Archive for the ‘Combination Wrenches’ Category
The term “combination wrench” is a word that is familiar to just about every auto mechanic, tool enthusiast, and hobbyist alike. I’d say a set has found it’s way into just about every professional tool box in the world. The reason, is of course the versatility of the combination wrench. Why these tools are considered so versatile, is that they are very lightweight, and non-bulky. A lot of people like to have the size wrench they need around when they need it without carrying a big ratchet around with them.
There are countless manufacturers of the combination wrench, but I feel that Neiko Tools makes a good set. Since there so many sets to choose from, the set that you choose is really up to you. You may want a lot of wrenches for all the little nuts and bolt you’re always tightening. Combination wrenches are made in SAE and metric sizes, so make sure you pick up the right set for the application you’re working on, or the wrenches won’t fit right on the nuts or bolts.
Don’t Mix Combination Wrench Standards
To many mechanics in the world today it’s common knowledge that there are certain sizes of SAE and metric combination wrenches that are nearly the same. For example, 1/2″ SAE and a 13mm metric sizes are nearly the same, except the 1/2″ is slightly smaller. Mixing standards will work in an absolute pinch, but is NOT recommended. Constantly using the inappropriate wrench on the wrong nut or bolt will cause it to strip it in time.
This is why it is highly recommended that any professional garage have both SAE and metric combination wrench sets on hand. There are some combination wrench sets with both standards included. I know that Neiko Tools makes a great stubby combination wrench set with both SAE and metric sizes included. It’s better to be prepared than to strip off a bolt in an engine. Always check to see which kinds of bolts are on the vehicle you are working on. It’s not hard to tell. The SAE bolts have three or five lines marked on the head, while the metric bolts are marked by a number.
Many mechanics out there know all about the ins and outs of an engine. So it comes as no surprise that sometimes, you find your hand and arm in some very awkward positions. Sometimes a bolt is in a real tight spot where a ratchet can’t get to. In these cases, you would use a combination wrench to get there.
A combination wrench set offers a supreme advantage to a ratchet in that it’s much less bulky; the wrench will fit in the tightest of places. With a ratchet, you constantly have to change sockets, which can waste valuable time. In specifically auto repair, the combination wrench is favored over an adjustable wrench as well. When you’re using an adjustable wrench, which sometimes get to the places a combination wrench can, the fit is usually loose and can wind up stripping the bolt. A combination wrench on the other hand, is sized exactly to the hardware you are working on. Just make sure you know if your car’s hardware is of SAE or Metric standard. Choosing the incorrect standard could also result in a stripped bolt. I’ve seen a good little Neiko Tools stubby combination wrench set that would be perfect for a start up collection.