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Suggestion for DIY thin open end wrench set

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db55

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Joined
Feb 21, 2019
Messages
6
Location
Los Gatos, CA
Hi,
I'm a DIY guy who needs a thin (~1/8", no more than 3/16") 7/8" open end wrench to repair a cart. I inherited 2 sets of thin open end wrenches but unfortunately both sets top out at 11/16". I've been looking on Amazon and there are a several SAE sets (no 7/8" individual wrenches) with brands like Duratech, Der Erwacht, Royars, YIYEIE, & Grip all priced ~$30. I assume that all of these brands are either made in China, India, or some other 3rd world country. I've read good things about Capri on this website but I haven't found any Capri thin wrenches online that are 7/8". I'm not a mechanic so I don't need super durable tools professional tools and I'd like to keep the cost down. Any suggestions or experiences? Thanks!
 
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wtn1271

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Jul 29, 2019
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attached
Might look at Park tools for bicycles. They make lots of thin profile stuff, might be mostly metric but could convert the SAE size to get close. Probably other bicycle tool companies out there that may be cheaper; check ebay too.
 
W

WWheeler

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Jun 23, 2015
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Middleofnowhere USA
Craftsman V 3/4" X 7/8" Open End Thin Tappet Wrench NO. 4 USA Vintage - $12.49 + Free shipping
www.ebay.com

Craftsman V 3/4" X 7/8" Open End Thin Tappet Wrench NO. 4 USA Vintage | eBay

Craftsman V 3/4" X 7/8" Open End Thin Tappet Wrench NO. 4 USA Vintage.
www.ebay.com

I measured my old USA craftsman 7/8" tappet wrench like that one and it's about 6.1mm thick. If you can find a newer chinese made Craftsman tappet wrench they are full polish and the 7/8" is a little under 6mm if that matters to you.

More options: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?campid=5338192028&kw=7/8" tappet wrench&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&toolid=20004
 
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D

dogdog

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Nov 15, 2011
Messages
12,711
I think homedepot have a set of Milwaukee brand thin open end wrench for sale right now double open ended, $30 or so.
They are about 1/2 the thickness of standard wrenches flat and no angle on it.

Hmm. Might be husky have to double check tomorrow
 
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MongoTA

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Mar 10, 2018
Messages
996
Location
CT
Did a search for "7/8" service wrench" and this came up: cheap wrench set

Service wrenches are typically thin, I use them on hydraulic lines.

Might be able to find an affordable single wrench out there. If not, when I've needed something pronto I've ground them out of thin steel before. Angle grinder with cutting disc to rough out, then fine tuned it on a bench grinder.
 
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nadogail

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Coronado, CA
I have made "Special" wrenches by carefully grinding wrenches to the thickness and profile i desired. I was very careful to avoid overheating the wrench and destroying the temper of the steel.

The process took some time, but in addition to getting the job done, I gained a useful "Special Tool"
 
R

richfinn

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Jan 29, 2011
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Location
Leeds, Yorkshire, England
wtn1271 said:
Might look at Park tools for bicycles. They make lots of thin profile stuff, might be mostly metric but could convert the SAE size to get close. Probably other bicycle tool companies out there that may be cheaper; check ebay too.
Click to expand...

I use Park Tools pedal wrench for holding the pin on sway bar links whilst I buzz the nylon nuts off with an impact, nice and long with a soft grip handle
 
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lardy1

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Mar 17, 2019
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Michigan
I have the Capri fractional set. I'm not impressed with the fitment at all and the 5/8 spread the first time I used it. For the record, they rarely get used and I have nothing to compare them with other than the several sheet metal wrenches I've accumulated over the years. I use them for hardware adjustment or for power tools more than anything so there isn't a lot of stress on them.
 
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humpty

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Dec 4, 2008
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Minneapolis, MN
I have the Facom extra slim wrench set and love them. Back when I worked for a living I used the heck out of them.
My set I only goes to 19mm but I know they sell individuals up to 24mm so if a 22mm would work for you it might be a solution.
I know Facom has all the specs of them on their website.
 
F

finn

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Another vote for a generic imported wrench and a bench grinder.

Mine are actually seventies Craftsman. I have modified maybe three or four over the years. They’re not pretty afterwards, but they always got the job done, and go back in the drawer until I need them again, usually five years later.

The first ones I modified were for bicycle pedals and adjusting valve lash (why they called those thin wrenches tappet wrenches back then). I have no qualms about modifying an existing tool, particularly if I have duplicates.
 
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neophyte

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Pennsylvannia
Research “Check Nut Wrenches”.
These were a standard wrench type decades ago.
In the USA, Martin and Proto still manufacture the design.
Armstrong used to sell them as well, but not in Metric.
The wrench part numbering system is usually standard across brands do to some system that was in place decades ago.
In my experience, Check Nut Wrenches are thinner than Tappet wrenches, at least in the case of the Craftsman/Armstrong Tappet wrenches.
The design is similar to the Bonney/Wright/Martin Service wrenches, but with a 15 degree offset, and usually thinner than the service wrenches.

Sorry, never mind.
7/8” check nut wrench is supposedly 1/4” thick.
 
B

BukitCase

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Apr 11, 2017
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Oregon
I have these, used 'em a few times for jam nuts/hydraulic "holder" (not "torquer", so far so good


They're pretty thin, if you ask I can measure the 7/8 wrench exactly.

BTW, 7/8 is NOT the "same" as 22mm - it's 22.225" - close enough for some, but unlikely the mm wrench would fit most 7/8" fasteners... Steve

Edit - just noticed that single is on the same link as Fuggie posted, it's supposedly EXACTLY 1/8" thick...

 
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Max

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Jun 16, 2018
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Georgia
Qualitytools said:
^ That and you may want to check out Capri tools. I have a metric thin set from them but not sure if the offer an SAE set.
Click to expand...
I have an older set of ignition wrenches (USA craftsman) and both the SAE and metric Capri sets. The Capri wrenches are good, but you need to realize that thin and really strong do not go together. :)

Super-Thin Open End Wrench Set Archives

capritools.com capritools.com
 
G

Gummi Bear

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Nov 5, 2006
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Sunset, Texas
I have the Capri in both SAE and Metric. So far, they're good.

I agree with Max above "thin and really strong do not go together"

I use them for maintenance around the farm and house. I'm not a professional mechanic.
 
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DadsTools

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Jul 27, 2017
Messages
1,852
I found this wrench online at ToolSource, super thin 7/8 x 15/16 open end:

Combination Super Thin Wrench - 7/8 x 15/16 | V8 Tools | 832426

V8 Tools 832426 Combination Super Thin Wrench - 7/8x 15/16 V8 Tools 832426 Combination Super Thin Wrench - 7/8x 15/16
www.toolsource.com www.toolsource.com

According to the mfr's website, it is 3.85mm thick, which is slightly more than 1/8" but less than 3/16:


This could serve your needs with buying only a single wrench.

I researched it because I'm still on mental momentum researching lengths for ratcheting box wrenches from different mfrs. You'd be amazed how hard it is to find the wrench lengths even directly from the mfr. Several had to email me back later. I'm still waiting for one to get back who said he had to contact an engineer in California. I love it when mfrs state "long" or "standard" lengths, but when you call them they can't tell you what that is. I inquired at NAPA once for a length of an "extra long" pattern wrench; they had to call their distribution center to get someone to take one off the shelf and physically measure it. When the wrench came in, it was about a 1/4" shorter than what they said. So these kinds of searches looking for a precise wrench measurement can be very frustrating. What are they thinking??

Anyway, I hope this suggestion is useful.
 
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