Broke a Matco wrench yesterday.

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Chris142

Joined
Jun 5, 2003
Messages
32,262
Location
Apple Valley, California
I have a Matco SAE wrench set. It's the highly sought after WC wrenches made by Bonney for Matco.
I use the 1/2 every day.

So when the SnapOn guy rolled up and was showing off wrenches I grabbed my favorite one. On his truck he has a damaged bolt that he uses to show how well the Snap On wrenches grab.

So I put my best wrench on it to show him how well my Matco stuf is and it broke! The joke was on me!

I put my wrench on the bolt and gave it a pretty good tug. No pipe for extra leverage. Just my hand.

0302121621.jpg
Snaaap!
 
Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
That's why you don't use the open ended side to break it free. Probably just wore out from overuse
som"etimes The box end won't fit
 
Originally Posted By: Chris142
I have a Matco SAE wrench set. It's the highly sought after WC wrenches made by Bonney for Matco.
I use the 1/2 every day.

So when the SnapOn guy rolled up and was showing off wrenches I grabbed my favorite one. On his truck he has a damaged bolt that he uses to show how well the Snap On wrenches grab.

So I put my best wrench on it to show him how well my Matco stuf is and it broke! The joke was on me!

I put my wrench on the bolt and gave it a pretty good tug. No pipe for extra leverage. Just my hand.

0302121621.jpg
Snaaap!




crackmeup2.gif
Man that couldn't have been worse timing.
 
Thats an extremely rare occourance, I turn them for a living using snap-on mac matco and craftsman. Hardly ever break a wrench. Wonder if the forging had a flaw in it? Any signs of an air pocket or a dark spot at the break?
 
If the bolt head does not round off,the open end wrench jaws will spread open,more than likely breaking (rather than bending due to the heat treating) right down the middle.Had a Craftsman wrench do that on a rusty bumper bolt.Should have used a boxed one on that one myself.
 
Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
That's why you don't use the open ended side to break it free. Probably just wore out from overuse


Or use a breaker bar next time.
 
Originally Posted By: Chris142


On his truck he has a damaged bolt that he uses to show how well the Snap On wrenches grab.

So I put my best wrench on it to show him how well my Matco stuf is and it broke! The joke was on me!



You just discovered Snap-On's specially designed Break-Other-Manufacturer's-Wrenches demonstration bolt! I'm surprised he didn't offer to swap you for your wrench.
 
Originally Posted By: Warstud
Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
That's why you don't use the open ended side to break it free. Probably just wore out from overuse


Or use a breaker bar next time.
I use the wrench on can clutch nuts and there is no room for anything other than an open end wrench.
 
Originally Posted By: TooManyWheels
You just discovered Snap-On's specially designed Break-Other-Manufacturer's-Wrenches demonstration bolt! I'm surprised he didn't offer to swap you for your wrench.


LMAO too funny. I was thinking the exact same thing.

To Op: Was the Snap-on wrench able to turn the bolt?

Did he offer to sell you a replacement?

How long have you had the Matco? Where it broke looks it could happen to any wrench. I use my sockets where possible and wrenches when necessary. I usually don't tug my wrenches. I slowly apply more torque even while taking off bolts.

The open end wrench have the least amount of surface contact. All of the force is put on 2 points.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: sunfire
The open end wrench have the least amount of surface contact. All of the force is put on 2 points.
I work in the hydraulics field. One thing learned quickly is that there are 2 "series" of wrenches ... not brand or quality related, I don't think.

The heavy pattern (commonly available from Williams, Proto, Armstrong, and others) are significantly thicker ... I'll contrast Williams (the Snap-On industrial brand) Superwrench at 1/2" thick in 1-1/4 with their Supercombo at 9"16"). That's a larger difference in practice than it appears.

And ... yes, I prefer minimal use of open wrenches ... but the heavy open end seems to survive better than tube wrenches.
 
Your wrench broke in the spot that looks like a weak spot in that design. The corners are sharp and the point in the center creates a stress concentration. That wrench broke right in the center of that point. Most other wrenches are slightly curved through that area and have a large radius in the corners.
 
Originally Posted By: kkreit01
You ate your Wheaties that morning? Did you buy a replacement Snap-on?
I'm considering Snappy stuff but I can't do $600 for 10 wrenches right now.
 
Originally Posted By: Chris142
Originally Posted By: kkreit01
You ate your Wheaties that morning? Did you buy a replacement Snap-on?
I'm considering Snappy stuff but I can't do $600 for 10 wrenches right now.


See if that ever happened to a Craftsman you'd have a new one by now.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

JHZR2
Issue with Norbar pro 50 torque wrench
Replies
10
Views
2K
Trav
Capt W
Mayberry kindness & service is alive and well!
Replies
17
Views
361
4wd
A
2016 Scion TC, 2AR-Fe, 2.5L, How much oil?
Replies
2
Views
4K
michaelluscher
SubieRubyRoo
Shame on you, Ford Racing! But… success!
2
Replies
23
Views
3K
SubieRubyRoo
slo town
End of life experience during my Dad's passing
2 3
Replies
53
Views
4K
SammyChevelleTypeS3
Back
Top Bottom