Combo wrenches: regular vs ratcheting vs flex-head ratcheting?

[809]

Follow up from my previous thread.

All have pros and cons.

reg: slim profile; less moving parts to break

ratcheting: faster

flex head ratcheting: much faster as time can be saved by not having to disassemble 5 things to reach that one bolt

Which one should I buy as a first (as possibly only) set?

 

[Kscardsfan]

Straight up old school regular combo wrenches if they’re you’re only set. The rest are speciality tools that come with time.

 

[honcho]

Only one set........I'll vote reversible ratcheting combo with the caveat that the ratcheting end is not as strong as a non-ratcheting combination wrench and it may fail on you at an inopportune time.

 

[M6erfan]

First and only set? Regular, non-ratcheting.

 

[M635_Guy]

I've had limited use for my regular flex ratcheting box-end wrenches (except for my long double-box Icon ones, which have been fantastic in the situations I've needed them - motor mounts, rear control arms and a few other things.

But while I have two sets of combo wrenches with ratcheting ends (my old Craftsman set is now spare/retired since I got my SK Xframe set last year, mainly for their SureGrip feature) another mostly-complete set of combo flex wrenches, 95%+ of the time the Tekton standard combination wrenches are what I pick up vs. the others. If I need ratcheting, I just don't have a ton of scenarios where I'm not using a ratchet & socket in that situation - maybe I'm just weird.

 

[AirMech#406]

I've had limited use for my regular flex ratcheting box-end wrenches (except for my long double-box Icon ones, which have been fantastic in the situations I've needed them - motor mounts, rear control arms and a few other things.

But while I have two sets of combo wrenches with ratcheting ends (my old Craftsman set is now spare/retired since I got my SK Xframe set last year, mainly for their SureGrip feature) another mostly-complete set of combo flex wrenches, 95%+ of the time the Tekton standard combination wrenches are what I pick up vs. the others. If I need ratcheting, I just don't have a ton of scenarios where I'm not using a ratchet & socket in that situation - maybe I'm just weird.

Same. 90% of the time I reach for my standard craftsman open ends rather than my Gear Wrench ratcheting ones. Mainly because the flippin ratcheting end is so much fatter than the standard craftsman box end.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I use regular wrenches 99% of the time. I don't have the best of luck with GW ratchet wrenches. My SK wrenches have never let me down. Maybe one day I'll buy a high quality set of ratcheting wrenches but currently they're not high on my list. I'd rather spend the money on ratchets and impacts.

 

[MJK]

Man I dunno. Either reversible ratcheting NON flex offset combos, or standard normal length combos. If only one set implies limited funds, then standard combos. If only one set is for space reasons, I think I'd get a GOOD set of ratcheting combos. First set? Probably standard ones.

 

[demarpaint]

First and only set? A good set of metric combo wrenches would be my choice. But no one buys only one set of wrenches when it comes to tools.

 

[Ton ton]

I would like a flexhead version of ratchet wrenches nonreversible. The sets I have are skip sets. I wish I had a complete set. I know everyone has a preference. This is mine.

 

[Ton ton]

I agree with other people's conclusion, no one has only one set of wrenches. There's way too many options, limiting yourself to one set of wrenches is pointless.

 

[CS454]

Buy a set of half decent, standard combi wrenches if it's to be your only set. Consider something with a serrated jaw (Wrightgrip, FD+, etc) if it'll be seeing corroded fasteners.

Mine make money, and I've found investing in reversible ratcheting SO's well worth the time.

 

[finn]

Regular combo first, then ratcheting, then flex ratcheting.

Size matters, and so does strength. Regular are the most compact, flex are the most bulky and weakest. Regular ratcheting are in the middle.

Having said that, I reach for the regular ratcheting first, unless there is a clearance issue or I expect to need a lot of force to remove a fastener. Tightening is mostly with a regular ratcheting wrench.

 

[lardy1]

While I have certainly come to appreciate the many styles of ratcheting wrenches, if I could only have one set it would be a set of non ratcheting combination wrenches. Particularly if you are set up with socketry and a ratchet. I do like my ratcheting wrenches but there's very little they do that a regular wrench won't do, just slower.

 

[Fedwrench]

Before you pick a wrench set, you have to determine exactly what tasks you will perform with these wrenches. That will guide your choice. Stick to the basics and don't overthink it making a choice harder than it is.

 

[Dave455]

If it’s your only set, just get regular, non ratcheting.

Ratcheting have basically one advantage, they save time, but at some cost in strength.

One suggestion - if you are considering buying a set of perhaps ten combination wrenches, why not buy five double box end wrenches and five open enders?

You will have the same size range, but the box ends will probably be longer than the open enders (giving you two length options) and you can also use two wrenches simultaneously on a bolt head and nut!

 

[M635_Guy]

Same. 90% of the time I reach for my standard craftsman open ends rather than my Gear Wrench ratcheting ones. Mainly because the flippin ratcheting end is so much fatter than the standard craftsman box end.

This (and the other replies) make me feel better. I've always kinda wondered what the heck I'm missing when it comes to the ratcheting and flex-ratcheting wrenches I own. They've been awesome when I needed them, but they mainly sit until a specific situation shows up.

 

[VolvoRyan]

I love the GearWrench flex ratchets. When the shine, they shine brightly, as they can save hours of time, and make PITA jobs rather cheerful.

That said, I grab a regular combo wrench 95% of the time. A good set of sockets and ratchet handles can get into a surprising number of places. As noted above, ratcheting wrenches won't fit into a surprising number of places. This leaves the "need" for ratcheting wrenches in an ever shrinking "niche" as your tool set gets bigger.

-Ryan

 

[DAustin]

If it’s your only set, just get regular, non ratcheting.

Ratcheting have basically one advantage, they save time, but at some cost in strength.

One suggestion - if you are considering buying a set of perhaps ten combination wrenches, why not buy five double box end wrenches and five open enders?

You will have the same size range, but the box ends will probably be longer than the open enders (giving you two length options) and you can also use two wrenches simultaneously on a bolt head and nut!

And then later buy combination wrenches in the sizes you use the most.

 

[FMB4]

I, like many, use regular combos ~ 90% of the time. This is followed by double box ends (for initial loosening and last step tightening). I have several regular non offset ratcheting and a few reversible nons, and a small cheap set of reversible offsets (all of which I very rarely use).

 

[wreckdiver1321]

I prefer using a regular combo wrench a lot of the time, but I'd say the split is pretty close to 50/50. That said, I love having a good set of ratcheting wrenches to make my life easier. I have been known to break things loose with a regular wrench or ratchet and switch to a ratcheting wrench to speed it up.

If I only had one set, it would be standard combo wrenches, then work on obtaining nice ratchet wrenches. I'm odd, as I really prefer the flat, non-swivel, non-reversible ratchet wrenches. They're more compact than the other types, and they seem to be tougher. If I need to turn a bolt the other way, I just flip the wrench around. Plus the flat wrenches can get some places offset wrenches can't. Vise-versa of course but I like having the option.

 

[Ton ton]

I love the GearWrench flex ratchets. When the shine, they shine brightly, as they can save hours of time, and make PITA jobs rather cheerful.

That said, I grab a regular combo wrench 95% of the time. A good set of sockets and ratchet handles can get into a surprising number of places. As noted above, ratcheting wrenches won't fit into a surprising number of places. This leaves the "need" for ratcheting wrenches in an ever shrinking "niche" as your tool set gets bigger.

-Ryan

Well said, Ryan.

 

[foghorn1966]

Reg combo wrenches for me first, then flex ratcheting. Be aware that a non reversible ratchet wrench could get you into a corner you can't easily get out of if you don't think ahead.
X2 for Well said, Ryan.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Not sure if you are a Pro or DIYer, DIYer I bought the best regular combo wrench set. My CM USA ratcheting wrench was useful when I seldom needed it.