We provide in-depth reviews of all types of the best wrenches, including combination wrenches, adjustable wrenches, pipe wrenches, and the best torque wrenches. Our reviews also include specialty tools like basin wrenches and coverage of your everyday open end wrench that might be found in any mechanics tool kit. We find a ton of wrenches in the hands of auto mechanics and plumbers. But what about other trades and applications? While you may not, at first, think about using wrenches on the typical construction jobsite, we actually find a lot of crossover in these hand tools. From grabbing onto machined bolts to performing maintenance on OPE equipment, wrenches play an important role across a range of categories. Wrenches even take on a particularly important role when you factor in the needs of electricians. We try, whenever possible, to draw distinctions between universally-popular features and those particularly relevant to the various trades.
The Craftsman Evolv 101 Piece SAE and Metric Tool Set is an ideal starter kit since it comes with decent tools to tackle most home owner’s tasks that require turning a wrench or tightening a bolt. With a pretty wide variety of sizes in both the sockets and wrenches, this set is a pretty good gift for the young person moving out on their own for the first time.
We get a lot of tools in for review – some more complicated than the others. While we love playing […]
The only screwdriver with the patented ECX bit and hardened tips, the Milwaukee 11 in 1 Screwdriver includes the 6 bits and 3 nut drivers most requested by professionals with the added utility of a wire stripper and wire bending hole. The Milwaukee ECX bit allows users to extend the life of their bits when fastening specialty screws found in electrical boxes, conduit couplers, outlets, and other common job site fixtures. The patented geometry gives the ECX bit this advantage over traditional Phillips or square bits.
Screwpop 4-in-1 Keychain Tool is a handy little tool that helps you crank out the work during the day and, after hours, pop a cap on cold one. With a removable #2 Philips Head and flat head bits, a 1/4″ hex drive and a bottle opener, this would have definitely been something MacGyver could have pulled from his pocket.
Craftsman 1/4″, 3/8″ & 1/2″ Drive Thin Profile Ratchets give you the ability to reach in tight spaces. These ratchets have super comfortable handles and are covered entirely in high polished chrome. With a 60 tooth ratchet gear inside, you only have to move the ratchet 6 degrees to get it to index to the next “click.” This is significant because the regular Craftsman ratchets only have 36 tooth ratchet gears which means you have to move it 10 degrees.
I’m almost apologetic about posting this first look on what is essentially a can opener, but sometimes a tool is so unbelievably bizarre that it warrants some attention. This is such a tool. Now, while opening jars is hardly exciting, how many times have you seen someone struggle with this common task that most of us take for granted. The Black & Decker Lids Off Jar Opener is designed, not for those who reach for the nearest hammer, knife, or screwdriver to ease stubborn lids, but those that simply can’t perform this simple, everyday task. And it does it for less than $20!
Kobalt’s 10-Piece SAE Combination Wrench Set is made in USA and includes 10 different SAE sized wrenches from 1/4-inch to 7/8-inch. The wrenches are drop forged and have a nice textured grip so that they won’t easily slip out of hand during use. We found that even when our hands were oily, the wrenches stayed put. They also worked very well with gloves, which is important if you’re used to working with hand protection.
I love comfortable hand tools. Whether its a nicely designed hammer, or a great handle on a screwdriver, a well-designed tool that fits your hand perfectly is all the more easier to use. The 11-piece Pliers & Wrench Tool Set from Kobalt Tools is beautiful to look at and easy to handle. Though these tools are made in China, they seem to have a decent heft and quality about them that lets you know they will be around for years to come.
Tools. Everybody needs a good set, and Kobalt Tools is aiming squarely at the consumer market with their new line of sockets. This 154-Piece Socket Set includes all of the basic and extended sockets you could want for basic automotive and household uses. One of the things that is a constant annoyance is not having deep sockets for use with carriage bolts or other situations that require a deeper socket to clear the end of a bolt. With the Kobalt Socket Kit you have a solid 2 inches of depth past the ratchet.
The new Channellock #89 Rescue Tool was designed by firefighters, for firefighters and first responders. Using feedback received from firefighters, first responders and EMTs, the engineers at Channellock further refined and updated last years rescue tool model #88 with many great updates.
