Need help from forum tool specialists

[jpahemi]

I'm looking to invest in a few large wrenches and I'd like to get some feedback by forum members with quality tool experience.
Snap-On seems to be the domestic standard, but they don't have the configuration I'm looking for.
I've recently seen the Armstrong brand in some industrial catalog houses; any thoughts??
What about the German tool lines: Hazet, Stahlwille, Elora, Heyco...??
Craftsman Professional??

TIA,

JP

[304065]

JP,

The German stuff is so damned expensive you have to approach it from the perspective of a collection rather than utility. I'm also a believer in "total cost of ownership" e.g. I would rather pay a lot more for something up front and expect it to perform flawlessly throughout its useful life.

The truth is, given the usage any non-professional is likely to do over the next fifty years, the inexpensive Chinese-made sets are probably just as good. Then again for basic transportation a Toyota is just as good . . .

So I have a set of Hazet sockets, Stahlwille screwdrivers, Stahwille torque wrenches (the ONLY mechanical type that don't require the tension to be removed after use) and am working on collecting the other pieces as needs and budget warrant.

The Germans don't make a gearwrench, too bad, because the set I got from Ace Hardware is great

Wayne doesn't sell any of these tools (too bad) but you can find them at Baum Tools, Zdmak and Samstag Sales. The latter I have dealt the most with, Andrew Poston is a very nice guy and reasonable to deal with.

[lucittm]

Tools are the Holy Grail for me.

I have almost every Craftsman hand tool ever made (some were handed down from my father). The quality has decreased inversly proportional to the look/finish. In other words, the newer Craftsman tools are metalurgically inferior, but they look nice and shiney. I've never broken one but I have bent a few and gouged the wrench faces on hardened nuts and bolts. I resist trading them in unless I really have to. Easily available and no hassle exchange.

Armstrong make the strongest wrenches but they are thick and heavy, I think that for industrial purposes they are great. Archeologists will find them in 1M years. Made in USA, limited sizes.

Snap-On wrenches are nice because of their replacement policy, but if the wrench is designed correctly in the first place, manufactured properly, and finished with a little pride, you don't need a replacement policy. I have a few of their wrenches and they are nice but expensive.

Other "Made in USA" tools that are well-made are S-K and Proto. Harder to find, but a good value. Someone mentioned Lowe's (many locations) has a professional tool line. I have not tried any of their wrenches.

For a USA tool distributor (and there are many), I like SJ Discount Tools: http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/

The German wrenches I have are all forged steel. They are the best in terms of quality of steel (toughness) and the surface finish (hardness) without being brittle (they don't chip like a file will if you drop them). Expensive and hard to find.

I would recommend Stahlwille for a large wrench set because of the value if you can find what you need. Try ZDMAK for Porsche-related tools: http://www.zdmak.com/

I also like Gray Tools, made in Canada: http://www.graytools.com/Default2.htm
You will need to find a local distributor. Very nice tools and a great selection.

Thanks,
Mark

[mudman]

You don't state what sizes you are looking for, but if you're looking for a larger complete set I'd try www.thetoolwarehouse.net and look at th S-K sets. They are decent quality and a good value when you buy the bigger sets. The finish is nice and quality of metal is good.

If you are just needing a few individual large wrenches I'd say if there is a local Sears store go with Crapsman. I curse at the quality but stop when I remember the big bag of broken sockets, screwdrivers, ratchets, wrenches, etc. that will get exchanged for brand new tools when I make it to the store. Downside of Crapsman is I'm forced to have many multiples of tools just in case...

[jpahemi]

I'm looking for 27&30 mm..

JP

[jpahemi]

I've found Hazet has a satin finish vs. Stahlwille chrome. I guess it's a matter of preference. I'm assuming the fit tolerance between the 2 is comparable.





Has any one tried these box 0 degree wrenches?

[MyTurbo3.6]

MAJOR MANUFACTURERS

1) STANLEY
a) MAC Tools (Top End)
b) Proto Tools (High Quality Industrial)
c) Black Hawk (High Quality but mostly made in Taiwan)
d) Husky (Home Depot store brand)
e) Stanley (Wal-Mart and Discounters)

2) DANAHER
a) Matco Tools (Top End)
b) Armstrong Tools (High Quality Industrial)
c) Silver Eagle (High Quality but mostly made in Taiwan)
d) Grey Pneumatic (Industrial quality but mostly made in Taiwan)
e) Kobalt (Lowes Store Brand)
f) Craftsman (Sears Store Brand)
g) NAPA (Napa Store Brand)
h) Allen
i) Gear Wrench
j) K-D Tools

3) Snap-On
a) Snap-On Tools (Top End)
b) JH Williams Tools (High Quality Industrial)
c) Blue Point (High Quality but mostly made in Taiwan)
d) Branded hand tools for New Holland and others - mostly Taiwan
e) Bahco
f) Sioux Tools
g) ATI Tools


MINOR PLAYERS BUT STILL LARGE

4) S-K (once part of Facom - now independent. Starting to see S-K tool trucks competing with Snap-On / Mac / Matco / Cornwell)

5) Cornwell (Image similar to Mac / Matco / Snap-on. Claims quality of comparable levels - however your mileage may vary)

6) Wright tools. (Can compete easily at the Matco / Mac / Proto / Armstrong levels of quality)

7) Lisle tools (much smaller - but many almost unique tools)


EUROPEAN (just for good measure - major players)

1) Stahlwille - The Snap-on of Europe. Best of the best - king of the hill.

2) Facom - Literally a truck brand there like Matco / Mac / Snap-on here.

3) Hazet - Very nice in most cases

4) Gedore - Quality industrial grade


Cornwell, does, in fact, source their screwdrivers from Witte, as does Matco, just a different series or model set. Cornwell's hand wrenches are made by Cornwell in the USA with USA steel. Cornwell's torx sockets and ratcheting (gear style) wrench are made in China.

Anything Bluepoint branded is a brand sold by Snap-On and sourced from China. ANYTHING Bluepoint period.

[ChrisBennet]

Sounds like you're looking for oil line wrenches. The German designation for these is "DIN894" in case you need a search term. Our host sell a 4 piece set, part # PEL-TOL-P242 that includes the wrenches you're interested in.
-Chris