I could have gotten them both, but eventually I'll go back for the other set.

Very nice set, but the trays they come in are, for lack of a better term, ****.

Every time I think I am done buying tools, I find at least 2 - 10 more that I want. LOL.

 

[rayzor32]

6 point wrenches don't work in tight spots or even close to tight spots. they have a 60 degree engaugement so in many instance unless the bolt is completly out in the open they are useless. I have a set and took them out of my toolbox about 10 years ago. They never got used. With the better bolts and tighter working conditions these days 6 point wrenches are about obsolete.

I disagree 6pts are the only way in a wrench situation to get a rusted/rounded bolt off that a 12pt won't grip. I use mine pretty often. You wouldnt want them as your only wrench set though as you said they dont work in tight spots.