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Posted: 4/19/2023 8:31:20 PM EDT
[#1]
I have a set of Pittsburgh from 1 3/8 to 2" haven't broken one yet so must be ok. If I do break one they'll swap it out no questions asked. My smaller combo wrenches are every brand from Pittsburgh to Proto
I have been known to use my 18 or 24" adjustable on big stuff before trying to find the correct size wrench, it usually works  My Pittsburgh impact rated inch drive set has been fantastic, probably gonna get the chrome set with ratchet and everything if I start working on more tractors Tractor Supply carries Gearwrench (where I got my ratchet wrenches from) but the house brand slipped my mind |
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Posted: 4/19/2023 8:40:19 PM EDT
[#2]
Harbor Freight has brands other than Pittsburgh.
Icon is their higher end and has a no questions asked replacement policy. Quinn is another brand they have. Not sure if they make big wrenches in that line though. |
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Posted: 4/19/2023 8:50:40 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Harbor Freight has brands other than Pittsburgh. Icon is their higher end and has a no questions asked replacement policy. Quinn is another brand they have. Not sure if they make big wrenches in that line though. The Icon stuff I have is really nice. They'll replace their regular Pittsburgh just like Icon though, best one so far was a small pipe wrench that was in a pile of misc stuff I bought. It was cracked, and the bottom jaw was completely gone. Walked in, said "it broke" handed it to the dude behind the counter, went and got another, and walked out |
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Posted: 4/19/2023 9:14:57 PM EDT
[#4]
I bought the Pittsburgh set back in 2001.
Still got today, no problems. I worked in a diesel shop for most of the last 20 years. |
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Posted: 4/19/2023 9:26:24 PM EDT
[#5]
Got a mix of every brand wrenches, find lots of good wrenches cheap at yard/estate sales etc.
Course got lots of harbor freight Pittsburgh too cause they're lifetime warranty. Course I use a electric Bauer 8amp 1/2" impact wrench with Pittsburgh impact sockets a lot too |
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Posted: 4/19/2023 9:43:53 PM EDT
[#6]
I have impact sockets for 3/4 and 1 inch drive up to 1-3/4"....and I needed a bigger one yesterday. First thought was harbor freight. I don't know if they have bigger sockets than that, I fixed my problem with a 100 year old F wrench and a 3 foot cheater that is explicitly denied, forged into the wrench, to get it done.
Apparently they do have regular sockets in bigger size but locally only in a $200+ set |
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Posted: 4/20/2023 1:02:42 AM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I have impact sockets for 3/4 and 1 inch drive up to 1-3/4"....and I needed a bigger one yesterday. First thought was harbor freight. I don't know if they have bigger sockets than that, I fixed my problem with a 100 year old F wrench and a 3 foot cheater that is explicitly denied, forged into the wrench, to get it done. Apparently they do have regular sockets in bigger size but locally only in a $200+ set Came to post this. Depending on where the nut is and how tight, a Ford wrench and a cheater bar can get you out of a jam. I have some honking' Pittsburgh wrenches and they do fine, but precision they are not. Also, I barely trust them. But they're what I got... |
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Posted: 4/20/2023 2:15:28 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I have a set of Pittsburgh from 1 3/8 to 2" haven't broken one yet so must be ok. If I do break one they'll swap it out no questions asked. My smaller combo wrenches are every brand from Pittsburgh to Proto I have been known to use my 18 or 24" adjustable on big stuff before trying to find the correct size wrench, it usually works My Pittsburgh impact rated inch drive set has been fantastic, probably gonna get the chrome set with ratchet and everything if I start working on more tractors Tractor Supply carries Gearwrench (where I got my ratchet wrenches from) but the house brand slipped my mind |
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Posted: 4/20/2023 4:09:24 AM EDT
[#9]
I've never had a problem with harbor freight warranty returns. I broke a 15+ year old breaker bar last year. No part number or brand name anywhere on it. I found a picture online showing it as a old Pittsburgh and the manager exchanged it.
Had a torque wrench fail. Got it replaced. |
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Posted: 4/20/2023 4:48:59 AM EDT
[#10]
I've had good luck at farm auctions getting older Craftsman 3/4 drive stuff. Sometimes it is mixed in with cheap tools, but then I just sell what I don't want on CL.
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Posted: 4/20/2023 5:22:00 AM EDT
[#11]
Another vote for Pittsburg. I have a big set of Pittsburg combination wrenches as well as a 1 inch drive socket set. I have put a 5 ft cheater on the socket wrench and jumped up and down on the end before without damaging it.
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Posted: 4/20/2023 3:27:31 PM EDT
[#12]
Menards if you have one nearby
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Posted: 4/20/2023 4:27:09 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Menards if you have one nearby Damn, I forgot about them. There is one nearby. I'll have to look online as to what they have there. Thanks for the reminder. |
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Posted: 4/20/2023 6:10:18 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Menards if you have one nearby I'm a big menards fan, but I'm not a fan of their hand tools (Masterforce)...I have a ratchet purchased back when they were made in USA, it's never seen a cheater bar, but the teeth still stripped out. |
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Posted: 4/21/2023 1:07:36 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I've had good luck at farm auctions getting older Craftsman 3/4 drive stuff. Sometimes it is mixed in with cheap tools, but then I just sell what I don't want on CL. Flea markets are a good place to look too, especially if you don't need a full set. Figure out the sizes you will need and browse the collections. |
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Posted: 4/21/2023 1:15:16 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Harbor Freight has brands other than Pittsburgh. Icon is their higher end and has a no questions asked replacement policy. Quinn is another brand they have. Not sure if they make big wrenches in that line though. I've done Icon for my tractor. They seem to be nice, definitely pricier but supposedly higher quality. |
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Posted: 4/23/2023 7:34:01 PM EDT
[#17]
You can put a lot of rotational hatred down with a big crescent wrench and cheater. It’s worth a shot.
I would try to buy just the sockets necessary, since wrenches are significantly more expensive in most cases. Unless you can’t get a socket on there. From what I’ve seen, I’ll take Icon or Crimson over TSC or Menards, but that’s just my opinion. If it works, who cares? I get it that myself and many others simply can’t justify the cost of Snapon for a huge wrench that won’t be used frequently. I can’t fathom mechanics that rely on cheap brands though. Seems like a liability for them. |
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Posted: 4/23/2023 8:09:20 PM EDT
[#18]
I have wrenches up to 1-1/2 and a 24 inch Crescent for bigger stuff . I have 3/4 sockets up to 2-1/2 and a 3/4 breaker bar and a ratchet. Old stuff mainly Craftsman and SK made in America
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Posted: 4/23/2023 8:49:14 PM EDT
[#19]
I have a big mix of stuff from Ebay back when shipping was cheaper. You might be able to find some deals at pawn shops or auctions in your area. HF is the best bet if you need it now. As previously mentioned, the Pittsburg stuff would more than likely outlast you. If you want to be fancy, the Icon stuff is super nice for the money. The 25% off super coupons are your friend.
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Posted: 4/23/2023 11:05:22 PM EDT
[#20]
I picked up the Crescent brand "jumbo" series of combo wrenches up to 2" from various local farm supply stores. So far they have been up to the task for everything I have needed to do like tightening/removing 3pt pins, a ball on a hitch, or axle nuts on my tractor (even with me standing on the wrench).
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Posted: 4/28/2023 10:49:48 AM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted: The Icon stuff I have is really nice. They'll replace their regular Pittsburgh just like Icon though, best one so far was a small pipe wrench that was in a pile of misc stuff I bought. It was cracked, and the bottom jaw was completely gone. Walked in, said "it broke" handed it to the dude behind the counter, went and got another, and walked out Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Harbor Freight has brands other than Pittsburgh. Icon is their higher end and has a no questions asked replacement policy. Quinn is another brand they have. Not sure if they make big wrenches in that line though. The Icon stuff I have is really nice. They'll replace their regular Pittsburgh just like Icon though, best one so far was a small pipe wrench that was in a pile of misc stuff I bought. It was cracked, and the bottom jaw was completely gone. Walked in, said "it broke" handed it to the dude behind the counter, went and got another, and walked out I bought some Icon wrenches and have been pretty impressed. Korean the same as SnapOn blue points. I’ve used my buddies MAC knucklebusters and they aren’t that good but better than about anything else aside from that and SnapOn |
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Posted: 5/8/2023 2:26:15 PM EDT
[#22]
Since the "toolbox" on my Kubota tractor is more of a suggestion, all I really bother keeping with it is a vice grip, standard adjustable, and one of the bigger knipex smooth jawed pliers. Works good enough for attaching stuff, and tightening things I notice on the fly.
My larger wrenches are all Kobalt, I think, but if I were to buy new stuff, I'd not be terribly picky. Kobalt, Craftsman, or one of the nicer HF stuff. If I buy online, I lean towards Tekton lately. But those are really only going to live in my shop. Not carrying that stuff around all the time. Especially when I never know what's going to be metric or imperial. Hence the knipex. 
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Posted: 5/9/2023 1:43:53 PM EDT
[#23]
I use a couple 24" pipe and crescent wrenches that do the trick. I also have large impact sockets and a Ridgid cordless impact. I also have had good luck w/ Harbor Freight wrenches.
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Posted: 5/12/2023 8:04:44 PM EDT
[#24]
Check FB Marketplace, and be sure to search for yard, estate, and barn sale listings for tools for sale. Pawns are another option.
If you travel anywhere near oil fields, hit up pawn shops and FB Marketplace out there. If anything, their tools may actually be too big for your needs. But it’s amazing what turns up in those places. |
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Posted: 5/12/2023 8:27:02 PM EDT
[#25]
My big stuff is mainly sockets, 3/4 and inch drives. Get a good impact, ratchet and 4' breaker bar. Helps to have a big compressor and a 3/4" and 1 inch air impact to get what the cordless ones won't. Have bought some metric sockets from eBay, 30 and 34 seem to be the ones I really needed.
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Posted: 5/15/2023 10:48:42 AM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Check FB Marketplace, and be sure to search for yard, estate, and barn sale listings for tools for sale. Pawns are another option. If you travel anywhere near oil fields, hit up pawn shops and FB Marketplace out there. If anything, their tools may actually be too big for your needs. But it’s amazing what turns up in those places. Estate sales can turn up some gems, especially if you don't judge a book by its cover:   US made Proto set. It appears there may have been a 3/4" socket that is missing but everything else is there and practically new. |
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Posted: 5/15/2023 11:00:29 AM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Estate sales can turn up some gems, especially if you don't judge a book by its cover: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/331822/Proto_1-2817430.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/331822/Proto_2-2817431.jpg US made Proto set. It appears there may have been a 3/4" socket that is missing but everything else is there and practically new. Bottom right socket seems to be a larger drive? |
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Posted: 5/15/2023 11:47:01 AM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Bottom right socket seems to be a larger drive? Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Estate sales can turn up some gems, especially if you don't judge a book by its cover: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/331822/Proto_1-2817430.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/331822/Proto_2-2817431.jpg US made Proto set. It appears there may have been a 3/4" socket that is missing but everything else is there and practically new. Bottom right socket seems to be a larger drive? Good eye. I had not noticed that but it is an oddball, 1" drive - 1-5/8" socket and not a Proto. Still a good set for $25, I feel like I stole it. |
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Posted: 5/15/2023 5:38:23 PM EDT
[#29]
I don't know if they are a national chain or just a local store, but there is a tool store in Tulsa called Wholesale Tools. I haven't been there in several years but when I was trying to put together a big set of tools they were the place to go. They would have 3/4" drive sockets for 25% of normal price, sometimes even less, the same with bigger wrenches. They had all kinds of tools, but that is what I was looking for at the time, mainly anyhow. It was hit and miss on what they had though. You might see if they have a store in your area.
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Posted: 5/15/2023 5:53:03 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Good eye. I had not noticed that but it is an oddball, 1" drive - 1-5/8" socket and not a Proto. Still a good set for $25, I feel like I stole it. Good deal! I've spent that on an individual socket or 30 mm Gear wrench. |
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Posted: 5/16/2023 12:14:39 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Good eye. I had not noticed that but it is an oddball, 1" drive - 1-5/8" socket and not a Proto. Still a good set for $25, I feel like I stole it. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: Estate sales can turn up some gems, especially if you don't judge a book by its cover: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/331822/Proto_1-2817430.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/331822/Proto_2-2817431.jpg US made Proto set. It appears there may have been a 3/4" socket that is missing but everything else is there and practically new. Bottom right socket seems to be a larger drive? Good eye. I had not noticed that but it is an oddball, 1" drive - 1-5/8" socket and not a Proto. Still a good set for $25, I feel like I stole it.  Attached File |
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