mowkep
Well-known member
Anybody own/use Proto adjustable wrenches? I see PTS supply has them for a decent price. Any preference on the black oxide or satin finishes? Thanks in advance. They also have a nice set of the durateks for $59
Proto adjustable wrenches
- Thread starter mowkep
- Start date
measuredtwice
Well-known member
Yes. They were made by Western Forge (closed recently) and the regular adjustables are the same as the old Craftsman USA. They also have "clik stop" wrenches that hold the position. Some are available vinyl dipped which is nice since like most (all?) modern wrenches, the forgings look like they were cut with a cookie cutter. On the oldies, the forgings were more rounded. Not a big deal either way but the vinyl handles give a more comfortable grip without the bulk of something like the "code blue" handles on Channellock (Irega Spain).
Haven't tried the Duratek screwdrivers. There's a new 1/4 drive spinner handle with Duratek handles but I've looked for it and can't find it.
I have several Proto adjustable wrenches in several sizes. -It's hard for me to give a very good assessment of them though because I try as hard as I can to avoid using adjustable wrenches. I didn't have as many tools or as much knowledge when I bought them as I do now.
I used to have some crappy import adjustables back in the days when I couldn't put good tools before food for the kids. I vowed that one day I would pitch those nasty, sloppy, sad excuses for a tool in the trash and buy good domestic ones. Well, that day came. But my need for them has left.
I used to have some crappy import adjustables back in the days when I couldn't put good tools before food for the kids. I vowed that one day I would pitch those nasty, sloppy, sad excuses for a tool in the trash and buy good domestic ones. Well, that day came. But my need for them has left.
sberry
Banned
Proto should have opened the jaw on the 12 to 1 1/2. China makes a wrench similar to WF,, its made there, even finished well enough all it needs is a brand stamp. Can buy it retail as low as about 12$. I started on Proto and Diamond, they are fine tools. They are great in the shop, in my pickup carry the China version. Seems I run cross it on one of the older USA models now too, the guy that spec the design of this was American engineer bet money. I am lost without 440 Channellock's and 8 and 12 adjustables.
They go thru phases it seems, where is all the 8 go? All of a sudden the 12 are gone? As soon as I think I got to add they pop back up. It will hold about a dozen. On occasion it fills up. Some of the hangers are length limited so if they are full it means another station might be empty.
They go thru phases it seems, where is all the 8 go? All of a sudden the 12 are gone? As soon as I think I got to add they pop back up. It will hold about a dozen. On occasion it fills up. Some of the hangers are length limited so if they are full it means another station might be empty.
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Catalog says they are made in USA. Looking at the 12", it says 1 1/2 jaw capacity. Black oxide is $24.85 and Satin is $26.16. I have a CM set at home, from 4-12. Sounds like it's the same difference. I was just going to use it to replace a 30 year old Crescent with worn jaws.
Professional Tool User
Well-known member
I own a few Proto clik stop adjustable wrenches and I love them. Proto's satin finishing is beautiful. As for the duratek screwdrivers, if it is a large set, $59 is a good deal for a set of chemical resistant screwdrivers.
JimH74
Well-known member
I bought mine from Zoro with a coupon. Don't use em much, but I do like the feel to them.
sberry
Banned
I bet new is as good.
toolaholic
Well-known member
dr_clyde
Well-known member
I have a couple. My 12” Proto is a daily driver.
They are very nice, smooth and strong.
They are very nice, smooth and strong.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
They're made by Western Forge and you can get them from Cripe under different names like KD, Allen, and S-K.
redwrench60
Well-known member
Yup. Sure is. Here’s one hot off the press from Midwest Suppliers through Amazon. Proto 15” Clik-Stop in satin chrome. $35 shipped. Same wrench in non clik-stop is $30 shipped. Quality is excellent as always. All this talk of adjustables lately combined with Protos supplier (Western Forge) closing up made me jump on a couple more 15’s. Love them on larger pipe plugs, fittings, JIC fittings and hydraulic hose connections. You can hang off these like a ****** gorilla and the tapered handle makes them cheater pipe friendly.
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consti2tion
Well-known member
I’ve got a couple of Proto wrenches in 10” and 15” and I think they are great. I got them about 7 years ago. They aren’t my go to wrenches anymore because I’ve found that I like the feel of the handle on the Snap-On adjustables ( no flank drive bs ). But if I didn’t have the Snap On wrenches I’d be putting the protos in back pocket. I use adjustable wrenches EVERYDAY at work and that in not an exaggeration.
B_Bimmer
Well-known member
The old proto forged ones are better than current, but they are still very good. Those old ones were tight and smooth.
Sportsman762
Well-known member
I just purchased a new satin Proto 6" adjustable. It is a Western Forge unit. The quality is excellent. Not that there are some good Chinese wrenches, however you know your getting good quality with an American wrench.
redwrench60
Well-known member
Agreed. For me I always seem to use them in pairs like pipe wrenches. One for a holder and the other does the work. Used my pair of 15” crescents today at work installing brass fittings in a large pneumatic valve.
Got any links to the ones you’re looking at?
anndel
Well-known member
I got a bunch of 1980's Craftsmans and a bunch of SKs bought couple of years go from HJE. The jaws of the SK 10" got nicked trying to turn a rusted ball joint bolt in the field away from my usual tools. I grabbed the Craftsman and it finished the steering knuckle removal without nicking or flinching.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
at work we have proto, thousands of them. I personal have a 10, 12, 15, and 18 inch one. There good for an adjustable wrench but other than the 15, and 18 which only get used with large water fittings, I don't use the small ones any more.
A knipex pliers wrench is so much better, faster, tighter fitting, no rounding corners, and fit into tight spaces easier.
A knipex pliers wrench is so much better, faster, tighter fitting, no rounding corners, and fit into tight spaces easier.
redwrench60
Well-known member
PROTO!
I’m not for sure but I think they used to forge their own before the Western Forge contract ones.PROTO!
Lol you got me. Figured this was prior to Western Forge cause it is different then the Craftsman and Allen brand wrenches I have. More rounded/smoother on the handle for sure.
redwrench60
Well-known member
I’ve got a few of the old ones. They were absolutely great adjustables. Here’s my old faithful Proto 24”er. This is a true beast and has lived a hard life but is just too tough to be hurt.
