DeWalt 10 Piece Combination Metric Wrench Set

First impressions and setup

I put this DeWalt metric wrench set straight to work on a front-brake refresh and a round of mower maintenance. Right away, the longer handle profile stood out. Compared to standard-length wrenches in my drawer, these give noticeably more reach and leverage without feeling unwieldy. The polished chrome is clean and consistent, and the stamped size markings on both sides are easy to spot even when I’ve got a few tools laid out on a fender cover. My set arrived in simple retail packaging with no storage rack; depending on where you buy, that may vary, but plan on providing your own organizer if you want one.

Design and build quality

The wrenches are chrome-vanadium steel with a full polished chrome finish. Edges are finished well—no sharp shoulders digging into your hand—and the open and box ends have clean, precise broaching. DeWalt’s hashmark pattern stamped into the handle is a small but meaningful touch; it subtly breaks up the slick feel of polished chrome when your hands are oily without turning the wrench into a cheese grater. I prefer this to rubber inserts or overly aggressive knurling that can catch and fray gloves.

The box end has a 13° offset for knuckle clearance, and the open end is offset 15° to increase arc swing in cramped spots. In practice, the combination works. On a transverse engine with the alternator tucked close to the frame, that small lift off the fastener is enough to clear a nearby bracket without reorienting my wrist. The longer handle helps too, letting me reach past hoses and wiring without resorting to a cheater bar.

DeWalt’s DirectTorque geometry is designed to load the flats more than the corners of fasteners. That’s the right approach for preventing rounding and it showed up in use: slightly weathered caliper bolts and a mower deck nut both broke free cleanly with the box end, and the open end didn’t cam off when I leaned into it more than I should have.

In use: access, leverage, and control

• Access and swing: The 15° open-end offset buys you a little more “ratcheting” motion when you flip the wrench in tight spots. It doesn’t replace a ratcheting wrench, but it reduces the number of times you have to reseat the wrench when space is limited. The longer handle is a two-edged sword here: great for leverage, sometimes a bit long around crowded subframes. Most of the time, it’s a net positive.
  
• Fastener engagement: The fit on metric hardware is snug without being fussy, and the box end grabs flats confidently. I didn’t encounter any chromed fastener marring, and there were no slippy moments on zinc hardware.
  
• Comfort: Under higher torque, the handle’s oval profile spreads load across the palm nicely. With gloves off, the hashmarks add just enough bite to keep the wrench anchored, and with gloves on, they don’t telegraph pressure points.

The size range: what’s included and what’s missing

You get ten sizes: 10 through 19 mm. That’s a logical spread for general automotive, equipment, and household work. I used 10, 12, 13, 14, and 17 mm most during testing, which tracks with typical hardware choices on modern vehicles and appliances. The tradeoff is at the small end: there’s no 7, 8, or 9 mm. If you work on bicycles, small engines, electronics mounts, or older vehicles with smaller fasteners, you’ll likely want to supplement this set. On the large end, 19 mm is a common ceiling for lug nuts and suspension hardware; if you routinely encounter 21–24 mm fasteners, you’ll need a separate wrench or sockets.

Durability and finish

Polished chrome is always a balancing act: it wipes clean easily and resists corrosion well, but it can get slippery. The hashmark pattern helps, and the finish on my set shrugged off brake cleaner, degreaser, and a couple of drops onto a concrete floor without chipping. The size markings are stamped deeply on both sides and are more durable than laser etchings. After a few weeks of use and cleaning, they’re still crisp and legible.

I can’t speak to years-long corrosion resistance yet, but DeWalt backs these with a full lifetime warranty. That doesn’t replace good maintenance, but it’s an assurance that these aren’t disposable tools. Given the feel and machining quality, I’d expect them to hold up well under regular professional or serious DIY use.

What these are—and aren’t

These are straight-ahead combination wrenches. They’re not ratcheting, they’re not flex-head, and they’re not ultra-thin service wrenches. In exchange for simplicity, you get robustness and consistency. When I need speed in repetitive tasks, I reach for ratcheting wrenches. When I need absolute control and torque on stubborn fasteners—or when clearance is limited in a way a ratcheting head won’t accommodate—I like a traditional combination wrench with offsets like these.

The long pattern is worth highlighting. Some long-pattern wrenches get cumbersome; these don’t feel top-heavy, and the extra length seems well judged for their width and thickness. If you’re used to standard-length wrenches, expect a short adaptation period. After a day, I appreciated the added leverage more than I noticed the added length.

Everyday usability

• Identification: Sizes stamped twice on both sides means you can spot the size regardless of orientation. That’s a small productivity gain when you’re moving fast.
  
• Cleaning: The polished chrome wipes clean easily, and the hashmarks don’t trap grime like deep knurling can.
  
• Organization: My set didn’t include a rack. You might get a blister card or small box depending on the seller. If you care about drawer organization or wall storage, plan on a separate rail or roll.

Comparisons and value

In the crowded mid-range category, the set’s appeal is straightforward: longer reach than many house-brand sets, better-than-average grip treatment for a polished handle, and geometry that really does protect fasteners. Some competing sets add a storage rack or roll at similar prices; others trade the long pattern for more sizes. If your priority is maximum access and leverage in the 10–19 mm band, this set is compelling. If your priority is breadth of sizes or ratcheting speed, you’ll want to pair it with other tools or choose a different style.

Pros

• Long handle design provides real leverage without feeling bulky
  
• Useful 13° box and 15° open-end offsets for clearance and arc swing
  
• DirectTorque geometry reduces rounding and slips on worn fasteners
  
• Stamped, double-sided size markings are durable and easy to read
  
• Hashmark handle pattern improves grip with oily hands
  
• Clean, consistent chrome finish that wipes down easily
  
• Backed by a full lifetime warranty

Cons

• Limited to 10–19 mm; lacks smaller sizes common in bikes and small engines
  
• No ratcheting mechanism for speed work
  
• Storage rack not included with some retailers’ packaging
  
• Long pattern can be tight in extremely confined spaces

Final thoughts and recommendation

This DeWalt metric wrench set strikes a smart balance: classic combination wrenches with a few thoughtful upgrades that matter day to day. The longer handles, subtle grip texture, and offset ends add up to better leverage, cleaner access, and solid control. The geometry engages flats confidently, which protects hardware and your knuckles. While the size range is intentionally focused and the packaging isn’t fancy, the fundamentals—fit, finish, and functional design—are well executed.

I recommend this set to mechanics, maintenance techs, and serious DIYers who want a reliable, long-pattern metric lineup for the most common sizes. It’s a strong primary set for general automotive and equipment work, and an excellent complement to a socket kit. If you need tiny metric sizes or ratcheting heads, you’ll want to add those separately. For most users, though, the combination of reach, leverage, and secure fastener engagement makes this a workhorse set that earns its drawer space.