Do We Really Need Deep Offset Box End Wrenches

[drtyler]

They are stronger than any bolt, no worries.

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.

 

[Joe Piro]

Wow... ya'll participate lot's more than members on some other forums I go to. Thank you.
I liked "the only answer is yes" and "need.... sooner or later."
The good news is SK took this set sown on their steals and deals so I am not agonizing over the decision. I was about to pull the trigger, but it didn't feel just right.
To " johninct".... yeah when I was a kid too, that's all my daddy had. I remember rebuilding a Cushman scooter engine with what we had... then mom wouldn't let me ride it..... "too dangerous." I made up for that later.
Thanks for the Toptul recommendation... I have been wanting to check them out.

 

[Coach James]

I have the Stahlwille deep offset set and they are first rate. I got them from Amazonde or however it's listed. Took about a year to arrive as the first set got lost.

Coach

 

[Al Borland]

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

Coulda ended this thread right here.

 

[sz0k30]

Needed this one on for my 67 Impala rear suspension.

 

[setfocus]

14mm deep offset is good for older ford fusion rear shocks. Without it you need to pull the upper arm or drop the rear cradle, to get out the one shock bracket bolt

 

[dscheidt]

I'd go with these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HB00CA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I just ordered a set of these, from amazon uk. $71, free shipping, eventual arrival.

 

[demarpaint]

I just ordered a set of these, from amazon uk. $71, free shipping, eventual arrival.

You'll be glad you bought them.

 

[dnschmidt]

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.

A better option is an angled socket wrench. I sent a set of these to Eric O. and he uses them for exactly this purpose.

 

[cherrybomb]

I have Stahlwille in a couple of sizes that I use often.I often use as my break it loose wrench.The knuckle clearance is sometimes the deal breaker.Stahwille has a fairly thin head,it has that good feel in your hand,I'm sure the SK are a good choice also.Its a wrench that sometimes your glad you have,I just have a 10-13 and a 1/2-9/16,I use these frequently, but in my case I didn't need a complete set.

 

[Fedwrench]

I think you also need deep offset ratcheting boxed end wrenches

 

[dscheidt]

You'll be glad you bought them.

They showed up a couple weeks ago. Look good, feel nice. I've used a couple, but not on anything that required, or would even benefit from the double offset.

 

[Sgtboz]

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?"

I use them on hub bearing bolts. They are handier than you may think.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

There are two sitting on my mill/drill right now.

I'm late to them. I've found them cheap at the fleamarket. Then I tried them, it was where have you been all my life, chuckle. Since you don't have to grab a ratchet and socket and your hand fits about right, I use them.

 

[FuzzyTiger]

I am increasingly of the opinion that the only wrench set you should go out and purchase is a flex head ratcheting combo wrench set. Beyond that buy more general purpose tools for getting into odd places like pass though ratchets/sockets, extensions, swivels etc. You'll get more use out of them with less money spent and they'll cover the majority of situations.

All other wrenches should be purchased individually as needed and not as complete sets.

 

[Mikeske]

I worked in aviation for thirty plus years before I retired and the offset wrenches were life savers more then once. I have had this set since 1983 and still use them a lot on my tractor and project cars from the 1960's and 1970's they are still needed even to this day. Boeing still to this day still uses SAE fasteners and I imagine well into the future.

 

[2oolhound]

The knuckle clearance is sometimes the deal breaker..

That's one of the things I like most about them is they give you room to get your fingers under the wrench. I have long patterns but my favorites are my snappy shorties. They're really useful on my motorcycle where you don't have room to swing a big long wrench or need to reach over an obstacle. I wouldn't be without them.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Not a big need for me. But there have been a few particular sizes I’ve acquired that have been handy to use on certain pieces of equipment. Deep offsets have been handy for me i places you can get a socket. Those have all also been places where a typical combination wrench wouldn’t fit either. It seemed like a deep offset was the best solution. I have a standard set that was an old set of my dads. I have an offset for a brake bleeder wrench that works well. I have a few metric sizes that I’ve needed for jobs. I’ve got them as I’ve found a need for them.

 

[dscheidt]

They showed up a couple weeks ago. Look good, feel nice. I've used a couple, but not on anything that required, or would even benefit from the double offset.

Unexpected use today, as a cheater for a too short allen key. Worked fantastically well, but probably not a reason to buy a set.

 

[Matt XYZ]

I just used one the other day to get the brake master cylinder off the booster. There wasn't enough clearance with my aftermarket hydraulic clutch set up for a socket and ratchet. I could have fiddled around with the ratchet but the deep offset wrench was fast and easy. They seem to be very common in Europe and I cobbled together a mixed set from flea markets.

 

[mr.lemons]

Worth using just because they are much more comfortable to crank on than combination wrenches.

 

[dimichele]

I use them a lot just because they're more comfortable than a combo wrench and like the extra clearance the offset allows for your hand. Rarely, have I needed one for access.

 

[M6erfan]

I have the KTC TM510 set, I use them quite often. As others mentioned, longer, more comfortable, and knuckle clearance with the 45° offset, compared to a combo. There are uses for them too, like old school motorcycle clutch rod adjustment, some cylinder base nuts, axle nuts. . .



I also have the 8 piece Stahlwille 60° metric set, sometimes they're needed too. . .

 

[nbpt100]

In my limited experience what has mattered is the off set angle. What angle are those Deep offset SK wrenches? I did not see any angle given. When changing the Struts on my VW , my C'man 45 degree off set box wrenches would not work. I had to buy a 60 degree off set to get the job done. Those Stalwille look nice at 75 degrees. The word Deep does not mean much if you do not give some dimensions or an angle. Am I being too ****? Sorry. I like dimensions rather than vague terms. I have since sold my C'man set and have been looking for something like that Stalwille set. That may be my next investment. I know, there may be some situation where only a 45 degree will fit. So it is.

 

[DAustin]

In my limited experience what has mattered is the off set angle. What angle are those Deep offset SK wrenches? I did not see any angle given. When changing the Struts on my VW , my C'man 45 degree off set box wrenches would not work. I had to buy a 60 degree off set to get the job done. Those Stalwille look nice at 75 degrees. The word Deep does not mean much if you do not give some dimensions or an angle. Am I being too ****? Sorry. I like dimensions rather than vague terms. I have since sold my C'man set and have been looking for something like that Stalwille set. That may be my next investment. I know, there may be some situation where only a 45 degree will fit. So it is.

Selling tools :-O People do that ?

 

[nbpt100]

I know some folks on here have talked about Capri tools and it has all been positive from what I recall. I saw this metric 75 degree offset set. Can someone who has used them comment?

Capri Tools Metric 75-Degree Deep Offset Double Box End Wrench Set with The Mechanic's Tray (10-Piece) CP11950-10MT - The Home Depot

The Capri Tools 75° Deep Offset Double Box End Wrench Set is perfect for tacking hard-to-reach fasteners, and whenever you need the extra clearance and leverage provided by the deep offset. The deep offset

www.homedepot.com

 

[nbpt100]

A better option is an angled socket wrench. I sent a set of these to Eric O. and he uses them for exactly this purpose.

I see your point. Looks like a great tool for struts. This is a tool I did not even knew existed until a few weeks ago when someone posted a pic of one here. The 6 pt box has obvious advantages and at times a disadvantage. They have not caught on in the States. But may at some point.

 

[qqzj]

All of them can be replaced by pass through ratchets. These kind of tools are out dated for sure. Please don't bother to deny.

 

[blarf]

All of them can be replaced by pass through ratchets. These kind of tools are out dated for sure. Please don't bother to deny.

Do you own a patent on pass thru ratchets or something?

 

[qqzj]

I wish. It would be very nice.

 

[Mallen]

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?"

Well, you should know if you've needed one. Have you had a horrible time busting knuckles anyone skipping off the fastener. It's obvious if you need something other than what you have. Do you have a bunch of harbor freight wrenches that you had to cut down or bend to make them fit? (We probably all have a few like that. For example there's this one bolt on an IHC SV starter that needs a box end wrench with a particularly small OD for it's size so I had to grind one down. I probably could have bought one, but how many times do you have to change one) If you have never needed one, then you probably don't need to worry about it.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

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

They lose the 10mm so you don't have to.

 

[lardy1]

I bought the DeWalt in fractional sizes. Very nice wrenches. Obsolete? Pfffft.

 

[DAustin]

It seem like I've use every tool ever made at least once over the years, or wish I had the one I didn't have at the time .

 

[Ronson25]

got sk minis and longs Along with pittsburg all have done the job perfectly but sk gives me made in usa jollys.

 

[driftpin]

I just cleaned-out a storage unit for a fellow retiree who has gone blind in one eye, he needed everything gone. I found this Indestro set of offset box end wrenches in the items. Yes, 'made in USA'. I did find this in the storage unit, the one thing I paid him for (2nd pic).

 

[Ton ton]

I think you also need deep offset ratcheting boxed end wrenches

I hear you.

 

[bwringer]

In my limited experience what has mattered is the off set angle. What angle are those Deep offset SK wrenches? I did not see any angle given. When changing the Struts on my VW , my C'man 45 degree off set box wrenches would not work. I had to buy a 60 degree off set to get the job done. Those Stalwille look nice at 75 degrees. The word Deep does not mean much if you do not give some dimensions or an angle. Am I being too ****? Sorry. I like dimensions rather than vague terms. I have since sold my C'man set and have been looking for something like that Stalwille set. That may be my next investment. I know, there may be some situation where only a 45 degree will fit. So it is.

Same question here: who's selling the most "extreme" angle? When I need something like this, I'm trying to clear something in the way, and the 45 degree stuff won't cut it.

For example, for one of my motorcycles, a 90 degree offset wrench in 27mm would be the absolute cat's *** for the rear axle.

 

[M635_Guy]

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.

.

(for me, the answer is "no")





(I still look at them though...)

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Funny to say it, certainly here, but there are times when a wrench is better tool than ratchet and socket. And if you are using a wrench, the the deep offset is by far the nicest.