Quick Question on Wrenches

[Daddy B]

I picked up the Craftsman Industrial wrench sets back when they were on clearance. But being a noob to this site and not a pro, I wasn't aware of all the different brands and their flank/surface/grip drive plus offerings. I mainly work on cars and occasional DIY projects. I'd say my tools see moderate to heavy home use, but no where near pro level use.

So my question is, would it be worth it to sell these and invest in a set with the enhanced grip? I have researched already and know what brand I'd go for. I've just never used one so I wouldn't know if it was worth it.

 

[GutsnGlory]

I'm no pro yet because I'm I'm school for automotive but at home I mostly use all craftsman because of the price and availability. I don't have any issues working on my truck and other cars with my basic stuff right now.
At school we have all snap on and it's nice stuff and works great, but fit my home needs right now craftsman is good.

 

[JJThrasher]

Have you used them yet? Are you dissatisfied? If you already have them, and you're happy with them, then why upgrade? If you haven't used them give them a shot.

I have some that are and some that aren't. Honestly its kind of a meh feature to me.

 

[Skin]

So my question is, would it be worth it to sell these and invest in a set with the enhanced grip? I have researched already and know what brand I'd go for. I've just never used one so I wouldn't know if it was worth it.

Essentially all modern combination wrenches with a 6pt or 12pt box end are using off corner engagement so your Craftsman industrial wrenches do indeed have it. All you're missing out on is modified open ends and honestly you can skip that feature. Handy to have, but not necessary, especially for a weekend wrench.

 

[Garage5.9]

Cant beat snap on's flank drive plus but thats just my opinion

 

[scouting]

Have you used them yet? Are you dissatisfied? If you already have them, and you're happy with them, then why upgrade? If you haven't used them give them a shot.

I have some that are and some that aren't. Honestly its kind of a meh feature to me.

I would love a set of flank drive snappy wrenches, but my raised paned craftsman wrenches haven't caused enough trouble to justify the cost. If you want to spend money on the truck as a homeowner, buy a set of flex-head dual-80 ratchets. You will get more use out if them, and they make a bigger difference. That is money well spent, rather than shiny wrenches that will not be an improvement.

 

[CWP1616L]

So my question is, would it be worth it to sell these and invest in a set with the enhanced grip?

Enhanced grip? Are you referring to the box end, or open end?

If you're referring to the box end, your Craftsman wrenches should already have off corner engagement. Most modern wrenches do.

If you're referring to the open end, that gets into a matter of personal preference. I have one Flank Drive Plus combination wrench (18mm) and I am very glad that I only have one. I don't like them. I prefer the smooth open end type. The FD+ gets caught on the nut when I want to pull away from it and flip it over quickly for the next turn. They slow me down. To me they're only good for rounded off fasteners.

 

[kc-steve]

I've never been one to use the term "jonesing" but I suspect this is exactly the situation for the term, as in keeping up with the Jones' next door.

I used Craftsman raised panel wrenches for decades and was happy with them until I came here. I started looking around for better wrenches but finally decided on WrightGrips because they were about the same price as the Craftsman Industrial but better, IMO.

Once you make a choice I would stick it out if possible, at least for a while, because there will always be another better wrench available no matter what.

I never liked buzz-words though.

Steve

 

[bad67bug]

I have been using my USA Craftsman Professional wrenches professionally every day for 8 years now with no problems. I don't know how the professional line compares to the industrial line but a guy that I work with has a set of the industrial wrenches and they look identical to my professionals. I ordered a set of snap on fd+ last week and I will let you know how they compare. I have been reading many people say that they get caught on fasteners like already mentioned, so we will see. If I don't like them I will exchange them for the normal fd wrenches.

 

[Daddy B]

Sorry, should have specified, I was talking about the open end. I haven't had the chance to use these yet. I bought them as an upgrade to my old set. The old one's were too thin and hurt my hands. It's sounding to me like it's all just a matter of preference so I think I'll just stick with the craftsmans then. Thanks!

 

['52Chevy]

I picked up the Craftsman Industrial wrench sets back when they were on clearance. But being a noob to this site and not a pro, I wasn't aware of all the different brands and their flank/surface/grip drive plus offerings. I mainly work on cars and occasional DIY projects. I'd say my tools see moderate to heavy home use, but no where near pro level use.

So my question is, would it be worth it to sell these and invest in a set with the enhanced grip? I have researched already and know what brand I'd go for. I've just never used one so I wouldn't know if it was worth it.

Just for clarification purposes are you referring to the Raised panel industrial wrenches, or the full polish industrial wrenches. As you could purchase both.

The raised panels(although not these) would look similar.

and the full polish would look like this

There is also a black oxide finish, raised panel.

I have been using my USA Craftsman Professional wrenches professionally every day for 8 years now with no problems. I don't know how the professional line compares to the industrial line but a guy that I work with has a set of the industrial wrenches and they look identical to my professionals. I ordered a set of snap on fd+ last week and I will let you know how they compare. I have been reading many people say that they get caught on fasteners like already mentioned, so we will see. If I don't like them I will exchange them for the normal fd wrenches.

If they are the full polish that I showed a picture of then they are the same thing as the professional wrenches.

 

[Daddy B]

I got the polished ones.

 

['52Chevy]

My buddy has those, and he has never had a problem with them. They are a nice set of wrenches, and for what you need, I doubt you will ever have a problem!

 

[greasemonkey44]

for your needs, stick with what you have
if you get stuck and need a toothy open end, napa sells carlyle singles

 

[Daddy B]

if you get stuck and need a toothy open end, napa sells carlyle singles

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[bobemmerich]

Personal preference. If what you have works for what you do, then why change. For a home DIY guy, your wrenches will perform flawlessly.

 

[mattamd_xp]

I have the same Craftsman industrial full polish at home and a set of snappy fd+ at work, and there are very few situations I find the fd+ useful. It mostly slows you down when trying to remove the wrench from the bolt/nut is my experience. The one place they shine is when you can't get full engagement on the fastener, the fd+ allows you to just use the tip of the wrench to grip and turn where a normal flat sided wrench would slide off. I wouldn't bother selling off the CM Industrial, as I really like them. If you think you need the profiled open ends, pick up a few in the most common sizes you may need and call it good.

 

[rick carpenter]

I've got regular CM RP wrenches and they do fine for me. But if you're set on something else, buy an off-brand single in the style you're thinking about and use it for a while before deciding. The upgrade may or may not be worth the hassle to buy the new and sell the old ...or you could donate the old to Habitat for half the hassle.