Wrenches - You guys drive me nuts.
- Thread starter unclethumbtack
- Start date
Thats cool, I work for a company that builds bleed air heat/ac units for business jets. I thought maybe by some odd chance that he installs what I build. I build Temperature Control Valves (modulating), temperature controllers, flow valves and acoustical mufflers for Piper, Piaggio, and Embraer. I cant recall seeing anything Cessna come through my work orders.
billymade
Well-known member
If you want pro tools; the key is to not buy them new. I like my pro tools; they are all used and I pay typically 25% or less of their retail cost; cheap pro used tools rule! 
Eh.. wrenches that do the job are just fine in my opinion. Yeah I'm a bit of wrench snob.. but thats not for everyone. I've got some raised panel c-mans... in both metric and standard. However most of the stuff I wrench on is metric. When I do reach in the box I usually reach for a snap on. Its just personal preference. The SK full polished I have or even the gearwrench stuff I have do just fine for alot less $$. But yeah.. its a bling factor.. and there have been times when I was glad I had some specialty type wrenches or a better quality wrench.
For home use.. C-man is lifetime warranty and easily exchangable at any Sears and alot of Kmarts. Snap On requires access to a tool truck.. if they don't stop by your work they aren't easy access for most folks.
For home use.. C-man is lifetime warranty and easily exchangable at any Sears and alot of Kmarts. Snap On requires access to a tool truck.. if they don't stop by your work they aren't easy access for most folks.
thats my problem. A Snap On truck comes to our GM dealer once a month or so. Ive only seen it like twice my whole life.
Merkava_4's kettle is polished chrome. He makes his tea in the microwave oven right in the cup, so he doesn't discolor the bottom of his kettle with heat from the stove.
My tool usage is very different from Merkava_4 but I would loan my wrenches or my kettle to him any time if he was my neighbor.
Wouldn't want to borrow anything though.
I get a kick out of Merkava's posts most of the time. Since he has been on his Gearwrench kick, he can't bust on Craftsman USA, not really.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
To the OP....
if you really want shiny pro wrenches, get teh Craftsman Pro wrenches. Made in USA, full polish and they will satisfy your desire for shiny wrenches without completely breaking the bank.
if you really want shiny pro wrenches, get teh Craftsman Pro wrenches. Made in USA, full polish and they will satisfy your desire for shiny wrenches without completely breaking the bank.
john w
Well-known member
my c-man pros let me down the other day when i was trying to get an upper control arm fastener loose. the 17mm comb wr was just not long enough to get enough leverage to break the fastener loose. i had to go stand in line at the school tool room and get a SO - it was about 2" longer. when i got home i looked up the specs on both SO's and Toptul's extra long comb. wrenches and, the Toptul 17mm wrench is 14mm longer than the SO!
pirana
Well-known member
That describes my wrenches too. At least for the metric stuff. The SAE stuff is a mixture of American made wrenches.
OP
unclethumbtack
Active member
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2008
- Messages
- 34
Okay let me ask a second question, when I do look at wrenches, why is that I always look for the SAE's first when it is the metrics that are used as much if not more on my Jeep. I think it has something to do with being american. Anybody else do this?
I do this but I just think it's because I worked as a factory line electrician/mechanic and except for the occasional 9,11 or 17 it was all SAE
paramudduck
Well-known member
Let us see, SAE is Snap on, Williams, Easco, Proto, Craftsman with assorted Mac, Wright, Cornwell and several defunct brands.
Metric is Cornwell, Gearwrench, Craftsman and assorted pieces of a multitude of brand.
So unh yeah I think I do the same.
Metric is Cornwell, Gearwrench, Craftsman and assorted pieces of a multitude of brand.
So unh yeah I think I do the same.
Uncle Buck
Banned
Force of habit, I still use my SAE more so I still buy that set first, then follow it with the metric equivalent later if I cannot afford to buy both at once. I must say though I would have been more than happy to have never needed metric tools. Call me old fashioned, but I would think it just fine if the metric system, metric fasteners and metric tools all disappeared tomorrow!
davestlouis
Well-known member
I'm mainly metric, but the SAE stuff is coming in handy on the 65 Mustang and household appliances.
paramudduck
Well-known member
I dunno UB the metrics sometimes fit on the rusty and painted stuff when the SAE don't. But other then that one exception I totally agree.
billymade
Well-known member
Most of the stuff I am working on anymore; is typically, metric... with the standard becoming rare. I am purchasing metric first... then standard. I am primarily working on under 15 year old cars; imports/domestic. Needless to say, on my VW everything is metric...
Buy these long CM box wrenches, can't beat the set for the price,great for suspension work.You won't have to wait for the Taiwan boat for warranty.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00942962000P?keyword=009-42962&sLevel=0
Merkava_4
Banned
YOU NEED THIS!!
That's one Gearwrench tool I think is very good. I still have my Snap-on high performance box wrenches, that are very fine, just no ratchet action. For the size selection, you can't go wrong with the above Craftsman set. You never know when you will need a 22mm plus, or 1 inch plus box end. Just about every size is available in SAE and MM, in the set.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Uhh... okay....
The Craftsman Pros didn't let you down. You just weren't using the right tool for the job. The fact that you had to go get a longer wrench speaks volumes. Don't blame operator error on your tools....
Right, buy more tools, as some listed on previous posts. The more tool options you have, the easier your job gets!
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
Correct, I work on Citations.
I'll argue that.
Agreed. The Snap-On oex series is about identical in length and shape to c-pros. They would have offered you nothing over the c-pros. Apparently you used the oexl wrenches.
john w
Well-known member
we did use the oexl wrench because we really needed some oomph! we had to use the open end because of clearance issues - using the box end made the shank tilt out and hit some a/c plumbing.
paramudduck
Well-known member
And there's the reason so many of us have lots of different brands and styles of wrenches in our boxes.
A little difference in length or angle can make the difference between job done or not.
A little difference in length or angle can make the difference between job done or not.
Frank Elson
Well-known member
wrenhandtools
Well-known member
This is a completely shameless and selfish plug, but I haven't posted to a thread in quite awhile and am in withdrawal.......
I think there is a large gap in price and quality between the Snap Ons and Macs of the world and the C-mans etc.
I try to be in the middle of that gap in price, and with the big names in quality.
Just my two cents and I apologize in advance for the commercial.
Sincerely
I think there is a large gap in price and quality between the Snap Ons and Macs of the world and the C-mans etc.
I try to be in the middle of that gap in price, and with the big names in quality.
Just my two cents and I apologize in advance for the commercial.
Sincerely