Wide and Thin Combination Wrenches

[Wamsutta]

Some of you guys don't like thin combination wrenches, but for me, the wide and thin profile of the Snap-on combination wrench makes them the most maneuverable wrenches I've ever used. I can flip them around and make them dance across my finger tips. They're like the Porsche 911 Targa of combination wrenches.

I don't think they were made for comfort. I think they were made for maneuverability.

 

[seanb02]

And your point is?

Myself, I like having a selection of different wrenches depending on the application. Because having the space to make the wrench dance across my fingertips flipping it around in a beautiful pattern would mean that I could get a cordless impact in there and get the job done in half the time you would spend fondling that immaculate Snap-on while doing your dirty dancing routine with it...

 

[JR 42]

I've never run into a situation where the thickness of a combo wrench beam made a difference with access, but I don't do much, so who knows. If I have to bear down on something I prefer a thicker beam than my old Snap-on, Carlyle, and KD thin wrenches.

I hardly ever use an open end, so being able to flip a wrench quickly isn't of much importance. Wrights, Armstrongs etc flip just fine if I do.

 

[sk farmer]

well..... a ****** feeling wrench feels like **** no matter what. that is why i like my old bonney/matco wrenches.

the real question is do the socket detents line up perfectly?

 

[Wamsutta]

And your point is?

My point is we don't talk enough about Snap-on wrenches. All anybody ever wants to talk about is Wright, Tekton, and Carlyle.

 

[JR 42]

Really? Huh. They're mentioned all the time. In the threads that aren't absolute train wrecks, Snap- on gets plenty of accolades. I don't think very many people have issues with their quality, and folks that like them really like them. Some people find the thin beam uncomfortable and look to other manufacurers.

 

[Fluelikesymptoms]

I dont like mine, I avoid using mine in fact. I'm unsure what you mean by wide and thin, mine are thin and thin.

Very uncomfortable imo, they dig into my hands pretty hard and in situations where I have to use the wrench on multiple thing in short time, they make my palms feel a bit sore. Boohoo me I know.

That said I agree with your statement on maneuverability. They can fit into some pretty tight place from the box end to the jaws.

The main thing I dont like about them the most though, is the fd+ seems to be more of a problem then a solution. They're a bit odd, they can be the tool that mangles a bolt head up, or they can be the tool that removes a rounded bolt head off. Usually they just tear then up though.

Not useless wrench I will say, even though I may not prefer them, I will always trust them to do what I need and not break. (Except fd+ at times)

I should say I avoid them on corroded fasteners

 

[Matt XYZ]

I've never used a Snap-on wrench so those of you who don't like them, please feel free to send them to me and I'll give them a try.

I grew up using Craftsman RPs but now have Proto and Tekton sets and a bunch of used German wrenches. They are all are much better than the Cmans. I'm jut a DIYer so I don't use my tools enough to get frustrated with the ergonomics. My kids are now using the Cmans.

 

[Tonyuk]

Facom 440's are the best spanners out there, better than any snap-on trash.

Followed by the Stahlwille 14 series,

Followed by the Gedore XL series,

Followed by Toptul extra-longs

Then the Williams USA made extra thick spanners, those are very good too.

Snap-on's are both my most expensive and least used spanners.

 

[bwringer]

Facom 440's are the best spanners out there, better than any snap-on trash.

Followed by the Stahlwille 14 series,

Followed by the Gedore XL series,

Followed by Toptul extra-longs

Then the Williams USA made extra thick spanners, those are very good too.

Snap-on's are both my most expensive and least used spanners.

Ooh, those Facoms do look niiiiiice. Reasonably priced, too.

I am also not personally a fan of super-shiny and skinny Snap-On and Snap-On-esque wrenches, but I get why people like them. It's a matter of taste, and tastes vary.

Anyway, thanks for mentioning those -- I hadn't really considered Facom much. They're uncommon here in the states.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003PSINDK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[dubdoc]

I couldn't agree more. As a Gas Tech, I had used a Snap-On combo on a control and found it amazing, so I went out and bought the 3 I use most 3/8, 7/16 and 1/2". Couldn't be happier.

 

[Tallpilot]

Facom 440's are the best spanners out there, better than any snap-on trash.

Followed by the Stahlwille 14 series,

Followed by the Gedore XL series,

Followed by Toptul extra-longs

Then the Williams USA made extra thick spanners, those are very good too.

Snap-on's are both my most expensive and least used spanners.

Yes, but Merk wanted a whole thread devoted to breathless praise of Snap-on with special emphasis on spanners. Have you no care for his feelings?

 

[jsmeece]

Those Facom 440 combos are a little on the short side are they not?

 

[Tonyuk]

Have you no care for his feelings?

Not one, especially not when it comes to spanners...

Those Facom 440 combos are a little on the short side are they not?

They are, i've never found that to be a problem. Still long enough to counterhold for an impact.

 

[scubadoober]

And your point is?

His point is the targa is the best handling of all the 911's.

 

[Mr_B]

No idea why facom didn't do long pattern 440's
You can get same wrenches under usag brand and premier brand, premier also started do the facom style ratchet wrenches (440 and all ratchet wrenches are taiwan oem)
My favourite wrenches are stahlwille 14 series, mac precision torque and toptul extra long.

 

[M6erfan]

No idea why facom didn't do long pattern 440's
You can get same wrenches under usag brand and premier brand, premier also started do the facom style ratchet wrenches (440 and all ratchet wrenches are taiwan oem)
My favourite wrenches are stahlwille 14 series, mac precision torque and toptul extra long.

The Stahlwille 14's are really great wrenches and can be found on Amazon.de at good prices. KTC makes great wrenches too. Some people complain about the beam thickness on the Williams but they are very comfortable to use.

 

[Dakkyz]

Hazet 600LG are the best I have used..
I do like the toptul as well and the USAG 285L but they are hard to come by now.

Sent from my SM-G950F using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[SteveCh]

There are times when I need a thin wrench. I don't have any, but my airplane mechanic friend has a set of Snap-ons. Luckily for me, his shop hangar is next door to mine and he lets me use his. Because those times I really need that thin 7/8 or whatever are working on my airplane engines.

Other than the aircraft, I probably need a thin wrench once or twice a year.

 

[Squankum]

When I need a thin wrench, my mind goes to:

a) the bicycle "cone" wrenches (15mm = VW rear disc brake sliders) and maybe some other size or two, then the Campognolo 32mm headset wrench

(I also have a Crafstman raised panel 32mm wrench because I am a silly *******. I think I got this for bike work, too. Someday, I'll use it on a car, I swear.)

2) The small Hazet wrench set that came with one of my dad's cars back in the early 60's. Thin all over, hurt my hands, and fit fasteners quite snugly.

 

[JR 42]

Are the heads on Snap-on combos that much thinner than everyone else's?

When I've needed a thin head for doubled check nuts or whatever, usually I can't find any combos thin enough, tappet wrenches are too thick, and I have to dig through the box of old-timey DOE's and combos and stamped sheet metal wrenches to find something that will work.

 

[Jacksonsman]

I've never used a Snap-on wrench so those of you who don't like them, please feel free to send them to me and I'll give them a try.



I grew up using Craftsman RPs but now have Proto and Tekton sets and a bunch of used German wrenches. They are all are much better than the Cmans. I'm jut a DIYer so I don't use my tools enough to get frustrated with the ergonomics. My kids are now using the Cmans.

I love proto wrenches. The black ratcheting reversible set are the most versatile tools I've ever used. Tough as hell too. Slammed them with hammers, cheater bars, etc. Still functioned flawlessly. Only ratcheting set I've ever seen take that kind of abuse. Gearwrench, craftsman, westward, all failed pretty quickly. You did good!!

Snap-on are very nice, until you really have to beast on them. Have bruised/cut my palms before with them. Almost have a knife edge on them. Your not missing anything.

Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk

 

[M6erfan]

Are the heads on Snap-on combos that much thinner than everyone else's?

When I've needed a thin head for doubled check nuts or whatever, usually I can't find any combos thin enough, tappet wrenches are too thick, and I have to dig through the box of old-timey DOE's and combos and stamped sheet metal wrenches to find something that will work.

No they're not.

Thinner profile heads will be found on Gedore's though. DOE "Motor Wrenches" are typically shorter and thinner than combos.

 

[theoldwizard1]

When I need a thin wrench, my mind goes to:

a) the bicycle "cone" wrenches ...

Yep ! Park Tool Cone Wrench Set

 

[theoldwizard1]

Craftsman used to sell a set of DBE wrenches that were longer and slightly thinner that the traditional RP combination wrenches. SBD has not brought them back.

You can find them on eBay for RIDICULOUS prices !

 

[vssjim]

THe older Snap on wrenches that were made when name was script were good but the newer with block letters they made way to thin and will sting your hands when they pop loose a nut or bolt. The difference between a Porsche and a porcupine is the porcupine has the pricks on the outside.

 

[plinker]

My preference for wrenches are the Matco MCL /Armstrong full polish and Williams Supercombos. Older Bonney made wrenches are quite nice too.

I'm typically wearing gloves anyway so knife edge wrenches arent usually an issue. If something is that tight where it digs in, I'll use a longer box wrench assuming the open end isnt what's needed.

For thin wrenches, these VIM wrenches are very good, I have a Matco labeled set. They can take quite a bit of torque surprisingly enough, I have yet to mess one up. Very handy for caliper pins with a hex on them, most wrenches are too wide IME.

https://www.tooltopia.com/vim-mfw100.aspx

 

[BFHtime]

When I first pulled hard on the Snap-on wrenches, they dug into my hands too. I found that pull on the ring of the box end or just in front of it so and putting pressure where beam transitions into the ring of the box, makes pulling as hard as I want no problem, same thing when pulling on the opposite side of the wrench. Pulling in the different spot makes them a joy to use instead of bruising the bones in your hand with a hard pull.

 

[SRSemenza]

I love proto wrenches. The black ratcheting reversible set are the most versatile tools I've ever used. Tough as hell too. Slammed them with hammers, cheater bars, etc. Still functioned flawlessly. Only ratcheting set I've ever seen take that kind of abuse. Gearwrench, craftsman, westward, all failed pretty quickly. You did good!!

Those black Protos that you have ............................ are they the double box end? or the combination? How has the finish held up? Do you know the tooth count?

Seth

 

[WittHay]

THe older Snap on wrenches that were made when name was script were good but the newer with block letters they made way to thin and will sting your hands when they pop loose a nut or bolt.

The older Snap-on wrenches were my favorite. A little shorter and thicker than the new ones. Also they were available in chrome, satin and black.

I dont particularly care for the new Snappy combination wrenches and chose Proto over Snap-on for various reasons.

 

[Tallpilot]

My preference for wrenches are the Matco MCL /Armstrong full polish and Williams Supercombos. Older Bonney made wrenches are quite nice too.

I'm typically wearing gloves anyway so knife edge wrenches arent usually an issue. If something is that tight where it digs in, I'll use a longer box wrench assuming the open end isnt what's needed.

For thin wrenches, these VIM wrenches are very good, I have a Matco labeled set. They can take quite a bit of torque surprisingly enough, I have yet to mess one up. Very handy for caliper pins with a hex on them, most wrenches are too wide IME.

https://www.tooltopia.com/vim-mfw100.aspx

I wonder if these are the same? I like that they are forged, not stamped.

https://capritools.com/wrenches/super-thin-open-end-wrench-set/

 

[Dieselhammer]

Although i can appreciate the attention to detail and overall quality of Snap On combo wrenches, i dislike their feel and they downright hurt when you're using them to backhold a stuck nut and bolt combo and you're impacting the other side with a 1/2" or 3/4" gun. On the other hand, i would still buy Snap On flare nut wrenches and double box end wrenches, i just dislike the combo's. I choose Wright and SK for my main wrench sets in my work box, also have a random array of Proto, vintage Williams and craftsman.

 

[M6erfan]

The older Snap-on wrenches were my favorite. A little shorter and thicker than the new ones. Also they were available in chrome, satin and black.

I dont particularly care for the new Snappy combination wrenches and chose Proto over Snap-on for various reasons.

^^^That, I like! Satin finish, no 'teeth' and comfortable beams.

I wonder how close those are to modern Williams.

 

[Lisamelting]

The Snap-on was purchased in 1997, the Gearwrench I got this year. The Gearwrench is about 2mm longer and doesn't have the serrations in the open end.

That being said, they feel the same in the hand during use. If I picked one or the other up and started using it without looking at it, I wouldn't know the difference.

 

[BarryWells]

Yes, but Merk wanted a whole thread devoted to breathless praise of Snap-on with special emphasis on spanners. Have you no care for his feelings?

I like something I can get a grip on.
https://www.toolbarn.com/wright-9ac36.html/

 

[Guam_Guy]

I wonder if these are the same? I like that they are forged, not stamped.

https://capritools.com/wrenches/super-thin-open-end-wrench-set/

Did you buy this set? If so how do they perform? I am in the market for a set on thin wrenches and these seem to fit the bill.

 

[plinker]

I wonder if these are the same? I like that they are forged, not stamped.

https://capritools.com/wrenches/super-thin-open-end-wrench-set/

They certainly look the same to me, rack & all. Likely are the same given there are only so many company's making tools in Taiwan in the first place.

 

[Tallpilot]

Did you buy this set? If so how do they perform? I am in the market for a set on thin wrenches and these seem to fit the bill.

I did and I can recommend them highly. I bought mine from Home Depot with free shipping to the store by my house. I can't remember the exact price but it was very reasonable.