Or as Keith Fenner says: 'It's better to be looking at it, than for it'

I always buy ‘cheap’ when getting an oddball tool and then if I use it enough to break it I will look into getting higher quality. No reason in having a phenomenal tool that’s only used once a year for 10 seconds.

Hi Doc , in my time as a mechanic many years ago I only spent serious money on tools that were in heavy use daily , because in the long run they mostly never wear out. But one off jobs that required a special shaped wrench I'd alter a cheap wrench to fit that particular application, and job done it might be in a drawer for months before being needed again, and questions will be asked about destroying temper, and aforesaid wrench breaking, and my reply would be I never broke one after heating and bending, sure they might not look pretty but they worked, and that's all you can ask a wrench to do. That was 50 yrs ago, but I'd still do the same thing today, old dogs and new tricks, lol. Thanks for the video mate, stay safe, best wishe's to you and your's, Stuart UK.

1:34 "But does it work? Yeah. Especially if there's a possibility you'll never use the wrench, then it works very well." 😂

I purchased the Icon set with a coupon for $40 👍🏻 I’ve only needed them maybe twice but I would still say they are a great in-between option. I am waiting for icon to release half moon as well. Some workshop manuals call for half moon or s wrenches to be used as torque adapters on hard to reach bolts. Also Gearwrench makes S wrenches and half moon wrenches in reverse ratcheting that look pretty good but they are too niche for my needs at the moment.

Those huge foam trays are ridiculous - who has that much spare drawer space? I use them as kneeling mats.

Great to see your subscription numbers and video views increasing Doc! Keep up the awesome work ❤🇦🇺

Great take Doc! These S or U shaped wrenches are the only way to work on Harley Davidson old engines like the shovelhead!

Even the $22 set is not worth it for me. In the past I needed a special shape I bought a $1 wrench cut ,welded. Did the job and I think I'll never need it again.

There's no way in hell cars are engineered now to be easier to maintain than they used to be. Now You need millions of swivels extensions flex head ratchets wobbles and such now just to get to stuff

YES! This whole philosophy about which tools to get the quality versions has been mine from day 1 (well if day 0 was to get cheap naff basic tools)... then day 1 is to get quality brand tools for the most often used ones. So that is invariably always going to be things like: screwdrivers, bits, ratchets, sockets, pliers, some general use hammers, and so on. What muddies the waters a bit is (for example) when only a quality tool is reliable or feels trustworthy. This caught me out a bit for example having to pay a fair bit for the precision torque wrenches... i have now a full range of precision wera torque wrenches (it doesn't matter for the bigger ones, but rather the precision ones, where it was hard for me to source alternatives of similar quality). Main problem is that by this time we are all now addicted to the quality tool brands, myself included. So it gets skewed by our familiarity. Even for tools we miight never use we start turning our noses up regardless... they got us for life! haha. but i love my wera, wiha knipex, stahwille and hazet. all of it. These addictions that then determines tool aquisition sequencing and priorities for the next planned purchase(s). dear me. For which is the next best value or discounted. But what my biggest conflict these days isn't between the cheap and expensive versions. It is instead between accumulating power tools versus quality hand tools.

I think it is better to have sequential sizes on the same wrench such as 13mm & 14mm. You are more likely to to need a 13mm and a 15mm simultaneously such as a nut on one end and bolt head on the other. You couldn't do this if the sizes were on the same wrench. You would need another wrench from a different set. It is less likely that you would encounter 2 fasteners that would be only slightly different in size such as 13 & 14.

I bought some individual snap on tools that simply could not find anywhere else in stores. Such as locking flex head ratchets. And some specialty lights too.

I have the Sunex S-wrenches and Sunex "moon" wrenches.. (I also have the old Blue Point sets) They're inexpensive... and like you said, i'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I think I paid under $30 for each... WORTH IT. I have used them in a couple applications. I build turbocharged engines and things can get tight....☝️ 4:15.. Does it tighten that low torque bolt? Hell Yes, it does for under $30 a set.

when ya need it ya need it

I actually bought a set of duratech flex-head ratcheting combination wrenches and I chose the cheaper one because I didn't know how useful they would be. They've worked like a champ and half the time it seems I end up reaching for those rather than the ratchet. Now that I know how useful the things are I would look at buying a higher quality set should I need to replace them.

I was going to buy the ICON's wrench set. They had 25% off but I didn't buy them because I had to work all during the promotion. I then thought about getting them when they have 20% off ICON. Anyway, I just made an eBay offer of $20 plus $10 to ship for a Snap-on s wrench 14mmx15mm IN NICE SHAP. I already had the 10mmx12mm snap-on one I bought many years ago. This way, I had the most used sizes. I don't see a need for greater than 15mm. I don't see me using a 11mm nor a 13mm one. Also, many years ago, I bought the GearWrench set and have yet to use them. I also have the GearWrench Half moon set along with a complete snap on half moon set. I have yet to use them. lol... Its better to have it and not use it than to have your car break down, don't have the tool and can't fix it until a wrench ships to you. I dont have the 13mm size s wrench but do have it in the gearwrench set. ITs just that the Gearwrench is not as thin for the box end cause of the ratcheting mech. Also, if I need one greater than say 15mm, I would use my Gearwrench. If the nut were say frozen on there, I would then use an indexing ratchet with a 6 point socket to loosen in and then use the gearwrench.

I literally just bought these from Snap On yesterday🤣 Amazing

I would love someone to try convince me the SnapOn are 17X better. Better? I’ll admit it for sure with the wall thickness but SEVENTEEN TIMES BETTER!?! No shot

I bought a cheap set of half moon and s wrenches on a Black Friday special at Menard’s years ago. I’ve never used them but they are in the box if I do need it

I bought a Gear wrench version with a ratcheting mechanism and on the first use- 12 mm,it broke. I had to return it and not to bother for guarantee it. And that was a Taiwan made version. That was a lesson painfully experienced that piss u off. I looked for the half moon version wrecheting with snap-on but they don't offer it. I suspect due to the bending strees that the arm puts out which the straight version doesn't. I have the snap-on non wrechet version which I use it more than just 4 the cause the form factor. I also bought a Gedore version, may be a halfway price in between. But the fit and finish not quite the ad smooth as snap-on. They rule, man.

I think there’s less need for these now than say, 30 years ago. I found the half moon wrenches to be more useful than these anyway. I had a 11/16” x 3/4” one that did practically every starter motor I came across then, also many hydraulic pumps, motors etc. Don’t seem to need them now, I’ve never bought a 17/19mm as things have gone metric, maybe things are designed more with maintenance in mind these days? (Or maybe not! 😂😂😂)

I just bought a set of abn half moon ratcheting wrench set for 50 over the gear wrench for 140. They seem very close in quality compared to my other gear wrench stuff but now im wishing they made a s wrench as well but no such luck yet

Hey Doc, I have a question about a different YouTude video by you called, “Wera Bicycle Tool Set: Shop-quality tools in a to-go package. For when you really will use the tools.” Where can I buy the EMT COMP multi tool in your video? Thank you for your time and hopefully your help.

My issue is that there are too many odd job wrenches and choosing which I’d prefer to use is an ocean of things I haven’t been able to try. That keeps me with just sockets and ratchets. I do have a bunch of steering, brakes, electrical, gas line tools but wrenches I never saw use of stuff like the crows feet or stubby. Even with a large box I don’t have room for weird stuff.

I’ve been thinking about getting the icon s wrenches just because as you said better to have and not need than need and not have. I may go ahead and get the snap on though just because I know the quality is better.

writing as a professional mercedes mechanic with 28 yrs under my belt. I can say that there is no reason whatsoever to buy Snap on. i do not even consider snap on to be an ethical company.

Excellent points!

I'd say just spring for the gearwrench ratcheting s wrench set. I've been in situations where only an S wrench will fit. You're probably in an awkward ugly angle to begin with, having the ratcheting mechanism makes the job 10x easier when it's already a pain in the ass

I have purchased many tools that i didn’t think I needed. Once I bought them I wondered how I did my job without them. Tools don’t make a man handy but make a handy man more efficient

Doc, any thoughts on hose pliers? I'm referring to the long, needle nose type pliers with the loop at the end. Used for grabbing hoses and spark plug boots, etc.

This is the age old question for sure

It would be interesting to see what lies between the Duratech and Snap On, best bangs per buck?

Hey doc, I’m curious what you think about that malco stubby at the top of of your table? I recently bought the stubby and longer handle version, and bit retention is really sloppy for both models. I’ve used several different bits from different mfgs. and all seems to have the issue to some degree in both versions. Disappointing considering the other malco tools I have are excellent quality.

Workpro has screw extracting pliers now. A 6.5" and 8"

Please, make a review about Gray and Klein Tools wrenches. Are they equal to Snap On?

I gave my deep sockets away as part of a birthday gift to my Daughter. I would be interested in your opinion on a good set of deep sockets. Both SAE and metric. I don't want to spend Snap-on money, but I don't want bottom shelf either. What would you recommend?

Snap on (strap on) have lost their frickin minds.

Can’t justify Snap on price unless your a turning wrenches for a living. Even the Duratec at $22 although it’s cheap and cheap I wouldn’t just buy it just in case. I have enough swivels and wobble extensions to get my projects done

Snapon, keeping mechanics poor and in debt for the last 50 years.