You should strongly consider picking up this Craftsman V-Series 12pc metric combination wrench set while it’s at an all-time low price.
At the time of this posting, this wrench set is just $39.98 at Amazon, which is around half of what it cost last year when I bought a set.
Craftsman V-Series combination wrenches are very similar to my favorite Facom 440 wrenches, reviewed here.
Advertisement
They have an I-beam design with a slightly rounded handle profile, and an angled open end. The box end has thin but strong side walls, helping the wrenches access fasteners in tighter recesses.
In no uncertain terms, I am a huge fan of these wrenches.
They also come in a handy organizer case that’s great for grab-and-go. You can also organize the wrenches in a tool box drawer and toss the case into a “I might need this someday” storage drawer or cabinet.
I was checking the prices on a lot of the tools I bought around Prime Day last year, and the $40 seemed shockingly good to me. I don’t know why the price is down from it’s regular $80-85 or so, or how long it’ll stay there, but it’s been at $40 since at least Prime Day last week.
This a great wrench set at a fantastic price.
Included sizes: 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19mm
Advertisement
Sale Price: $39.98
The SAE set is also discounted from its regular price, but the savings aren’t as huge.
Also, one thing I’d like to mention is that these wrenches are a little shorter than others.
This photo shows a Craftsman Professional long pattern wrench (top) and a Facom wrench similar to a Craftsman V-Series wrench (bottom) of the same size.
The Facom/Craftsman V-Series wrenches aren’t the best choices for higher torque applications.
Jared
I was looking at this set recently. I like the deeper box end design a lot. I have that on my XL double box-end ratcheting wrenches (Maximum brand, Apex is the OEM) and it’s super handy.
I didn’t end up buying them though, because it doesn’t look like the box end is offset at all. I like the extra room for my fingers. Do you mind that in-use Stuart? Maybe it’s only a problem in my head.
I have the ratcheting V-series set you recommended previously and those wrenches are great! I’d pick my Proto wrenches if the two sets were side-by-side, but it’s a close call – and the V-series wrenches were about 1/4 the price.
FYI, it’s discounted on Amazon.ca too – though not as dramatically: $71.51 CAD (alternately, shipping the set and converting USD to CAD makes the Amazon.com set $69.84 for Canadians, but that’s not enough savings to merit the hassle).
Stuart
The box ends are both deeper and offset. The opposite face is tapered slightly, but that’s never been an issue for me.
I have a couple of Proto ratcheting spline wrenches with a somewhat similar design, but like the non-ratcheting Facom and Craftsman V-Series wrenches a lot more.
Jared
Thanks for the photo! They look flat in the product listing photos.
Rich
Bought a set of the metrics. Already have the open-end style for brake lines, or hose lines, in a poly/clear plastic sleeve. (not Craftsman)
Nice looking set here (with Stuart’s preview/specs) and with the caddy. I might prefer the less than 12-point boxed on the big sizes, don’t know, but this set will be interesting to wrench on the car with at lower torque specs. They’ll go next to my 3/8 & 1/4 SAE/Metric combo Craftsman socket set plastic suitcase bought form Sears ca 1980.
Marc Cohen
I just bought a set – my old Craftsmen (20 years or so) metric set has a few missing wrenches and this seemed a good way to fill it back out. I know they will not be the same quality or length, but the cost makes it worthwhile/
Nathan
I consider that euro standard. I bet if you put the facom against stahlewhile and hazet etc they are nearly the same
But nice set is it safe to assume also discontinued
MotorCityCraftsman
This is a good deal. I recently bought then returned a metric Pittsburg set at $35. I didnt realize that the set had skipped the 18mm which is really bizarre. I have used Craftsman wrenches for decades and they always get the job done. Never had a breakage.
Mike
Why do wrench and socket sets skip sizes? I recently bought 1/2″ drive impact sockets and discovered a big skip. Do they do that because that size is used very little?
Jared
I think the two most common reasons are sizes that aren’t often used or that overlap with an SAE size.
I suspect there’s also an influence from the different standards – i.e. ANSI/ISO vs. JIS vs. DIN.
For a given bolt diameter, those standards prescribe different wrench sizes. For example, for a 10mm bolt (measured at the threaded portion), ISO says you use a 16mm wrench, DIN says a 17mm and JIS a 14mm.
If you buy a wrench set instead to meet the DIN standard, it wouldn’t need 16mm or 18mm wrenches because those don’t correspond to any bolt sizes. ANSI/ISO won’t need a 12mm, JIS doesn’t have a 15mm.
However, it probably is messier in than that, because surely the tool manufacturers realize their end uses might run into hex sizes correlating to a variety of standards… requiring them to include common sizes that don’t all match up to one standard.
Still, you might get a set with what seems like a BUNCH of missing sizes because it’s only intended to comply with one standard.
A W
Thanks Jared.
This is a really helpful explanation.
James
This explains a lot. Thanks!
GinoG
It definitely has to do with popularity and saving money. However you can still buy them individually. Now, when you do find a full set, It will cost you a full amount 🙂
Stuart
Agreed.
SAE sets often skip 11/32″, mainly when focused on automotive users, but that’s the size for #8 machine screw nuts that might be used in fabrication or industrial applications.
My Facom 10pc set skips 7mm and 15mm. I’ve been using 7mm a lot more recently, and 15mm is popular in bike pedals.
MM
It is absolutely true that some sizes are more commonly used than others. Like Jared explained there are different standards. They mentioned a few of the metric ones, as far as fractional sizes go there is an SAE standard today but there also were older Whitworth standards as well, different standards for highway truck use, square vs. hex head bolts, etc. Even among those standards some fasteners are more common than others and therefore those sizes are more common. Nearly every set skips some sizes, it’s just a question of how rare they are.
For example it’s quite common for cheaper fractional wrench sets to skip 11/32 but the nicer sets will have it. Now 17/32 or 21/32? Those are hard to find these days, but were common before WWII.
fred
So was 19/32 and 25/32. Thread standards can be even more frustrating when dealing with older and/or British bicycles, motorcycles and cars. But you can also sometimes encounter odd metric thread sizes that don’t conform to DIN, JIS or ISO standards. Sometime these (like 2.0-0.25) might be labeled “old-metric”. Others like 5.5-0.90 – are Löwenherz and still others conform to BA (British Association) standards. We also encountered Imperial (inch) threads in some older aircraft assemblies that were of oddball pitch for the associated fastener diameter. Bicycle pedals are often threaded with 9/16-20 threads
Ben
Fred, I always see your comments in here and they are always interesting and insightful. Seems you’ve been around the block a time or two – I wish we were friends or colleagues in real life so I could pick your brain. Cheers!
Munklepunk
For awhile those old Ferrari made there own size, that or they were poorly speced. Those were annoying to work on, custom grinding sockets and wrenches, then “giving” them to the owner when the job was done.
If anyone ever brags about their old car being hand built just smile and nod. Hand built and hand fitted are two very different things.
Nathan
In metric land it was always easier but a quality no skips metric set at least on the small end would have 5.5mm or even a 4.5mm. Though rare today.
And I think a lot of tool companies assume if they give you a lot of sae and metric they skip some overlaps. Like you don’t need a 13mm of we gave you a 1/2. Or a 15mm if we gave you a 5/8. A lot of 1/2 drive metric sets skip 25mm because you have a 1 in. Etc
MattT
Which is annoying. I’d rather carry the appropriate wrench around in my toolbox than carry all those equivalences around in my head.
TC
Ace Hardware has same, as well as a few other V-Series deals of 40-50% off.
https://www.acehardware.com/departments/tools/craftsman/craftsman-v-series
James
These appear to be 12 point rather than 6 point, how do people feel about that aspect? My admittedly basic understanding is that 6 point (faces) provides more surface area and so is generally preferred. 12 point allow for more access angles, but come with the disadvantage of less surface area so more likely to damage the fastener (bolt/nut). Are you guys generally okay with 12 or prefer 6? If I had a second question it’s how strong is the preference for a ratcheting box end? Obviously there is a price premium to be paid for ratcheting but maybe it’s worth it for convenience. Thanks
Joellikestools
You can do use more torque with 6 points without rounding fasteners. However, if you don’t need a lot of torque the 12 or spline can be really nice. Ratcheting is really nice, most ratcheting is 12 or spline. There aren’t as many options that are 6. If you need more toque non ratcheting can be nice. Ratcheting is also bulkier and can be annoying for jam nuts, and might not fit in some spots. I like to have both options available. Ideally if you need a lot of torque a breaker bar or impact wrench can be used(if there is room). Torque test channel has some neat videos on the various attributes of the different box ends.
Jared
These are non-ratcheting wrenches. I’d much rather they be 12pt or (good) spline.
There are some non-ratcheting 6pt wrenches, but their utility is mainly to break free really stubborn fasteners. The rest of the time they’re an annoyance because you must have twice as much room to swing the wrench to get to the next position. Not so great if that’s your primary set.
I use ratcheting wrenches 95% of the time or more. It’s a massive time savings. Yet of I could only have one set of wrenches, I might have to pick non-ratcheting.
The problem is that the remaining 5%, you need the thinner end of a regular wrench – or to be able to hit it with a deadblow to knock something loose.
So the correct answer to “ratcheting vs non-ratcheting”, is both.
JR Ramos
12-point made the world go round but y’know it really depends on the fastener. If you’re working with decent steel in good shape, then there’s not much difference in strength or torque really (assuming the tool is made well and doesn’t have an overly sloppy fit). If you’re talking grade 5 hardware or chinesium, or it’s in bad shape from heavy rust or lots of hot-cold cycling, then 6-point may have some grab advantage if the corners on the fastener start to round over under torque. Chances are that you’ll be dealing with vise grips or a removal socket (or an easy-out…) if that’s the case. But as said this does depend somewhat on the quality of the tool (back in the day the cheaper 12-points tended to split at a corner but that was also seen with poorly made 6-point…so good steel and good design make a good wrench). For me, I use 12-point all the time and I use 12-point ratcheting wrenches (non-flex) more than standard wrenches anymore but you do probably need to have standard wrenches. The heads on good ratcheting ones are pretty thin these days but you may run into fasteners where you can only use a standard box end wrench (or the open end (which would be on the ratcheting too), or a flare nut wrench can be a godsend). With these Craftsman wrenches, pick your poison, 6 or 12, they’ll be fine either way for nearly everything.
Munklepunk
As a non pro wrencher it matters none. In fact, 12 makes life easier, if I were a pro I might have a different opinion, but I’m not.
However, I would bet that in nearly every application except high torque 12 is perfectly fine.
Jim
They are also same price at Lowes.
I have these and the Facom set Stuart mentions. I put the Craftsman sets in the cars, along with other misc hand tools I might need on the road. And yes, law of tools says, I will likely not have the tool I need…
I personally like the organizer very much. I prefer it over the wrench rolls and my Klein zipper bags from years ago. I actually put these Craftsman in the zipper bags. The USAG empty holder is something like $20+
Certainly not for high torque scenarios. Many wrenches these days are rather slim unless you pay accordingly. I’m fortunate to have some 2000 and previous wrenches for high leverage scenarios.
These, the Facom’s and some ratcheting combination wrenches are my go to for most tasks.
It’s a great price for a very good set.
CA
Stuart I appreciate your channel. Can you tell us what you make off of sponsorship on an annual basis?
CA
Sometimes I feel like you are puppeted….like this ad.
CA
Slick….one owner……this is a HOT deal…that can’t be missed. And it’s a pile uh poopy.
Doresoom
You go first. What’s your annual salary? Because that’s what you just asked Stuart.
Stuart
Me: My favorite wrenches are at a huge discount!!
Readers: great deal, will it be back in stock?
In the back end, there looks to be especially high interest, and no returns.
“Never tried it, you must be puppeted, deal is poopy” seems like trolling to me.
People say they want honest and unfiltered opinions, but many cannot handle it. If I’m positive, I “must be paid and puppeted” if I’m negative, I “must be biased and out to get a company.”
fred
Stuart:
Glad to see you sticking to your guns. Some folks seem to see. There is no need to be eleemosynary when it comes to interpreting the comments of some – who have motives best known to themselves. If Amazon were offering the set at 90% off – some would still find fault. If instead of Craftsman – this set were SnapOn, Stahlwille or any other premium brand there would be others who might be critical. If you replied that you earned a half a cent on each sale that was made via one of your links – there would still be some who would be envious of your income or question your motives. I understand that ToolGuyd is a business enterprise – but I also feel that you try very hard to be forthright and honest in the content that you present and that your recommendations do not gush with the hyperbole and sales pitch found on much of the Internet.
Keep up the good work in keeping us informed and entertained.
Alexk
Had to google “eleemosynary”.
Always something new to learn from you, Fred.
Stuart
Thanks, I appreciate it!
It’s good to be critical, and I very much encourage that. I don’t mind fair criticism, doubt, or questions.
But there’s a way to go about it.
I like the brand, style, quality, and price. I spent a lot more time and money sourcing my nearly identical Facom wrenches from European and specialty suppliers. I did that after sampling somewhat similar Proto ratcheting wrenches and then expanding my kit with a few more sizes.
I wish this set was $40 when I was shopping for it.
The fact of the matter is that every and any post will earn money, either directly or indirectly.
When my wife was pregnant, we went to a restaurant for falafel. The owner was taking orders and working the register and made a big stink about skipping the lettuce and adding pickles. We had been going there for a while without issue. The owner argued with us over substitutions a few more times, and we stopped going.
Even if it would make a measurable difference, which it wouldn’t, trying to micro-manipulate revenue or income would be extremely noticeable with negative impact.
@Alex, me too!! It’s going to be a tough one to memorize.
fred
That was one of the favorite words used by a Marianist that I had as a teacher in HS. He would talk about the martyrdom of the three sisters: Faith, Hope and Charity – extoll their virtues and then say that we- by their example – all need to be eleemosynary in our dealings with others.
Alexk
I’ve been reading toolguyd for around 12 years. Not sure how many years I spent reading this while eating breakfast and drinking coffee, but it is the first thing I do, everyday. And I read it all, not just what interests me, but everything.
Stuart likes tools and other stuff. He gets excited and happy about some items and some prices and it comes thru in his posts. In 12 years of reading toolguyd, I never felt he promoted anything he genuinely didn’t think was a good product/idea/price etc.
Rog
Same. I’ve always seen these type of posts as passing along a good deal, never has “shill” crossed my mind.
Alexk
Most of my sockets and wrenches came from yard sales, but I wanted something self contained and a couple of years ago I got Husky wrenches at Christmas for $20? They included metric and sae. I don’t do much on my vehicles, work mainly with wood, but they have been good enough.
For occasional non pro work, $40 each for metric and sae seems like a lot to me – says the guy who bought a benchmade knife for over a hundred bucks and almost never takes it out of the house.
PW
IMO these Craftsman wrenches are much, much better than the Xmas Husky sets.
Firstly, the holder for these Craftsman wrenches is genius. I didn’t appreciate it until I saw it in person. It folds up compactly, and keeps the wrenches very securely retained for transport. It also unfolds and can lay flat for compact use in a tool box. It’s both more portable than the Husky wrench holders and more compact.
Secondly, the wrenches are better than the Husky wrenches. The Husky wrenches are thick in every dimension, which can interfere with fastener access. The Craftsman are thinner, particularly where the head joins the handle.
The Craftsman set doesn’t skip sizes and is complete. Every promo Husky set I’ve seen recently has skipped sizes. (Husky makes it easy to fill in missing sizes with open stock, but then you’re not paying the promo price for a set.)
There’s some other design and material improvements. Don’t get me wrong, I think the Husky wrenches are serviceable. Just that having used both in real life, there’s a legitimate reason the Craftsman are more expensive.
scott
Of course, you must be. Keep up the good work. Really like the open and honest opinions. You will never be an influencer if keep this type of behavior up 🙂
Mnoswad
I’d buy this set in a 15 pc or more set. I’m in need of a full combo wrench set and have been looking at Felton, gear and icon.
Maurice
I bought the metric set at $40 based on Stuarts recommendation. The SAE set was and is $80. For reasons that escape me I wanted both but not at $80 for the SAE. On Aug 19th the SAE price dropped to $59 plus a 20% off coupon (at least for me). If anybody else would like both sets i recommend a “camel” type price watch and then wait
FYI the SAE set is “bigger” in that individual larger wrenches longer.
Shocked
I purchased the 12 pc metric set from Amazon when Stuart mentioned it last month. About a week later, I bought the 12 pc SAE set (new) on eBay for $49.99 plus tax. I just checked eBay and the seller has one set left at $49.99.
CA
I remember when Craftsman was in their hey day and I was just starting to buy tools in the early 90s. Sears had a set of I beam wrenches that were bent the other way so you could pull with your hands on the flat side of the wrench (not on the edge like normal wrenches). I know probably against all engineering strength laws but I thought it was kinda neat. Did any of you ever buy a set of those? If so how have they held up?
OldDominionDIYer
I own those Made in the USA long pattern Craftsman Professional wrenches (bought 30+ yrs ago). They’re great wrenches. Incompetent corporate idiots ruined the Craftsman brand and Stanley B&D hasn’t prioritized the brand as they initially promised, and I doubt they ever will. So, I turned to other brands for my hand tool needs and will not spend my hard-earned money on Craftsman anymore.
Robert
Lowe’s has these too, 39 shows as the regular price.
eddiesky
I was at a Lowes this weekend and asked about Craftsman replacement policy on a 3/8″ flex head (back in the day, swivel head) that had 12″ or longer handle. The replacement was $80 and I was shocked they wouldn’t exchange unless my model was similar (I didn’t have on hand but did show image on my phone I took, with tape measure in background for length). The tool works but the head is so loose its a pita.
I went to local Ace and asked same thing but they don’t carry that model in 3/8″.
Oh, and Lowes has no Milwaukee. Only red I see is Craftsman.
Jim Jones
Any experience with the SAE set?
Stuart
I bought a set of those too and have a couple of the Facom. Excellent. It’s not on sale, so you just have to be sure you want it.