Cheap ratcheting wrench set recommendations

[hemismith]

I apologize, probably this isn't the place to ask about cheap wrench recommendations. But I'm just a hobbyist and have never been able to afford good tools. Most of my current tools are Craftsman, purchased about 30 years ago. Right now I want to get a set of ratcheting wrenches; I've wanted one for years but never got around to it. I realize that ratchet mechanisms are one area where quality makes a difference, but I don't want to spend too much right now as I don't know how much I'll actually use them.

I've narrowed it down to 3 sets; from reading here it sounds like Gearwrench isn't very good anymore but I assume it's no worse than Husky or Craftsman or Kobalt. My main question is which has the most useful sizes. I have American, European, and Asian cars, not sure what I'll be working on the most in the future so that's no help. But I'll likely never own a GM or Subaru for what it's worth.

Gearwrench or Husky 72-tooth 20 piece sets, both have 1/4-13/16", and 8-15mm. Then GW has 16-17 and Husky has 17-18.
Gearwrench Pro 90 tooth 18 piece set, 5/16-3/4 plus 7/8, and 8, 10-15, 18-19.

The 90 tooth one sounds like it would be better but whether it is in reality or not I don't know.

I don't think I've ever used a 9 or 16. 17 seems more common than 18? Not sure about 13/16 vs 7/8.

 

[Boogerman]

16 and 5/8 are the same, so that helps. 9 is essentially never used. 19 and 3/4 are the same also.

I use 5/16" (8mm), 3/8", 7/16", 1/2", 9/16" and 3/4" the most of my SAE, and use mostly 10 and 14mm in metric, with the rest being used sporadically and pretty evenly. I don't do a lot of automotive work, and when I do, most of the time sockets are much more useful to me. So, keep that in mind in my recommendations. I know there's a huge contingent of guys that love them for automotive work here. Just different than my use/preferences.

If you're not buying one of the higher quality wrench sets, my opinion is there's not a lot of difference in quality (strength and longevity) in the lower tier stuff; buy the ones that have the range of sizes you want and look/feel the best to you. I'd also highly recommend reversible ones; non-reversible are very close to worthless, and all the utility you get out of them is entirely eclipsed by the one time you stupidly trap one and have to cut the fastener you were working on to release it.

 

[CGarage]

The Gearwrench ratchets, 90T, locking flex heads I reach for all the time in 1/4” and 3/8” drive.

I own the most premium ratchets from Snap-On, Koken, Nepros, Facom, etc

The Gearwrench is hard to beat, regardless of cost.

I can’t speak to the sockets and other offerings. I don’t own those.

 

[WWheeler]

If you're looking to pinch pennies, then here you go. I bought this set of reversibles for under $40 based on dnschmidt's post quoted below and was not disappointed at all. There's not a functional difference between them and my Gearwrenches that cost several times more. The roll-up was a nice touch too, as these now reside in my truck's toolkit.

HERE IS THE HOT SMOKIN' DEAL OF ALL TIME. I bought this for ****'s and giggles and it turns out that these seem to be to be Gearwrench quality or better at 1/5 the price. They are or course made in China but are well made and extremely comfortable as the beams are wide enough not to cut into your palms. I've only used them a couple of times but I'm super impressed for the money. For less than $35 for a complete set I think you'd be crazy not to try these out.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L3HJBK2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Wrench97]

If your american cars are newer then the 1980's look for a metric only set.
Next thing to decide is if you want reversable or flex head ratchets.
Tekton has a nice set for $150> https://www.tekton.com/flex-head-12-point-ratcheting-combination-wrench-set-14-piece-wrc95002
Williams has a reversable flex head set for 200> https://www.protorquetools.com/8-19...ench-set-12-pcs-in-plastic-tray-jhwmws-12rcf/
8mm to 19mm is mostly all you use on a regular basis the secret to making them last is break the fastener loose first with a conventional wrench then run it out with the ratcheting wrench.

 

[The Wordsman]

I have almost every name brand set that you could imagine thanks not to me, but my awesome wife. I’m just learning like everyone else but I have to say if you have a harbor freight I would go there. I know, I’m probably not really popular but who is going to warranty Craftsman? Snap on is awesome but I’d have to find a truck or send it off. Proto is still good, I think, but how do you warranty something immediately. I bought a cheap cutoff tool at harbor freight and no questions asked immediately walked out with another defective one” we all know their low end is really low.” But even their cheapest Pittsburg ratchet has a lifetime warranty and returns are so easy. I f you have one within 20 or 30 minutes from home I’d give it a try. I like Lowe’s products but we have here in southern Oregon a competency issue with their employees.

 

[VolvoRyan]

This is absolutely the place to ask about cheap tools. Why not?

I'm a fan of flex-head ratcheting combos.

As long as you're not standing on them, most wrenches in the GearWrench price range work fine. If you're running US, Euro, and Asian, you have the gamut of industrial standards, so you'll want to not skip sizes.

Two things I've noticed over the years: A relatively complete 1/4" socket set does a lot that you might use ratcheting wrenches for. Ratcheting wrenches often won't fit in a lot of places because there just isn't clearance around the fastener.

When the budget is tight, there's no reason to break the budget here.

-Ryan

 

[mike93lx]

I have a metric gear wrench set. Can't say it's anything great, but none have pissed me off. Certainly better than the craftsmans that I've had for many years.

If I was buying them now, I'd probably take a good look at tekton

 

[hemismith]

Wow, thanks everyone for the advice, I really appreciate it. I was just planning on getting non-reversible, non-flex head. But it sounds like both those features are desirable. I had figured they would be more reliable without them.

When I was in college I was constantly breaking my cheap Kmart socket sets. Then I got a roommate with Snap-on tools and realized the difference quality makes. But I couldn't justify those so settled on Craftsman. I initially loved the reverse switch on my Craftsman ratchets, but now it often switches to the middle position where it just spins while I'm using it. But I did have to have all my ratchets rebuilt (by a blind man no less). But someday I should get some better ratchets.

30 years ago I used to live by the Harbor Freight headquarters store. I did buy a few things in my younger days there, and still have some. Although I have been really skeptical and tried to stay with name brands. But maybe they aren't so bad, I didn't realize Pittsburgh also had a lifetime warranty. This is a store near me and I actually went there last night as they have a double box end wrench set, which I figured would reduce redundancy and storage space. But I couldn't find them, and then decided to try to stick with Gearwrench.

I don't know what I will use them for, but nothing too intense, and I will remember to use a regular wrench to break things loose. I do think I'll need SAE sizes as well for around the house stuff. I just know that there have been many times where a socket wouldn't fit and I wish I had one. But good point about the large head not always fitting.

I have had to buy several large wrenches and sockets lately that my sets didn't include, and I may have to here, but I figure I have to start somewhere. I have usually been a fan of buy once cry once though.

So I will re-evaluate what is out there, and maybe just get a better metric or SAE right now and save the other for a later birthday present.

 

[bob from indiana]

I have Husky ratcheting wrenches at home and at work. they do fine for my use. I also have a set of Pittsburg. They aren’t as nice as the Husky but are fine for a road set. They are not for heavy use but do a good job within their limits.

 

[rust in the eye]

Got $15?
see my FS post

 

[hemismith]

Not a lot of reversible options out there, and prices are all over and reviews aren't as good. And I have yet to run across a reversible flex head, and most flex heads are locking which doesn't get good reviews here.

What is more important, flex head or reversible?

 

[Steve_P]

Not a lot of reversible options out there, and prices are all over and reviews aren't as good. And I have yet to run across a reversible flex head, and most flex heads are locking which doesn't get good reviews here.

What is more important, flex head or reversible?

IMO, flex head. The "danger" with it not being reversible is that you will back out a fastener and then not be able to get the wrench off. BTDT. Once. Never again. Then you struggle to screw it in with your fingers and tell yourself to pay attention in the future!

 

[amolaver]

I just got my first couple sets of reversible ratcheting wrenches..after using non-reversibles for something like 20 years. I've broken one non-reversible - a 10mm i had doubled up and was nearly hanging from. I barely ever use non-ratcheting other than backing up a socket or ratcheting wrench or where the larger head of ratcheting don't fit.

IMO, the 'wrench got trapped' is overblown. Not that it cant happen, but doesnt take much forethought to see it before its a problem. Had a couple close calls over the years, but if it wasnt clear before you start, minimal attention should keep you out of trouble.

I'd love to see testing max torque to failure in reversible vs non. I've always heard the non are stronger which tracks with my experience but anecdotal.

I like the reversibles but if $ was tight, getting more wrenches or better quality would trump reversing in desirability.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Whichever you choose, make sure the warranty is fairly easy (probably a nearby store).

 

[rbgearz]

I've had good luck with the Proto and Gear Wrench sets.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I bought the Towallmark set that WWheeler has pictured and am well pleased. I was also going to order a comparable sized Towallmark reversible set in SAE at the same time, but no such luck. So I settled for an SAE set of DuraTech, and of the first three I tried, two would self flip the reverse lever unless it was held in place. Not impressed.

 

[richfinn]

This is my take on it, if you already have conventional non ratchet combo wrenches you already have the open end part covered.

Just buy a set of the KABO/Mountain XL flex-head ratchet wrenches to cover Metric, I use these far more than my regular ratchet spanners and they are very affordable.

They are spline drive with a nice stepped offset and reversible.

Mountain or Icon for XL Ratcheting Wrenches

I’ve been eying the Mountain XL ratcheting wrenches for a while. I was going to buy the Icon version for $200 to get the warranty but then I saw that Zoro has the Mountain version for a little over $100 (with 20% discount). I’m trying to gauge if the insurance is worth the extra $100. How...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[bob from indiana]

Rural King has some low end ratcheting wrenches. They were something you might leave in a tractor tool box just in case but didn’t impress me much.

 

[seber]

Got $15?
see my FS post

Huh?

 

[rust in the eye]

Huh?

Cheap stuff

I have no need for any of these, maybe you do. Will ship cheapest way possible but remember I can't just stick a stamp on this stuff. Taiwan import metric socket set, 22 pcs. ~as new condition, the 3/8" sockets look nicely made $10 SAE mixed set ,ratcheting wrenches, 3/8 - 5/8...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[lardy1]

I found what I thought was a good deal on a set of Titan reversible metric wrenches. I just printed up the shipping label to return them. I think I'm going with the Craftsman V-Series instead. With a 20% Zoro coupon they really aren't that much more money but a considerably smaller set.

 

[Tynee]

My experience: I have a reversible set of Gearwrench from the early-ought's. They've been good. I have a set of non-reversible flex-head Tekton's that I really want to like, but struggle with. They fit fine, and they're a nice tool, but I want to flex to be MUCH stiffer. I think locking flex would fix this. I own locking flex ratchets and love them.

If I were starting over on ratcheting wrenches, I'd go with individually bought (not sets) in the most common sizes, and they'd all be stubby non-reversing, non-flex. Look at Tekton, Gearwrench, Craftsman, or similar.

 

[bcradio]

My experience: I have a reversible set of Gearwrench from the early-ought's. They've been good. I have a set of non-reversible flex-head Tekton's that I really want to like, but struggle with. They fit fine, and they're a nice tool, but I want to flex to be MUCH stiffer. I think locking flex would fix this. I own locking flex ratchets and love them.

If I were starting over on ratcheting wrenches, I'd go with individually bought (not sets) in the most common sizes, and they'd all be stubby non-reversing, non-flex. Look at Tekton, Gearwrench, Craftsman, or similar.

Why?
I can't personally see any negative to a reversible stubby vs non... only positives