New Wrench Set Advice

[Carthik]

Hi GJ, this board has always been very useful to me. I usually just google my general questions but have decided to sign up before I drop some dough on a quality wrench set.

As a hobby I wrench on cars A LOT, and I mean A LOT. Especially older 80s and 90s vehicles. I live in Toronto, Canada where rust can be a problem and am tired of not having a properly good wrench set.

I'm a very tiny guy (~110lbs) so I really appreciate the longer wrenches, and these new comfortable handles.

So there are four things I am looking for, and maybe they can be found in one set, probably not, and that's OK:

1) What are the best performing open end metric wrenches (can be a combination wrench)? I don't care if they mark my fasteners.

2) What are the best performing metric box end wrenches (can be a combination wrench)?

3) What are the longest box end metric wrenches (can be a combination wrench)?

4) What are the most comfortable wrenches to use (I've been reading about various manufacturers who make nice thick comfy handles)?

The main purpose of these wrenches would be to break fasteners loose, I usually then finish the job with a Gearwrench flex ratcheting wrench or a ratchet. I understand I might have to buy more than one set to fulfill these needs, and that's fine.

Thanks,

Carthik

 

[65f100]

Take a look at the Williams Supercombo wrenches. They don't round off the fasteners and have long handles that wont bite into your hands.

 

[retDAC]

In your shoes, I'd look hard at Proto and Wright. Proto has changed their stems/beams so they should be much better than when member williaty reported on them. Also Proto has wrenches with standard box ends.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=100193

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111457

 

[CWP1616L]

Go all Cornwell extra-long combination wrenches and you'll be happy.

If you want box wrenches, the Snap-on XB and XBM series are excellent.

 

[mrg7243]

For grip I would get something like the cross force wrench craftsman has

 

[devilsnight]

I second williams super combo, I've had my set for 5-6 years daily use on semi's. rusted corroded siezed stuff, open ends work perfect. I wouldn't buy anthing else from now on. $200 will get you a pretty large set.

 

[SlowAl]

Third on the Williams Supercombos. Just be aware that they get pretty beefy in the upper sizes. I keep a 1.5" combo wrench by my bedside instead of a bat.

 

[Rico.]

I'm a fairly dinky chap myself (140lbs) and I have a full set of FACOM 440 series spanners.
Now they are a bit on the short side for some, however, if you are after comfort these are
the spanners to get.

They have a thick i beam profile handle and you can put masses of force on them without
any problems of them digging into your hands. They are also insanely strong and a very
clever design. I absolutely love mine.

 

['71 VW 1302]

In Canada:

the Mastercraft Maximum line is pretty good. It won't break the bank and they are easy to find. I use them all day long in manufacturing. Nothing rusted, rarely things seized.

I like SK. A lot....they can be bought through Babcotools.ca. I've bought through them, especially the Knipex pliers and cutter. I make coil springs, and I cut what is known as Music Wire, (hard drawn wire) all day long. Knipex is the best, no questions.

My personal favorite tools are Hazet. Available through Spaenaur in Canada. Not cheap, but when you and friends work together, you'll always know which tools are yours.

Not wrenches, but I've got two of these:

http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...or-Porsche-and-VW-mechanic-W0QQAdIdZ506800367

Best tool cart for small spaces. Working in a single car garage? The Hazet Assistant works.

good luck.

Paul

 

[03protege]

One of the members did a test on open end wrenches, I think Armstrong came out on top.

 

[rancherbill]

the Mastercraft Maximum line is pretty good. It won't break the bank and they are easy to find. I use them all day long in manufacturing. Nothing rusted, rarely things seized.

\

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/6/Tools/Wrenches/ProfessionalWrenches/PRD~0588602P/Mastercraft+Maximum+9-piece+Wrench+Set.jsp?locale=en

These are my go to wrenches. They put it on sale once in a while with long and shot, both sae and metric for around $60 bucks.

 

[pfctblu]

I don't own these, and am not in any way affiliated with the seller...but these look like a pretty solid deal to me. If I didn't own the Gearwrench Gearbox XL sets (which are VERY nice), I would likely give these a shot. Doesn't ETCG use these all the time in his vids?

 

[Carthik]

Wow, I didn't realize this board is this busy. I have plenty of mastercraft maximum stuff, I'm looking for tools that are the best at what they do and will be last sets I will ever need to buy. I'm not worried about what's available in Canada, I usually have my stuff shipped over to the states and pick it up from there.

I'm still looking into all the recommendations in this thread, it's going to take some time. I realized I asked too many questions at once.

After going through the posts so far, I think I've decided on what I want specifically:
-high quality (not HF/mastercraft) longest possible double box zero offset metric wrenches
-absolute best performing (in terms of fastner grip/slippage) open end metric wrench set (can be a combination wrench)

That should make things a bit easier.

Looks like the MAC sets that were posted are nice and long, but they are missing certain sizes, does anyone have the part numbers for those wrenches so I can complete the set? I really like the price.

It seems a lot of you guys like the Williams Super Combo wrenches for their open end performance.

Thanks,

Carthik

 

[eleblu05]

sk, armstrong are great they come long pattern and are thick beam wrenchs but i have to go with williams supercombo wrenchs i have all three wrench sets williams and armstrong are neck to neck in strength but i like the ergo's of the williams

 

[d.mcfarland]

Go all Cornwell extra-long combination wrenches and you'll be happy.

Those are very nice, and definitely something I have my eye on. Performance wise, they can't be that much different than other truck brands, but then again, I haven't used them!

 

[bobcatdan]

For extra long, Cornwell box ends are very nice. For combos, I really like wright grip.

 

[wornoutoldman]

Snap on OEXL series

 

[Gotmayhem]

After going through the posts so far, I think I've decided on what I want specifically:
-high quality (not HF/mastercraft) longest possible double box zero offset metric wrenches
-absolute best performing (in terms of fastner grip/slippage) open end metric wrench set (can be a combination wrench)

It seems a lot of you guys like the Williams Super Combo wrenches for their open end performance.

Thanks,

Carthik

For double box zero offset you're best off buying the Gearwrench set. It's identical to the one that matco sells for much less. Other than that Snap-On and Mac sell non-ratcheting versions. Personally I plan on buying the Gearwrench set eventually.

I bought the 15 piece Williams SC set earlier this year. I live in a pretty nasty salt/snow area and have been happy with them. They are thick but they slim down at the open end. They're also extremely comfortable because of their thickness and rounded beams. For the $150 I payed off toolsdelivered.com I have no regrets.

Be aware if you look at SK's that they run shorter than most wrenches. A long pattern SK wrench is really closer to a regular length for other brands. I'm a big fan of Snap-On's long pattern myself but the prices do get to be a bit much. I can't comment on Cornwell because Cornwell trucks are a myth and their tools are not real

 

[Carthik]

I wanted to thank everyone for their help. I would never have been able to decide (with confidence) if it weren't for this board.

Initially for a high end 10-19 metric open ended combination wrench sets I considered the following:
-Snap-On
-MAC
-Cornwell
-Williams
-Proto
-Wright

I then eliminated Cornwell as they had no special anti slip feature on the open end. I eliminated Snap-On and as their prices in comparison were just ridiculous. MAC didn't have a proper full set of of sizes in their long versions, and their prices were ridiculous as well so I took MAC off the list. I REALLY liked wright's pricing (~160 for their HUGE full metric set) but not the length of their sets so it was between Proto and Williams.

I really wanted to go for the Williams SuperCombo set as everyone seems to praise their beam design and anti slip feature on the open end. In the end however I decided on the slightly longer set of satin finish Protos as they had very good reviews of the anti slip but mainly because they offered a 10-19 set with a 6 point box end. This is very useful for me as I work on rust buckets very often. I decided on the satin finish for it's anti slip characteristics. If it weren't for the 6 point box end on the Protos I would have gone with the Williams SuperCombo.

For the extra long box I decided to actually go with two sets. It's very hard to find a full set without missing sizes (I'm very OCD about that) with good length and zero offset. So I decided with the Gearwrench Gearbox set and when I don't want to carry the huge Gearbox set I've also decided on MAC's extra long zero offset double box wrenches in 8x10, 12x14, and 17x19 (since I mostly work on Japanese imports). It'd be nice if I can find a 22x24 to complete the set, I'll be keeping my eyes peeled on ebay.

Can't wait to get my tools in the mail! Anyone recommend any online retailers with low prices? So far I think toolsdiscounter.com is the cheapest source for Gearwrench stuff, I've found the Protos on ebay and a few other sites between $120 and $130.

Thanks again for everyone's inuput,

Carthik

 

[BK13]

Damn, those Mac box ends look looooong!