Can anyone explain to me the advantage of pass through sockets over a ratcheting wrench set?
I'd think for one, there's the reason why back in the early days the individual sockets each having their own integrated handles gave way to drive tools with interchangeable sockets. Also gives you the versatility of different attachments and extensions. To some extent, it's the same reason why mechanics don't work with just end wrenches, but need socket sets too. A ratchet handle can give you more torque in the smaller sizes. You can reach into tighter places with extensions like up under a sink where there's no room to swing an end wrench.
But pass-thrus are to me a specialty tool that excel only in limited applications. For example, if I was taking a nut off a length of all-thread that has lots of residue from having been exposed to the elements and dinged from impacts, I'd probably reach for a pass-thru ratchet for more torque. Biggest use here was tightening the nuts on all those long carriage bolts used in the barn construction--less fatiguing and easier on the hand than a ratcheting box end.
The trade off is having to buy another socket set then making a spot to store it just for those rare jobs. For mechanical work on vehicles or other equipment and machinery, most mechanics get by just fine with deep-well socket sets and ratcheting end wrenches that they already own in such rare instances.
