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Who makes super thin combo wrenches?

visionguru

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When I was replacing the transmission filter on a 2007 Honda Accord, a 10mm bolt took me 20 minutes. The problem was: it's in a very tight place. My Gearwrench racheting wrench couldn't fit in there, too thick. I had to use the open end, 1/6 turn at a time. The bolt was rounded a bit.

Anyone knows who makes super thin combo wrenches?
 
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mlum6969

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i have a set of super cheap wrenches to modify.. just take it the the grinder to make it fit.
 

T45

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Which part of the wrench was too thick? Please be specific.

Agree...Lots of crappy combos have clearance problems; even more so with gearwrench style tools. Regular combos are usually taller in the ring end than the open end. Since the GW combo worked, I don't think OP needs a true thin wrench. More like a box end with better clearances....that maybe best done with a grinder. Switching to a non-ratcheting will help with ring width, as will using a higher end brand with thinner rings, and lastly an aerospace type design. If you need to shorter ring height, not width...then its pretty much a grinder on a cheap non-ratcheting combo.
 

pstemari

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I've never seen combination tappet wrenches, just DOE. If you really need super-thin ones V-8 tools makes a stamped set. I had a jam nut on an Atlas lathe where a Proto tappet wrench was too thick. Snap On might have worked, but the one wrench would have cost more than the entire set of V-8 tools and wasn't worth it for a one-off job.

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Tuc04

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Facom makes DOE in metric that are thin. FM-31.JE6T

According to Zoro they are made in Italy if that matters to you one way or the other.
 

4 FN 27

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We make them for a well know American Tool supplier once and a while. Just ran these a week or so ago.
 

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tvtaurus

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I picked up a set of craftsman tappet wrenches recently. That fits your bill.

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Skin

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Considering the OP was complaining about using an open end I don't think tappet wrenches will interest him. Sounds like he wants a low profile box wrench.

My suggestion is bench grinder.
 

mowkep

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I have a 9pc Craftsman Max Axess low profile combo wrenches new in the package I have been trying to sell.
 
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Stevenn1

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The Craftsman 'tappet wrenches' only comes in SAE & open end, sounds like op wants Metric. BTW, I got the newer 5pc set, they don't say coo but seem to be OK for low torque applications.
 
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ryan20021982

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I buy bluepoint tappet wrenches at estate/garage sales.

The Craftsman 'tappet wrenches' only comes in SAE & open end, sounds like op wants Metric. BTW, I got the newer 5pc set, they don't say coo but seem to be OK for low torque applications.

The OP said combo wrench not tappet wrench, if you read the post he used the open end to get the bolt out.
 
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visionguru

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Guys, thanks for the tips. I learned something new by googling the different wrenches you guys mentioned.

The first picture shows the 3 10mm wrenches I have: Mountain Spline Drive, Great Neck, Gearwrench reversible. I want to be able use the racheting end, but both the Mountain and Gearwrench was too thick at the racheting end. The box end of the Great Neck was ok, but has a big offset, which makes it unusable once the bolt come out a little bit.

The 2nd picture is "Midget Combo Wrench Set" sold at Menards. From the looks, they might work better in tight places. While I prefer racheting wrenches, having a set of these might make life easier next time. Unfortunately, the metric set was sold out.

Two observations of the tool selection at Menards.
They have a lot of "Made in USA" stuff.
The "Made in China" wrenches from Crescent are as good as GearWrench, but 50% cheaper.
 

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nbpt100

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I was thinking the typical 15 degree offset on the box end may be working against you.

There are box wrenches with no off set. Bicycle wrenches come very thin but they are low torque.
 

T45

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A short (160mm), minimal offset (0*) is available, eg in aerospace series
XDHSFM1214.jpg


XDHSFM810
Dimension A, Head Dia., mm 12.1–14.9
Dimension C, Head Depth, mm 6.2–7.6
Dimension E, Length, mm 162.9
Finish Chrome
Size, mm 8–10
Style 12-point
Country Of Origin USA
Brand Snap-on

A specialty wrench you'd have special order, it may be of interest for ideas tho. (pic is a stock photo of anothe size).
 
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metaldad

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Two observations of the tool selection at Menards.
They have a lot of "Made in USA" stuff.
The "Made in China" wrenches from Crescent are as good as GearWrench, but 50% cheaper.

go to all the menards in the area to find those wrenches.
they were made by apex, which has ended all USA production last month (armstrong, allen, kd. those wrenches were rebranded allen).
menards is restocking with gearwrench.
 

Wamsutta

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A short (160mm), minimal offset (0*) is available, eg in aerospace series
XDHSFM1214.jpg

It appears that we'll never know the real reason why the original wrench in the first post was too thick. There's all kinds of dimensional thicknesses on a wrench.
 
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