Does anybody else not care for ratcheting wrenches?

[Wamsutta]

There's always somebody on here looking for purchasing advice on a set of ratcheting wrenches. Please forgive me, but I just don't see the excitement in them at all. I would much rather turn one of my high end truck brand combination wrenches that don't ratchet at all. Maybe that's too boring for some of you guys, but that's how I feel.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I don't like hand tools in general. I had the displeasure of using hand tools on some crusty bolts today, didn't care for it. But sometimes, if hand tools are the only thing that will fit, or it's a delicate/rotted situation, it's what I gotta use.

Ratcheting wrenches are inherently annoying to me because I'm actually turning them. Better than taking out a 2 inch bolt an eighth of a turn at a time with a combo wrench though, which is still way better than using a god-forsaken adjustable.



It's all relative.

 

[speed bump]

Different strokes for different folks, I'm lazy and so I am always looking for faster or easier ways to do things and ratcheting wrenches are one of those ways. I've got enough projects that tools are simply a means to an end at this point in my life.

 

[1982fxr]

There's always somebody on here looking for purchasing advice on a set of ratcheting wrenches. Please forgive me, but I just don't see the excitement in them at all. I would much rather turn one of my high end truck brand combination wrenches that don't ratchet at all. Maybe that's too boring for some of you guys, but that's how I feel.

On that motor mount I'm doing where you posted instructions...I didn't have any metric ratcheting wrenches so I bought a cheap 15mm husky for that job.

WORTH EVERY PENNY

 

[Fedwrench]

It's okay, a wise man knows his limitations.

I can understand that you might get some semichrome polish on the ratcheting ring while polishing it but, ratcheting wrenches next to cordless tools, are one of the best advancements for a mechanic in the last 20 years.

You favorite brand Snap on continues to refine and offer new versions.

My non ratcheting wrenches aren't used as much

 

[derosa]

I like the non-ratcheting when the wrench is holding the nut or bolt while a ratchet/socket does the work, don't like having a ratchet and ratchet wrench in use at the same time. Also prefer a standard wrench when there's room to spin it around like bicycle axle nuts, etc. Greatly prefer a ratchet wrench anyplace I would use a ratchet if there were enough room.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

There are places where you are only able to turn one flat, then you have to remove the wrench to reposition. Then get another flat. By using a ratcheting wrench look at all the fun I would be missing.

 

[ChrisLS8]

I'd rather make my life easier, and be more productive. Guess your time isn't worth much

 

[LXCam]

They’re the first thing I grab if I gotta wrench it off.

 

[AS556]

My job would **** *** if I couldn't use ratchet wrenches.

 

[Back In The Saddle]

Honestly, in my thirty something years as a fleet mechanic, I rarely ever need to grab a wrench for anything, and when I did, I just use the open end to back out whatever.
They are pretty neat, though. How do they typically hold up?

 

[unslow1]

I used to think the same way until I was working at someone else's shop and they handed me one while I was working on something. Now I have several sets in different brands.

They hold up very well unless you get brake fluid in them or really put a lot of torque on them.

 

[techieman33]

Obviously I would prefer to use one of my battery powered tools first, then a ratchet, but after that it's ratchet wrenches hands down. The only times I grab a regular wrench these days is to hold a bolt while I'm running the nut down with a power tool. Life is short, and I'd much rather spend my time doing something enjoyable than wasting it turning a wrench a 1/4 turn or even less and then taking it off and resetting it to get another 1/4 turn. I don't find anything inherently pleasurable about turning a wrench. It's all about the end result, and getting there with as few 4 letter words as possible.

 

[Fluelikesymptoms]

Glad this topic is brought up because lately I've been finding myself wanting long double box end wrenches where both sides are the same size (preferably metric) but only one side is ratcheting and the other isnt ratcheting. Has anyone ever saw a set like this?

 

[Wamsutta]

Life is short, and I'd much rather spend my time doing something enjoyable than wasting it turning a wrench a 1/4 turn or even less and then taking it off and resetting it to get another 1/4 turn. I don't find anything inherently pleasurable about turning a wrench. It's all about the end result, and getting there with as few 4 letter words as possible.

Now it all makes perfect sense. I actually enjoy turning my Snap-on combination wrench a 1/4 of a turn and then resetting it to get another 1/4 turn. But if I had to use some other style wrench like an SK or a Tekton, I'd hate it just like you do.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Glad this topic is brought up because lately I've been finding myself wanting long double box end wrenches where both sides are the same size (preferably metric) but only one side is ratcheting and the other isnt ratcheting. Has anyone ever saw a set like this?

Gearwrench makes them at a good price. You can get them either fixed on both ends or the ratcheting end flexible.

 

[16again]

Honestly, I use both standard and ratcheting. They both have a place in my shop box as well as my home box.


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[seber]

I keep thinking about whether I need them. Each time it comes down to the same thing. When I'm using a wrench it is virtually always to loosen or tighten no more than a single turn. After that I use my fingers. If it needs to be run off with a tool, then a ratchet and socket or power tool is almost always the proper tool. I can only think of one time in many years that was not the case.

 

[Spacey_G]

Now it all makes perfect sense. I actually enjoy turning my Snap-on combination wrench a 1/4 of a turn and then resetting it to get another 1/4 turn. But if I had to use some other style wrench like an SK or a Tekton, I'd hate it just like you do.

Most of us are more interested in getting the job done than fondling our wrenches.

 

[nh_yota]

They're almost a necessity for engine mounts.

 

[sberry]

I use common combo wrenches. It's my first choice if it's practical. Impact for real work if humanly possible. Only ratcheting I have is a simple set I keep with specialty stuff as problem solvers.
I move around too much to deal with them most.of the time. I replace rusty ****. We use a hundred common combo, a dozen in some sizes. Any time, any given minute.
Finding one fast is most important. Others need something different and would certainly tool for any specific task. My first choice is combo followed by adjustable and Channelock. When I was a youngster I had trouble with adjustable, I finally got over it. Got a collection of 8 inch I use as much as anything. This along with some simple screwdrivers and nut drivers, some of those a dozen in 5/16, 7/16 and even replace hose clamps if they are not standard.

 

[TalonFE]

Ratcheting wrenches all the way, but only reversible with a slight offset to save the knuckles. Sometimes a bit too large to fit in close quarters, but I always have other options. USA-made Craftsman were my 1st set many years ago, still holding up fine with a smooth action, and not that much larger than a regular combination. I have quite a few others, including non-reversible, flip-it-over styles....also handy when you don't want to remove the wrench from a space but still have room to just flip it.

 

[M6erfan]

I have a set. Don't use them very often. I haven't run across a lot of allthread in automotive or motorcycle work. I'd rather use a ratchet/socket or better yet my M12 to run a bolt or nut down. There are a few instances when clearance is an issue but not very often.

 

[CrazyTools]

There's always somebody on here looking for purchasing advice on a set of ratcheting wrenches. Please forgive me, but I just don't see the excitement in them at all. I would much rather turn one of my high end truck brand combination wrenches that don't ratchet at all. Maybe that's too boring for some of you guys, but that's how I feel.

The issue I have with [almost] all ratcheting wrenches is that the head size is just too large because of the space required for the ratcheting mechanism. If I have to reach for a wrench it's only due to the inability to put a socket on it, so a ratcheting 13mm wrench that is the same size as my Snap-on 17mm box end wrench might not be useful.

Ratcheting wrenches are very useful for any situation where you're effectively trying to turn a nut on a threaded rod. You can drop the wrench right down over it. I have a set of the older double box end airplane ratchet wrenches Snap-on makes (mostly because I like them) and just have no need to get the newer style ones for just this type of situation. I used a ratchet wrench to make a puller mechanism to drag the broken heel plate out of my hydraulic unit, for example, that would have required using a regular wrench otherwise.

That said, there's plenty of people who prefer wrenches to sockets and ratchets. I imagine a lot of people use small power tools now only, and ratchet wrenches when necessary. In that case, or for speed, I can certainly see their benefit.

Different tools appeal to different people. I say: Whatever makes your life easier.

 

[Handyandy23]

Glad this topic is brought up because lately I've been finding myself wanting long double box end wrenches where both sides are the same size (preferably metric) but only one side is ratcheting and the other isnt ratcheting. Has anyone ever saw a set like this?

I'll second the GearWrench XL's, they are my favorite wrenches:

http://www.gearwrench.com/wrenches/gearwrench-85989-17-pc-12-point-xl-gearboxtm-double-box-ratcheting-metric-wrench-set.html

Basically my order of operations is:
- power tool of some kind, either cordless or pneumatic
- if that won't fit then a socket and a long handle flex head ratchet
- if that won't fit, GW XL ratcheting wrenches in link above

.
.
.
.

- standard combo wrench if I absolutely have to . . . they're the most rudimentary caveman tool in the box.

As others have said, their main use for me is holding a nut on one side while I run down the bolt with a power tool or ratchet on the other side. For holding something stationary they are nice and rigid. For rotating they **** though.

 

[LumpyMusic]

This seems like an odd thing to grieve about. Surely everyone owns hundreds of tools that they essentially never use till just that one moment when nothing else will reach/work/do the job. I've certainly got fasteners that I can't get to without a ratcheting wrench, OR play the constant position-turn-reposition etc. That kind of stupid work gets REALLY stupid when you're upside down, reaching up into an engine compartment, with sweat and bugs in your eyes and scorpions crawling up your leg.

Last time I counted, I had 29 wrenches/sockets/other gizmos that would fit a 9/16 hex bolt/nut. I use TWO of them a dozen times a day. I need them all. Just not all at once.


Thanks - Lumpy

 

[Motorman55]

Time is money.

 

[Rabid Badger]

When I bought new combo wrenches I went with plain box ends. My grandpa taught me that the box end was what you used when the open end couldn't do the job so I prefer them to be solid metal.

That said, I picked up the Pittsburgh Pro double box end ratcheting sets a while ago to see what all the fuss was about. I find myself using them a lot more than I thought I would.

 

[bonneyman]

After owning a set of GW's for over 20 years I can't say enough good about them. Though lately, they have been collecting more dust that chrome wear.

But if I had it to do over again, I'd only get certain sizes. Those sizes for me that the ratcheting end helps with repetitive motion. (1/4", 5/16", and 7/16") And I'd get them in several variants (zero offset, offset reversible, extra long, flex head, etc.)

 

[jshailor1871]

I love my ratcheting wrenches, the only time I ever go for a not ratcheting wrench is when I need to hold a bolt or nut in place.

They will make any job go quicker, at least in my experience.


John

 

[pbon]

I love them also. Flex head ratcheting wrenches.

 

[SRSemenza]

Glad this topic is brought up because lately I've been finding myself wanting long double box end wrenches where both sides are the same size (preferably metric) but only one side is ratcheting and the other isnt ratcheting. Has anyone ever saw a set like this?

Yes, Gearwrench makes exactly what you describe. Long, same size both ends, one ratcheting, one not, no flex.

Metric set is 85988 no flex

Same but with flex on ratchet end 86126

Seth

 

[jgromada]

I Like ratcheting wrenches, & I like regular combination wrenches as well as my Milwaukee M12 ratchet!

They all have a place to me & I wouldn't want to be without any of them.

 

[Jtels85]

It was either a 5/16” or 1/4” ratcheting wrench that saved me a lot of time and aggravation removing aftermarket emergency lights from the crash bar on my police equipped Dodge Durango. It’s been so long ago since I did it, but what took me less than a minute would have taken me probably 20 minutes if I had to keep resetting a regular combo wrench. They have their time and place.

 

[DFB]

They're nice to have around when you need them, but honestly mostly their use is often limited for many reasons already mentioned like head clearance and offset angle. Sure on a long stud like all thread or long carriage bolts they can generally make things quick easy. I also rather use a ratchet/ socket when extracting a nut in a tight spot as it also helps keep it captive so don't loose it. Generally when needing to hold a nut from turning while extracting a bolt is usually a standard box end I grab.

 

[Roadster J]

Yes, Gearwrench makes exactly what you describe. Long, same size both ends, one ratcheting, one not, no flex.

Metric set is 85988 no flex

Same but with flex on ratchet end 86126

Seth

The 12 piece 85988 metric set w/ 9 piece SAE

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EP8A6Y8/?tag=atomicindus08-20


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[jdlong]

Time is everything for me. I have long, short and stubby patterns of both ratcheting and non ratcheting along with a cordless electric ratchet. I grab what fits space constraints best and makes the task go quickest and easiest.

 

[volvosrock]

Best hand tool ever!


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[Szilagyi]

Some of us work with tools for a living, time is money. And even beyond time saving, if I can get a job done and get out of the heat faster that is a huge benefit to me.

 

[merlin1952]

What is everyone's opinion on the GearWrench locking flex head wrenches (85698)?