Wrenches

[dustin15198]

Hello I am in the process of setting up my tool box with all new tools for working on diesels and drag cars. I really like Milwaukee tools and see that they have wrench sets. My question is how do they compare to snap on wrenches other than price and whose sockets and ratchets should I go with. . Thanks

 

[Wamsutta]

No other wrenches compare to Snap-on wrenches.

 

[four.cycle]

Welcome to the site, Dustin.

It would help us all if you put your location in your profile.

Be prepared to be thoroughly confused by the number of different answers you are going to get to your question.

You could help by establishing some parameters like: metric? SAE? US-made? import? budget restraints? are you working on 10-speed bicycles or Caterpillar bucket loaders?

In the meantime, I got nothin' other than to say check the "Hot Deals" forum.

 

[APS2000]

They are nice, rebranded though. I do like the tray. OEM is Infar.

 

[SRSemenza]

Every brand going will likely be recommended. Try listing and prioritizing the things you like and don't like in a wrench to narrow the field and then buy a single of your top choices in a commonly used size to try them out for yourself.

I can't help with the Milwaukee. I tried the 44pc Gearwrench set. I figured it would be an inexpensive way to have a big range of sizes and if they wren't great that would still be OK. They were so bad I sent them back. And kept searching. Settled on the Williams SuperCombo.

Some GW stuff I like quite a bit and some of it don't want at all. I found that it can be hard to tell without getting your own hands on the tools.

Seth

 

[bczygan]

I'm going to have to say Harbor Freight, Bob......

It's becoming a standard refrain for me!

Bill

And welcome to GJ!

 

[Bigwheels]

I have many many collections of tools from billings to wizard and most in between including snap on SK Proto mac etc. but honestly i find myself going to my vintage craftsman box the most.

 

[Jimithing616]

Basically asked this same ? A few days ago....http://https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=378507

Buy the Tekton and be done with it.....http://https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-Combination-Wrench-Keeper-Metric/dp/B00OZJN3PQ/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_469_tr_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=5DDMG7S6X793G0W5PQ5M

The SAE set is similar in price...

Guys love em, it's a ton of sizes, and it's likely the way imma go thanks to forum member KCtyphoon's advice

If you need USA made then you have a ton of options if cost isn't a concern

Those Milwaukee ones with the no slip grooves are just rebranded versions of the aforementioned channel lock or Carlyle wrenches I believe, or at least they look damn close, I'm sure someone here will chime in and confirm or correct me on that.

Good luck

 

[seanb02]

Diesels and drag cars as a hobby or as a profession? As a hobby anything goes. But for professional use, you can start out with anything in your budget, but as you will find later on that higher end tools will serve you better both in actual use and warranty purposes when you do break something. For wrenches while I have SK I would be extremely tempted to try Wright. Well below Snap On prices but still excellent warranty and great history with either company. I'm not into Milwaukee stuff because while the company has a great line up of power tools, they aren't making their bread and butter off of hand tools. They aren't going to sacrifice their name and put it on junk, but at the same time you could be buying the same exact tool at a lower price from another brand at a lower price.

 

[Tonyuk]

That tekton set posted looks like a good deal for someone starting out, i'm a fan of Facom 440 combo spanners but they might be more than your looking to spend, today's cheaper tools are far better than what they used to be. Stick with a decent brand and you'll be fine, the Milwaukee's are likely from taiwan and sold under other names, i would just get them if you like them.

 

[warrens]

I'm very pleased with my Wright wrenches.

 

[Philbert]

Wright grip wrenches all the way. Satin is sweet for its slip resistance. But the chrome is just so shiny. I have a set of chrome and one satin. Thinking I should ha e gone with the satin. But that is just me...

 

[dustin15198]

Diesels and drag cars as a hobby or as a profession? As a hobby anything goes. But for professional use, you can start out with anything in your budget, but as you will find later on that higher end tools will serve you better both in actual use and warranty purposes when you do break something. For wrenches while I have SK I would be extremely tempted to try Wright. Well below Snap On prices but still excellent warranty and great history with either company. I'm not into Milwaukee stuff because while the company has a great line up of power tools, they aren't making their bread and butter off of hand tools. They aren't going to sacrifice their name and put it on junk, but at the same time you could be buying the same exact tool at a lower price from another brand at a lower price.

Starting to get more and more into a profession. Tax seasons is here and I'm gonna use that money to buy tools so what is the best if the price doesn't matter.

 

[ssdave]

No other wrenches compare to Snap-on wrenches.

At least two others directly compare. SK superkrome full polish compares very favorably. Proto 500 full polish compares or even exceeds SO. I have all three, and see very little difference between them. A lot of others are close in quality and finish, SO outcompetes them in service to shops and in warranty.

Realistically, there's a lot of good wrenches out there that will do what you need. It also boils down to cost; there's a good variance in cost.

Here's what i would buy, in order of my preference, if cost weren't an object:

#1: Snap-on , SK Superkrome, Proto
#2: Williams,
#3 Wright
#4 Bonney (used)
#5 Mac
#6 SK (older used)
#7 Older Craftsman, Indestro, Matco, USA NAPA, etc. (very selectively picked)
#8 Carlyle
#9 Gearwrench, Channelock, and similar Taiwan wrenches
#10 Chinese made wrenches, higher quality finish and fit. Gearwrench is now falling into that category.
#11 HF and other well guaranteed chinese tools
#12 Off brand chinese tools

For what you describe your needs, I see almost any wrench in category #9 and above meeting what you want. Choose by what you can afford, and the features you prefer. How they fit your hands, length, configuration are all personal preferences that count for a lot.

 

[DTuck]

At least two others directly compare. SK superkrome full polish compares very favorably. Proto 500 full polish compares or even exceeds SO. I have all three, and see very little difference between them. A lot of others are close in quality and finish, SO outcompetes them in service to shops and in warranty.

Realistically, there's a lot of good wrenches out there that will do what you need. It also boils down to cost; there's a good variance in cost.

Here's what i would buy, in order of my preference, if cost weren't an object:

#1: Snap-on , SK Superkrome, Proto
#2: Williams,
#3 Wright
#4 Bonney (used)
#5 Mac
#6 SK (older used)
#7 Older Craftsman, Indestro, Matco, USA NAPA, etc. (very selectively picked)
#8 Carlyle
#9 Gearwrench, Channelock, and similar Taiwan wrenches
#10 Chinese made wrenches, higher quality finish and fit. Gearwrench is now falling into that category.
#11 HF and other well guaranteed chinese tools
#12 Off brand chinese tools

For what you describe your needs, I see almost any wrench in category #9 and above meeting what you want. Choose by what you can afford, and the features you prefer. How they fit your hands, length, configuration are all personal preferences that count for a lot.

Just wondering how you put SK Superkromes above Wrightgrips. Not even in the same conversation imho.

 

[SRSemenza]

The Channellock / Carlyle to Milwaukee difference is that the Milwaukee has an I-Beam type of beam. Though the teeth look either very similar or the same.

Seth

 

[ssdave]

Just wondering how you put SK Superkromes above Wrightgrips. Not even in the same conversation imho.

Everybody has their preferences. Yours are obviously different than mine. I've owned the Wrights, didn't like them and sold them off. I owned the SK and Proto before the Wrights, the Wrights were my backup set, when I got a second set of satin finish Proto, the Wrights were surplus.

Like I said in my last paragraph, some of this is very subjective, how you like them is a big part of the equation.

 

[bcradio]

No other wrenches compare to Snap-on wrenches.

Correct!

Some are better and some are worse.

 

[Jimithing616]

Starting to get more and more into a profession. Tax seasons is here and I'm gonna use that money to buy tools so what is the best if the price doesn't matter.

Honestly, wrenches are NOT the place to spend your tax dollars....

Look at something like ratchets or screw drivers, pliers or sockets... from brand to brand those differ in extreme ways ....

Wrenches, especially combo wrenches, non ratcheting, hardly vary from brand to brand... honestly.

Everyone here will chomp at the bit to tell yyou of their personal favorites, but honestly, the Tekton set, while not as nice as the snap on, is only very slightly different in actual practical use... it's a wrench....

However if you compare a SO ratchet to a Tekton ratchet... it's a huge difference... same can be said for the screwdrivers, pliers, sockets, etc....

A wrench is a wrench at the end of the day... if the metal is decent, the length is what you want, then there's not much else that can change from brand to brand ... all the big brands offer them in long, short, stubby, regular, 6 point, 12 point. Etc etc etc... choose the variety you want and buy somewhere middle of the road price wise... if USA made is the determining factor then buy the proto 500 as they seem to get the most favorable reviews for a decent priced us made wrench...

But to break the bank on a wrench set... not worth it. Spend the money on a snap on ratchet or 2 if you don't have one already... those are worth the $ for sure....

 

[Jimithing616]

That tekton set posted looks like a good deal for someone starting out, i'm a fan of Facom 440 combo spanners but they might be more than your looking to spend, today's cheaper tools are far better than what they used to be. Stick with a decent brand and you'll be fine, the Milwaukee's are likely from taiwan and sold under other names, i would just get them if you like them.

Speaking of Facom, for one the 440's are cheaper than the milwaukees you mentioned in the OP, and likely much better... however they aren't made in USA

On another note, check these out, the Facom 40R Fast Action... I've been wanting some of these, they look awesome. http://http://toolguyd.com/facom-40r-fast-action-combination-wrenches/

 

[DTuck]

Honestly, wrenches are NOT the place to spend your tax dollars....

Look at something like ratchets or screw drivers, pliers or sockets... from brand to brand those differ in extreme ways ....

Wrenches, especially combo wrenches, non ratcheting, hardly vary from brand to brand... honestly.

Everyone here will chomp at the bit to tell yyou of their personal favorites, but honestly, the Tekton set, while not as nice as the snap on, is only very slightly different in actual practical use... it's a wrench....

However if you compare a SO ratchet to a Tekton ratchet... it's a huge difference... same can be said for the screwdrivers, pliers, sockets, etc....

A wrench is a wrench at the end of the day... if the metal is decent, the length is what you want, then there's not much else that can change from brand to brand ... all the big brands offer them in long, short, stubby, regular, 6 point, 12 point. Etc etc etc... choose the variety you want and buy somewhere middle of the road price wise... if USA made is the determining factor then buy the proto 500 as they seem to get the most favorable reviews for a decent priced us made wrench...

But to break the bank on a wrench set... not worth it. Spend the money on a snap on ratchet or 2 if you don't have one already... those are worth the $ for sure....

 

[four.cycle]

"A wrench is a wrench at the end of the day..."

They all perform the same task, but they are certainly not "all the same" in the hand, any more than every woman is the same in the hand.

If you pick through all of the "what's the best wrench?" threads on this site, you will read all kinds of comments about how the wrench feels in the hand. The shape and design of the shank can vary widely between one brand and another (i.e., the much-maligned Craftsman "raised panel" vs. a shiny smooth S-K "SuperKrome".)

I think Dave pegs it pretty well with his list on the previous page.

 

[DTuck]

They all perform the same task, but they are certainly not "all the same" in the hand, any more than every woman is the same in the hand.

If you pick through all of the "what's the best wrench?" threads on this site, you will read all kinds of comments about how the wrench feels in the hand. The shape and design of the shank can vary widely between one brand and another (i.e., the much-maligned Craftsman "raised panel" vs. a shiny smooth S-K "SuperKrome".)

I think Dave pegs it pretty well with his list on the previous page.

You quoted me saying that, I didn't say that it was another poster.
eta- it was Jimithing616

 

[four.cycle]

I was referring to member ssdave's list:

#1: Snap-on , SK Superkrome, Proto
#2: Williams,
#3 Wright
#4 Bonney (used)
#5 Mac
#6 SK (older used)
#7 Older Craftsman, Indestro, Matco, USA NAPA, etc. (very selectively picked)
#8 Carlyle
#9 Gearwrench, Channelock, and similar Taiwan wrenches
#10 Chinese made wrenches, higher quality finish and fit. Gearwrench is now falling into that category.
#11 HF and other well guaranteed chinese tools
#12 Off brand chinese tools

You can't beat these, but it would probably cost more today to put together a full set than it would to buy new S-K:

 

[psychoclaw84]

There are many good wrenches produced from different countries, Germany, France, China, Taiwan & USA.

The only difference in combination wrenches are the Anti-Slip designs: Snap On "Flank Drive Plus" & Wright Tools "WIRGHTGrip". The open end of the wrench is what sets them apart from other wrenches. The design will not round fasteners and the wrench will not flex when turning the fastener.

I own the snap on's and seen wright demonstration on YouTube, they work as advertised.

The differences are the lengths of the wrench and finish.

• For example Snap On standard 14 mm is 219 mm with a Mirror Finish.
• WRIGHTGrip 14 mm length is 201.80 mm and is offered in a Mirror or Satin Finish.

NOTE: if you purchase these wrenches, do not use as a cheater wrench, the design can be damaged. I have never used as a cheater, I have a secondary set I use when a cheater is needed.

IMHO you could not go wrong with a either set.

 

[Jimithing616]

They all perform the same task, but they are certainly not "all the same" in the hand, any more than every woman is the same in the hand.

If you pick through all of the "what's the best wrench?" threads on this site, you will read all kinds of comments about how the wrench feels in the hand. The shape and design of the shank can vary widely between one brand and another (i.e., the much-maligned Craftsman "raised panel" vs. a shiny smooth S-K "SuperKrome".)

I think Dave pegs it pretty well with his list on the previous page.

I never said they all felt the same, I merely said when it comes to hand tools, wrenches have the least amount of variation from super expensive to dirt cheap.... almost every other tool has more cost/benefit to spending more money then what you get with wrenches....

The difference between a $10 ratchet and $100 ratchet is much more than the same cost difference in wrenches....

And regardless of all the cute analogies about women In the hand, that is a fact.

 

[TheEuronater]

I never said they all felt the same, I merely said when it comes to hand tools, wrenches have the least amount of variation from super expensive to dirt cheap.... almost every other tool has more cost/benefit to spending more money then what you get with wrenches....

The difference between a $10 ratchet and $100 ratchet is much more than the same cost difference in wrenches....

And regardless of all the cute analogies about women In the hand, that is a fact.

In my experience I think its the opposite. Id rather have a HF Pro ratchet and snap on wrenches than snap on ratchet and HF wrenches. I think the HF comfort grip ratchets are great even forgetting the price. Although I do try to support American as much as possible but will prob buy SK ratchets when they come out with new flex heads.

 

[Farmall450]

Honestly, wrenches are NOT the place to spend your tax dollars....

Look at something like ratchets or screw drivers, pliers or sockets... from brand to brand those differ in extreme ways ....

Wrenches, especially combo wrenches, non ratcheting, hardly vary from brand to brand... honestly.

Everyone here will chomp at the bit to tell yyou of their personal favorites, but honestly, the Tekton set, while not as nice as the snap on, is only very slightly different in actual practical use... it's a wrench....

However if you compare a SO ratchet to a Tekton ratchet... it's a huge difference... same can be said for the screwdrivers, pliers, sockets, etc....

A wrench is a wrench at the end of the day... if the metal is decent, the length is what you want, then there's not much else that can change from brand to brand ... all the big brands offer them in long, short, stubby, regular, 6 point, 12 point. Etc etc etc... choose the variety you want and buy somewhere middle of the road price wise... if USA made is the determining factor then buy the proto 500 as they seem to get the most favorable reviews for a decent priced us made wrench...

But to break the bank on a wrench set... not worth it. Spend the money on a snap on ratchet or 2 if you don't have one already... those are worth the $ for sure....

I'd argue you see less differences in sockets than wrenches. I'd prefer China sockets than lobster claws that slip off every bolt.

 

[cherrybomb]

I have read and truly believe that ssdave wrote the list that should be posted on the toolbox of anybody thinking of buying some wrenches.In the long run if you buy off the bottom,and find out you aren't happy,it will cost you more to upgrade.I have read,thought and learned so much from this site from some very knowledgeable guys.You younger guys,IMO,should tell yourself,Yes I'm Worth It.I'm going to buy off the top of the list.I do and have been extremely happy.Guys like ,IMO,Wamsutta and ssdave ,and there are many others post,take their advice.You can thank them later!

 

[ssdave]

Now, before you start worshiping my list, remember that I left out an entire area of european and japanese manufactured stuff. It falls in the whole range of quality, too. I disregard it, because it's not readily available to me. Some places, those tools would be available and major competitors. And, some of it is preference; particularly the order of the top 5 in my list.

 

[VH5150]

Psychoclaw84 said it best in my opinion. Lot's of great wrenches out there...and I've seen that youtube on Snap-on Flanks & WrightGrips. They're both top notch and you can't go wrong with either one. I've got the Wrights actually, and I like them because they are a bit beefier and more comfortable in my hands.
I'd also like to point out, maybe this is your chance to buy a few different sets. Grab a set of good 12 point wrenches in the event you need that tighter swing arc. Then consider a good set of 6-point wrenches like the SK SuperChromes. Those 6-point wrenches come in handy if you need something solid on the opposite end of a nut or bolt using an impact wrench. You can also consider long vs. short pattern wrenches. You really just have to jump on all the brand websites and do your research. But like someone else said, if you're using the right tool for the job and not abusing anything, I think you'd be hard pressed to break a wrench - especially if you go with a good USA brand, or even some of those Taiwan wrenches out there (Tekton, Carlyle, etc..). Everything everyone has listed here will do you good...but as you can see there is a lot of loyalty to USA stuff. Just my 2-cents.

 

[VH5150]

Another good wrench brand to consider is Duralast...if Taiwan isn't an issue for you.

If you are near an Autozone, then you'll be able to see what you're paying for first and warranty will never be an issue. There may be a couple of size skips - I can't remember. Maybe check it out. I do know you won't be getting the serrated open ends though. You definitely won't be breaking the bank on them either. I almost picked some up myself but decided I'd go with some USA stuff - for no other reason than that I like supporting American companies when I can afford it. However, I do have some other Duralast stuff like torx and allen sockets and have never had an issue with them as a weekend garage mechanic on my own vehicles.

 

[RAS61]

If you don't need to get a new set right away (assuming you currently have some wrenches to get by on) maybe buy one each of those being considered in a common size. After a few months you should have a feel for what YOU like best - did you say you were going to buy them with tax return money, that might be the perfect amount of time to make a decision and get it right the first time.

 

[Fedwrench]

Shouldn't be about the brand, should be about the type

Get some extra long zero offset boxed end wrenches for when you need extra torque or reach.

Get some stubbies for when I want to hold something on the backside or there's no room for anything else.

Get a nice flare nut wrench set.

Get some 45 degree or so deep offset boxed end wrenches.

Get some combination wrenches in short, standard, and long lengths.

Repeat above selections in ratcheting versions except for the flare nut, substitute flex head for those.

That tax money didn't go very far did it?

 

[four.cycle]

"...warranty will never be an issue...."

^ Until the buyers at AutoZone change vendors and bring in a different product line.

Then what?

I've yet to see or hear of an instance where a vendor required the purchaser to continue buying their products forever.
I've yet to hear of a buyer for a big retailer who wasn't perfectly capable of waking up one morning and deciding a product line he'd stocked for 30 years was out the door in favor of a different one.
The automotive aftermarket parts industry is a highly competitive market. Don't think for a minute there are sales representatives working for Duralast's competitors who are not trying to devise ways to get their foot in the door at AutoZone every day. Sooner or later one of them will succeed - that's just the way it works.

 

[Fedwrench]

^ Until the buyers at AutoZone change vendors and bring in a different product line.
Then what?

I think it already happened. There have been reports of duralast supplier changes recently with the tools now resembling Gearwrench clones.
The name may stay the same though. Besides Duralst has their color coding *** backwards. They use red for metric & blue for sae

 

[four.cycle]

^ I would guess that if AutoZone's buyers cooked up a deal with another vendor to make "Duralast" brand tools they quite possibly also got them to buy back any "warranty" units that were manufactured by the previous vendor.
I did that with several vendors - particularly rebuilders (starters/alternators/generators).
Sometimes they'll do it for a limited time period, after which the retailer (or wholesaler, as in my own case) eats the warranty returns after ** months/years.

And then there's always the option of the vendor/manufacturer just giving the buyer an off-invoice credit of **% to cover warranty returns, and the retailer (or wholesaler) just throws the stuff in the garbage. (That's how Westinghouse and Sylvania both dealt with "warranty" on bulbs.)

There are all kinds of ways to make it work - we still honored the "unconditional lifetime warranty" on Indestro after we dropped the line and switched to Thorsen, but it was along the same line as what Sears has done: we replaced the Indestro item with Thorsen.
The Thorsen sales rep also sold us Buss Fuse, Master fuel pumps, Carol Cable, and several other lines, so we always managed to finagle a deal with him.

My point was that neither AutoZone or "Duralast" are forever. Retailers come and go, the same as manufacturers and brands.

Not sure where "the valley of the sun" is, but odds are you probably once heard of a place called Schucks or Checker or Kragen Auto Parts, right?

Or maybe Al's Auto Supply?

==

But more to the point:
You guys looking for wrenches - unless you're adamantly opposed to the idea of "used", keep your eye on this thread:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6937100#post6937100

Maybe it's the time of year, or maybe it's just my skewed perception, but I am seeing a lot of listings every day lately for used/slightly used primo quality wrench sets.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I'd take my money go down to the flea market and grab any used wrenches of good brands. Over a few weekends you should be able to build a good set

 

[Holmesx10]

I disagree my good sir. I’m a younger tech in the industrial lift truck field and my first wrench set purchase was the Chinese made craftsman lobster claws. Well seeing as we deal with lift trucks there are a lot of hydraulic fittings in tight places and the lobster claws have screwed me over more times than I can count. Hard to get the large open ends to fit in certain places as well as the actual fittings themselves are a very soft metal and often rounded them out. Luckily for me I work with a bunch of chill dudes who are always looking out for one another and I always borrowed snap-on/matco wrenches for this purpose now.

 

[4x4gearhead]

Welcome to the garage journal, where interest becomes obsession! If you arent picky about country of origin many tools can be had that are of decent quality. what tools have you used? What did you like or not like about them? These would help us steer you.