USA Long Pattern Wrenches

[Zewnten]

I've been looking to replace my Gearwrench long pattern wrenches with something with a smaller head (avoiding the lobster claw) and lighter weight over all. Besides Snap On is there any other brands to look at? So far my search leads me to Armstrong wrenches, thinner beam and a compact head, or like i said Snap On. Thanks for the help.

 

[WittHay]

I use Proto ASD in satin finish. Same length as Snap-on. Satin finish is nice for the occasional hammer use and on the backside of impacts. The ASD doesn't mark up hydraulic fittings. They also make chrome, Mac Knuckle Savers are the same wrench

I assume you are talking about the normal Snap-on wrench length not the extra long. If Wright wrenches were made shorter I would buy a set to go along with the Proto's. I just use regular Craftsman USA as shorter wrenches in the service truck.

 

[kjbenner]

I have a couple of the Armstrong long wrenches and they're nice. Armstrong is out of business now so it may be harder to find a full set (eBay is your friend) and there's no warranty if that matters to you.

SK long wenches and Williams Supercombos are good made in USA options. Both of these are about the same length as the Snap-on "regular" length wrenches (but longer than "standard" length Craftsman, SK, Wright, Proto). The long Armstrongs are the length of the long Snap-ons.

Edit: the Protos I have are Proto 500s, from the post above sounds like the ASDs are longer.

 

[Farmall450]

I'd try eBay for Armstrong/Craftsman Industrial/NAPA Pro

Good tools.
Otherwise the aforementioned industrial brands.

 

[SuperXero]

SK is good way to go without breaking the bank.

 

[Wamsutta]

The MAC extra long is still the old style MAC combination wrench in case somebody doesn't like the new Proto ASD style.

 

[four.cycle]

I'd try eBay for Armstrong/Craftsman Industrial/NAPA Pro

^ this.

I'm seeing lots of Armstrong and PROTO listed lately - listed as "used" - barely used at all.

 

[Zewnten]

If anyone has the Craftsman Pros, Protos ADS, or Napas in 1/2 and could measure them I would appreciate it. Snap On 1/2 wrench is 8 inches long in the standard size, Armstrong long pattern is also this long and so is my Gearwrench and the length I am looking for .

I can't find any lengths on the SK long wrenches. Most people say they are only a bit shorter than the others but they look like they suffer from the lobster claw. Or is this just a poor picture?

 

[BFHtime]

I suggest long double box wrenches. I use these the most when they fit. I do have various lengths of other wrenches. I reach for these first. They are box on one end and ratcheting straight bar on the other end. Breaking nuts and bolts free are are super easy with the leverage. Then flip the wrench and ratchet them off. The box end is small for tight spots.

If you are talking about combination wrenches with an open end, with a long lever, I suggest something that bites the fastener like flank drive plus.

I don’t use my combination wrenches much since I got the long double box wrenches.

 

[Wamsutta]

I can't find any lengths on the SK long wrenches.

That's right; they won't tell you on their website.

Just out of curiosity, have you ever had a Snap-on combination wrench in your hand?

 

[kjbenner]

If anyone has the Craftsman Pros, Protos ADS, or Napas in 1/2 and could measure them I would appreciate it. Snap On 1/2 wrench is 8 inches long in the standard size, Armstrong long pattern is also this long and so is my Gearwrench and the length I am looking for .

I can't find any lengths on the SK long wrenches. Most people say they are only a bit shorter than the others but they look like they suffer from the lobster claw. Or is this just a poor picture?

From their catalog, an SK 1/2 long pattern (88416S) is exactly 8 inches long.

 

[organ]

If anyone has the Craftsman Pros, Protos ADS, or Napas in 1/2 and could measure them I would appreciate it. Snap On 1/2 wrench is 8 inches long in the standard size, Armstrong long pattern is also this long and so is my Gearwrench and the length I am looking for .

I can't find any lengths on the SK long wrenches. Most people say they are only a bit shorter than the others but they look like they suffer from the lobster claw. Or is this just a poor picture?

Williams Supercombo: 7 15/16, Williams regular long pattern is the same. Proto ASD 7 13/16, and Snapon 7 15/16

 

[Wamsutta]

Proto ASD 7 13/16, and Snapon 7 15/16

I don't know where you're getting that from. My catalogs say the Proto ASD and the Snap-on standard length 1/2 inch size are both at 8 inches long.

 

[Fedwrench]

I know your interested in US Made long pattern wrenches but, have you considered Dewalt?
I'm throwing them out there because, i recently picked up an SAE set that ran from 3/8 to 15/16 for like $25 from ACME tools and was pleasantly surprised at their quality. Yes, they're made in Taiwan but, i really like their balance and feel. They are patterned after Proto ASD with anti slip open ends and off corner engagement on the boxed ends. A Dewalt 1/2 wrench measures 8 inches overall. There's no lobster claw open end on these wrenches.

When it comes to non truck brand US made long pattern wrenches, pickings are pretty slim. I'm not a fan of SK long pattern combination wrenches because of that wide in the hips feel on their boxed ends. Williams supercombos are really nice but, get kind of club like in sizes over 3/4 or 19mm. The long pattern NAPA professionals are nice wrenches but, they're also made in Taiwan. Armstrong and the old Craftsman Professional series wrenches have become extinct.
There are plenty of used truck brand sets on ebay so, you could always be patient and find a deal in time. Good luck in your quest

 

[shockwave]

The Armstrong/matco extra long pattern are the same as snap on long patterns and offer best range in 10-21mm and5/16-1 inch if you prefer the combo setup but might look into a double box set from snap on instead for USA made

 

[WittHay]

The Proto's I have, were bought in the last couple of years. Exact same length as Snap-on. 1/2 is 8" long and 3/4 is 11" long.

The wording may be different, but Armstrong/Craftsman, Proto/Mac, SK, Snap-on and Williams all made or make the same size wrench as above.

Cornwell, Gray and Wright are about 1/2 is 7" long and 3/4 is 10"

The GearWrench set that you have is on the lighter and thinner side of these wrenches

 

[Skin]

Not sure what you consider long. Snap-On "long" is Matco, MAC, Cornwell extra long. Only a few other brands offer comparable wrench lengths like Toptul, Hazet, Gedore.

Snap-On normal is what brands like Matco, SK call long.

 

[khuebner250]

I traded in my Armstrong extra long wrenches. I thought they were terrible. Absolutely couldn't stand them. Just my 2¢

 

[organ]

I don't know where you're getting that from. My catalogs say the Proto ASD and the Snap-on standard length 1/2 inch size are both at 8 inches long.

Cool. I actually measured them. It's not much of a difference. Might as well be 8 inches

 

[Wamsutta]

I traded in my Armstrong extra long wrenches. I thought they were terrible. Absolutely couldn't stand them. Just my 2¢

This is the part where I ask why?

 

[Tallpilot]

How old are your Gearwrenches? I have never thought of them as having a lobster claw.

 

[Zewnten]

Wamsutta- yes I am more used to Snap On's length, that is why I originally bought the Gearwrench long pattern. And why the Armstrong caught my eye, they look very similarly porportioned so I was hoping they might have a similar balance.

I hesitate to buy used, so often when I find SAE up for sale they look rather worn, and I'd rather not spend that money on worn tools, that wear is very noticable on newer equipment when they are cheaping the bolts and nuts, common for me to find the wrench will turn a bit before engaging, no matter the wrench manufacturer.

 

[khuebner250]

This is the part where I ask
why?

They didn't fit my hands well at all but that's more my issue. The box ends would slip on fasteners. You would go to loosen a bolt or nut and with any actual force the 12 pt box end would bump over and slip. Don't get me started on the open ends. It's crazy I thought they were the greatest thing until I used them in a professional environment. Then, the more I used them the more I despised them. Traded them for Cornwell extra longs.

 

[Zewnten]

Tallpilot_ my Gearwrench combos were bought on Amazon and they are made in China. The smaller sizes aren't to bad but everything over 7/8 starts to get really fat.

 

[turnthewrench 2.0]

[Armstrong made] Craftsman Pro USA... If you can find them. They are sweet and long.

 

[kythri]

How old are your Gearwrenches? I have never thought of them as having a lobster claw.

Likewise...

 

[MWEric]

Just go with the Snap on’s. Their length is magic around here.

 

[Wamsutta]

Zewnten - What do you think about black wrenches?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Proto-14-P...420466?hash=item2394918672:g:gNwAAOSwvD5aJvHi

 

[Wamsutta]

Zewnten - I found a killer deal on a metric Snap-on set:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SNAP-ON-OE...734176?hash=item1ed511d3a0:g:AGQAAOSwy0JZ5a1w

 

[Zewnten]

Thank you Wamsutta, that Snap on does look like a good deal. I am really leaning towards Proto, especially something in the satin finish or the black oxide.

 

[jsmeece]

I know that these are not made in the USA but they are extremely good wrenches: Toptul GAAF1008 longer pattern metric wrenches, a guy on here sells them Dennis Schmidt. They are about $50 plus shipping if you buy them directly from him and not off his ebay page https://www.ebay.com/itm/TOPTUL-GAA...433908&hash=item1a3bab698c:g:jr0AAOSweW5VN5yL
I am really happy with mine. I have older craftsmans, newer craftsman, gearwrench, armstrong, allen, and a few older snap-on wrenches, but I always reach for the Toptul ones.

 

[WittHay]

I think the GearWrench combos are decent wrenches for automotive use. Here are some pictures comparing 15/16" Proto satin finish and GearWrench chrome.

The Proto is a little thinner on the open-end and wider on the box end, also the beam is wider. The nicks on the open end of the Proto are from using a 3' cheater pipe to loosen a nut

 

[Tonyuk]

The Toptul set mentioned above are great if you have the room to move them about, they're a good bit longer than a standard spanner and you might not have the room for them a lot of the time especially if not working on a lift.

 

[Zewnten]

Thank you for the comparison Whitthay. They look to be pretty much the same size overall. Weight and balance wise how do they compare? My Gearwrenches seem rather like a club when I'm having to do 1/6 turns on a nut.

I haven't found toptul to make SAE wrenches in the sizes I use.

 

[Zewnten]

Anyone know the weight of their Snap On wrench? Curious if there is a weight difference or if it is just the balance?

 

[kythri]

Can you post a pic or two of the offending GearWrench that you're talking about? Just curious how much has changed since I bought mine, as I've never noticed any lobster-clawing, and find them to be great, well-balanced wrenches.

 

[Sycan]

Difference of about 10 years. The larger sizes aren't as noticable, but the open ends all fit ******. I have started replacing them, but between the service truck and the shop it will take a while

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Zewnten]

Sycan's photo basically shows my issues. For mine all the bigger ones basically look like that, really thick and wide. The Harbor Freight wrenches the shop has are smaller than my Gearwrenches in the same sizes.

 

[plinker]

Earlier this year a couple of guy's I worked with had bought the long pattern Gearwrench combo's and they do have a bit of a lobster claw as seen above.

My favorite wrenches are the Matco MCL's (Was the same as Armstrong/c-man pro/ete.., not sure about the future there), along with Williams Supercombos.

They may seem to get a bit heavy/clunky in the larger sizes, but sometimes it's nice to have that. IMO, they have the nicest beam of any wrench.

Cant really go wrong with Snap-on either.

 

[WittHay]

Combination wrenches are relatively the same up to 1". The head width on a Gearwrench 1" combo is 2.024", Proto is 2 1/64" and Snap-on is 2 1/32" Can't find the weight on a Snap-on but a Gearwrench 1" combo is 1.15 lbs and Proto is .95 lbs.

In large sizes over 1" The good USA brands are going to be lighter and better balanced, but stupid expensive.