My new job requires me not just to fly with my tools but also to carry them up very tall ladders. The rolls of ratcheting wrenches, solid screwdrivers and sockets that I used as a boat mechanic need to be replaced with a light bag of adjustable wrenches and a multi-bit driver.


Who makes the best adjustable wrenches, particularly ones that are capable of working on fine little things? I need something like Craftsman's Beak-Jaw wrenches, because they have thinner jaws than normal. Anybody know of anything else like that?

 

I just want to let you know what is available on the german market.
The brand is named HAZET. It's germanys top tool brand.
You don't have to worry about applying torque to those tiny tools. The tools will hold the applied force, the screws won't.
I do love those 1/4" tools. They are available in all sizes, metric and standard, 6- or 12- edges, with bit driver or without. Also stainless steel is available, if corrosion resistance is on top demand.
All tools won't fall out. They are clamped into soft plastic.
To get US prices just multiply the Euro with 1.45, and add 19% tax....

germans top pliers are made by knipex

http://www.knipex-tools.com/

I can't help you with adjustable wrenches,because in my opinion they are always a compromise. I really hate rounded nuts...

 

I'd stay far away from most anything Craftsman these days. It isn't your grandpa's Sears anymore. Quality is on par (or worse) than Harbor Freight or some other importer these days.

The German tools are great, as are the Snap On line. Snap On has a ratcheting screwdriver with different blade attachments (as do some others such as Gearwrench -- product seems to be almost identical). You can have your choice of screwdriver attachments, or even a 1/4" drive that takes other sockets, etc. With exchangeable blades, length, type, etc., are all easily controlled in one neat kit. I have one and love it.

SGDMRCE44, Screwdriver, Ratcheting, 5 Position Handle, Red

Snap-on Tools

Snap-on Tools

Snap-on Tools

Snap-on Tools

GearWrench 8940 40 Piece Ratcheting Screwdriver Set | ToolBarn.com

I would presume that Snap On's attachments would work with the Gearwrench handle -- they are both 1/4" drive internally. In fact, I do know that the Snap On model will work with a regular 1/4" extension if you need to make a longer driver for special needs. I sold a few that way when I was a dealer.

These are also interesting (I own one) as they can handle long bolts or threaded rod with the pass-through sockets. There is also a 1/4" drive version.

BLPPTSS3822, Set, Socket, Pass Thru, Blue-Point, 22 pcs.

110RTSM, Set, Ratchet/Socket, Metric, Low Profile, 6-Point (11 pcs.) (5 to 13mm)

As far as your original question about Crescent wrenches -- I've found that the original Crescent line is as good as anything, and Snap On is a bit better -- but pricey. Stay far away from any other generic, Craftsman, etc. They all slip and round off stuff. Though I have several Crescent wrenches in my tool kit, I seldom use them except for generic nut holding or field work where I want or need to only carry one tool. What makes the Snap On version better is their patented flank drive system. It simply grabs bolt heads and does not slip. When I was still selling Snappy stuff, I'd take a bolt rounded off by a competitor's product and twist that bolt in half with one of my tools, including the adjustable.

Snap-on Tools

 

Snap on guys...

First, you can never have too many tools. Good quality tools are always nice but it sucks when you leave a $90 ratchet somewhere - but have no idea where. No fear - it will make a nice present for someone.

IMO tool selection depends a whole lot on the job your doing. Soemtimes you can get away ith cheap tools/sometimes not. But when youre making your money with your tools - good tools are usually worth the investment.

Are you doing stack/CEMS testing?


Its too bad what happened with Craftsman....a LOT of years of making good tools down the drain.

 

Only the best!

I've probably saved more money over the years of turning wrenches by using Snap On tools than I spent on the tools themselves. I'm still using some of the first set I bought in 1974, and they have done countless jobs that made me $$$. And yes, other tools might have done those same jobs, but when I've had to borrow or use inferior tools at work, I find myself with tools that don't fit properly, that round off fasteners, that are generally an aggravation and not worth the low price in the long run.

I've averaged somewhere around $20.00 a week for tools for over 35 years now. Early on, when prices were a bit lower, that got me a lot of tools. These days, it is getting me high end pieces like scanners and specialty tools that come in expensive little boxes.

It helped being a Snap On rep for a couple of years. The only thing I didn't get that I really wanted was a transmission flush machine, an A/C machine, and a BIG tool box (I have multiple smaller boxes). One more year and I would have had it all. Oh well. I still buy from the dealer that calls on me -- just picked up all the specialty Cummins tools -- but otherwise, I mostly look on the truck and go, "Meh... Got it."

I agree about Craftsman (or like a lot of call them, "crapsman"). They always had a decent line of tools for Joe Average home mechanic. Quality is down the crapper these days. Wal-Mart stuff works better (Stanley). The stuff they private label and re-sell is okay, but you can almost always find it priced better from the manufacturer (and at times, even Snap On) than Sears. Have to remember that Sears is now K-Mart. Stuff looks okay on the shelf, but looks are deceiving.

Mac and Matco are okay, but still not at Snappy's level. I used to love to break their stuff on my truck...

 

Oh yeah, I know. Just wish i could justify/afford Snap on. I have a few different pieces and they ARE NICE.


Up here north of the border we never got the good quality Crafstman tools that you guys down south had available so its not such a big disappointment that they went to crap.

 

Yes Dr. Evil, I'm working on CEMS now.

I've never used adjustable wrenches at all, but now I don't have the luxury of carrying around my 80 pound Veto XXL loaded with wrench rolls, sockets, hammers and prybars.

Craftsman Beak-Jaws are still the only ones that I've found that seem like they'd help me out while working on the inside of a gas analyzer. I need wrenches to reach down into a box full of hot things, glass things, expensive and high-voltage things to undo 1/8" compression fittings. All the other adjustable wrenches have way oversized jaws.

I already have Snap-On ratcheting screwdrivers and all the assorted nut- and screw- driver bits. Those are in the bag.

I am not a Snap-On fan boy though. I have several Snap-On tools that just suck. Pliers. All Snap-On pliers. Suck. My last Snap-On guy would actually try to sell Knipex pliers over Snap-On pliers. Knipex pliers kick ***.

What about these babies? Anybody have one of these vice grips/ crescent wrench combos? Yeah, that's right, TWO genericized trademarks in one! Ha!

 

Thats not necessaily true. I have some very small Snap on pliers that I got from work a number of years ago. I believe they are called GRIPS. They are excellent, and work great on small things.

Working on hot equipment isnt a lot of fun.

I believe these are what Im talking about:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

They are worth the money.

 

Proto makes good tools. But I believe the only place you can get them is through National Oilwell Varco.

 

X2 on proto......I like them and SK too.