Craftsman currently offers two dog bone wrenches, in inch and metric sizes, and from what we can tell, they’ve been quite popular with casual tool users. Each wrench features 8 socket sizes, so the 2 tools together can be used on 16 fastener types. Following recent industry trends, Craftsman has come out with a new Universal Dog Bone Wrench, which offers “56 in 1” fastener compatibility.
The universal Dog Bone Wrench can handle SAE/inch hex bolts and metric hex bolts, as well as square (4pt), 12pt, E-Torx, spline, and partially rounded hex-shaped fasteners.
Advertisement
Inch sizes: 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2,9/16, 5/8, 11/16 and 3/4 in.
Metric sizes: 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17 and 19mm
Like their universal wrench sets and universal sockets, Craftsman’s universal dog bone wrench features a black oxide and brushed steel finish. According to the wrench’s product description, this finish “creates a tough and bold confident look.”
Universal Wrench via Sears for $25
Thanks to DanKicksAss for the heads-up!
Harry
Just think of all those poor schmucks that will wake up Christmas Morning only to discover that their significant other got them an improved dogbone. When will the insanity stop? Just say no to the Dogbone!!!
Stuart
These types of wrenches do have their uses, and according to a few retail employees I spoke, very few of these tools are actually returned. They do seem to fly off the shelves in greater numbers ahead of major tool-buying holidays (e.g. Christmas, Hanukkah, Fathers Day).
Dillon
I don’t get why everyone hates these, I mean I dont have one, but I wouldnt mind having one to throw in my truck toolbag for emergencies, definately would save soe time and space… I wouldnt waste any money on any of the craftsman universal stuff but hey…
JeffD
Well, well, well…the ‘ol Dog bone wrench. how many incarnations of this will we see in our lifetimes? It’s now “universal” and available in “zombie apocalypse” black.
Please wake me when Sears gets their mojo back.
xen
Harry, LOL sounds like you’ve been in that seat once or twice before.
I probably will never buy one, but this version looks way more user friendly than the Black and Decker ratcheting dog bone monstrosity wrench. Remember that wild and crazy thing?!?!?
Stuart
The B&D ratcheting Ready Wrench isn’t all that bad, actually, especially in comparison to other recent models. Perhaps you’re thinking of the Husky version.
xen
You’re right, I was confusing it for the Husky version. The Husky version is the one that is atrocious.
I thought about it for a second and realized my mistake, then came back to your site to fix my error, but you already beat me to it.
fred
Husky was once a middle-of-the-road decent tool brand – I think mostly socket wrenches and the like. Somewhere along the road – possibly to bankruptcy – the brandname seems to have been acquired by Home Depot – who now sticks it on a mixed-bag of products seemingly outsorced to different OEM’s
Stuart
Husky is not as large as say, Kobalt or Craftsman, and the only time I see anything new from them is right before major holidays in the form of dirt-cheap tools and accessories. Some of the tools do look interesting, but others look like consumer magnets of the worst kind. Their everyday line of tools is just there – I can’t remember a time when Home Depot actively promoted those tools in the same way their competitors do.
Allen McGranahan
A very well respected mechanic I know has all the top quality tools available and keeps a dog bone wrench on his oil drain, it fits every drain plug out there.
Greg
The problem is that the wrench will not fit into tight spaces. You basically need to have a nut sitting out by itself (like an oilpan drain plug), not in a recess, not near a wall or a bracket, or between two surfaces. You rarely find such a nut, and that makes it ill suited to be a multi-purpose wrench that you can count on in a pinch.
Rich
The dogbone may not be good for the so called, “Professional” mechanic, but it’s great for hardworking maintenance mechanic who needs a diverse set of tools to cover any emergency. Carrying around one wrench that can do alot is better than carying around a set of tools all the time. It will allow you to make a fix on the spot instead of going back to the shop to get all the right tools and travel all the way back up to a roof or some other out of the way place.
Steve Caton
I just have one question about the infamous dog bone multi wrench. Why is there a 19/32 size one of the options on this clunker of a tool, I’ve been turning wrenches for 35 years and I can’t tell you the last time I used a 19/32 wrench or socket for any thing on a regular basis. My dog bone goes from 7/16″to 7/8″ and some were in the middle of this 19/32″ like it’s a common size that you may run into. What’s Craftsman’s thinking in regards to putting this size in with the most common arrangement of sizes most often used?