Can we completely replace our combo wrenches with ratcheting ones yet?

[PretendMechanic]

Have they got that good enough yet?

Are they strong enough?

Slim/small enough on the ratcheting end?

I am redoing my mismatched sets of 6-24mm and 1/4-1" wrenches, and that got me thinking...

My portable hand box doesn't have space for anything excess, so basic combo 12pt wrenches always take precedent in there. Would love to have ratcheting wrenches in that box.

I don't think I've ever broken one but was always worried that I may, and probably had a lot more mechanical sympathy for that reason when using them vs a regular combo wrench. I do like to hammer on my regular combos...

The only full coverage no skip sets that I know of are from Tekton.

Thoughts?

*edit*
Forgot to mention I'm talking about working on passenger cars/trucks. Clearance and strength on the box end of the wrench.

34-Piece Reversible Ratcheting Wrench Set | TEKTON

Set includes 1/4 - 1 inch (SAE), 6 - 24 mm (metric) reversible 12-point ratcheting combination wrenches. No skipped sizes. WRC94005.

www.tekton.com

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I love ratcheting wrenches, but they don't replace a standard combination wrench in tight clearance situations or for high torque applications.

 

[Squankum]

No! Because I'm cheap!

I'm sure they're kewl, but I just haven't gotten into them yet. I did buy a nice set with few? no? skips from GearWrench -- flex box end combos. I just never use them. I could see myself someday finally getting around to shopping for the non-flex kind I'd really want and... my box is kind of full already.

(resumes buying hammers, sockets, pry bars...)

 

[4xdog]

I use my reversible ratcheting combination wrenches probably 90% of the time.

The times I don’t are for a size not in my Craftsman Professional/Industrial or FACOM gear, a clearance issue, or where a lot of force is going to be applied and I don’t want to risk the wrench.

 

[finn]

Be my guest.

Nobodt’s stopping you.

Report back next year.

 

[f121]

The snap on ones ratchet wrenches are about the same thickness as ring spanners, so they’d give you similar access, I’ve not seen any others like it. The main place that ratchet wrench’s are less suitable is holding a bolt while impacting the nut, I imagine the impact would destroy the ratchet fairly quickly (maybe I should test this with some that have a warranty).

I used ratchet wrenches as my main set of years in the 00s, have tended towards regular combo spanners (preferably Facom 440) since and don’t use the ratchets that much. Probably as battery tools have got better and flex head ratchets became common, I need the access provided by ratchet wrenches less.

 

[TobeyA]

I use ratcheting wrenches 99% of the time working on cars. Clearance is the main reason I dig out the traditional wrenches. And every so often, when I need to link 2 wrenches together to loosen a tight nut, I go to the traditional wrench.

 

[zendriver]

I always bust loose/tighten fasteners with a regular wrench first/last.

Just seems dumb not to, but then mine are from HF, maybe not the strongest ratchet wrenches on the planet.

Maybe they are. (or care)

 

[NUTTSGT]

I always bust loose/tighten fasteners with a regular wrench first/last.

This is usually what I do.

My reversible ratcheting wrenches are older MiUSA Craftsman.. not sure what I would replace them with so I try not to abuse them.

 

[Radio Flyer]

The ones I bought are spline drive. The fasteners always get stuck in them. I really dislike them.

So, I’m a firm no on this.

 

[ctandc72]

I've broken one ratcheting wrench in all the years I've been working on vehicles. It was cheap flex head larger metric - I was breaking loose a suspension bolt where the impact wouldn't fit and I was using another wrench hooked onto the open face side. It broke where it flexes - no surprise. It got the bolt loose thought. Still have that wrench, I modified it to work on another vehicle I was working on.

If I can't get the impact / 1/2" ratchet / breaker bar on it - and sometimes if I'm already under the vehicle and don't feel like getting back up, I normally just hook two combo wrenches together to break a large / tight bolt loose - but I've yet to break another ratcheting wrench.

They are tools. Meant to be used and yes, some will break. If I was doing it for a living, like I did briefly 30+ years ago, I'm sure my thought process might be different.

 

[Fedwrench]

Yes and no. It depends on what you're doing and what you're working on. I probably use ratcheting wrenches 90% of the time.

My favorite ratcheting wrench of all time has been out for years, and I feel it's the best ratcheting wrench out there offering you the strength of a fixed boxed end and the speed of a ratcheting boxed end in a single wrench in a standard length package.

BPRWDBX12MST - 12 Piece Cornwell® bluePOWER® 72-Tooth Metric Ratcheting Double Box Wrench Set

Sizes: 8mm to 19mm. Full polish, chrome plated finish. Packaged in a bi-color EVA foam organizer for easy storage.

webcat.cornwelltools.com

Matco/Armstrong were the first to bring these to market a long time ago and mine are still going strong for the most part. My second favorite ratcheting wrench would be the first gen Dewalts. They had a Proto like anti slip open end, great feel and balance. Proto always has great ratcheting wrenches.

 

[ecotec]

At work, I use most ratcheting wrenches. I work out of a hand box. I can only fit so much in it, and I don’t want it to get too heavy. I have a regular 1/2” combination wrench for a job that the ratcheting wrenches do not work for. Anyways… I took the majority of my regular combination wrenches out of my work tools.

 

[larry_g]

If I may; The ratcheting wrenches will make a great ADDITION to your tool set but do not replace the regular combo wrenches. For the small tool box. You do not have to have every wrench you own in your box. When I head out for a job I load my carry box with what I will need and head out. The rest of the tools stay stored.

lg

 

[Wrench97]

Accent yes replace no, there will always be a fastener on something you are working on that the ratchet end won't fit on and you don't have access to use a socket and ratchet.

 

[Chipm]

Dude, from a style standpoint combination wrenches are THE symbol of a mechanic. I think you have to keep them.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

The ones I bought are spline drive. The fasteners always get stuck in them. I really dislike them.

So, I’m a firm no on this.

The style of wrench (ratcheting combo) is a separate matter from the type of end on it (spline, 6/12 point etc.)

 

[Yarpo]

Absolutely not.
The box end is just too large sometimes and in some applications.
Just ran into an issue yesterday that required a standard wrench. That said I'd prefer to always using ratcheting but not always doable.

 

[CoThG]

I naively purchased the Icon set of reversible ratcheting wrench set then they first came out. I gave that set to my daughter and replaced with the Snap-On Flank Drive Plus reversible ratcheting wrench set 6-19mm and I added the recently released 5.5mm size too.

 

[General Geoff]

Slim/small enough on the ratcheting end?

No.

They work great for maybe 80% of situations where a normal combo wrench works, but that other 20% need the super slim ring of a standard box end for clearance.

 

[Ditchdigger]

Some years back I decided to test this hypothesis that the ratcheting box end wasn't up to the task of breaking loose stubborn bolts. I decided to use them any time they fit.

It's been like 5 years. I haven't broken one yet. Still waiting for them to be a problem. Do people still use a breaker bar with a socket before switching to a ratchet?

For reference, I work in automotive restoration. Taking apart things that probably haven't been apart in 70 years.

 

[Wamsutta]

Not in a million years. I don't own a single ratcheting wrench and don't need one. Call me a purist.

 

[mikey03]

I naively purchased the Icon set of reversible ratcheting wrench set then they first came out. I gave that set to my daughter and replaced with the Snap-On Flank Drive Plus reversible ratcheting wrench set 6-19mm and I added the recently released 5.5mm size too.

So snap on is better than HF here?

 

[CoThG]

So snap on is better than HF here?

Snap-On is definitely better than HF.

 

[Sumboodie]

I've had a set since the flex end ones became common about 25 years ago (no not the crappy sheet metal like 14 teeth Craftsman ones from the 90s)

 

[Jure]

I have 8,10 and 13 ratcheting (wera joker),gave em away. I see no reason to own them.

 

[cvairwerks]

How are you going to use one on a hydraulic line?

 

[Wrench97]

How are you going to use one on a hydraulic line?

The same way you use a regular non-ratcheting combination wrench?

 

[cvairwerks]

The same way you use a regular non-ratcheting combination wrench?

Found way too many times that the open end angle on the combos doesn't always let you run the nut on or off, without having to resort to a different wrench. 30/60's work much better in the hydraulic world. Ratchet wrenches have their place and we have all sorts of variations in our tool boxes, but they are just about the least used wrenches at work.

 

[AEAdam]

Have they got that good enough yet?

no

Are they strong enough?

no

Slim/small enough on the ratcheting end?

no

I am redoing my mismatched sets of 6-24mm and 1/4-1" wrenches, and that got me thinking...

My portable hand box doesn't have space for anything excess,

The only full coverage no skip sets that I know of are from Tekton.

Forgot to mention I'm talking about working on passenger cars/trucks. Clearance and strength on the box end of the wrench.

No skip sets of metric and imperial tools for cars and light trucks isn’t compatible with limited space in a hand box.

My advice: think more about what it is you want this box to do. Then refine what you add to the box to address those needs specifically.

Example: I carry a tool bag in my F150 that I’ve used more on other vehicles than I have the F150. Sometimes bicycles. I carry reversible ratchet wrenches 10-19, metric 3/8” sockets, lug sockets and often my Bosch impact gun. I have an old Bluepoint code reader, misc junky screwdrivers, a few pliers, zip ties, etc It’s come in handy. I think you don’t need much in a toolbag like this.

I will never ever use the 11mm ratchet wrench. I should just throw it in the trash. I think the F150 has no 12 or 14mm bolts or nuts.. But they have been useful helping other people/vehicles.

6 & 7mm ratchet wrenches could replace non ratchet wrenches in those sizes. Not sure I feel that way about 17mm+

 

[bob from indiana]

I would like a set of ratcheting with regular box end on the other. I know Toolant makes them. I seldom been open ends

 

[jmarkwolf]

Have they got that good enough yet?

Are they strong enough?

Slim/small enough on the ratcheting end?

I am redoing my mismatched sets of 6-24mm and 1/4-1" wrenches, and that got me thinking...

My portable hand box doesn't have space for anything excess, so basic combo 12pt wrenches always take precedent in there. Would love to have ratcheting wrenches in that box.

I don't think I've ever broken one but was always worried that I may, and probably had a lot more mechanical sympathy for that reason when using them vs a regular combo wrench. I do like to hammer on my regular combos...

The only full coverage no skip sets that I know of are from Tekton.

Thoughts?

*edit*
Forgot to mention I'm talking about working on passenger cars/trucks. Clearance and strength on the box end of the wrench.

34-Piece Reversible Ratcheting Wrench Set | TEKTON

Set includes 1/4 - 1 inch (SAE), 6 - 24 mm (metric) reversible 12-point ratcheting combination wrenches. No skipped sizes. WRC94005.

www.tekton.com

No.

Because sometimes you just want to hold the nut or the head. With a ratcheting box end you have a 50/50 chance of getting it wrong. Keep your combinations.

 

[LXCam]

My road box only has your typical combo’s. That way if I need to beat on it with a hammer of rock, it doesn’t break my heart.

 

[drokihazan]

Have they got that good enough yet?

Are they strong enough?

Slim/small enough on the ratcheting end?

I am redoing my mismatched sets of 6-24mm and 1/4-1" wrenches, and that got me thinking...

My portable hand box doesn't have space for anything excess, so basic combo 12pt wrenches always take precedent in there. Would love to have ratcheting wrenches in that box.

I don't think I've ever broken one but was always worried that I may, and probably had a lot more mechanical sympathy for that reason when using them vs a regular combo wrench. I do like to hammer on my regular combos...

The only full coverage no skip sets that I know of are from Tekton.

Thoughts?

*edit*
Forgot to mention I'm talking about working on passenger cars/trucks. Clearance and strength on the box end of the wrench.

34-Piece Reversible Ratcheting Wrench Set | TEKTON

Set includes 1/4 - 1 inch (SAE), 6 - 24 mm (metric) reversible 12-point ratcheting combination wrenches. No skipped sizes. WRC94005.

www.tekton.com

I carry a bunch of tools in my truck, but the truth is that 99% of things I do on the trail or on the side of the road only require two mountain wrenches, an 8-10, a 13-15. Anything I can't do with those and a small socket set, I'm calling for a tow anyways and doing it at home. I don't even know why I carry so many tools in the truck. Your portable box doesn't need the perfect wrench for every situation, and if you're in a pickle bad enough to break a Mountain wrench you shouldn't be doing it in a parking lot.

 

[AEAdam]

My road box only has your typical combo’s. That way if I need to beat on it with a hammer or rock, it doesn’t break my heart.

fixed this for you

 

[ronkz650]

Snap on are the only ones that can compare to a standard box end. All the others are way too fat. The various manufacturers who offer ratcheting wrenches with the extended lip are decent, but not going to replace a box end wrench. All others with like a 2" wide head to drive a 1/4" bolt are more or less worthless.

 

[rust in the eye]

I naively purchased the Icon set of reversible ratcheting wrench set then they first came out. I gave that set to my daughter and replaced with the Snap-On Flank Drive Plus reversible ratcheting wrench set 6-19mm and I added the recently released 5.5mm size too.

Why do you consider that a bad decision? Too bulky? Weak?

 

[CoThG]

Why do you consider that a bad decision? Too bulky? Weak?

Spline drive. Snap-On uses flank drive for their boxed end interface.

 

[AA/FC]

No. Why would you "replace" when you can just "add" to your tool box? There is nothing wrong with owning more than one wrench set. Is this even a serious question? lolol.

 

[mikey03]

No. Why would you "replace" when you can just "add" to your tool box? There is nothing wrong with owning more than one wrench set. Is this even a serious question? lolol.

If your carrying it then it gets heavy