recommendation for large open/boxed end wrench set

[chrisbowles]

I am looking for a good value on wrench set that goes up to 2 1/2 with a polish finish. Tool truck brands are out. This set will be on a tool truck, so if a wrench needs to be cut for a specific task I don't want to wack up snap on stuff. What do you fellas think?

 

[wild cowboy]

this:

www.harborfreight.com/6-piece-sae-jumbo-combination-wrench-set-925.html

plus this:

www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-super-jumbo-combo-wrench-set-1965.html

use a 25% coupon on each (two different store visits) and your total price is $105

 

[farmall400]

I was on a job and a service tech had a brand new set of the harbor freight wrenches. The first time he used that 1-9/16" wrench he broke the end on the open end. 15 minutes before that he was bragging about how much of a deal they were. Now your mileage may vary but that was the first time time I've ever seen a harbor freight wrench that big so I took notice. I would check craigslist, not really sure why you care about polish finish if you might cut it up anyway.

 

[chrisbowles]

I keep my tools clean. Those with the rough black finish are hard to keep clean. Under ideal situations I won't cut any tools up. But if you work on logging jobs and oil well sites those jobs stop for nothing. If you got to torch a wrench to get a line off a valve body that's what you do. In those lines of work you don't order one from grainger and go back two days later

 

[littletoes]

Oil rig "work"?

With that kind of money, you should be at least to afford PROTO!

 

[ladrones]

Some the local supply houses sale PONY branded wrenches that go up to those sizes.

 

[farmall400]

I have a lot of big snap on wrenches and the beams are all satin chrome finish. Not sure who makes a full polish wrench in the big sizes

 

[defektes]

I was on a job and a service tech had a brand new set of the harbor freight wrenches. The first time he used that 1-9/16" wrench he broke the end on the open end. 15 minutes before that he was bragging about how much of a deal they were. Now your mileage may vary but that was the first time time I've ever seen a harbor freight wrench that big so I took notice. I would check craigslist, not really sure why you care about polish finish if you might cut it up anyway.

A guy at work here was using the horrible freight 1 7/8 to adjust a motor belt and SNAP the end also broke on his. Luckily he followed lockout procedures and had the equipment off. He slammed his hand into the belt.

For heavy industrial sizes I use SK and Wright, cheaper than trucks but great quality.
I have some larger SKs that are chrome, and some older raised panel SKs.

 

[chrisbowles]

I got sk stuff in smaller sizes. They are nice. I'm getting scared of the hf stuff after above post. We put a lot of pressure on stuff. My 4 ft rigid pipe wrench is curved like a banna. Lol! I have seen tektron stuff, it had a good finish but I don't know how strong they are

 

[wild cowboy]

I have had the HF big wrenches for years, if you use a cheater pipe on them, they can break, but never seen one break bare handed.

 

[bobcatdan]

Wright, no questions asked.

 

[JUNK-MAN]

I'd have to say Craftsman, Proto, HF or, Wright.

 

[mopwered]

I had big wrenches that i used working on garbage trucks that i used for years i have never broke one i bought mine from the guys that used to go around selling tools off the back of their truck. I bought a set of big crows feet at a hyd shop that i used to go to and did break the 1 1/2 i was pulling on it real hard though with a 2 ft breaker bar it snapped at the opening .

 

[Tronyadorable]

You're in a mans world with that. Grainger is **** but grab the model number and a 12 pack and see what you find. Also call around to the various heavy equipment-big truck places and ask. Some crackhead may have been fired.
http://www.grainger.com/product/PROTO-Combo-Wrench-Set-1AKN2

 

[Tronyadorable]

I just knocked $700 out of Graingers scumbag hands in 30 seconds
http://www.toolup.com/proto_j1200f-hd_16-pc-combination-wrench-set-12-point.aspx

 

[expfcwintergreen]

Wright with a cheap back-up set from Harbor Freight or Northern Tool.

 

[wild cowboy]

and sure, if you can afford Wright or Proto or SK, then BY ALL MEANS!

but those are probably overkill for the little guy

 

[HaroRider]

I would say get two sets. Maybe a HF set and an SK or Proto set.

 

[bobcatdan]

Now that I'm home and not waiting for a train, let me go on why Wright is the clear winner for big wrenches. No matter how big you think your hf 2" wrench is, it will look like a tooth pick to any US made 2". Length is most noticable. Where the Wright shines is their round beam design. All other manufacturer basically scale up their smaller wrenches which results in very wide beams. The Wrights being round stay very comfortable size to hold.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Wright, no questions asked.

+1. Wright is who I went with. I was able to find a fairly complete set from 1 3/8 to 2 1/2 at the flea market in excellent shape for $350. I snapped them up.

I suggest getting a set of USED quality wrenches. If you have to cut up some wrenches, then get a set of the cheapies to do that with. I won't hesitate to cut up even a Snap On if necessary, but I do keep some cheap wrenches around to modify.

 

[Ruger_556]

You sure you need full polish? We have a shop set of Armstrong wrenches that go up through 2 1/2", they're satin finish and wipe right off at the end of the job

 

[devoncoolman]

If they are going to be backup/modification wrenches then buy harbor frieght or buy cheap wrenches at a farm supply store. If you plan on using these daily then buy a quality brand like wright, proto, or sk etc.

 

[kctyphoon]

If your saying your on a job where "they stop for nothing", and you really mean that - then I would think this particular situation calls for something a little higher up on the food chain then HF.. if you're in a remote location then something dependable is a must. If your not wanting to spend snap on money, then I think craftsman is the very least I would even consider. At the price point, nothing wrong with buying a HF set as doubles to try and save a more expensive set first- but I wouldn't buy them without having something else to fall back on in case you really do need them to work at their limits.

 

[wild cowboy]

OK, I have a question for everyone recommending these rather pricey wrench brands like Proto, Wright, etc.

where is a smokin deal on one of those brands for a big set, say from 1-1/2" to 2-1/2"

every time I have seen them, they are some crazy price like $700 or $1000, etc.

 

[RedneckWelder]

OK, I have a question for everyone recommending these rather pricey wrench brands like Proto, Wright, etc.

where is a smokin deal on one of those brands for a big set, say from 1-1/2" to 2-1/2"

every time I have seen them, they are some crazy price like $700 or $1000, etc.

I hit a deal. You gotta poke around. Flea markets, craigslist, etc. Or piece together a mixed set on Ebay or something. I'm a heavy equipment mechanic so I use mine enough to justify paying the price for good tools.

Even at $700+ they are worth it if you use them frequently. Why? Because if you get hurt the medical bills and time off work can be significant. I'd much, much, much rather use a tool that I know is safe vs. one that is questionable and get hurt.

 

[Ruger_556]

OK, I have a question for everyone recommending these rather pricey wrench brands like Proto, Wright, etc.

where is a smokin deal on one of those brands for a big set, say from 1-1/2" to 2-1/2"

every time I have seen them, they are some crazy price like $700 or $1000, etc.

That's par for the course unless you're buying used. Have to pay to play when you get into larger sizes. Seems like there was a thread on it awhile ago.

 

[wornoutoldman]

I'd search ebay for the sizes needed and buy the least expensive that meet my needs and cobble together a set.

 

[RedneckWelder]

That's par for the course unless you're buying used. Have to pay to play when you get into larger sizes. Seems like there was a thread on it awhile ago.

There was...somebody was whining about proto being expensive when they posted a full set from like 1/2 to 2" that cost $2000.

The larger size wrenches are not produced in the numbers that the smaller wrenches are. Production costs such as the larger machinery to do the job, coupled with smaller runs means higher costs.

 

[kctyphoon]

There was...somebody was whining about proto being expensive when they posted a full set from like 1/2 to 2" that cost $2000.

The larger size wrenches are not produced in the numbers that the smaller wrenches are. Production costs such as the larger machinery to do the job, coupled with smaller runs means higher costs.

That is just ******* insane.. That and the FACT that they know your choices are limited, and if you need it, you are forced to spend the money.. Also considering that usually most people needing wrenches that big are making higher than average salaries then just regular mechanic, so companies squeeze them for as much as they can.

 

[DodgeMech]

williams...they can even be had with the snap on style flank drive grooves in the open ends...and they are damned beefy...i got a 1 1/2 one that is as big as my tekton chinese-ium 1 5/8...and the china one ain't small...

 

[Matt Irvine]

I have some pretty big Gedore spanners, they're the goods! Love Stahlwille too, but probably more than you want to pay.

 

[wild cowboy]

the day I pay $2000 for a set of wrenches, they better have servo motors inside them and fly around like drones and fix the truck for me!

 

[defektes]

+1 on the wright recommendation, I got a wright 1 1/2 with the round handle, those are very nice indeed!

For the deals buy used, or just buy a US made Craftsman NOS off ebay and cycle in the better ones in the sizes frequently used. I pieced my set together from used and some new. Expensive but safe, if I see a sale I'll be sure to post it.

 

[chrisbowles]

Am I over looking craftsmen site. I see nothing over 2". Is that correct? I found a set on ebay, proto upto 2 1/2. I'm watching it.

 

[DodgeMech]

the day I pay $2000 for a set of wrenches, they better have servo motors inside them and fly around like drones and fix the truck for me!

well, they cost that much cuz the main buyers of those sets would be large companies...for the tool room...not joe schmoe at the lube place or joe homeowner...

why is everyone named joe?

 

[defektes]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/S-K-Craftsm...0818706965&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr

craftsman 1 1/8-1 5/16 box end, craftsman 1 1/16, sk 1 1/8 and 1

keep an eye on this one

I believe craftsman used to go to 2'' but has not in a while.

 

[techenthusiast]

Does anyone have any experience with this tekton jumbo wrench set?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wait4me]

The Tekton wrenches look very similar to the HF wrenches and several of the other chinese import brands. I'd imagine they're the same wrench.

The Klutch wrenches from Northern Tool I've seen used in quite a few paper mills the last couple of years. I've watched guys beat on with them with hammers, double wrench, etc. They look a good bit beefier than the HF set while still being really inexpensive for what they are. I actually have a set of the super jumbos (2" - 2 1/2") on their way to my house right now...

I would get American if I was going to use these all the time, but my current use is going to be very minimal, and I can't justify 2k for a Proto set. And I don't have the time to go digging through flea markets hoping to get lucky.

 

[Danglerb]

Thinking about it a little, the big sized wrenches do show up on a regular basis in the HF partial set clearance shelf, so people are breaking them.

Local used, CL, swap meet, garage sale, Proto or better would be my first choice, but I wouldn't have a real problem buying the HF as long as I was sure to give them a thorough beating before I actually needed them.

Nice thing about a used set of Proto, its been well tested.

Anything I would need to ship someplace to warranty I would skip, I don't care how fancy the name was.

 

[expfcwintergreen]

I assume a quality adjustable wrench for the bigger sizes 1 1/2-2 1/2 would not work.