Reversible or Standard Ratchet Wrenches

[amishman]

I own a small set of Craftsman reversible ratchet wrenches I purchased a couple years back. They are nice. I always see great sales on the NON reversible models where I guess to go opposite direction, you need to flip the wrench over. Just curious whether having them reversible is worth the extra $$. I kind of like the idea of not removing the head from the bolt and just flick a switch to go opposite direction but really, flipping the wrench over is no biggee.

Just curious whether you all prefer the reversible style or not and save the extra $ and only get them and not the standard style.

tj

[Diesel-Mech]

I have both....I prefer the non reversing.

[J.A.F.E.]

I prefer the non reversing too. The reverse lever kind of gets in my way.

[dxdexter]

I have non reversing. The only problem I have is remembering which way is which. The non reversing are also flat if that makes a difference. I'm not sure but I think the reversing ones are offset.

[Frank Elson]

non-reversing here too. Saving a few seconds is no biggie for me.

[Uncle Buck]

Tight boy here, what I never had I won't miss. That was my logic for getting the non reversing ones. Besides, I am on my time and not working against the clock.

[64merc]

I'll vote for the non-reversing. They're cheaper, and it's one less thing to break. I do have some reversing Cmans only because I got them cheap in the clearance section.

[Charles (in GA)]

Wait till you use the non-reversing type to remove a nut in a very tight place only to discover that you cannot get the wrench off, and since it won't reverse, you cannot run the nut back down to get the wrench out.

Charles

[Mike83]

A more important difference than the lever is access with a flat wrench vs a 15 deg bent wrench. For longer wrenches, that 15 degrees adds up and can either help you or hurt you.

Personally, I have flat in all styles.

[back2class]

Wait till you use the non-reversing type to remove a nut in a very tight place only to discover that you cannot get the wrench off, and since it won't reverse, you cannot run the nut back down to get the wrench out.

Charles

YES. Flat stink for this reason. it has happened to me before

[DHCrocks]

I have both and usually go for the reversing ones. The flat non-reversing ones usually end up with a few scraped knuckes. I thought the inline action of the non-reversing ones would be better to apply torque but the angled head of the reversing one is just as good but gives better clearance for your hands.

[peteco]

Start with the non-reversing: cheaper and some situations where the 15-deg offset won't fit. You should have standard combination wrenches anyway to handle when you need the offset. Then put the reversing ones on your Birthday/Christmas list.

[amishman]

Wait till you use the non-reversing type to remove a nut in a very tight place only to discover that you cannot get the wrench off, and since it won't reverse, you cannot run the nut back down to get the wrench out.

Charles

This just happened to me, so, I think I will stick with reversing. <grin> :wtf:

I was removing a 17mm engine nut from my VW and was using a slim GearRatchet with 17mm socket. If that was too large and I got to almost the end and could not get the ratchet off. I had to reverse and tighten it back somewhat so I can remove the GearRatchet and remove the rest of the way with a standard 17mm. My darn set did not come with a 17mm gear wrench, only up to 15mm, so I sure wanted one then. :pimpflash

I also need me some S shaped and 1/2 Moon also.

Might do the gearwrench brand for those.

tj

[Uncle Buck]

Wait till you use the non-reversing type to remove a nut in a very tight place only to discover that you cannot get the wrench off, and since it won't reverse, you cannot run the nut back down to get the wrench out.

Charles

Very true, I learned that quickly. You must pay attention when using the non reversing ones.

[autoace]

Are we not all tool mongers? YOU NEED BOTH, and long ones, flex ones, shorts ones,reverse levers, some without,SAE,mm,etc...:lol_hitti

In tight spaces for (fastener lock out)the reverse ones are good for the above posted reasons, but in some tight quarters, it's easy to hit the reverse lever, and the damn thing has to be switched back. So I call 6 of one/half dozen of the other, they are both good depending on application.

[Fedwrench]

I prefer the angled reversible ones for most tasks. They give me more flexibility when swinging the wrench. I do have the nonreversibles in xtra long, stubby, and flex versions. You can never have too many variations of wrenches.:bounce:

[speed bump]

I would buy the Gearwrench reversibles if they didn't have that stupid cap stop feature. At some point I might buy some reversibles but for now the non reversing work for everything I do.

[jerk_chicken]

I would buy the Gearwrench reversibles if they didn't have that stupid cap stop feature. At some point I might buy some reversibles but for now the non reversing work for everything I do.

The wrenches are available without capstop. I bought a larger set off Ebay. I like them too, but there have been points where the capstop on my original 8pc set really made life easy.

[chammyman]

get flex head ones, I have the flat (zero degree) offset ones and I used to have flex head ones, I miss them a lot.

[speed bump]

The wrenches are available without capstop. I bought a larger set off Ebay. I like them too, but there have been points where the capstop on my original 8pc set really made life easy.

Hmm, I've never seen a set without a capstop before.

[jerk_chicken]

Posted this is another thread:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=26223&d=1234639828

[Krawlin98ZJ]

I vote for both. but in reality I usually use the reversing ones. I too have ran into the problem of getting a non reversible wrench into a spot i couldn't easily get it out of.