Which set? Proto or Martin

[jdelrizzle]

Most mechanics-let alone diy'ers-- dont have the need, therefor cant justify the price of Snap On angle wrenches, the price for them is insane. Most people should buy the cheapest they can and use a grinder to alter shape. I support quality USA tools, but everyone is recommending a high priced product for **** someone will rarely ever use. If a person really wants quality, look at the SK's on Epsteins, just a hell of a deal. But the smartest thing a person can do who doesnt use them on a daily basis is to buy the Tekton ones and grind them. If anyone wants to know how I will post some pics of the ones I use at work.

I will be using them everyday, I need a solid set of angle wrenches, at this point in my life the only way I would be able to afford a full set of snap on angle wrenches would be if I saved up for them over the course of a few months/weeks or if I got them on credit (if I get them on probably means I can't afford them). I can't save up because I need them now! I'm not a diy-er…

 

[RedneckWelder]

Having gone through a debate recently on which angle wrenches to get, I went with getting a cheap set of Tektons (which work well) while I save up for and hunt for a good price used Snap On set.

So far the 15/60 deg has not hindered me, so I wouldn't worry about getting a set of those, especially if I had some crowsfeet to fall back on.

 

[ladrones]

https://parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/hand-tools/cat-angle-wrenches/1P-3515

See if your local cat dealer will cut you a deal on the 4-ways. They should list for quite a bit lower than snap-on wants plus you might be able to get a little more of a discount if you ask.

 

[bob15]

I will be using them everyday, I need a solid set of angle wrenches, at this point in my life the only way I would be able to afford a full set of snap on angle wrenches would be if I saved up for them over the course of a few months/weeks or if I got them on credit (if I get them on probably means I can't afford them). I can't save up because I need them now! I'm not a diy-er…

Have you looked on e-bay for the Snap-On's? The Snappy's are worth their money, don't let anyone fool you otherwise.

 

[espyking83]

LOL, no they're not.

A Snap On ratcheting screwdriver is worth the money.
Wrightgrips are worth the money.
A good IPA is worth the money.



Paying nearly $300 for seven wrenches for a slightly different angle IS NOT worth the money. Want that shape for $50? Not to mention angle wenches up to 1 1/4"?

--->Buy the Tektons
--->Grind the heads of the wrenches down and shape them as needed.
--->Place wrench in a vise.
--->Fit a larger box end wrench over the head of the angle wrench and slide it down the beam.
--->Heat up the area of where you will make your bend until it is red hot, at which ever axis you want to give your head an angle/offset.
--->Let the wrench cool off, deburr/polish with a fiber wheel.
--->Spend the $250 you saved on **** you actually need, like a beer helmet and a trampoline.

 

[bob15]

LOL, no they're not.

A Snap On ratcheting screwdriver is worth the money.
Wrightgrips are worth the money.
A good IPA is worth the money.



Paying nearly $300 for seven wrenches for a slightly different angle IS NOT worth the money. Want that shape for $50? Not to mention angle wenches up to 1 1/4"?

--->Buy the Tektons
--->Grind the heads of the wrenches down and shape them as needed.
--->Place wrench in a vise.
--->Fit a larger box end wrench over the head of the angle wrench and slide it down the beam.
--->Heat up the area of where you will make your bend until it is red hot, at which ever axis you want to give your head an angle/offset.
--->Let the wrench cool off, deburr/polish with a fiber wheel.
--->Spend the $250 you saved on **** you actually need, like a beer helmet and a trampoline.

And it the OP doesn't have a torch?

After heating the wrench, the temper has changed. Should, after all the grinding and de-burring is done, the OP go out and buy some Kasenit for re-hardening?

Also, after all your torching and grinding and polishing, how do I put a finish in it that won't scratch off and keeps the wrenches from rusting? Dunk them in oil after each use? And then if after they are coated with oil, i want to use the wrench on something you don't want oily, then what? Keep wiping and spraying Brake Clean until all the oil is off?

I will stick with buying one set and using them out of the box. No mods necessary. Instead of wasting my time trying to re-create the wheel (or a wrench), I can spend my time actually using those nice and new, shiny Snap On wrenches from minute one.

If he goes out and buys the beer helmet and a trampoline, I can see a good size hospital bill due to a broken leg or neck. Now, it would have been cheaper to spend the money on e-bay for the wrench set and a Ginger Ale or a Fresca; and not buy the trampoline and beer helmet and hospital bill......

 

[stage20]

My son toured the Martin plant in the Dallas area recently. They were making Proto wrenches. Lots of these mfg.s produce tools for other brands.

good stuff there. kinda defeats the purpose of asking which brand now.

 

[Steve_P]

Martin's primary business is power transmission products like sprockets and gears; hand tools are a small part of their biz. WWW.martinsprocket.com

 

[dutchgray]

Nepros has Metric 60/30 angle wrenches 8-19mm that are not so expensive, but no SAE.

 

[espyking83]

And it the OP doesn't have a torch?

After heating the wrench, the temper has changed. Should, after all the grinding and de-burring is done, the OP go out and buy some Kasenit for re-hardening?

Also, after all your torching and grinding and polishing, how do I put a finish in it that won't scratch off and keeps the wrenches from rusting? Dunk them in oil after each use? And then if after they are coated with oil, i want to use the wrench on something you don't want oily, then what? Keep wiping and spraying Brake Clean until all the oil is off?

I will stick with buying one set and using them out of the box. No mods necessary. Instead of wasting my time trying to re-create the wheel (or a wrench), I can spend my time actually using those nice and new, shiny Snap On wrenches from minute one.

If he goes out and buys the beer helmet and a trampoline, I can see a good size hospital bill due to a broken leg or neck. Now, it would have been cheaper to spend the money on e-bay for the wrench set and a Ginger Ale or a Fresca; and not buy the trampoline and beer helmet and hospital bill......

If the OP has $300 to blow on angle wrenches Im pretty sure he has a torch... Why would you be concerned with using a hardener when you grind the outside of the open ends. Besides, they're angle wrenches, it's not like people can even torque them enough to bend the metal. Also, I shaped my Tektons about a year ago, never had a bit of corrosion. After the deburring wheel the metal looks better than most brands


So with all that in mind, you take $50 to get angle wrenches from 3/8"-1 1/4", take a couple of hours to heat/grind/polish, clean with some spirits and lube with some Marvel, and you have a set of wrenches that are better suited for your job. If that sounds less viable than buying Snap On angle wrenches from 3/8 - 1 1/4 then something is wrong. Some mechanics use angle wrenches more than regular combos, if that is the case, then yeah, Snap On is worth it. But those mechanics are in the extreme minority. Angle's are some of the least used wrench types you can buym no sense in breaking the bank on them.


Its obvious that we're not going to change each others opinions, but repeatedly recommending a higher end premium tool that will rarely be used is complete overkill for most people. Unnecessary.


One of these days Im going to drive up one if my wrenches to Woodstock and have him compare the overall function of my custom wrenches to Snap ons, LOL