(Part 3) Reddit mentions: The best combination wrenches

I was in a similar situation over the summer, except that I actually use my tools to make money; a few options:

Option A: Harbor freight 301 Pc Tool Set:

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/hand-tool-sets/301-pc-mechanics-tool-set-63464.html

With a coupon or on sale, it's $150-160. The sockets and ratchets are very good (I have a Snap On GF80 I am comparing them to; excellent ratchet, but it costs 5 times as much), and you get an incredible array of stuff for the price. Screwdrivers are OK, wrenches are usable, pliers suck.

I'm going to be picking one of these up to keep in the trunk of my car, but for a home DIY'er, grab some better pliers and wrenches and you're golden.

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Option B: Pick & Mix:

Get a big box:

https://www.amazon.com/Waterloo-Specialty-Tool-Box-3-Drawers/dp/B008DP7VBK

And fill it with stuff you like.

I would still go to Harbor Freight for sockets, at least some - I use GearWrench impact sockets for a lot of stuff, but use HF for all my 1/4", 12-point 3/8", and shallow 1/2" - and ratchets. All 3 sizes with comfort grips would be about $55, they are 72-tooth and amazingly strong. I have their flex-heads and extendable ratchets, too.

Alternatively, Autozone has Duralast socket sets on sale right now, decent quality for a really good price.

I do not like Gearwrench 120xp ratchets; I tested one out at the store, and they have extremely firm backdrag, the result of having to push two springs down instead of one (how they get 120 positions out of 60 teeth).

I also like HF's recent line of screwdrivers:

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/22-pc-screwdriver-set-69420.html

On my wish list, Mayhew Cats Paw screwdrivers:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000K1LXAK

I like that they have both hammer caps and bolsters

Wrenches pretty much have to be Gearwrench or better; I haven't found any good budget wrenches, and I've been looking! I just got a big GW set, 22 metric wrenches for $97:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003L1ZZVY

The full SAE/Metric set is $200, but goes on sale for ~$175 pretty often.

Pliers are another tool that really need to be high end; HF has a new line of Taiwan pliers that look pretty good, but they are more expensive than certain USA-made pliers that I won't name, and close to the price of Taiwan-made Irwin, which have much better handles.

These are on my Christmas list, Blue Point (Snap On China):

https://store.snapon.com/Pliers-and-Cutters-Blue-Point-174--5-pc-Pliers-and-Cutter-Set-Blue-Point--P645191.aspx

You can find them for ~$75-100 online; $15-20 per tool isn't bad, really.

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Option 4: Flag down a tool truck and open up your wallet!

Actually, a lot of the tool trucks carry more than one brand, and some have used tools they take in trade, so this isn't the worst idea in the world, if you have the cash up front to buy.

I was buying in pieces, though, as needed, so hunting down the tool truck 3 times a week wasn't an option even if I had been prepared to pay the premium.

They are pretty cheap on Amazon.de, and they have international shipping.

Gedore, Stahlwille, Hazet, Elora

My Honda has the same covers. I bought this 17mm wrench and it works great. . Since it sits flat on all 6 sides of the head, it's way less likely to keep rounding it out.

I also ride a WR; a few recommendations.

Combo Axle Wrench

Motion Pro Multi-Purpose Metric Tool - Add a few commonly used sockets such as those needed to fix your hand guards

Motopump inflator

Endurostar Trail Stand

Beyond that I carry a leatherman, some spoons and misc tools in a rollup, a tube, a bead buddy, a first aid kit, spare batteries and a PLB.

Not really, when I buy a $300 wrench set or any other overpriced tool from certain companies, experience has shown that it will come in excellent condition. When you cross a certain threshold of markup, you expect no defects.

Get a will made six point box end wrench and hopefully you can fit it. You may have to disconnect the exhaust from the back so it will lay down just enough possibly without hurting where the pipes connect to the engine giving more clearance.

Stanley Proto J1212MHASD Combination Wrench 12mm 6 Point https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0026GRV12/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_0x01Ab7H6HEZE

There’s also a ratcheting version but they tend to be thicker.

it's a subaru, so make that 10 12 14 and 17 and the whole car is covered.

Actually, VIM makes a 14mm - 17mm angled box wrench which is basically god's gift to subaru lube techs.

What is the dimension of the gap the wrench has to fit in?

Proxxon Slimline is 3.5 mm thick

I noticed that those look like the same ratchets as the Williams version I have. Turns out, they are the same manufacturer. Engraving, shape, and finish, aside from the name, are identical to the set I have.

Does the Blue-Point version cost more or less than the Williams? Taiwan or China (Williams is Taiwan)?
Re:
Williams MWS-12RC 12-Piece Metric Reversible Ratcheting Combination Wrench Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002N7ORNE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_.1bVBb745KCR2

I got tired of the wrestling these things in/out of the case they came with (it was far too tight and fiddly), so I designed and printed a better one for my pegboard!

It's made to hold one of these sets or it's equivalents.

It's made to fit in the keyhole slots on this pegboard. Although the mounting brackets are only super-glued on so you can make your own mounting brackets if needed.

The Thingiverse link is here

If anyone wants, I can make separate mounts for different sized pegboards

• Digital calipers (or analogue)
  
• Digital multimeter (or analogue)
  
• Side cutters (diagonal flush-cut)
  
• De-burring tool
  
• Metric miniature spanner kit (this one is good)
  
• Set of small metric allen keys
  
• Basic electrical/craft tool kit (may include some of the above)
  
  Get some good quality PLA filament. There's nothing worse for a beginner than struggling with poor-quality filament. Avoid cheap white, grey and black filament. They are likely to contain all sorts of fillers and crud. Bright colours are more likely to have industry standard dyes and pigments. Prusament should be a safe choice.
  
  A Raspberry Pi is not necessary, but it is convenient and allows you to print over USB with your computer/laptop switched off. You can always print from an SD card to begin with.

Do you have any opinion on Tekton vs Gearwrench? I've never owned anything from either brand but am buying a Tekton torque wrench right away and was looking at this gearwrench set. Price is about the same, although you get one extra wrench with Tekton, either size range is fine for my use. The real difference is 12 point box end on the Tekton and 6 for GearWrench. I think I'd prefer 6 point but could be swayed.

Main purpose for the wrenches is working on my motorcycle.

Something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-Flex-Head-Combination-Ratcheting-Wrench/dp/B000HBC7QC

They actually make chain-drive extensions for tight spots like this thing.
But for the money you can buy a cordless socket wrench.

Could you get a small spanner like this?

I'm not familiar with this bike at all, so this may be a stupid question, but can you install the rockers after you torque the head down?

How about something like a pivot head combo wrench like this and use your calibrated wrist for torque.

Can’t find those on Amazon (in mobile app). Going to keep looking though.

Found ‘em...for $60 though

GearWrench 9412 12 Piece Metric Ratcheting Wrench Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002NYD1C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_X1XyDb5XKH9W0

I found a set which is exactly what i want except its made in china.

https://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-5-piece-Polish-Combination-Wrench/dp/B01FTJJZDE/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1523902500&sr=8-6&keywords=wrench+set+20-24mm

Combo Pack on amazon

https://smile.amazon.com/TEKTON-WRN53118-Ratcheting-Combination-Wrench/dp/B01F511QKQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1511033007&sr=8-5&keywords=tekton+ratcheting+combination+wrench

You can see the convex sides on the box end in their diagrams.

And in a 12 point combination wrench:

https://smile.amazon.com/TEKTON-16-Inch-Combination-Wrench-WCB23033/dp/B06XTY1KCR/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1511033199&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=tekton+ratchet+combination+wrench&psc=1

Also the harbor freight pittsburg and pittsburg pro ratcheting combination wrenches, but they don't have a diagram.

https://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-sae-ratcheting-combo-wrench-set-96654.html


Craftsman example (No diagram)

https://www.craftsman.com/products/craftsman-professional-1-1-2-full-polish-long-pattern-wrench-12-pt-combination?taxon_id=1893