Usefulness of Tiny Combination Wrenches?

[oldschoolcraft]

Thanks to suggestions on this forum, I went with a set of T-500 Proto combination wrenches. I expanded a bit beyond the forum's advice and now have a set from 6mm to 25mm metric and 1/4" to 1" SAE.

The tool addict bug is a strong one, especially when the tools are small and don't take up too much of my limited drawer space, so I'm thinking of going smaller with the combination wrenches. I capped out at the smallest proto makes and my research on quality made in first world country tool brands yields only Facom and Gedore making tiny combination wrenches.

I am considering adding the following Gedore wrenches (I found the part numbers in their catalog)

3mm
3.2mm (Which is 1/8, within 3/100th of a mm)
3.5mm
4mm (Which is 5/32 within 3/100ths of a mm)
4.5mm
3/16"
5mm
5.5mm (Which is 7/32 within 6/100th of a mm)

The main objection, albeit a silly one that kept me from ordering immediately is that the catalog makes it sound like all sizes below 6mm only come in 6-point box end. But the 3/16" would be 12-point. And all of my T500 Protos are 12-point. Weird OCD thing that they don't technically line up exactly with the Protos.

Although on fasteners that small, maybe a 12-point wouldn't work too well, because of so little engagement with the fastener, that you need 6-point. And maybe there's no 12-point fasteners that small. Heck, there's probably not even 6-point fasteners that small and these would just sit in my toolbox collecting dust!

I think expanding out up to 32mm on the large side would be a more practical thing than on the small side, but I don't have room for that many more big wrenches and they are also a lot more expensive as you get that large.

At the risk of sidetracking the thread, I skipped 3 SAE sizes in my T500 lineup. I skipped 5/16 which is within 2/1000 of an inch of 8mm. I skipped 7/16 which is within 4/1000 of an inch of 11mm. And I skipped 3/4 which is within 2/1000 of an inch of 19mm.

I prioritized the metric wrench in any "equivalent" sizes because that's the standard fastener in our time. So no compromises there, but am compromising 2 to 4 thousands of an inch on those three SAE sizes. I'm open to buying the actual SAE size too, but I think the tolerances of the tool are within a few thousands of an inch anyway, so they are probably literally equivalent wrenches.

There are some other "close enough" sizes that people on the internet claim but I ignored those and got the actual SAE tool. 4/1000 of an inch was my maximum cutoff I was willing to compromise on. And to reiterate, I have the COMPLETE metric set, the ones I skipped were SAE. I think a lot of pro-wrenches even just buy some commonly used SAE to mix with their full metric set so it doesn't seem too crazy.

 

[PiperCub49]

If you get any of these, please post pictures. I was looking at these myself. https://www.micromark.com/6-piece-M...YMGCoM1kz1wh6p7iT6uNcFQOpbhByWm8aApQVEALw_wcB They make metric and standard.

I find small wrenches useful for small engine work where sockets won't fit.

 

[joe_pinehill1]

I have a couple sets of SnapOn ignition wrenches. With carburetors long gone, I hardly use them. the only time I use one is to change the thermocouple on my gas fireplace.

 

[Spacey_G]

I often use an 1/8" wrench at work and have the choice between a traditional Proto combination wrench and the Moody open-ended wrench. I almost always choose the Moody. It has better proportions for a wrench that small, having a thinner head and more comfortable handle.

 

[oldwino]

I have a couple sets of SnapOn ignition wrenches. With carburetors long gone, I hardly use them. the only time I use one is to change the thermocouple on my gas fireplace.

I still run carberators and do quite a bit of electrical stuff so ignition Wrenches still in the front of the box

 

[Dumber than lumber]

I have an entire wallet-style holder of Craftsman ignition wrenches. The set is metriic AND SAE.
Don't use them often, but very few decent alternatives IMO.

 

[WAID]

I find myself pulling them out fairly frequently on small equipment like chainsaws.

 

[californiaHank]

Lots of use on (mainly older) electronics and machinery with a lot of hex nuts. Nutdriver when you have access from above; small wrenches when you have access from the side. I work on a lot of stuff that's packed too tight to use 1/4" drive sockets and ratchets, but it's been a long time since I used any of those small wrenches on a car.

 

[yrly]

I have an entire wallet-style holder of Craftsman ignition wrenches. The set is metriic AND SAE.
Don't use them often, but very few decent alternatives IMO.

The craftsman ones are still made in the USA as far as I know, I’ve had them included as part of two fairly recent sets I bought.

 

[Dave455]

My own experiences - I have some very small combination wrenches, but also some small open ended wrenches and box end. The latter are more common. I have both metric, and British BA sizes.

I use them relatively seldom. Most of the time, when I’m attacking a nut that small, I tend to use a 1/4 drive socket. You definitely want 6 point, and you want them to be a really good fit. Many of the nuts I encounter in these sizes are brass (in the electrical and instrument world) and “close enough” doesn’t really work on very small, relatively soft, fasteners!

When I do need a wrench, nothing else will do, usually for reasons of access. Sometimes though, it’s easier to hold a small wrench flat against a nut with one hand, while turning the other with a screwdriver!

Small wrenches are expensive. There’s not a lot you can do about that, but used sets often turn up that have seen relatively little use, and can be good value!

 

[bczygan]

Craftsman SAE and Metric ignition wrench sets are in my roller. Picked up at flea markets and barn sales.

When you need one, nothing else will do.

Bill

 

[littlebean]

I 'think' stahlwille do small combination spanners

 

[Robinson1]

I use 6mm alot doing adjustments on shower doors.

7/32 and 5/32 on electrical connectors lots of places a nut driver or socket and ratchet just wont fit.

7/32 is common on thermorcouplers too

As already mentioned ignition wrenches are a lifesaver. I keep a set in my general maintenance tool bag as well as combination wrenches from 1/4-3/4 and metric from 6mm-19mm

I find double open end wrenches a good compromise for this type work

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Ignition/electrical wrenches will also give you angles (60*, 75*, sometimes 90*) that miniature regular wrenches (which are 15* on a double open end or on the single open end opposite a box end on a combo wrench) will not.

 

[gatlibs]

The craftsman ones are still made in the USA as far as I know, I’ve had them included as part of two fairly recent sets I bought.

I'm pretty sure that they are made in China now. You might be able to very affordable get a metric and S.A.E. set of midget wrenches of Cripes Distributing made in U.S.A. branded Kobalt that are the exact same otherwise.

 

[Robinson1]

I'm pretty sure that they are made in China now. You might be able to very affordable get a metric and S.A.E. set of midget wrenches of Cripes Distributing made in U.S.A. branded Kobalt that are the exact same otherwise.

Check your local Ace Hardware stores. I saw several sets of NOS USA Craftsman ignition wrenches at mine a few days ago.

You might have to dig back on the hanging peg a bit the USA stuff tends to get pushed to the back as the employees restock.

Also if you are looking for SAE sizes and dont mind used keep an eye on Ebay. Lightly used set of Easco sold for $5 last week. Had them in my watch list but forgot to bid.