Scroll down about 2/3 of the way on this page...individual prices for the various S-K Wrenches does make the Epstein price a pretty decent buy if you have a need for wrenches that size. I'd guess the Snap-on prices for same size wrenches would be 2x-3x more in today's market.

 

I've estimated if I had to buy new today what I have in my tool chest from my days as a mechanic would easily be north of $30k.

 

https://www.zoro.com/search?categoryl2=Wrenches&q=&brand=SK+PROFESSIONAL+TOOLS&categoryl1=Hand+Tools&page=9

All my combos are from HF. Good enough for what I need. But my sockets and wrenches are all Ace brand. Had to step up for those.

My cheater was cheap, though.

Largest I have ( from running Injection Molding machines) is a 15" adjustable, and an 1-1/4 combo wrench.    There was a "Job Box" that had up to 2-3/8" combo wrenches.

 

I also have a few allen headed sockets....up to 17mm.   Gave up  counting how many 6mm ones I wore out. 

IF something needed fixed, the operator was expected to try  to fix it.   If not, the crew had a Maintenance person with his HUGE tool box.  Then we'd have to restart the machine, and get it set up to make "good parts" at production speed.   8 years was quite enough of that.  

Speaking of the old hardware stores we still have one in the area here. Family owned for over 100 years. Still has the old oiled hardwood floors and they do have coffee all the time, no peanuts. I shop there a lot, one of those places where everyone knows your name when you walk in. 

Has that smell even though they have modernized. 

 

The current owner is getting up in years and his children don't want to keep it running so when he is gone we may well lose it. 

 

Thanks for the link, I'll bookmark and add to the bucket list.