What are double box ratcheting wrenches good for?
- Thread starter ive
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mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
They are generally used for loosening or tightening fasteners. 
Any wrench I have had with two box ends have had different sizes. Do you have a specific example that you are looking at?
Any wrench I have had with two box ends have had different sizes. Do you have a specific example that you are looking at?
DerekV
Well-known member
1. Preference
2. If one already has combo/DOE wrenches, ratcheting DBE wrenches can provide a complete set with fewer total wrenches, saving storage space
2. If one already has combo/DOE wrenches, ratcheting DBE wrenches can provide a complete set with fewer total wrenches, saving storage space
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
My personal preference for a ratcheting wrench is the old made in the USA Matco Proswing series wherein you have a standard length wrench, with a fixed 15 degree offset boxed end on one side, and a zero offset 72 toothed ratcheting boxed end on the other side. The fixed end allows to break stubborn fasteners loose or it can be used for final tightening. The ratcheting boxed end is for speed in between. The key is the standard length. There are plenty of extra long versions on the market but, sometimes they're just too long to use.
I've said for years that someone needs to update this design by making the ratcheting boxed end a flex head. I think Infar might have listened and released this SP Tools set adding a locking flex head feature. Sadly there's no 18mm
Really nice set aside from that.
sptoolsusa.com
As others have pointed out, the last thing I need are more wrenches with open ends.
I've said for years that someone needs to update this design by making the ratcheting boxed end a flex head. I think Infar might have listened and released this SP Tools set adding a locking flex head feature. Sadly there's no 18mm
Really nice set aside from that.
8PC METRIC REVERSIBLE LOCKING FLEX-HEAD GEAR DRIVE DOUBLE BOX WRENCH SET
SP Tools Wrenches use Chrome Vanadium Steel (Cr-V) Plating for high strength, durability, and ease of cleaning. 0° offset box end. 72 teeth flexible head ratcheting wrench. 5° swing arc to aid in tight spaces. Meets & exceeds international ANSI & DIN standards. Lifetime warranty
sptoolsusa.com
As others have pointed out, the last thing I need are more wrenches with open ends.
The original idea of combo wrenches was to use the box end to break free a fastener, and then use the open end.
It seems to have become very ingrained in people that wrenches have a box and open end. Although I like combo wrenches, I typically prefer and find it faster to reposition a box end to an open end. Which begs the question - why don’t I have a set of double box ends?
Fast forward to modern ratcheting wrenches. Maybe the open/ratcheting combo was meant to replace a combo wrench. Maybe just to look like what people think wrenches look like. But I would tend to argue that functionally the right way to build a ratcheting wrench is either ratcheting one end, fixed box end the other, because it is stronger to break things loose. Or else to have ratcheting on both ends and save toolbox space.
It seems to have become very ingrained in people that wrenches have a box and open end. Although I like combo wrenches, I typically prefer and find it faster to reposition a box end to an open end. Which begs the question - why don’t I have a set of double box ends?
Fast forward to modern ratcheting wrenches. Maybe the open/ratcheting combo was meant to replace a combo wrench. Maybe just to look like what people think wrenches look like. But I would tend to argue that functionally the right way to build a ratcheting wrench is either ratcheting one end, fixed box end the other, because it is stronger to break things loose. Or else to have ratcheting on both ends and save toolbox space.
Anyone buying these already has other wrenches. (And if they don't, they're probably buying the wrong first set.) Another open end doesn't do them much good, double ended lets you cover a range of sizes with fewer tools. That reduces the cost, size, and weight of set, which is good thing for almost everyone.
The open ends on ratcheting combo wrenches also often seem to be odd and bulky and extra thick.
12pt box end is probably easier to reposition. I think the idea of a combo wrench is to give you as much versatility with a single wrench for a single size as possible. I practically always use the box end unless it's impossible to or I only have a limited access angle...
That will damage the wrench quickly. Last thing I will do.
Eh, it won't be picture perfect but it'll probably still work. And if it breaks buy yourself a better wrench.
If that's an issue, a wrench extender is cheaper and takes up less space than doubling the number of wrenches in a set. It's probably cheaper and less space to by a wrench extender for every set of wrenches than to have a useless open end. The bonus there is that force from the extender isn't spreading the jaws of the open end, its put on the handle.
LWB
Well-known member
I have a beautiful set of Gray combination wrenches that only comes out of my box when I need an open end, which isn’t often.
I much prefer using the box end and normally use double box and double box ratcheting.
I much prefer using the box end and normally use double box and double box ratcheting.
This is why I prefer double box ratcheting wrench, instead of combination wrench. I already have plenty of open end wrenches.
I'm just daydreaming, but Lang released a 72-tooth bit ratchet and it might be cool if they updated their ratcheting wrenches to the newer design. It's still a laminate wrench, but the mechanism is no longer exposed and the direction selector is front and center. Unfortunately, I don't think they've ever made a fixed end wrench, and I'm not really in the market for a double-ratcheting end.
Also unfortunately, Amazon says they released the newer design in 2012, so any potential overhaul probably would have already happened by now.
Also unfortunately, Amazon says they released the newer design in 2012, so any potential overhaul probably would have already happened by now.
Pinemarten
Well-known member
Ughhh........ratchet and socket won't fit, I'll use a long box end wrench. Now I want to spin it out without delay. Ratcheting box to the rescue. I don't care what is on the other end of the ratcheting box-end. Pretty soon, I can use my fingers, and the nut won't drop into the abyss!
That is why they sell "aviation" long box-ends, and other long box-end wrenches.
That is why they sell "aviation" long box-ends, and other long box-end wrenches.
what are they good for? Not much really. The ratchets are never as strong as a normal box wrench. And the size of them makes them inconvenient. Don’t fit everywhere.
Combination box ratchets aren’t much better with an open end at the other end.
Best are probably the double boxes that have a ratchet mech on only one end.
I have a buddy who is a race car guy who works for SCCA guys. He carries GW? double box ratchets, no sockets. For him they are a compromise between sockets and wrenches.
Combination box ratchets aren’t much better with an open end at the other end.
Best are probably the double boxes that have a ratchet mech on only one end.
I have a buddy who is a race car guy who works for SCCA guys. He carries GW? double box ratchets, no sockets. For him they are a compromise between sockets and wrenches.