Wamsutta
Well-known member
Well if you're looking for dead nuts perfect in fastener engagement, a factory automotive fastener and a Snap-on wrench is it.
Service truck wrench upgrade
- Thread starter Halfsackzac
- Start date
mrjaw14
Well-known member
Look up the torque test channel. they have done some great videos about the box end and open end of many different wrench brands. Some interesting data there.
I have Snap On flank drive+ wrenches, but I don't love that they mark up the fastener. The thin beams also eat into my hands. I'm really looking at a set of Proto ASD or Williams Supercombo wrenches since they have an anti-slip feature that doesn't bite into the fastener to use on things I don't want to put marks on.
The Icon version of flank drive+ got decent reviews, but it does chew up the fastener also. I believe that WrightGrip 2.0 also marks up fasteners. Not sure if that's important to you or not. They won't slip and will bite in, so if you deal with rusty **** and replace a lot of fasteners anyway that won't matter. Now if you work on a lot of hoses with made up ends, you might want an open end that is a little gentler on the fittings.
I have Snap On flank drive+ wrenches, but I don't love that they mark up the fastener. The thin beams also eat into my hands. I'm really looking at a set of Proto ASD or Williams Supercombo wrenches since they have an anti-slip feature that doesn't bite into the fastener to use on things I don't want to put marks on.
The Icon version of flank drive+ got decent reviews, but it does chew up the fastener also. I believe that WrightGrip 2.0 also marks up fasteners. Not sure if that's important to you or not. They won't slip and will bite in, so if you deal with rusty **** and replace a lot of fasteners anyway that won't matter. Now if you work on a lot of hoses with made up ends, you might want an open end that is a little gentler on the fittings.
I'm looking to remove a fastener. Don't make this conversation stupid.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Sometime a thick beam with sharp corners can eat into your hands too. I've got an extra long 9/16" MAC wrench. Beautiful wrench, but man does it hurt to reef on something with it. Paid $50 for the damn thing.
Agreed. I have the Mac RBRT and they fit dead perfect but they're not always what you want. They're more of the last step before you bust out the fire wrench.
It's **** like this that has me proselytizing that you need multiple sets of wrenches depending on need.
Even the cheapest of the cheap can be okay in certain circumstances. That's why I have the whole gamut.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Well in that case, tell us which wrenches you recommend?
Pretty sure I already said?
I mean if a wrench feels like **** in the hand you can always wear a glove. But you can't make a good feeling wrench fit fastener better.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
OK I went back and read some of your previous posts. You said you really love GearWrench and highly recommend them.
OP
Halfsackzac
Member
You’re kinda making this into an argument I just wanted opinions. Both yall probably have good info so let’s keep it civil.
Wait how is this on me?
OP
Halfsackzac
Member
Would you like me to send it to the other guy as well to be fair?
msharley
Well-known member
There is a gentleman in the "CLASSIFIEDS" on this forum currently selling a set of MAC wrenches and a Snap On 1/2" drive ratchet for REAL REASONABLE!
I have bought several items from him...good stuff...
CGarage
Well-known member
Send it!
I mean if you want opinions you don't get to dictate how those opinions are expressed.
There's no perfect wrench to answer your question. If there was, they'd put everyone else out of business.
The Mac RBRT that I like very much are pretty damn precise but sometimes that's a bad thing, especially 15 years later and in snow/salt regions.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
@Halfsackzac
Welcome aboard here.
I get the appeal of buying a brand-new complete set that all matches.
I also see wisdom in buying used ones and assembling a set of high-quality pieces.
When I started out, I was dirt poor by most people's standards.
Boy was I in high cotton when I got my first Snap-on ratchet, an old out-dated chrome FV71!
When it came to wrenches, I built my first set with used individuals as I came across them. This was a time before eBay and FBM.
Having different brands made it easy to know which size I was grabbing.
If I was starting over again, I would still build a set, even if I had money. I just enjoy the variety.
The USA-made Bluepoint (i.e. BOM12A or B, 12 being the size) long pattern (not short) wrenches would be on my radar. They are like Snap-on but with less finishing, more of a satin chrome, can usually be found in metric, and the demand for them seems fairly low.
The later Bonney MEB wrenches (also available as Matco) with V-cut open end would also be a consideration. The early Husky (two lines on each side of the all caps logo with an L leg coming off the H) were also good ones.
There’s so many options on the used market. All you have to do is ask here which ones to get. We’d love to argue about that too!
One more thing, the Wright wrenches are beefy and more of a standard pattern than long. They are comfortable but also heavier.
For instance, a 5/8” WrightGrip is 5.6oz (160g) and a Snap-on is 4.7oz (134g) although being longer. This might be something to consider especially when swinging the larger wrenches at 6 pm on a Friday.
Oh and since you’re a mud dauber, CATERPILLAR sources their wrenches thru Snap-on/Williams and you might be able to get a business discount, as the retail prices are heavy.
Welcome aboard here.
I get the appeal of buying a brand-new complete set that all matches.
I also see wisdom in buying used ones and assembling a set of high-quality pieces.
When I started out, I was dirt poor by most people's standards.
Boy was I in high cotton when I got my first Snap-on ratchet, an old out-dated chrome FV71!
When it came to wrenches, I built my first set with used individuals as I came across them. This was a time before eBay and FBM.
Having different brands made it easy to know which size I was grabbing.
If I was starting over again, I would still build a set, even if I had money. I just enjoy the variety.
The USA-made Bluepoint (i.e. BOM12A or B, 12 being the size) long pattern (not short) wrenches would be on my radar. They are like Snap-on but with less finishing, more of a satin chrome, can usually be found in metric, and the demand for them seems fairly low.
The later Bonney MEB wrenches (also available as Matco) with V-cut open end would also be a consideration. The early Husky (two lines on each side of the all caps logo with an L leg coming off the H) were also good ones.
There’s so many options on the used market. All you have to do is ask here which ones to get. We’d love to argue about that too!
One more thing, the Wright wrenches are beefy and more of a standard pattern than long. They are comfortable but also heavier.
For instance, a 5/8” WrightGrip is 5.6oz (160g) and a Snap-on is 4.7oz (134g) although being longer. This might be something to consider especially when swinging the larger wrenches at 6 pm on a Friday.
Oh and since you’re a mud dauber, CATERPILLAR sources their wrenches thru Snap-on/Williams and you might be able to get a business discount, as the retail prices are heavy.
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OP
Halfsackzac
Member
I do want opinions just didn’t feel like it needed to turn into an argument.
OP
Halfsackzac
Member
Thank you very much! This was a lot of good info! I will be looking into all of this.@Halfsackzac
Welcome aboard here.
I get the appeal of buying a brand-new complete set that all matches.
I also see wisdom in buying used ones and assembling a set of high-quality pieces.
When I started out, I was dirt poor by most people's standards.
Boy was I in high cotton when I got my first Snap-on ratchet, an old out-dated chrome FV71!
When it came to wrenches, I built my first set with used individuals as I came across them. This was a time before eBay and FBM.
Having different brands made it easy to know which size I was grabbing.
If I was starting over again, I would still build a set, even if I had money. I just enjoy the variety.
The USA-made Bluepoint (i.e. BOM12A or B, 12 being the size) long pattern (not short) wrenches would be on my radar. They are like Snap-on but with less finishing, more of a satin chrome, can usually be found in metric, and the demand for them seems fairly low.
View attachment 2060895
The later Bonney MEB wrenches (also available as Matco) with V-cut open end would also be a consideration. The early Husky (two lines on each side of the all caps logo with an L leg coming off the H) were also good ones.
There’s so many options on the used market. All you have to do is ask here which ones to get. We’d love to argue about that too!
One more thing, the Wright wrenches are beefy and more of a standard pattern than long. They are comfortable but also heavier.
For instance, a 5/8” WrightGrip is 5.6oz (160g) and a Snap-on is 4.7oz (134g) although being longer. This might be something to consider especially when swinging the larger wrenches at 6 pm on a Friday.
Oh and since you’re a mud dauber, CATERPILLAR sources their wrenches thru Snap-on/Williams and you might be able to get a business discount, as the retail prices are heavy.
View attachment 2060896
And a few more wrenches just for a visual comparison:
View attachment 2060911
Firebrick43
Well-known member
I have snap on and wright grip. Unless there is a specific task needing a longer wrench I use the wrightgrips. I prefer them
I still use the piss out of my snap on ratcheting combos
As far as tekton, the last place I worked at would don’t let you bring your own tools and my predecessor was buying the tech anything from anywhere but all cheap.
They wouldn’t let me spend big bucks to get every techs toolbox the same but they did let me buy tekton.
For the money it was excellent and we had good service from it. I don’t remember a single thing that was broke, all replacements were lost tools
I still use the piss out of my snap on ratcheting combos
As far as tekton, the last place I worked at would don’t let you bring your own tools and my predecessor was buying the tech anything from anywhere but all cheap.
They wouldn’t let me spend big bucks to get every techs toolbox the same but they did let me buy tekton.
For the money it was excellent and we had good service from it. I don’t remember a single thing that was broke, all replacements were lost tools
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2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
I have wright and snap on wrenches, and use Wright as my DD combos in satin finish. Nice to grab with grimy/oily hands. That actually my only real complaint with my snap-ons, like my angle wrenches. Sometimes it's like wrangling a fish trying to manipulate them in an obscure spot. But they're great angle wrenches, so I accept it.
I have many, many brands of wrenches. I can promise you that snap on, proto, williams, and wright are in a category above others. These tools are better than the competition, among the best in the world. For someone who uses tools every day to make a living I feel the cost of contenders for "worlds best" are well within budget. Do you "need" them? Maybe, maybe not. I don't like to guess if my tool was up to the task, if I encounter an issue. I like to have the best on my team.
If my Wrights were to evaporate tomorrow, I would by a set immediately.
I have many, many brands of wrenches. I can promise you that snap on, proto, williams, and wright are in a category above others. These tools are better than the competition, among the best in the world. For someone who uses tools every day to make a living I feel the cost of contenders for "worlds best" are well within budget. Do you "need" them? Maybe, maybe not. I don't like to guess if my tool was up to the task, if I encounter an issue. I like to have the best on my team.
If my Wrights were to evaporate tomorrow, I would by a set immediately.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
You ever wish they were longer sometimes?
scooby074
Well-known member
TTC on yt has the answer. Myself, I used Snapon and CT Professional back when I did this for a living
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Honestly no, at most "very rarely". If I need more length in a wrench, I use an long zero-offset wrench. Long patterns certainly have their uses. But I'm mostly using combo wrenches for quick adjusting of tubing/jam nuts with the open end, and preventing a fastener from spinning while impacting on the other end via the box end.
Neither of those really requires long pattern.
Hey man, just my two cents but the cornwell screwdrivers haven’t been great for me and I definitely regret buying them. Had horrible problems with the grips and have broken too many to count. I also bought the capri angle wrenches and ended up selling them a week later and bought some used Mac angle wrenches for pretty cheap. I can’t tell you exactly what it was about the capri wrenches but they just never really felt right in my hand. (Probably sounds dumb). Hopefully someone at your work has a set you could test out before you pull the trigger. As far as wrenches that I have, I just came to the realization that I have too many wrench sets, but Icon, Mac rbrt, caterpillar which I think are snap on rebranded, gear wrench and Tekton as well as husky and I’d recommend all of them. For the most part my go to is the Icon unless the bolt/nut is fudged up and then I’ll use the rbrt. For reference I work in the earthmoving division at a Caterpillar dealer.
E: husky’s and sometimes gear wrench normally get notched or chopped or grinded down when I’m in a pinch. Although fitment is a little sloppy dependent on the wrench, probably bad quality control, they’ve never caused me to round a bolt.
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BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
Over the years, I have used this one of trial method on various types of tools and have found many of My favorite tools for use on certain tasks as a result.
Agreed...if I needed a set of wrenches, I'd probably grab these.
micromind
Well-known member
Isn't that what they make pipes for?........lol.
cherrybomb
Well-known member
Yes,I agree,if you don't have a way to borrow a tool ,thats the way to finalize your buying decision.
CGarage
Well-known member
Watch this
CGarage
Well-known member
I agree, I prefer satin finish.
There German wrench makers have satin finish as well, like Gedore, and I love this finish.
Hazet and Stahlwille, too.
It seems the high polish chrome is only an American obsession!
As far as commonly available US brands I like your list, but the Mac wrenches should be included, too.
They are top quality.
cherrybomb
Well-known member
The video helps convince me that my Proto will get the job done.When I asked a old guy at work for a recommendation, he said Proto!
richfinn
Well-known member
I prefer my Stahlwille 14 series (Automotive Tech) to my Snap-Ons, I prefer the slightly cranked box end for clearance, satin finish, comfortable in the hand, lighter in weight, flank drive (or a version of it) and you can buy any size you want worldwide in singles rather than sets, I doubt they will change the pattern any time soon.
You don't seem to be able to get SAE in this pattern though (that I've ever seen)
You don't seem to be able to get SAE in this pattern though (that I've ever seen)
turnthewrench 2.0
Well-known member
My favorite, but if I were in the OP's position, I would focus on Taiwan, not on brand. Saves you a bunch.
OP
Halfsackzac
Member
Settled on 18pc wright grip 2.0s, ordered them today.
Yes I too like the series 14 on automotive and anything with limited space issues.
This style of satin finish is ergonomically very good and also highly durable and stays looking good for decades .
They did imperial (AF) sets of series 14, I've got some but perhaps no longer do so would need be used set or NOS if wanted Imperial set currently !
One thing snapon doesn't do great is ergonomic grip finish on tools like wrenches sockets and extensions, easy improve as would be size markings but they done nothing in decades to add options for consumer finish preference/benefits .
I think wright be good choice for OP if going new and the satin finish be handy, a fair price on tidy used set of snapon never a mistake and they never really going loose much more value so you likely shift them on if no longer wanted with no to minimal financial loss .
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Spareparts
Well-known member
Can't believe that no one has mentioned EPSTEIN TOOL in Kansas City Mo. they have a web site and if ever in the KC area it is well
worth a visit, they have just about every brand except tool truck brands. They have blems of a lot of brands, stamping images irregularities
and well below list price, Their Crescent wrenches are their brand name and made by Western Forge, best in the business, they do tool kits for the Government, They are in an old hardware store and i you go in there it's like going back 75 yrs, harryepstien.com.
They have Epstein Tool Days once a year,don't know the date but I am sure someone here will post it. It will be on their web site
worth a visit, they have just about every brand except tool truck brands. They have blems of a lot of brands, stamping images irregularities
and well below list price, Their Crescent wrenches are their brand name and made by Western Forge, best in the business, they do tool kits for the Government, They are in an old hardware store and i you go in there it's like going back 75 yrs, harryepstien.com.
They have Epstein Tool Days once a year,don't know the date but I am sure someone here will post it. It will be on their web site
You're just delicious like that.