Sets that don’t match. Does it bother you?

[username2]

...I'm not a tool snob particularly but it would eat away at my soul until I replaced it with the correct spanner, that's how they get you nowadays, the organizers.

You know what they should sell at cost is foam organizers for large sets, plus maybe make the tools slightly different in dimensions so they fit well while other brands don't.

Between the human need for orderly rows, the allergy to tools touching each other, and the need to fill 'em up, profits are assured.

 

[Debcrow]

Yes!!!! I hate it when six are Chinese and the seventh is from Vietnam !!!!



I never look at the brand, I just grab the wrench and use it. If it is bad, it goes in the scrap heap and I grab another.
Function is everything. Everything else does not matter if it does not function correctly.

 

[slim_grim]

Not in the slightest. In fact, I enjoy cruising flea markets, eBay, or similar sources to piece together quality tool sets on the cheap.

 

[lund]

For wrenches and sockets I like it better when I have a full matched set in useful size ranges without skips. It can help find needed sizes and types. But I like it with wrenches when the different styles (box end, open end, combo, etc) are different brands etc. That helps me quickly identify the group in sometimes messy piles of tools and parts when I am working on things. For carpentry tools, pliers, etc. I do not care at all if things match or not. I mix in whatever I think might work best and the different looks can help identify things quickly.

So i guess it depends. Logically it should not matter much though. These are tools that should be used and not jewelry. But I will spend some time if I lose a wrench or socket to find a closely matched replacement. So I cannot claim immunity from OCD. But generally, I have been pretty good at not losing or damaging stuff though. Some sizes really are not used much also. But if one has a full set in a range placed on racks and rails orderly, It makes it quicker to pick out the size needed.

 

[kjbenner]

This ought to give some of you guys a twitch. Wrench drawer of my track box

KD and Allen combo wrenches, I'm guessing you were buying from Cripe Distributing when you put that together?

 

[zmotorsports]

If I purchase a set, I like it to match. If I buy onesie twosies of things then that's on me and I don't pay quite as much attention to it.

This drawer bugs me though.



My old Snap-on set had the 1/2" wrench with the chrome start to peel about 8 years ago. My Snap-on guy warranted it no problem but it doesn't match the old ones in the set. The lettering of my set is the old style and have the size out on the ends, whereas the new 1/2" wrench has the newer block lettering and the size inboard of the open and box ends. I also have a 18mm ratcheting wrench that was replaced under warranty after they changed the design so it doesn't match.

When I open my wrench drawer, which is quite often, those are the two that jump right out and smack me upside the head.

It really shouldn't as the wrenches perform perfectly and as designed, but my eyes are drawn to those two in particular.

 

[speed bump]

I don't think I have a single contiguous set of anything hand tool wise. Find a wrench you like, buy one and try it, need a new size socket? buy whatever is convenient, break something? Unless warranty is super convenient buy whatever is handy.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Nope. I only work on a very small niche of cars. I have no-skip (mostly SK) complete sets with Snap-On singles mixed in. Love 'em or hate 'em but Snap-On is absolutely top-end for certain tools, or they make a tool they few others offer, and it matters for certain jobs.

-Ryan

 

[2ndGearRubber]

For wrenches, matched sets only. Very few wrenches between brands are the exact pattern/length/offset so to me they need to be complete sets. Im sure I have a dozen brands of wrenches or more. But a set typically offers a specific style, and I want all sizes in that style.

Starting out my wrench set was harbor freight, with matco/mac to fill the missing sizes.

 

[the shifty jesus]

Only most my sockets match, because I replaced the old ones all at once.
Everything else is all over the place. Metric and imperial wrenches are from two different companies, and anything bigger than standard is usually bought based on who has what I need, when I need it. There’s a lot of plus size Stuff in there from the Napa down the street.

 

[teknikfrog]

Imagine a wrench set. All Mac other than 2 wrenches. Those 2 are SK.

Does it bother you when they are not all the same as it was originally sold by the manufacturer?

Nope

 

[niget2002]

Have you seen the hodge podge set of wrenches I have in my cabinet? Heck, I have duplicates of some sizes and am completely missing others.

I should probably take stock of what I have and remedy this, but I don't have the time or care at this point in my life.

 

[shoggoth80]

How many of us have a nice set of something.
But, have a bucket of old crappy ones that we usually use because we don't want to wear-out, break, lose, etc. the ones in the good set?

Isn't that the junkyard box?

 

[Ohio Andy]

Yes it bothers me, but....

Some manufacturers do not offer no skip sets (I'm talking to you. Craftsman) or if I need / want to extend a set, etc

So, my primary box end wrench set does not match, and I have no intention of buying an entire new set just to make them match.

 

[richfinn]

If I purchase a set, I like it to match. If I buy onesie twosies of things then that's on me and I don't pay quite as much attention to it.

This drawer bugs me though.



My old Snap-on set had the 1/2" wrench with the chrome start to peel about 8 years ago. My Snap-on guy warranted it no problem but it doesn't match the old ones in the set. The lettering of my set is the old style and have the size out on the ends, whereas the new 1/2" wrench has the newer block lettering and the size inboard of the open and box ends. I also have a 18mm ratcheting wrench that was replaced under warranty after they changed the design so it doesn't match.

When I open my wrench drawer, which is quite often, those are the two that jump right out and smack me upside the head.

It really shouldn't as the wrenches perform perfectly and as designed, but my eyes are drawn to those two in particular.

OCD is somewhat normal for Professional Mechanics I think, it's "the knowing" it could be slightly more perfect, nobody else would even notice let alone care

I think working on cars for 35 years does that to a human!!!

 

[N8sToolz]

Kind of depends for me. Main line work tools that I spent a college education worth of money on.. yeah absolutely needs to match. There's some expectations when you grab a tool for it's fit and function.

For my home box or second line stuff, don't care... It's my misfit reject collection anyways.

 

[YukonRally]

I need the sets themselves to match. Like my wrenches are Icon, sockets are Gear Wrench. I'll mix brands, but need each "set" to match.

 

[GX460DIYguy]

I had planned to buy sets over time until I started finding deals. If I stumble upon a full set of something at a great price I’ll get it, but I’ll take random items as well to make sets as long as they’re quality and in good shape. I walked out of a shop with every proto, wright, and Williams combination wrench they had just to get some sae wrenches. Then a few days ago I came across a 1/4”-1” set of snap on wrenches for a decent price. I’ve got a pretty big variety of sockets brand wise that I use, but if I stumble across more I pick them up and will eventually have full sets of different brands. As long as they’re good and still have life left in them I’ll throw them in my box.

 

[dchawk81]

I bought all but one of my combination wrench sets new, so they naturally match.

The odd one is the SO 6 points that I cobbled together via eBay second hand. They're of various vintages and you really can only tell by the branding. The shapes/machining/forging all seem to be the same.

I was of the mind that SO 6 points were the bees knees until I got the Mac RBRT. And then the SO 12 FD+ points.

I waste a lot of money sometimes.

 

[Meursault74]

Does this match as a set?


Nope, I ordered that 1/4 separately a while after I had the other three. It was supposed to be the same as per the picture on the website. Yeah, it bothered me for a minute then I moved on.
Years later I saw NOS of the same 1/4 to match my set online and I bought it. I am now completely at peace

 

[dchawk81]

Does this match as a set?


Nope, I ordered that 1/4 separately a while after I had the other three. It was supposed to be the same as per the picture on the website. Yeah, it bothered me for a minute then I moved on.
Years later I saw NOS of the same 1/4 to match my set online and I bought it. I am now completely at peace

Can't even tell.

 

[Meursault74]

Can't even tell.

That's what the wood said.

 

[dchawk81]

That's what the wood she said.

Fixed.

 

[fishwatcher]

I searched for wrenches locally, on eBay and with the help of a fellow GJ’er to complete two sets of combination wrenches. Craftsman USA metric. And Blackhawk by Proto SAE.

My Blackhawk set had some gaps which I hunted down, and I had a few that had the Blackhawk name placed differently and that bothered me. Now they all match except for a 1” that is still Craftsman, not Blackhawk.

It only bothers me when I think about it.

I just took this picture and my 5/16” still doesn’t match the others.. but I’m over it.

Oh.. I have a few extras on the side that are random and that doesn’t bother me. They fit certain bolts in my garage so these extras make sense to me as they serve a purpose.

 

[Meursault74]

Fixed.

I don't think she'd say that. The odd one has a slightly larger handle and it's rubberized and textured.

 

[Meursault74]

I chased wrenches locally, on eBay and With the help of a fellow GJ’er to complete two sets of combination wrenches. Craftsman USA made metric. And Blackhawk by Proto SAE.

My Blackhawk set had some gaps which I hunted down, and I had a few that had the print and brand name placed differently and that bothered me. Now they all match except for a 1” that is still Craftsman, not Blackhawk.

It only bothers me when I think about it.

I have a "full" set (metric and SAE) of some Taiwan made combo wrenches I bought at Trak Auto likely more than 35 years ago. Crew Line is the name but suffice to say I found nothing on the internet about them at the time I looked. I thought it was a full set. I don't know if it came with an 18 mm or not or if I lost it at some point. I only realized it was missing the one time I needed an 18mm (nephews big box store level kids bike). I bought a KD 18mm combo wrench and put it in there to complete the set. I don't think I've needed to use that 18mm since. It doesn't bother me that it doesn't match because finding a match to that set would likely be very difficult.

I just googled and I at least saw one from that set being sold at a ridiculous price, thankfully not an 18mm.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[fishwatcher]

I have a "full" set (metric and SAE) of some Taiwan made combo wrenches I bought at Trak Auto likely more than 35 years ago. Crew Line is the name but suffice to say I found nothing on the internet about them at the time I looked. I thought it was a full set. I don't know if it came with an 18 mm or not or if I lost it at some point. I only realized it was missing the one time I needed an 18mm (nephews big box store level kids bike). I bought a KD 18mm combo wrench and put it in there to complete the set. I don't think I've needed to use that 18mm since. It doesn't bother me that it doesn't match because finding a match to that set would likely be very difficult.

I just googled and I at least saw one from that set being sold at a ridiculous price, thankfully not an 18mm.

Pardon Our Interruption...

I checked too.

There’s a 1” Blackhawk wrench on eBay. There’s no way I’m spending over $30 for a single wrench just to make it match.

 

[dchawk81]

I checked too.

There’s a 1” Blackhawk wrench on eBay. There’s no way I’m spending over $30 for a single wrench just to make it match.

I would.

Pretty sure I paid close to that for a Jobsmart...

I need a wife. She would look better in the heels that she says we need more than I would holding a generic wrench.

 

[Prospecter]

I don't have any sets. All my sockets, ratchets, and wrenches were acquired individually. I love having all the great brands I read about here. I can't say as I see much difference between the "good" brands. Not sure why old Craftsman gets all the love. Pittsburgh Pro seems to be as good, to me. I do try to stick with USA brands though.

 

[Caa311]

I needed a 1/2 inch for my KD set. Ebay had one $10 shipped. Had a craftsman in the wrench roll for 25 years no big deal but needed a set for a new box and just couldn't do it. In my tool bag it doesn't matter but in the shop box my OCD kicks in.

 

[speed bump]

I got curious, my main metric wrench set has 9 brands in it.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

Most of my wrenches are matching sets, while they are several different manufacturers, each set is from one manufacturer. Sockets are a different story, because they get lost or broken, my 1/4” drive MM standard lengths are a mixture of some no name Made In Taiwan and Made In USA CMan. The 1/4” SAE standards are all Made In USA but of different vintages because they were Dad’s and he either lost or broke them and replaced them with whatever Sears had. Same with my 1/2” SAE standard lengths. Since the set was Dad’s from 1948 there are BEs, -V- s, =V=s, and Gs. The only ones that really stand out are the original BEs because they have no chrome on them.

 

[cgrutt]

I definitely prefer full matching sets. I put together a used set of 1/2" Snap on impacts from 10 to 27 plus a 30mm and it bothers me that some of the sockets are different years even though they are same series/part numbers because the sockets sometimes look different from year to year (different markings etc) but what bothers me most is missing sockets. I just recently could have used a 29mm but didn't have one (I have several different brands but no 29mm among them). Got to source a 28 and 29 now to complete that set...

 

[username2]

It seems to me that another potential profit opportunity for the tool companies, especially considering that it's just an exercise in repackaging existing products, is to expand the all-styles-of-a-given-size concept that was pioneered by the 10mm socket sets.

Need a 9/16" socket to work on your old Nova? Get the 9/16" rail from Gearwrench with 10 sockets on it. They'll all match, but in a different way. Home players might get away with less of those than you might think. I think that GW make 8, 10, 12mm rails, so I think the Toyota people are at least partly covered.

 

[64C10]

The only place that I demand a perfect matching set is in my little tool tray/caddy that sits on my bench. I put this thing together as an apprentice and I don’t think my brain could process any variance from normal.

 

[username2]

It seems to me that another potential profit opportunity for the tool companies, especially considering that it's just an exercise in repackaging existing products, is to expand the all-styles-of-a-given-size concept that was pioneered by the 10mm socket sets.

Need a 9/16" socket to work on your old Nova? Get the 9/16" rail from Gearwrench with 10 sockets on it. They'll all match, but in a different way. Home players might get away with less of those than you might think. I think that GW make 8, 10, 12mm rails, so I think the Toyota people are at least partly covered.

Well, by golly.

Husky SAE 9/16 in. Socket Set (8-Piece) HV8SKT916 - The Home Depot

Husky sockets are forged from chrome alloy steel and heat treated for outstanding strength and wear protection, providing the durability for a lifetime of hard use. Each socket features chamfered lead-ins

www.homedepot.com

Husky SAE 1/2 in. Socket Set (8-Piece) HV8SKT12 - The Home Depot

Husky sockets are forged from chrome alloy steel and heat treated for outstanding strength and wear protection, providing the durability for a lifetime of hard use. Each socket features chamfered lead-ins

www.homedepot.com

 

[toolmiser]

I was working towards a complete set of SK 1/2" metric sockets using the "socket of the month club" , it didn't end up the way I had planned. Just noticed yesterday that I have a few holes to fill

 

[Kurt4440]

I was working towards a complete set of SK 1/2" metric sockets using the "socket of the month club" , it didn't end up the way I had planned. Just noticed yesterday that I have a few holes to fill

Your word choice in the last sentence caused me to picture a magnetic socket holder with an incomplete socket set, but, when I read it a second time by itself, I laughed.

 

[mixerfixer]

Imagine a wrench set. All Mac other than 2 wrenches. Those 2 are SK.

Does it bother you when they are not all the same as it was originally sold by the manufacturer?

When I was younger, yes. Now I just buy what I need. I work for a Cat dealer. We use 16mm and 18mm for the bulk of the day. Then some 24, 30 and 36. Most hydraulic lines are SAE. Now, I just buy just what I need but I have several, several”air quotes”, versions of each size and length to get around stuff.

 

[Packard V8]

Does it bother you when they are not all the same as it was originally sold by the manufacturer?

The first set of tools I had came from the US Army Depot in Pirmasens, Germany; these were genuine WWII surplus. When someone needed a mechanics box, it was just thrown together with whatever came to hand and had at least one piece from every US tool manufacturer I'd ever heard of. They were all clean, serviceable and because of the mismatching, ugly as could be. I used them for several years, gradually finding better stuff at garage sales.

Then, one Saturday at a local yard sale, I hit the mother lode; complete sets of new black Snap-on DOE, combination, box end, 1/2"drive and 1/4"drive for $175. Forty years later, I'm still pissed at the guy for letting the 3/8" set get away. Backstory was these came home from the Alaska Pipeline project.

So yes, it bothers me that my 3/8"dr Snap-on set is chrome and not black.

jack vines