Quality combination spanners.

[Matt Irvine]

G'day guys, I'm a fitter and turner by trade, and already have nice sets of double ring, and double open spanners, but wants some combination spanners for work, for ease of use.
I mainly want a metric set, upto at least 24mm, as that's considered a small bolt in my workplace, bigger than that and they're supplied.

After some suggestions on quality sets to purchase, and preferably not Snap on, they're a bit to rich for my blood being in Australia.
So far I've looked at Sidchrome (22295&22296) , Stahwille (TCS13/18), Gedore (6093660), and have also looked at Hazet and Facom, does anybody have any oppinions? Keep in mind I'd like these to last a life time.

 

[Wamsutta]

Stahlwille 14 series.

 

[Rico.]

Edit... Just re-read your post..


Facom 440 series
Stahlwille
Hazet
and Gedore (German made only)

Are all super top quality, Just find the set you like the look
of the best, and can get the best deal on. My personal choice
was the Facom 440 series... Really strong and very comfortable.

 

[Dave455]

Hi mate!

I've never encountered the Sidchrome so I'll reserve judgement on those!

Facom (440 I assume) look really nice, but bear in mind that I believe the 440's are Taiwanese (they may have been Italian originally) so probably won't last any better than any other Taiwanese tool. They are also a standard/short pattern, and I find I need longer spanners if I'm loosening 24mm nuts! I have some older French made 40's in my 'travel box' and they are fine!

Gedore I generally find a bit over rated (bit industrial, some models with very rough finish, smaller sizes not their thing) but having said that, their combination wrenches are one of their better lines! Make sure you get the No.7 (No.7 XL for the long pattern) as they have a regular matte finish rather than the rough industrial finish of the No.1. A colleague of mine has these in his machine shop and they are nice to use (nice feel and balance, especially in the larger sizes) and have lasted well!

I've got quite a few of the Hazet 600N long combination wrench and they are superb! a fellow GJ'er pointed out that they are very similar to my favourite pattern of long Britool combination wrench, and that's true! Hazet also tend to offer the 'long' pattern as standard, which is sensible!

Stahlwille are gorgeous! I tend to purchase Stahlwille as my 'default option' now. The tools are comparable quality to Snap On, in most cases, but prices in the U.K. are considerably less! The Stahlwille I have has lasted very well and is certainly lifetime quality. The finish is satin rather than matte, which seems to be really practical. It doesn't pick up scratches in normal use, but over time seems to polish slightly giving the tools a superb feel!

So, which to choose? I'd have no hesitation about getting the Hazet or the Stahlwille! Stahlwille offer their long pattern with deep offset rings, Hazet the other way round, so perhaps go with what you prefer! Doubt you will regret either!

 

[Monte]

in no particular order:

Hazet 600N
Stahlwille open box 14
Gedore 1B

Each brand should last you a lifetime or more

 

[smiffy]

the sidchrome 440 and the facom 440 are the same spanner they're the same company and most their tools are shared but you cant get sidchrome over here

 

[Tooling Around]

in no particular order:

Hazet 600N
Stahlwille open box 14
Gedore 1B

Each brand should last you a lifetime or more

How strong are the Gedore 1B? Are they as good as the Hazet wrenches?

 

[Monte]

Are they as good as the Hazet wrenches?

i think yes

 

[Tinner]

I have a set of Stahlwille 13 series metric. Excellent tools.

 

[Jim Diesel]

Mate im a heavy diesel mechanic here in Australia. I use alot of different spanners all made by different companies. I think for price and quality: SP or Sidchrome are great choices. My main set of combos are SP 8-19mm and a set of SP jumbos 19-36mm. They have never let me down and are backed with a lifetime warranty. Their sold everywhere down under and finding a dealer would not be hard.

 

[Sprintman]

G'day guys, I'm a fitter and turner by trade, and already have nice sets of double ring, and double open spanners, but wants some combination spanners for work, for ease of use.
I mainly want a metric set, upto at least 24mm, as that's considered a small bolt in my workplace, bigger than that and they're supplied.

After some suggestions on quality sets to purchase, and preferably not Snap on, they're a bit to rich for my blood being in Australia.
So far I've looked at Sidchrome (22295&22296) , Stahwille (TCS13/18), Gedore (6093660), and have also looked at Hazet and Facom, does anybody have any oppinions? Keep in mind I'd like these to last a life time.

Where are you in Oz?

 

[Matt Irvine]

Where are you in Oz?

Portland mate

 

[Gmonkee]

Having used some of those not including Sid or Facom it may be safe to venture an opinion.

I prefer the Hazet of the lot. Not a dog in the grouping but Hazet has the best feel in a pull.

 

[Tooling Around]

Anyone tried the Wera Joker combination spanners?

 

[48548]

I like mine.

 

[Wamsutta]

That Gedore No.7-XL looks very interesting. It's the only one in the group with an extended length.

 

[TigerDude]

Can you get KTC in Oz? This Japanese brand has almost zero presence in the States.

 

[pozidriv]

Portland mate

So which set did you end up with? Content?

 

[Blöckw@rt]

Every time I have the problem what to take.

 

[Niniek]

Every time I have the problem what to take.

Would pick the stahlwilles everytime..

 

[Tooling Around]

Could the Wera Jokers be used in all the same places as a standard combination wrench?

 

[hautpot]

No it can't be compare to regular because: ratchet mechanism is too thick, weaker in a sense, no offset, non reversible direction, common length, weird jaw design that might mar AL or Brass fittings among other things.

You should always get regular combination spanners first, then ratcheting as a luxury.

 

[Carves]

Can you get KTC in Oz? This Japanese brand has almost zero presence in the States.

Yes ... but they are usually rebranded as Fuller.

... and not quite up to Nepros standards

 

[MementoMori99]

Have you considered Beta? At one point, over the course of the past five months I had the following sets of metric combos: Beta 42(standard industrial finish and length w/Italy coo), Beta 42LMP(chrome finish long w/Italy coo), Carlyle, Facom 440(Taiwan coo with thinner open end), Hazet 600N and Stahlwille open box 13.

In terms of ergos I found the Facom 440's and Hazet 600N's to be the best. In terms of best or tightest fitting on metric fasteners I gave the nod to the Beta 42's and 42LMP's and Hazet 600N's.

Despite most professional auto service techs considering the Beta 42's and 42LMP's to be mid-level quality, they now serve as my "only" set(s) of combos because I feel that they offer a good compromise in quality, fit, strength, are still made in Italy and are priced accordingly. Also, because I feel that they are underappreciated and underrated.