Survey: Favorite Wrench Type?

[Kelly]

If you had very little space, and wanted to keep weight to a minimum, but needed more than a couple of Crescent Wrenches, which style would you choose?

 

[FeralBoy]

Short ,Pac-Man ( offset) style combination wrenches. You can Loop the box of one over the open end of another for extra Leverage. This is partially why I do my own wrenching; I tighten things up to spec , so I can get them off with a wrench if need be...

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[Anak]

If it could be only one it would have to be a set of combination wrenches. They are the most versatile option. But I think a set of sockets is also important.

If anything I would consider the "complete" aspect. Most vehicles are not going to need a "complete" tool kit in order to service them. And they may need some things that are not in a complete tool kit. For instance, changing out the crankshaft position sensor on a 4.0L Jeep requires about 3' worth of extensions. Those are not going to be in a "complete" socket set. It is best to match the tool kit to the vehicle.

 

[Kelly]

Short ,Pac-Man ( offset) style combination wrenches. You can Loop the box of one over the open end of another for extra Leverage. This is partially why I do my own wrenching; I tighten things up to spec , so I can get them off with a wrench if need be...

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Can you post a photo of what you're talking about? I can't find the stubby offset combination wrenches. You did mean deep offset, right? Like this...

 

[Kelly]

If it could be only one it would have to be a set of combination wrenches. They are the most versatile option. But I think a set of sockets is also important.

If anything I would consider the "complete" aspect. Most vehicles are not going to need a "complete" tool kit in order to service them. And they may need some things that are not in a complete tool kit. For instance, changing out the crankshaft position sensor on a 4.0L Jeep requires about 3' worth of extensions. Those are not going to be in a "complete" socket set. It is best to match the tool kit to the vehicle.

Totally agreed! I've been searching for a vehicle specific list of needed tools, but have had no luck. Do you know a source?

 

[FeralBoy]

Like this. My brother has an angled set he got from our uncle. I guess they are discontinued...

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[somerset-andy]

I have a set of these, I love them.

 

[Kelly]

I have a set of these, I love them.

View attachment 24698

Unless someone convinces me otherwise, that's the direction I'm headed.

 

[somerset-andy]

Unless someone convinces me otherwise, that's the direction I'm headed.

I always carry a 8mm, 10mm, 13mm and 15mm, for anything bigger I use a socket. I also carry a cheap socket set in the truck. But they are great for all the small fixings especially in those awkward, hard to get at places and there are lots of those on a Defender.

 

[Anak]

Totally agreed! I've been searching for a vehicle specific list of needed tools, but have had no luck. Do you know a source?

I do not know of any such source. My tools are collected based on experience and bits I can glean here and there from vehicle specific forums.

Some of my best experience comes from pulling parts in the junkyard.

One other point that should be made is GET QUALITY TOOLS!

Junk tools damage fasteners, and potentially even yourself. You might be able to compromise on 6 point sockets, but anything 12 point (socket or closed end wrench) needs to be made well. Otherwise they end up rounding off the heads. And I have no idea how many cheap breaker bars, extensions and adapters I have broken over the years, but I have only broken 1 Snap On adapter and one Cornwall adapter, and both of those involved the use of leverage.

 

[Narbob]

There could only be one choice...

 

[Anak]

Standard or Metric?



Note, that is not a monkey wrench. A monkey wrench is shaped more like a pipe wrench, but does not have the pivot action of the jaws or the serrated faces.

And in case you aren't aware of how to distinguish a standard crescent wrench from a metric one you just have to look at the country of origin. Made in the USA = standard. Made in China = metric.

(And yes, my title on one of the forums where I am well known is "Wise A$$". I am very proud of it. It was one of my life goals to make the promotion from "Smart A$$")

 

[somerset-andy]

In the UK we have a motor accessory store called Halfords, they have a range of "professional" tools which have proved to be pretty good quality, for spanners and sockets.

 

[Veggie Man]

Totally agreed! I've been searching for a vehicle specific list of needed tools, but have had no luck. Do you know a source?

I am not sure about a vehicle specific set of tools. I know that most of the sizes on my JKU are 10, 13, 15, and 18 MM. A good set of combination wrenches, sockets, and a couple of sizes of crescent wrenches would go a long way. I would think anything beyond that would mean serious trail damage and need a rescue.