USA made wrench recomendations.

[TimDaToolMan]

Not looking to spend a **** ton of money.

But wondering among SK, Armstrong, and Proto, who makes the best?

I have some chicom ones I got at Menard's, but I was using the open end today, and the bolt head left large dents in the metal...

 

[n8n]

I'd vote for SK or Proto, just because I have experience with those. I've used and abused a set of SK SuperKromes for years, and Proto has pretty much always made good stuff.

If you think you may be working on old, rusty stuff (that is, you don't require smooth open ends, and think that an anti slip feature may be useful) also look at Wright, they're good stuff.

 

[just a noob]

I like my Wrights because they have the anti slip design with the little teeth in the open end

 

[TimDaToolMan]

Proto runs a little on the expensive side, one 10mm wrench is about $14.

 

[bob15]

My vote is Wright, then SK or used Snap On. Armstrong doesn't impress me and I just have no care or love for Stanly/Proto.

 

[PJNJ]

Wright with Wrightgrip.

 

[fasteddie313]

I want these...
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/MetCombWr/958.html
Wright full polish metric 7-24mm no skips, 18 piece, $225..

But I want to confirm somehow that they are "wrightgrip" and have the teeth... anyone know?

If they have the teeth I'm buying them..

 

[n8n]

I believe all current production is WrightGrip, or just drop HJE a line to confirm, I've had nothing but good experiences with their CS.

 

[TimDaToolMan]

Not so sure about wright, found a thread on here where someone bought a new set and there were tons of plating issues..

 

[bob15]

Not so sure about wright, found a thread on here where someone bought a new set and there were tons of plating issues..

If there were issues, Wright would fix it. Are you thinking about a post were somebody expected the inside of the sockets to be plated or painted?

Also, are you going to use these wrenches or just look at them? I have Snap On, Mac, Bonney and Williams wrenches with chipped plating in areas.....this will happen when you use them. It give the tool character.

 

[bwringer]

If you were already at Menards, you somehow walked past the US-made "Masterforce" wrenches to buy Chinese wrenches.

Masterforce is a dumb name, but the wrenches are pretty darn nice (about like Craftsman raised panel wrenches back when these were made in the US) and priced very nicely. They're not fancy jewelry like some others mentioned, but they work great.

Menards also sells some cheesy pliers under the Masterforce name, so read the labels.

 

[TimDaToolMan]

Are the old USA Cman raised panel worth a ****? I can find sets fairly cheap on eBay.

 

[n8n]

I'd consider them acceptable esp. 'V' (not 'VV') but would pick any of the others being discussed over them if price were not a concern.

Sent from my 0PJA2 using Tapatalk

 

[redwrench60]

If you're in the 'don't want to spend a **** ton of money but still want great wrenches' thought process then Wright with Wright grip definitely.

They have a nice thick beam, strong open ends that grip like crazy and don't cost a fortune.

 

[fasteddie313]

Are the old USA Cman raised panel worth a ****? I can find sets fairly cheap on eBay.

Superior to asian IMO..

 

[TimDaToolMan]

Where is the cheapest place for the wrights?

 

[redwrench60]

Are the old USA Cman raised panel worth a ****? I can find sets fairly cheap on eBay.

No. I can spread a Crafty RP wrench picking my nose.

 

[PureLeaf]

Not so sure about wright, found a thread on here where someone bought a new set and there were tons of plating issues..

And Wright came forward on these forums, warrantied the whole set, and said they would address the issue in production as I recall.

I have a full set of wright grip, many singles. Wright sockets, and a number of their ratchets and a 1/2 breaker bar. Their tools have been great value for the money for me. I've warrantied a socket once, and had upstanding service from them.

If I had to choose a new set of wrenches, my money would go straight to Wright again. USA made tools, from USA made steel, and backed by great service. Moreover they really grip the bolts with the wright grip, and have a comfortable beam in hand. If you choose wright, you'll have to choose between full polish or satin (whatever your preference).

Downsides to Wright might be if you're after super long wrenches (I dont believe they offer those), and if they offer stubbies, I've never seen them, nor ratcheting wrenches. Just regular length combos. But they're great.

 

[redwrench60]

Where is the cheapest place for the wrights?

Amazon has pretty good prices but I think I'd rather give Harry Epsteins the business. They are a full line Wright dealer.

 

[PureLeaf]

 

[fasteddie313]

http://store.harryepstein.com/dailydispatch/2014/02/wrightgrip-wrench-demo/

DEMO

 

[metaldad]

If you were already at Menards, you somehow walked past the US-made "Masterforce" wrenches to buy Chinese wrenches.

Masterforce is a dumb name, but the wrenches are pretty darn nice (about like Craftsman raised panel wrenches back when these were made in the US) and priced very nicely. They're not fancy jewelry like some others mentioned, but they work great.

Menards also sells some cheesy pliers under the Masterforce name, so read the labels.

the op is familiar with menard's.
the masterforce wrenches are made by apex. near identical to the allen line they used to carry.
and you're correct. masterforce pliers are a poor choice for a tool hound

 

[1foxracing]

Another vote for Wright, won't find a better wrench at any price and I owned Snap On FD+'s before these.

I also own SK models, if you need a open end that won't mar finished nut/bolt these are fine models.

 

[metaldad]

the chicoms the op mentioned, are either apex crescent, or menard's cheep chit line, performax.

 

[PureLeaf]

Its good to point out that Wrightgrips will marr the flat areas of your fasteners due to the grip feature. If you have concerns about that, look at either some non-wright grip, or SK, Armstrong, etc etc

 

[crbnfbr]

I have Wright for my Imperial combo set and the one thing I don't like is they're not as long as say Snap-on standard or other Long pattern wrenches. Never mind, I just looked at the specs and apparently it's just that my older set I have isn't as long, but the new ones are long pattern. Hmm, now that I look even closer it appears their metric long pattern aren't as long as their Imperial long patterns. Usually 3/4" and 17mm are right around 10" long, which the 3/4" is but the 17mm is only 9.125" long

I personally love the Williams Supercombo's. They're essentially Snap-on flank drive plus for a 1/4 the price, and the thick beam imho is the most comfortable wrench around.

 

[TimDaToolMan]

Everything recommended to me so far costs well over $100, just for the mm set, and if I want inch, that's over $225.

At the end of the line, stands the masterforce metric set for $30, SURELY there is a midgrade set between 50-75 dollars.

I'd love to have the wright grip, but I have a lot of stuff to spend $200 on besides wrenches.

 

[n8n]

Everything recommended to me so far costs well over $100, just for the mm set, and if I want inch, that's over $225.

At the end of the line, stands the masterforce metric set for $30, SURELY there is a midgrade set between 50-75 dollars.

I'd love to have the wright grip, but I have a lot of stuff to spend $200 on besides wrenches.

Unfortunately I'm not really aware of a viable middle ground. Gearwrench is in the middle price wise but I'm not sure if they're enough better than masterforce to justify the difference (I'm not Canadian, so don't get to fondle them)

Sent from my 0PJA2 using Tapatalk

 

[47newcastle]

Not looking to spend a **** ton of money.

But wondering among SK, Armstrong, and Proto, who makes the best?

I have some chicom ones I got at Menard's, but I was using the open end today, and the bolt head left large dents in the metal...

I have the USA RP c man and the SK long patterns. The sk wrenches feel really good in the hand and have a nice thick beam. The sk wrenches do not have a anti slip design in the open end so they do not work well for those times you have to use it to loosen fastners that are real tight.

I feel the length on them is a good one tho.

 

[47newcastle]

Everything recommended to me so far costs well over $100, just for the mm set, and if I want inch, that's over $225.

At the end of the line, stands the masterforce metric set for $30, SURELY there is a midgrade set between 50-75 dollars.

I'd love to have the wright grip, but I have a lot of stuff to spend $200 on besides wrenches.

In that case I would go gearwrench. I'm a big fan of all there wrenches. The open end on the gearwrench grabs real tight. I had to break free a nut off a lower ball joint and only and open end would fit do to the CV axle. My sk and cman wrenches spread. My gearwench x beam with the anti slip open end is what worked. There non ratcheting have the same design.

 

[JBradley500]

Money is well spent on wrenches if you're actually going to use them on vehicles. You can get away with putting together furniture or whatever with cheap stuff but when automotive fasteners are rusted or have been rounded previously you are way better off with quality pieces.

I have satin wright's from 1/4-1" and 8-19mm as my best set and would recommend them to you also.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

you might can find a decent set at that price used on ebay

 

[Askme42]

Everything recommended to me so far costs well over $100, just for the mm set, and if I want inch, that's over $225.

At the end of the line, stands the masterforce metric set for $30, SURELY there is a midgrade set between 50-75 dollars.

I'd love to have the wright grip, but I have a lot of stuff to spend $200 on besides wrenches.

You'd argue someone saying that grass is green.

 

[Wamsutta]

Everything recommended to me so far costs well over $100, just for the mm set, and if I want inch, that's over $225.

You can buy them a few at a time; that way it's less painful and you end up with better tools.

 

[Shootingblanks]

Wright set #958 and #915 and Craftsman RP standard and metric set barely fit in my HF 56" drawer. No plating issues on my Wright sets and they are awesome wrenches. Money well spent.

 

[bob15]

Everything recommended to me so far costs well over $100, just for the mm set, and if I want inch, that's over $225.

At the end of the line, stands the masterforce metric set for $30, SURELY there is a midgrade set between 50-75 dollars.

I'd love to have the wright grip, but I have a lot of stuff to spend $200 on besides wrenches.

You typically pay for what you get.

Have you looked on e-bay? Prices are cheaper......

 

[oldldh]

If I had had a whole pile of money when I bought these, I would have bought Wright, SK or Proto...

But I didn't...

So...

I lucked out and found all USA Craftsman Raised Panel...

The 43 Pc 12pt Combo Set, the 28 pc 6 pt Combo Set, the big box end set, and the big flare nut set...all sets are every wrench available in both SAE and Metric...

A little search on Ebay and Craigslist, shoult turn up similar tools, at very good prices...

 

[scarecrow505]

Another vote for wright. I recently picked up a metric and standard set in satin finish. They are sweet. Buy once cry once they say

 

[redwrench60]

Everything recommended to me so far costs well over $100, just for the mm set, and if I want inch, that's over $225.

At the end of the line, stands the masterforce metric set for $30, SURELY there is a midgrade set between 50-75 dollars.

I'd love to have the wright grip, but I have a lot of stuff to spend $200 on besides wrenches.

ummmm.....http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/MetCombWr/750-SET.html

And......http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/StandCombWr/A711.html

 

[colin39]

I have a full set of allen an k-d usa 6-32mm and these have been my goto spanners for the last 20 years, dont have any of that flank drive stuff, just good old fashioned wrenchs, never failed me yet.
Theres an ebay shop thst supplies all usa very reasonably priced too