Tool recomendations (wrenches)??

[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

[RWebb]

Hazet & Stahlwille are top notch. Dunno re the others.

There have been a number of threads where some in the industry commented on what was good.

tool is obviously not a good search term, but I bet hazet & Stahlwille together would bring up the right threads.

[Paul K]

S-K. Spendy but worth it.

[Zef]

SK...snap-on quality without the price....!

[RoninLB]

Originally Posted by jpahemi

I'm looking to invest in a few large wrenches

what sizes are large ?

[MatthewBrum]

I have most brands of the american wrenches and if I had to choose one it would be the gear wrench brand 8mm-24mm set. I probably use this the most out of all my wrenches. This set combined with a snap-on box wrench set 6mm-19mm is almost all I use.

[Peter Zimmermann]

Stahlwille fits my hands the best - they're comfortable and I've never had one slip. I have 36mm, 32mm, 30mm, 27mm, 22mm in open/box configuration. Also, their open ends are extremely good at controlling spread when used on a fitting that's very tight, and box end access is not possible.

[Fast Corners]

Stahwille & SK have served me well throughout my wrenching days up to the present.

[cgarr]

I usually buy those big ones at the local china tool store then re-form then into something that works for my special application.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by cgarr

I usually buy those big ones at the local china tool store then re-form then into something that works for my special application.

+1, I have altered several of those big cheap wrenches for odd jobs.

I am not picky as far as normal sized wrenches go, I have several sets of wrenches including Snap-On, Mac, Craftsman, SK and all have held up well.

[aston@ultrasw.c]

Originally Posted by Zef

SK...snap-on quality without the price....!

x3 on SK!!

Plus I have a local dealer who does agro-free warranty replacements.

[Peter Zimmermann]

Buying "cheap" is all well and good, but when you need a set of wrenches to do weekly/monthly tasks on front oil cooler lines, alternator pulley nut removal/install, engine removal, etc., that require big wrenches, only high quality gear will do the job. I've been taking oil line related fittings loose for more than 30 years - with the same set of wrenches, and the finish on them isn't even starting to chip. Does a DIYer need that level of quality? I can't answer that, but I do know that "you get what you pay for" applies to the wrench world.