Bike Forums

Bike Forums (https://www.bikeforums.net/forum.php)
-   Bicycle Mechanics (https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/)
-   -   Particularly stupid wrench set (https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/1313862-particularly-stupid-wrench-set.html)

ScottCommutes 08-16-25 11:17 AM

Particularly stupid wrench set
 
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c94b3078ac.jpg
Granted, this was selling for $1.25 at the dollar store, but what were they thinking about the choices of sizes?

SoCaled 08-16-25 11:23 AM

You just have to pair it with the 9-11-15-16mm set :rolleyes:

vintage cellar 08-16-25 01:07 PM

Is this for real ?
 
Let me get this straight - you're complaining about a $1.25 set of Dollar Store wrenches ?

Is it April Fools Day ?

Crankycrank 08-16-25 01:28 PM

Save those for the neighbor that likes to "borrow" your tools.

maddog34 08-16-25 02:03 PM

Common japanese/asian automotive and M/C sizes... no 15mm(euro automotive and M/C, mostly), no 9mm(old japanese derailleur cable clamps, mostly).

:D
deduct packaging and shipping, that's 15 cents a tool, Retail.
the 13 is a bonus... that's euro too, and kinda doubles as a 1/2" !

ScottCommutes 08-16-25 03:23 PM


Originally Posted by vintage cellar (Post 23587953)
Let me get this straight - you're complaining about a $1.25 set of Dollar Store wrenches ?

Is it April Fools Day ?

Well yeah, I am. The whole thing is kind of goofy It would be a different conversation if this kit cost actual money.

My take is that if I was running a dollar store, I would want to try to give the customers as much bang for their buck as I possibly could, especially if it didn't cost me anything extra. I think that's how dollar stores are supposed to work.

I don't think I have ever used a 12mm in my life. I would much rather have the 9, 11, or 15mm. It just seems that somebody that knows how to make a wrench set could do a better job of putting together a set - especially because they are double ended.

Perhaps I'm wrong. Perhaps somewhere (in the East?), this makes a logical set.

Bill Kapaun 08-16-25 03:27 PM


Originally Posted by ScottCommutes (Post 23588018)
.......Perhaps I'm wrong. Perhaps somewhere (in the East?), this makes a logical set.

It's been 25+ years since I've worked on a car & don't really remember common wrench sizes, but maybe in the automotive world?

dedhed 08-16-25 04:56 PM


Originally Posted by ScottCommutes (Post 23588018)
I don't think I have ever used a 12mm in my life. I would much rather have the 9, 11, or 15mm. It just seems that somebody that knows how to make a wrench set could do a better job of putting together a set - especially because they are double ended.

Well I don't know what you've worked on but I've used a 12 LOTS of times. 8-10-12-13-14 are very common in automotive work 15 as well I've probably never used an 11 and 9 is rare. 8 is GM side post battery terminals.

ridelikeaturtle 08-16-25 05:03 PM

These are super-common sizes, makes perfect sense to me.

easyupbug 08-16-25 09:05 PM

I suppose if you only have a bike or two these would help, however if like many of use with several or many more you need something like the Park Tool MW-Set.2
6 to 17mm set.

dsaul 08-17-25 04:25 AM

Those are the most common sizes for anything outside the bicycle world. The most common fastener on cars is 10mm and losing 10mm sockets is a long running joke in the auto mechanic community. The rest of the world doesn't revolve around bikes.

andrewclaus 08-17-25 06:06 AM

I just lost a 12 mm socket in the front crossmember of my car, and I'll have to replace it--I use it all the time.

grumpus 08-17-25 06:48 AM


Originally Posted by andrewclaus (Post 23588327)
I just lost a 12 mm socket in the front crossmember of my car, and I'll have to replace it

Or get one of those magnets on a wiggly stick.

grumpus 08-17-25 06:56 AM


Originally Posted by ScottCommutes (Post 23588018)
I don't think I have ever used a 12mm in my life. I would much rather have the 9, 11, or 15mm.

What needs an 11 mm wrench? 12 mm is pretty common on European and Japanese cars.

dedhed 08-17-25 07:22 AM


Originally Posted by grumpus (Post 23588351)
What needs an 11 mm wrench? 12 mm is pretty common on European and Japanese cars.

Here in the rust belt pounding on a half rotted 12mm. :mad:

Crankycrank 08-17-25 07:43 AM

It's One Dollar and Twenty-Five Cents!! You can't go to the swap meet and buy a single, used, piece-of-junk wrench like these for the price of 6 new ones. Not seeing any point of complaining about the size choices.

Shadco 08-17-25 07:53 AM

Tell us you aren’t familiar with common metric wrench sizes without telling us you aren’t familiar with common metric wrench sizes.

.

alcjphil 08-17-25 10:59 AM

When I owned a Subaru, I used my 12 mm wrench quite often

ScottCommutes 08-17-25 11:21 AM

​​​So I asked Google AI and got the following summary:
  • 8mm, 10mm, and 14mm: These are the most frequently used sizes, covering a wide range of applications.
  • 12mm and 13mm: While not always considered standard, they are commonly used, especially in Japanese vehicles and some European models.
  • 17mm and 19mm: These are also common sizes, particularly in automotive applications

EDIT: Exactly what comes in the set (minus the 19mm, which is bigger)

Koyote 08-17-25 12:06 PM

What's the cycling content here? None of my bikes require combo wrenches.

wheelreason 08-17-25 12:38 PM

Dollar Store, where the chips and dip are next to the roach spray and toilet cleaner....

ScottCommutes 08-17-25 12:38 PM


Originally Posted by Koyote (Post 23588543)
What's the cycling content here? None of my bikes require combo wrenches.

You never need a closed-end wrench, but at high torque it is a better practice when you can because you are grabbing all six points.

Sometimes you do obviously need an open-end wrench.

mschwett 08-17-25 12:51 PM


Originally Posted by ScottCommutes (Post 23587901)
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c94b3078ac.jpg
Granted, this was selling for $1.25 at the dollar store, but what were they thinking about the choices of sizes?

they’re thinking someone will use it to work on japanese cars.

8-10-12-14-17 were the ones i remember using all the time.

never assume …

Troul 08-17-25 02:35 PM

the 10mm will likely come up missing soon too.

ridelikeaturtle 08-17-25 02:53 PM


Originally Posted by wheelreason (Post 23588558)
Dollar Store, where the chips and dip are next to the roach spray and toilet cleaner....

Condoms are next to home pregnancy tests...


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:41 AM.


Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.