Thin Head wrenches

[tearapin]

I am constantly finding myself reaching for thin head wrenches when working on my ATV. Seems it has perpetual clearance issues when it comes to fasteners. I have a collection over the years from motorcycle, car and other various factory tool kits. I am running out of luck as they are not complete sets.

Time to bite the bullet and buy a set. Any recommendations on what brand and where to get them?

 

[sparky 1971]

I have some Husky's that I bought at Home Depot a couple of months back. Really thin, but open ended. I will admit I haven't used them yet. It's one of those things I saw on the shelf and decided I would rather have it and not need than need it and not have it at 10 o'clock on a Sunday night.

 

[bob15]

I have a Mac set and a mixed set from Snap On.

Ebay is your friend.......

 

[Fedwrench]

I think many of the sets are rebadged.

Capri tools has SAE & Metric sets.

https://capritools.com/shop/super-thin-flat-wrenches-metric/

 

[plinker]

Vim has thin wrench sets that are the same as the Capri set. I have a Matco metric set that gets used quite a bit and they are actually pretty durable wrenches overall IME.

https://www.tooltopia.com/Vim-VIMMFW100
https://www.tooltopia.com/Vim-VIMSFW100

Vim does offer expanded sets up to 30-32 in metric as well.

 

[Jland]

Is "thin" the new trem for tappet wrenches?

 

[Qualitytools]

Is "thin" the new trem for tappet wrenches?

You might say that

 

[Qualitytools]

I have the Capri Metric set, it comes in handy for those tight suspension sway bar links.

 

[dede2897234]

I have the Capri Metric set, it comes in handy for those tight suspension sway bar links.

Hi Qualitytools,

Which metric wrenches from the Capri set have you used so far in suspension work?

Have the wrenches shown any wear?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[dede2897234]

Another consideration for a metric thin wrench set is the Facom model# fm-31.je6t.

The Facom set includes sizes 8-19mm. The Capri set includes 6 and 7mm besides what is in the Facom set.

The Facom 8X9 and 10X11mm wrenches are thinner than the Capri at the open ends (2.38mm vs. 2.6mm).

However, Facom 12X13 and 14X15 mm wrenches are slightly thicker than the Capri (3.97mm vs. 3.5mm).

The advantage goes back to Facom for the 16X17 and 18X19mm wrenches (3.97mm vs. 4.4mm open ends).

Here is the Capri Tools spec sheet: Super Thin Flat Wrenches.

Here is the Facom spec sheet: Ultra Thin Wrenches.

The Facom Ultra Thin Wrenches are available for purchase at Zoro: Zoro.

Dave

 

[4xdog]

As another source, I have a number of bicycle cone wrenches and am all set on mid-sized metric thin wrenches.

Here’s an example. Mine are older- to much-older-than-this, but the idea’s the same.
https://www.parktool.com/product/13mm-shop-cone-wrench-scw-13?category=Hub & Axle

 

[bherren]

I have a Capri 8mm that sees very light use - bleeding my mountain bike brakes. Having said that, I like that little Capri and might entertain purchasing more of those in bike sizes.
As 4xdog mentioned the Park tool might a good option for you as well.

 

[tearapin]

All great answers. Thank you. Never thought about tappet wrenches. But I have used those. LOL

 

[Tuc04]

I have the Facom thin wrenches I bought from Zoro about 5 years ago. Maybe they changed, but these are what mine measure for thickness.

8x9 and 10x11 = .100 (2.54 mm)
12x13 and 14x15 = .138 (3.5 mm)
16x17 and 18x19 = .172 (4.12 mm)

Another consideration for a metric thin wrench set is the Facom model# fm-31.je6t.

The Facom set includes sizes 8-19mm. The Capri set includes 6 and 7mm besides what is in the Facom set.

The Facom 8X9 and 10X11mm wrenches are thinner than the Capri at the open ends (2.38mm vs. 2.6mm).

However, Facom 12X13 and 14X15 mm wrenches are slightly thicker than the Capri (3.97mm vs. 3.5mm).

The advantage goes back to Facom for the 16X17 and 18X19mm wrenches (3.97mm vs. 4.4mm open ends).

Here is the Capri Tools spec sheet: Super Thin Flat Wrenches.

Here is the Facom spec sheet: Ultra Thin Wrenches.

The Facom Ultra Thin Wrenches are available for purchase at Zoro: Zoro.

Dave

 

[Grant Gunderson]

I use the Snapon thin profile low torque wrenches for all of my suspension work. They are great!

 

[richfinn]

As another source, I have a number of bicycle cone wrenches and am all set on mid-sized metric thin wrenches.

Here’s an example. Mine are older- to much-older-than-this, but the idea’s the same.
https://www.parktool.com/product/13mm-shop-cone-wrench-scw-13?category=Hub & Axle

I have the Park tool in 15mm, good for holding sway bar links on European Fords as you zip the nut off the other side.

We used to just grind a sacrificial open end wrench thin enough to fit, but this is better and more comfortable when using an impact

 

[dede2897234]

I have the Facom thin wrenches I bought from Zoro about 5 years ago. Maybe they changed, but these are what mine measure for thickness.

8x9 and 10x11 = .100 (2.54 mm)
12x13 and 14x15 = .138 (3.5 mm)
16x17 and 18x19 = .172 (4.12 mm)

Hi Tuc04,

Your measurements indicate that the Facom thin wrenches are thinner (8X9, 10X11, 16X17, 18X19) or as thin (12X13, 14X15) as the Capri wrenches.

Thanks for your effort.

Dave

 

[Steve_P]

Is "thin" the new trem for tappet wrenches?

I have an old set of inch sized Craftsman tappet wrenches and also the Facom metric set mentioned above; the Facom are less than half as thick

 

[bwringer]

I have the Capri set and it's been fantastic. They're very strong for what they are, but if you're some kinda gorilla you could certainly overwhelm any thin wrench.

They look damn good, too.



I also have a set of the teensy Craftsman tappet wrenches, and I've modified a wrench more than once. I actually keep a few cheapie 8mm and 10mm wrenches around for such sacrifices.


I have a few cone wrenches as well, but they aren't available below 13mm. If someone made something like cone wrenches except in 8, 10, and 12mm I'd be all over them.

When you're dealing with the sort of dipshit engineering that makes thin wrenches necessary, it's always best to have several options at hand.

 

[n8n]

Is "thin" the new trem for tappet wrenches?

I know what the OP means, tappet wrenches are even thinner than the thin no name DOEs that I have. West German made, FWIW. Got most of them from a Goodwill (?!?!!!!!) and filled out the set with a Wiha wrench to replace the missing one. They are indispensable for doing brake jobs as a regular open end is too thick often to hold a slider pin while undoing the caliper bolts. They look so similar I wonder if the ones I originally found were Wiha made back in the day.

Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0033PQWK6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

A Craftsman tappet wrench is longer, but about the same thickness. a Facom tappet wrench is much, much thinner than the Wiha or no name DOEs, more like a cone wrench out of a bicycle toolkit.

Another job where these are critical, adjusting the slip clutch on a Porsche 944 sunroof mechanism. I didn't have these wrenches back when I first had to fix the sunroof latches on my old 944, somewhere in my junk box is a "Performance Tool" combo wrench with the open end neatly ground down on a bench grinder to work.

 

[M6erfan]

^Those Wiha DOE wrenches linked to are rebranded Heyco's. They're very good wrenches, thinner than most but not as thin as some.

 

[n8n]

^Those Wiha DOE wrenches linked to are rebranded Heyco's. They're very good wrenches, thinner than most but not as thin as some.

IIRC those wrenches are also found in 80s BMW factory tool kits, although those are not found laying around waiting to be picked up so much anymore.

 

[M6erfan]

IIRC those wrenches are also found in 80s BMW factory tool kits, although those are not found laying around waiting to be picked up so much anymore.

Yeah, guys were going around to junkyards taking the tools out of BMW trunk kits (or the whole kit) and making a killing on eBay. Original BMW red handle screwdrivers go for a mint...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-RED-HANDLED-SCREW-DRIVERS-BMW-E24-E28-LARGE-TOOL-KIT-630-633-635-L6-535/333759438277?hash=item4db59cddc5:g:nakAAOSwH2ZfjZX5

BTW, Wiha discontinued those DOE's several years ago, their current line of wrenches are made in Taiwan.

 

[n8n]

yikes. shoulda stole them out of my E28 535i when I sold it... hindsight. although I guess finding replacements in a Goodwill was karma repaying me for not being a jerk

 

[tearapin]

When you're dealing with the sort of dipshit engineering that makes thin wrenches necessary, it's always best to have several options at hand.

Dip **** engineering....unfortunately I have seen that planet too many times.