Offset wrenches?

[IntrstlarOvrdrve]

Its been a while since I've posted here. Bigger things have come up in life...they've kept me away.

Anyways, its come to my attention that I use offset wrenches quite often (never used to) and I am wanting a new set of offsets that aren't quite as cheap. I'm going to try and still see if I can get a school discount, as I am in school (just not the same vocational program as before). Snap on stuff is pretty expensive, but I love the wrenches from them. Whats everyone feel about matco? any suggestions?

 

[Fedwrench]

It's hard to beat the full polish Craftsman Professional offset box end wrenches. They're not Snap on quality but, they represent an excellent bang for the buck and will perform well.

 

[jyoukhanna017]

I second the Craftsman's. They usually go on sale for $35 but I have seen them for $30 as well. Very nice finish. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00944350000P

 

[chappys4life]

IntrstlarOvrdrve if you don't me asking when have you needed them? I have seen sets cheap but never figured out a use.

 

[justinmc]

I have a set of the "zero degree" Matco box end offsets... # SRBLM5T metric 10-19mm. I use em quite a bit and haven't had a problem with them yet. Even using them with say a dead blow rubber hammer to "persuade" a bolt when I'm too lazy or don't have clearance for a breaker. I love most of the Matco stuff I own and my local Matco guy is pretty cool to boot. So I wouldn't ponder over to go with Matco or not..

 

[chappys4life]

I have a set of the "zero degree" Matco box end offsets... # SRBLM5T metric 10-19mm. I use em quite a bit and haven't had a problem with them yet. Even using them with say a dead blow rubber hammer to "persuade" a bolt when I'm too lazy or don't have clearance for a breaker. I love most of the Matco stuff I own and my local Matco guy is pretty cool to boot. So I wouldn't ponder over to go with Matco or not..

why not use a normal wrench though?

 

[justinmc]

why not use a normal wrench though?

The Matcos I have are longer than a standard wrench.. basically a box end long handled wrench. I suppose if I had a set of long pattern wrenches I might not reach for it as much but on the flip side (no pun intended) a lot of times I'm using the other end of the wrench as well. So I'm getting one wrench out of my box vs. two.

 

[Merkava_4]

I'm assuming we're talking about the deep 60 degree offsets right? Because if you're talking about the the 10 degree offsets, the Snap-on XB series are a thing of sheer beauty.

 

[Danglerb]

Assuming we are talking deep offsets like an inch or so of drop, wow, all the time when something is in the way so even a flex head won't bend and fit, and a socket and ratchet isn't convenient either, thats offset time. Anything recessed with clearance issues on a ratchet, not just vertical clearance either but no room sideways for the ratchet head.

 

[paramudduck]

Deep offsets are very handy. Now the shallow ones I never really use that much.

Matco seems to make a decent product. Heard very few people speak too bad about them.

 

[Merkava_4]

Now the shallow ones I never really use that much.

I like the Snap-on XBM's because of the shape of their box end and they have a thicker beam profile than their combo wrenches.

 

[paramudduck]

I like the thickness of them. But I don't own any of them now.

I like the deeps for these out of the way spots. Seems like anywhere I can use a shallow I can get a deep into. So I haven't gotten a shallow set back yet.

 

[Kevin54]

Deep offsets are very handy. Now the shallow ones I never really use that much.

Before metric became standard an offset combo was your best friend. 3/8-7/16 & a 1/2-9/16. I don't think there was ever a toolbox, portable or stationary, or a hip pocket that didn't have those two in it. When hitting the wrecking yards year ago, that was just about all you had to have. Other than maybe a screwdriver for prying. LOL!!

 

[eschoendorff]

It's hard to beat the full polish Craftsman Professional offset box end wrenches. They're not Snap on quality but, they represent an excellent bang for the buck and will perform well.

roger that. I have the Craftsman full polish and they are nicer than my Armstrongs. In fact, the finish on the Craftsman offsets is even better than on my Matco offsets. Which brings e to this... I cannot find any appreciable difference between my Matco and Craftsman Pro offset wrenches... aside from finish issues.

I would definitely buy teh Cman Pro wrenches in this case. I just don't think that Snap On Mac or Matco are going to do the job any better for the amount you would spend $$$$....

 

[64merc]

I love deep offsets, and have a mix of different brands and offset depths. One day I'll have to get matching sets.

The advantage to the shallow double box end wrenches is that they are usually pretty long (more torque) compared to their combo wrench equivalents. This is especially apparent on the smaller sizes.

 

[T56 Impala]

Deep offsets are my favorite wrenches. i reach for them before any other style. I don't know why. I like the feel of them I guess.

I too vote for the Cman Pros. I recently picked up two sets of these to replace my aging overseas ones. I will sya, they are very nice and for the money, you can't beat them. The are every bit as nice, fit and finish as the high $$$$$ SO's. (I know you SO guys will fight all day long about this. I just don't see it. The Cman pro stuff is good, very good. You are just stuck on a name and won't think of anything else. I guess you have to somehow justify all that money you spent on tools!!!!!)

 

[IntrstlarOvrdrve]

Sweet, I'm glad to hear such good things about the craftsmans. I think that is what I'm going to pick up, but wait until it goes on sale.

 

[vjquan]

I don't ever recall seeing these on sale, and I look at every weekly ad and Cman club deals.

 

[Mike83]

At $41, those Cman Pros are already a steal! I should have bought a set when the $5 off coupon was around...

 

[justinmc]

At $41, those Cman Pros are already a steal! I should have bought a set when the $5 off coupon was around...

Yeah $41 is cheap.. to me no need for waiting on a sale for something like that!

 

[IntrstlarOvrdrve]

True, but I'm in no huge hurry as I just use my dads stuff. I would just like to buy a set of my own.

 

[sjotis]

Deep offsets are my favorite wrenches. i reach for them before any other style. I don't know why. I like the feel of them I guess.

I too vote for the Cman Pros. I recently picked up two sets of these to replace my aging overseas ones. I will sya, they are very nice and for the money, you can't beat them. The are every bit as nice, fit and finish as the high $$$$$ SO's. (I know you SO guys will fight all day long about this. I just don't see it. The Cman pro stuff is good, very good. You are just stuck on a name and won't think of anything else. I guess you have to somehow justify all that money you spent on tools!!!!!)

Brace yourself for an attack from a Crack-on addict

 

[hamburglar]

Brace yourself for an attack from a Crack-on addict

Here's an alternative from the world of exotica:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JP4Q38/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Which are for sale at Maryland Metrics for $48.

 

[billymade]

Ohhh! STAHLWILLE!! Gotta love those German tools!

 

[PoorOwner]

Too funny there is a guy pasting his 5 star opinion on EVERY STAHLWILLE tool on Amazon!

 

[paramudduck]

hamburglar that was mean!

 

[billymade]

How about this for a recommendation?
" Only 5 Stars - because I can not give 6!, December 1, 2007
By Claude H. Suddreth "Opinion Expert" (Phoenix, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

If you were to go and ask 100 mechanics in this country - "what is the best brand of tool you can buy?" - probably half would answer Snap-On, and the rest would be a combination of Matco, MAC Tools, or Cornwell.

But if you were to ask that very same question in Europe - probably 80% would answer - STAHLWILLE.

Folks these are absolutely top drawer, top quality tools, from one of the FINEST manufacturers in Germany. Everything that Stahlwille makes is absolute top quality. These tools are absolutely among the best and finest hand tools that can be found, at any price, anywhere in the world. I have a box full of Snap On, Matco, Mac, Cornwell, S&K, and similar tools - and I would trade it in a heartbeat item for item for a box of Stahlwille. They are that good.

I give this item 5 stars - only because I can not give it 6."
http://www.amazon.com/review/produc...cm_cr_acr_txt?_encoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

 

[T56 Impala]

I have stopped getting upset by the Snap On fanatics. Most of them are pro wrenchers and my weekend wars can not compare to what they do. Even IF my tools are as good, I have no proof to back it up. So its okay with me if they want to jump in and "prove" me wrong. There are at least 2 SO nuts on here that don't even use their tools. I won't name names. I don't have a problem with them collecting and I hope they don't have a problem with my collection. Too each his own. At least I know that my tools work for me!

 

[paramudduck]

Reason I said it was mean was the bottom line and I spent all my Birthday money!


"Which are for sale at Maryland Metrics for $48."

 

[Moose-LandTran]

after looking at the Snap-on offset wrenches, i don't actually like they so much. i like the feel, quality etc.. but i don't like the shap/design of them. i much prefer german Elora ones, which match my combination wrenches, and i'll be getting a set of deep crank ones soon.

 

[Merkava_4]

There are at least 2 SO nuts on here that don't even use their tools. I won't name names.

That's because I don't own Fords anymore.

 

[garagefanatic]

You can get the complete set of 12 Craftsman Professional deep offset wrenches for $79.99 catalog or internet only. I just got a set and I think it was a good deal even with the shipping considering what they charge for the two largest metric size wrenches that don't come in the 5 piece metric and SAE sets in the stores.

 

[Danglerb]

I've been looking at the swap meets for offset wrenches, and other than cheap junk I haven't seen any. If I can find a 10, 13, and 15mm that should be plenty for me.

 

[eschoendorff]

I have stopped getting upset by the Snap On fanatics. Most of them are pro wrenchers and my weekend wars can not compare to what they do. Even IF my tools are as good, I have no proof to back it up. So its okay with me if they want to jump in and "prove" me wrong. There are at least 2 SO nuts on here that don't even use their tools. I won't name names. I don't have a problem with them collecting and I hope they don't have a problem with my collection. Too each his own. At least I know that my tools work for me!

That's why guys like us still hang out around here....

 

[JayL]

AIGO Japanese Offset Wrenches. Lenght Comparison w/ Gearwrench XL.

 

[Stuey]

For what it's worth, Cman has the SAE and metric 12 piece set for $80. Vs. $41 for each of the 5 piece sets, there's a small bargain there!

Also, come June there will be a $10 off $50 coupon in the Cman calendars...