does anybody use open ends?

[young_buck]

I have a lot or combo wrenches but it seems that I don't use the open ends unless it is absolutely necessary. Does anybody else feel the same way or am I crazy?

 

[metaleltr]

Usually I am in that mind set unless the torque involved in minuscule.

 

[Ray-CA]

I use them all the time. Usually when I can't get the box-end to fit (like headers.) Or, when I'm attaching tubing together and wouldn't be able to get a box-end off the end of the tube.

Ray

 

[jfcasey]

Almost as often as I use the closed in. Shoot they come in real handy for popping the old gasket off of drain plugs. If you look at just that there's 1 out of every 2 times I use a combo wrench.

 

[Altec]

In low torque quick operations, yes. Or when it is the only option. I was taught that a box end wrench is less likely to slip, so use that when possible. Simple.

 

[rusty65]

On low torque situations or when speeding nuts or bots out in tight areas.

 

[Scout Driver]

In low torque quick operations, yes. Or when it is the only option. I was taught that a box end wrench is less likely to slip, so use that when possible. Simple.

This right here ^^^^.

Scott

 

[Fastbird]

I don't use the open end unless absolutely necessary due to clearances.

 

[Zeke]

I seem to run into my share of square nuts so I'm glad I have them.

 

[57JoeFoMoPar]

I use open ends all the time. They're often the right tool for the job

 

[djkeev]

Sure do!
Though, I do prefer using box most of the time.

If OP doesn't ever use an open end, OP isn't doing very much repair work!

Dave

 

[young_buck]

I do use the open ends I just much prefer to use the box wrenches over the open end. For me I feel that the box end provides more grip on a fastener than the open end. I use my sockets more often then a wrench though.

 

[Danglerb]

Only when I have to, otherwise some kind of ratcheting tool or a power tool.

 

[Davefr]

I have a lot or combo wrenches but it seems that I don't use the open ends unless it is absolutely necessary. Does anybody else feel the same way or am I crazy?

Open end is often more convenient to use to keep the bolt from turning when using a box end to remove it's nut.

 

[Chris_PT]

I use open ends a lot on my twin turbo corvette where there are many fittings and little real estate.

 

[ddo]

Rarely use the box end. Only on high torque. For me though its a lot of flanges, pipe fittings and tubing runs. Box end mostly is used to hang the wrench when I'm done. That said, barely use combo wrenches anymore. Generally its the pliers wrench or adjustable as I'm always on the go.

 

[djkeev]

This isn't the best photo, but it's of a Knipex plier wrench
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X4OG94/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They aren't cheap and come in various sizes but they are hands down the best open end wrenches I own!

Dave

 

[jmm]

Use double open ends and offset box end wrenches all the time, though definitely less than my combos. I regularly use sizes 26 mm and up, and my combo wrenches only go through 24 mm (except for one 30 mm I just bought in the classifieds here). The leverage isn't great, but I have rectangular tubing I use as a cheater or else I can stand on them. Having open ends cuts down on the number of wrenches I own. My favorites are my Stahlwilles; they're very thin and are angled sharper than most other makes. They add a lot more versatility.

Having extras of these are useful when I need to cut one off to make a specialty wrench for really hard to access fasteners.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I use the hell out of mine - old cars seem to have been designed with open ends in mind, linkages, tubing fittings, hoses, etc. all make me use an open end probably 75% of the time over a box end.