Best wrench brand I can afford?

[Sawyer Rob]

Crapsman tools aren't any where near as good as they use to be! I easily snapped these tightening the front lug nuts on my tractor, (both were bran new replacements, from the last two I turned in)

I went and found my old S&K and finished the job!!

SR

 

[Mike68]

Crapsman tools aren't any where near as good as they use to be! I easily snapped these tightening the front lug nuts on my tractor, (both were bran new replacements, from the last two I turned in)

I went and found my old S&K and finished the job!!

SR

Those look like 3/8 drive breaker bars. What size socket were you using?

I would expect 1/2 drive to be more appropriate for tractor lug nuts, especially on the larger tractors where the torque values could be north of 200 ft-lbs.

Could this be an example of wrong tool for the job?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

They both are 1/2" as was the S&K...

SR

 

[DFB]

Ya but what size cheater bar did you use...

 

[dave1949]

Ya but what size cheater bar did you use...

And which leg?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

NONE, just myfatasss on the handle, just like I did the S&K!!

SR

 

[LD1]

I am not impressed at all with craftsman breaker bars, or ratchets for that matter.

I have a 1/2" drive hf ratchet that extends to the lenght of a normal breaker bar, but is a ratchet. I trust my knuckles with it more than a craftsman breaker bar.

I also have a hf 3/4 drive set. While the ratchet is junk, I trust the sockets and breaker bar with a 4' pipe on it when doing bushhog blade bolts

 

[brown40]

It is surprising that tool steel hasn't gotten better over time rather than worse--cost control is the only possible reason. I kind of understand recycled content in superstructures, vehicles, etc (not that it makes me happy) but you're putting what--between an ounce and a pound in most tools--and modern metallurgy can create some amazing properties. It should be getting more impressive, not less.

 

[Professor Marvel]

I just bought a set of Sunex impact sockets. Never heard of them before but tried them out. To me they seem pretty good. Anyone else ever used them?

 

[DFB]

I have to say you CAN easily see the difference between SK and Craftsman when it comes to breaker bars...whats with the non chromed attachment point anyhow? Obviously its designed to be the weak point!



An off brand I have had very good performance with was Thorsen. The knurled ratchet handle seems very similar to SK.

I wrenched for 30+ years and have broke my share of adapters especially 1/2 to 3/8 reducers, even SK ones, plus ratchet drives, plenty of tork and allen socket drives, and stripped out cheap china junk sockets and wrenches when I was 18 years old...but to constantly abuse tools especially sockets and wrenches until they shatter and/or break is like totally amateur in my opinion. (honestly I have never ever broke a combination wrench EVER using it as intended with just my arm on fastener )

I once watched 2 kids bring in a bucket full of shattered Craftsman sockets into Sears looking for replacements and from what I could glean the manger knew this wasn't the first time either. He told them in no uncertain terms that using standard chrome vanadium sockets on an impact driver was voiding the warranty.

I have both the China made wrench set to 2" and 3/4 drive MIT socket set and my local outlet AWAYS stocks the ratchet rebuild kit for the socket set. (I have one in my tool box right now )

I have seen the larger 3/4 Homier stuff returned broke seen the large socket itself cracked, so there is a difference in china sourced stuff but the one set I have right now from them is 3/4 drive black impact I got for 25 bucks with a steel case and have had hammered it hard with no problems.

All that said I once picked up great deal on an AC DELCO branded tool set with a full assortment of sockets to one inch, combo wrenches, plus nut drivers screwdrivers and all waaay better than any Craftsman along with a cheap 2 pc roll away cabinet at a a super Walmart in Maine that marked down to $100 from $250 because someone skewered the box with a lift fork. There was a dent in cabinet after unpacking but that was it

Too bad my ex recived it all from the judge its probably on EBAY now!


If you have frieght store nearby go for it I say ...

I just read the post for Sunex never tried them but seem to be good ...Amazon has them.

I bought 3/8 drive impact set both shallow and deep from Eastwood that were really good for $25. I carry them to my job for use with my Milwaukee impact tools.