What am I missing? (wrenches)

[pipsters]

There are tons and tons of threads on here about wrenches. Comparing all kinds. I must be missing something here, and maybe it's my inexperience showing but I have still done quite a bit of work on my cars. But I don't really use wrenches. I've used a couple when backing up a bolt when using an impact on the other side but that's about it. In fact I try to at all possible NOT use a wrench and use a ratchet/breaker bar-socket combo if at all possible.

I own the Craftsman RP and Pro/polished ones and while the Pro/polished ones are nice, for the amount of times I use them it's certainly not worth the extra $$ IMO to buy these really expensive wrenches.

 

[CaisedoA]

There are tons and tons of threads on here about wrenches. Comparing all kinds. I must be missing something here, and maybe it's my inexperience showing but I have still done quite a bit of work on my cars. But I don't really use wrenches. I've used a couple when backing up a bolt when using an impact on the other side but that's about it. In fact I try to at all possible NOT use a wrench and use a ratchet/breaker bar-socket combo if at all possible.

I own the Craftsman RP and Pro/polished ones and while the Pro/polished ones are nice, for the amount of times I use them it's certainly not worth the extra $$ IMO to buy these really expensive wrenches.

I guess it friends what youre working on, I work mostly on heavy equipment and find myself using wrenches a lot more than ratchets.

 

[CaisedoA]

Depends, not friends, I hate posting from my phone

 

[MarkH]

The polished wrenches look nice and for some people that is the draw.

For us wrenches are great since we can drop them in the machinery toolboxes and they survive not maintenance no moving parts. Dig them out of the mud at the bottom of the box wipe them off and then put them back. Rust does not stop them, mud does not stop them. In the shop much less used. Look to the left and ask on a tool box hanging on the outside and some tools have sat there now for closing in on 30 years do you want a RP wrench or a fragile by comparison ratchet and other tools.

 

[Mickey O]

Wrenches will be obsolete by the year 2014.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I've been wrenching since the 1970s. Every tool has their job.

What you have should suffice you well. Perhaps some ratchet wrenches to make things a bit more covered.

Depending on what you do as far as working on your own cars will dictate what you need. I primarily wrench on 4x4 trucks and suv. Everything from body work and paint, custom fabrication, engine rebuilds and upgrades, ring and pinion upgrdes/lockers, to suspension modifications.

In these applications a ratchet is not always the best choice or even practical

 

[CaisedoA]

Wrenches will be obsolete by the year 2014.

I seriously doubt that

 

[EvilWelder]

As it has been said, try to get a ratchet on something in the bowels of a piece of heavy equipment.

 

[Hetman]

Sockets do 80% of work, that's true. You missed something very important, though: all those threads about having 50+ ratchets .

 

[EvilWelder]

Lol, I have at least 12 ratchets just on my service truck.

 

[Outlawmws]

Sockets do 80% of work, that's true. You missed something very important, though: all those threads about having 50+ ratchets .

I only have 41, still a few to go...

 

[glenmore]

Nothing. I am just your average DIYer working on the family cars and I find I use ratchets and sockets most of the time also. It just never occurs to me to reach for a wrench first. You will use wrenches a lot though around the fuel systems. You'll need a good set of combos and flares.

 

[OEXL16B]

The polished wrenches look nice and for some people that is the draw.

They actually do serve a purpose other than looks. Those RP wrenches with their 4 sharp corners on the RP will rub my hands raw after using them all day. Smooth chrome is so much more soothing.

 

[davesnothere]

I fail to see what's wrong with having many many ratchets or many many sets of wrenches.

 

[greasemonkey44]

I fail to see what's wrong with having many many ratchets or many many sets of wrenches.

nothing; just a amateur wonder why we pros are tool crazy


basically, wrenches are almost indestructible
they fit in limited access areas
they don't reverse

i have a huge drawer full of wrenches; every size and shape i need
they work when sockets just wont

 

[Outlawmws]

SNIP

basically, wrenches are almost indestructible
they fit in limited access areas
they don't reverse

i have a huge drawer full of wrenches; every size and shape i need
they work when sockets just wont

on This ^^^^

Describes my wrench collection, and I'm not even a "Pro" (Whatever that means...)

Also, as you get away from vehicles, generally the ratchets and sockets get less use than a good set of wrenches...

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

I use a lot of wrenches on boats due to limited access, ratchets only work on certain things for me

 

[shoturtle]

Well the newer cars, there are allot of close quarters, and I have found that there are times that you just can not get a ratchet and socket combo in, and even a low profile pass through would be tight. Those places a wrench comes in very handily.

And on sporty motorcycles some spots are so tight, you can only get a wrench in.

 

[TwoInch]

They actually do serve a purpose other than looks. Those RP wrenches with their 4 sharp corners on the RP will rub my hands raw after using them all day. Smooth chrome is so much more soothing.

tongue in cheek... or....:supergay: ?

 

[Exceller8]

I use wrenches mostly for tight spaces. I've had them for years so why not use them now and again.

 

[shoturtle]

In very tight spaces, you might only be able to get in a stubby wrench.

 

[catsteve]

I often find myself wishing for some deep offset wrenches when a socket just won't fit.

 

[ajchien]

I've got a few thoughts...

First, like a lot of people have said, access is important. I can think of maybe 5 things that I do that only a wrench fits and a ratchet and socket won't. Add to this, sometimes you need a pass-through for a line, or a nut on a really along bolt, or for fluid to come out.

Secondly, I think it's unfair that you're comparing wrenches to ratchet/sockets. You should be comparing wrenches to breaker bar/sockets. You should be comparing ratcheting wrenches to ratchets/sockets.

Third, The ergonomics are a little different. Often times I find myself with ratcheting wrenches when working from below looking up, while using a ratchet/socket while working above, looking down. But that may just be my preference.

 

[BWS]

Rarely use sockets in our mill/cabinet shop.....don't use'm that much in machine shop neither.This is on the equip......lots of spindle work.

Assembly is where sockets and air ratchets get used here.

 

[metaldad]

I only have 41, still a few to go...

curses! beat again!

 

[kc-steve]

Like most tools, if need a specific tool and don't have it . . . might as well take your marbles and go home ya know?

Off hand, I couldn't even tell ya how many wrench SETS I have.
But to be fair, most are for sale.

Steve

 

[franzdom]

Sockets twist a little bit too, when I was a bicycle mechanic years ago I used wrenches almost exclusively because they were in line with the torque being applied and because so many of the flats were not deep enough to hold a socket securely. There were many specialty wrenches also, but I can't remember any specialty sockets.

 

[HandyManny]

There are tons and tons of threads on here about wrenches. Comparing all kinds. I must be missing something here, and maybe it's my inexperience showing but I have still done quite a bit of work on my cars. But I don't really use wrenches. I've used a couple when backing up a bolt when using an impact on the other side but that's about it. In fact I try to at all possible NOT use a wrench and use a ratchet/breaker bar-socket combo if at all possible.

I own the Craftsman RP and Pro/polished ones and while the Pro/polished ones are nice, for the amount of times I use them it's certainly not worth the extra $$ IMO to buy these really expensive wrenches.

My wrenching profession occured back in the days before 3/8" drive cordless impacts were available. So needless to say back in my day breaker bars, combo wrenches, offset box wrenches followed by loosening with ratchets and speed handles were the most common tools used for most fasteners inside an engine compartment. Back then 1/2" impacts were common for larger nuts and bolts on structure frames and lugs. Today it's much faster and cheaper to use a cordless impact driver with a universal joint or extention bar attached for most fasteners inside an engine compartment. Speed handles are also still a choice for me as well. Thing about most serious mechanical work on vehicles or aircraft is that you can't accomplish every fix, add-on, or repair with just sockets and wrenches, as there are many other specialized tools you will need and use that are not fastener drivers. Driver tools and wrenches just allow you to access the parts that require more specialized tools.

 

[tjmonsen5]

I find that I use ratcheting wrenches much more than regular ratchets and sockets. Ratcheting wrenches are quick and easy to use, provided you have the clearance. Of course there are times when you absolutely need a ratchet or certain tool for the job.

 

[efoster01]

Wrenches are critical when working on anything with hydraulic power. When removing lines a socket just won't work. And I would give away every socket in my toolbox before I got rid of my snapon 4-way offset wrench set. 1/4" - 2". Does everything I need. JMO.

Evan.

 

[monster1]

I use my air tools whenever possible. But I have to say my combo wrenches are my favorite tool in the box. They're shiny. LOL

 

[Flatintoone]

I asked a co-worker (who spent 25+ years as a mechanic/technician on all sorts of equipment) why he always seemed to grab wrenches to take anything apart-even when it looked obvious to me that ratchet/socket would have been faster. He had to stop and think for a minute, then said "Personal preference." He was used to using wrenches and was able to be fast and efficient with them, so that's what he used.

 

[geologist]

I prefer wrenches myself, especially when I need a lot of leverage.

 

[5mall5nail5]

50% of the time I cannot fit a socket on a fastener. Wrenches are important to me.

 

[concealer404]

I hate wrenches and would prefer to never use them. Luckily, most of my cars have enough space to just use sockets at least 90% of the time.

I'll never (so i say NOW) have more than just a basic set of combo wrenches and the ratcheting wrenches i seem to keep buying. (Ratchet wrenches are AOK in my book.)

 

[pipsters]

I hate wrenches and would prefer to never use them. Luckily, most of my cars have enough space to just use sockets at least 90% of the time.

I'll never (so i say NOW) have more than just a basic set of combo wrenches and the ratcheting wrenches i seem to keep buying. (Ratchet wrenches are AOK in my book.)

Yeah I got suckered into the sets at Sears...$145 RP set, the $55 Pro/polished USA set, the $70 double box end deep offset set, the SAE and MM 6 point smaller 10 pc sets, the 9 pc RP flare nut set, and of course the crows foot and flare nut crows foot sets. I mostly bought the crows feet because they were the last US made ones, and they were fairly reasonable cost wise. I did have to use the flare nut crows feet when installing my sink so they have definitely come in handy!

That was on my tool buying binge...I never wanted to need a wrench size, ever, when working as I used to have just a small set from my Craftsman starter kit. Pissed me off when I didn't have one. But I went overboard...what you don't see is the two large double box end RP sets I just sold (via GJ).

 

[OEXL16B]

I hate wrenches and would prefer to never use them.

You've just never had the right wrench in your hand. If you ever get ahold of one of those Bonney wrenches, you'll never wanna let go.

 

[redwrench60]

I'm really not trying to put anybody down here but you're sheltered. If you worked on a wide variety of different cars and trucks day in and day out you'd learn to appreciate lots of different styles and types of wrenches. A mechanic can't have too many different kinds of wrenches! Oh yeah....they are shiney too!

 

[concealer404]

You've just never had the right wrench in your hand. If you ever get ahold of one of those Bonney wrenches, you'll never wanna let go.

That's weird. If they're so awesome, how come nobody is buying the set i have in the classifieds?

My new Carlyle set feels nice in my hands compared to anything i've had prior, but they don't make me want to put down the ratchet in favor of them.

 

[Mickey O]

I seriously doubt that

That's what people said about the slide rule, don't see to many of those around these days.