Reversible Ratcheting Wrenches vs. Typical Ratcheting Wrenches

[winlinmac]

I recently purchased a 5-piece set of flex ratcheting wrenches (Metric-only) from Harbor Freight. I later noticed set of "Flex reversible" ratcheting wrenches available at my local Home Depot. Is there much of a difference, or just marketing fluff?

I found Husky's Reversible Ratcheting Wrench Set for $20 at Home Depot

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Metric-Reversible-Ratchet-Wrench-Set-5-Piece-HRRW5PCMM/202934585

Not sure if these are worth it though

 

[FigureItOut]

HF has a flex head set similar to the Husky one. I own them and there are times I simply couldn't complete certain tasks without them. That being said the flex head can make it difficult to get and stay engaged on your fastener.

At $20 or so a set of metric flex head ratcheters are definitely worth having around in my opinion.



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[winlinmac]

Thanks, can't go without a 20% off coupon
The ones at Harbor Freight are Made in Taiwan now whereas the Husky's are still Made in China.
Harbor Freight is taking great leaps now. Glad to see the progress. The successor to Old Craftsman.

HF has a flex head set similar to the Husky one. I own them and there are times I simply couldn't complete certain tasks without them. That being said the flex head can make it difficult to get and stay engaged on your fastener.

At $20 or so a set of metric flex head ratcheters are definitely worth having around in my opinion.



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[FigureItOut]

I didn't know that them being made in Taiwan. Harbor Freight's prices are going up but the quality is going up faster.

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[winlinmac]

That's very True
I wouldn't mind the extra $2-$3 in price increase. Lifetime Warranty in Hand Tools. The old reviews are obsolete and absolute nonsense now.

Recent reviews are very positive, and in order to appreciate the recent improvements in their inventory, you need to physically walk into their store. The quality is even better than the big names like Stanley and Craftsman now.

Never, and I'll say this again, never order from their Online Store.

I didn't know that them being made in Taiwan. Harbor Freight's prices are going up but the quality is going up faster.

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[FigureItOut]

Thanks, can't go without a 20% off coupon
.

If you go this weekend there's a 20% of entire purchase, rather than just single item, coupon. I know the cashiers well enough that I usually get that deal anyway, which is very nice.


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[winlinmac]

I was never aware of a 20% off entire coupon purchase. Here is their current flyer,

If you go this weekend there's a 20% of entire purchase, rather than just single item, coupon. I know the cashiers well enough that I usually get that deal anyway, which is very nice.


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[FigureItOut]

I uploaded the one I got in their email to hfqpdb.com. If you're not aware of it, that website is a fantastic resource.

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[winlinmac]

Thanks, that's an excellent coupon, I would have used it on my recent purchases. I've been to multiple HF locations in one day using their 20% off coupons

Technically, you should be able to use this as well as a 20% off coupon for single item as well.

You should post this coupon in a separate thread on Garage Journal. I doubt many are aware of the existence of this coupon.

I uploaded the one I got in their email to hfqpdb.com. If you're not aware of it, that website is a fantastic resource.

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[Chris_L]

They aren't worth buying if they aren't reversible imho.

 

[FigureItOut]

You're welcome.

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[retDAC]

Note from a (former?) member: "The reversibles are often stronger than the non-reversibles."

From here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=205211&postcount=18

He worked for one of the best Taiwanese mfrs. About 6-10 years ago they tested practically every ratcheting wrench available at that time.

 

[LumpyMusic]

I own both the HF colored, flat set and a set of Kobalt flex heads. I agree 100% with FigureItOut. When you NEED the flex head, almost nothing else will do. But you can't apply much torque and the head tends to not stay on the fastener unless you can hold it there with your free hand.

I also agree that the HF line is coming up. They're doing it just to piss off the tool polishers who think the end of the world is near due to Craftsman going off-shore.


Sgt Lumpy

 

[Philbert]

Tool polishing. I guess I'm guilty of that, after I work with them. I did break out some polish for some of my tools when I returned from my deployment. I found my Starret 4" square rusting on the ground when I was home. Aparrently some people went in my shed when I was away. The Wife and I had a discussion about that..... I srubed out some rust on a few other Items aswell. I like that old square. Got it from a widow of an old friend of mind. I got a bit bent when I found it in the condition it was. Fortunatly it was not too rusted up just a few stains.

 

[1982fxr]

That's very True
I wouldn't mind the extra $2-$3 in price increase. Lifetime Warranty in Hand Tools. The old reviews are obsolete and absolute nonsense now.

Recent reviews are very positive, and in order to appreciate the recent improvements in their inventory, you need to physically walk into their store. The quality is even better than the big names like Stanley and Craftsman now.

Never, and I'll say this again, never order from their Online Store.

hf hand tools are better than stanley hand tools?

that's like comparing stool samples

 

[MrGiggles]

I'll take offset reversible almost every time. Unfortunately HF doesn't carry any of those, but they are available from Gearwrench.

Normal non-reversible have limited usefulness since the box end isn't offset,

I've never used the flex ones but they don't seem all that great to me. I could be wrong though.

What I do want to try is the Gearbox combos from GW.. Break it loose with the box end, then flip it over and ratchet it out. I don't use the open end of my ratchet wrenches very often.

 

[winlinmac]

I found Husky's Reversible Ratcheting Wrench Set for $20 at Home Depot

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Metric-Reversible-Ratchet-Wrench-Set-5-Piece-HRRW5PCMM/202934585

Not sure if these are worth it though

 

[winlinmac]

Can't you just flip the wrench to go on the other side in order to turn towards the opposite direction?

 

[winlinmac]

I have both the flex and nonreversible ratcheting wrenches from Harbor Freight. Should I just return those and go with the Reversible's from Husky Instead (although it only comes in 5-piece)?

I could definitely depend on the offset angle, especially in tight spots like in plumbing and automobile DIY work

 

[Ign]

Can't you just flip the wrench to go on the other side in order to turn towards the opposite direction?

You will eventually find a time when that's not sufficient.

 

[winlinmac]

Thank you Ign, should I just purchase the Husky Set and return the other sets to Harbor Freight?

You will eventually find a time when that's not sufficient.

 

[darkside91]

I have a set of metric offset Craftsman reversible, standard flat (not offset) non-reversible Gear Wrench, and a set of flex non-reversible Gear Wrench. I like the Craftsman reversible the best out of the 3. They feel more comfortable and if you just used them to loosen something, you know you just flip the lever and the wrench is set to tighten. The non-reversible aren't bad but sometimes they feel awkward because they are flat. You also have to fiddle with them to figure out whether you have them on the right way to tighten or loosen which isn't terrible but a little annoying at times. I can't really think of a time where I would have grabbed the non-reversible wrench over the reversible. The flex ratcheting wrenches are nice sometimes but the flex heads on the ones I've used a lot have started to loosen up so the head kinda flops around. They basically require two handed operation to keep the flex head in the proper place.

I found Husky's Reversible Ratcheting Wrench Set for $20 at Home Depot

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Metric-Reversible-Ratchet-Wrench-Set-5-Piece-HRRW5PCMM/202934585

Not sure if these are worth it though

These Husky wrenches look like they are surely worth 20 bucks and are remarkably similar to the Craftsman reversible ratcheting wrenches that I have. They are probably all made by Gear Wrench. Home Depot also has the 8 piece sets for $59.97 which probably isn't as good of a deal but its basically the complete set.
http://www.homedepot.com/b/Tools-Ha...nches-Wrench-Sets/GearWrench/N-5yc1vZc90jZ7op

Can't you just flip the wrench to go on the other side in order to turn towards the opposite direction?

Yes. The issue with non-reversible ratcheting wrenches is that they are usually flat, with no offset, so your knuckles (and the wrench itself) sometimes interfere with things you are working on depending on their shape. The offset wrenches provide a little clearance.

I have both the flex and nonreversible ratcheting wrenches from Harbor Freight. Should I just return those and go with the Reversible's from Husky Instead (although it only comes in 5-piece)?

I could definitely depend on the offset angle, especially in tight spots like in plumbing and automobile DIY work

I would probably trade my non-reversible and flex head ratcheting wrenches for a set of reversible wrenches. Depending on what you do (or what you might do in the future), you may want more than the 5 piece set. I think the Craftsman came the same way and I had to buy a few singles to fill in the series. A full set is handy. Now that I think about it, the Gear Wrench sets are both basically a complete set which is a benefit I hadn't thought of til just now.

You will eventually find a time when that's not sufficient.

Not sure what this means. Reversing direction just takes flipping the wrench over. I assume you are referring to the inconvenience of the flat wrench. Is this correct?

 

[winlinmac]

Thank you for the informative response. I'm sure the offset really does make a difference. An example is when the other day I had to remove the two bolts securing the toilet to the flange. A flat ratcheting wrench produced an awkward angle which forced me to repeatedly readjust the orientation of my hands, which I found frustrating.

I have a set of metric offset Craftsman reversible, standard flat (not offset) non-reversible Gear Wrench, and a set of flex non-reversible Gear Wrench. I like the Craftsman reversible the best out of the 3. They feel more comfortable and if you just used them to loosen something, you know you just flip the lever and the wrench is set to tighten. The non-reversible aren't bad but sometimes they feel awkward because they are flat. You also have to fiddle with them to figure out whether you have them on the right way to tighten or loosen which isn't terrible but a little annoying at times. I can't really think of a time where I would have grabbed the non-reversible wrench over the reversible. The flex ratcheting wrenches are nice sometimes but the flex heads on the ones I've used a lot have started to loosen up so the head kinda flops around. They basically require two handed operation to keep the flex head in the proper place.



These Husky wrenches look like they are surely worth 20 bucks and are remarkably similar to the Craftsman reversible ratcheting wrenches that I have. They are probably all made by Gear Wrench. Home Depot also has the 8 piece sets for $59.97 which probably isn't as good of a deal but its basically the complete set.
http://www.homedepot.com/b/Tools-Ha...nches-Wrench-Sets/GearWrench/N-5yc1vZc90jZ7op



Yes. The issue with non-reversible ratcheting wrenches is that they are usually flat, with no offset, so your knuckles (and the wrench itself) sometimes interfere with things you are working on depending on their shape. The offset wrenches provide a little clearance.



I would probably trade my non-reversible and flex head ratcheting wrenches for a set of reversible wrenches. Depending on what you do (or what you might do in the future), you may want more than the 5 piece set. I think the Craftsman came the same way and I had to buy a few singles to fill in the series. A full set is handy. Now that I think about it, the Gear Wrench sets are both basically a complete set which is a benefit I hadn't thought of til just now.


Not sure what this means. Reversing direction just takes flipping the wrench over. I assume you are referring to the inconvenience of the flat wrench. Is this correct?

 

[winlinmac]

The only good complete set I could find is from Crescent Tools (Made in Taiwan),
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Crescent-7p...etric-FRRM7-/400484743524?hash=item5d3ec03964

From Cripe Distributing
Seems reasonable to me, best of both worlds (Offset and Reversibility)

 

[winlinmac]

If I purchase 8mm and 17mm separately, comes to roughly the same price as a complete set.

This set is good too but Made in China,

 

[MrGiggles]

I have both the flex and nonreversible ratcheting wrenches from Harbor Freight. Should I just return those and go with the Reversible's from Husky Instead (although it only comes in 5-piece)?

I could definitely depend on the offset angle, especially in tight spots like in plumbing and automobile DIY work

I bought two sets of standard non reversible HF wrenches and thought they would be handier than pockets on a shirt, but I hardly ever use them because the boxed ends are so large, and the zero offset is a hindrance most of the time.

If I purchase 8mm and 17mm separately, comes to roughly the same price as a complete set.

This set is good too but Made in China,

Advance has this set on sale sometimes for 29.99. I bought them and am very pleased.

I encountered a problem with one wrench, emailed Apex, and had a new one in my mailbox 3 days later. Their customer service was excellent.

 

[uart]

Thank you for the informative response. I'm sure the offset really does make a difference. An example is when the other day I had to remove the two bolts securing the toilet to the flange. A flat ratcheting wrench produced an awkward angle which forced me to repeatedly readjust the orientation of my hands, which I found frustrating.

One other advantage of the reversible ones is that you can't get them "trapped" in a tight spot. I know it doesn't sound very likely, and if it's never happened to you then you mightn't even be able to imagine that it would.

But it really can happen surprisingly easily. You're backing out a bolt with an obstruction behind and suddenly you're backed up up against the obstruction and you can't back it off to get the wrench off the bolt! You can't go forward and you can't go backwards!

It happened to me just a few weeks ago re-hanging a gate. Was backing out a lag screw holding a hing and I got the (non rev) wrench jammed between the gate and the post.

 

[winlinmac]

Thank you. I'll be on the lookout on the next sale. Is this set Made in China or Taiwan?

I noticed the zero offset on the non-reversible Harbor Freight one, not that pleased even though the set is Made in Taiwan. Why purchase two separate sets for separate intentions, when I can buy just one set which combines the best of both worlds and call it a day.

Like others said, Reversible is probably the best way to go.

I bought two sets of standard non reversible HF wrenches and thought they would be handier than pockets on a shirt, but I hardly ever use them because the boxed ends are so large, and the zero offset is a hindrance most of the time.



Advance has this set on sale sometimes for 29.99. I bought them and am very pleased.

I encountered a problem with one wrench, emailed Apex, and had a new one in my mailbox 3 days later. Their customer service was excellent.

 

[winlinmac]

Awesome: I found the Gearwrench set at Advance Auto for $42 dollars after applying the 30% off coupon, just need to confirm if Made in China or Taiwan

 

[winlinmac]

After scurrying through all the comments, it seems its wise to return the standard zero offset combination ratcheting wrenches to Harbor Freight and pick up the Reversible ratcheting wrenches from GearWrench instead.

 

[winlinmac]

The ones with zero offset are probably not worth it

 

[Strouty]

Just so you know, most ratcheting wrenches are made outside the USA and if they are made in the USA, they most likely pay a royalty fee to Taiwan.

Zero offset have a place, but they can be very limited. Another thing is cheap wrenches usually have bad sizing on the open ends.

Also I am glad you didn't add a thumbs down to this thread, you were driving some of us crazy.

 

[Bagherra]

One other advantage of the reversible ones is that you can't get them "trapped" in a tight spot. I know it doesn't sound very likely, and if it's never happened to you then you mightn't even be able to imagine that it would.

But it really can happen surprisingly easily. You're backing out a bolt with an obstruction behind and suddenly you're backed up up against the obstruction and you can't back it off to get the wrench off the bolt! You can't go forward and you can't go backwards!

It happened to me just a few weeks ago re-hanging a gate. Was backing out a lag screw holding a hing and I got the (non rev) wrench jammed between the gate and the post.

This happened to me before,,,wasn't fun to deal with..

 

[uart]

This happened to me before,,,wasn't fun to deal with..

In my case it wasn't a huge problem because it wasn't a flange head bolt and I had room to slip an opened ended in behind it to run it back a bit and release the stuck wrench.

The problem was that it was a 13mm bolt head, and the only 13mm open ended wrench I had with my at the time was, you guessed it, on the other end of the stuck wrench.

Made me realize how easy it can happen though.

 

[winlinmac]

I have open box wrenches as well, and they are also ratcheting and have no offset, I'll keep this.

However, I'm going to return the irreversible ratcheting wrenches to Harbor Freight and buy the reversible GearWrench.

This happened to me before,,,wasn't fun to deal with..

 

[MrGiggles]

The set I bought in July was from China. There may be some Taiwan sets still around, but not likely from a high volume retailer like Advance.

 

[Pansy]

The Dewalt reversible wrenches are a nice option. They're made in Taiwan and don't skip sizes. The only issues I see with choosing Dewalt over Gearwrench is they currently don't sell wrenches individually, so you wouldn't be able to expand beyond what is offered in the sets, also it's possible you may run into trouble with non-warranty replacement(s).

http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-Reversible-Ratcheting-Metric-Wrench/dp/B00FAE6G68

 

[winlinmac]

The Dewalt option looks enticing. Thanks

The Dewalt reversible wrenches are a nice option. They're made in Taiwan and don't skip sizes. The only issues I see with choosing Dewalt over Gearwrench is they currently don't sell wrenches individually, so you wouldn't be able to expand beyond what is offered in the sets, also it's possible you may run into trouble with non-warranty replacement(s).

http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-Reversible-Ratcheting-Metric-Wrench/dp/B00FAE6G68

 

[87slosohc]

Reversible offset and locking flex are my preference. Bought my guys a husky set for the center tool cart and haven't had to replace any of them from breakage.

 

[winlinmac]

Not to worry, Dewalt offers a Lifetime Warranty. Other larger sizes I can probably get individually from GearWrench and the like when needed. Thanks again, you're a lifesaver.

The Dewalt reversible wrenches are a nice option. They're made in Taiwan and don't skip sizes. The only issues I see with choosing Dewalt over Gearwrench is they currently don't sell wrenches individually, so you wouldn't be able to expand beyond what is offered in the sets, also it's possible you may run into trouble with non-warranty replacement(s).

http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-Reversible-Ratcheting-Metric-Wrench/dp/B00FAE6G68