TDN wrote in with a tip about Channellock’s Uni-Fit 34-in-2 wrench set. He spotted them at a Walmart store in Canada, but they’re available in the USA as well.
Channellock Uni-Fit tools feature universal spline heads that fit both inch and metric fasteners.
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There are a couple of different Uni-Fit products:
A 2-piece “34-in-2” ratcheting wrench set.
A 6-piece ratcheting wrench set.
A 24-piece 1/4″ and 3/8″ ratchet and socket set.
Each set is priced at $30-$35 via Amazon.
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First Thoughts
The benefit of universal spline wrenches and sockets is that you can work with more fastener sizes with fewer tools.
However, tools that combine inch and metric sizes don’t often fit fasteners as well as single-size tools. That is, a 5/8″ and 16mm socket won’t fit 5/8″ and 16mm fasteners as well as separate 5/8″ and 16mm sockets will. For that reason, I tend to shy away from these types of universal tools.
Just because Channellock put their name on these tools isn’t enough to change my feelings towards universal tools. These are made in Taiwan for Channellock, and you could probably find the tools under other brands’ labels as well.
These tools allow you to pack a lot of functionality into portable tool kits, but keep in mind the tradeoff. You save on weight, size, and cost, but give up the precise fitment that some fasteners and applications demand.
SteveW says
I too dislike splined “universal” wrenches and sockets for the very reason you mentioned, one size/style does not fit all. You might as well use a pipe wrench or Vise Grips on everything. However, I must disagree with your example of comparing 3/4″ and 19mm sizes. While technically they are different sizes, the 19 is only 0.002″ smaller. The way things are made today, I would call that within manufacturing tolerances of the wrench and the bolt/nut. I have never had a situation where these particular sizes are not interchangeable. A better example would be 7/8 and 22mm, common for lug nuts on trucks, one size fits much better than the other yet many tire guys use a 7/8 which is 0.009″ larger than the 22 which is correct, that would be noticeable.
Stuart says
That’s a very good point! I changed the example to 5/8″ and 16mm. It’s not as big a size difference as 7/8″ and 22mm, but there’s still noticeable slop when using universal tools on either fastener size.
NCD says
No thank you, I actually thought Channellock would be above this crap.
Stan says
Same here and during the Champion Dearment era, they likely would be. Those days have been over for a very, very long time though.
I can pretty much guess the country of origin of these wrenches though. Nothing I haven’t seen at Sears or otherwise before though.
I haven’t had much luck with universal wrenches before, but I personally prefer tried and true methods though.
Richard says
Honestly, I felt the same way, until I came across a Mastercraft Maximum universal set similar to the ChannelLock socket set posted above about a year and a half ago on deep promotional discount. For about $30, I was willing to give it a shot.
The small size and the big coverage meant I could just toss it in the trunk and use it for the odd small job in the car.
What was also really great about the MC Max set is that they’re fully pass-through sockets.
I ended up using it all the time – and it was ‘cheap’ enough that I didn’t feel bad about mistreating them, letting them get filthy, and losing a couple.
In fact, I lost the very essential 10mm socket, and sent an email to Canadian Tire asking where I could get my hands on a single replacement – and they mailed me one, gratis.
I’m going to go check out this set at Walmart at lunch if it’s stocked there.
Hang Fire says
Maybe they’re betting that Sears/Craftsman will go under before Christmas and they have to get all the gimmicks out on the shelves now. Of course Craftsman will survive somewhere else, after a short hiatus….
Jason says
I got the Husky take on this idea. I don’t do enough wrenching on stuff to justify even a Husky or Kobalt quality set of ratcheting wrenches, but I got my set on clearance from HD for 10 bucks on each set metric and sae. I think it came with 7 wrenches in each kit. Hopefully down the road I can find a great deal on some real ratcheting wrenches but these will do for now.
Toolfreak says
Stuff like this is ok when it’s on clearance for a dollar or something, just to either have around to throw at people who want to borrow tools, or just to give as gifts to those who don’t have any, so they won’t need to ask to borrow any.
That or they also make good tools to work on nasty stuff you don’t want to touch with good tools, either due to rust, corrosion, chemicals, etc.
Other than that, or selling them for money to buy better tools with, I probably wouldn’t bother, and certainly wouldn’t pay retail or even some “sale” price for them.
Paul says
There are few combination sets out there that do work.
My primary set of sockets has been a 71 pc Metrinch set for the last 25 years. Yes, I only do small engine repair, around the house stuff and auto tuneups but the wrenches and sockets have never let me down.
They are different than the universal sockets. They are all 6 sided so they don’t slip.
T says
I have no problem using unispline sockets in my daily duties. Im in constant contact with metric hex and Torx of a wide range in size and torque. Now, I only use unispline in the smaller sizes under 15mm or approx 20nm, anything larger calls for dedicated sockets. I assume the manufacturing quality of the unispline tool may play a part in its function but I have never personally experienced a fitment problem with my German made set. I also assume that if a manufacturer pays for a licensing agreement, dimensional quality will be high enough to maintain said agreement. They even work on the rare BW or Standard bugger I cross paths with. The one drawback I have noticed, fasteners are sometimes lightly gouged on drive sides when over torqued. There are many reasons why I wouldnt necessarily purchase any of these CL offerings, unispline drive isnt one of them.