it may seem crude but i have often considered this, same for non ratchet spanner, stubbys seems to cost the same or more than standard size spanners. infact i also considered this for long hex bits, cheaper to buy some good branded allen keys and just chop the angle bit of the end and fit into a socket.
I did exactly what you describe for my sets. I cut USA Craftsman raised panel wrenches in half to make full sets of stubby box end adnd stubby open ended wrenches without any size skips. It was the only way to have decent quality full sets for a good price without having to buy something foreign made. I also did it that way, because I don't like having a large open end or box end on the end of my stubby handles. Too in the way in tight areas. With the way I have it, I can also slip a small piece of EMT pipe onto them and turn any of my stubby wrenches into super long handled wrenches as needed.
All my 3/8" drive hex bit sockets are the type with a set screw holding the bit in place. I bought that style purposefully, so I can replace the hex bits myself cheaply and easily by cutting up Bondhus L wrenches to replace a worn bit or to make a custom bit socket of whatever length I need for a particular job. My larger 1/2" drive hex bit sockets mainly consist of Bondhus long L wrenches that had both legs cut off. The pieces sit pre-made in a small container and I grab them as needed and use them with a regular or deep 6pt socket. I prefer having them that way, because if I'm working in a tight area that's hard to get a socket and ratchet into, I can use the small hex insert piece along with a box wrench and skip the socket/ratchet entirely.
My reversible ratchet wrenches are the regular full length combo wrench style and I use them as-is, but my stubby ratchet wrenches are the type that need to be flipped to switch directions. I made them by taking ratcheting double box wrenches and cutting them in half. They work great in tight areas, and like with my regular stubby wrenches, I can slip a piece of EMT pipe over the handle to make a really long handled ratchet wrench if needed.
