Wrench Thread!

[ILDurable]

Hey there!

I recently got a job where I am a porter/apprentice tech for a medium/heavy duty truck dealer. The other day when one of the techs was off, I got the chance to work on some trucks. I had to borrow other mechanic's tools, simply for the fact was that I didn't think I would be working on trucks so quickly. I use to sell tools, but because of that I'm only familiar with the higher end stuff such as SK, Armstrong, ect.

Because I do not have the funds to buy Snap On, Matco and all the truck brands, I'm looking at the "lower" end stuff to start me out in the shop. I have had my own tools for quite a bit, For sockets, I have all Craftsman. I of course have my 3/8" SK ratchet and 1/2" SK breaker bar. But I need to go with a decent wrench set.

Do I go with the Pittsburgh Professional wrenches, Craftsman wrenches, or Husky wrenches? Here's what I'm looking at.

http://www.harborfreight.com/raised-panel-combination-wrench-set-22-pc-68729.html - 22 pc set. Both metric and sae. Awesome price, $15 on sale. I'm just not familiar with Harbor Freight tools at all. I'd like to know the warranty.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-18-pc-combination-inch-wrench-set/p-00987642000P?prdNo=10 - Here's an 18 pc from Craftsman. A little pricey at $80. But I know the warranty is great and I haven't broke any of my other Craftsman tools.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Mix-Combo-Wrench-Set-34-Piece-HW34PCMIX/202934547# - Here's another one that interested me. 34 pc set. Metric and sae, and comes with stubby wrenches too. Fair price of $40. I believe Husky has a lifetime warranty too.

The big question is what to go with. Help me out on this one fellow posters!

 

[fiv216]

I'd personally (no formal experience of 9-5 use of tools) would check in the classifieds/ebay/craigslist. Simply because you may be able to get such a tool truck brand, or even save on say that craftsman set.

Also, I have the same type of craftsman wrenches & they haven't let me down yet, no experience with harbor freight or husky so I can't comment on those although, i believe harborfrieght is pretty good about there lifetime warranty, they replaced my torque wrench for free when it broke.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Check Carlyle on eBay. I scored the mm and sae sets for $40ish each. They are copycat of SO FD+.

There's A LOT of good stuff in the classifieds here as well.

And I have complete sets of NOS Craftsman in the "spare box" that I'm not opposed to selling.

 

[sberry]

Why worry about a warranty on a 15$ set of wrenches?

 

[Bobcat753]

Since your in heavy truck repair your going to need some big wrenches. At times you'll be using 3/4" or bigger daily. I've had Pittsburg wrenches and snapped them(the big ones). Now I have a combination of different USA brands. I find that when you go to yard sales/flea markets and see loose wrenches that is a great way to save money especially when it comes to sizes over 1". Aside from wrenches you'll probably need a decent 3/4" set,I'd go for a craftsman set so when you break it you can easily get a new one. Finally don't be worried about smaller size wrenches. You can get a craftsman set for $30 if you look in the Sunday flyers. Well that's my .02 cents

 

[d.mcfarland]

Get what you will be using for a long time right now. You don't want to be "that guy" that brings **** to work and breaks tools or the equipment you're working on. Of the three listed, I would pick the Craftsman.

 

[Wakefield]

Is there anything much above 1 and 3/8ths" that can beat a Wright in big 12 point combination wrenches? Williams or Armstrong?
Craftsman made before 2004? But those are still not as impressive as Wright to me
Any big wrenches in Pawnshops?

 

[dualsub2006]

I have those Pittsburgh wrenches in my truck toolbox. I bought a bunch of HF stuff so I wouldn't cry if I lost it.

I know their warranty exchange is simple and painless, but I've yet to break anything. I've beaten on these wrenches with hammers and not managed to snap one yet.

For getting started, the Pittsburgh stuff isn't a bad choice.

 

[Steinmetz]

Why worry about a warranty on a 15$ set of wrenches?

Agree. The price incentive you've received may be viewed as partially in compensation for the lack of warranty coverage.

 

[espyking83]

Just buy used on here. I bought a great set of Proto Challengers on here for $50 when I first started as an Aircraft Mechanic, I will never have to buy a set of SAE wrenches again. Good people on this site, just don't pay with the gift option on PayPal.


Seriously, people here aren't trying to make money, just need to unload for more tools. Help them while helping yourself. Buy a single quality used wrench and you'll never want to use that Chinese junk at work again. Leave the Husky for the house. If you have to choose though, go with Gearwrench, or Williams Taiwan.

 

[espyking83]

Look here, this guy has an old US made Blue Point wrench set for only $40, he has a good reputation as well. Scroll down about halfway:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=233490

Light years better than anything you'd find at Lowes or Home Depot. Just sand blast or clean with spirits.

 

[ILDurable]

Thanks for the opinions fellas.

I'd like to point out that right now, they are keeping me on simple stuff (since I'm an apprentice). They had me doing hydraulic hose repair on some flat beds and changing mudflaps, so I don't need the big, big sizes yet. Also I never seem to have luck with Craigslist or yard sales.

 

[espyking83]

Thanks for the opinions fellas.

I'd like to point out that right now, they are keeping me on simple stuff (since I'm an apprentice). They had me doing hydraulic hose repair on some flat beds and changing mudflaps, so I don't need the big, big sizes yet. Also I never seem to have luck with Craigslist or yard sales.

NP, this site helped me out immensely when I switched from Avionics to Airframes/powerplants. If you can find quality used tools I would grab them up. Very few things you can't find here.

 

[espyking83]

Check these babies out:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Armstrong-T...131003132420&rk=2&rkt=6&sd=351065644374&rt=nc


Goes all the way down to a 1/4". Buy used when first starting out man, they all end up that way anyways.

 

[ILDurable]

Not bad, I'm just the kind of guy that likes to go see something and actually pick it up and feel it, ya know?

 

[espyking83]

Not bad, I'm just the kind of guy that likes to go see something and actually pick it up and feel it, ya know?

If all you have ever felt has been at a Lowes or HD, you have never felt a wrench. Cheapies are uncomfortable, slip, break, and rust. They hold no value, it's like throwing money away. But hey man, it's your show. I'm here if you need me.

 

[Gmonkee]

I worked heavy equiptment repair with Chinese made Stanley wrenches for a few years. None broke either.
No warranty I knew of and never had to think about it. Later on sold them for more than I paid for them.

I also have Proto, Wurth, Bonney and older Stanley Workmaster wrench sets. Among other brands of wrench sets only known well in Mexico. The AZ PowerBuilt DBE are the only 'bad' as they are slightly oversized in the broach causing problems only on Korean made cars.

I have the 5pc CM combo wrench set in the 1" and up, despite my general dislike for RP anything in any brand they are good tools and always completed the job.

The Wurth would be rated the best users of what I have and used. But for the budget minded that isn't really an option. The only problem with these sets is there is absolutely no way I can sell them if just to break even. Buying new retail gets the bling but they better be lifetime tools.

 

[rsanter]

I have some older proto wrenches I am not using.
Good older USA stuff
I have sizes up to I think 1 1/4"
If you are interested let me know

Bob

 

[espyking83]

I worked heavy equiptment repair with Chinese made Stanley wrenches for a few years. None broke either.
No warranty I knew of and never had to think about it. Later on sold them for more than I paid for them.

I also have Proto, Wurth, Bonney and older Stanley Workmaster wrench sets. Among other brands of wrench sets only known well in Mexico. The AZ PowerBuilt DBE are the only 'bad' as they are slightly oversized in the broach causing problems only on Korean made cars.

I have the 5pc CM combo wrench set in the 1" and up, despite my general dislike for RP anything in any brand they are good tools and always completed the job.

The Wurth would be rated the best of what I have and used. But for the budget minded that isn't really an option.

It's true that it's really hard to break any wrench, but sometimes due to time restraints/mood, you abuse them. I can't kill these Proto's, I have tried. Kobalt, Non-US Husky, Stanley, etc... will all strip out. Those Pittsburg Pro's are pretty decent for the price. Picked up my coworkers by accident one day, was surprised at the results.

 

[espyking83]

I have some older proto wrenches I am not using.
Good older USA stuff
I have sizes up to I think 1 1/4"
If you are interested let me know

Bob

*Raises hand*

Pics?

 

[Jwych]

I would but the craftsman set. First of all the warranty is good. Also the sizes it comes with should fit majority of your needs. 80 dollars is pretty reasonable for a set that large with wrenches all the way up to 1 5/16

Also if you need them now i wouldn't wait to find something on clist because chances are it wont come up untill you have finally gotten fed up and bought something different.

 

[ILDurable]

Thank you everyone for the help. I checked out all the products I mentioned in person.

I ended up with the Pittsburgh wrenches. They felt pretty damn decent, had a nice chrome polish to them and got two sets (a sae and mm) set for $20 all together. They also come with a lifetime warranty. Eventually I will move up to a big truck brand such as Snap On or Matco, but the big thing right now is I'm not always going to be working on trucks at the moment. Since I'm apprentice, a lot of my day is running for parts, cleaning up the shop and truck yard, and ect. The Pittsburgh wrenches will do just fine for now.

Also on my trip to HF today, I picked up a nice pair of Pittsburgh Pro 7" diagonal cutters for when I run electrical wire, and a tool bag for them. In addition to that, I received a free 6pc screwdriver set which was a nice surprise!

 

[healing]

I will add that long pattern wrenches really are nice if you have the room. Bigger trucks usually means you have more room (most of the time). Grab a long pattern wrench and use it awhile and see how they fit your needs. Besides you will find that you will want more than one set of wrenches anyway.

 

[cheechi]

you'll be upgrading from those dikes pretty soon. Like after 3 cuts or so of 16ga.

Of the ones you linked, in that price range I would have recommended Kobalt. Their wrenches are better than the Chinese cman, Husky, or HF.