bob from indiana
Well-known member
Huskys seem to be re branded Gear Wrench. I use mine a lot.
Best ratcheting wrenches (midrange in price?)
- Thread starter jlevers
- Start date
retDAC
Well-known member
How many of those who claim the 6-point ratcheting wrenches by Tekton and SK are a major disadvantage (vs 12-point) are also those who maintain 6-point sockets are practically mandatory (vs 12-point)?
I'm surprised Carlyle isn't getting more shine here. I only have their flare wrenches, but they're extremely nice, very tight, good coverage of the fastener, etc. I hear very good things about their standard combination wrenches too. If you live in the US and have NAPA stores in your area (I've got several within a 10-minute drive from my house), the warranty is easy too.
I know they're not a maker, so possible their ratcheting wrenches aren't as good, but interested to hear if anyone in this thread has encountered them.
What's the Partner Discount? The metric set is a bit over $300, but at the discount you're getting I'd probably pop for the Proto if/when I replace my Craftsman set.
Otherwise, I'll be leaning pretty hard toward Tekton.
I know they're not a maker, so possible their ratcheting wrenches aren't as good, but interested to hear if anyone in this thread has encountered them.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=625141&d=1487093819
Here is the invoice from Zoro for both SAE and Metric Proto's. $17.51 per wrench; new, retail, relatively current, I didn't check prices today.
I consider them mid-range, as they are half the price of Snap-on.
Consider that the Snap-on are top of the range, and that unknown chinesium is bottom of the range at about $1 per wrench, the Proto falls right in the middle for cost and is in the top 10% for quality. To me, that's the best value area. I recognize that many others don't shop in the high quality, best value area, and these might not be for them. That's why there's a wide range of quality and prices out there available.
If you're only looking at sub-$20 wrenches, they don't fall in the mid-range, they fall near the top of the range. If you just want number of wrenches for lowest cost, just go buy gearwrench. You can get 32 pieces for $95, or just about $3 apiece. Here's the link: https://www.northerntool.com/shop/t...GgojMgu64CGo9-lrGyDbBUF8lAkhsw3EaAj3yEALw_wcB
What's the Partner Discount? The metric set is a bit over $300, but at the discount you're getting I'd probably pop for the Proto if/when I replace my Craftsman set.
Otherwise, I'll be leaning pretty hard toward Tekton.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have a set of Carlyle ratcheting wrenches at work. The only issues I have with them are their price when not on sale and Carlyle sales haven't been that great this year. They're also more of a standard length set. They have great chrome, nice balance, and a crisp ratcheting action. I haven't had to warranty any Carlyle items, but, other posters have encountered resistance at some of their NAPA dealers. I think you may get better service from a corporate store versus a franchise store but, that's just me.
Dewalt makes a real nice ratcheting reversible combination wrench set that you can find almost any where for under $100. They're very similar to the Taiwan made Protos (not the black ones).
Capri makes a nice set of satin finished combination ratcheting wrenches but, you need to snag them on sale.
I grabbed a couple Capri 72t long pattern 6pt ratchet wrenches (10mm,12mm) a couple weeks ago during their buy one/get one 50% off sale. Ive used them a few times so far and i'm disappointed in the reversing levers. They're not recessed and they easily find 'neutral'. Back drag is really light though, I'm thinking that they could stand a slightly stiffer spring. The satin finish is okay but not as nice as my Euro or Japan satin wrenches. Overall they're so-so and IMO overpriced at their normal price, $20-$25 ea.
https://capritools.com/shop/reversible-ratcheting-wrenches-metric/
https://capritools.com/shop/reversible-ratcheting-wrenches-metric/
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dnschmidt
Well-known member
I don't understand it either but I fought them tooth and nail over this and got absolutely nowhere. If you've got a couple of hours to waste read my thread on here as to why I stopped selling TOPTUL it's quite amusing. TOPTUL makes a set of super long flat box wrenches that are the cat's *** but they don't even make separate wrenches in this style that I could buy to complete sets. No 13, No 15 no 18. I could have sold 100 sets of these if they were complete because the quality was amazing and the price was right. Bottom line: they just don't give a ****. According to Fed above Capri, which also makes quality product, follows the same philosophy. How can you sell tools in the United States and not make the three sizes used on every Ford, Chevy and Chrysler in the country? It's a mystery to me.
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The Tekton ratcheting boxed end is a six point design. Many people claim that this is a disadvantage and is harder to place on the fastener in tight areas which is a load of ****. If was a fixed boxed end, I would agree. However, with the crisp 72 tooth ratcheting action, slight movement is all you need and the claim is a nonissue.
How many of those who claim the 6-point ratcheting wrenches by Tekton and SK are a major disadvantage (vs 12-point) are also those who maintain 6-point sockets are practically mandatory (vs 12-point)?
I have used the tekton and own some carlyle 6 point and I no big fan (also tekton rings are on thick side compared to some better options in similar price range), they got uses but not as useful as a 12 point.
6point is hard get on hard reach/awkward angle fastener not just because hex alignment but because of contact surface can make it tight and you can't apply the pressure or get it square enough or clean fastener due to access.
Out of choice I take 12 point on ratchet wrenches for main use set as you simple hardly ever benefit from a 6 point and if truly need a 6 point it going be a scenario of beat a tool on a crusty fitting or torqued/corroded that tight you don't really want be using a ratchet wrench anyway .
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IT stupid and holds them back in potential sales and market growth.
It makes no sense but it same stupidity as with warranty, they simply will not be reasonable or apply common sense logic .
I often wonder why they go to all the bother of making some exceptional tools at such low cost yet miss the simple and inexpensive options in making the product range better and warranty no hassle for dealers.
It beyond stupid !
16again
Well-known member
I have both sets, SAE and METRIC. Love them! I don’t wrench full time just a hobbiest. Zero complaints, quality tool that works.
SK while great eye candy are nothing amazing in use.
If you like or want no offset no reversible they maybe what you after but they nothing special in real world use.
The 3 pawl mechanism make head little thicker and you got 3x the springs and 3x the contact friction which results in more back drag than some .
Bang for buck the icon and oem reversible sets are decent made and decent design/spec tool for fairly decent price and with ICON you got current usable warranty which handy on ratchet wrenches if intending do a lot of hours with them .
If you like or want no offset no reversible they maybe what you after but they nothing special in real world use.
The 3 pawl mechanism make head little thicker and you got 3x the springs and 3x the contact friction which results in more back drag than some .
Bang for buck the icon and oem reversible sets are decent made and decent design/spec tool for fairly decent price and with ICON you got current usable warranty which handy on ratchet wrenches if intending do a lot of hours with them .
OneDollarSaab
Well-known member
They're great. Not recommended for a primary set of ratcheting wrenches, but I use them wherever they fit and they can handle a LOT of torque.
Formerjeeper
Well-known member
Harry J Epstein might be cheaper even with the SK 30% discount. I know that's the case with several of the SK items I have been thinking about buying.
Assume not primary because of the marks the open end leaves? I have a set of Tekton combination wrenches that I are/will be my "most of the time" set.
I already have a middle-aged (i.e. after they became pretty average) full SAE/Metric set of Craftsman and a smaller Husky set (that I don't love), so I'm probably being stupid buying another set (I'd get rid of the Husky set). My justification/rationale is the gripping feature on the open end would make them more useful more often - I almost never use the open end on those sets.
Actually about $50 more, and out of stock
TRWham
Well-known member
I snagged a set of the SK X-frames in SAE for $128 on Amazon sometime last year. I like SK for sentimental reasons and think their tools are more than acceptable but cannot say there are not better options. Having said that, I lurk on the Amazon Warehouse pretty regularly and have picked up more than a few SK bargains there.
Good thread, lots of info. Looking at either Blackhawk or Proto standard length reversible combo wrench. I called Proto directly and was told both are made in Taiwan. Price difference is about $30. Will be used frequently for property management company. Any reason to pick one over the other? Thanks
Edit : looks like Proto is spline drive, Blackhawk 12pt.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Edit : looks like Proto is spline drive, Blackhawk 12pt.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
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John in OH
Well-known member
I have a couple of random Armstrong reversible ratcheting wrenches and like their size and feel. Does anyone know who made these wrenches for Armstrong ?
Did any other manufacturer pick up the Armstrong reversible ratcheting wrench line/design? Are they being made by and being sold under some other manufacturer's name?
Did any other manufacturer pick up the Armstrong reversible ratcheting wrench line/design? Are they being made by and being sold under some other manufacturer's name?
I picked up the icon ratcheting flex head combo set in metric from harbor freight. It’s my first icon purchase. So far, I like them a lot. Used a 20% icon coupon to help knock the set price down. I think Carlyle has the same set. Have been wanting to upgrade my metric wrench options.
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I believe Armstrong was the actual OEM for their Proswing series of ratcheting wrenches sold under their brand and MATCO.
Sadly, they went the way of the dodo bird when Armstrong closed up shop. Although you can find many sizes on ebay and other closeout places. They were used in one series of the Army's GMTK (General Mechanic Tool Kit).
Although MATCO subsequently contracted to KABO to produce updated wrench versions, the newer versions feature 90 tooth action and use spline boxed ends instead of 12 point. To me, they're just not the same.
Sadly the Father's Day price is gone
I think for me they'd serve as the second set behind my Tektons for when I have a tough fastener or need the ratcheting end. I don't have a SureGrip-type open end and the ratcheting wrenches I have are Husky/Crapsman-era I wouldn't mind switching out in the process.