Need Recommendations for Wrench Sets

[ConstantChange]

I'm looking to build out my wrench selection now that I have a full size tool chest. I want to get a complete set of metric and SAE. I would also like to get a good set of flare nut and stubby wrenches.

I'm strictly a DIYer but like having good tools that should last my lifetime. I do not need Snap-on quality/price, but price isn't a huge factor.

Can you please recommend which sets you think I should check out.

Thanks.

 

[RedneckWelder]

While I do suggest for the flare nut wrenches you do go Snap On, look at Wright or Williams (Snap On's industrial brand) for the wrenches.

The Wright wrenches, particuarly WrightGRIP wrenches, are reasonably priced and excellent quality.

 

[Zrexxer]

+1 for Wright. If I was buying new wrenches now, they're the first thing I'd look at.

 

[wvrailroader]

The Proto ASD wrenches are pretty good. We use them at work and they do a fantastic job. Never used the Wrights, so I can't comment on them.

 

[creativecars]

I just ordered the new SK flair nut wrench sets and hope to have them soon. A good quality combination set and long boxed end set are great to have, any tool truck brands or others that have been mentioned will work. As far as the stubby wrench sets I would suggest saving some money and go HF or Kobalt, you cant get much leverage on them and I don't think you will ever over stress either one. Just my opinion.

 

[Askme42]

Go with wright

 

[espyking83]

The Proto ASD wrenches are pretty good. We use them at work and they do a fantastic job. Never used the Wrights, so I can't comment on them.

I've had both, Wrightgrips are a tad better IMO. Proto ASD's are great quality, cant go wrong either way.

 

[bcradio]

I'm strictly a DIYer but like having good tools that should last my lifetime. I do not need Snap-on quality/price, but price isn't a huge factor.

Can you please recommend which sets you think I should check out.

Thanks.

FYI Snap-On price does not simply reflect the quality. There are a lot of options that are just as good quality, but cheaper prices. Williams/Proto/Wright.

 

[bcradio]

While I do suggest for the flare nut wrenches you do go Snap On, look at Wright or Williams (Snap On's industrial brand) for the wrenches.

The Wright wrenches, particuarly WrightGRIP wrenches, are reasonably priced and excellent quality.

This would be the exception I'd say

 

[Davefr]

Go with Wright for the wrenches. They're even better then SO and at a fraction of the price.

For flare, go with SK.

 

[John in OH]

Yep, Wright tools are excellent in quality, fit, and finish and the WrightGrip combo wrenches are hard to beat. Only a fraction of the cost of SO wrenches and made in USA.

 

[stage20]

the new carlyle wrenches are excellent fit and finish. if i wouldnt have just bought a set of old stock craftsman pros. id own them.

for what its worth, they use snap on style font for their wrench sizing. you can get a pretty nice set for around 100 on sale. 200 for full set of sae and metric.
there are cheaper options.

proto and williams is very good too.

whatever flare wrenches you buy, make sure they are usa. i dont trust cheap flare wrenches.

 

[CoryZ]

If it's just DIY, I'd go for snap-on or other high end brand but buy it used.

 

[sonvolt]

I have the wright Wrightgrip wrenches and I'm never looking back

 

[Ricky112]

I love my set of flex head gear wrench. Got it from sears for $100. Probably cheaper in the states

 

[NathanB]

I have wright too. I believe all their new combo wrenches have wright grip now.

 

[OutsideMachinist]

Take a look at Blackhawk by Proto. I have their combination wrenches and their flare nut wrenches. Both are good quality and decent price.

Wright , Proto , Sk are all great as well.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I have the wright-grips in metric, napa carlyle for sae. Both grip great, the only downside to the wrights' is that the wrenches themselves are a tad thicker than a "standard" wrench. Makes for a better gripping surface, no doubt, but they can be difficult to slide into very narrow areas. It's a rare problem, and it's rare to need a "flank drive" style wrench in such circumstances. Regardless, I supplement the wrights' with a sunex 8-32mm set.

My stubbies are sunex, they metric is 10-19, SAE is 1/4-1". All tolled, I have $50 or so, bought new, invested. They work with me everyday, I'm happy. They seem to be a bit thinner than a standard wrench, always helpful.


Flare nut wrenches are hard to find, with high quality and price being reasonable. Honestly, for most DIY applications, a "flank-drive" style open end will remove the majority of fittings you're going to deal with, which will be brake line tube nuts. No flare nut wrench will ever remove every rusty brake fitting here in the rust belt. Hell, I had to take one out with a turbo-socket recently after my 6-point socket made it round.

I use SK, Snap-On, and Gearwrench at work. The GW are easily the best value, the SK remove the most fittings, and the SO can tighten them the best. YMMV

 

[jdmstr]

look into the sk superchrome sets or the sk long pattern if you want the extra leverage. Also check out the Williams Supercombo US made sets there awesome!

 

[JDSV]

Take a look at Blackhawk by Proto. I have their combination wrenches and their flare nut wrenches. Both are good quality and decent price.

Wright , Proto , Sk are all great as well.

This is good to know. I was looking into the Blackhawks. If I'm not mistaken they are still USA made, correct?

 

[OutsideMachinist]

I think only their ratchets and a few other items are made in Taiwan. Unless very recent changed all their wrenches are USA.

 

[sonvolt]

This is good to know. I was looking into the Blackhawks. If I'm not mistaken they are still USA made, correct?

Yes, the Blackhawk are USA made, very good quality

 

[jdmstr]

the new carlyle wrenches are excellent fit and finish. if i wouldnt have just bought a set of old stock craftsman pros. id own them.

for what its worth, they use snap on style font for their wrench sizing. you can get a pretty nice set for around 100 on sale. 200 for full set of sae and metric.
there are cheaper options.

proto and williams is very good too.

whatever flare wrenches you buy, make sure they are usa. i dont trust cheap flare wrenches.

if their metric long pattern craftsman pros i would be willing to trade one my carlyle sets for them

 

[wild cowboy]

anyone know where the smokin lowest price for Wright wrenches are online? - I rarely see them in the classifieds here.

 

[erty67]

http://stores.ebay.com/Cripe-Distributing?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

Cripe is your friend. also, Sears Outlets have been selling USA combo wrench sets for cheap money. still a good wrench for a DIYer in my opinion.

 

[wild cowboy]

no Wright at Cripe

 

[erty67]

no Wright at Cripe

you are correct. I was responding to the OP. They do have some good wrenches for a DIYer. I love the wrenches I bought through them.

 

[John in OH]

anyone know where the smokin lowest price for Wright wrenches are online? - I rarely see them in the classifieds here.

I've gotten a lot of my Wright tools from Harry J. Epstein (http://store.harryepstein.com/). I don't know that they are the lowest price, but their prices are certainly reasonable for Wright products. They stock a reasonable range of Wright tools, and seem to be able to order any of the non-stock Wright products that you might want.

Plus, HJE is a Garage Journal "friendly" site! HJE has supported several of the GJ sponsored "special day" events (for example, Wilde Wednesday and the recent SK Day).

 

[Parrothead]

If you want USA and are okay with the Craftsman raised panel this is a pretty good set with sizes up to 32mm and 1-5/16. I bought them not all that long ago, and they're still the USA made.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/ProductD...3-pc-standard-and-metric-12-pt/p-00944048000P

 

[SASORacing]

is there any company that makes a ratcheting "flank drive plus" with lines on the open end other than Snap on?

As far as basic Wrenches go I have heard good things about Wright Grip, they have flank drive style open ends and the pull polish looks great.

 

[NathanB]

anyone know where the smokin lowest price for Wright wrenches are online? - I rarely see them in the classifieds here.

Amazon had the best prices when I bought mine. Harry's has them and trident can order them.

 

[Toymeister]

a few years ago hot deals had a link to military surplus. Armstrong reversable ratcheting combination wrenches. SAE and Metric. It was 170.00 a steal but a fortune to me. I have never regretted that purchase. Armstrong is readily available from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ED924Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20.

The point being the pain of the price was only felt once, I wish I had bought these wrencehes decades ago (if they had made them).

Armstrong: If they are good enough to be used by the US Military they are good enough for you. Price does not matter to the military, durability and functionality does.

 

[SASORacing]

^ agreed the Arm'ies are a very nice wrench, reversible and offset for knuckle clearance. And reversible lever too, which is the bees knees conpared to no switch. I hardy EVER use any standard wrenches these days, I use my reversibles for just about everything and is my prefered tool vs a socket and ratchet.

 

[RedneckWelder]

There are two reliable sources for Wright IMHO- Harry J Epstein and Amazon.

 

[Conductor562]

Didn't read all the responses, but Blackhawk is your answer. Proto quality, ASD open ends, TorquePlus box ends, and USA made.

You'll be surprised how cheap you can find them. You can usually get a 15 piece SAE or Metric set for around $125. Trident should have them with a 10% GJ discount and free shipping.

 

[ConstantChange]

Great info guys. Thank you.

 

[NathanB]

Dont forget to check the classifieds here too.

 

[technician]

is there any company that makes a ratcheting "flank drive plus" with lines on the open end other than Snap on?

As far as basic Wrenches go I have heard good things about Wright Grip, they have flank drive style open ends and the pull polish looks great.

DEWALT ratcheting wrenches have a flank drive-like open end.

 

[Tuc04]

anyone know where the smokin lowest price for Wright wrenches are online? - I rarely see them in the classifieds here.

I've had good luck buying them from Tool Barn. I bought both the 711 SAE set and 752 metric set from them. They were the cheapest I could find.

 

[David Jackson]

I just ordered the new SK flair nut wrench sets and hope to have them soon. A good quality combination set and long boxed end set are great to have, any tool truck brands or others that have been mentioned will work. As far as the stubby wrench sets I would suggest saving some money and go HF or Kobalt, you cant get much leverage on them and I don't think you will ever over stress either one. Just my opinion.

I hope you have better luck with SK flare nut wrenches than I had. I have a brand new set (some years ago), lovely to look at, shiny and all that, in a nice pouch, and they just go around the flats of the flare nuts. I paid close to $50 for them and they are useless, unfortunately for me.