Wright tools

[hallboyone]

What is the opinion on wright tools? They seem to have good reviews and the are 100% made in USA but they are relatively cheap (at least what I've seen). So are they quality tools or something to skip over? Would they last me a lifetime? Any (well, most ) input will be appreciated!

 

[nanofrog]

They're an excellent quality industrial brand, and well worth a look if they have something you need IMHO.

If you notice, the industrial brands are less expensive than truck brands (figure ~25 - 50% of a truck brand equivalent). But you sacrifice the convenience of the truck brands going this route, so that may be something you'd need to consider.

 

[Wrenchette]

I like them. We grab any Wrights we see. We also collect any that say Barberton, Oh. on them.

 

[TheGrooveking]

They made Matco sockets And ratchets from 79 to 1994.

TheGrooveking

 

[woody 73]

They make very nice tools

 

[gbh]

I bought a set of Wright tools metric combination spanners based on GJ members feedback. They're excellent value for money.

 

[John in OH]

Wright tools are my favorite!! Excellent quality and finish for the money and, as you say, made in USA!

They are considered "industrial" tools as opposed to the over-priced truck brands. I retired from the generation side of the electric power industry. Lots of big, heavy, equipment in a generating plant and the tools used there get hard, abusive treatment and most of the tools used by the maintenance mechanics in our generating plants were Wright. Proto and Williams were also used, but to a lesser extent.

 

[hallboyone]

So what defines 'truck brands'? They get delivered in a truck and that is what makes you pay $90+ dollars on a ratchets?

 

[Hiball]

So what defines 'truck brands'? They get delivered in a truck and that is what makes you pay $90+ dollars on a ratchets?

Alot of Factors go into the Truck Pricing..

1. Cost of Tool
2. Payment plan for Tools (Truck Credit)
3. Cost of Big White Truck to Deliver the Tools
4. Gas, Insurance, Etc
5. Franchise Dealers Wages

If you stick around here long enough you'll quickly see people misrepresent the Truck Tool price as the Actual Cost of the Tool, That's simply not the Case. As you can see above there are lots of Factors that go into there pricing, And Not everyone needs that Service.. Thus its cheaper to buy from other avenues. What you do get from Truck Dealers is Innovation in the Auto Tech industry, And im not saying you need that innovation to work in the field, But there are tools that make certain jobs easier/faster.

Wright is a Awesome Tool company.. You cant go wrong with any of there Drive tools.

 

[John in OH]

So what defines 'truck brands'? They get delivered in a truck and that is what makes you pay $90+ dollars on a ratchets?

By "truck brands" I mean the general category of tools that are sold primarily to auto shops via direct delivery by a guy who is trying to make an honest living. Obvious brands are SnapOn, Mac, Matco, and Cornwell.

I was just trying to point out that you will pay a premium for the "truck brand" tools as opposed to any of the "industrial" brand tools. The higher price is probably due to a combination of factors such as allowing a profit for the manufacturer, profit for the truck dealer, convenience of delivery, availability of unique tools for specific auto applications, and a name recognition/prestige factor valued by many professional auto mechanics. Don't misunderstand me ... they are usually good quality, reliable, tools and I don't mean to put them down ... they just cost more for, IMHO, no significant increase in quality.

What I call "industrial" brands are typically those that you will have to purchase at a supply house or on-line. Typical "industrial" brands are Wright, Proto, Williams, Armstrong, etc.

 

[John in OH]

Hiball said it all much better than I did!!

 

[Strassi_Br]

Where is wright tools sold at and what is there warranty? I need tools for my future job as a marine technician

 

[Hiball]

Where is wright tools sold at and what is there warranty? I need tools for my future job as a marine technician

Warranty

Where to Buy


There are Many.. Many.. place to buy Wright Online, If your a Hands on Guy use the Distributor link above. I primarily Use Harry Epsteins, Amazon, Ebay and the Classifieds here when looking for Wright stuff.

 

[billymade]

Wright propaganda on why you should buy their tools!

http://www.wrighttool.com/why_wright_tool.asp

 

[larryq]

I have a number of Wright ratchets and wrenches, and cannot say enough good things about them. Excellent quality at a good price, and -as mentioned- USA made. Can it get better than that?

Epsteins is a good place to get them, and eBay will have surprising bargains as well.

 

[hallboyone]

Thanks guys! The connivence of a truck is null for me, especially not for their prices. I think that I will stick with wright. I bought one of their double pawl ratchets and it is sooooo nice. Of course I am comparing it to craftsman so next to snap on it might be junk.

 

[rusty65]

Yeah wright tools are very nice but are not as slim and trim like snap on is. Wright tools have great brute strength and will last you several life times.

 

[shoturtle]

Very good tools form wright. They are one of the big boys when dealing with industrial tools. Proto, Wright, Williams, and Armstrong are the big industrial tool suppliers in the US.

 

[Thunderbisciut]

I had some Wright combo wrenches that I got in a lot. I always like to handle things to see if I want to pick them out for my own set. I will say that they are very stout wrenches. They're a bit shorter than my Proto ASDs, but they are thicker and feel generally more robust. Looking at all the available fancy open ends out there, to me it looks like Wrightgrip would be 2nd in line to Snap On for effectiveness. These were satin finish wrenches, and I really liked how they looked and felt. Very nice beam profile too, would be comfortable to use and put some weight on. In the end I stuck with my Protos simply because my other set of combos are also Proto.

I favor the industrial brands over the truck brands myself, and if you come across a good deal on any of them I wouldn't hesitate.

 

[fast one]

I work on the opposite side of electricity as John does. We are provided with tools and get wrights cougar import brand for chrome sockets and wright brand ratchets and impact sockets.

The ratchets wear out over time, but still work and are probably older than I am, but are very nice ratchets. The chrome sockets I have never had a issue with and the impact sockets we use with hydraulic impact guns and hammer them hard and don't have issues.

 

[Polski-Chevy]

I have a Wright SAE 3/4 drive socket set and the quality is awesome

 

[CWP1616L]

By "truck brands" I mean the general category of tools that are sold primarily to auto shops via direct delivery by a guy who is trying to make an honest living. Obvious brands are SnapOn, Mac, Matco, and Cornwell.

I was just trying to point out that you will pay a premium for the "truck brand" tools as opposed to any of the "industrial" brand tools. The higher price is probably due to a combination of factors such as allowing a profit for the manufacturer, profit for the truck dealer, convenience of delivery, availability of unique tools for specific auto applications, and a name recognition/prestige factor valued by many professional auto mechanics. Don't misunderstand me ... they are usually good quality, reliable, tools and I don't mean to put them down ... they just cost more for, IMHO, no significant increase in quality.

What I call "industrial" brands are typically those that you will have to purchase at a supply house or on-line. Typical "industrial" brands are Wright, Proto, Williams, Armstrong, etc.

The reason I'd spend the extra money for a Cornwell wrench over a Wright wrench is because of the differences in the SHAPE between the two wrenches. Wright makes very good quality wrenches, but I like the shape and the way a Cornwell wrench feels in my hand better than a Wright wrench. The same with Cornwell ratchets. I like the shape of them and the way they feel in my hand better than a Wright ratchet. People are always comparing tool brands and the prices of the tools, but they never compare shapes.

 

[Hiball]

The reason I'd spend the extra money for a Cornwell wrench over a Wright wrench is because of the differences in the SHAPE between the two wrenches. Wright makes very good quality wrenches, but I like the shape and the way a Cornwell wrench feels in my hand better than a Wright wrench. The same with Cornwell ratchets. I like the shape of them and the way they feel in my hand better than a Wright ratchet. People are always comparing tool brands and the prices of the tools, but they never compare shapes.

I own both and the Wright (unless your talking about the Older V style open ended wrenches) are just about on par with the Cornwells in the Comfort department. In regards to Ratchets, "I" cant notice enough difference between the Wright Contour gripped ratchets and the Cornwell Metal grip ratchets to warrant talking about. I suspect that is why some people are More of a "Hands on, Need to Hold it prior to purchasing" type of shopper.

 

[joebachor]

wright and proto are the only ratchets ive never broken. and ive used them all. wright quality is tremendous and you will be impressed.

 

[jackfork]

When buying new hand tools I almost always go with Wright. I picked up a adjustable wrench at White Cap used it on the next plumbing job and was impressed. Been buying them ever since.

 

[mrjaw14]

I got a 1/2" set of SAE 12pt deeps. The recesses go all the way down except on the smallest 4 sockets. Craftsman/armstrong/matco are the only other brands I know of that's like that. Makes it easier if the fastener is on a stud and you have clearance issues. They also promote their wright drive, which is their version of flank drive. Should be plenty strong and drive the flats of the fastener. Cheaper than armstrong, SK, and matco. They OEM for the military, in fact the set I got was made for uncle sam. had a nice red metal case with all the part numbers for each socket, and the army NSN.

Wouldn't hesitate to buy Wright again. Their metric deep sizes are a little weird, 16 to 26 I think. Not very useful, so I got SK for my deep metrics in 10-27. But the SK's have that annoying recess that doesn't let the nut go all the way down into the socket. My Wrights don't do that which is good

 

[jvitez]

I love Wright tools! I've got a set of combo wrenches and a vintage 1/2" socket/ratchet set. Their ratchets are OK, I prefer Cornwell or Snap-On for ergonomics and smoothness but everything they make is very sturdy. +1 on the wrenches being a bit short, and the open end thickness is thicker than others, but they're super very and very comfortable.

 

[vssjim]

Never a bad choice when buying Wright tools top knotch, good value and top quality and feel.

 

[CWP1616L]

People seem to prefer Wright over Proto on this board. Maybe it's because people hate Stanley so much.

 

[Wakefield]

Above a certain size the (combination) wrenches are made differently than the smaller ones. The cutoff for the different style is somewhere above 1-1/4". 1-7/16" and up are the different style. Fatter handle,maybe rougher surface. Open end wider at the hip end.

 

[Strassi_Br]

Warranty

Where to Buy


There are Many.. Many.. place to buy Wright Online, If your a Hands on Guy use the Distributor link above. I primarily Use Harry Epsteins, Amazon, Ebay and the Classifieds here when looking for Wright stuff.

Thank for helping me. I cant say much about brands cause I only have a last generation USA made craftsman 154-pc Mechanics tools set and kd ratchets