Any ratcheting wrench recommandations ?

[hemdale]

Thank you all for your very helpful input !

Most of the brands some members have mentioned are more or less US based.
I had a good look at some German brands (yeah again) and thought the Wiha Joker wouldn't suit my needs because they have a flat ratchet head.

Thank you Monte for showing me the light and I've managed to find the Gedore 7UR - 012 for a mere 245€ with shipping included. Not a bad deal I think ?
However, I couldn't find any info regarding the number of teeth..

Will let you know how it goes.

PS: I've read that the Gedore might be a bit stiff, is there any break-in period / procedure I should follow ?

 

[Niniek]

Thank you all for your very helpful input !

Most of the brands some members have mentioned are more or less US based.
I had a good look at some German brands (yeah again) and thought the Wiha Joker wouldn't suit my needs because they have a flat ratchet head.

Thank you Monte for showing me the light and I've managed to find the Gedore 7UR - 012 for a mere 245€ with shipping included. Not a bad deal I think ?
However, I couldn't find any info regarding the number of teeth..

Will let you know how it goes.

PS: I've read that the Gedore might be a bit stiff, is there any break-in period / procedure I should follow ?

You can buy them at amazon.de for 212 euro.
Might be worth giving it a look.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

I was under the impression the current GW ratcheting wrenches are bulkier than the "older" Taiwan-made models.... we have an older set of GWs (flex non-reversible) with a few Wurth to fill the gaps and they've held up at the shop over the years.

I was looking for a set for home-use. Seems like the new Dewalt ones are very similar to the older GW and have very slim heads (a member here posted some pics). Anyone use them: http://www.dewalt.com/tools/hand-tools-mechanics-tools-mechanics-tool-sets-dwmt72168.aspx

 

[hemdale]

You can buy them at amazon.de for 212 euro.
Might be worth giving it a look.

Thanks mate, will have a look !

 

[Monte]

Thank you Monte for showing me the light and I've managed to find the Gedore 7UR - 012 for a mere 245€ with shipping included. Not a bad deal I think ?

like Niniek posted the best price seems to be 212.- Euro.

However, I couldn't find any info regarding the number of teeth..

They have a different amount of teeth depending on the size of the wrench.

PS: I've read that the Gedore might be a bit stiff, is there any break-in period / procedure I should follow ?

Spray some WD-40/Ballistol etc. into the ratcheting mechanism (through the gap of the cap or ring)

 

[Finky198]

I like the Bluepoint Reversible flex head i have them in Stubby ( made in Tiawan if that matters) will probably get the reg lenthgt as well and my fav are the snap on XDHR series double box 1 ratchet/ 1 std box end. There similar to the matcos Houdini posted

 

[jallyn]

I was under the impression the current GW ratcheting wrenches are bulkier than the "older" Taiwan-made models.... we have an older set of GWs (flex non-reversible) with a few Wurth to fill the gaps and they've held up at the shop over the years.

I was looking for a set for home-use. Seems like the new Dewalt ones are very similar to the older GW and have very slim heads (a member here posted some pics). Anyone use them: http://www.dewalt.com/tools/hand-tools-mechanics-tools-mechanics-tool-sets-dwmt72168.aspx

Yes, the current GW ratcheting wrenches are bulkier than the "older" Taiwan-made models. I was looking specifically at how bulky GW and C-man (both made in China now) are and was disappointed. I didn't go all out and buy US made Armstrong. I settled on DeWalt reversible ratcheting wrenches. Like you said they are made in Taiwan and quite slender in all dimensions that are important and a bit longer than some cheap C-man ones I have. I can't be 100% sure but I think they are made by HI-FIVE / NewTools.com. Best prices are on eBay. They are nice tools similar to the original (Taiwan) GearWrench ratcheting wrenches.

 

[neonlazer]

Love my Matco Branded Armstrong Reverse Ratcheting Wrenches. IMO, the direction lever is more sneak and better designed. Although if you use big gloves it may be tougher to change than one that sticks out more like Snap On.

http://www.armstrongtools.com/wrenc...rsible-ratcheting-combination-wrench-set.html

 

[bry@n]

I have a set of SO ratchet wrenches and find I mostly use the Matco double box below. No idea why, I just seem to like the feel of them.

 

[T45]

^^^ how long are those matcos?

 

[shockwave]

Monte those gedore wrenches look very nice I am going to look for a set of these now

 

[hemdale]

I have some wera joker ratcheting wrenches and I love them. I've also worked with facom ratcheting wrenches and those were excellent to.

If you are looking for some offset ratcheting wrenches and are looking at the wera joker and can wait till september. Then you can pick the new jokers that have offset and a switch!

Hmmm nice. So the Gedore with the Wera Joker style. Any rough idea of the retail price ? However they aren't user serviceable (can't open them the same way as the Gedore's torx screw)

 

[Farmall450]

Gearwrench...can't beat it for the price.

 

[trackwelder]

I recently purchased both metric and SAE Snap On fd+ ratchet wrench sets and am really pleased with them. I like the offset on them compared to my straight gear wrench sets.

 

[06switchback]

I didn't read the whole thread so it may have been said but my gearwrenchs are the off set reversible with the little lever and they are terrible everyone slips some switch direction while using and a couple aren't usable

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk

 

[Fedwrench]

I was under the impression the current GW ratcheting wrenches are bulkier than the "older" Taiwan-made models....

It's more a case of where you buy your gearwrench that makes the difference. Buy at a big box store like sears during a half off sale or the holidays, and you will most likely get PRC made **** often without individual part numbers. Buy from a parts store or online vendor, you might get a better version but, pay more.

 

[gdocktor3]

How about T&E Tools USA ratchet wrenches? Are they made in USA? Says they're part of Apex. They look to be decent. Anyone use them? http://www.ebay.com/itm/T-E-Tools-F...224514?hash=item43dd8400c2:g:qeoAAOSwBLlVaf-l

 

[jt777]

Those long double boxes are very popular. I love mine . I have 8-19mm gearwrench and love mine.

 

[crane_guy]

Love my proto racheting wrenches. I have the reversible set 6mm to 36 mm. Huge set! The racheting end is strong. however they will come apart if your not pulling square on a tight fasnter. The also come apart if you drop them from a decent hight. I have not had issues with 19mm and down.

 

[jallyn]

How about T&E Tools USA ratchet wrenches? Are they made in USA? Says they're part of Apex. They look to be decent. Anyone use them? http://www.ebay.com/itm/T-E-Tools-F...224514?hash=item43dd8400c2:g:qeoAAOSwBLlVaf-l

T&E sources from many countries. Since it doesn't say USA anywhere I would assume Taiwan or even China for those flex head ratcheting wrenches.

 

[matemike]

Love my proto racheting wrenches. I have the reversible set 6mm to 36 mm. Huge set! The racheting end is strong. however they will come apart if your not pulling square on a tight fasnter. The also come apart if you drop them from a decent hight. I have not had issues with 19mm and down.

The 6mm-36mm set sounds like a Taiwan made proto set. Still very good, we use them at work.

But Proto USA makes a thicker I-beam style "spline" set of ratcheting wrenches in the USA. Never seen them in person, but they appear to be beefier.
Part Numbers: JSCVM-20SA and JSCV-18SA

http://www.protoindustrial.com/en/news/Pages/Proto-Ratcheting-Spline-Combination-Wrenches.aspx

Only downfall I see is the 5 deg offset vs the 15 deg normal offset. More often than not I'm glad I had more offset.

 

[jallyn]

The 6mm-36mm set sounds like a Taiwan made proto set. Still very good, we use them at work.

But Proto USA makes a thicker I-beam style "spline" set of ratcheting wrenches in the USA. Never seen them in person, but they appear to be beefier.
Part Numbers: JSCVM-20SA and JSCV-18SA

http://www.protoindustrial.com/en/news/Pages/Proto-Ratcheting-Spline-Combination-Wrenches.aspx

Only downfall I see is the 5 deg offset vs the 15 deg normal offset. More often than not I'm glad I had more offset.

Those look nice. I bet the offset is closer to 15 degrees than 5. The 5 degrees listed in the page you linked to is for the minimum reverse arc swing...due to the 72-tooth ratchet.

 

[BigT69]

Those look nice. I bet the offset is closer to 15 degrees than 5. The 5 degrees listed in the page you linked to is for the minimum reverse arc swing...due to the 72-tooth ratchet.

I have those proto ratcheting wrenches.They are very nice. Proto makes a similar ratcheting wrench reversible, chrome, offset but made in Taiwan. They are not near as well built.

 

[crane_guy]

The tiwan wrenches are just fine, I personally don't own the USA I beam wrenches, obviously better than the taiwan version.. the tiawan wrenches work just fine. I have been know to Crack bolts hitting those wrenches with a hammer. I often use a snipe on the 36mm wrench to Crack bolts. The tiawan reverse rachet offset wrenches is what I carry in my field bag.
All my wrenches are proto, I don't like the anti slip slip design open end on any of the wrenches.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

It's more a case of where you buy your gearwrench that makes the difference. Buy at a big box store like sears during a half off sale or the holidays, and you will most likely get PRC made **** often without individual part numbers. Buy from a parts store or online vendor, you might get a better version but, pay more.

? I thought its been YEARS since they moved production... I dunno, but is there any NOS even left? Maybe, but I'm not about to track it down. I'm sure at Advance, CMan, Amazon, etc... the big sellers, it's all China.

I was looking for some 20 mm sockets and found some cheap GW ones from Cripe... figured they can't be high-demand item, COO China.

I figured the new wrenches from Dewalt might be the "old GW". Thin heads and made in Taiwan. I've only seen a couple reviews of them on here.

 

[jallyn]

I figured the new wrenches from Dewalt might be the "old GW". Thin heads and made in Taiwan. I've only seen a couple reviews of them on here.

The DeWalt reversible rat. wrenches made in Taiwan are much like the old GW. I think they are made by HI-FIVE / NewTools.com like the VIM Tools hex bit ratchets (HBR3, HBR4, and HBR5). Very nice, thin, and fairly long pattern reversible ratcheting wrenches.

 

[BigT69]

The tiwan wrenches are just fine, I personally don't own the USA I beam wrenches, obviously better than the taiwan version.. the tiawan wrenches work just fine. I have been know to Crack bolts hitting those wrenches with a hammer. I often use a snipe on the 36mm wrench to Crack bolts. The tiawan reverse rachet offset wrenches is what I carry in my field bag.
All my wrenches are proto, I don't like the anti slip slip design open end on any of the wrenches.

Are your wrenches black or chrome?

 

[autobon7]

I have Craftsman, GW, and Wera Jokers. Some may complain about the Jokers not having a reverse lever but doesn't bother me. The only thing that would make them better (in my eyes) would be if they were an inch or 2 longer. Other than that they are very smooth, feel good in the hand, and very nice quality.

 

[sljeme345]

If you can, buy Gedore and Stahlwille. At first look Stahlwille set, at least to me is better. But you will not go wrong with any that you buy.

 

[matemike]

Those look nice. I bet the offset is closer to 15 degrees than 5. The 5 degrees listed in the page you linked to is for the minimum reverse arc swing...due to the 72-tooth ratchet.

I thought the same thing, but this says 5 deg offset:

https://m.grainger.com/mobile/product/PROTO-Ratcheting-Wrench-Set-34E411

 

[jhnlngn]

I thought the same thing, but this says 5 deg offset:

https://m.grainger.com/mobile/product/PROTO-Ratcheting-Wrench-Set-34E411

Proto's catalog, page 578, says 15 deg.

 

[crane_guy]

Are your wrenches black or chrome?

Yupp they were! I have had them 4 years I think

 

[Fedwrench]

? I thought its been YEARS since they moved production... I dunno, but is there any NOS even left? Maybe, but I'm not about to track it down. I'm sure at Advance, CMan, Amazon, etc... the big sellers, it's all China.

I was looking for some 20 mm sockets and found some cheap GW ones from Cripe... figured they can't be high-demand item, COO China.

I figured the new wrenches from Dewalt might be the "old GW". Thin heads and made in Taiwan. I've only seen a couple reviews of them on here.

To me the Dewalt reversible ratcheting wrench set are very similar to the Blackhawk versions only the Dewalts have the anti slip open end, kind of like Taiwan Proto, nice wrenches. I don't think anything is shared between the Stanley dynasty and the Apex Tool Group

As for Gearwrench's production location, I just don't know. Everything I have purchased in the last two years from locking flex head ratchets, picks, 120xp extra long spline wrenches, semi deep chrome sockets, to their new pliers have all been made in Taiwan. Nothing I have purchased was made in the PRC.

 

[Rogue1987]

Proto USA chrome wrenches are awesome. The Taiwan ones aren't bad either.

The DeWalt ones are nice.

So are the duralast ones from auto one with the textured frame (the more expensive ones).

I think I've got a set of sunex spline ratcheting wrenches as well, and they've held up well with me beating the hell out of em.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[hemdale]

I have some wera joker ratcheting wrenches and I love them. I've also worked with facom ratcheting wrenches and those were excellent to.

If you are looking for some offset ratcheting wrenches and are looking at the wera joker and can wait till september. Then you can pick the new jokers that have offset and a switch!

Hi Niniek,

I tried the Gedore and they are very nice. However, I'll wait until Sept 2016 for the offset Joker. Just being super curious to see how they compare vs Gedore

 

[hemdale]

If you are looking for some offset ratcheting wrenches and are looking at the wera joker and can wait till september. Then you can pick the new jokers that have offset and a switch!

Hi Niniek,

It seems the new Joker ratchet wrenches have arrived !

 

[driven04]

I'm ressurrecting this thread from the dead to ask two specific questions.

One, has anyone here actually used the Stahlwille 17 series ratcheting wrench? The reverse lever is in a strange place relative to any others that I've seen, and I'm really curious if that causes any issues.

Second, Does anyone know why the reversible Jokers are so much more expensive than the non reverisble? It's ridiculous that the same wrench costs almost 3 times more just for a switch, but I'm very partial to the reversible design.

 

[apdxyk]

Good questions. Anybody?

 

[driven04]

I would also still like to know these things (although, to be honest, I think I'm just eliminating the Wera Joker set from contention)

I've learned that the stahlwille wrenches are made by Kabo in Taiwan. They have a similar button style on other versions of their wrenches, including "EZ-red" Crescent, and KTC. There is some debate as to whether stahlwille forges the wrench and sends it to Kabo for "finishing" or whether it's entirely produced at Kabo, but a comparison picture on amazon makes me think kabo produces it completely Amazon link
Some good info here: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=290021

and here: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6169366&postcount=43

 

[Ign]

I'm ressurrecting this thread from the dead to ask two specific questions.

One, has anyone here actually used the Stahlwille 17 series ratcheting wrench? The reverse lever is in a strange place relative to any others that I've seen, and I'm really curious if that causes any issues.

Second, Does anyone know why the reversible Jokers are so much more expensive than the non reverisble? It's ridiculous that the same wrench costs almost 3 times more just for a switch, but I'm very partial to the reversible design.

I've also wondered. But now as someone who just bought the Dual 80's in both fractional & metric I guess I'd be a hypocrite complaining about price....

I have a single reversible Joker I got on AWD. I do really like the feel of it in hand