Are Stanley wrenches any good?

[TJim]

Hey!

I'm trying to complete a basic tool set, IN A BUDGET. My uncle has given me some wrenches, and I am trying to fill the gaps.

I am talking mostly about Ratcheting Wrenches and combination wrenches.

Do you have an opinion about Stanley wrenches? Have you ever used any of them?

I'm asking mostly due to limited availability of the most brands you are suggesting in other threads. I don't live in USA, I live in Greece.

Stanley is considered a good budget brand here. Let me know what do you think.

 

[joe98tj]

Definitely on the budget side around here. I carry a cheap stanley tool set in the jeep and it holds up fairly well for trail fixes but not something thats gonna last forever.

Starting off putting a tool set together, I would buy cheap and as you break stuff buy the best available to you.

 

[TJim]

Definitely on the budget side around here. I carry a cheap stanley tool set in the jeep and it holds up fairly well for trail fixes but not something thats gonna last forever.

Starting off putting a tool set together, I would buy cheap and as you break stuff buy the best available to you.

Thats exactly my thinking! Complete a basic tool set, so I have everything I need for working on my rig, and when budget is available upgrade little by little!

 

[JMT]

For what you'll be doing as a garage mechanic, those will be fine. If it was your daily job, that would be different.

 

[TJim]

For what you'll be doing as a garage mechanic, those will be fine. If it was your daily job, that would be different.

Not by miles my daily job! just my hobby. I am trying to work on my TJ as much as possible.

Thanks for the answer!

 

[MountaineerTom]

I’ve got 5 (I think) Stanley metric wrenches. Ratcheting on one end, open on the other. I’ve had them about 15 years or so. While they aren’t something I use every day, I’ve never had a problem with them. I’d buy a matching SAE set if I could find them.

 

[TJim]

What do you guys think about FACOM?

I am not asking as an alternative for Stanley. completely different budget. I just want to know for the future. since they are one of the best brands here in Greece, as far as I know.

 

[Vasq]

What do you guys think about FACOM?

I am not asking as an alternative for Stanley. completely different budget. I just want to know for the future. since they are one of the best brands here in Greece, as far as I know.

I personally have never heard of them. But seeing as they are french, made in France, they seem like a solid choice. They're also owned by the Stanley parent company.

Edit: as an afterthought, just like the company's Stanley buys in the US, they will outsource the production to china. So if you could snag sets that are still "made in France" that would be the best option

 

[rasband]

I'd give them a shot, however they are considered budget here. A lot of my old sockets and wrenches were stanley and they overall did fine until the ratcheting mechanism failed (but that was on 5ish years of use for other needs). The good news is if something happens you still have the open end that should at least let you get out.

 

[TJim]

I personally have never heard of them. But seeing as they are french, made in France, they seem like a solid choice. They're also owned by the Stanley parent company.

It's interesting how some brands are considered quite respectable in some countries and unknown in others.

Thanks for the tip. I will have it in mind!

 

[TJim]

I'd give them a shot, however they are considered budget here. A lot of my old sockets and wrenches were stanley and they overall did fine until the ratcheting mechanism failed (but that was on 5ish years of use for other needs). The good news is if something happens you still have the open end that should at least let you get out.

I think if they last 5 years I will be okay! haha. I will try to upgrade in the future step by step, and buy better tools in the future focusing on my needs.

 

[rasband]

I think if they last 5 years I will be okay! haha. I will try to upgrade in the future step by step, and buy better tools in the future focusing on my needs.

That's what I have been doing too, I had an old set of mismatched wrenches and sockets - I finally started buying new sets over the last year and am building up a decent toolset that will hopefully last a good while!

 

[TJim]

That's what I have been doing too, I had an old set of mismatched wrenches and sockets - I finally started buying new sets over the last year and am building up a decent toolset that will hopefully last a good while!

My open ended "set" must be 4 different brands. haha

 

[Vasq]

It's interesting how some brands are considered quite respectable in some countries and unknown in others.

Thanks for the tip. I will have it in mind!

I quick google search and some texts to the older guys at work assured me that the "made in France" one's are top notch.

 

[TJim]

I quick google search and some texts to the older guys at work assured me that the "made in France" one's are top notch.

Thanks!!! appreciated it

 

[Zorba]

What do you guys think about FACOM?

I am not asking as an alternative for Stanley. completely different budget. I just want to know for the future. since they are one of the best brands here in Greece, as far as I know.

I have a FACOM 3/8" ratchet - it has "micro clicks", which is very nice in a tight situation as it clicks at least twice as often - meaning in half the space - of a regular ratchet. Seems well made, I haven't had any problems with it - I bought it from Griot's Garage years ago, they were promoting it as something "premium".

 

[WesTex TJ]

What do you guys think about FACOM?

I am not asking as an alternative for Stanley. completely different budget. I just want to know for the future. since they are one of the best brands here in Greece, as far as I know.

Stanley tools are a good affordable choice that will hold up fine for most shade tree mechanics. Years back I worked for a French Company,Forex Neptune, all of our rigs were fitted out with Facom tools. They got a lot of use, held up as good as any American (or Chinese) would.