Double Box End Ratchets --- Bad Rap?

[CrazyTools]

Double Box End Wrenches --- Bad Rap?

I recently picked up two sets of double box end wrenches locally, and find that they have instantly become my new favorite wrenches.

One is a ten degree offset with two different sizes on the ends, and one is a zero degree offset where one side is ratcheting (same size). Both are very long in length compared to my normal open end/box end wrenches.

I also find that the beam is thicker, and more comfortable on both of these sets.

I'm not really a wrench guy ... I prefer ratchets ... so I find myself really surprised by how much I like these.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Great tool for crowded engine bays, and the larger sizes are great for suspension and brake work.

 

[Samuel D]

So what’s the bad rap?

I like them.

 

[CrazyTools]

So what’s the bad rap?

I like them.

Well, I just never really hear anyone talking about them. In all the time I've read online discussions about tools generally all anyone talks about are the regular thin head ratcheting wrenches and such. The standard open/box variants.

 

[Samuel D]

I see.

Another nice thing about double ended ring spanners is that you can cover a given size range with half the number of spanners (compared to combination spanners), since each spanner covers two sizes. That’s nice for me with my caviar taste and tinned tuna budget.

 

[Fedwrench]

They're mentioned. There's actually a bunch of them from EZ Red, Gearwrench, Platinum, the tool trucks, etc. discussed here. Some people like the flex head versions where there's a bit of a socket extension on the boxed end. I think at times they can be too long to use. You definitely want to get a brand with easy warranty as it's human nature to lean on the wrenches since they're so long.

 

[gatlibs]

I've read and posted many a mention of liking SK to make these in multiple styles.

 

[Ign]

Yeah, plenty of discussion here.

I've got the Carlyles, Craftsman/GW and more. They have their place. Nice for belt tensioners

 

[scubadoober]

I personally like the Stahlwille 23 and 220 wrenches a lot. I rarely use the open end of a combination wrench. So I am transitioning now to double box, and if I need an open end I have it on my ratcheting wrenches. It is a waste of space to have an open end on every wrench in my opinion. My only gripe with double box end is how they sequentially group the sizes ie. 8x9, 10x11, 12x13, etc. It would make more since to put the DIN, JIS, and ISO sizes together 8x10, 12x14, 11x13, etc. but that is nit picking. Most Japanese brands group them accordingly.

 

[Samuel D]

My only gripe with double box end is how they sequentially group the sizes ie. 8x9, 10x11, 12x13, etc. It would make more since to put the DIN, JIS, and ISO sizes together 8x10, 12x14, 11x13, etc. but that is nit picking. Most Japanese brands group them accordingly.

Why would that make more sense, in your view?

 

[Handyandy23]

Why would that make more sense, in your view?

I believe it's because those are the size groupings that manufacturers use. Honda for example everything is 10, 12, 14, etc. and my GM's use sizes like 13 and 15. That way one wrench will actually be multi-functional for a particular job, as opposed to having to carry 2 wrenches when what I needed was a 10 and a 12.

 

[scubadoober]

Why would that make more sense, in your view?

If I were working on my Subaru I could just take the 12x14 to the engine bay and be done instead of taking both the 12x13 and the 14x15. It is just as inefficient as taking two combination wrenches. You will not see a 13 or 15 on a JIS car. Just like if I was working on my 90's era Porsche, and just grab the 11x13 for engine work. It is putting two wrenches in one that would make way more since for a given application.

 

[humpty]

Somewhere along the way I used somebody's SO zero degree offset wrenches and loved them. I went I bought my own metric set shortly there after and I still love them. I find that I use them the most on oil changes as the long length is nice for those tight drain plugs. I have not bought the SAE set yet, I may at some point.

I think that is the only set of double box ends I have.

humpty

 

[Samuel D]

I see. Thanks for the explanations, Handyandy23 and scubadoober.

 

[toolmutt]

I frequently give them a good rap in discussions here. I generally reach for a dbe wrench first for most tasks.

 

[M6erfan]

Bad rap? Not here, I use mine all the time.

I have a set of KTC 5.5mm-27mm, SK 6 points, Armstrong fixed/ratcheting, Stahlwille 60° deep offset.

 

[Wamsutta]

Re: Double Box End Wrenches --- Bad Rap?

I also find that the beam is thicker, and more comfortable on both of these sets.

That's the way Snap-on double box end wrenches are in comparison to their combination wrenches that people always gripe about being too thin.

 

[bonneyman]

I've got one long DBE ratcheting wrench in 1/2" x 9/16", and it is one sweet wrench! I can see why people would want sets of those puppies.

 

[Vvmvbb]

?...snip Just like if I was working on my 90's era Porsche, and just grab the 11x13 for engine work. ...snip

...and then you'd immediately go back and get the 10mm

 

[Toold_up]

I'm actually looking for a 7/8 x 3/4 ratcheting box wrench. Armstrong used to make awesome ratcheting box wrenches.

 

[visionguru]

Great tool for crowded engine bays, and the larger sizes are great for suspension and brake work.

Agreed! I have Genius XL double box end wrenches, among my best tool purchases. So useful...

 

[scubadoober]

...and then you'd immediately go back and get the 8x10

FIFY There would be some that could be used across more than one group such as 8x10 and 17x19. The sad part is Stahlwille used to make odd ball combinations in their 23 line. I have a 13x17 and a 17x19 made by them. I have also seen a 13x16 which would be a good ANSI/ISO. Now it just seems like they make them in the 20 series.

 

[Spacey_G]

I personally like the Stahlwille 23 and 220 wrenches a lot. I rarely use the open end of a combination wrench. So I am transitioning now to double box, and if I need an open end I have it on my ratcheting wrenches. It is a waste of space to have an open end on every wrench in my opinion. My only gripe with double box end is how they sequentially group the sizes ie. 8x9, 10x11, 12x13, etc. It would make more since to put the DIN, JIS, and ISO sizes together 8x10, 12x14, 11x13, etc. but that is nit picking. Most Japanese brands group them accordingly.

If you buy the Snap-on high performance DBE as a set they're sequential, but you can buy individuals in other configurations. I bought an 8x10, 12x14, and 17x19 to work on Japanese cars. Maybe I'll fill in a 13x15 and 16x18 at some point.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Are we talking ratchets or wrenches?

 

[scubadoober]

I got these a few weeks ago and have used them a few times now. They did not dissapoint. Figment is great and the offset just seems right. They end up giving more clearance at the bolt while not sticking up as much as a 15 degree wrench. They are just right length wise for most of the sizes. If anything the smaller sizes are longer than necessary. They also ring like a bell when struck.

 

[toolaholic]

Great for leverage

 

[NoahG]

I'm a fan on the 6pt offset ones from Lang.

 

[BarryWells]

I have a drawer ful of DBE from Proto,Toptul, GW, Snap,short, deep, straight XL, moon and S-shapes.
I generally reach for a combo wrench....usualy an ASD Proto or Wright gripper or Snap xoem/FD+ in the short style
I Like those dead straight XL once on a while on machinery like lathe, mills, table saws and stuff.LONG mofo's

 

[BarryWells]

Sorry. Re-read. I dont fool with ratchet wrenches much...Seldom

 

[xin]

Agreed! I have Genius XL double box end wrenches, among my best tool purchases. So useful...

Do you got a link for the Genius ones?

 

[M6erfan]

Do you got a link for the Genius ones?

Here you go...

https://www.amazon.com/Genius-Tools-Piece-Metric-Wrench/dp/B002AIX502

 

[Dave455]

I believe it's because those are the size groupings that manufacturers use. Honda for example everything is 10, 12, 14, etc. and my GM's use sizes like 13 and 15. That way one wrench will actually be multi-functional for a particular job, as opposed to having to carry 2 wrenches when what I needed was a 10 and a 12.

The only trouble is, the wrench manufacturers don’t know what you are going to be working on. Sure, JIS use 10, 12, 14, but then, if memory serves, 17 and 19.

DIN uses 10, 13, 17, 19, ISO (U.K.) 10,13, 16, 18, so apart from 15, which I think is unique to ANSI, there is a lot of overlap!

I think this is one reason combination wrenches have become more popular in recent years. You can buy just the sizes you need with no pairing...!

 

[M6erfan]

Simple...

8x10
10x13
12x14
13x15
16x18
17x19
21x22 or 22x24

7 piece set has nearly everyone covered

DBE's in sequential size order makes ZERO sense

 

[Handyandy23]

Simple...

8x10
10x13
12x14
13x15
16x18
17x19
21x22 or 22x24

7 piece set has nearly everyone covered

DBE's in sequential size order makes ZERO sense

Yeah agreed. The pairings might not make everyone happy, buy sequential order makes nobody happy. If you still have to carry just as many DBE wrenches to the job as you would combos, what's really the point?

 

[p..]

Really happy with this set. Very stout wrenches. Proto J1100S-M

With these, combination SK long pattern, and some double open end and double box end Craftsman USA raised panel, there hasn't been much I needed a wrench for that I didn't have the right wrench.

 

[Jason280]

I use a Gearwrench XL set quite frequently, probably more than any other style of wrench I own.

 

[clinebarger]

The only trouble is, the wrench manufacturers don’t know what you are going to be working on. Sure, JIS use 10, 12, 14, but then, if memory serves, 17 and 19.

DIN uses 10, 13, 17, 19, ISO (U.K.) 10,13, 16, 18, so apart from 15, which I think is unique to ANSI, there is a lot of overlap!

I think this is one reason combination wrenches have become more popular in recent years. You can buy just the sizes you need with no pairing...!

15mm.....The correct drive size for 10mm fasteners

 

[Handyandy23]

I use a Gearwrench XL set quite frequently, probably more than any other style of wrench I own.

This is my favorite wrench set too. Lots of leverage

 

[ex-x-fire]

I wore out 1/2x9/16 and 13mmx15mm box end wrenches from doing v belts back in the 90s. I like them a lot.