What's Your Favorite Wrench?

[Jason_D]

Mine is the old school SK raised panel wrenches. Not sure why though. They are ugly & are old. I just always grab one of those first. Maybe it's because it's because my dad bought them for me when I was fresh out of Vo-Tech & he has now passed. Or maybe because they have never let me down & rarely slip.
Don't know.

My second choice is SO though.

So, what's yours?

 

[Fedwrench]

For some unknown reason, I like the full polish KD wrenches. They're not too long or too short. They have a nice feel and the box ends have off corner engagement. You can find them for cheap sometimes. No one really covets them. I also like the Snap on flank drive plus for serious open end use, and Gearwrenches.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I'm rather fond of my German Elora wrenches.

i prefer Snap-on by far though.

 

[kythri]

Gearwrenches are great, and I can't say anything bad about the many, many Craftsman raised-panels filling up my toolbox.

Lots of people ***** about them being "too bulky", but I've got gigantic hands, and they feel just fine - quite comfy.

 

[Merkava_4]

1. Snap-On
2. CORNWELL
3. MAC


In that order.

 

[Jared]

challenger/gray/snap-on

 

[Ducroix]

1.Proto Satin And Industrial Finish
2.SK Full Polished
3.Craftsman (Standard Wrenches)
4.Matco

Never Used Snap-on Wrenches

 

[Merkava_4]

Never Used Snap-on Wrenches

You're missing out on a pleasurable experience.

 

[blue302stang]

I love my snap-on wrenches. Perfect size and they feel great in my hand.

 

[eschoendorff]

My favorite wrench is my 3/4 Snap on Flank Drive Plus. That thing is a monster. After that, I gotta say that my Cman Pros feel just as good as my standard Snap On wrenches...

 

[krusty the clown]

i really like my old matco (bonney) wrenches but since they are no longer available i retired them to home use. i just didn't want anymore replaced with the MCL series. i replaced them with snap on's i like them but they just don't have the same feel to them.

 

[rsanter]

my snap ons are my favorite hands down. specifically the flank drives, then the regular 12 pt combos

bob

 

[Ducroix]

You're missing out on a pleasurable experience.

Lol I only own craftsman and a few proto and a couple sk the rest is stuff I had to borrow, but in due time I will get some snappy

 

[stricht8]

I have an old set of full polish made in the USA Husky wrenches that I like. Otherwise FACOM wrenches are really nice and MAC edge wrenches seem to grab onto even the most roundes of bolt heads.

 

[paramudduck]

1. Old set of Easco.
2. Old style Williams Superwrenches.
3. Old KD

These are the ones I use 90% of the time.
There are a few Snap ons and Mac's that have certain places where they work the best.

But the three I listed are the ones that come to hand most of the time.

 

[Elroy]

Elroy prefers his set of full polish Proto 500. This set is 30 years old and has seen a lot of use. One of the best features of this set is the leather "roll".

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[paramudduck]

Elroy I wanted that set when I was 18 and never could get it. It was and is a awesome set of tools.

 

[Elroy]

Like you say "use the best tools that you can afford". It was all Elroy could swing back then but these tools have really stood up. This was a great investment. Been lucky to have never lost one.

 

[Ducroix]

Elroy prefers his set of full polish Proto 500. This set is 30 years old and has seen a lot of use. One of the best features of this set is the leather "roll".

Those are some real nice protos you got there elroy

 

[nissan_crawler]

After that, I gotta say that my Cman Pros feel just as good as my standard Snap On wrenches...

Agreed. My list (of what I own) would probably be:

1. Gearwrench
2. C-Pro/Snap-On
3. Grip
4. SK

 

[Jason_D]

Hey nissan_crawler Tell me about those GRIP brand wrenches. Do they,,,,grip well? How close are the tolerances? I've been looking at those & just curious how they feel & work. Oh yeah, are they stamped with the country of origin?

 

[wrenchr]

I like my Snap ons and mac the best, All though I would like a set of new cornwell metric.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I enjoy using far to many brands to narrow it down to just 2-3! My double box drawer is a hodge podge of probably 40-50 box wrenches, only a few of which have any plating left on them. Most of my box ends are probably older than my 46 yrs!

 

[wilbilt]

My old favorites are my Snap-On OEX series long combinations. They are getting a bit thin on the chrome, but still have that tuned feel.

I have many other wrenches, and do not dislike any of them, but the raised-panel ones are the ones I reach for last.

Elroy, your 500 set is very nice. I have exactly one Proto "500" wrench, and I wish I had more.

 

[lbgradwell]

Yeah, I have a feeling I'd really love to snoop around in Elroy's garage or barn!

 

[nissan_crawler]

Hey nissan_crawler Tell me about those GRIP brand wrenches. Do they,,,,grip well? How close are the tolerances? I've been looking at those & just curious how they feel & work. Oh yeah, are they stamped with the country of origin?

Well, the set I have is service wrenches. The tolerances were actually too close on a few of the, whether or not that was due to the fittings at work, or the wrench, I don't know. I just sanded the chrome down. It doesn't bug me considering I paid $50 shipped for the 15 piece grip set, when sears wants $190 for the 11 piece Martin set.

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/SAE-15-piece-Service-Wrench-Set/711621/product.html

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00933107000P?keyword=service+wrench

The grips are thicker, which is good and bad. Obviously, they don't fit as well in some spots, but that hasn't been much of a problem. However, put a cheater pipe on the grip and a Martin, and I'll lay money on the Martin breaking first every time. The guys with Martin wrenches borrow my Grips for really tight things when using a cheater.

So...super duper perfect wrench? No. I think they're excellent for the price though. I probably use mine 1-2 days a week, never thought it was worth trading to martins.

 

[Merkava_4]

Krusty,

If you like the feel of those Bonney's you'd like the Cornwell's.

 

[krusty the clown]

Krusty,

If you like the feel of those Bonney's you'd like the Cornwell's.

i have a few cornwell wrenches and there is no comparison. the cornwells are square beam just like mac's, the bonneys are nice and rounded in the edges.

 

[Merkava_4]

i have a few cornwell wrenches and there is no comparison. the cornwells are square beam just like mac's, the bonneys are nice and rounded in the edges.

The Cornwell wrenches I have all have nice rounded edges like a Bonney.

 

[krusty the clown]

The Cornwell wrenches I have all have nice rounded edges like a Bonney.

all i see are square beam in thier catalog although the line wrenches are a little more rounded

http://www.cornwelltools.com/OnlineCatalog/home.html

they did make a full polish wrench that was a different shape for a while but it's no longer in the catalog. i'll post some pics comparing them this evening.

 

[ToolmanTom]

I don't have to tell you, because you already know.
But I have been brainwashed too.

 

[dxdexter]

Elroy prefers his set of full polish Proto 500. This set is 30 years old and has seen a lot of use. One of the best features of this set is the leather "roll".

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Those were the one set of wrenches I wanted when I was starting my tool purchases, but at $541 Canadian in 1982, I could no even think of buying them.

 

[Elroy]

Those were the one set of wrenches I wanted when I was starting my tool purchases, but at $541 Canadian in 1982, I could no even think of buying them.

And that was the set Elroy wanted too. Picked these up around '80 or '81. Can't recall exactly as that has been a few beers ago

And Like Elroy said:

It was all Elroy could swing back then.

Be advised that Elroy stood over a lathe many an hour to pay for them. Elroy recalls them being less than $300 US. Regardless, Elroy has been pround of them from day one and has used them hard. That leather kit is dirty for a reason.

More to ya.

 

[eschoendorff]

Elroy prefers his set of full polish Proto 500. This set is 30 years old and has seen a lot of use. One of the best features of this set is the leather "roll".

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This has got to be one of the coolest wrench sets I have ever seen. Especially with that leather wrench roll... I've always wanted to get me hands on a set of 500s... but never been so lucky....

 

[Elroy]

Elroy mentioned earlier that he has been lucky not to have lost any. Well Elroy has a little story for ya all if you care to read on

Back in the mid 80's Elroy was working down in southern Kentucky. Dry county like too many are. Next country over (Marion) was wet. After work all the guys would go to Sims 208 to drink beer. The edge of their parking lot was on the county line. Come about 4:15 every afternoon that place was packed solid with thirsty men. Well one spring day a few biker "dudes" pulled in. Few minute later one was asking around if any one had a "wrench".

Being a nice guy, Elroy said sure what do you need. Had that Proto kit in the trunk. Biker dude said I need that 13/16 there. Sure here ya go. Well bike dude goes over and did something to his swing arm while Elroy went to get a fresh beer. As Elroy was coming back I see the biker dude ride off with Elroy's wrench in his back pocket

****. Now Elroy has a good reason to drink 10 more beers.

Elroy proceeded to do just that. Well about an hour later. Here come biker dude.

Man I'm glad you're still here. Sorry I rode off with your wrench. Hell I didn't notice it until I got home. Got back as soon as I could. Here ya go. THANKS

I think I puked on the spot.

 

[eschoendorff]

Elroy mentioned earlier that he has been lucky not to have lost any. Well Elroy has a little story for ya all if you care to read on

Back in the mid 80's Elroy was working down in southern Kentucky. Dry county like too many are. Next country over (Marion) was wet. After work all the guys would go to Sims 208 to drink beer. The edge of their parking lot was on the county line. Come about 4:15 every afternoon that place was packed solid with thirsty men. Well one spring day a few biker "dudes" pulled in. Few minute later one was asking around if any one had a "wrench".

Being a nice guy, Elroy said sure what do you need. Had that Proto kit in the trunk. Biker dude said I need that 13/16 there. Sure here ya go. Well bike dude goes over a did something to his swing arm while Elroy went to get a fresh beer. As Elroy was coming back I see the biker dude ride off with Elroy's wrench in his back pocket

****. Now Elroy has a good reason to drink 10 more beers.

Elroy proceeded to do just that. Well about an hour later. Here come biker dude.

Man I'm glad you're still here. Sorry I road off with your wrench. Hell I didn't notice it until I got home. Got back as soon as I could. Here ya go. THANKS

I think I puked on the spot.

We need more people in the world like that.... minus the puking.

 

[wrenchr]

Elroy mentioned earlier that he has been lucky not to have lost any. Well Elroy has a little story for ya all if you care to read on

Back in the mid 80's Elroy was working down in southern Kentucky. Dry county like too many are. Next country over (Marion) was wet. After work all the guys would go to Sims 208 to drink beer. The edge of their parking lot was on the county line. Come about 4:15 every afternoon that place was packed solid with thirsty men. Well one spring day a few biker "dudes" pulled in. Few minute later one was asking around if any one had a "wrench".

Being a nice guy, Elroy said sure what do you need. Had that Proto kit in the trunk. Biker dude said I need that 13/16 there. Sure here ya go. Well bike dude goes over and did something to his swing arm while Elroy went to get a fresh beer. As Elroy was coming back I see the biker dude ride off with Elroy's wrench in his back pocket

****. Now Elroy has a good reason to drink 10 more beers.

Elroy proceeded to do just that. Well about an hour later. Here come biker dude.

Man I'm glad you're still here. Sorry I road off with your wrench. Hell I didn't notice it until I got home. Got back as soon as I could. Here ya go. THANKS

I think I puked on the spot.

Did you say to him..........................Elroy has a wrench???

 

[bchee]

I've read a lot of positive things about that Proto 500 series. Maybe it was all on this board. What makes them so sought after? The design looks very basic, although durable, I'm sure.

 

[Alfajuj]

I love my Hazet 603's
Elegant Bauhaus ethic in the design, matte finish. Excellent feel. Top quality.
I need to get the long set of 600's now.

 

[davestlouis]

If we're going to revive an old thread, I might as well contribute. My Snap Ons have bailed me out of certain messes where the box ends are skinny enough to get into tight spaces around BMW starters where Proto Professional, MATCO and Craftsman just won't fit. Having said that, I have been drooling over those Proto 500's since this thread was new.