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Thin open end wrench recomendations

nbpt100

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I am looking for a mid grade open end thin wrench set. SAE and Metric. Something like this. I wish this went up to 3/4 or 19mm but it should be 95 percent of what I would use. I am ok with the 11 AND 16 Skipped. 5/8 can cover the 16mm. thanks. Some may say Husky is sub mid grade. I won't argue that but the easy warranty replacement gives them a leg up.

 
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GRB

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The Capri set has worked fine for me although it hasn't seen hard use yet.
 

GeoBruin

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I went with the Duratech brand from Amazon. They're fine. I think part of why they feel chincy is that they're... thin. Hard to expect a tool that's thin by design to feel substantial.
 

ItsNemo

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I have the cheap of the cheap "Grip" brand ones, they've done perfectly fine for my use of them.

There's also always the option of grinding down regular wrenches if need be.
 

GeoBruin

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Measured the Duratech's last night. Right at .110" thickness regardless of size. I also remembered that there are some individuals available in addition to the sets, and I think I ordered a few extras to fill in some gaps.
 

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KnurledNut

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Measured the Duratech's last night. Right at .110" thickness regardless of size. I also remembered that there are some individuals available in addition to the sets, and I think I ordered a few extras to fill in some gaps.
Arent the ends thicker than the beams on those?
 
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GeoBruin

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Nope. It looks like it but that's because the beam actually tapers slightly near the head, but the head has been ground flush with the beam.
 

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nbpt100

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The Capri set has worked fine for me although it hasn't seen hard use yet.
They do look well made. I don't understand why the Metric is very complete. No skips. It even has the 20mm. While the SAE skips the 11/16 and stops at the 3/4. Missing the 13/16 and 7/8. Although the 22 could be used on a 7/8. With thin wrenches you really need something that is made from good quality tool steel. unfortunately it is out of stock.

 

Etchase

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I would go for the cheapest Chinese set. Less than $20 for SAE or metric. I did and the quality is more than adequate. I’ve probable only use three of the 19 piece set, but that’s how it goes with thin wrenches I think. They came in a decent roll, to be slipped away for the months between use.

SWANLAKE 19Pcs Super-Thin Open End Wrench Set with Rolling Pouch, CR-V Steel SAE & Metric, 1/4" to 1-1/16" and 5.5mm to 27mm Slim Spanner Wrench Set(19pcs METRIC &SAE) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BY21986S?tag=atomicindus08-20
 

Etchase

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My swan lake set is 0.111 inches thick. The openings are 0.006-0.008 inches over nominal. My version of a craftsman 3/4 tappet is 0.220 thick with the opening 0.012 over. The ends of the swan lake are the same thickness as the rest of the wrench. Just a cosmetic surface feature to make them look raised. So far so good for under $2 a wrench.

IMG_7080.jpeg
 
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GeoBruin

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My swan lake set is 0.111 inches thick. The openings are 0.006-0.008 inches over nominal. My version of a craftsman 3/4 tappet is 0.220 thick with the opening 0.012 over. The ends of the swan lake are the same thickness as the rest of the wrench. Just a cosmetic surface feature to make them look raised. So far so good for under $2 a wrench.

IMG_7080.jpeg
Looks like they were made in the same factory as the duratech.
 

Etchase

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Looks like they were made in the same factory as the duratech.
Yes it does. Seems to be lots of brands of these Chinese made tools. Yiyeie and Horusdy are others. Swanlake is frequently the price leader currently, like Casoman was before them, and Neiko before them. Those later brands now sell at a premium. Hard to keep track.
 
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bcradio

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I would go for the cheapest Chinese set. Less than $20 for SAE or metric. I did and the quality is more than adequate. I’ve probable only use three of the 19 piece set, but that’s how it goes with thin wrenches I think. They came in a decent roll, to be slipped away for the months between use.

SWANLAKE 19Pcs Super-Thin Open End Wrench Set with Rolling Pouch, CR-V Steel SAE & Metric, 1/4" to 1-1/16" and 5.5mm to 27mm Slim Spanner Wrench Set(19pcs METRIC &SAE) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BY21986S?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thank you for making my wallet a little bit lighter
 
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nbpt100

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The Olsa looks like it offers more complete sets. A little pricey for a tool I will use occasionally but What is the price if you do not have it and need it today? Or.... if it does not hold up because of cheaper metal. These are thin and you need to make up for that will good quality metal that is heat treated and tempered properly.

You guys with the cheaper Swan Lake and Duratec brands seem happy with them. Have you had to use any of them hard?
 

toyotadriver

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Dec 30, 2010
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I am looking for a mid grade open end thin wrench set. SAE and Metric. Something like this. I wish this went up to 3/4 or 19mm but it should be 95 percent of what I would use. I am ok with the 11 AND 16 Skipped. 5/8 can cover the 16mm. thanks. Some may say Husky is sub mid grade. I won't argue that but the easy warranty replacement gives them a leg up.



In my Home Depot store, that same set is $33.




Nothing in this post should be misunderstood, interpreted, misinterpreted, or construed to be of a political nature.
 

Steve_P

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Sep 15, 2010
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I have the Facom set, only because I bought them ~10 years ago and there weren't all of the options there are now. The Capri, and now Olsa, look to be a copy of the Facom, and all have gotten good reviews in the last few threads on this topic. For the $ the Swan Lake, Duratech.... would be hard to resist, but the Capri have been around for a while. The Deen above also looks identical to the prior satin finish version of the Capri, so they're probably all the same wrench.
 

Dave455

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Mar 19, 2013
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I like the Facom. These are older French made, but the current versions appear little different.

They are a little more costly than their regular wrenches, as the entire wrench is obviously ground flat.

I don’t think SAE are currently available, but I’d get these in metric.
F22021E7-F25E-4192-89A2-0A78E807E772.jpeg1F82CA47-8E51-4C6B-B6C1-80D63B35C6D6.jpeg

KTC Profit are equally nice. Perhaps overall a little smaller than the Facom, but available in combination too..A0020345-87A1-44AC-BB10-197BF83C9171.jpeg
2A6DD2FF-7DB3-469F-A27F-E47203BAE359.jpeg
 

GeoBruin

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The Olsa looks like it offers more complete sets. A little pricey for a tool I will use occasionally but What is the price if you do not have it and need it today? Or.... if it does not hold up because of cheaper metal. These are thin and you need to make up for that will good quality metal that is heat treated and tempered properly.

You guys with the cheaper Swan Lake and Duratec brands seem happy with them. Have you had to use any of them hard?
That was my rationalle. I went with the cheapest wrenches I could get in a nearly complete set. If you have a wrench that won't fit, and you need one of these, it pretty much is a last resort and at least where I am, there will no running out to pick up a single (or even a set) locally.

To answer your other question, no, I've never used them hard.
 
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