Which Brand is the Best?
- Thread starter xroad
- Start date
Do they have Craftsman Pro that are box / box that are not deep offset?
Uncle Buck
Banned
No, they do not offer that.
superautobacs
Well-known member
zero offset?
15 degree?
45 degree?
75 degree?
6pt or 12pt or spline?
Lotsa choices.
15 degree?
45 degree?
75 degree?
6pt or 12pt or spline?
Lotsa choices.
I am leaning toward Hazet. They have a flat, I like flat, double box made of chrome vanadium, relatively short, very modern design, not the traditional look.
The second choice is Gedore. They have one that was advertised as thin walled box end. I like the thin wall. I found one place that sells a whole set. Have not find any place that sell individual pieces.
The second choice is Gedore. They have one that was advertised as thin walled box end. I like the thin wall. I found one place that sells a whole set. Have not find any place that sell individual pieces.
Merkava_4
Banned
Looking to get 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, & 15mm
Zero offset. The Hazet wrench I am looking at is flat.
Ideally, it'll be nice to have a FLAT 6 point box end with a 15* tilt head. Sort of like most of the open end wrench but the end is closed. Flipping the wrench allows for a 30* arc swing clearance. I have seen 6 point box end by Craftsman but there is no rotation of the 6 points (the tilt if you may). So flipping the wrench will do nothing. Both flip sides are the same. There is no 30* change of the tilt angle.
Merkava_4
Banned
What about length? Do you want them real long or short?
As short as possible. This is for my motorcycle carry tool kit. Besides, I am a bit of a ham fist. I often gets carry away and over torque a fastener. Short ones will keep me in check
Merkava_4
Banned
Zero offset and short, you'll be looking at one of the German brands.
superautobacs
Well-known member
I think Hazet has what you're looking for, but I think you can consider Nepros into your choice as well as they offer the angles that you desire. The 6pt that they have, although not short, works with a 30* swing by flipping the wrench.
They don't offer a 11mm with the 6pt though:
Here's their short, 12pt version with a 15* swing:
As motorcycle carry I would look at the GearWrench quadbox, ratcheting with one size on each side of both ends. Six point seems like asking for trouble in a tight spot.
A wrench that works well is my preference over an expensive wrench everybody that sees it will want to steal.
A wrench that works well is my preference over an expensive wrench everybody that sees it will want to steal.
Ahh, this is one of the differences between decent tools and great tools. People often don't realize it until AFTER they buy them. But like they say, there is a difference.
Joe Mamma
I don't know any better, that is why I am looking for suggestions.
Another thing, with the vast access through the internet, I can only find one or two vendor selling Hazet and Gedore.
For the 6 point Craftsman, it would be a simple design change but they are just too stupid to do so. I DON"T WANT TO TURN THIS INTO A CRAFTSMAN BASHING THREAD but I am going to return a double box wrench set I got on sale. The 10mm and 12mm box on this set is very loose. I suspect the other pieces are also sloppy as well. I went to use my 32 years old Craftsman combination wrench and it was a lot tighter. Looks like their tolerance is not as tight as they were 32 years ago.
I think Hazet has what you're looking for, but I think you can consider Nepros into your choice as well as they offer the angles that you desire. The 6pt that they have, although not short, works with a 30* swing by flipping the wrench.
They don't offer a 11mm with the 6pt though:
Here's their short, 12pt version with a 15* swing:
WOW, THANKS ! I think I am getting ******** aroused ! I never heard of this brand. I have been poking around with search engines and Nepros never shows up.
Question on FLAT wrenches. I can certainly see the advantage when the flat wrench is a 6 point (flip over for the 30* swing). Can I get into any problem because it don't have that small offset like most wrenches?
superautobacs
Well-known member
Unfortunately I can't answer that question as I don't have any experience with them, but if I did, I'd certainly provide a picture demonstration here.
Nepros is the 'flag-ship' brand of KTC (Kyoto Tool Company). Like you've already realized, there's zilch to be found on North American websites and forums, except for this forum. This line has been around for about 10 years (many years of R&D was poured into them before production), but exposure in NA is almost non-existent. The only source that I know of, that sells Nepros is http://www.nepros.net/ --it's owned and operated by KTC Japan themselves.
Thedroid
Well-known member
Ya, I've been enjoying the sight of those Nepros wrenches also. They look super sharp.
lauver
Well-known member
If it should be short then i also vote for Hazet.
Monte,
Those short double box end Hazet wrenches are a unique design, and the box ends are thin-walled. What does a set of those, say from 10mm-19mm, go for?
SpiderGearsMan
Banned
nepros of kyoto , japan ? ugh more imports
you think the gov would put up some sort of tarriff as a firewall
you think the gov would put up some sort of tarriff as a firewall
superautobacs
Well-known member
You're right. They probably don't list it as a 6pt wrench is a niche item, but it doesn't hurt to contact them anyway, to see if they offer it. I can vouche for their services.
All these new finds, I am so excited ...
Facom 40R series combo wrench ... Craftsman have something similar but they are ONE DIRECTION ONLY. That kills the ability to flip the wrench over for a 30* swing. The wrench is one direction 60* swing only. The Facom, claimed to be 3 side drive, is it also one direction only?
Facom 40R series combo wrench ... Craftsman have something similar but they are ONE DIRECTION ONLY. That kills the ability to flip the wrench over for a 30* swing. The wrench is one direction 60* swing only. The Facom, claimed to be 3 side drive, is it also one direction only?
superautobacs
Well-known member
The 40R and the Craftsman, and any other speed wrench like it are one direction only. Most speed wrenches require a 60* working angle, except for the Alden Wrench which works with just a 30* swing. But, speed wrenches are not designed for initial loosening and tightening though.
The long double box has some strange sizes ... 8x10, 10x12, 12x14, 14x17. I wanted 10-15 in 3 pieces. I can only get 2 pieces and I don't even get 4 of the 6 sizes I need. Looks more and more I'll end up with Hazet. Too bad. I would love to have 6 points, it is unique, with good quality.
Merkava_4
Banned
That wrench in Monte's picture does not have flank drive; the Nepros don't either.
"that" ... you mean the Hazet don't have the flank drive?
I cannot tell from the pictures.
What about the DB wrench from Gedore, and Facom?
The Nepro 6 point looks like there is a relief at the corner but the flats are definitely looks like they are flat, not slightly arc like the flank drive.
Merkava_4
Banned
The combo wrench he has at the top of the picture has flank drive, but the short double box end doesn't ... it may be an older wrench.
Are you sure you want a short wrench with a zero offset?
superautobacs
Well-known member
Xroad, the 'weird' size combinations are very typical of Japanese tool makers. If you work on Japanese import cars, they are perfect as those are the sizes used.
The Nepros have developed their angles to be very fastener friendly, surface drive designs.
The 610N Hazet has the good ole' fashioned edge drive design.
The Nepros have developed their angles to be very fastener friendly, surface drive designs.
The 610N Hazet has the good ole' fashioned edge drive design.
Short is OK, and preferable for a compact tool kit for a motorcycle, plenty of other **** to carry. Short also keeps a ham fist "get it nice and tight till the thread strip" guy like me from getting into trouble. If I need more length for leverage, there is always an extension tube as a mini cheater bar.
As for zero offset, I need the flat wrench only of I can find a 6 point wrench so I can flip it to get 30* arc swing. Otherwise, a "normal" mild offset is fine. I don't think I have ever encounter a need for a deep offset on all the motorcycles I have owned.
Answer to an unasked question "why a double box wrench?" ... I have a ton of double open wrench already. So here is my chance (excuse) to burn more money on some kickass box ends (which I don't have).
Merkava_4
Banned
Merkava_4
Banned
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/mac-...Z270438380358QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools
I'm thinking the MAC 'Micro-Turn' would be perfect for you. Each end is the same size, but they're rotated like 5 degrees from each other, allowing you to get a new bite every time you flip the wrench over. Keep in mind though, they are no longer in production; so they are scarce.
superautobacs
Well-known member
They look like "corner drive" to me.
Looks can be deceiving. Nepros' tolerances are very close when it comes to fit and finish and their dimensions have been carefully engineered to not come in contact with fastener corners.