Double Box End vs Combo Wrenches

[M6erfan]

Anyone use double box end wrenches? If so, what is the advantage over a combo wrench?

 

[ckblum]

I'm debating replacing some of my combos at work with double box ends. My 8-19mm and 5/16"-3/4" combos to be replaced with some long handled double box ends 0* offset. I have Mac's Precision Torque ratcheting wrenches 8-19mm and 5/16"-3/4" and find I use them 90" of the time now, only when I need a longer wrench or slimmer box end I will go back to my old Mastercraft combos. But the open end on those combos I rarely use and the Mac wrenches open end is far better.

I also have angle wrenches and crowfoot sets so really having two sets of wrenches with open ends seems redundant. The only exception is my big wrenches, where I use combos since there isn't much selection for big ratcheting wrenches.

 

[Negen]

It is rare that I use the open end of a combo wrench. I like double box end. I would love to have a set in all offsets. I find the deep offsets work best for me when I cannot quite get the wrench to fit. 0 offsets for when the fastener gives me enough room to work with.

 

[rick carpenter]

Combos give you a flat open end and a 15* box end, both the same size. Advantage: sometimes only an open end fits where you need it. DBEs are two 15* box ends, different sizes. Advantage: you can carry fewer wrenches with DBEs.

I have Craftsman combos and they do me well. I also have a mixed shallow/medium offset DBE set from garage sales that I don't use very often... but I want a new & complete set of them.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I have both. Sometimes the double is handy and I grab that, but often times, it's the combo set.

 

[toolmutt]

I typically grab a dbe for the additional length.

 

[Vigo]

I could see an argument for having double box ends in longer handles and double open ends in shorter handles as that seems to suit how they would be used better than to have only one length of wrench with both box and open ends.

The majority of my wrenches are still Cman combo wrenches and they don't see enough use to spend money upgrading them (i mostly use ratcheting wrenches which also have an open end anyway). But, if i was starting over now, i may try to collect the long-box/short-open arrangement instead.

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[Fedwrench]

I rarely use an open end wrench aside from doing suspension work. My favorite wrench is the older US made MATCO Proswing wrench made by Armstrong. It has a 15 degree offset fixed boxed end on one side, and a zero offset 72 tooth ratcheting boxed end on the other side. I think it is the most functional wrench I own.

 

[hautpot]

I like what snap-on calls "hi-performance spanners" They are just super long double box ends.

 

[bonneyman]

Lots of good points raised so far. I agree with just about all of 'em!

I find the OE on combo wrenches to be pretty lame, unless they're an enhanced gripping profile like WrightGrip. I find angle or obstruction wrenches are much more useable if you need an OE.
Then a set of small offset DBE's round out the tools.

 

[92integra]

It would be nice if they made a smaller lenght of the double box end wrenchs. My fav's are matco double box with ratcheting on one side. And extra long snappy combos with fd+

 

[papavolume]

Agreed, about the only time I've used the open end is for alignments and similar suspension work.

I have a set of EZ-Red Long Flex head double box end wrenches in standard and metric that I really like to use lately.

 

[dutchgray]

Plenty of short DBE out there, flat or offset.

 

[92integra]

I want no flare or offset tho. I want a smaller version of the gear wrench double box fixed on 1 side ratcheting on the other.

 

[unslow1]

I have both styles and rarely use the double box. Usually only use them for the added leverage of longer length.

 

[56rpm]

I was in the Penske pits at an Indy car race at Laguna Seca years ago watching them teardown a transaxle. The used only combo wrenches, and mostly the open end. I thought that was a bit odd.

 

[Davefr]

Anyone use double box end wrenches? If so, what is the advantage over a combo wrench?

With 2 sizes on each wrench you have 2X the probability of having the right wrench for the fastener and likely save trips to the toolbox.

 

[Leoruiz]

LOL. This is garage journal. What brand would you like to talk about ? Ive got combos from stub to XXL in metric and sae, open end. Angle open end. Short double box. Reg double box.Extra long double box, 15 degree offset. 45 degree offset. 60 degree offset . Anti-slip,Wrong grip.No grip,Wright Grip, Snap-On flank drive Plus.
If you need metric go buy a combo extra long from Toptul on eBay from Denny ( dnschmidt).
If you need sae go buy a set of Tektons.Good bangs for the buck.
Stay away from here. You'll have 5 grand in wrenches before years end

 

[Wakefield]

I like what snap-on calls "hi-performance spanners" They are just super long double box ends.

DBE wrenches come in different offsets and in the zero offset flat variety. So there is likely to be one that is ideal for a particular job. But having the perfect one might mean having lots of wrenches.
Also half moon and D shaped wrenches.

 

[Zion21]

Plenty of short DBE out there, flat or offset.

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They're also very available near me. Not sure if everywhere is like that though.

 

[OutsideMachinist]

Depends on what you work on. I use open ends quite often, just as often as box ends. So for me, I usually carry combo wrenches and/or double open end wrenches. Rarely use double box end wrenches unless they are offset and that is rare. Usually will use a pass through set depending on torque required.

 

[kirkkw]

It is rare that I use the open end of a combo wrench. I like double box end. I would love to have a set in all offsets.

I find that I only use the box end of a combination and this week bought my first double box end set. The final stubby box end metric Topful set available on eBay.

 

[sonvolt]

I use my combo wrenches 80% of the time DBE when I need more leverage

 

[SK-Mike]

Do you prefer a 0* offset or something like a 15* offset?

Which do you find more user friendly for "most situations".

 

[sberry]

I like the offset and use them quite often.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Off topic, but does anyone even make a double box end that is not 12 point?

 

[CNGsaves]

My MOST Favorite wrench is double-box end offset Craftsman 1/2" & 9/16".

It's pretty small but main reason it's my favorite . . . was Grandpa's !!

 

[BlueBomber]

My go-to tools are combo wrenches, but I usually use the box end. I do use the open end when there's not enough room for the box or if I need to get at the nut from an angle (like straight down - putting the open end on over the bolt end and spinning the wrench on its long axis).

That said, I am partial to DBEs, maybe because I recall a Craftsman set my Dad had that I grabbed whenever I wanted extra leverage. I also like having contact with six faces of the bolt, rather than just two.

I've started collecting DBEs of all brands, buying them at estate sales whenever I find them. Mostly because I just like 'em. And because Garage Journal.

 

[M6erfan]

Off topic, but does anyone even make a double box end that is not 12 point?

I'm not sure about current production but I have a 6 pt. DBE SK set from about 10 years ago, they're not particularly long...

 

[coralnut]

Off topic, but does anyone even make a double box end that is not 12 point?

I ordered some at Grainger's clearance sale a couple of days ago, but I haven't taken delivery yet. $25 for the set.

http://www.grainger.com/product/SK-PROFESSIONAL-TOOLS-Box-End-Wrench-Set-21A272?s_pp=false

Sorry for the oversized pic -- it's a web link photo and I can't change the size.

 

[jrobb316]

I use the 0 offset DBE for more leverage as DBE are always a bit longer than a regular combo, and the 0s can get in tough places. Combos already are 15 degree offset so I never found the need for a DBE in 15 degree. You really need both.

 

[Dave455]

Yes, use 'em all the time!

If you have , say, a 7/16 x 1/2 and a 1/2 x 9/16 you use one on a 1/2 inch nut, and the other on the bolthead! The only way to do this with combo wrenches is to have two of each size!

Traditionally, British wrenches would come in a 'full set' with say 5/16 x 3/8, 3/8 x 7/16 and so on, or a 'half set' with say 5/16 x 3/8, 7/16 x 1/2 and so on!

For some reason U.S. Wrenches never seem to follow this logic, which confuses the hell out of Brits, but now the world is going metric, and all the different standards use different sizes, it's hard to implement without buying a lot of wrenches anyway!

 

[Dave455]

Off topic, but does anyone even make a double box end that is not 12 point?

Nepros certainly do, there are probably others!

 

[RedneckWelder]

I don't use them often, but when I do they save my ***. I used Gearwrench Gearbox extra long zero degree offset wrenches the other day while taking bellhousing bolts out of a dozer- the extra length was a lifesaver in both the reach and torque advantage departments. Made the job go a lot easier. Unfortunately a lot of times they are too long to fit in a limited space so I don't get to use them more, but slipping into narrow areas are where they shine.

 

[SK-Mike]

After debating on getting a set of SK long pattern combos, I decided to get my 1st ever set of double box end Snap On, also will be my first ever Snap on tools.

I got the 10 degree set in bot Metric and SAE, for $317 on Flea bay. The SAE set is 5 wrenches with 10 sizes from 7/16-1 inch.

The Metric set is also 5 wrenches with 10 different sizes from 10-19 MM.

I think I will like the extra length. So How did I do, was $317 a fair price or did I pay too much? Never owned a snap on brand tool before. Now I can buy a snap on sticker for my Craftsman tool box, ha ha.

 

[oldldh]

My Wife bought out the Craftsman Raised Panel Store for my Christmas present, in 2012...

I, therefore, have to use all of them...

I really like the 6 pt Combination wrenches...

 

[sberry]

My go-to tools are combo wrenches, but I usually use the box end. I do use the open end when there's not enough room for the box or if I need to get at the nut from an angle (like straight down - putting the open end on over the bolt end and spinning the wrench on its long axis).

That said, I am partial to DBEs, maybe because I recall a Craftsman

I do most work with the box on a combo, the doubles are nice on occasion. I used them on a prototype the other day, when I did it the second time I had learned to do it with a simple combo. I also have some Cman from some old sets. Despite them being **** in the tool world they are very strong, I used a 3 ft cheater pipe on a 3/4 a while back, unreal.

 

[sberry]

I got a snap with a spread jaw, its not hard if a guy trys but what really ruins wrenches isn't men but rattling against them with an air gun. Its the only time I can really recall enlarging or breaking a box. Mostly demolition work, in reverse.

 

[94EG8]

I don't use them all the time but I like dbe for the offset and in some cases the additional length.

Off topic, but does anyone even make a double box end that is not 12 point?

Snap-On used to at one point. I have part of a set (5/16 x 3/8, 7/16 x 1/2, & 9/16 x 5/8) They're shorter than most double box end wrenches buy I really love them for certain things. The 7/16 x 1/2 is especially useful for doing Tecumseh carburetors, the offset is just right to fit the bowl nut and the 6 point design is great when dealing with soft brass. Industro also had a 6 point set but they don't have much of an offset.