Question about Flank Drive, Wright Grip, etc. durability

[RiverRider]

First off, I am under the impression that Snap On's flank drive is the same thing as Wright Grip. If that's not so then I must have done too much skimming and not enough digging.

I've seen quite a few recommendation for Wright Grip combination wrenches here. I don't question the value of the pronouncements. Had I been better informed a few months ago, I might have sprung for this type of combination wrench as I was replacing my tools which were stolen three or four months ago. Since I didn't know what it was all about I bought ordinary SK combination wrenches.

What I'm wondering about is service life. It seems to me that such miniscule amounts of metal would be easily worn away, eventually leaving you with about the same thing as an ordinary everyday run-of-the-mill combination wrench. So, how long does the feature last?

 

[crbnfbr]

First off, I am under the impression that Snap On's flank drive is the same thing as Wright Grip. If that's not so then I must have done too much skimming and not enough digging.

I've seen quite a few recommendation for Wright Grip combination wrenches here. I don't question the value of the pronouncements. Had I been better informed a few months ago, I might have sprung for this type of combination wrench as I was replacing my tools which were stolen three or four months ago. Since I didn't know what it was all about I bought ordinary SK combination wrenches.

What I'm wondering about is service life. It seems to me that such miniscule amounts of metal would be easily worn away, eventually leaving you with about the same thing as an ordinary everyday run-of-the-mill combination wrench. So, how long does the feature last?

Flank drive is on the box end flank drive plus is the open end. As to the durability I can't speak to as I don't have any Snap-on wrenches and only a couple Wright Grip in Imperial that I never need.

 

[RiverRider]

Thanks for the correction. I think I did see that, I'd forgotten.

 

[redwrench60]

All my standard length metric/standard combos at work are Snap On Flank Drive Plus and were bought new in 1998 by me. They have been used in a daily pro repair shop environment all along and I can't tell they have any appreciable wear to the "teeth" in the open end. The finish is worn and dull but they are fully functional.

These are bread and butter tools that have helped me provide for my family for years and continue to do so. Today included.

 

[tlpatter]

Seem like if you get em from snap on and they did wear out it would be an easy warranty replacement.

 

[Youngguns]

Couldn't the teeth be compared to those on pliers? Do they hold up? Not your typical tongue and grooves, but the finer teeth of needle nose and the like?

 

[thegroundpounder99]

I still have my original set of Flank Drive Plus, they've held up great.

 

[toufue_yang17]

If I had to start over again with wrenches, I'd go with the Snap on Flank drive extra long wrenches. Love the flank drive plus and wouldn't use anything else.

 

[Big Vic]

What I'm wondering about is service life. It seems to me that such miniscule amounts of metal would be easily worn away, eventually leaving you with about the same thing as an ordinary everyday run-of-the-mill combination wrench. So, how long does the feature last?

I bought my Flank Drive plus wrenches 10 years ago and they still have great grip the teeth show no signs of going "flat".

But lets say for some reason 1 or 2 of them start going "flat" the Snap-On guy will replace it. So no worries.

So far I've been impressed with Snap-On's chroming process it just seems to hold up over time hell it could be getting better with age...like a fine wine.

 

[bonneyman]

With good steel, critical manufacture, and no abuse, a quality tool will give a lifetime of service.

I've had my original Bonney combos since 1981, and there's no appreciable wear on the enhanced box broaching.

 

[Wamsutta]

The Flank Drive Plus of the Snap-ons and the Wright Grip of the Wrights are similar, but not the same. As far as durability goes, I can't speak for the Wrights, but you wouldn't live long enough to wear the Snap-ons out.

 

[Strouty]

Couldn't the teeth be compared to those on pliers? Do they hold up? Not your typical tongue and grooves, but the finer teeth of needle nose and the like?

Your avatar, with a quick look says "the rage urinal"

 

[RiverRider]

Your avatar, with a quick look says "the rage urinal"

I'm afraid it does!

You're not really, really pissed off about something are you?

 

[Ruger_556]

My coworker has a set of FD+ wrenches that are older than I am, the serrations are still there. When we're working on the same truck you have to check the engraving to tell who the wrench belongs to. Set ours side by side and the only visible difference is the finish is scuffed and worn from use.

 

[1950mercury]

They both will last longer than u need them too. If not they both have a lifetime warranty.

Alot of people have both flank drive plus and regular open ends. Because the flank drive plus leaves marks on the nuts or bolts. How often do you have to use an open end to break free a nut or bolt?

 

[Adam.C]

Guys can we all please try to use searches on garagejournal for info? Even if the OP won't, we should so we don't have the same questions over and over with different answers each time.

Read this thread comparing wright and Snap On. WrightGrip and SnapOn FDP are not the same functionally.
Read my wrench comparison looking at "smart" wrench criteria. I argue that all good wrenches are essentially, ...well...good. So choose based on other criteria. Wear is not a good criteria. Length is probably my #1 criteria, then maybe cost????. Anyway, wear is a red herring. Forget it.

 

[twertsy]

Your avatar, with a quick look says "the rage urinal"

and your's.................*****

 

[RiverRider]

Guys can we all please try to use searches on garagejournal for info? Even if the OP won't, we should so we don't have the same questions over and over with different answers each time.

Read this thread comparing wright and Snap On. WrightGrip and SnapOn FDP are not the same functionally.
Read my wrench comparison looking at "smart" wrench criteria. I argue that all good wrenches are essentially, ...well...good. So choose based on other criteria. Wear is not a good criteria. Length is probably my #1 criteria, then maybe cost????. Anyway, wear is a red herring. Forget it.

Maybe I've searched and have grown tired of reading twenty page threads to find only two comments remotely related to my interests AMD questions yet unanswered. Maybe a search for comments discouraging new discussion would be revealing.

 

[Adam.C]

Sorry, not trying to chastise. There is some good info on this subject in the threads I linked above. I can probably answer questions about either thread.

FDP wear I've not seen discussed but I don't believe it to be an issue. My guess is most wrenches (and sockets) are significantly harder than the parts they turn. And our use of these tools doesn't involve the sort of motions that typically cause wear.

I wouldn't relate pliers, that rely on friction to operate to these tools.

Sorry for the snarky sounding "use the search" post, but I did link what I felt were the relevant threads.

 

[Zrexxer]

Your avatar, with a quick look says "the rage urinal"

Fixed it.
Now it absolutely says that.

 

[redwrench60]

First off ^^^^^thats some funny ****!

Second, how long till someone posts a pic? Well here's one of my 17 year old used hard FD+ open ends. After I wiped all the crust and gloop out so you can see the teeth.....

 

[RiverRider]

What's funny about it?

 

[RiverRider]

Sorry, not trying to chastise. There is some good info on this subject in the threads I linked above. I can probably answer questions about either thread.

FDP wear I've not seen discussed but I don't believe it to be an issue. My guess is most wrenches (and sockets) are significantly harder than the parts they turn. And our use of these tools doesn't involve the sort of motions that typically cause wear.

I wouldn't relate pliers, that rely on friction to operate to these tools.

Sorry for the snarky sounding "use the search" post, but I did link what I felt were the relevant threads.

No sweat.

Really, I do understand why searching is sometimes more appropriate than starting a new thread and especially when there's a current thread addressing the same question. There are still times when a fresh discussion is a good thing, though. New participants, new products, changes in old ones...etc.

You're correct on the hardness point, I've looked at that. I have been surprised at the wear ive seen on cutting rools, though, as an example. As soft as electronic component leads are, I've worn out cutters used expressly used for that purpose.

I'd guess that someday someone will have used some of these wrenches enough to wear them out. By the responses I've seen, it hasn't happened yet. That's all I wanted to know.

 

[redwrench60]

What's funny about it?

I was laughing about the "rage urinal" avatar
Don't mind me, I amuse easily.

 

[exmaxima1]

The Flank Drive Plus of the Snap-ons and the Wright Grip of the Wrights are similar, but not the same. As far as durability goes, I can't speak for the Wrights, but you wouldn't live long enough to wear the Snap-ons out.

I bought a 1/2" Snap On combo wrench at a garage sale and the box end is worn out. Slips on every 1/2" bolt I tried.

 

[RiverRider]

I was laughing about the "rage urinal" avatar
Don't mind me, I amuse easily.

Nor me, I confuse easily. Dohhh!

 

[abvw]

I bought a 1/2" Snap On combo wrench at a garage sale and the box end is worn out. Slips on every 1/2" bolt I tried.

I bought some used Pirellis off a junk yard, has treads but slips like crazy and never balanced right, must be a piece of junk.

 

[LordPsychon]

.. My guess is most wrenches (and sockets) are significantly harder than the parts they turn. And our use of these tools doesn't involve the sort of motions that typically cause wear...

I'd concur with this - I've never snapped a wrench or sheared a socket but I've rounded a few bolt heads and I'm not a professional mechanic (most advanced tools I own are Durabuilt and Kobalt).

 

[RiverRider]

I suppose it's my sacred duty to post an image of the Wright Grip concept, so here it is.

 

[franzdom]

I bought a 1/2" Snap On combo wrench at a garage sale and the box end is worn out. Slips on every 1/2" bolt I tried.

This thread is about Flank Drive PLUS

 

[RiverRider]

Yes it is, Even though I blew the title...

I think his point is that it IS possible to wear a wrench out.

 

[franzdom]

It will be much less likely to stretch an open end that has FD+, and the stretching doesn't address your original question, do the bumps get worn down. I haven't seen it yet, they grip so well. I have WG as well in SAE, they are nice too. I think the Snap-On grip a lot tighter though.

 

[exmaxima1]

Yes it is, Even though I blew the title...

I think his point is that it IS possible to wear a wrench out.

Precisely. Thanks.

 

[Adam.C]

Yes it is, Even though I blew the title...

I think his point is that it IS possible to wear a wrench out.

Its a point he didn't make and can't proove. He bought a wrench second hand. Has no idea how old it is or how it was used. I know guys who beat 1/2" wrenches onto rusted 13mm bolt heads. Those teeth could have been plastically deformed, the whole box could be stretched.

Of course you could wear out a wrench. I had a cousin who broke a wheel barrow, a machine with one moving part. If you use your wrenches with any common sense (which I freely admit is not common) wear should not be a factor in your choice of wrenches.

 

[exmaxima1]

Its a point he didn't make and can't proove. He bought a wrench second hand. Has no idea how old it is or how it was used. I know guys who beat 1/2" wrenches onto rusted 13mm bolt heads. Those teeth could have been plastically deformed, the whole box could be stretched.

Honestly, have ever seen a SO wrench or socket stretch? When you overload them they pop like a firecracker. But in any case, anything can wear out given enough time....

 

[John in OH]

No sweat.

Really, I do understand why searching is sometimes more appropriate than starting a new thread and especially when there's a current thread addressing the same question. There are still times when a fresh discussion is a good thing, though. New participants, new products, changes in old ones...etc. .......

The Search function provided by GJ pretty much *****, so it is often difficult to run a subject search and find the truly relevant information you want.

Better results are usually found by going to Google and entering:

site:garagejournal.com subject

where you replace the word "subject" by the specific topic you want to find.

As to the topic at hand, as already mentioned above somewhere, when you start talking and comparing wrenches of the SO, Wright, Proto, etc. level of tool quality, features other than steel quality become the significant factors in making a decision.

 

[Adam.C]

As to the topic at hand, as already mentioned above somewhere, when you start talking and comparing wrenches of the SO, Wright, Proto, etc. level of tool quality, features other than steel quality become the significant factors in making a decision.

I agree.