Combination Wrenches

Well you can always make your own out of 3/8" flat bar or plate for about $5.25eh for steel at small quanity pricing. Scrap also will work. I just bought new 14ft x 4ft x 3/8" plate for $0.33/lb. (city dweller :))

Cut the size you need with a torch, jaws about 1/16" undersized then finish grind to correct size after the steel cools.

If the wrench is to be used alot under maximum stress then heat treament is desired.

To harden carbon steel first preheat the jaw and neck area too 1100�f (dull red) and let free air cool slowly. This removes mfg stress.

Next reheat the same areas to a dull red then quench in oil until cool. Used motor oil works well as it adds a small amount of acids at the same time. This method also surface hardens the steel.

Reheat the steel area again too 500�f, (lead (wheel weights?) melts at about 500�) then quench in oil until cool. This quench adds temper (return flex) to the steel.

At a minimum, temper the steel.

Your done!

In the archive you'll also find a thread where I described how to make large sockets if your interested.

T_Bone

http://www.martintoolandforge.com/

A good way to tell if the wrech has quality steel is to go look at a good known name brand.

Hold two wrenchs, approx the same size by there ends then clang them together while paying close attention to the ring tone quality as well how long that tone lasts. Preform the test several times.

Now go pick up a cheapie wrench in the same sizes and repeat the test.

If they ring at a lower and longer tone then the steel is soft or not mixed corectly.

If they ring at a higher and shorter tone then there too hard or the steel was not mixed correctly when mfg'd.

I bought a set of 3/4 drive sockets, 2" to 3", breaker bar, ratchet that had a great ring tone to them for $50, in store special. Another (more expensive) in store set had a poor ring tone.

T_Bone