Wrenches with "flank drive plus" technology

[cesski]

@Fedwrench: Are those wrenches Williams USA or Taiwan?

 

[Fedwrench]

@Fedwrench: Are those wrenches Williams USA or Taiwan?

Supercombos are only US made

 

[Jim Diesel]

For you Aussie blokes. SP make a nice set, as do Sidchrome

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Maybe it would be more helpful, if the OP stated his budget… Unless I missed something. I think what he wants to spend on wrenches, rules out a lot of the recommendations.

 

[cesski]

I am simply asking about other alternatives or similar offerings to Snap-On's Flank Drive Plus to educate myself... seeing that there are a lot of options out here in the US that I have never had experience with before.

Also, I just bought the Sunex.

 

[mr.speaker]

Let us know when you get those wrenches. I was looking them up on eBay and it looks like some of the V-grooves have the teeth and some don't ..Not sure what's up with that because mine definitely have the teeth and I picked them up a while back

 

[mr.speaker]

See what I mean ? Both V-groove , but one has the teeth and the other doesn't

I don't know what's up with that, same model number listed but obviously different

 

[cesski]

Yikes! Now you got me worried! :/

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[jhnlngn]

There are a few differences. Snap on Flank Drive Plus open ends use teeth. Williams uses notches. I think the teeth grip better. The Snap on FDP wrench is thinner and lighter. The Williams is a little heavier but, avoids the knife edge fell if leaning heavy on the wrench. Here are a few crappy pictures of a 15mm wrench. Please don't think you're getting a snap on wrench by buying the Williams cheaper. They are completely different.

Thanks for the info and pics!

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

I don't know why you'd be interested in champagne on a cola budget...

 

[Strouty]

One thing that no one really discusses is the damage that these "teeth" can do to hardware. If you don't care, then don't worry about it, but if you are working on something special it may be an issue. I bought a nice set of non flank drive plus 6 point wrenches to work on anything that really matters.

 

[GSMotorrad]

One thing that no one really discusses is the damage that these "teeth" can do to hardware. If you don't care, then don't worry about it, but if you are working on something special it may be an issue. I bought a nice set of non flank drive plus 6 point wrenches to work on anything that really matters.

Yup, and how often are you guys having non-flank drive open ends slipping off stuff? In all my years, it's never once happened to me.

Yes, the flankdrive does grip better, but unnecessarily so, with a higher cost and possibly leaving dents in fasteners.

 

[BK13]

Gee, does that mean I need to get TWO sets (well, actually more like eight, SAE/MM, midget, standard, standard with teeth, XL) of combo wrenches? Dang.


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[OutsideMachinist]

Gee, does that mean I need to get TWO sets (well, actually more like eight, SAE/MM, midget, standard, standard with teeth, XL) of combo wrenches? Dang.


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You should have two anyways for times when you cant use a socket and have to use two wrenches.

 

[BK13]

If I used that excuse for DBE can I use it again for combo wrenches?

 

[Fedwrench]

See what I mean ? Both V-groove , but one has the teeth and the other doesn't

I don't know what's up with that, same model number listed but obviously different

I noticed that yesterday while internet browsing. I don't know if it's a matter of old stock vs. new stock but, the only pictures of sunex wrenches I could find with the modified open end with teeth were of ratcheting wrenches

One thing that no one really discusses is the damage that these "teeth" can do to hardware. If you don't care, then don't worry about it, but if you are working on something special it may be an issue. I bought a nice set of non flank drive plus 6 point wrenches to work on anything that really matters.

That is definitely true. I once had a customer that wouldn't allow techs to use power tools on his truck because he didn't want the fasteners scratched. I don't think a tech really needs non slip open ends on wrenches all of the time but, they are real handy for suspension work for those instances when you can't use a boxed end.

 

[PJNJ]

You should have two anyways for times when you cant use a socket and have to use two wrenches.

Actually three sets - one with non-slip ends, one with regular, and one to cut up and bend to make special or one-time use wrenches.
The more the merrier.

 

[OutsideMachinist]

Actually three sets - one with non-slip ends, one with regular, and one to cut up and bend to make special or one-time use wrenches.
The more the merrier.

Well yeah. I just meant two sets of combination wrenches. Doesn't include the ratchet, flare nut, stubby, cutoff/specialty, obstruction, slugging/striking etc you may need. As others have said I have only seen the sunnex ratcheting wrenches having the modified open ends. May want to research that a bit before anyone gets the regular v open ends.

 

[Clemson13]

Well yeah. I just meant two sets of combination wrenches. Doesn't include the ratchet, flare nut, stubby, cutoff/specialty, obstruction, slugging/striking etc you may need. As others have said I have only seen the sunnex ratcheting wrenches having the modified open ends. May want to research that a bit before anyone gets the regular v open ends.

I hope no one runs into issues with that!

I have no idea if only the ratcheting ones have the teeth as all I have are the ratcheting w/teeth.

As far as marring fasteners, how often do you really care if non visible fasteners get some scuffs on them?

 

[Strouty]

I have flank drive plus xl wrenches, proto ASD spline ratcheting wrenches, wright grip wrenches, snap on open/flare combo wrenches, snap on six point non plus open ends, gear wrench twisted flex wrenches, older craftsman pro stubby wrenches, and then lots of specialty and weird wrenches. All of these are in metric and SAE. After 1 1/4" I only have SAE. I use my proto and wright grips the most.

I will say that after about 3/4" the ASD/flank drive plus really doesn't matter.

As far as people asking about open end wrenches slipping on fasteners, well in the rust belt areas it is more common, especially with less expensive wrenches.

 

[bonneyman]

Gotta say that Sunex OE looks like freakin impressive.

 

[Clemson13]

I have flank drive plus xl wrenches, proto ASD spline ratcheting wrenches, wright grip wrenches, snap on open/flare combo wrenches, snap on six point non plus open ends, gear wrench twisted flex wrenches, older craftsman pro stubby wrenches, and then lots of specialty and weird wrenches. All of these are in metric and SAE. After 1 1/4" I only have SAE. I use my proto and wright grips the most.

I will say that after about 3/4" the ASD/flank drive plus really doesn't matter.

As far as people asking about open end wrenches slipping on fasteners, well in the rust belt areas it is more common, especially with less expensive wrenches.

Im allowed to be jealous right??

 

[Strouty]

Sorry.

My point was that one wrench can't be perfect in every way, you usually need more than one type.

 

[cesski]

Just got confirmation that the non-ratcheting version does not have the "anti-slip". Bummer. Canceled on them and got Gearwrenches for cheaper instead.

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[PSYKO_Inc]

Yeah that's what I've managed to gather as well. I've got my eye on a Gearwrench XL set now as well.

 

[Sprintman]

For you Aussie blokes. SP make a nice set, as do Sidchrome

As do Toptul (Super-Torque Dynamic)

 

[lilxtra]

Ok Strouty, what's with those two "piles" in the middle, let's get with the program and get those organized!!!

J/K- great looking setup!!

 

[cesski]

As do Toptul (Super-Torque Dynamic)

Where can we get Toptul aside from eBay and GJ?

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[Strouty]

Ok Strouty, what's with those two "piles" in the middle, let's get with the program and get those organized!!!

J/K- great looking setup!!

I am going to have to start a new drawer.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

I hope no one runs into issues with that!

I have no idea if only the ratcheting ones have the teeth as all I have are the ratcheting w/teeth.

As far as marring fasteners, how often do you really care if non visible fasteners get some scuffs on them?

To be honest, I rarely see any "damage"... no more than any other tool would leave behind on a stuck fastener. To me its more important to be able to remove fasteners without rounding them off, then some marks a left behind. Fasteners can be replaced... using drills, extractors, etc. only causes head-aches.

Then again, I usually only find myself using an open-end as a last-resort due to clearance or situations like jam-nuts... and I don't work on chrome polishers

 

[barrybeefburger]

Yikes! Now you got me worried! :/

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cesski

Did you get the wrenches? and how are they

 

[jrobb316]

This is my metric wrench drawer. The only flank drive plus wrenches I have are the regular length snapons. The proto USA ratcheting wrenches are ASD. I like that better because it's more subtile than the teeth. I find the teeth hard to get on and remove from fasteners. Im not a fan, I think it's a gimick. The rest of the stuff is craftsman USA stubbies and deep offsets, gearwrench Taiwan S-shaped, half moon, and 0 offsets up to 25mm, sk flare nut wrenches, Allen 20 - 24, 27mm large wrenches, snap on short, regular, long, and double box 0 offsets, and a set of mini wrenches in a pouch.

 

[cesski]

Just got confirmation that the non-ratcheting version does not have the "anti-slip". Bummer. Canceled on them and got Gearwrenches for cheaper instead.

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@barrybeefburger

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[Sprintman]

Where can we get Toptul aside from eBay and GJ?

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From member here if in the U.S, elsewhere readily available.

 

[cesski]

Thanks Sprintman. I thought there would be someone else as he doesn't have any SAE tools in stock.

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[exmaxima1]

What other brands has this "anti-slip" technology in their wrenches? So far, these are what I've discovered...

Wright Tool's WrightGrip
Snap-On FD+
Proto's ASD
Mac's Knuckle Saver
Matco’s Opti-Torque Pro


I ask because I'm in the market to buy a set of combination wrenches, new or used.

Craftsman Max Axess long pattern combo wrenches have similar flank drive box and notched open ends

 

[chris142]

I gave the Snappy ones. They work great for a damaged nut or somewhere that you cant get a boxed end on. They absolutely **** for normal use. They damage the bolt and are hard to get on and off it quickly.

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

I am simply asking about other alternatives or similar offerings to Snap-On's Flank Drive Plus to educate myself... seeing that there are a lot of options out here in the US that I have never had experience with before.

Also, I just bought the Sunex.

please let us know how the sunex work out?

 

[cesski]

please let us know how the sunex work out?

I canceled my order. The non-ratcheting version do not have the "anti-slip" notches/teeth. I ended up going with Gearwrench.

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[pennsylvaniaboy]

I canceled my order. The non-ratcheting version do not have the "anti-slip" notches/teeth. I ended up going with Gearwrench.

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dang......i was super hopeful at that price point....

I take it the only USA options for this are Williams, Wright, and Snap-on?