There have never been more brands of hand tools available in the world than there are today, and everyone has an opinion on what is best. To make matters worse, a lot of them are now coming with a lifetime warranty. You can’t use that alone to make your buying decisions when it comes to your tools, now that lots of brands have them. But what about old tools? Are older wrenches really better than the new stuff, or is that just us romanticizing old stuff?
Watch the video from Project Farm and we’ll see just how they all stack up.
Video Description:
21 Wrenches: Snap On, SK Tools, MAC Tools, FACOM, Sunex, Gedore, Proto, Wright Tools, Matco, GearWrench, Williams, Klein Tools, Kobalt, Crescent, Tekton, Craftsman, Performance Tool, GearWrench 6 point and 12 point, Pittsburgh and a vintage S K wrench. The box end of the combination wrenches are compared for performance on a rusty fastener with limited contact area and on ½ inch low and high carbon steel with full box end contact.. The open end of the wrench is compared for performance on a low carbon steel fastener as well as on high carbon steel. I always purchase all of the tools and supplies used to test the products to ensure unbiased comparisons.
Stahlwillie without question
Would be interesting to see a USA made Williams (1/2” 12 point part number 1216SC) vs the Taiwan version and see where it ends up on the chart. It also would be insightful to compare against Snap-On since Williams USA is SO’s industrial line.
Snap On have included a slight step on the lead side of the open enders… Now it grips the head of the nut / bolt so tightly, you can snap a high tensile bolt, mounted in a vice, in half with bugger all effort. Better performance than any other open end spanner i have seen!
I’m 65 & I have used Craftsman since I was a kid. Wouldn’t take the top of the line set of any of these tool brands listed for my Craftsman tools.
Only if they are pre 90’s …the newer stuff was and is crap …I have some Craftsman stuff from the 80’s , but it’s almost impossible to warranty , and the new stuff is garbage . Nearly 40 years as a tech , I have a mix of Snap off in ya , Matco and some Mac stuff . Easy warranty , and it holds up to daily use
You forgot Cornwell tools. Made in Ohio.
Snapon no doubt. Used them hard for 30 years.
Missing in these tests, probably because it is subjective; ie not directly measurable, is the way the wrenches feel in your hands. I got my ticket, Canadian Red Seal Auto Mechanic at 22. If this is what you do, you need to be able to work with something that feels good as well as works well. In addition the wall thickness is a major concern. Some wrenches, called Plow Wrenches, have wall thickness that will not allow them to fit into constricted spaces. You can get more strength by making them thicker but then you can’t use them in some areas. Example middle intake bolts on some higher rise stock SBC late 60’s early 70’s.
Started out china, junk
Made a living long time usa craftsmen, till china
Snapon, couldn’t repeatedly flip the wrench due to damage
Started buisness, proto asd. Awsom hard wrench
I use all the time
Wright ultimate wrench! I save for emergencies
Cause I remember wearing out the teeth on snapon.