Might be worth separating big tools from passenger car sized tools. Ditto, maybe think about splitting metric and SAE. I find these groupings of tools fit very different sorts of products with very different needs.
Starting out
- Thread starter hollopoint
- Start date
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
I wouldn’t buy sets. Look up the fastener charts and determine what are the most common sizes and what the wrench/socket corollary is. Then buy those for a good brand. Snappy and other professional brands do not always offer you a better deal if you purchase a set versus singles. SAE is used way, way more than I ever thought in the household. Like everything within my walls are SAE. I bought a ton of metric stuff and unless I’m doing car/lawn care things it just sits.
Personally, as a dude who has used most wrench brands, I’d recommend Proto for MiUSA. Good length, ASD, lots of finish and size options, and everything can be found online with discounts and in stock. I’ve switched to the German brands though. I have zero need for ASD open ends and more times than not I’ve needed a thinner wrench than a beefy one. Plus my Stahlwille, Gedore, and Heyco wrenches just feel really, really good in my hands. But that’s a rabbit hole you don’t want to jump down…
Personally, as a dude who has used most wrench brands, I’d recommend Proto for MiUSA. Good length, ASD, lots of finish and size options, and everything can be found online with discounts and in stock. I’ve switched to the German brands though. I have zero need for ASD open ends and more times than not I’ve needed a thinner wrench than a beefy one. Plus my Stahlwille, Gedore, and Heyco wrenches just feel really, really good in my hands. But that’s a rabbit hole you don’t want to jump down…
mreisner
Well-known member
Of the two times I've needed Wright warranty in the last 20 years a 3 minute phone call and 2 to 3 days later in the mail took care of it no problem and no charge.
richfinn
Well-known member
You are young enough to get 30 or 40 years out of a set of wrenches.
Will you be able to replace individual wrenches with the exact same pattern in 5/10/20 years time?
How long realistically will SAE still be around (maybe you could go cheap or used on those)?
You like a satin finish and you are looking for high quality at reasonable cost?
My advice is go German with a set of Metric Stahlwille 14 series (they are GJ approved), you can pretty much avoid tool trucks and still get high quality tools if you do your research, which is a big advantage to enthusiasts and DIYers
Wright combo wrenches are very comfortable, and the price isn't that bad either. If budget is a concern, you could assemble a set of US wrenches from Cripe distributing very affordably. Since you live in the rust belt, I would also add a set of 6 point wrenches. I recently needed 15/16 6 point wrench asap and "settled" for a Gearwrench combo...and honestly it wasn't bad. Used can be fine, but as mentioned above, 12 points can be looser.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
If I was just starting out, and knew what I know now, I would buy Hazet.
Hazet 600SPC/10 is $99 bucks on Amazon (shipped from Amz U.K.)
10pc 8-19mm (skips 9, 11)
Hazet 600SPC/10 is $99 bucks on Amazon (shipped from Amz U.K.)
10pc 8-19mm (skips 9, 11)
rust in the eye
Well-known member
While Craftsman is often polarizing around here it undeniable that the vintage USA stuff is great bang for the buck, delusional sellers excepted. Garage sales and flea markets are full of it as are the classifieds here, Craigslist, FBMP, etc.
Where in the saltbelt are you? I'm nw of Chicago and thinning my herd. If you are nearby might be worth a visit.
Where in the saltbelt are you? I'm nw of Chicago and thinning my herd. If you are nearby might be worth a visit.
RAS61
Well-known member
I picked up a set of their double box wrenches a while back when there was an excellent sale, one way to gradually put together a top tier tool collection on a budget. The downside is I think they only offer metric
VolvoRyan
Well-known member
You sound like you're in a good place for making your own informed decisions.... not only for what works, but how you like to work. Reason I asked your age, is that when I was young (25-ish), I made a lot of bad choices. You sound like you have a much better grip on things than I did at your age.
Nowadays, I get mad at store brands from the box stores like Lowes and Home Depot. Kobalt used to be quite good a loing time ago. Now, not so much. I seem to do better at HF. Even their "cheap" tools are pretty good now.
Once I had a decent "foundation" of tools, I started dabbling into different brands to see how they feel. Try to figure out what problems you have with your current tools and what you work on, then upgrade those tools. I have individual Snap-On 6-pt combo wrenches mixed in with my SK's, because certain fasteners I encounter are always hateful.
Respect back at'cha, thanks! I have a number of used Snap-On and old USA Bluepoint passed down from a mentor. A LOT of the tools are indeed still 100% awesome. The SO combo wrenches date to the 1980's, and are still very good after 20 years of flat rate. I bought a couple from eBay just to complete the set. Even the open-ends are still tight. The 1970's BP adjustable wrenches are as good as (if not better than most) anything new today. On the other hand, the sockets are *really* worn out. Some other tools were well worn, too. As you say, buy carefully, and used does work!
I was also sure to buy new Snap-On when I could. Not everything SO makes is my cup of tea, but their tools are mostly just plain awesome (except for reading their sockets). There are tools they make that no one can really match. They're a good company, too. I have a breaker bar from 1978 that finally broke its anvil after 30 years of flat rate. It was a hand-me-down from a friend/mentor, so it had some sentimental value. Snap-On owed me nothing. I asked if I could buy repair parts. Nope, can't *buy* them. Instead, they overnighted new parts to me. My friend who bought the tool in 1978 (alive, but retired) razzed me a bit, because I could have gotten a whole new breaker bar from Snap-On if I tried.
-Ryan
RAS61
Well-known member
The Professional line of wrenches were very nice IMO. They were made in the USA by Armstrong, I put together a set of the latter at a great price from Cripes years ago, they may still have enough NOS
Lots of tool box photos on Garage Journal show tools that have either not been used or barely used, so don't go overboard. There are alot of good tool brands out there...even the "cheap" stuff isn't that bad these days. They all will turn the nut/screw no matter the brand. Unless you need everything NOW, skip the big kits and look for deals. Christmas time/holidays you often find deals on "package sets". Careful to buy those sets if you're not going to need what is in the set. They will add items not often needed to give a perception of value. Buy what you can afford. No need to have tool truck debt, just because they claim to be the best. 35 years back I started as a dealer mechanic; back then I bought a cheap set of impact sockets because I couldn't afford the tool truck brand. I still have those cheap sockets today. I've since moved on to other career paths. Personally I think its important to have a good set of wrenches and sockets, 1/4" to 3/4" diameters at minimum and their metric equals, in at least 3/8" drive for a sockets. This is 80% of what you'll commonly use. Fill in the other sizes as needed. The ratchets, extensions, hammers, pliers, etc. buy as needed. Read the reviews on Garage Journal for various tools and pick what works for you. I say this because some seem to to be fans of one brand or another. There is good and bad about all brands whether it be strength, availability or convenience.
Tynee
Well-known member
From the list in your original post, I own both Tekton and Carlyle wrenches along with 90's Craftsman and Snap-on. Someone posted earlier that they'd had a poor experience with Carlyle, I've had exactly the opposite experience. I'd pay the premium to buy more of the Carlyle wrenches long before I'd buy more Tekton, and I actually like Tekton tools. I'd put the Carlyle much closer to my Snap-on's than I would to the Tektons.
If I were starting an all new collection of tools from scratch right now, I'd start with Carlyle wrenches and sockets. I'd turn the sockets with either Snap-on or Carlyle ratchets, depending on which specific specs and features I was looking for. I'd buy screwdrivers from Snap-on (or Williams) and Klein. I'd buy pliers from Klein and Channellock. I'd buy ball pein hammers from Vaughan.
These are all assuming new, not gently used, and are all recommendations based on what I've used and prefer. I'm SURE there are brands out there that I haven't used that could change these recommendations, but this is my best recommendation knowing what I know right now after only about 30 years of using tools in a very similar fashion to what you describe. Hope it helps.
If I were starting an all new collection of tools from scratch right now, I'd start with Carlyle wrenches and sockets. I'd turn the sockets with either Snap-on or Carlyle ratchets, depending on which specific specs and features I was looking for. I'd buy screwdrivers from Snap-on (or Williams) and Klein. I'd buy pliers from Klein and Channellock. I'd buy ball pein hammers from Vaughan.
These are all assuming new, not gently used, and are all recommendations based on what I've used and prefer. I'm SURE there are brands out there that I haven't used that could change these recommendations, but this is my best recommendation knowing what I know right now after only about 30 years of using tools in a very similar fashion to what you describe. Hope it helps.
OP
hollopoint
Member
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2024
- Messages
- 7
I am up to the far north of you, Upper peninsula. I'll be sure to check out the classifieds here and check on Craigslist as well.
Again, thank you to all who have contributed to this thread so far. I didn't think I'd get much for replies, but was surprisingly overwhelmed. All the different options are certainly going to be mind boggling.
The way I'm looking at it right now, I'm thinking I may go wright or proto for more commonly used sizes, and maybe tekton or carlyle, or even icon for bigger less commonly used wrenches like 21mm+ or 1"+
I think I may also pick up some Hazet or Facoms, or similar thinner wrenches. There's been many a time I've encountered 2 fittings/nuts tight together with no room, and I've had to grind down the open end of a wrench.
This also opens up the option to start researching into tool boxes
another can of worms. I'll also keep my eyes open on the local marketplaces to see if maybe someone is retiring from the trade and selling a box + tools.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
600NA series is the SAE combos.
Here is my .02 cents worth. There are a lot of great tools out there at reasonable costs. Astro has a warranty that can't be beat. And they sell for a reasonable price. Harbor Freight has a "Chief" air hammer that beat Snap On, however it is rarely discussed on this forum. Speaking of Snap On, they will make you a very tempting offer on a tool set. However the finance charges and payments will take there toll. Same for Mac tools. Rigid has some very powerful impact wrenches at a good price at Home Depo when on sale. In closing you sound like you have things well in hand. Good luck in your search, Ken
I’m of the opinion that once you get past a certain size range the quality of the wrench matters less. The simple fact is there’s so much steel in the larger sizes failure is very unlikely even in a lower quality tool.
Now to totally go against that train of thought. My most used wrench set is a little 5/16 - 3/4 set I bought years ago at Tractor Supply for something like $5.99. Or maybe it was $4.99? Anyway they’ve rode on my work truck for years and despite having better wrenches that’s the set I grab 99% of the time when dealing with smaller SAE fasteners. They’ve never failed to do what I needed of them.
On the flip side I have a set of Stanley sourced Lowe’s Craftsman metric wrenches that while still being cheap wrenches cost significantly more that the Tractor Supply set. I consider them junk.
I will say it’s way harder to find a “complete” metric set than it is a “complete” SAE set. It’s rare to see skips in an SAE set. However it’s very rare to not see skips in a metric set.
Because of this you can rule out almost all of the cheap import metric wrench sets because they always have skips!
I think Tekton is your obvious answer, atleast for metric.
I think for SAE the answer isn’t as obvious. While Tekton would still be a solid choice, you’d probably be just as well off with something like Gear Wrench.
Now to totally go against that train of thought. My most used wrench set is a little 5/16 - 3/4 set I bought years ago at Tractor Supply for something like $5.99. Or maybe it was $4.99? Anyway they’ve rode on my work truck for years and despite having better wrenches that’s the set I grab 99% of the time when dealing with smaller SAE fasteners. They’ve never failed to do what I needed of them.
On the flip side I have a set of Stanley sourced Lowe’s Craftsman metric wrenches that while still being cheap wrenches cost significantly more that the Tractor Supply set. I consider them junk.
I will say it’s way harder to find a “complete” metric set than it is a “complete” SAE set. It’s rare to see skips in an SAE set. However it’s very rare to not see skips in a metric set.
Because of this you can rule out almost all of the cheap import metric wrench sets because they always have skips!
I think Tekton is your obvious answer, atleast for metric.
I think for SAE the answer isn’t as obvious. While Tekton would still be a solid choice, you’d probably be just as well off with something like Gear Wrench.
richfinn
Well-known member
I usually recommend this set to anybody looking for good quality/value for money.
You can always find individual wrenches in any size to expand the set/replace any lost spanners.
Not sure how VAT would work, or how much shipping would be??
www.primetools.co.uk
You can always find individual wrenches in any size to expand the set/replace any lost spanners.
Not sure how VAT would work, or how much shipping would be??
Stahlwille 14/17 17 Piece Open Box Long Combination Spanner Set 6-22mm
Contains: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 & 22mm.
www.primetools.co.uk
cherrybomb
Well-known member
Now that you stated that dreaded word 'Rust belt' it kinda changes the game.I'm with you,so I recommend Proto, or Stahwille,that satin finish you will come to enjoy.You are young enough to get 30 or 40 years out of a set of wrenches.
Will you be able to replace individual wrenches with the exact same pattern in 5/10/20 years time?
How long realistically will SAE still be around (maybe you could go cheap or used on those)?
You like a satin finish and you are looking for high quality at reasonable cost?
My advice is go German with a set of Metric Stahlwille 14 series (they are GJ approved), you can pretty much avoid tool trucks and still get high quality tools if you do your research, which is a big advantage to enthusiasts and DIYers
genog
Well-known member
Good advise.
If you are not worried about a matching set of wrenches, then you can put together a Great set from Cripe.
Or...
This set of polished Wright combs was only $154 from Harry J. Epstein
This has actually been discussed quite a bit here after the TTC tests were done- there's no conspiracy here to not admit that HF sells some good stuff. But "beat" depends on what you value. Maybe the Chief hit a little harder, I don't remember but guess it did, but I do remember that it was also basically on and off. The Snap On excels in both brute power (for a .401 shank gun) and trigger control; only a few guns currently combine those two features. Oh, and of course Snap On also excels in high price LOL.
Anyway, the above is OT, so I won't comment on it again.
Getting back to wrenches, if OP can swing the $, I'd put in a vote for Williams USA, Proto, Wright. There are various wrench tests on Youtube (Project Farm, Torque Test Channel) so you should watch them and decide whether you think that extra few % performance is worth the cost. The Williams USA have a really fat beam and are very comfy to use, and did fairly well in testing. I personally wouldn't consider the German brands for combo wrenches (oh the horror!) as the US, and so many other, brands do this really well; I don't recall the German brands excelling over the better US brands in testing. I do have some DBE Stahlwilles, and like them, but if I was buying combos I personally wouldn't buy Stahlwille or Gedore.
I was surprised that several people here mentioned the Carlyle wrenches were soft as they had a crazy high hardness in the TTC test. Obviously hardness will statistically vary, but that was a surprise. I personally wouldn't pay the Napa regular price for anything Carlyle though.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
IIRC the chief actually lost by just a bit with higher line pressure. But what the 3050 actually excels in is a usable trigger. If you want just power and don't want to go .498 a chief would probably be the best option.
My Carlyle wrenches literally dented from light use. They were SAE and I work on modern passenger vehicles. Can't recommend.
Astro 401k is a hammer worth looking at too. I bought one for a friend and it has a good trigger and power.
Spend your money on high end combination wrenches and ratchets and save cost on sockets. Top tier SAE wrenches are easy to get great deals on. For metric, Snap-On, Proto, or Wright make fine choices that will serve you well. Buy the best ratchets you can reasonably afford in your primary drive size (3/8?) And go slightly lower quality for less frequently used tools. Don't be afraid to buy lightly used ratchets if it means a better product.
Save money by getting mid-tier sockets if you can't swing domestic, especially in SAE and less used drive sizes. Stanley has done more for the craftsman brand in the last 5 years than Sears did in 20 and I think their Taiwanese stuff is pretty nice. Tekton and Gearwrench could be good options too.
Quality is most apparent in ratchets and the open ends of wrenches. Low quality sockets are a lot easier to tolerate than low quality wrenches or ratchets.
Lastly, pace yourself and you might be able to avoid compromising quality by holding out for sales and deals over the next few years
Save money by getting mid-tier sockets if you can't swing domestic, especially in SAE and less used drive sizes. Stanley has done more for the craftsman brand in the last 5 years than Sears did in 20 and I think their Taiwanese stuff is pretty nice. Tekton and Gearwrench could be good options too.
Quality is most apparent in ratchets and the open ends of wrenches. Low quality sockets are a lot easier to tolerate than low quality wrenches or ratchets.
Lastly, pace yourself and you might be able to avoid compromising quality by holding out for sales and deals over the next few years
Wamsutta
Well-known member
The most important part of a wrench is its edge; that's the part in contact with your hand. Stay away from thin square edges.