DeWalt 17 Piece Full Polish Combination Wrench Set

Why this wrench set earned a permanent drawer in my box

I brought this DeWalt wrench set into the shop for a week of mixed work—an older small-block rebuild, some mower maintenance, and a sprinkler pump swap. It didn’t take long to figure out where it shines: reach, grip, and the kind of finish that’s easy to keep clean in a gritty garage.

This is a 17-piece SAE combination set, so you’re looking at classic open-end on one side and a box end on the other. The long handles are the first thing you notice. They’re longer than many “standard” wrenches, and that extra length gives you useful leverage without feeling cumbersome. For stubborn fasteners on the pump flange and exhaust brackets, the added reach let me stay clear of obstructions while still getting torque where I needed it.

Fit, finish, and the small things that matter

DeWalt gave these wrenches a full-polish chrome finish. That’s not just for looks; it wipes clean fast after an oily job and doesn’t hang onto grime the way satin finishes sometimes do. Polished tools can be slippery, but the stamped hashmark pattern along the handle provides a touch of bite without being abrasive. Even when my gloves were lightly oiled, I could keep a confident grip.

I also appreciate the attention to identification. Sizes are stamped twice on both sides of each handle. The markings are deep and designed to resist wear, so you’re not guessing in low light or after a few years of drawer rash. It’s a simple detail that pays off over the long term.

Angles that save knuckles and time

The geometry is thoughtful. The box end is offset by 13°, which sounds minor, but it keeps your knuckles off nearby surfaces and gives you just enough step to clear raised edges on brackets and flanges. The open end has a 15° offset, a classic tweak that effectively doubles your swing angle in tight spaces when you flip the wrench between strokes. On the clamp bolts for a fuel pump bracket tucked near a frame rail, that flip-and-go rhythm legitimately sped things up.

DeWalt’s DirectTorque design on the box end engages the flats more than the corners, which reduces the chance of rounding fasteners. On mildly stubborn hardware—think slightly corroded hose clamp housings and older chassis bolts—it grips well without chewing up edges. It won’t resurrect a bolt head someone already mangled with the wrong size, but it does what it’s designed to do: transmit torque reliably while being kinder to hardware.

In use: reach, leverage, and control

The long-panel design makes a difference. On a stubborn 3/4" fastener holding a mower’s deck linkage, the extra handle length delivered enough torque to break it free without resorting to a cheater. That said, leverage cuts both ways. On smaller sizes like 1/4" and 5/16", it’s easy to overdo it if you’re not thinking—especially on delicate aluminum housings or older cast parts. That’s not a flaw; it’s just the reality of longer wrenches. Keep your touch calibrated, and the control is excellent.

Tolerances at the jaws and box ends feel tight and consistent. I didn’t notice slop or rocking on properly matched fasteners, and that inspires confidence when you’re leaning into a fastener you really don’t want to round.

Coverage and storage

The size range is broad for SAE work, running from 1/4" up to 1-1/4". That long end is where many budget sets thin out, so having 1-1/16", 1-1/8", and 1-1/4" in the same kit is legitimately useful if you’re tackling larger hardware on older trucks, ag equipment, or plumbing flanges. If your projects live in modern automotive land, you’ll still encounter the occasional SAE fastener, but this set really earns its keep on equipment, classic American iron, and shop fixtures.

The set comes in a molded tray that actually works well in a tool chest drawer. Cut off the retaining strip and you’ve got a neat organizer with dedicated slots. It’s not designed as a portable roll-up, though; if you travel to jobsites or want something that latches shut, plan on a wrap or a separate rack. At roughly 13 pounds for the set, it’s more of a stay-in-the-drawer setup than a toss-in-the-bag companion.

Durability over a long haul

So far, the chrome has held up to a couple solvent baths without hazing, and the stamped markings still look crisp. The handles haven’t shown any micro-burrs or dings from normal use. I haven’t induced any rust or pitting, but as with any polished chrome, wipe them down after exposure to salts or corrosive cleaners and you’ll be fine.

The lifetime warranty offers peace of mind, but I haven’t had a reason to test it. The manufacturer here is Stanley Black & Decker, and DeWalt’s hand tool warranty process has a decent reputation in most regions.

Where this set fits best

• Automotive work on older American vehicles and restorations where SAE fasteners are the norm
• Outdoor power equipment, lawn and garden, small engines
• Plumbing and shop fixtures that use larger SAE sizes
• General maintenance where a durable, easy-to-clean set earns its keep

If your day-to-day is late-model automotive, you’ll want a metric companion set. For me, keeping this SAE set in the top drawer next to a metric equivalent covers almost everything.

What I’d improve

No set is perfect. A few notes from the field:

• Only SAE: That’s by design, but if you buy it expecting to cover modern vehicles without a metric set, you’ll be reaching for other tools fast.
• Long handles in tight bays: The extra length is an advantage most of the time, but in cramped engine compartments it can occasionally work against you. A stubby companion set would fill that gap.
• Not a travel-oriented organizer: The tray is great for a chest but not for mobile work. A roll or latching case would broaden its utility.
• Speed vs. versatility: These aren’t ratcheting wrenches. If speed on repetitive tasks is your priority, you may want a ratcheting set for those scenarios and keep this set for higher-torque or stubborn fasteners.

None of these are dealbreakers; they’re about matching the tool to the job and rounding out your kit intelligently.

Value and alternatives

This DeWalt set lands in a sweet spot: professional feel and durability without the premium price tag of truck-brand tools. Compared to other mid-tier sets I’ve used, the combination of longer handles, sharp geometry, and genuinely useful large sizes gives it an edge for equipment and maintenance work. If you’re building out a first serious SAE set or upgrading from a piecemeal collection, this is a meaningful step up in consistency and control.

If you’re primarily after speed in tight quarters, a ratcheting set from a reputable brand might share the top drawer. If you travel constantly, look at sets that ship with a proper roll or locking case. But as a foundational SAE set that lives in the box, this one checks the right boxes.

The bottom line

After a solid week of use across engines, yard equipment, and shop hardware, the DeWalt wrench set earned a permanent home in my drawer. The long-panel design provides real-world leverage and reach, the 13° and 15° offsets make tight work manageable, and the DirectTorque box ends treat fasteners with respect. The polished finish cleans up quickly, the hashmark grip helps when things get slick, and the size markings are exactly the kind of small, durable detail that makes life easier years down the road.

Recommendation: I recommend this set for anyone who needs reliable SAE coverage with thoughtful ergonomics and solid durability. It’s especially strong for equipment maintenance, classic car work, and general shop tasks. Pair it with a metric set for full coverage, add a portable roll if you’re mobile, and you’ll have a capable, confidence-inspiring staple that’s ready for daily use.