Source for good quality large wrenches?

[Porsche_monkey]

I second that:

I'll use only Snap-On for all aircraft, space shuttle and reactor repairs henceforth. And don't get me started on my home nuclear fusion project.

[captainrb]

OK Friends.simmer down now (LOL) We all want quaility. otherwise why would you own a PORSCHE.I have those wrenches from Smart racing and they are crap. They must be stamped out ! How do I know is I had to use a file to remove the cut marks on the inside of the wrenches before they would fit properly on the nuts to adjust EPR spring plates and ERP 935 front end camber adjustment. I considered sending them back, just too big of a hassle.Now ... what to do because they need to be thin and short for clearence reasons. GO to your favorite Bicycle shop !!! They can order wrenches in any MM size you want..thin and short. Good Luck D.C.

[charleskieffner]

as for my garage.......3 aircraft hangers in one state, one very large hanger in neighboring state that holds aircraft paint booth and at last count maybe 12-14 planes. turbine dehavilland, yaks, otters beavers and oh yea the little old grumman mallard (1941) full restoration. and yea over 50 gruppe B and rally cars just purchased in europe soon to arrive here.its obvious from the holier than thou comments you were affected by statement that cheap tools beget cheap results. no offense intended. i have been first on hand and watched 2 men burn to death in front of me here at this airport, i have been witness to 5 other crashes on strip, i have been in a ground loop in dornier do-27..............and you know what? they were all traced back to A&P mechanic by NTSB and FAA. i dont scrimp on tools when lives are at stake PERIOD! is there a difference btwn a plane and a porsche be it on the street or track? i dont think so. thats all

[safe]

Well, if I could afford 14 planes and 50 cars, then I would buy the absolute best tools, even if the application for them wouldn't need it....

[David E. Clark]

Originally posted by charleskieffner
... what survived? despite having to be shipped off in barrels, were proto hand tools. yes they were junk, but they were intact ...

I can't tell from this whether your experience with Proto tools has been good or bad. I own lots of Proto tools and have found them to be equal to, or better than, my other high end tools (MAC, Matco, Cornwell, Snap-on, Hazet and Stahlwille). I also like the Craftsman Professional line a lot. Not quite on par with those mentioned above but very nicely made and available at your local Sears with a lifetime guarantee.

P.S. we can argue about tools all day. If you like a certain tool and it works to keep your car on the road, I say buy it. It's all about the driving anyway.

[Tim Hancock]

Charles, you definately one upped me! I will stand by my opinion of using cheap large wrenches for occasional relatively low torque use though. If you can afford a Mallard resto, a $1000.00 tool is peanuts .

By chance, was your Mallard ever owned by Tony Barnum? Over the years he has owned quite of few of the 50 ish Mallards ever built. I hope your tank sealant is doing it's job as it sounds like corrosion in the wing due to water getting trapped between the tank sealant and the aluminum is a scary deal for those old Mallards (recent Florida crash comes to mind).

Man, the biggest "Grumman" I ever owned was a Yankee, which probably equates to the value of one of your props.

PS: Do you need any fabric resto work done, I promise I will only use the good tools on it!

[toolman]

Look at Lisle and KD for fan clutch wrenches, these are flat and inexpensive. For the 26mm, get a cheap one from harbor freight and grind it down. I bought a Martin thin wrench and it was still a little too fat to fit with ease.

[Porsche_monkey]

Originally posted by toolman
Look at Lisle and KD for fan clutch wrenches, these are flat and inexpensive. For the 26mm, get a cheap one from harbor freight and grind it down. I bought a Martin thin wrench and it was still a little too fat to fit with ease.

Heresy!

[bridow]

Originally posted by safe
Well, if I could afford 14 planes and 50 cars, then I would buy the absolute best tools, even if the application for them wouldn't need it....

yes, dont forget a few blondes half your age

[pwd72s]

If I ever won a lottery, I'd have a pair of huge rollaways loaded with Snap-On's best...one metric, one SAE. Then I'd NEVER work on a car again. But boy, could I ever do so if I wanted to!
I'll confess, the bulk of my tools are "craftsperson". I did just pick up a set of deep boxends, Stahlwillie...I like their "I-beam" handle feature.

[Rot 911]

Charles I know my life is better for just having the opportunity to benefit from all your wisdom.

[randywebb]

Ever since I found out that the points on my AT&T credit card could be redeemed for Snap-On purchase certificates, I've been replacing the Sears and other old stuff in my box...

[ChrisBennet]

For big wrenches I use the inexpensive DIN894 style ones. (They say made in Germany on them.) I milled a couple of them flat for use on spring plates.

The flat Smart Racing wrenched are soft and weren't up to the task of adjusting the spring plates with the sway bars still connected.
-Chris

[jbrinkley]

is it worth mentioning that 400 feet at the bottom of the gulf of mexico I've only used or seen proto torque wreches?

and yet I still don't have one at the house

[Huh]

I agree with most. I use the Harbor Freight tools on things that don't are used all the time. Anymore Harbor Freight tools are just as good as the lower/mid level name brands. They are all made in the same country anymore.

On a side note I am up for adoption for those who have a mechanics shop garage at home.....
I only dream of my 40'x60' pole barn with a lift and all the tools needed for just about anything.

[Tim Polzin]

Originally posted by charleskieffner
dornier do-27..............

Neat aircraft, spent a lot of hours in one, now if I could just have my hearing back.

Tim

Edit note: did not mean do-27, meant do-28, never flew in a 27.

Tim