raised panel hatred

[jymmiejamz]

The older Mac wrenches were great and the open end griped better than Snap-On. The Newer ones (after about 1998) are pure ****. I was breaking the open ends after a manafactuer change sometime in the late 90's. I still have a few sets made in the late 80's that the open end is much better than my Snap-Ons. The ring end is better on the snap-On and the Mac has a nice flat on the handle vs the knife blade on the Snap-On. It's hard to find the Perfect whench

The Mac wrenches I have are probably from the ninety's, but I just don't like the feel of them. I love Snap On wrenches, but so far Bahco has the best feel IMO.

 

[Honda 1]

I recently purchased the 14 piece CM raised panel set, on sale for $40. I wanted to get the larger wrenches of 1, 1 1/16 and 1 1/8. I just used the 1 1/8 again today on a rounded P-trap nut. It handled the job perfectly.
The reason I purchased the 14 piece set was it included the larger wrenches and the price for the 14 wrenches was the same price it would cost to buy the three wrenches from open stock.

 

[mark40sw]

I have noticed on my CM raised panel wrench set I used at work had very sharp edge around the actual raised panel on some of the wrenches. Made getting stuck (larger) fasteners a little uncomfortable. Compared them to a friends older CM raised panels and the edges around the panel were made in a more rounded over edge pattern.

I replaced them with the CM pro series. Probably would not have cared about the feel issue of a better wrench until I started reading from this web site (thanks to all of you!). They are easier to clean around oil/greasy machines- (no big issue).

 

[Mustangmike]

Sometime a shorter wrench can get the job done better in a tight spot.Me personally, I like non chrome when under the engine work cause they don't slip when oily or especially with hydraulic fluid.

Had my raised panels for years...Got some at the truck shop, and some at home. I found same thing..the slightly rough and raised area gives a bit more grip when working on oily/greasy things...Now saying that, I still love my Snappy and Macs for most other things.

 

[Bolster]

Neither hatred nor love here.

I always did have an issue with the fine tooth round head Cman ratchet though. I know a lot of ppl like it, but I inevitably would turn the reversing lever the wrong direction for each change of direction...!

 

[matthew]

Neither love nor hatred also describes my feelings, but that's not complete. I do respect them. Other styles may be a tad nicer, but the old raised panels are workhorses.

 

[Rickster]

The only problem I have with them is the same as lot of guys here, they're too short. Whenever I reach for one I also grab a small hammer to use on them. At least I'm not concerned with their finish while smacking them around with a hammer.

 

[rayzor32]

started out on craftsman raised panels, I love them for the house theyre my first wrench set so mostly sentimental. But they are short, and the raised panels hurt your hands after a lot of use, and you gotta be careful about busting your knuckles on the open end. But they are a quality USA MADE wrench and they'll last a long time and better than some chinese junk. No cman hatred here. But for work I got my old SAE williams superwrenches (friggen awesome wrenches), and wayyyy too many snap on wrenches.