Wright wrenches VS SK wrenches

[gbh]

They both look fine to me but I'd appreciate any opinions on which you would choose over the other and why?


First off, Wright
http://www.ebay.com/itm/380414438147?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

SK
http://www.ebay.com/itm/120841574817?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[chris6278]

I have a set of sk and i luv them, dont own any wright but have heard good things so u cant go wrong with either

 

[Hyster Gareth]

I would personally take at a look at Williams Supercombo's.

 

[bob15]

I would personally take at a look at Williams Supercombo's.

I have (or had) all three sets (among others), SK SuperKrome, Wright satin and the Williams Supercombo.

Out of the three listed, I would choose the Williams last due to the finish peeling on a couple wrenches and the wrenches seem to spread a little more than others, at least 9/16" and smaller. The larger wrenches have zero spread. The rough satin finish will become super smooth the more you use the wrenches (a plus).

The Wright satin combo set is metric 6-32mm and are real nice to work with. Finish is smooth and jaw spread is none. I have not tried the new chrome Wright Grip wrenches, though I have a couple chrome double box end wrenches that are super smooth.

The SK has a nice chrome finish. I really didn't use the SK's much and gave them to my brother.

I think I would take the Wright over the SK for wrenches (I prefer SK sockets and extensions). As for the Williams, I would pass over them and buy the Snappy FD+(much better and tighter gripping feel over the Supercombos). And these thoughts are coming from someone who actually prefers Bonney full chrome, V-open ended Loc-rite wrenches over all other wrenches.

bob

 

[gbh]

Thank you very much for the information guys. Special thank you to Bob for taking the time to write such a detailed post of his experience.
I know I can't go far wrong with any of these brands but it's always good to hear the experience of GJ members!

 

[Fedwrench]

I have always found SK combination wrenches to be a little on the heavy side and wide in the hips around the boxed end. I'm not sure about the current Ideal owned production but, there were old threads about wavy wrenches and in consistent finish.
I have a Wrightgrip full polish metric set that I picked up from Epsteins. Great wrenches. Perfest chrome, off corner engagement, nice feel and balance. They aren't long pattern wrenches though, more of a standard length set though. They are definitely worth a look though.
If you're in the market for a longer wrench, consider the full polished anti slip protos. Not cheap but, a great wrench.

 

[wrenchr]

The more and more I see wright tools I like them more and more. Very under rated.

 

[Wakefield]

It is possible that one brand is the better one for the little wrenches but another brand's big wrenches-like over 19 mm or 13/16"-might be better.
Above about 1-5/16" or so the Wrights seem to be different than the smaller ones.

 

[bobcatdan]

Both are great tools. I personally would buy wright wrenches and SK ratchets and socket. If you have any use for wrenchs over 1 1/4", wright's design is the best in the business.

 

[Davefr]

If you have any use for wrenchs over 1 1/4", wright's design is the best in the business.

Wright's focus is industrial where sizes can be quite large. SK's focus is automotive where large wrenches are not all that common.

 

[FiendFX]

I would get the SK. I guess because it looks like they got longer wrenches?

 

[ChrisF250]

I love my wrights they are very comfortable. I don't worry too much about the length because I seldom run into a situation where I need that much more torque where I can't get a ratchet or breaker bar into. For my use longer wrenches just get in the way

 

[pipsters]

The SK wrenches are going to be really short.

I've had both SK and Craftsman Pro/Industrial. I have not had Wright. IMO the Craftsman Industrial are some of the best deals going right now.

http://www.searsoutlet.com/14-PC-Wr...id=7054&mode=buyNewOnly&itemSelectionType=all

or

http://www.searsoutlet.com/Craftsma...id=7054&mode=buyNewOnly&itemSelectionType=all

Depending on size desired, you can always buy the missing sizes

I sold my SK set in favor of the Craftsman Industrial. The SK are good but the Craftsman are/were much longer.

 

[RCStocker]

This is a no brainer.
The SK are better wrenches. They will hold thier resale value more and they are the full set and don't skip sizes
The Wright wrenches you showed are missing sizes and there will come a time when you need the one you don't have,.

I have 57 set of renches, have 3 different shops thus so many but I collect,.
I use sk wrenches in my everyday box. I have long and regular lenthgth in both SAE and Metric. I have Wright, Williams, Proto, Snap-on, Craftsman, Matco and other brands.
I like the Sk just as well as my Snap-on's

The fit and finish are great. Buy a used set. They are half the price of a new set and you can find them with a little looking.

I would go with the long version. They are a little shorter than the Snap on but not enoughto really make a difference. There are many good brands. I would buy what ever complete set I could find in good used condition and never look back.

My bet is all the fussy gear heads could not tell the difference in most wrenches if they were blind folded. Even less of a difference if they had to use it in the dark. People like what they like and pay way to much for many things. A fool and his money are soon parted. LOL
SK are the best bang for the buck on the market. I got a set of Metric in a roll for $40 last year.

 

[Jawn]

I would get the SK. I guess because it looks like they got longer wrenches?

SK makes different lengths... the ones in the OP are "standard" length, vs these are long pattern:

12pc, 8-19mm:
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-6013-sk-hand-tool-86040.aspx

19pc, 6-24mm:
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-6011-sk-hand-tool-86037.aspx

 

[brianpgriset]

SK makes different lengths... the ones in the OP are "standard" length, vs these are long pattern:

12pc, 8-19mm:
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-6013-sk-hand-tool-86040.aspx

19pc, 6-24mm:
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-6011-sk-hand-tool-86037.aspx

This. Buy the LP SK's and don't look back. The standard length are short but LP will give the leverage you want.

 

[Skin]

i'll chime in with neither. My own bias has me prefering wrenches with length and both standard SK and all Wright wrenches are on the shorter side.

Snap-On FD+ are excellent, as are current production Matcos (long length). Both have open end modifications to allow for far superior gripping on tightened corroded fasteners. I believe the Williams Supercombos have something identical to the Matcos as well. The Snap-Ons tend to have some of the slimmest box ends available as well while the Matcos and williams supercombos have more meat on their beam and are a bit more comfortable in the hand.

Honestly if i were buying my first set today i'd go for one of them. A top of the line combo with all the bells and whistles is invaluable. Most of the time its going to be relegated to backing up a bolt while you use an impact or ratchet but when you get into a really tight area where nothing else will have the clearance you'll be happy you bought what you did. I'm not trying to sound like a fanboy here, i've actually tested many brands for myself and in this rust heavy area i just wouldnt bother with short basic combos ever. Thats not to say everything else is junk, just that there are better wrenches.

 

[Packard V8]

In the major USA wrenchbrands; Snap-on (and the older Blue Point), MAC, Matco, Proto, S-K, Williams, Wright, et al, there aren't any deal-breaking faults. As has been previously stated, they'll all do the job for you, so just buy the best deal on a complete used set.

The next step down, Craftsman, depending on vintage, might have made by Moore Drop Forge, Stanley, Easco or New Britain. The most recent supplier is the Danaher Corp who bought Easco and then branded the same Craftsman wrenches NAPA, Easco, they'll also do anything the non-professional user needs done. They're just not quite as pretty.

Same for sockets; at one time, Danaher made all the sockets for Craftsman, Easco, Matco, Proto, Allen, NAPA, and K-D. There is no difference between any of these sockets, in any way, except for the name.

Bottom line - they're all good enough to be equal to the talent most of us are putting into the work.

You didn't ask, but IMHO, the biggest difference is in ratchets. That's were there are enough differences to be worth an argument and where your money buys something you can see and feel.

jack vines

 

[Skin]

Incorrect on the Matco chome sockets, they secured a contract with an independant supplier over 20 years ago. They havent been the same as the other Danaher brands in all that time.

 

[byoungblood]

Length wise, the Wrights are about halfway between a SO FD+ and a Craftsman RP. To me, they aren't so long that they get in the way, but are long enough that you aren't wishing you had a longer wrench. Their beam profile is also very comfortable and they have enough heft that it would take some serious abuse to break one of these.

Yes, they do skip some of the less often used sizes in their sets, but as has been stated, they cater to industrial users where I suspect it is less of an issue.

 

[FiendFX]

i'll chime in with neither. My own bias has me prefering wrenches with length and both standard SK and all Wright wrenches are on the shorter side.

Snap-On FD+ are excellent, as are current production Matcos (long length). Both have open end modifications to allow for far superior gripping on tightened corroded fasteners. I believe the Williams Supercombos have something identical to the Matcos as well. The Snap-Ons tend to have some of the slimmest box ends available as well while the Matcos and williams supercombos have more meat on their beam and are a bit more comfortable in the hand.

Honestly if i were buying my first set today i'd go for one of them. A top of the line combo with all the bells and whistles is invaluable. Most of the time its going to be relegated to backing up a bolt while you use an impact or ratchet but when you get into a really tight area where nothing else will have the clearance you'll be happy you bought what you did. I'm not trying to sound like a fanboy here, i've actually tested many brands for myself and in this rust heavy area i just wouldnt bother with short basic combos ever. Thats not to say everything else is junk, just that there are better wrenches.

im biased on my snap on FD wrenches too. Long and superior

 

[camarotoolman]

Which brand is the esiest to get warrented in your town? which store is close to you? Snap on have the best resale value, imo buy used snapers.

 

[joecon]

I have a set of armsrongs that I like there long and have lasted for years
of everyday use.

 

[Hammell]

I like my wright wrightgip wrenches. No complaints, well made, comforatble and tough.

 

[greasemonkey44]

i like my wrights, the beam the length and the price
but i have long pattern sks and they are pretty good too
i have a few fd+ wrenches, they are great just pricey

 

[chrisziem]

I have always found SK combination wrenches to be a little on the heavy side and wide in the hips around the boxed end. I'm not sure about the current Ideal owned production but, there were old threads about wavy wrenches and in consistent finish.
I have a Wrightgrip full polish metric set that I picked up from Epsteins. Great wrenches. Perfest chrome, off corner engagement, nice feel and balance. They aren't long pattern wrenches though, more of a standard length set though. They are definitely worth a look though.
If you're in the market for a longer wrench, consider the full polished anti slip protos. Not cheap but, a great wrench.

+1 on the proto anti-slip

 

[Rezeppa]

I have a set of armsrongs that I like there long and have lasted for years
of everyday use.

I love my Armstrong Wrenches! I have many wrench sets and IMHO from the ops post I would buy Armstrong the price is in the same ballpark the full polish finish is some of the nicest chroming I have ever seen. I love my Snapon wrenches my favorite is MAC I like the boxiness and way they feel. But as far as bang for buck Armstrong is hands down the winner. My newest sk super chrome wrenches are my least favorite the wright wrenches are nice but no compairison to Armstrong Only my opinion. I hope this helps.

 

[gbh]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to share your opinions and experience.
I already have combination snap on wrenches from 1/4 up to 1 1/18 and am very happy with them but want to try something different in metric. I have a preference for American made though I also have some KTC and Tone tools.
I'll take a look at Armstrong and and Williams as some of you have recommended. Price isn't really an issue, I have gone without most of my life and view my tool purchases as a gift to me and as something that I'll pass onto my eldest son when I'm gone.
Cheers