Wera05020013001 Joker Combination Wrench-Set, 11 Pieces

As a certified master tech and German specialist I have a LOT of different tools, and these wrenches are AWESOME! I'm always looking for new tools which can save me time and make my life easier, and these wrenches definitely help.Now, as a master tech with a lot of tools, I know there is no tool that works in every situation. I'm a big fan of ratcheting wrenches, especially the big ticket high tooth count wrenches. For years my go-to ratcheting wrench has been Matco's 9 Series wrenches which have 90 teeth and one of the lowest swing arcs available (only the new SK X-Frame beats them). They also feature a spline drive on the ratcheting end so they fit multiple types of fasteners.So, while I have better ratcheting wrenches, these wrenches are excellent, and I wouldn't be sad if they were my only set. I put these to the test for about a month and only used these and I never had a problem. They can take a crap load of torque, they're one of the most comfortable wrenches I've tried, and they look super cool (which is important in the shop environment...).But the reason I bought these, and the reason you should too is on the other end of the wrench. Wera's innovative open end is beyond helpful to technicians. The backing plate is a godsend. I wish every wrench had this on it because it would make a lot of jobs a lot easier. But the real winner is the multi-tooth open end. As Wera points out their wrench only takes 30 degrees to turn, as opposed to the traditional 60 degrees. In tight spots this is worth a million dollars. Sometimes the nut or bolt just doesn't want to come out easily, even after being broken loose, but there isn't enough room to reposition the wrench. Not anymore! Just today I was having a hard time getting an AC line loose on an older Mercedes. I was trying my traditional wrenches, then my Knipex pliers, then I grabbed a Joker and got it off in a few seconds. I was so happy.This wrench set it worth every penny to the master tech and even the weekend warrior. If you only had room or the money for one wrench set then this needs to be it.Some programming notes: The wrenches are made in the Czech Republic, which doesn't bother me as the price reflects that. My Matco wrenches are three times the price of these and they're made in Taiwan... The satin finish is really cool as it stands out from the drawers and drawers of chrome, but it's a little harder to clean, and I like clean tools. The bag that comes with the set is super heavy duty and is super handy as I don't have a ton of room in my box, and as I don't use them every day it helps to store them in it.

Wera tools are ridiculously expensive compared to most consumer tools, but they're competitive with other pro-grade tools. My husband is an avid hobbyist and I'm always on the lookout to find tools I know he'll find useful for his projects. We don't have a lot of space, and his entire tool collection - power tools included - fits into the bottom half of a small closet in our tiny apt. Adding a set of tools often means making room by getting rid of something else. This is the second set of Joker wrenches we've bought, so we now have both SAE and metric sizes.Beyond a doubt, Joker combination wrenches are the greatest invention since the ratchet. A Joker wrench can fit into tight spaces where sockets dare not go and the ratcheting action works even better, given that the lever action is in line with the bolt head or nut on which it's used. If only someone could design an open-ended ratcheting wrench, but that's understandably pretty much impossible. Still, Wera Joker wrenches have a twelve-point open-end design that dramatically improves their usability. It's the next best thing.I highly recommend Wera tools. They're pro-grade instruments that are as well-made as the best of them and at a reasonable price for their value. Wera tools are built to last a lifetime and they're precise. It's not uncommon for a cheaper consumer-grade wrench to be off by a millimeter or more, usually being too loose, which leads to excessive wear on the nut and, ultimately, a nut that can't be removed using any wrench. Cheaper tools sometimes break. It's always a surprise to see what appears to be a solid hunk of steel that suddenly fractures like a brittle bone. Wera tools are made from top-quality stainless and heat-treated and forged into tools that are stronger than just about anything by perhaps diamonds. We wouldn't buy anything else.

It's hard to tell someone who works on Ikea shelves and desks why one would need a set of wrenches like these. You could get a spanner wrench set from Tekton for a fraction of the price and most people would be perfectly satisfied with them. But if you are a DIY mechanic, or a shop mechanic, or anyone who might need to reach for a wrench on daily basis, then you need something that's more versatile and saves you time. In walks Wera with their Joker wrench set. It is ironic because these wrenches are no joke. They mean serious business.First, they are lighter than you're average spanner wrench. Not a big deal but it makes a difference when you have to hold a bolt/nut up for several minutes. The ratcheting side also makes a big difference and although you can get cheaper ratcheting spanner wrenches, not all of them are built the same. The click is smooth and crisp and you get the feeling these will last a long time. You also get that feeling because they come with a lifetime warranty. The backing plate does two jobs. One, it can hold a nut up and help keep the wrench in place of a bolt. Two, using the traditional six point socket, it can dig it's teeth into the bolt or nut and provide extra grip to turn a stuck nut.For some reason, when I try to use that benefit on say a oil drain plug, it doesn't work as well and strips. Not every time, just a few case scenarios. In recall, it might be because some of those plugs have angled points. They're also quite a bit thin. Nice for holding a long time...not so nice for torquing in a nut as it's really painful on the hands. I also would have liked to have seen 20 and 24 mm wrenches in this set, at least the 24 because it's so common. That is actually my biggest complaint against these wrenches. Otherwise, they are well worth the price tag. If you have the need for a brilliantly engineered wrench set, I don't think I can recommend one more than this one right here.