Double box extra long wrenches?

[pontoon]

Hi all,

I’m looking for some extra long box wrenches for leverage. I’m thinking I either want one or two sets. If I get one set, it’ll be plain box on one side and flex ratcheting on the other side. If I get two sets, it’ll be one set with at least one side plain box, and the other set with at least one side flex ratcheting. I need sizes 10-19mm. 8-19mm wouldn’t hurt.

So far I’ve found Matco has a set with box and flex ratcheting on each wrench, so that’d be one set. I don’t like that it’s so expensive for a made in Taiwan set. The nice part about this set is I get both flex and plain box in one set.

GearWrench makes a set like the Matco but much cheaper, also made in Taiwan. Some people complain about the gear wrench fitting a little loose and rounding fasteners. Most people give good reviews on this particular gear wrench set.

Snap on makes two sets to cover 10-19 (one, two) that is plain box on one side and non-flex ratcheting on the other side. I would also need to get a set of wrenches with flex such as the newest ez-red (non-locking double flex extra long wrenches). The downside is two sets. The upside is the box works well with a non-flex ratcheting on the other side since the box can’t turn anything requiring flex anyway. Snap on also makes high performance wrenches with plain box on both sides if I wanted to forego the ratcheting entirely on these sets.

Any other options I should be aware of? Just interested in the really long wrenches of good quality. I don’t want to be rounding fasteners or breaking wrenches.

Any experiences with these sets? Which ones are really good quality? Is flex ratcheting ever actually useful in an extra long wrench?

 

[Fedwrench]

I think the Matco set with a fixed spline boxed end on one side and a flex head ratchet spline boxed end on the other side are too thin to me. I want a little more meat to grab especially if I'm leaning on it.

There are many choices for these. look at gearwrench's other offerings like the gearbox series, their 120Xp flex/fixed sets. I would also look at Tekton if for nothing else, ease of warranty service.

 

[vssjim]

I really like the the GearWrench 120XP double boxes I have

 

[pontoon]

I really like the the GearWrench 120XP double boxes I have

Do they grip the fasteners tightly without rounding them off? I have gearwrench xl combination open and flex/ratcheting wrenches. The open end of my gear wrenches seems to have a sloppy fit on the fastener and rounds them off a lot more than my wright wrenches.

 

[Lucid Moments]

I have a set from a company called "Mountain" that I think might be the same as the EZ Red wrenches and I have been happy with them. They have done everything I needed from them so far.

 

[wkndwarrior29]

I have the Carlyle flex sets and the tolerances for the spline are very tight. No issues.

 

[FunkyYota]

I’m going through the same process right now.

I’m leaning to snap on XDLRM but probably gonna gradually piece a set together. I work on mostly older Toyota’s so 10, 12, 14, 17, 19 to start.

I found the TONE RMA400 set. Looks like a nice quality tool, but not a complete set or cheap.

Interested to hear what you choose

 

[SuperCat]

I don't have either of these sets, but if you don't need a ratcheting wrench end, may be worth considering:
Genius makes extra long double box end wrench set but not ratcheting, 10-19mm metric set is missing 11mm. $85.21
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002AIX502/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Eastwood sells an almost identical set, not ratcheting, 10-19mm no size skips. $54.99
https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-5...MI47jb4tqu7QIVCkqGCh1w6AurEAQYBSABEgK1DPD_BwE

Hope that helps.

 

[vssjim]

Do they grip the fasteners tightly without rounding them off? I have gearwrench xl combination open and flex/ratcheting wrenches. The open end of my gear wrenches seems to have a sloppy fit on the fastener and rounds them off a lot more than my wright wrenches.

I have not had that happen once so far

 

[skernv99]

I have the Carlyle flex sets and the tolerances for the spline are very tight. No issues.

I bought their 5 piece metric set when they had them on sale for cheap during last years Quarter 1 Napa Real Deals sale. I kick myself for not ordering a second set. I love these wrenches.

 

[ThePostman]

I have gw 86126, I like them a lot and they get used everyday at my shop. The matco set is made by mountain. The cornwell set is the gw set. Both are good.

 

[Tduby]

Tekton makes a set like mountain except they are 6point not spine

 

[Dave455]

One question - do you want the length for reach or leverage?

If it’s leverage, why not get a set of long box end wrenches for breaking the fastener loose, and a regular length ratcheting wrench for thereafter.

By far the majority of these ratcheting wrenches are Taiwanese, so by stipulating ratcheting, and long length, and DBE,you are narrowing the choices somewhat!

 

[pontoon]

One question - do you want the length for reach or leverage?

If it’s leverage, why not get a set of long box end wrenches for breaking the fastener loose, and a regular length ratcheting wrench for thereafter.

By far the majority of these ratcheting wrenches are Taiwanese, so by stipulating ratcheting, and long length, and DBE,you are narrowing the choices somewhat!

The #1 thing I want is the non-ratcheting box end for leverage. Having the flex ratchet can nice to flip it around and ratchet it off. I find sometimes the flex lets the ratchet get a longer swing per arc, or a more ergonomic angle. And if I’m being honest I’ll use the ratchet flex to break some tough to reach fasteners loose if I’m desperate and that’s all that will work... as long as the torque required isn’t too high.

I also really want a regular length set of double box flex wrenches but nobody but genius seems to make them and I don’t want genius wrenches.

Even though I really want the Matco version at this point, I might end up getting the GearWrench just for cost reasons. If I can get the matco on sale I’ll go that route. I like the idea of Snap On as well, but that option is by far the priciest at about $800-$1000 retail for the 2-3 sets I’d want to get.

 

[dacan23]

I wanted the same sets but didn't like the cost of the name brand sets, was hesitant to buy no name knockoffs.

I bought this set and was impressed when I got it last year, though only used one wrench once.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y9QW996/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Bought the flex ratchet set recentley.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07S65YSGL/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[dnschmidt]

The bulltools non ratcheting set truly is a bargain. If you own a Hyundai with a 2.4L engine this type of wrench (or a ratcheting version of it like the KABO sold by Mountain and ICON - The flex head style will not work) is the only way to take off or put on your serpentine belt.

 

[itwnexus]

Does any one have the ABN Extra Long Flex Head 12 Point Double Box End Ratcheting Wrenches 5-Piece Wrench Set in Metric?

$69.46

https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Ratcheting-Wrenches-5-Piece-12mm-19mm/dp/B07BS3KGVQ/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=abn+Extra+Long+Ratcheting+Wrenches&qid=1606975319&sr=8-8

 

[sberry]

I think most master sets eventually should have dbe but I can do without the ratchet stuff.. i have 2 sets, older Sears that are brutally tuff.

 

[ThePostman]

The #1 thing I want is the non-ratcheting box end for leverage. Having the flex ratchet can nice to flip it around and ratchet it off. I find sometimes the flex lets the ratchet get a longer swing per arc, or a more ergonomic angle. And if I’m being honest I’ll use the ratchet flex to break some tough to reach fasteners loose if I’m desperate and that’s all that will work... as long as the torque required isn’t too high.

I also really want a regular length set of double box flex wrenches but nobody but genius seems to make them and I don’t want genius wrenches.

Even though I really want the Matco version at this point, I might end up getting the GearWrench just for cost reasons. If I can get the matco on sale I’ll go that route. I like the idea of Snap On as well, but that option is by far the priciest at about $800-$1000 retail for the 2-3 sets I’d want to get.

Mountain is who makes the Matco, and stamps Matco on them. Save yourself at least $250, or waste it, your choice.

 

[pontoon]

Mountain is who makes the Matco, and stamps Matco on them. Save yourself at least $250, or waste it, your choice.

Kabo makes the double ratchet set with the offset black rings for mountain and matco. I want the matco set with one fixed box and one flex ratchet. So far I haven’t found this under any name other than matco, and the closest competitor is gearwrench although probably a different factory.

 

[ThePostman]

Double post

 

[Formerjeeper]

Kabo makes the double ratchet set with the offset black rings for mountain and matco. I want the matco set with one fixed box and one flex ratchet. So far I haven’t found this under any name other than matco, and the closest competitor is gearwrench although probably a different factory.

They also brand the double ratchet set as ICON at Harbor Freight which to me is the perfect blend of Mountain price and MATCO warranty.

 

[ThePostman]

Sadly I have misspoke on the mountain, pains me lol. I can tell you though that my gearwrench set has held up in a busy shop environment, combined with using low profile sockets and or square drive adapter, I havent touched my serpentine belt tool set since I purchased them.

 

[JJ99SS]

I bought the Tekton ones a few years ago and I'll be honest, I use the hell out of them as they are now the first thing I grab to remove any fastener. I have abused the **** out of the 19mm and 17mm one on suspension stuff for my Tacoma. I've really pulled hard on them busting fasteners. Like two hands and pushing with my legs type stuff.

I've had zero issues with them.

 

[visionguru]

...

 

[pontoon]

Hmm the more I look at the Matco and the GearWrench the more similar they look. Starting to wonder if GearWrench is the way to go... I’m not finding any discounts at all on Matco.

 

[pontoon]

I ordered the GearWrench set of 10-20 and an 8, 21, 22, and 24 all for less than the cost of the Matco 10-20. Fingers crossed the quality is good. Will report back.

 

[decableguy2000]

I have the Gearwrench set and have no complaints. Also have Tekton flex set. Both work well for jobs that I have given them.

 

[pontoon]

After getting the gearrwrench set I have mixed thoughts.

The 8mm definitely qualifies as a tool shaped object rather than a legitimate tool. It’s sharply bent in two places: each spot where 8mm was stamped.

The 14mm was hit by some truly unfortunate engineering/bean counting decisions. The 14mm is way oversized at 15mm exactly between splines. I measured all the wrenches and the 14mm is decidedly an outlier, being much looser than the rest. They made the 14mm to work on a 9/16” at the expense of being a good 14mm wrench. I confirmed my wrench is not an exception: this is just how they are engineered and made. If I wanted a 9/16” wrench I would buy a 9/16” wrench. Really pissed at GearWrench for this. I saw some paid Youtubers showing the 14mm being used on a 9/16”. I think GearWrench may try to market this deficient wrench as somehow good.

Anyway I bought a Matco 14mm in the similar style to replace the GearWrench 14mm. Fingers crossed the Matco wrench doesn’t ****.

In hindsight I wish I had bought a set of double box snap on high performance wrenches and a set of either the new EZ Red double box double flex (no lock) or Mountian double box double flex. Live and learn. Or does anyone want to buy a set of GearWrench from 8mm to 24mm?

 

[Vicks]

Buy once, buy a high quality set like the KTC M160 series. Made in Japan.

https://www.frankstools.com/ktc-boxed-end-wrenches.html

 

[setfocus]

The Kabo made DBE ratcheting flex wrenches are sold under a number of different names... Mountain, Platinum (the set I have), Matco, HF Icon, and I think EZ Red might sell them.

The offset on the end is nice for recessed nuts/bolts and also strut mount/tower nuts/bolts, but it can make them not fit in some tight places

The DBE wrenches with only one ratcheting end are nice for breaking loose a nut/bolt then flipping over to ratchet out, or using the non-ratchet end with an impact wrench. I don't have a set but have thought about getting some without a flex. I already have combos, ratcheting combos, and the Kabos. So they aren't something I need. Also my full length 55x25" wrench drawer is pretty full already... could put them in my cart drawer that I don't use...

 

[dsaabm]

Interesting findings with your Gearwrench measurements, I had the Gearwrench 85988 XL ratcheting double box set and ended up selling them because the slop in the fixed head side, you found the reason lol They just never felt right to me. I have been tempted to try the ICON set 56653 made by KABO

 

[Mr_B]

Buy once, buy a high quality set like the KTC M160 series. Made in Japan.

https://www.frankstools.com/ktc-boxed-end-wrenches.html

Mmm not a bad option for price .
I may make a set up for myself ...

 

[pontoon]

Some numbers from the 86126 set for anyone who cares. I measured with a Mitutoyo digital caliper using the inside caliper at the narrowest point between two opposite splines. Some measurement error will be expected due to possible skewing of the calipers. I was careful to find the smallest measurement that barely touched. I also sanity checked my measurement on brand new bolts from the same manufacturer. The issue with the 14mm can be seen in where it grabs the bolt. The other wrenches bite a small distance from the corners. The 14mm grabs at the very edge of the corners. I haven’t tested the 14mm on rounded fasteners. I highly doubt it would handle rounded fasteners as GearWrench claims.

10: 10.54
11: 11.55
12: 12.54
13: 13.66
14: 15.00
15: 15.81
16: 16.93
17: 17.91

These numbers are liable to be off a bit here and there (only took repeat measurements on some wrenches). I did confirm the 14mm measurement is not error, it really is about 15.00 mm +- maybe .01mm. You can see the trend where the amount of over size increases with the wrench size except the 14mm is an outlier.

 

[Rmracing]

The mountain wrenches are great. I use them daily and have only had one start to slip and it’s been used and abused daily for probably a couple years now. Matco, Icon, and cornwell all have what appear to be the same wrenches with different stamping.

 

[alinc100]

Do these do anything for you? https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=457955