Do We Really Need Deep Offset Box End Wrenches

[Joe Piro]

SK is running a special on their website under Steals and Deals for a 5 Piece 12 Point Metric Deep Offset Box-End Wrench Set (87761S-11x12mm, 87763-13x14mm, 87765-15x16mm, 87767-17x19mm, 87768-18x20mm).
A lot of us on this forum love our tools almost like family and just like some of you I get excited about some new shiny chrome wrenches for half price, gleaming in a tray in my tool box. I have a complete set of deep offset Snap-on SAE wrenches that I bought 35 years ago (on payroll deduction at an industrial company). Sometimes I reach for one just because it feels good.
I'm tempted by these short metric wrenches, but
Will they actually do anything I can't do with a socket at the end of a ratchet or breaker bar, (stubby or regular)?
They are $103 that might be spent in a more useful way.
The question is, will the day come when I will say "I can't do this job without that wrench?"

 

[drtyler]

If you have been wrenching this long and don’t use the offset wrenches that you have often, then you already know the answer.

All depends on what you work on. Everyone has different needs. I use deep offset wrenches occasionally and see no reason to add the short versions to my toolbox.

 

[Davefr]

I recall that it was the only tool that could remove the nut from the top of a strut. The strut's nut was recessed and had a female hex on the top. You had to secure the hex while loosening the nut or the strut would just rotate. Couldn't use a socket because it would cover up the hex. Couldn't use a std. wrench because the nut was in a recess.

Yes, I've used them from time to time and they do come in handy.

 

[unslow1]

I consider them like crow's feet. You need them rarely but when you need them you really need them.

 

[qqzj]

All these jobs can be dealt with using the passthrough sockets. I have a full set of them, plus two similar gearwrench serpentine belt tools. If OP wants to save money, home depot is selling a set for only$25 now

I recall that it was the only tool that could remove the nut from the top of a strut. The strut's nut was recessed and had a female hex on the top. You had to secure the hex while loosening the nut or the strut would just rotate. Couldn't use a socket because it would cover up the hex. Couldn't use a std. wrench because the nut was in a recess.

Yes, I've used them from time to time and they do come in handy.

Sent from my SM-G981U1 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Stooge]

Just yesterday afternoon i was cursing at myself for not having a 5/8 deep offset to get at some spark plugs covered by some obstructive headers on aftermarket heads, and was planning on starting a search for a set this week. I have a couple of miscellaneous ones, but among some other recent instances, i think i can justify a modest SAE set for the occasional jam.

 

[McFarmer]

I’m still missing a stubby deep offset I lost working on a water tank years ago. Had to reach down and spin the wrench, just enough room for the stubby to clear an obstruction.

Used it nearly everyday one January.

 

[jacked_72]

sometimes its the only thing that will fit.

 

[johninct]

When I was a kid, all we had were open end wrenches and offset deep box wrenches.

 

[yrly]

I had to use some to take a spindle off to replace a drive belt on an older tractor a few months ago.

 

[Wrench97]

I have them and rarely use them.

 

[tube_guy]

I use them occasionally. When I was a poor kid, I didn't have them and there were a few times I had to modify a tool to fit. Just based on that, I think they're worthwhile to have.

 

[bwringer]

This is GJ. The only acceptable answer to "Do I need < any tool >?" is "Yes."

 

[dscheidt]

​

When I was a kid, all we had were open end wrenches and offset deep box wrenches.

I can still smell the vinyl bag my dad had his set of double ended offset wrenches in. Some german brand, don't remember what, but the bag still smelled when it was 20 years old.

 

[sk farmer]

SK is running a special on their website under Steals and Deals for a 5 Piece 12 Point Metric Deep Offset Box-End Wrench Set (87761S-11x12mm, 87763-13x14mm, 87765-15x16mm, 87767-17x19mm, 87768-18x20mm).
A lot of us on this forum love our tools almost like family and just like some of you I get excited about some new shiny chrome wrenches for half price, gleaming in a tray in my tool box. I have a complete set of deep offset Snap-on SAE wrenches that I bought 35 years ago (on payroll deduction at an industrial company). Sometimes I reach for one just because it feels good.
I'm tempted by these short metric wrenches, but
Will they actually do anything I can't do with a socket at the end of a ratchet or breaker bar, (stubby or regular)?
They are $103 that might be spent in a more useful way.
The question is, will the day come when I will say "I can't do this job without that wrench?"

that is a partial set and it looks as if that style of wrench is being discontinued.

i have the ful set, 8-19 maybe. i use them quite often. could i do without them, yes. would i want to, no. the fact that there is no 10mm is a deal breaker though because.... well you know why.

 

[Mr_B]

Not something use a lot so wouldn't over spend on it.
Stahlwille and Toptul have some nice ones, toptul bing very affordable .
Is also one of those items generally easy found used and cheap, especially sae .

 

[ZRX61]

I have (West) German made Kamasa's in standard & metric, they get used.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Seems many tools were built for us to need.. Sooner or later.

 

[finn]

I have a set that I picked up when we lived in Germany thirty five years ago. I don’t use them often, but they do come in handy occasionally.

 

[Rabid Badger]

The thing that annoys me about that SK set is it doesn't cover 10mm.

 

[gigamel]

Deep Offset Box-End Wrench is my go-to together with a regular combination wrench - always bring both

 

[richfinn]

Stahlwille make an awesome set of these and cheap to buy

 

[csp]

Wishing I had a deep offset box end in 1-1/4" right now.

 

[demarpaint]

I'd go with these: https://www.amazon.com/Stahlwille-SF20-Offset-Double-Ended-Spanner/dp/B000HB00CA

 

[Lassen Forge]

Sorry, that's like asking "If there are mechanics out there, do we really need our own tools?"

I needed one 2 days ago (7/16 offset box) otherwise the job wouldn't get done. YMMV, but if you don't think you need one, then you haven't been deep enough in a project to need one... yet.

THis reminds me of the guy who asked why they had SAE tools...

 

[Radio Flyer]

Almost never use them.

They take up space.

Sold them to a member here.

 

[joey1320]

They come in extremely handy when doing alignments. Also when removing aircooled Volkswagen engines. Besides that, you'd wish you had one when that one bolt/nut is unreachable without them.

I have both of these sets. One for work ($29) and the other ($18) for the house. Both are great quality and I'd recommend them. I mean for $18, just get them. Thank me later

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Steel-V...-Offset-Metric-Box-Wrench-Set-62103/304627348


https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...+Torque+5-Pc.+Double+Box+End+Wrench+Set&pos=0

 

[Ign]

I had a set years ago, never used them. Now I just avoid them.

In addition to pass thru sockets it's now more possible than ever to get sockets with a hex on the end -- very very similar concept.

Worst case I've got cheap spare wrenches and sockets specifically to be cut up, welders, lathes and mills. I can make a substitute if I actually need a deep offset box end in 17 years

 

[dlwilson]

I have a set of Stahlwille metric offset wrenches that I got at the estate sale of a working pro mechanic. They are shiny and barely used. Very occasionally I find an odd situation where they solve a problem, so I guess I'm glad I have them.

 

[lardy1]

I keep both metric and fractional hanging on the wall behind my main bench. Along with a couple pliers wrenches and a set of cobras as well as a couple screwdrivers. First line of defense. The tool box is three steps away.

 

[engineer2]

Deep offset box wrenches are sometimes handy for brake bleeders and V-engine intake manifolds.

 

[Peoria Man]

My 10mm deep offset gets a lot of use on brake bleeders and various other locations where for some reason they fit better than anything else.

Also, for the aforementioned strut nuts. And my lawnmower spark plug, but I think I only use the deep offset for it because its handy.

By the way, if the deep offset doesn't fit on a strut nut, I just use a spark plug socket with a 1/4" extension stuck through it. The spark plug socket has a hex on it.

 

[Ign]

True, I've got the dedicated bleeder wrenches but I guess those "don't count" in my head. Just a weird way of looking at it I suppose

 

[Audiman]

I rarely use my deep offset box end wrenches, but I use my shallow box end wrenches all the time for brake work.

 

[Formula]

I’ve used my 18mm offset wrench countless number of times on the bottom bolt of the front motor mount bracket on GM 2.4 engines. It fits perfectly in there better than anything else I’ve found.

 

[a_whale]

<deleted>

 

[thool]

Yes, the only way I was able to get to the lowest 2 spark plugs in my Mercury 2 stroke 6 cylinder. Had to be 12 point because I had very limited swing. I went with the HF brand because all it needed to do was turn a spark plug once every few years.

Now you guys got me thinking of other use cases!

 

[dscheidt]

Stahlwille?
I have a full set of stahlwille, the benefit of those is that the OD of the end is smaller than a lot of other brands and for certain things on VAG cars I use them pretty regularly in situations that nothing else would work.
I'll admit, I did not need a full set, I think the 8, 10, 13, 15, 18mm are the only ones that get used most of the time (in fact its possible that I've never used the other sizes at all) but I just *had* to have a full set, ya know

Could have been. He had some Hazets, I know, all bought to work on 50s and 60s Mercedes Benzes, when it was hard to get metric tools in the US. Sadly, the tools were stolen in a burglary.

 

[richfinn]

Stahlwille?
I have a full set of stahlwille, the benefit of those is that the OD of the end is smaller than a lot of other brands and for certain things on VAG cars I use them pretty regularly in situations that nothing else would work.
I'll admit, I did not need a full set, I think the 8, 10, 13, 15, 18mm are the only ones that get used most of the time (in fact its possible that I've never used the other sizes at all) but I just *had* to have a full set, ya know

I'm slowly switching all my wrenches to Stahlwille, I have some older offsets and they are great tools for the price

 

[Ralf11]

ok... my older Stahlwille in about 15mm or so are just pretty

my new Stahlwille I got last year has a poor surface finish - scratches all over, which they lated over; these are 7, 8, 9, 10mm so small (for brake bleeders)

I dunno anything about the strength but I thought I'd pass this info on for those who want nice looking tools.