Wrench sets besides combination to add to the box

[signcrafter]

A few years ago I bought a gearwrench(not ratcheting) 44 piece combination wrench set and they serve good as a main wrench set, https://www.amazon.com/GEARWRENCH-C...rn-Metric/dp/B00H2W7LVK/?tag=atomicindus08-20. I also have a set of blue point metric ratcheting flex combination wrenches and a set of snap on metric 0 degree long wrenches, https://shop.snapon.com/product/Sta...-0°-Offset-Box-Wrench-Set-(10–20-mm)/XDHFM606. I also have a set of gearwrench(non ratcheting) stubby in MM and SAE.

Would like to fill in any gaps in my wrench drawer. I want to get a set of stubby flex ratcheting wrenches which I posted about last week. But figure I may as well get any other wrenches I may need or that would be helpful for certain situations. Mostly deal with MM working on vehicles so probably only add metric sets to the drawer. For SAE I have the combination and also have a set of combination ratcheting so they cover just about any SAE I run into. Mostly looking for "specialty" MM sets for hard to access fasteners on vehicles. I like to add tools to make jobs easier when I get some extra money and pick one type of tool and try to get fill the drawer with all types of that tool I may need. So what are your favorite sets of MM wrenches I may want to add to my box?

 

[Dig Doug]

I’ve been looking at these but want them to include 18 & 19
I just grabbed a quick on line pic

 

[mikey03]

• XL double box end wrenches zero offset
• Flare nut wrenches, go snap on or vintage made in USA SK
• 4 way angle wrenches get CAT branded ones which are snap on rebrands
• XL double box end reversible ratcheting wrenches with a lip that extends. HF Icon with a 25% coupon would be the way to go
• Astro nano 1/4 and 3/8 nano sockets with there ratcheting wrench that lets you snap them

dont think I’d bother with stubby flex ratcheting wrenches honestly they look cool but I don’t think youll ever use them tbh

if you added these 5 to a set of good combinations and good regular length combination ratcheting wrenches then your probably real good except your wallet will hurt for a bit

might want to add double open end super thin wrenches at some point and you also got stubby combination wrenches

 

[impactims]

 

[impactims]

 

[mikey03]

At snap on price point per wrench and lack of set pricing if they want to sell me something like this then it needs to be 8-10 and 12-13 skipping 9 and 11. Make a 9-11 for people who want every specialty wrench in every size but make it so I can skip having to buy it.

18-20 is also kinda useless tbh should skip 20 and do 21

these are speciality wrenches, go get non skips for combo wrenches but for speciality honestly I won’t want filler at snap on prices

maybe
7-8
10-12
12-13
14-15
16-17
18-19

for a set like this with optional 9-11 for the true hoarders

 

[f121]

At snap on price point per wrench and lack of set pricing if they want to sell me something like this then it needs to be 8-10 and 12-13 skipping 9 and 11. Make a 9-11 for people who want every specialty wrench in every size but make it so I can skip having to buy it.

18-20 is also kinda useless tbh should skip 20 and do 21

these are speciality wrenches, go get non skips for combo wrenches but for speciality honestly I won’t want filler at snap on prices

maybe
7-8
10-12
12-13
14-15
16-17
18-19

for a set like this with optional 9-11 for the true hoarders

10/13 please.

I’ve got that SO set, never noticed it goes up to 20. It’s a really nice set to use.

 

[mikey03]

I’ve got that SO set, never noticed it goes up to 20. It’s a really nice set to use.

50 bucks a wrench gets you 2 useful sizes for a few of them but some you are stuck with 9, 11, and 20. For the ones like 13-14 that give two useful sizes, you are spending 25 bucks per size. Then you go to 18-20 and your spending 60 bucks for one useful size.

 

[f121]

50 bucks a wrench gets you 2 useful sizes for a few of them but some you are stuck with 9, 11, and 20. For the ones like 13-14 that give two useful sizes, you are spending 25 bucks per size. Then you go to 18-20 and your spending 60 bucks for one useful size.

The problem is useful sizes vary by individual. 9/12/14mm is zero use to me, 11mm gets used quite often. Not sure I’ve ever seen a 20mm!

 

[ecotec]

Besides standard combination?

Long pattern combination
Short pattern combination
Stubby combination
Ignition combination
6pt combination
Flare nut
DOE (I never use these)
Thin or cone
Angle
Angle ignition
Zero offset XL DBE
Deep offset
Shallow offset
Short offset
Ratcheting combination
Stubby ratcheting combination
Ratcheting XL DBE
XL DBE with ratcheting on one side and fixed on the other side
Brake wrenches
Tappet
Saltus
Pipe a cle

I don’t have any Pipe a cle and I don’t have a full set of Saltus, short offset, shallow offset or angle (just some random ones from estate sales),

Your ignition wrenches (combination and angled) should be forged, not stamped, or you will hate them.

 

[ssjones]

When I bought my MGB, this set was recommended to me. I use them all the time for awkward to reach fasteners (SAE)
Flex head, locking, ratcheting.

 

[four.cycle]

keep your ear to the ground for one of these.
the $105 price point is exactly twice what you should actually pay for that set.
Nicely finished. Nice crisp broaching.
S-K made an equivalent, but they're scarce and really pricey.
ProAmerica made the same set, but they have a grainy finish and aren't nearly as nicely finished as the D/I or S-K.
No reason to pay crazy money for that particular design of wrench - you cannot put that much torque on something that small with your arm.

 

[mikey03]

The problem is useful sizes vary by individual. 9/12/14mm is zero use to me, 11mm gets used quite often. Not sure I’ve ever seen a 20mm!

That’s true but are you using it on 11 mm bolts or 7/16 “ sae? I didn’t know there was 11 mm bolts tbh

 

[bonneyman]

If all I had were combo wrenches I'd add a good set of angle wrenches and several varieties of double box end wrenches. A set of shorty's with deep offset, and as the length increases the offset should decrease, as high torque on deep offset wrenches tend to make them slip sideways. So shorty 45 deg offset, standard length 15 deg offset, and extra long 0 deg offset. In SAE or metric which ever you need.
Ratcheting box ends are handy, extra long with flex head is good to have.

 

[KnurledNut]

A few years ago I bought a gearwrench(not ratcheting) 44 piece combination wrench set and they serve good as a main wrench set, https://www.amazon.com/GEARWRENCH-C...rn-Metric/dp/B00H2W7LVK/?tag=atomicindus08-20. I also have a set of blue point metric ratcheting flex combination wrenches and a set of snap on metric 0 degree long wrenches, https://shop.snapon.com/product/Standard-Handle,-0°-Offset,-mm-(High-Performance-Box)/6-pc-12-Point-Metric-Flank-Drive-High-Performance-0°-Offset-Box-Wrench-Set-(10–20-mm)/XDHFM606. I also have a set of gearwrench(non ratcheting) stubby in MM and SAE.

Would like to fill in any gaps in my wrench drawer. I want to get a set of stubby flex ratcheting wrenches which I posted about last week. But figure I may as well get any other wrenches I may need or that would be helpful for certain situations. Mostly deal with MM working on vehicles so probably only add metric sets to the drawer. For SAE I have the combination and also have a set of combination ratcheting so they cover just about any SAE I run into. Mostly looking for "specialty" MM sets for hard to access fasteners on vehicles. I like to add tools to make jobs easier when I get some extra money and pick one type of tool and try to get fill the drawer with all types of that tool I may need. So what are your favorite sets of MM wrenches I may want to add to my box?

I read your post and a set of 75° deep offset double box would complement your arsenal.
Stahlwille are highly recommended.

 

[Dave455]

That’s true but are you using it on 11 mm bolts or 7/16 “ sae? I didn’t know there was 11 mm bolts tbh

There are 11mm bolt heads. It’s the standard size for 7mm bolts.

Even under the old DIN system they were pretty rare, and I think ISO say the size is “non preferred”, so probably even rarer.

The only place I really see them is some brake bleed screws (Mercedes are one such user).

 

[signcrafter]

Thanks for the replies everyone. What are some good middle of the line brands when it comes to wrenches? I know some things it's worth the snap on prices, like flare nut wrenches and I paid snap on prices years ago when I bought my zero offset wrenches because I think they were the only ones that had them at the time from what I remember and those wrenches have been very handy. But if there is a middle of the line wrench set thast would be great for me since most likely these wrenches won't be used often, just in that time where it is the correct size/angle/type for a certain fastener in a certain location. Don't really want to pay snap on prices for something that will live in the box most of the time but also don't want garbage that is going to fail when needed the most for that specific hard to get to fastener. My gearwrench non ratcheting combination wrenches have held up fine for the last decade now and are a good price/quality ratio for me. Think they are the long pattern but don't remember for sure.

Is capri tools any good? I've never heard of them but when searching amazon I see they have a bunch of different wrench sets in all different styles for a middle range price point.

 

[signcrafter]

That’s true but are you using it on 11 mm bolts or 7/16 “ sae? I didn’t know there was 11 mm bolts tbh

There are 11mm bolt heads. It’s the standard size for 7mm bolts.

Even under the old DIN system they were pretty rare, and I think ISO say the size is “non preferred”, so probably even rarer.

The only place I really see them is some brake bleed screws (Mercedes are one such user).

I just did a 6l80 trans swap on a 15 silverado and the driveshaft bolts were 11mm. Maybe they were 7/16 but I used 11mm wrench and the youtube video I watched to get any tips from also said 11mm.

 

[Dave455]

Can’t really add to the list ecotec gave, but to add a bit of explanation -

I don’t really like lots of combination wrenches. I always think they’re a bit of a compromise, and if you only have a set with one of each size, you can’t hold a bolt head and nut at the same time!

Some conventional open ended wrenches are a good addition. Generally not costly or bulky, slimmer than a combo, and perfect for some roles.


I use slim open enders quite often. I hardly use them on tappets now, but often need them to stop a ball joint turning, and these are all that fit. Not all makers offer these.


Flare nut wrenches have been mentioned. Yes, definitely add some of these.

It’s also worth having a thick open ender, for hose connectors that just have a couple of flats. The Snap On flare nut wrench above (a superbly thought out tool) has such an open end.

For day to day use, and my first “go to”, I like a shallow offset box end. Deep offset are another option. Many manufacturers offer both.


The long / zero offset box ends are superb wrenches, and almost essential for some applications (some belt tensioners).


I also like a short box end. Handy tools for working around engines, and in wheel arches. Sometimes you can just wedge one of these to hold a bolt head while you ratchet off the nut.

 

[Dave455]

I just did a 6l80 trans swap on a 15 silverado and the driveshaft bolts were 11mm. Maybe they were 7/16 but I used 11mm wrench and the youtube video I watched to get any tips from also said 11mm.

Yes, they’re out there.

I seldom work on modern U.S. vehicles so can’t say how often they’re found there. The U.S. tended to do it’s own thing to a degree when it adopted metric (15mm for example).

But if you keep looking hard enough you find everything eventually.

You hardly ever find 15mm on European vehicles, as no bolt size uses it, but I’ve found it on belt tensioners, and alternators.

You always need one master set of wrenches with everything. When you get to the more specialised wrenches, you can maybe skip the less popular sizes.

 

[Dave455]

Thanks for the replies everyone. What are some good middle of the line brands when it comes to wrenches? I know some things it's worth the snap on prices, like flare nut wrenches and I paid snap on prices years ago when I bought my zero offset wrenches because I think they were the only ones that had them at the time from what I remember and those wrenches have been very handy. But if there is a middle of the line wrench set thast would be great for me since most likely these wrenches won't be used often, just in that time where it is the correct size/angle/type for a certain fastener in a certain location. Don't really want to pay snap on prices for something that will live in the box most of the time but also don't want garbage that is going to fail when needed the most for that specific hard to get to fastener. My gearwrench non ratcheting combination wrenches have held up fine for the last decade now and are a good price/quality ratio for me. Think they are the long pattern but don't remember for sure.

Is capri tools any good? I've never heard of them but when searching amazon I see they have a bunch of different wrench sets in all different styles for a middle range price point.

Depends where you are. Good call though, the “mid range” are about the best value I reckon.

In the U.S. it’s probably makers such as Wright or Williams (U.S. made). I have some Williams Supercombo’s and can barely believe how good they are. Williams offer many patterns of wrench too.

Proto should also be considered, though the prices can be a little higher than the others.

From Europe you have Hazet, Stahlwille, Heyco, Elora and Facom. The latter are mostly from Taiwan now, but the patterns and quality seem little changed from the French originals. One of the few companies who have outsourced without a noticeable drop in quality.

Hazet and Stahlwille offer superb wrenches and the prices are unbeatable on the east side of the pond.

Japanese wrenches are incredibly good value right now. KTC stand out due to their range, but their Nepros line are top price (albeit top quality). Asahi are good also.

 

[baldy343]

I think that if you are going to add stubby ratcheting wrenches, you should also add non-ratcheting wrenches. In the past couple weeks, I have run into several places where a ratcheting wrench does/did not fit, and had to use the 12pt, 1/12 turn at a time.

Having options makes the job at hand not **** nearly as bad.

 

[ecotec]

Depends where you are. Good call though, the “mid range” are about the best value I reckon.

In the U.S. it’s probably makers such as Wright or Williams (U.S. made). I have some Williams Supercombo’s and can barely believe how good they are. Williams offer many patterns of wrench too.

Proto should also be considered, though the prices can be a little higher than the others.

From Europe you have Hazet, Stahlwille, Heyco, Elora and Facom. The latter are mostly from Taiwan now, but the patterns and quality seem little changed from the French originals. One of the few companies who have outsourced without a noticeable drop in quality.

Hazet and Stahlwille offer superb wrenches and the prices are unbeatable on the east side of the pond.

Japanese wrenches are incredibly good value right now. KTC stand out due to their range, but their Nepros line are top price (albeit top quality). Asahi are good also.

The Wright and Williams wrenches are probably the most ergonomic wrenches made. I am forced to wear gloves on job sites, so I bring lighter wrenches to work… but the fatter beamed wrenches feel the most comfortable.

Here are examples of Wright and Williams.

 

[baldy343]

The Wright and Williams wrenches are probably the most ergonomic wrenches made. I am forced to wear gloves on job sites, so I bring lighter wrenches to work… but the fatter beamed wrenches feel the most comfortable.

Here are examples of Wright and Williams.

I love my Wright Jumbo wrenches. They don't hurt when reefing on them. A similar contender is the old school satin Husky wrenches. My go to for regular size are the Mac Precision Torques, as they are fatter on the hand grips, and don't cut into your hands.

 

[theoldwizard1]

long pattern double box end

short pattern double box end (you really don't need a whole set, but ...)

 

[msharley]

A few years ago I bought a gearwrench(not ratcheting) 44 piece combination wrench set and they serve good as a main wrench set, https://www.amazon.com/GEARWRENCH-C...rn-Metric/dp/B00H2W7LVK/?tag=atomicindus08-20. I also have a set of blue point metric ratcheting flex combination wrenches and a set of snap on metric 0 degree long wrenches, https://shop.snapon.com/product/Standard-Handle,-0°-Offset,-mm-(High-Performance-Box)/6-pc-12-Point-Metric-Flank-Drive-High-Performance-0°-Offset-Box-Wrench-Set-(10–20-mm)/XDHFM606. I also have a set of gearwrench(non ratcheting) stubby in MM and SAE.

Would like to fill in any gaps in my wrench drawer. I want to get a set of stubby flex ratcheting wrenches which I posted about last week. But figure I may as well get any other wrenches I may need or that would be helpful for certain situations. Mostly deal with MM working on vehicles so probably only add metric sets to the drawer. For SAE I have the combination and also have a set of combination ratcheting so they cover just about any SAE I run into. Mostly looking for "specialty" MM sets for hard to access fasteners on vehicles. I like to add tools to make jobs easier when I get some extra money and pick one type of tool and try to get fill the drawer with all types of that tool I may need. So what are your favorite sets of MM wrenches I may want to add to my box?

When needed?

Nothing else will do!

 

[msharley]

Seems?

Here on GJ?

We are connoisseurs of fine wrenches....

 

[ecotec]

Seems?

Here on GJ?

We are connoisseurs of fine wrenches....

For sure. I blame GJ and my wife.

Before GJ and my wife, I had raised panel Craftsman.

She took me to my first estate sale (where I filled a 5 gallon bucket with truck and industrial brand tools for very little money). Between that, and reading these threads… I got knowledgeable and picky… it has definitely become an addiction.

 

[mikey03]

She took me to my first estate sale (where I filled a 5 gallon bucket with truck and industrial brand tools for very little money).

the first hit is cheap

 

[n8n]

I have some German DOE wrenches that I actually found in a thrift store - they're unbranded but I'm pretty sure they're Hazet, they're so old they say "West Germany" on them - and I wouldn't use them every day but they are SUPER handy in some situations like counterholding when removing floating calipers as they're thinner than the open end on my SK combos but not as thin as a tappet wrench. It's a special application, but one that you run into enough that it's worth looking at them.

How they ended up in the Goodwill by where I was living at the time I have no idea, they earned a permanent spot in my tool collection. I even bought a Hazet one to replace the one that was missing from the set.

I also bought the Craftsman polished stubby combo set when they were doing blowouts back when they were in the process of shutting down. I use those even less often, BUT when you need one, you need one.

 

[n8n]

The Wright and Williams wrenches are probably the most ergonomic wrenches made. I am forced to wear gloves on job sites, so I bring lighter wrenches to work… but the fatter beamed wrenches feel the most comfortable.

Here are examples of Wright and Williams.

I feel the same way about SK Superkromes but can't recommend them anymore unless you're 100% sure that they are USA made. I also have Wright and Snap-On in some larger sizes and while I know Snap-On is good stuff, I too prefer the fatter beams just for comfort reasons. First went down the rabbit hole when a friend who refused to work on foreign cars found most of the SK metric set in a pawn shop, I traded him my Craftsman wrenches for them. They're still in my bicycle tool kit; I bought a bigger set for my car/general use roll cabinet later on.

 

[n8n]

Yes, they’re out there.

I seldom work on modern U.S. vehicles so can’t say how often they’re found there. The U.S. tended to do it’s own thing to a degree when it adopted metric (15mm for example).

But if you keep looking hard enough you find everything eventually.

You hardly ever find 15mm on European vehicles, as no bolt size uses it, but I’ve found it on belt tensioners, and alternators.

You always need one master set of wrenches with everything. When you get to the more specialised wrenches, you can maybe skip the less popular sizes.

Need 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 MM wrenches. What are you using?

Cryer Tool are fast shipping out to you also. They seem to be good people. I'm making up another order from them soon.

www.garagejournal.com

since there's three different metric standards, metric really didn't make things simpler. Plus as you say there's always someone that's got to use an oddball size. I want to say 9mm, 15mm, 20mm are the only sizes in a normal size range that aren't used for SOMETHING.

I do remember the bolts for a VW Rabbit GTI ball joint were M7 therefore had an 11mm head. I also remember buying M7 bolts - it's been long enough I don't remember what class but I was smart enough to know to use at least 8.8 - at a local hardware store (that sadly no longer exists, and therefore exercises like installing new ball joints and control arms are much more difficult now. Today I'd just order every fastener I could need for the job when I order my parts, likely from FCP Euro)

The problem that I have is I still think in DIN when working on metric stuff, having spent lots of years wrenching on 80s VWs, BMWs, and Porsches, so I always grab the wrong wrench (it's essentially an obsolete standard at this point as the Krauts have adopted ISO since)

 

[Dave455]

since there's three different metric standards, metric really didn't make things simpler. Plus as you say there's always someone that's got to use an oddball size. I want to say 9mm, 15mm, 20mm are the only sizes in a normal size range that aren't used for SOMETHING.

I do remember the bolts for a VW Rabbit GTI ball joint were M7 therefore had an 11mm head. I also remember buying M7 bolts - it's been long enough I don't remember what class but I was smart enough to know to use at least 8.8 - at a local hardware store (that sadly no longer exists, and therefore exercises like installing new ball joints and control arms are much more difficult now. Today I'd just order every fastener I could need for the job when I order my parts, likely from FCP Euro)

The problem that I have is I still think in DIN when working on metric stuff, having spent lots of years wrenching on 80s VWs, BMWs, and Porsches, so I always grab the wrong wrench (it's essentially an obsolete standard at this point as the Krauts have adopted ISO since)

I can only agree.

Here in the U.K. in Whitworth days, 4 or 5 wrenches would cover anything found on most cars.

With the switch to Unified (SAE) you needed maybe 7 or 8 for the same range.

In metric you might now need 10 or 12. Of course, you only really need maybe 6 of the 12 available, but which 6….. ?

Sadly, there are more than three metric standards. At one time, every country had it’s own - there’s even a Swedish standard that uses Whitworth threads with metric bolt heads!

Thankfully, ISO seems to be becoming the standard in most places, at least in the automotive world.

 

[f121]

That’s true but are you using it on 11 mm bolts or 7/16 “ sae? I didn’t know there was 11 mm bolts tbh

I see them reasonably often for fine thread m6.

 

[four.cycle]

I want to say 9mm, 15mm, 20mm are the only sizes in a normal size range that aren't used for SOMETHING.

15mm = a Ford must have.

Only time in my life I can recall using a 9mm was on the Weinmann brake calipers on my 1971 "Astra" 10-speed (built by Motobecane.)

 

[Beerhippie]

Good quality adjustables in 6-12 inches. Vise-Grips--Petersen or Malco Eagle Grip--in 4-8 inches, regular and needle-nose.

Don't forget the BFH.

 

[Fixr]

My go-to is standard long pattern combinations. Second is extra long pattern combinations. Third is Saltus, and I only have two of them.

Somehow, I suspect that my usage pattern may not be typical.

 

[impactims]

Thanks for the replies everyone. What are some good middle of the line brands when it comes to wrenches?

Cornwell Blue Power….

 

[impactims]

At snap on price point per wrench and lack of set pricing if they want to sell me something like this then it needs to be 8-10 and 12-13 skipping 9 and 11. Make a 9-11 for people who want every specialty wrench in every size but make it so I can skip having to buy it.

18-20 is also kinda useless tbh should skip 20 and do 21

these are speciality wrenches, go get non skips for combo wrenches but for speciality honestly I won’t want filler at snap on prices

maybe
7-8
10-12
12-13
14-15
16-17
18-19

for a set like this with optional 9-11 for the true hoarders

I don't see anything "specialty" about them.

I use them all the time for ordinary things. Much better than a combo wrench most of the time. The double box is handy meaning less tools to dig out, less wrenches anyways because you get 2 sizes with 1 wrench. A stubby combo is shorter than needed most of time and a standard combo is longer than needed most of the time. These are perfect. The shape and length of these wrenches feel very good in the hand. Honestly, I would rather have these plus 4 way "angle" wrenches and have no combo wrenches at all. The 4 ways are much better than the open end of a combo and these are better than the box end of a combo. Of course, you would want to have short and long on the double box wrenches. Not JUST these....

 

[drtyler]

Is capri tools any good? I've never heard of them but when searching amazon I see they have a bunch of different wrench sets in all different styles for a middle range price point.

They sell pretty good tools, mostly made in Taiwan. Their bit sockets (hex, torx, triple square), standard combo wrenches, and reversible ratcheting combo wrenches are all good tools that I have experience using.