Box / Ratchet combo?

[Chance]

"Dumb" question. I would think it would be convenient to have a box end / ratchet end wrench, so that one could break with the box end and then use the ratchet end to speed it off. Is that because the ratchet end is supposed to be as strong as the rest of the wrench, so I should be able to put a full load on the ratchet end (without a cheater)? And that's why combos are open / ratchet ?

 

[qqzj]

Open for access; Box (ratcheting or not) for strength. Ratcheting box wrench is also more convenient. They are pretty strong as well.

 

[honcho]

i have a set of Proto wrenches exactly as described by the OP, non-ratcheting (regular) 12 pt box on one end and ratcheting 12 pt box on the other end. Bought several years ago and have never put them to use. I believe they have been discontinued by Proto. I happen to like traditional double box end and double open end wrenches where each end has a different size but i definitely see the practicality of the popular combination wrench, ratcheting or not.

 

[dnschmidt]

The double box end that your referring to are primarily made by Gearwrench and people seem to believe that you use the conventional box end to break things free and the ratcheting side to remove the bolt or nut all the way out. Personally, unless you go full gorilla the ratcheting side should be able to withstand whatever torque you can, as a human without the use of a cheater, supply. I have never personally ever broken a Gearwrench type wrench from any manufacturer but I don't abuse tools either. To me this concept is stupid as you only get one size per wrench whereas with the double ratcheting box wrench you get two sizes. I live in Phoenix and I've been told by others that there is a thing called "rust" in the world that sometimes requires barbarism to be employed but I don't live in one of those places.

 

[Chance]

@qqzj @honcho @dnschmidt Thanks for filling me in. Will save me a lot of time knowing the ratchet is supposed to be stronger than I thought.

 

[Madjik Man]

Interestingly enough I was going to ask the forum the same question.

For me I was going to go with Duratech's option mainly for price (wish they had a 21mm head): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DJ3YMF4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

But those are not reversible.

I can't find a DBE box/ratcheting combo with a reversible ratcheting side.

 

[Spud McGee]

I have several different types of ratcheting wrenches and from different manufacturers. I have abused them all over the years.
None of the ratcheting mechanisms have failed. One of mine is a craftsman set, from back when craftsman used to be inside sears, inside the mall. That one has swivel heads, with the head connected to the body of the wrench with a hinge. The 1/2" wrench in that set has been pushed pretty hard. I know for certain I've had it on the back side of some brake calipers while I beat on the handle with a sledge hammer to break the fastener free. The ratchet mechanism is still fine. The wrench is a little looser at the hinge now from being misused.

 

[Belanice]

I can't find a DBE box/ratcheting combo with a reversible ratcheting side.

VIM DFXL100

DFXL100 - VIM Tools

6 PC. DEEP SPLINE RATCHETING FLEX HEAD XL WRENCH SET

vimtools.com

DFXL119 - VIM Tools

19MM DEEP SPLINE RATCHETING FLEX HEAD XL WRENCH

vimtools.com

KTC MR15L

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B0028W2SRG/

Amazon | MR15L-13F 超ロングラチェットめがねレンチ(首振りタイプ) 13mm | メガネレンチ

MR15L-13F 超ロングラチェットめがねレンチ(首振りタイプ) 13mmがメガネレンチストアでいつでもお買い得。当日お急ぎ便対象商品は、当日お届け可能です。アマゾン配送商品は、通常配送無料（一部除く）。

www.amazon.co.jp

TONE RMA

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B00B4T8LX4/

 

[alinc100]

I have a Matco 7/8" DBE XL ratcheting wrench.It was bought specifically for scaffold work. Reversible wasn't a priority like strength was. I only bought the 1 wrench as only 1 size was needed. There were not many nuts/rusty scaffold parts I couldn't work loose with it. At the time I was pretty sure it was made by Gearwrench and I believe I bought through Cripe Distributing.

 

[Madjik Man]

VIM DFXL100

DFXL100 - VIM Tools

6 PC. DEEP SPLINE RATCHETING FLEX HEAD XL WRENCH SET

vimtools.com

DFXL119 - VIM Tools

19MM DEEP SPLINE RATCHETING FLEX HEAD XL WRENCH

vimtools.com

KTC MR15L

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B0028W2SRG/

Amazon | MR15L-13F 超ロングラチェットめがねレンチ(首振りタイプ) 13mm | メガネレンチ

MR15L-13F 超ロングラチェットめがねレンチ(首振りタイプ) 13mmがメガネレンチストアでいつでもお買い得。当日お急ぎ便対象商品は、当日お届け可能です。アマゾン配送商品は、通常配送無料（一部除く）。

www.amazon.co.jp

TONE RMA

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B00B4T8LX4/

I should have remembered that VIM set as I posted it when it first came out. I probably forgot because the sticker price caused brain damage.

 

[Fedwrench]

Probably close to 20 years ago, Matco released their line of Proswing ratcheting wrenches. One version (my favorite ratcheting wrench) consisted on a standard length double box end ratcheting wrench with a fixed 15 degree offset boxed end on one side, and a zero offset 72 tooth ratcheting boxed end on the other side. the first generations were made in the USA probably by Armstrong. Later generations were upgraded to spline boxed ends and 90 tooth ratcheting action sourced by KABO in Taiwan.
I believe MATCO discontinued these wrenches. Cornwell offers them under their Blue Power line:

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

Sizes: 8mm-19mm. 72-tooth ratchet design provides 5° handle swing. 12-point box ends. Full polish, chrome plated finish. Packaged in a bi-color EVA foam organizer for easy storage.

webcat.cornwelltools.com

What's great about these wrenches is that they are standard length. other versions such as Gearwrench's Gearbox series are often just too long to use in some applications.
SP Tools also offers this locking flex head series:

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

Unfortunately, the SP set made by Infar lacks 16 & 18 mm sizes.

It would be nice if VIM offered a similar standard length set

 

[WNYflyer]

I have them, Armstrong SAE set (non flex) but in reality have never used them. Armstrong sets seem to have some pretty high asking prices on fleabay, especially metric sets.

 

[Zewnten]

All of my double box ends are ratcheting on one side. Mostly used for access reasons so having a fixed side is rather important, I've broken the ratcheting end before, these were XL wrenches BTW, but they weren't in new condition so I have no idea if debris worked it's way in and caused the issue.