Raise panel vs. Smooth wrenches

[JohnDeere]

Do you guys like raised panel or smooth wrenches? Raise panels that come to mind are C-series S-K, Craftsman , etc. Smooth ones that come to mind are Proto, S-K Super chrome, snap-on, Mac, Bonney, etc. I prefer smooth wrenches, preferably in a satin or pebbled finish. I am not a huge fan of extra chrome smooth wrenches, and some Mac wrenches have too sharp corners.

 

[Fly YX]

I like the Wright satin finish.

 

[LWB]

Like you, I don't like hard edge wrenches. When it comes to raised panel or not I don't have a preference and have both.

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

Raised panel S-K C-Series are my FAVORITE! I have 2 sets of combination wrenches, 2 dozen various spares,2 sets of doe and 1 set of dbe’s, needless to say I like them.
-Tommy

 

[craftsman creep]

Raised panel all the way!!!!!

 

[JohnDeere]

Raised panels can go straight to the scrap barrel!

 

[DAustin]

All the above.

 

[dchawk81]

Do you guys like raised panel or smooth wrenches? Raise panels that come to mind are C-series S-K, Craftsman , etc. Smooth ones that come to mind are Proto, S-K Super chrome, snap-on, Mac, Bonney, etc. I prefer smooth wrenches, preferably in a satin or pebbled finish. I am not a huge fan of extra chrome smooth wrenches, and some Mac wrenches have too sharp corners.

As long as it fits snugly and doesn't round off my fastener, I don't care much about the handle.

Unless it's sharp enough to hurt. Then I'll put on gloves.

 

[Blueshound_GJ]

This is the kind of quality topic I come for!

 

[craftsman creep]

Raised panel all the way!!!!!

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

Here’s one of my combo sets, this set is all
S-K Wayne from 1/4-1-1/4.
-Tommy

 

[JohnDeere]

 

[JohnDeere]

Smooth Wrenches for the win!

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

 

[craftsman creep]

Smooth Wrenches for the win!

Boooooooo

 

[craftsman creep]

Well there not junk because those smooth wrenches will slip out of your hand hit your big toe. Then you’ll fall over into a pile of tractors.

 

[JohnDeere]

Raised panel wrenches make you shake hands with danger.

 

[craftsman creep]

Raised panel wrenches make you shake hands with danger.

No the smooth one do because they slip out your hand so they used a raise panel wrench so they don’t slip out of their hand

 

[JohnDeere]

Woosh.

 

[craftsman creep]

Whoosh.

Dang it I hate it when a big gust of air comes by

 

[msharley]

Both!

I like the "I" beam style for when hands are especially greasy....

The "smooth" style for "neat" work..

 

[JohnDeere]

Dang it I hate it when a big gust of air comes by

That big gust of air was the joke blowing over your head.

 

[craftsman creep]

That big gust of air was the joke blowing over your head.

Noooo I didn’t know that

 

[JohnDeere]

Sarcasm doesn't work it writing.

 

[mogandave]

Combination wrenches I like the smooth chrome Snap-On's, but I have more raised panel stuff.

It's those sh*t-grade rachets with the knurled handles I can't stand!

 

[wrenchr]

Raised panel crafty for sentimental reasons. Remind me of my Dad, but boy oh boy when the professional wrench line came out he had to have those as well. I have a bunch of fond memories with my Dad at Sear's. He has been gone a lot longer than the store though.

 

[d42jeep]

Whenever I reach into my user toolbox for a wrench, I usually grab a smooth chrome Snap-on combo. Most of mine were bought new off of the truck in the ‘70s.
-Don

 

[dchawk81]

Sarcasm doesn't work it writing.

That's why I get banned a lot..

 

[thefraze_1020]

I voted for raised panel, because I grew up with Craftsman, but I have a lot of SK/ Lectrolite wrenches. I also have a few Williams raised panel wrenches that I really like.
But, I have many smooth wrenches that I like as well, like smooth Snap-On's that Don has, because they belonged to my grandpa and he is the reason why I started collecting tools.

We may fight over style of wrenches, but at the end of the day, it's Harbor Freight we hate.

 

[dchawk81]

We may fight over style of wrenches, but at the end of the day, it's Harbor Freight we hate.

Harbor Freight *****. Way overpriced. Unbranded unknown possibly Indian possibly Pakistani origin raised panel FTW.

Not lying I have a set. It's functional but wouldn't want to put it on a crusty fastener.

 

[nbpt100]

I do not have a strong opinion eitherway. What is the benefit of a raised panel? Other than adding some stiffness to the middle of the beam. I can see the benefit of nice chrome finish to help with cleaning. Some finishes may resist corrosion better than others. I have raised panel C'man that are pushing 40 yrs old and not rust. As long as the egdes are smooth and provide some area to cushion your hand I am happy. I do not see a major practical difference between the choices given. It mostly seems aestetic and personal preference. Unless someone can school me otherwise.

 

[nbpt100]

I voted for raised panel, because I grew up with Craftsman, but I have a lot of SK/ Lectrolite wrenches. I also have a few Williams raised panel wrenches that I really like.
But, I have many smooth wrenches that I like as well, like smooth Snap-On's that Don has, because they belonged to my grandpa and he is the reason why I started collecting tools.

We may fight over style of wrenches, but at the end of the day, it's Harbor Freight we hate.

Ending on an off topic note here. I guess we know what you really want to talk about. Maybe you should start a new thread. Oh I think that topic has been discussed once or twice ......maybe 100 times. No harm in a new thread. Make it 101. We might learn something new.

 

[ecotec]

I have some raised panel, but I do not prefer them or put them in the same drawers as my good wrenches.

 

[Farmer J.]

The only raised panel ones I have are some 1930's Barcolo, nothing wrong with the quality of those.

Many years ago I did used have a chrome set of Tiwanese raised panel combinations but they were awful, needed to get rid of them so gave them away to someone who often loses tools!

Oh, and there's no suitable option for me to vote for. I like recessed panel wrenches with industrial or plain steel finish.

 

[dchawk81]

The only raised panel ones I have are some 1930's Barcolo, nothing wrong with the quality of those.
Many years ago I did used have a chrome set of Tiwanese raised panel combinations but they were awful, needed to get rid of them so gave them away to someone who often loses tools!

Why? We're they all 10mm?

 

[dchawk81]

were* ran out of edits again, stupid autocorrect.

 

[mogandave]

What is the benefit of a raised panel?

I think it might make producing multiple brands with the same equipment easier.

Other than adding some stiffness to the middle of the beam.

Which is silly as the ends are under the most stress.

I can see the benefit of nice chrome finish to help with cleaning.

Smooth chrome is the easiest to keep clean, and all things the same the most expensive.

Some finishes may resist corrosion better than others. I have raised panel C'man that are pushing 40 yrs old and not rust. As long as the egdes are smooth and provide some area to cushion your hand I am happy. I do not see a major practical difference between the choices given. It mostly seems aestetic and personal preference. Unless someone can school me otherwise.

I think the pre-finish prep has a lot to do with how well the finish holds up.

 

[ecotec]

I prefer smooth chrome, but I also have smooth satin (like Stahlwille and Armstrong) and textured satin like Wright and Proto. I really have a mixture of everything.

My SAE offset DBE’s are raised panel Riversides. My 6pt combination wrenches are raised panel Craftsman with a few Armstrong mixed in.

 

[Provincial]

Whatever gets your nuts off!

 

[Bad Eye Bill]

Never gave any thought to the different types being better or easier to use or hold onto. Now that I have given thought to it....... naw, don't matter to me at all.

The raised panels do look good though.