Opti-Torque Pro compared to Flank Drive Plus
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Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The flank drive plus seem to grip better to the point of leaving teeth marks in fasteners. However, I haven't had either type slip when using them on front end work, which is about the only time I stress an open end.
I think most of the differences between the brands are below the open end so to speak. Beam width/thickness, balance, length, etc. Either brand will serve you well. Don't overlook the fairly new MAC knuckle saver 2's or Proto's anti slip wrenches either.
I think most of the differences between the brands are below the open end so to speak. Beam width/thickness, balance, length, etc. Either brand will serve you well. Don't overlook the fairly new MAC knuckle saver 2's or Proto's anti slip wrenches either.
The flank drive plus seem to grip better to the point of leaving teeth marks in fasteners. However, I haven't had either type slip when using them on front end work, which is about the only time I stress an open end.
I think most of the differences between the brands are below the open end so to speak. Beam width/thickness, balance, length, etc. Either brand will serve you well. Don't overlook the fairly new MAC knuckle saver 2's or Proto's anti slip wrenches either.
I have no first hand experience with FD+ so thats why i asked. The opti-torque pro system seems to work fine, but i was wondering if there was anything really worthwhile in FD+. The only benefit i can make out is FD+ is made to be used with the wrench in either direction while opti-torque pro requires the wrench be used "correctly". They both seem to accomplish the same goal of keeping contact away from the bolt corner where the most pressure is going to, FD+ just adds the teeth in as insurance incase there is some slipping.
Debating between FD+ sets or Matco Extra Longs...
bobcatdan
Well-known member
Wright grip, all the bite of FD+ and nice thick beam.
RCStocker
Well-known member
I got lucky and picked up a set of Wright grip new in the rool for $50. 5/16" to
1-1/4"
They really grip well. The open mough edges are sharp. They were not deburred properly. I grumpled to the company and got a reply.
They are very good for the money. Proto seems to be thicker and I have not been impressed with them. I have them in huge metric sizes 32mm all the way up to 50mm. I got them for a song and they were like brand new so I had to get them. $200 for 7 wrenches retailing for over $800. The large ones don't come up very often.
I have the Snap-on pluss and never use them. I have set of Snap-on flank drive in SAE. I have them my little machine shop and only use them in there.
I really like and use my SK I have both the long and regular in metric and SAE
They are the ones I go to all the time.
I retired my old Craftsman They look new but I don't need them. I have several sets of open ended and combo in Kal that I really like. They take all the torque i can pull on them without spreading. I am 6-1 and 270 pound and if I out my foot on it and pull I can break the head off of a bolt. I think they come up with new styles to sell more wrneches. I also think some of the new wrenches are better than the others. It depends on the size of your hand and what you like.
They all work for me. Just depends on the budget. Snap-on are so perty I hate to use them. The Craftsman have never let me down. I even have a 40 year old full set form Japan that are just as good as the rest. I like larger shafts because my hand is biger and it does not cut in as much.
I have 4 styles of gearrenches and I only use them on small things eventhough my sets got to 1 incha and 24 mm.
If you are doing work where you don't want marks then buy a regular flank drive.
Wright wrenches are too short for my tastes.
I personally dont care about marring fasteners and am of the opinion that if you need to pull that hard on an open end you'll mar it anyway, teeth or not. Take a bolt, stick a regular open end wrench on there and really yank on it; then run your finger over the surfaces of the bolt and you'll feel it starting to round over opposite the edge the wrench engages on. Wrenches with just the cut-out (Matco, Proto/MAC, Gearwrench etc..) are probably best for leaving as little cosmetic damage as possible since the contact point is kept away from the corner preventing that from disfiguring and is also a wider contact area.
FD+ come in extra long too, don't they?
bobcatdan
Well-known member
My Wrights are as long as my long pattern SO's. I picked the Wrights up brand new for $100 from a close out sale for a second SAE set at work and I honestly perfer them over my FD+. I have never held a matco wrench in my hand so I have no opinion on them.
I own/owned alot of Wright Wrenches and unless you got some sort of Special Set, They are shorter than the Standard Snap on wrenches, Let alone the Long pattern snappy's. Maybe post up some Pictures with Dimensions?
bobcatdan
Well-known member
I should clarify, I consider SO long pattern in comparison to a RP. I'm not comparing the really long SO's. I jumped over to both sites quick, the SO is about a 1/2" longer per spec, but when useing them, I never really notice it.
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That makes more sense, if I recall as the sizes get bigger the difference increases between the 2. I also Agree that the wright has a much more comfortable beam which quickly negates the shorter wrenches on a personal level. The older style wrights (v-notch) where terrible in regards to comfort IMO.
use to, snap-on discontinued them quite awhile ago for some reason but kept the regulars.
chris142
Well-known member
My metric wrenches are Matco's with the little cut outs(whatever Matco calls this design) They work well.
My experience with FD+ is that it put bite marks in my ball joint castle nuts that I don't particularly like. It put a line next to the corner of the nut on both sides. The lines it left behind were as tall as the wrench is thick. I plan on replacing that one wrench with a Cornwell extra long.
I had a couple 10mm bolts that were pretty well rusted/rounded from a timing belt cover and did a quick test today with SO and Matco. Basically the Matco opti-torque was able to grab the bolt and turn it, my snap-on long pattern (standard open end) slipped on every corner except for 1. Opted for the Matcos. Im sure FDP would of grabbed but two things kept me away
-no long pattern, which is what i really wanted, with FDP
-nuts/bolts mar. I was wrong when i said i had no FDP experience, i forgot i had some standard speed wrenches with a FDP open end on the other side and they do a pretty good job of putting teeth marks in fasteners.
Hope this puts an end to my search for a combo set.
-no long pattern, which is what i really wanted, with FDP
-nuts/bolts mar. I was wrong when i said i had no FDP experience, i forgot i had some standard speed wrenches with a FDP open end on the other side and they do a pretty good job of putting teeth marks in fasteners.
Hope this puts an end to my search for a combo set.
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I've got an extra long 11/16'' that I got off eBay. It's real real thin. It feels like I'm grabbing onto the edger blade that I use to edge my lawn with.
I dont mind their wrenches at all and my hands arent particularly beefy.
Problem with the FDP long patterns they use to make, is they never made a complete metric set. It was only 10, 12, 13, 14, 15. I've never even seen a standard set sell on ebay but i guess they did offer a more complete 3/8"-3/4" at one time.
shoturtle
Well-known member
I have 2 sets of proto metric with ASD, and they grab really well. A 12pc of 6pt and a 13pc ratcheting spline. Compare to my craftsman pro, they are about the same thickness in the beam. But you can put so much more torque on them compare to a standard jar. FD can mar up a fastener. For when I do not want to crank down, the craftsman pros come out.
The big wrenches were design for high torque uses of industrial uses, so to give them added strength they are a bit thicker in the beam. Really lessen the chance of bending the wrench when you are putting a ton or torque on a really big fastener.
The big wrenches were design for high torque uses of industrial uses, so to give them added strength they are a bit thicker in the beam. Really lessen the chance of bending the wrench when you are putting a ton or torque on a really big fastener.
P0300
Member
i have snap on and matco sockets (flank drive plus and opti torque pro) one set is shallow(snap on), one set is mid length(matco). both are 3/8 drive, metric, six point, chrome. i like them both the same, and use them both a lot, the shallows see more drain plugs and the mid lengths are almost exclusively used with a wobble extension and an air ratchet ( and my impact until recently when i bought 3/8 impact sockets)
i have never hounded off a nut or bolt, and they always grab. i want to say the matco set is actually better preforming, but i have broken two matco sockets (a 10 and a 16) but that was probably from abuse. i have never broken a snapon one, but i only use them when i have to. i like the deeper mid length sockets more.
i have never hounded off a nut or bolt, and they always grab. i want to say the matco set is actually better preforming, but i have broken two matco sockets (a 10 and a 16) but that was probably from abuse. i have never broken a snapon one, but i only use them when i have to. i like the deeper mid length sockets more.
4x4gearhead
Well-known member
I never had good luck with the matcos, they just wouldnt lock on hydraulic hoses like the flank drive +, though they were pretty comfortable and had a good solid feel to them.