Question about Wrench Design?

[Griff79]

I have a question about wrenches in general. I see in comparison photos the some wrenches are scalloped along the beam, KTC, Stalwillie, and others are not, Snap On, Wright, Gear Wrench, etc, etc.

Is there a comfort difference? I know this is personal preference and subjective, but it seems to me that having the middle of the beam scalloped out would be much less comfortable. Do the ridges dig into your hand when pressure is applied?

The above question transitions into beam thickness and width as a variable that provides or detracts comfort. Subjective again with hand size,and work environment somewhat dictating comfort level. ( I have bigger hands and feet so you know what that means……bigger gloves and bigger boots ).

Is there a strength quotient that improves scalloped wrenches over non-scalloped much like placing a roller bead in a metal panel to impart strength?

It also seems that a wrench with a scalloped beam would be more difficult to clean after use, gathering oil, dirt and grime within the channel?

I’m going to purchase some of each and do a subjective comparison but I wanted to see what you guys thought.

Thanks,
Griff

 

[seber]

Are you referring to raised panel?

 

[Griff79]

Seber, no, but raised panel could be thrown into the mix as an option to compare against flat beam and scalloped beam.
Griff

 

[u2slow]

I think scalloped saves weight. The profile (i-beam like?) retains strength with the reduced material. May be an advantage for the handle to be slimmer than the head.

The shape of the edge defines the comfort. Fully round is probably most comfortable, but heavy.

 

[Mr_B]

scalloped H beam style tend be more comfortable as have thicker edges which is where most pressure applied, snapon not great on ergonomics .
Going be very much user preference but the stahlwille and facom style are very nice to use and no big deal to clean .

 

[seber]

So you mean I-beam. Having used all three I find the raised panel to get very uncomfortable after a day of use in oily environment. Neither of the other two designs give me any problem since the hand normally pushes on the end of the wrench. My original Craftsman wrenches would up getting the sharp edges ground off the raised panels. They are long gone and not missed.

 

[AngryBeaver]

I don’t like raised panels, or sharp edge wrenches like the snap ons. I have them and use them, but I much prefer a wider side like the wrights, Williams made kobalts, etc. some thin ones like the snap ons, protos, craftsmans will dig in when really reefing on them. The wrights, while a bit bulky, are the most comfortable wrenches I’ve used in my 25+ years of being a mechanic.

 

[Fedwrench]

are you talking about this style of scalloped wrench?

https://www.ultimategarage.com/Facom/440-32.jpg

Metric Combination Wrench | Milwaukee Tool

MILWAUKEE® Metric Combination Wrenches has MAX BITE™ for improved grip and 25% more torque and a Comfortable I-Beam Handle Design. Feature our lifetime gaurantee.

www.milwaukeetool.com

I have a USAG set, a MAC long pattern set, Proto ratcheting set, and the Metric Milwaukee set that are all eye beam shaped. I think the wrenches are more comfortable to use because the I beam area forms a natural resting spot for my thumb. The beam edges are slightly rounded so, there's no knife edge to contend with. The MAC, Facom, USAG, and Proto ratcheting versions have a slightly different offset to their open ends which I think are easier to manipulate in certain circumstances. I haven't found them to be more difficult to clean at all. I haven't encountered any of the negative issues you mentioned but, it's also a matter of personal choice. I know the MAC precision Torque series of combination wrenches are popular.

 

[four.cycle]

are you talking about this style of scalloped wrench?

??

I'm confused.
Didn't Barcalo make a wrench of similar design at one point?
Is it possible they got away from that style because it might use more steel?

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Yes,there was an American wrench manufacturer who did use the I-beam style it was their second tier. I don't know about Barcalo, mine aren't. You make a good point about thin wrench design. Yesterday was undoing some air fittings I had put on 30 years ago and had to resort to long pattern wrenches. With those thinner wrench beams I was cursing the muscle bound clown that had assembled it.

 

[ZRX61]

scalloped H beam style tend be more comfortable as have thicker edges which is where most pressure applied, snapon not great on ergonomics .
Going be very much user preference but the stahlwille and facom style are very nice to use and no big deal to clean .

I don't like the ergo's of Snap On at all. I own one SO wrench, a 10mm combo. I have a bunch of Facom/GW/Husky & others.

 

[Fedwrench]

??

I'm confused.
Didn't Barcalo make a wrench of similar design at one point?
Is it possible they got away from that style because it might use more steel?

Not sure about Barcalo but, Thorsen USA did back in the day. They were common is some of the older GI kits when we had jeeps.

 

[Fierljeppen]

I started putting together an eclectic combination wrench set years ago just because I wanted to have an example of as many USA manufacturers as possible.

• Snap-On
• Wright
• Proto
• Armstrong
• Williams
• Matco
• SK
• MAC

After years of use, the extra-long MAC knuckle-buster wrench's were my absolute favorite wrench to use. They have a very wide beam, kind of squared off edges.



I had an apprentice who couldn't keep his hands of my Williams supercombo wrench's. He'd always tell me that he was going to buy a full set some day. They had a wide beam, with more of a rounded edge. Very comfortable, but a little bulky.



The most comfortable, but not always practical wrench I own is the Matco X-beam wrench. It has a twisted beam and the comfort is unmeasured compared to a tradition style wrench. It's certainly not as strong and doesn't get into tight spots though.

 

[M6erfan]

I have all three styles. The answer is; it depends. I use my KTC I-beam style wrenches nearly everyday and don't have a problem, I find them comfortable. S-o is uncomfortable due to "knife edge", they're very thin, but Williams are extremely comfortable, thicker beams. Zero issues with cleaning any of the various styles/finishes.

In the end, it's personal preference, kinda like screwdriver handles.

Those Mac's look nice.

 

[metaldad]

haven't seen the mac
i do like williams super combo
i wish wright made the same beam on the smaller wrenches, as their beefy beam starts at 1 5/16

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I think it was Tru-Fit.

 

[Cruzan80]

Lectrolite was making the I-beams, which then added/turned into Tru-Fit, and some of the SK Lectrolite. For ratchets, Kraueter (also an SK brand) has the most I-beam like handle I have ever had. Pretty comfortable, and damn-near bulletproof (was the same SK head).

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

At maximum force, you are at the end of the wrench anyway, so it doesn't matter.

 

[Xcursion88]

The best wrench design is the one that feels best to you. Your hand. Only you. Don't mean **** what I think or anyone else.

Stay away from Asian made on principle...

I assure you that there is an American wrench that's perfect for you!!!!

 

[tool_scrounge]

Older satin finish SK wrenches are have very generous radii and are quite comfortable, but a little heavy. Wright wrenches I also find are quite comfortable.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

This is the wrench that convinced me DIYer to upgrade my tools to SO, 7/8 6 point flank drive combo. What a difference from CM raised panel.

 

[joel63]

This is the wrench that convinced me DIYer to upgrade my tools to SO, 7/8 6 point flank drive combo. What a difference from CM raised panel.

You're learning. Don't stop now.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Sadly, we all have different hands, and wrenches fit us all differently.

Snap-On combo wrenches are indeed stupid good. I'm really enjoying the Wright-Grips I bought to try out.

-Ryan