Why are wrenches so short? I fail to get enough leverage.

[Hohn]

I also prefer long wrenches when there is room to swing them. Always grab them when doing suspension work.
You can get inexpensive ones, no need to visit the tool truck. I have a decade old set from H.F. They are rather crudely finished and thin but stand up to the beatings and abuse I heap on them. My only objection is the "skips" of 13 and 16mm sizes, important if you service German cars.
Hard to beat for the $$: https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-...ghly-polished-long-handle-combination-wrench-

The problem is that whole "room to swing them" part. Precious few occasions will afford such access. I use stubby and standard wrenches 10:1 compared to something I wish was longer.

If I need leverage, I have sockets and breaker bars that work quite well. Or a Nitrocat 1250k.

 

[Blueshound_GJ]

This looks like a pretty good deal. Not extra-long, but no skips in the smaller sizes and even includes some bigs:

Gearwrench 22 piece long-pattern set

Edit: Just want to also say I love long pattern wrenches. I don't even own any stubbies except for a couple cheapies I cut in half for some long forgotten job. For short stuff I prefer to use a ratchet. To each his own.

 

[dnschmidt]

When I sold TOPTUL they make an extra long set of combination wrenches that are the absolute bomb. I sold at least 100 sets of these. I don't think there is an American seller anymore but they truly are great.

15° Offset Extra Long Combination Wrench Set - TRAY - TOPTUL The Mark of Professional Tools

Detailed information of 15° Offset Extra Long Combination Wrench Set - TRAY offered by TOPTUL The Mark of Professional Tools.

www.toptul.com

 

[GrantCee]

Hehe, I see what you did there.

My experience with the Wrightgrip 2.0 is that they define pro-grade and if they are only 7 1/8, then that's the length of a pro-grade tool. I only wish they didn't skip 16mm and 18mm in the standard sets. My Honda has 18mm all over it.

I'm not sure what constitutes a "standard set", but their #758 goes from 7-24mm, and #751 goes 10-19mm, with no skips.

 

[Firebrick43]

You've obviously never removed a fastener that's been on anything for a while, or in less than ideal conditions.

Quite to the contrary, and that actually proves my point. With a long breaker bar/ratchet you are very likely to just twist it off.

The impact hammer jolts move the nut/bolt a small amount without exceeding its elasticity and rebounds, rinse, and repeat. The vibration allows rust and **** to fall out as well.

My point from the beginning was that comparing an impact wrench to standard tools that apply steady torque is illogical because it’s a different application of force.

 

[Hohn]

I'm not sure what constitutes a "standard set", but their #758 goes from 7-24mm, and #751 goes 10-19mm, with no skips.

I have #750 which skips 16 and 18mm.

12 Pt. SAE & Metric Combination Wrenches - Satin

www.wrighttool.com

 

[Firebrick43]

No one is comparing it to an impact wrench except you. Oh wait you're hyper focused on the fact that I used one on those bolts.

Well I've also used an 8 foot cheater pipe. They still broke free without snapping.

You're actually more likely to snap a bolt with a too hard impact than a gentle, slow strong pull.

Anyone can read post 28 and see that you were comparing them

 

[Outahere]

Professional Long Metric Combination Wrench Set, 10 Piece

Amazing deals on this 10Pc Met Long Combination Wrench Set at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Icon long combo set, 10-19mm no size skips, $80. Can be had for $60 when on sale.

 

[MovingAlong]

I understand that I can do the double wrench trick but why are wrenches so short? Could someone please recommend some decent wrenches?

Well, you received some good responses.

Curious to know, which recommendation are you going to go with?

 

[Wrench97]

Torque specs are a lot lower than shear, twist, and/or tensile strengths.

The torque spec for my 5th wheel bolts is 140 ft-lbs but by your logic they'll snap off if you apply 145. Considering only 12 of them combined pull over 68,000lb loads we know that can't be true. I applied 1,000 or more ft-lbs to remove the old ones (1" impact wrench), and not one of them snapped, twisted, or broke.

Sometimes snaping and breaking is the easiest way out

 

[WWheeler]

If I constantly failed to get enough leverage using standard length wrenches, this is the tool I'd resort to using more often.



Something like this is a lot cheaper than having to buy longer sets of wrenches and ratchets that are only a plus if and when you have the room to use them, and more beneficial in most other aspects of life too.

 

[dchawk81]

Sometimes snaping and breaking is the easiest way out

True.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

If I constantly failed to get enough leverage using standard length wrenches, this is the tool I'd resort to using more often.



Something like this is a lot cheaper than having to buy longer sets of wrenches and ratchets that are only a plus if and when you have the room to use them, and more beneficial in most other aspects of life too.

It's funny, I started going to the gym about 3 years ago. I'm 6'2, 183lb - obviously FAR from muscular.

For some reason, I really out-do my weight in certain activities....... farmers carry, grip strength and endurance, push/pull force with the forearm...... Hand tool and grunt work.



Sometimes it isn't the strength of someone, it's actually the fastener is tighter than the engagement surface allows. You see this on alignment hardware a lot. 5' wrench will round over the tie rod as easily as a 5" wrench, two flats of that 13mm hex can't support the 150+ ft/lb to overcome the rust.

 

[dchawk81]

I mean I can maneuver ~120lb semi truck tires and wheels but some fasteners require the extra leverage.

 

[dchawk81]

It's funny, I started going to the gym about 3 years ago. I'm 6'2, 183lb - obviously FAR from muscular.

For some reason, I really out-do my weight in certain activities....... farmers carry, grip strength and endurance, push/pull force with the forearm...... Hand tool and grunt work.



Sometimes it isn't the strength of someone, it's actually the fastener is tighter than the engagement surface allows. You see this on alignment hardware a lot. 5' wrench will round over the tie rod as easily as a 5" wrench, two flats of that 13mm hex can't support the 150+ ft/lb to overcome the rust.

I don't know why people are arguing against me when I said essentially the same thing. Lol.

Your experience is extremely limited if you think fasteners come off as easily as they go on.

 

[bonneyman]

I kept coming across jobs that my existing sets of wrenches wouldn't easily do, so I was regularly adding new styles. Now I've got bunches of sets from shorty to regular to long to extra long, deep offset to mild offset to flat, flares, etc. And lately I've been able to complete all of my tasks.

Whew - nice to be done buying tools!

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I don't know why people are arguing against me when I said essentially the same thing. Lol.

Your experience is extremely limited if you think fasteners come off as easily as they go on.

100%. Removal is by definition harder as one needs the extra force to get the thing moving in the first place at a bare minimum.

And that's before locktite, rust, etc. I've twisted the heads off M16 hardware with a 3/4 36" ratchet. Torque spec was under 150ft/lbs. LOL

 

[Blueshound_GJ]

I kept coming across jobs that my existing sets of wrenches wouldn't easily do, so I was regularly adding new styles. Now I've got bunches of sets from shorty to regular to long to extra long, deep offset to mild offset to flat, flares, etc. And lately I've been able to complete all of my tasks.

Whew - nice to be done buying tools!

Do you have those S-shaped ones? Haha

 

[ching0n]

you can probably make one of these w/some pipe or tubing if you don't want to pay the 20$

 

[F-22]

The torque spec for my 5th wheel bolts is 140 ft-lbs but by your logic they'll snap off if you apply 145. Considering only 12 of them combined pull over 68,000lb loads we know that can't be true. I applied 1,000 or more ft-lbs to remove the old ones (1" impact wrench), and not one of them snapped, twisted, or broke.

It's not some magic number, if you know what diameter and pitch and material the bolt is made of, you can find (or calculate) how much torque it will handle before it snaps off. The torque they prescribe for tightening is certainly much lower than the failure torque value.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I kept coming across jobs that my existing sets of wrenches wouldn't easily do, so I was regularly adding new styles. Now I've got bunches of sets from shorty to regular to long to extra long, deep offset to mild offset to flat, flares, etc. And lately I've been able to complete all of my tasks.

Whew - nice to be done buying tools!

Duh, Cannot be done buying tools yet; next weeks adventurous tasks have yet to emerge, creating a need for more.

 

[krzyimprt]

I think he meant what brand and model wrenches do you have so we have a reference
A “standard” length wrench would be like the old Craftsman raised panel or recent Husky style wrenches. Long pattern wrenches are like Snap on and the 19mm is about 11-12” long. You can find long pattern wrenches from just about every popular brand, it’s just a matter of how much you are looking to spend. So what’s the budget? One of the least expensive options are Autozone’s Duralast. It’s 10 piece metric set (with some skips) for $32. Harbor Freight’s Icon is a 6mm-19mm for $120 with frequent discounts and they perform well on Torque Test Channel.

Sorry. I posted this while baked last night and couldn't think. I have some husky metric ratcheting wrenches which are fairly short. (box store brand) It doesn't help that I'm only 130lbs either. I think I'm going to start using a pipe or wrench extender.

 

[assassin10000]

Hazet 600LG. Just got a set and they're awesome.

Longer than the XL snap on ones.

 

[finn]

It's funny, I started going to the gym about 3 years ago. I'm 6'2, 183lb - obviously FAR from muscular.

For some reason, I really out-do my weight in certain activities....... farmers carry, grip strength and endurance, push/pull force with the forearm...... Hand tool and grunt work.



Sometimes it isn't the strength of someone, it's actually the fastener is tighter than the engagement surface allows. You see this on alignment hardware a lot. 5' wrench will round over the tie rod as easily as a 5" wrench, two flats of that 13mm hex can't support the 150+ ft/lb to overcome the rust.

That’s why we have oxy-acetylene torches.

 

[Hohn]

Sometimes it isn't the strength of someone, it's actually the fastener is tighter than the engagement surface allows. You see this on alignment hardware a lot. 5' wrench will round over the tie rod as easily as a 5" wrench, two flats of that 13mm hex can't support the 150+ ft/lb to overcome the rust.

Thanks to modern tooling, I've never found my physical strength the limitation. And I'm nearly 50 and do an office job all day.
The trick to overcoming high static friction is vibration.

One of the best investments I've made is the mayhew "bolt breaker" for an air hammer. I dial down my air compressor pressure a little bit to ~55-60psi to tame the impacts and then I turn loose my air hammer just tapping on the fastener through a socket. Using the breaker as designed, you can apply some side to side wiggle on the fastener and you can feel the rust resistance breaking loose in your hand with the wrench on the breaker.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Sorry. I posted this while baked last night and couldn't think. I have some husky metric ratcheting wrenches which are fairly short. (box store brand) It doesn't help that I'm only 130lbs either. I think I'm going to start using a pipe or wrench extender.

If you're using the box end, try long offset wrenches like gearwrench XL or double flex head wrenches. Pattern is much longer and more useful than a standard combination wrench.

 

[Ton ton]

The local hardware store has DeWalt combo wrenches. 15mm is 9 3/16" overall length. Yes , they're available in singles.

 

[rust in the eye]

you can probably make one of these w/some pipe or tubing if you don't want to pay the 20$

I've just spent a few minutes browsing various versions of these. The listings are comical. Between the poor translations and grossly inappropriate ways they are being demonstrated in the photos I have to wonder if the folks that make them have ever laid a hand on wrench themselves. One showed the extender further enhanced by a long breaker bar at the handle end, all attached to some HopSing brand combination wrench. Let me know how that works out.
All that said I'm tempted to buy.

 

[lardy1]

Capri and others sell forged versions. They cost more but some of those look like stamped sheet metal.

 

[PMD1966]

I understand that I can do the double wrench trick but why are wrenches so short? Could someone please recommend some decent wrenches?

I worked in a stamping plant. Die setters needed to get bolts really tight. They would take a wrench, cut it in half and weld 3 0r 4 feet in the middle. Might work for you.

 

[ez-duzit]

I have a set of Craftsman Professional high polish long combination wrenches, but prefer using standard length, because that's what I've used most of my life.

 

[ez-duzit]

BTW these guys have a great price on the large Stahlwille metric combination wrench set.

Stahlwille Ringmaulschlüssel i.TCS TCS 14/21, 6-36MM 6 - 36 21tlg

Stahlwille Ringmaulschlüssel i.TCS TCS 14/21, 6-36MM 6 - 36 21tlg Shop bis 36% Rabatt auf 30.000 Werkzeuge bei Werkzeug Gigant. Gigantische Auswahl an Qualitätswerkzeuge für die komplette Werkstattausrüstung. Aktuelle günstige Angebote wie: Steckschlüsselsatz, Werkstattwagen, Knarrenkasten...

www.werkzeuggigant.com

 

[bassbone52]

When I sold TOPTUL they make an extra long set of combination wrenches that are the absolute bomb. I sold at least 100 sets of these. I don't think there is an American seller anymore but they truly are great.

15° Offset Extra Long Combination Wrench Set - TRAY - TOPTUL The Mark of Professional Tools

Detailed information of 15° Offset Extra Long Combination Wrench Set - TRAY offered by TOPTUL The Mark of Professional Tools.

www.toptul.com

These are great and longer than the Snap On extra longs.

 

[ching0n]

I've just spent a few minutes browsing various versions of these. The listings are comical. Between the poor translations and grossly inappropriate ways they are being demonstrated in the photos I have to wonder if the folks that make them have ever laid a hand on wrench themselves. One showed the extender further enhanced by a long breaker bar at the handle end, all attached to some HopSing brand combination wrench. Let me know how that works out.
All that said I'm tempted to buy.

it's not rocket science but I have a cheater bar made out of thin walled round tubing scrap that I've flattened slightly on one end to have a tight fit around a particular wrench head style.

 

[theoldwizard1]

IMHO, Craftsman is missing the boat ! So I am doing it the hard/expensive way. Buying individuals. They used to have nice. long pattern, double box end SAE and Metric wrenches. They probably stopped making them 10-20 years ago.



I need 6mm x 8mm and 16mm x 18mm

 

[lardy1]

That's kinda what I did when I was considering long combo's. I put together a set of Husky branded New Britain DBE's with the 15 degree offset. I got longer wrenches and didn't pay for yet another set of open ends that rarely get used.

 

[f121]

I mean I can maneuver ~120lb semi truck tires and wheels but some fasteners require the extra leverage.

It doesn't count if you use the steering wheel to maneuver them

Combination wrench length is another issue that I didn't know existed...Just use a breaker bar and socket?

 

[dchawk81]

It doesn't count if you use the steering wheel to maneuver them

Combination wrench length is another issue that I didn't know existed...Just use a breaker bar and socket?

Yes it does.

J/K. Just yesterday I pulled both my steers off the truck to remove the old centramatics.

If a socket and breaker bar fit, sure go for it. I have a 22 inch long 1/2 drive ratchet as well for when it works.

 

[sparky 1971]

IMHO, Craftsman is missing the boat ! So I am doing it the hard/expensive way. Buying individuals. They used to have nice. long pattern, double box end SAE and Metric wrenches. They probably stopped making them 10-20 years ago.



I need 6mm x 8mm and 16mm x 18mm

Vintage Craftsman =V= Series 6mm x 8mm Double Box End Wrench | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage Craftsman =V= Series 6mm x 8mm Double Box End Wrench at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Apparently the Craftsman 16X18 is a unicorn. How about a Matco?

Matco Tools USA Made RBL1618M Metric 16mm x 18mm Double Box End Wrench, 12 Point | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Matco Tools USA Made RBL1618M Metric 16mm x 18mm Double Box End Wrench, 12 Point at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[theoldwizard1]

Apparently the Craftsman 16X18 is a unicorn. How about a Matco?

I will wait !