General questions about ratcheting wrenches

duct tape · May 27, 2010

I've searched and skimmed 20 pages of "ratcheting wrenches":

I have a few general questions about these wrenches. These will be used in my garage shop, for old car restoration and repair/maintenance on my dirt and street bikes.

Switch - thoughts about a switched ratchet vs. flipping the box end over.
Flex head - versus non-flex head

Most of my box is Snap On and I'm inclined to go that route, but SO only has either the straight, non-flex head with no switch, or the FD Plus wrenches with a switch. Not interested in the Blue Points. Mac offers a good choice of flex heads without the switch and some with a switch (hard to see on their web site). My gut feeling is for the basic non flex head SO's but lack of any offset may be limiting. OTOH, the switch seems a little gimmicky to me and may be a point of failure. Interestingly, on the SO web site immediately below the FDP switched wrenches is a link to buy "reverse lever repair kits". Appreciate any advice from those who have experience with these. Thx.

chadster1 · May 27, 2010

I rarely see a ratcheting wrench of any brand fail because of the reverse lever.

If it means anything, the wrenches in my personal toolbox are the FDP ratcheting wrenches. (SOEXR and SOEXRM)

paramedic · May 27, 2010

i have a set of the flip over kind a a set of reversable. really i use each an even amount. they take a crazy amount of torque its actually unrealy. i have craftsman brand by the wya

tonydanzah · May 27, 2010

Depends , you need to decide first if you want standard length, shorties or long. For a first set I would get non reversible locking flexhead from gearwrench and then go from there.

spongerich · May 27, 2010

I have a few of each. I find myself using the flip over ones more often, mostly because they're a little slimmer and fit where I need them. I mostly work on motorcycles and quads. On a car, this might be less of an issue, but clearance is key for me.

WSMC633 · May 27, 2010

I have the GW flex that you flip over to change direction. Love 'em.

garfunkle24 · May 27, 2010

I much prefer reversible ones with the offset, less knuckle mashing that way. You also can't get them stuck on a stud or whatever. IMHO the FDP ratcheting wrenches are a complete waste of money. The ratcheting guts are exactly the same as the Blue-points. If I need a longer wrench or a high quality open end, I'll just use my good flat wrenches.

joenero · May 27, 2010

First time you get in a situation where the wrench gets stuck is when you wish you bought reversible wrenches (like garfunkle said)

RbrtAWhyt · May 27, 2010

I have complete sets of GearWrench reversibles, non-reversibles and non reversible stubbies, SAE and Metric. I plan to also buy a complete sets of reversible flex wrenches.

bmxr4life87 · May 27, 2010

I recommend a set of flexhead ones and a set of stubbies! They both have their place but my first pick would be flex

Fedwrench · May 27, 2010

It really boils down to whether or not you want a 15 degree ofset to your box end for clearance or if you can live with the zero offset boxed end.
Each brand has its own pluses and minuses. It will often boil down to what you like to use. I own almost everybodies ratcheting wrenches. For a starter set to get the feel of ratcheting wrenches, I would go for the Craftsman full polished reversible ratcheting wrenches. They're durable, a bargain on sale, and have a nice ratcheting action. Gearwrench also makes the widest selection of styles and shapes of ratcheting wrenches. I would recommend their locking flexheads, stubbies, and super long zero offset Gearbox wrenches.
I own Snap on reversible FD plus wrenches. It's not so much a matter of the switch breaking, although I have managed to break the one on my 15mm. It's a matter of the switch working loose and then disappearing. You won't know it happened until you reach for the lever and it isn't there. :wtf:

I also have the snap on stubby ratcheting wrenches. I find them a little on the heavy side but, they have poor size makings. one marking on the beam and it's small. As for MAC, I had some of their edge wrenches but, sold them. The switches seemed to bind and weren't recessed. I kind of liked their feel and the modified 6 point ratcheting boxed end but, the switch sucked. You may want to consider Matco proswing ratcheting wrenches. they were making ratcheting wrenches before Gearwrench and ratcheting wrenches became such a big seller. Some are US made others aren't and they have a wide selection of shapes and sizes. Think of buying ratcheting wrenches as buying regular wrenches, you won't just get one style. Flex, stubby, extra long, stubby flex, xl combination, or xl flex all have their place.Good luck in your quest. :beer:

garfunkle24 · May 27, 2010

For $350.00 you could get a 10mm - 19mm set of FDP ratcheting wrenches.

Or for $358.00 you could get a 10mm - 19mm set of FDP flat wrenches and a set of these Gear Wrenches.

Or you could just buy a bunch of different style Gearwrenches.

garfunkle24 · May 27, 2010

Fedwrench said:
It really boils down to whether or not you want a 15 degree ofset to your box end for clearance or if you can live with the zero offset boxed end.
Each brand has its own pluses and minuses. It will often boil down to what you like to use. I own almost everybodies ratcheting wrenches. For a starter set to get the feel of ratcheting wrenches, I would go for the Craftsman full polished reversible ratcheting wrenches. They're durable, a bargain on sale, and have a nice ratcheting action. Gearwrench also makes the widest selection of styles and shapes of ratcheting wrenches. I would recommend their locking flexheads, stubbies, and super long zero offset Gearbox wrenches.
I own Snap on reversible FD plus wrenches. It's not so much a matter of the switch breaking, although I have managed to break the one on my 15mm. It's a matter of the switch working loose and then disappearing. You won't know it happened until you reach for the lever and it isn't there. I also have the snap on stubby ratcheting wrenches. I find them a little on the heavy side but, they have poor size makings. one marking on the beam and it's small. As for MAC, I had some of their edge wrenches but, sold them. The switches seemed to bind and weren't recessed. I kind of liked their feel and the modified 6 point ratcheting boxed end but, the switch sucked. You may want to consider Matco proswing ratcheting wrenches. they were making ratcheting wrenches before Gearwrench and ratcheting wrenches became such a big seller. Some are US made others aren't and they have a wide selection of shapes and sizes. Think of buying ratcheting wrenches as buying regular wrenches, you won't just get one style. Flex, stubby, extra long, stubby flex, xl combination, or xl flex all have their place.Good luck in your quest.

I was writing while you posted, but all you said is right on. Good recommendation for a first set and good advice in general too.

I bought some of the Mac Edge when I needed some ratching stubbies and sold mine too. ****, is that switch ever annoying!

BanjoSavesTheDay · May 27, 2010

joenero said:
First time you get in a situation where the wrench gets stuck is when you wish you bought reversible wrenches (like garfunkle said)

I never even thought of that happening! As much as I've used mine, that's never been an issue but I'm sure now that I'll be careful to avoid it itll happen every time. :lol_hitti

garfunkle24 · May 27, 2010

BanjoSavesTheDay said:
I never even thought of that happening! As much as I've used mine, that's never been an issue but I'm sure now that I'll be careful to avoid it itll happen every time.

Even the rare time it does happen, 9 times out of ten it's no biggie. It'll usually be that you backed a bolt up into something. Usually the thing you backed it into is the thing you should have already removed

.

Either move the wrench up the bolt and use another wrench to back it off or just cut the bolt and turn the rest out with pliers or a stud tool if you wanna be really fancy. :thumbup:

wantedabiggergarage · May 27, 2010

I have the Armstrong box end, ratcheting box end, at home. I leave the Gearwrench standard and stubby length ones at the shop. They also have the Bluepoints with the lever down there as well. They tend to reach for the Bluepoints more, due to their angle. (the switch is a benefit for clearance).

At home, the Armstrongs have the angle with the fixed box end, and the lack of angle geared box end.

CamarosRus · May 28, 2010

Thanks to the patience, experience and tutoring of Fedwrench, I bought these MATCO "Pro Swing" ratcheting boxes. I also bought GEARWRENCH Locking/Flexheads.

I'm still trying to comprehend if the long pattern X beam reversible is the best 15 degree head ratcheting box ????

(I bought the below wrenches as part of a MATCO CART with tools. I've since sold the cart, but am sitting on other stuff, which I'm too lazy to market)

tonydanzah · May 28, 2010

unless your going to buy the matco xl flexheads, for a fixed box i would just get the gearwrench double box.

<a href="http://s965.photobucket.com/albums/ae133/tonydanzah_photos/?action=view&current=DSCN2108.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae133/tonydanzah_photos/DSCN2108.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

00S4Boy · May 28, 2010

I got the SOEXRM set for the simple fact there reverseable and have 15 degree offset.

mkdive · May 28, 2010

I have the GW non reversible XLs, and a set of non reversible stubbies. The obstruction wrenches are the only reversing ones I have. I love all of them. I grab my ratcheting wrenches 95% of the time over my non ratcheting. Add those low profile sockets (upper left side of my drawer pictures) to a ratcheting wrench. And you can get into some pretty tight spaces!

CamarosRus · May 28, 2010

Trying to get some concensus on the below pictured wrench.

Would not this 1)XL [longer] 2) X Beam [comfort], 3) reversible [practical] 4) angled head [clearance/fit] GEARWRENCH be one of the most popular configuations ???????

Fedwrench · May 28, 2010

CamarosRus said:
Trying to get some concensus on the below pictured wrench.

Would not this 1)XL [longer] 2) X Beam [comfort], 3) reversible [practical] 4) angled head [clearance/fit] GEARWRENCH be one of the most popular configuations ???????

NO, although I have the Craftsman Cross Force Ratcheting set and the Gearwrench X beam flex, it's not a traditional wrench. It feels different. The angled beam may cause clearance issues in some situations. It reminds me of the conflicts between early automobiles and the horse/buggy crowd.
Don't get me wrong I think the Cross force ratcheting or X beam wrenches are great. I probably use my 13, 15, and 18 daily. They don't dig into your hand like other thin edge wrenches. If you have bad hands from years of turning wrenches, they're easier to use. If you need to give a wrench a little persuasion with the heal of your hand to break a fastener loose, there's a nice area for it. However, with all of their pluses, the bottom line is that they're shaped different and most people don't like that. They are harder to store than regular wrenches too, they don't fit wrench rack/rails well.
To each his own. The Craftsman ratcheting cross force have thicker beams and are heftier than the Gearwrench X beam version. They're also US made. :beer:

Scout Driver · May 28, 2010

I have found that when I reach for a ratcheting wrench, I am grabbing one because I need a tool that is very flat, slim, and needs to reach into a tight spot. Just my 2 nickels.

Scott

duct tape · May 28, 2010

Thanks for all of the advice

FastKat · May 28, 2010

I agree, I like the reversible ones a lot more because of the offset. They give your hands a little more room to hold the wrench in tight spots.

garfunkle24 said:
I much prefer reversible ones with the offset, less knuckle mashing that way. You also can't get them stuck on a stud or whatever. IMHO the FDP ratcheting wrenches are a complete waste of money. The ratcheting guts are exactly the same as the Blue-points. If I need a longer wrench or a high quality open end, I'll just use my good flat wrenches.

CamarosRus · May 28, 2010

Fedwrench, I searched for the CRAFTSMAN Cross Force Reversible Ratcheting Wrenches on EBAY.

I have no specs on the GEARWRENCH XL (extra long) X beam's but I'm guessing they are longer than the CRAFTSMAN.

I'm just thinking that the longer version may be more user friendly ????

Thanks

General questions about ratcheting wrenches

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