Stubby opinion

[g2shuck]

What is your guys opinion on these stubby wrenches? Not a full time mechanic just work on cars on the side so can't justify snap on as much as I would love to have them. I also looked at gearwrench but like that if I break a craftsman sears is at the end of the street.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-professional-11-pc-standard-full-polish-12/p-00944138000P?prdNo=2

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-professional-11-pc-metric-full-polish-12/p-00944139000P?prdNo=3

 

[loranger]

Get the 20 piece. I have read that the smaller sets are made in china. The 20 piece is $85 on sale minus the coupons, and they are US!

Edit: Heres the link. They show unavailable now, but they come back every few days.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-prof...0934956000P?prdNo=44&blockNo=44&blockType=G44

 

[kblazer87]

I have them in both metric and SAE. Owned and sold 5 sets of snap on stubbies in last 3 years. I like these better. Have had them for 12 years or so.

 

[g2shuck]

Awesome. Never would of dreamed to hear somebody say they liked them more than their snap on.

 

[g2shuck]

Get the 20 piece. I have read that the smaller sets are made in china. The 20 piece is $85 on sale minus the coupons, and they are US!

Edit: Heres the link. They show unavailable now, but they come back every few days.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-prof...0934956000P?prdNo=44&blockNo=44&blockType=G44

Was looking at that set but like you said unavailable

 

[jim1987]

If it helps you any, id get the cheapest set I was comfortable with. Be it this set or another. If you can apply enough torque from your hand to break a stubby, you are truly amazing, or stupid depind. Lol

 

[Nanashi]

If it helps you any, id get the cheapest set I was comfortable with. Be it this set or another. If you can apply enough torque from your hand to break a stubby, you are truly amazing, or stupid depind. Lol

Its not just about braking it. You dont want to buy to cheap for other reasons. You dont want the heads to spread, the better brands have a better profile over all and a good brand is going to have a tighter more zeroed in fit not to mention just be smaller and thinner in most cases.

Craftsman makes a decent wrench so any style craftsman stubby is going to probably be good. I like craftsmans pro line. That first set you posted a link to has a pretty big head. Out of the two sets you posted Id go with the raised panel (second set).

 

[gtermini]

I can't speak for the Craftsman wrenches, as I have both sets by Snappy. I love them. About half the time I reach for a wrench, I grab a stubby. You won't regret owning them.

Greyson

 

[Alienbaby17]

I have a set of the standard and metric Craftsman stubby wrenches. I bought them many years ago when they were first introduced. The original set I bought seems to be slightly different than the current versions. The older ones were very flat and didn't feature the slightly raised center portion the newer models have. Not a big difference, just an observation.

I have lost at least one over the years and replaced it with a Snap-On equivalent, mostly for the convenience factor of having the SO dealer at the shop rather than me having to go to Sears to buy a replacement Craftsman model. I have noticed very little difference.

I think the Craftsman stubbies are very nice- especially for the money.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I went with the Williams (Taiwan) stubby wrenches (same as Blue Point). Used them regularly in a truck dealership. Not one complaint. Fitment, finish and feel are all excellent.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DNVF1Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DNYGC6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[nicksnothereman]

What is your guys opinion on these stubby wrenches? Not a full time mechanic just work on cars on the side so can't justify snap on as much as I would love to have them. I also looked at gearwrench but like that if I break a craftsman sears is at the end of the street.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-professional-11-pc-standard-full-polish-12/p-00944138000P?prdNo=2

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-professional-11-pc-metric-full-polish-12/p-00944139000P?prdNo=3

Do you really need stubby wrenches?

Okay, you're saying you do and you just missed the big clearance on the craftsman professional/industrial stuff less than a month ago. Well...if you can warranty these in store they might be worth it so check out what your store actually stocks.

Are these better than the 5 piece kobalt stubbies people are buying for less than 5 bucks on clearance (in some places)? Hahahahaha...I won't make that call. Armstrong (branded as craftsman) would be slightly better, craftsman chinese wouldn't. Of course this is a more complete set but I'm not sure they're cost justified.

 

[1950mercury]

You wont be disappointed, but if it were my money id buy ratcheting

 

[g2shuck]

I went with the Williams (Taiwan) stubby wrenches (same as Blue Point). Used them regularly in a truck dealership. Not one complaint. Fitment, finish and feel are all excellent.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DNVF1Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DNYGC6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Wow I'm liking that option way better.

Do you really need stubby wrenches?

Okay, you're saying you do and you just missed the big clearance on the craftsman professional/industrial stuff less than a month ago. Well...if you can warranty these in store they might be worth it so check out what your store actually stocks.

Are these better than the 5 piece kobalt stubbies people are buying for less than 5 bucks on clearance (in some places)? Hahahahaha...I won't make that call. Armstrong (branded as craftsman) would be slightly better, craftsman chinese wouldn't. Of course this is a more complete set but I'm not sure they're cost justified.

I would get the kobalt if any were around here.

 

[espyking83]

I have a set of Williams (Taiwan), and honestly, they're great stubby wrenches.

 

[Pumpman1968]

Do you need larger sizes in stubby? I don't think I've ever used anything bigger than 13/16" in a stubby.

Someone else mentioned ratcheting.........that's the way to go. I just got this Gearwrench set http://www.sears.com/gearwrench-32p...edirect=true&sLevel=0&redirectType=SKIP_LEVEL

Was on sale for $85.00 plus free shipping.....plus when you dig around, there are always Sears coupon codes to use.

 

[Pumpman1968]

Or...if your not into ratcheting or Gearwrench, look at these Kobalt USA old stock stubbies.........made by Williams..... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kobalt-7pc-...21275334?pt=US_Hand_Tools&hash=item5ae0f601c6

Cripes also has the SAE sets, same price $28.00 plus shipping.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Do you need larger sizes in stubby? I don't think I've ever used anything bigger than 13/16" in a stubby.

I agree...It's not like your going to find a 3/4" fastner in tight place when working on your car(s).....

 

[bobcatdan]

For stubbies I like SK. I do like the larger sizes, SK goes to 1" and 24mm.

 

[wvrailroader]

Cripe Distributing on eBay has the 7 piece USA made Kobalt sets for $28 each plus shipping if you want to go that route.

 

[Terra Nova]

Agreed, get the 20 piece set if you can. I have a full set of those in SAE and a few individuals in metric. Very nice wrenches for the $$. As mentioned don't get the current Craftsman Pros as they are made in China and look a lot better in those pictures than in person.

The Williams posted look good. I couldn't find the missing matching Craftsman stubbies locally to complete my metric set so I picked up some Kobalts for a job I needed one on. So far they work. Not as nice as the Craftsman but do the job.

 

[tube_guy]

The Craftsman stubby wrenches were changed in the past few years, so anyone that's telling you they like their Craftsman stubby wrenches and they've had them longer than that, they're talking about the older made in USA version. Those were really nice wrenches. The stubby wrenches you've linked to, as far as I know, are the newer made in China replacements. Especially in the first link you posted. Just so you know, they not the same wrench at all. The 20 piece set that comes and goes from stock is a good buy because you'll get the, no longer produced, made in USA wrenches and not the Chinese wrenches. Without that option, I think the Taiwan made Williams sets are a pretty good buy, but if there's a problem you probably won't be able to warrantee them so easily. It’s pretty unlikely that you’d have to warrantee a stubby wrench though. There's also an older USA made Williams metric set available at:

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/WilliamsD/WLMSTBY.html

Those are also very nice wrenches but have a satin finish.

 

[doodah man]

There's probably a Lowe's close by too. I have the SAE set. It doesn't go as high as the Cman set, but for the $$$, I'm happy. Looks like you could 12 wrenches for $17 out the door.

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=338608-25428-85555

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=338607-25428-85554

 

[Coach James]

The Kobalt sent does not include a 10mm. On two of my vehicles, I use a 10mm often.

Coach

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

It's really hard to beat the Craftsman Industrial 20pc set after the Save15 coupon and free shipping.

 

[jeremy v]

If you are into function more than form you might want to save your money and instead get some cheap regular or long pattern combination wrench sets and then cut all of them in half to make your own stubbies. They are cheaper to buy, and the main benefit is that there isn't a large head on the end of the handle getting in the way and reducing swing arc in tight locations. I made mine from sets of Taiwan made Allen combo wrenches from Cripe and then I filled in the couple missing sizes with other inexpensive wrenches. I also ground off all the chamfer on the box ends so they fully engage the fasteners for less chance of slipping when wrenching in areas that I can't see visually.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Allen-Combi...31521810?pt=US_Hand_Tools&hash=item4d18fa0b12

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Allen-Combi...98219184?pt=US_Hand_Tools&hash=item5afd6397b0

 

[Alienbaby17]

To piggyback on what a couple of the others have said, I also strongly prefer the ratcheting versions of stubby wrenches.

I bought my non-ratcheting stubbies (Craftsman) probably 10-15 years ago. Then later as part of a Snap-On promotion I ended up with a set of ratcheting Blue Point stubby wrenches. I love them. I use the ratcheting ones probably 9 out of 10 times when I use a stubby wrench. I have a set of the Gear Wrench ratcheting wrenches and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them for the money if they offer a ratcheting stubby set.

The wrenches over 3/4" are pretty useless. Anything big enough to require them often takes more torque than you can get with the stubby wrenches. The 7/8" can sometimes be useful for oxygen sensors.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I use ratcheting gearwrench stubbies. I like the option of not having to keep pulling the wrench off in a tight spot.

MM 8,10,12,13,14,15,17,18
SAE 5/16,3/8,7/16,1/2,9/16,5/8,11/16,3/4

 

[TAMPAGT07]

The Kobalt sent does not include a 10mm. On two of my vehicles, I use a 10mm often.

Coach

That's weird... 10 mm is a popular size...

 

[jeremy v]

To piggyback on what a couple of the others have said, I also strongly prefer the ratcheting versions of stubby wrenches.

I also agree with this, and I forgot to mention this previously. In addition to the cut in half combo wrenches that I use as stubbies, I also have a set of metric only ratcheting stubby wrenches. They are my first choice as long as they fit around the fastener. I made mine from a cheap gently used set of Gearwrench ratcheting double box wrenches that I picked up a year or two ago. I just cut them in half and dressed the ends and that was it. The best part is that the set goes from 8mm to 19mm with no skipped sizes if you do it that way. If I need an open end I just grab the open end from my cut in half combo set pictured in post #25. Again, it is really nice not having a fat end on this stubby set as well.

 

[Chris_L]

Do you really need stubby wrenches?

Ever work on a rack and pinion?

 

[zakmartin]

I was told that the old USA Craftsman Pro stubbies I bought years ago were made by S-K. It's the 20-piece set. They really are fantastic wrenches. The polished Chinese lobster claw stubbies aren't even in the same ballpark.

 

[stage20]

I agree...It's not like your going to find a 3/4" fastner in tight place when working on your car(s).....

Do you need larger sizes in stubby? I don't think I've ever used anything bigger than 13/16" in a stubby.

Someone else mentioned ratcheting.........that's the way to go. I just got this Gearwrench set http://www.sears.com/gearwrench-32p...edirect=true&sLevel=0&redirectType=SKIP_LEVEL

Was on sale for $85.00 plus free shipping.....plus when you dig around, there are always Sears coupon codes to use.

i just picked up 13/16 7/8 and 1" craftsman high polish industrial from sears on clearance for 6 bucks. i usually use a wrench to hold the bolt so i can spin off the nut with my impact. not holding one side with a locking nut, the head usually spins. i use stubby or cut off wrench so i dont have to have a big long wrench under the car. im not sure if you can find them, but the craftsman industrial stubby is one of the nicest craftsman wrenches ive seen.

 

[hdpusher]

Got a set of HF stubbies and a set I cut down myself. Neither set looks pretty but when I need em looks don't count. Glad I saw your post I may check into the Cman stubs.

 

[BK13]

For stubbies I like SK. I do like the larger sizes, SK goes to 1" and 24mm.

I figure that's what I'll do when money starts coming in again, assuming I'm not making so much I can afford Snappys (not very damn likely).

 

[turmlos]

I believe the earlier, flat/smooth Craftsman stubbies were made by S-K. The raised panels that are still available today (the 20-piece set & open stock) are Danaher.

I've pieced together a Danaher set from various sources. The last piece of the puzzle, the 21mm, is on it's way. Fingers crossed as to whether it's US made or not...