Wrenches vs Sockets

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

I love my wrenches. I accumulate wrenches like women accumulate shoes.

I have sets of:

- Stahlwille Stabil
- Stahlwille Motor
- Hazet 600N
- Proto ASD
- Proto ratcheting spline
- USA Craftsman
- USA Kobalt
- Taiwan Kobalt

I also have random Bonney, Elora, and Gedore wrenches.

Having said all that, I replaced the timing belt, water pump, and spark plugs on my wife's Honda Odyssey minivan this weekend. This involves removing a lot of stuff (including an engine mount) just to get access.

How many non-socket wrenches did I use? Zero. There just wasn't a place where they were appropriate.

On the other hand, I did use dozens of combinations of u-joints, wobble extensions, deep, shallow, 6 point, and 12 point sockets, in 1/4", 1/2", and 3/4" drives.

If I had to pick an MVP, it would be one of these three:

 

[bcradio]

what was the 3/4" drive for?

 

[JBradley500]

what was the 3/4" drive for?

Crank pulley bolt?

 

[MrGiggles]

what was the 3/4" drive for?

Balancer bolt I'm guessing.

Short extensions are invaluable for FWD engine work.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

Crank pulley bolt?

Yep. I tried it with a 1/2" but it had too much flex.

Ended up using three x 8" 3/4" extensions and a 3/4" breaker bar with 4' of black pipe slid over it.

Clunk! Squeak! CLUNK! And done.

 

[mjoekingz28]

Until somewhat recently I never cared for nor saw the point of a wrench. I am/have been a socket, ratchet type guy and never really thought about the words 'socket wrench'.

However, after outfitting a collection of wrenches......my first set was a few (15-20 or so) Craftsman 6pt that was included with a purchase of a dear to me 100+ 6pt socket set. I then, started getting what I could. i bought, I think, individual/loose Craftsman 6pts, like 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm to round out the set. Then I just bought a whole set since it was about the same prices as buying loose wrenches. Finally I think my 6pt was complete.

Then, I got the Craftsman 12pt metric kit that contains up to like 22mm and has very small wrenches with it that I liked for adjusting wheel spokes ( I admit I never used them as of 5 years of ownership. Then, I needed to get SAE, so I got up to 7/8ths 12pt India made from Auto Zone. I also, have four Harbor Freight monkey wrenches, the big one having come n handy for removing a mechanical fan from a truck and also a manual shifter, which was larger than my 22mm and 7/8ths combo wrenches could turn.




I started changing oil (drain plugs) with wrenches. I just about always used a socket, but tried to use my wrenches more and really like the feel and one handed operation you get with a wrench. A socket/ratchet you have to hold just right so as not to partially engage the oil plug. With a wrench, it really isnt a factor.

 

[gdocktor3]

Is that a 1/4" SK ratchet in the middle? If so, that should be the MVP. I have many 1/4" ratchets - Snappy 72, GW 120, Mac MR5, Craftsman USA round and pear head, Easco round head qr, Blue Point qr 36 tooth, Crescent/GW roto ratchet, HF roto ratchet, Stanley, Husky, Benchtop, and other Taiwan ****. The SK is by far the greatest 1/4" ratchet I own. If it had a quick release like the Easco, it would be the greatest ratchet I own, period. I like it so much, when I emailed them for a rebuild kit I wrote an entire paragraph telling them so.

 

[Adam.C]

To me, the message is, what constitutes a "basic set of mechanics tools" is no longer merely shallows and deeps, 6 pt and 12 and a set of combo wrenches. Used to be you could completely rebuild a car with those tools. No more.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

Actually, it is the 3/8" SK, the 45173. It is a 3/8" head in a 1/4" body.

The 1/4" is a Wright. It was a time saver for loosening a bolt without having to remove the PS pump.

 

[woody6904]

Is that a 1/4" SK ratchet in the middle? If so, that should be the MVP. I have many 1/4" ratchets - Snappy 72, GW 120, Mac MR5, Craftsman USA round and pear head, Easco round head qr, Blue Point qr 36 tooth, Crescent/GW roto ratchet, HF roto ratchet, Stanley, Husky, Benchtop, and other Taiwan ****. The SK is by far the greatest 1/4" ratchet I own. If it had a quick release like the Easco, it would be the greatest ratchet I own, period. I like it so much, when I emailed them for a rebuild kit I wrote an entire paragraph telling them so.

x2, the SK 1/4 ratchet is my favorite. But I think in the pic is a SK 45173. Its the 3/8 drive version of that ratchet. When I was looking for a mini 3/8 I was torn between the SK and the Wright 3430, ended up going with Wright for a few dollars cheaper. Don't get me wrong I really like the Wright 3430, but in the back of my mind I wonder what the SK 45173 would be like. Maybe I need to get one and do a comparison...

 

[woody6904]

Actually, it is the 3/8" SK, the 45173. It is a 3/8" head in a 1/4" body.

The 1/4" is a Wright. It was a time saver for loosening a bolt without having to remove the PS pump.

Whoops you were posting as I was typing. Since you have both to compare, which do you prefer between the two just looking at handle and ratchet function? (not concerned with drive size since you can get either in 1/4 or 3/8)

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

Since you have both to compare, which do you prefer between the two just looking at handle and ratchet function? (not concerned with drive size since you can get either in 1/4 or 3/8)

Hoo boy! That is a tough one!

Even though I like the handle of the Wright, I feel like the handle is too long for a 1/4" ratchet. I might try the 3/8" version some time.

My main complaint about the Wright is that it is too easy to change the direction. The switch has no resistance at all. Several times, while worming it into a tight place, I have reversed the direction by bumping it on something.

The SK feels smoother, but I have not lubed either one.

The handle on the SK is perfect for a 1/4" ratchet and works very well for a 3/8" stubby.

The Wright is easier to get into a tight spot though.

I also have the Armstrong flex head 1/4". If I was doing it over, I might would get the Armstrong and SK for 1/4" and get the Wright in 3/8".

 

[woody6904]

Hoo boy! That is a tough one!

Even though I like the handle of the Wright, I feel like the handle is too long for a 1/4" ratchet. I might try the 3/8" version some time.

My main complaint about the Wright is that it is too easy to change the direction. The switch has no resistance at all. Several times, while worming it into a tight place, I have reversed the direction by bumping it on something.

The SK feels smoother, but I have not lubed either one.

The handle on the SK is perfect for a 1/4" ratchet and works very well for a 3/8" stubby.

The Wright is easier to get into a tight spot though.

I also have the Armstrong flex head 1/4". If I was doing it over, I might would get the Armstrong and SK for 1/4" and get the Wright in 3/8".

Thanks for your review, might save me from buying the SK 3/8. I agree with your statement on the Wright about changing direction too easy, it has happened to me several times. How long is your Armstrong flex? Hadn't looked at the Armstrongs, I just ordered a Williams 1/4 flex. When I ordered it I thought it was 7 inches long, but have since seen some pics on here that it is 8 inches. Might be a little longer than I wanted.

 

[dutchgray]

I have both the Wright and SK 3/8" in 1/4" body (SK is flex) I prefer the Wright as the head is just a bit smaller but the SK feels smoother and the knurled handle is easier to grip.
I have always been a wrench user and will continue to use them whenever convenient but vehicles require using a lot of sockets.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

How long is your Armstrong flex? Hadn't looked at the Armstrongs, I just ordered a Williams 1/4 flex.

The wide angle lens makes the measurements look off, but the Armstrong is 6-1/4" (6-9/32" actually).

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

Also, if you ever have to do a timing belt on a Honda 3.5L V6, you don't have to pull the PS pump to get to that fourth bolt on the engine mount. You can break it loose with with a small head 1/4" ratchet like the Wright (not enough room to ratchet it though), and then reach through a hole in the PS pump pulley to remove the bolt with a 1/4" u-joint on a wobble extension.

 

[woody6904]

The wide angle lens makes the measurements look off, but the Armstrong is 6-1/4" (6-9/32" actually).

That Armstrong is a nice looking ratchet, and I think the length would be better than the longer Williams I have coming. But I will try the Williams out and see if I like it, this will be my first Snap On/Williams style ratchet. Everybody raves about them on here, figured I would give it a whirl.

Also that is quite the frankenstein nutdriver you got there. Dont matter what it looks like though as long as it gets the job done.

 

[cagullett1]

Is that a 1/4" SK ratchet in the middle? If so, that should be the MVP. I have many 1/4" ratchets - Snappy 72, GW 120, Mac MR5, Craftsman USA round and pear head, Easco round head qr, Blue Point qr 36 tooth, Crescent/GW roto ratchet, HF roto ratchet, Stanley, Husky, Benchtop, and other Taiwan ****. The SK is by far the greatest 1/4" ratchet I own. If it had a quick release like the Easco, it would be the greatest ratchet I own, period. I like it so much, when I emailed them for a rebuild kit I wrote an entire paragraph telling them so.

Which SK ratchet are you raving about?

 

[woody6904]

Which SK ratchet are you raving about?

I believe the model number of the short 1/4 SK ratchet is 40970. And I concur, it is a great 1/4 ratchet. That ratchet came in a socket set I bought in college, one of the first good tool purchases I ever made. And it has been flawless.

 

[Gidge]

I prefer sockets (Disclaimer : I am not a professional mechanic).

 

[dledmo]

Yep. I tried it with a 1/2" but it had too much flex.

Ended up using three x 8" 3/4" extensions and a 3/4" breaker bar with 4' of black pipe slid over it.

Clunk! Squeak! CLUNK! And done.

I want to see a picture of that! The difficulty in removing that bolt is something I have read about but have yet to have the displeasure of attempting.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

I want to see a picture of that! The difficulty in removing that bolt is something I have read about but have yet to have the displeasure of attempting.

Now that you mention it, I wish I had taken a picture.

I put a plastic step stool about where the the right front wheel had been. I put two pieces of 2x4 on the step stool. That gave the extensions support while I leaned on the cheater pipe.

The Wright 3/4" breaker bar didn't even flinch - unlike the Williams 3/4" breaker bar that I bent a couple of years ago with much less force.

 

[gdocktor3]

Which SK ratchet are you raving about?

I think its the 40970. Its small 4 1/2" long. The ratchet action is soo smooth and tight. No play or wobble. It's nothing like the 3/8" and larger SK ratchets.

 

[woody6904]

Now that you mention it, I wish I had taken a picture.

I put a plastic step stool about where the the right front wheel had been. I put two pieces of 2x4 on the step stool. That gave the extensions support while I leaned on the cheater pipe.

The Wright 3/4" breaker bar didn't even flinch - unlike the Williams 3/4" breaker bar that I bent a couple of years ago with much less force.

Next time, if you have an extra jack stand try that instead of the stool, should work better and you wont risk breaking the stool. For years we did that when I was younger with a jack stand and a 3/4 Wright set to get tractor duals off. Didnt have a good compressor or impact yet.

 

[cgrutt]

That Armstrong looks a lot like my Snap-on TM711. By far the most used tool in my box.

Obviously not for heavy wrenching, but I love the 1/4" stuff.