Double box wrench opinions

[SD_40]

I’m been poking around for a dbe set, and want to ask here which you feel you get the most use out of, assuming you’d only have one set:

Standard double box, 10 or 15 degree offset (or 0??)
Standard end, ratcheting on the other end
Deep offset
Standard end, flex head ratcheting on the other

Just curious what everyone found to be the most useful. I realize deep offset will fit some applications better than the others, but just looking for “a” set, for now.

 

[jloehlein]

my go-to wrench set is a short, deep offset, double box end, 6 point set. i don't know why, but I seem to have a preference for wrenches with no offset.

 

[creativecars]

For me it is 50-50 between Standard double box (10 or 15 degree) and
Deep offset, because of their length. Every so often I will need a short and they are usually deep offset.

 

[Tallpilot]

I like 0 offset extra long regular and ratcheting. They are nice on the other end of an impact and you don't have to worry about breaking the ratcheting mechanism. The thin profile with the extended ring end gets in places others would not.

 

[Wamsutta]

My go-to double box wrenches are the Snap-on XB and XBM series. They're off set 10 degrees but in a parallel plain.

 

[bonneyman]

Two sets of both SAE and metric.

#1) Long zero (or shallow) offset, 6 or 12 point (depending on intended usage)
#2) Short deep offset, 12 point

 

[Jason280]

My most used set is a Gearwrench 0* XL box with ratcheting end, but I do have the shallow and deep offsets as well.

Box end wrenches are my weakness, I can never turn them down when I dfind them in pawn shops.

 

[PelicanPines]

Love these...

View media item 69356

 

[four.cycle]

SAE or Metric? New? Used?

My double-end box wrenches were all deep offset up until just a couple years ago. Short (1/4" - 5/8") and long (3/8" - 1")

If you're looking for SAE, you can get every flavor (deep offset, 10 or 15-degree offset, short and long) fairly reasonably in the second-hand market.
There are no shortage of options.

If you're looking for Metric, different story in the second-hand market. Not so common.

New US-made (SAE or Metric) - the options are limited and they get kind of spendy.

 

[Fedwrench]

All of the above.

My favorite wrench is the standard length boxed wrench with a fixed boxed end on one side and a fine toothed ratcheting boxed end on the other side, MATCO proswing also sold as Armstrong. I wish someone would make this wrench with a flex head ratcheting end, but no one makes one in standard length.

Next really handy style to have especially if your combination wrenches are on the short side like wrightgrips, would be the extra long zero offset boxed end wrench set. The extra length gives you extra torque & reach.

The other two versions that are very handy to have at times would be the extra long wrenches that have a zero offset fixed boxed end on one side and either a fixed ratcheting boxed end, or a flex head ratcheting boxed end on the other end. The flex ratcheting boxed end is probably more versitle but, they appeared later so, I have both types. Sometimes these wrenches can be too long to use.

Never underestimate the usefulness of the stubby offset boxed end wrench set. SK is perhaps my favorite version of this type in metric. Handy for a little knuckle clearance when holding something from the back side, or when access is an issue.

Proto makes probably the best looking & performing 30 degree or so, offset boxed end wrench set in a wide variety of sizes. Nice chrome, thick beams, excellent balance, off corner engagement, nice length.

I gues I have a few more than just one set of boxed end wrenches.

 

[Tonyuk]

I have a set of standard DBE Beta spanners and also a set of the metric Gearwrench XL with the fixed + flex ratcheting end.

Both are very nice, if i had to choose only 1 set to have it would be the Beta's as they go up to 24mm and the gearwrench only goes to 19.

They're very useful to have, however to get the best out of them you really need to be working off a lift imo, otherwise they're just too long.

Its also essential to have a good set of combo-spanners though, the flat profile of the long dbe's wont always work.

A comparison for the long Beta's, long Toptul's and a Wera joker which is pretty standard length-wise.

 

[SD_40]

I’d get metric, and have no problem buying used. Found a few ok prices on Mac or matco sets crushing ebay, the snap on’s Are still out of my price range used, but I can keep looking. New gearwrench also looks like another good option

 

[ThatSickRip]

I have a set of standard DBE Beta spanners and also a set of the metric Gearwrench XL with the fixed + flex ratcheting end.

Both are very nice, if i had to choose only 1 set to have it would be the Beta's as they go up to 24mm and the gearwrench only goes to 19.

They're very useful to have, however to get the best out of them you really need to be working off a lift imo, otherwise they're just too long.

Its also essential to have a good set of combo-spanners though, the flat profile of the long dbe's wont always work.

A comparison for the long Beta's, long Toptul's and a Wera joker which is pretty standard length-wise.

For size reference, is that the extra long or long Toptul?

 

[Tonyuk]

The extra long.

 

[BlueBomber]

I say you need all of the above!



However, if I were honest, my go-to wrenches ar a set of zero offset ratcheting Craftsman combo wrenches. I like DBEs a lot, as the above picture shows, but sometimes you just need an open end.

 

[WhataTool]

Extra long 0 offset are something special, i don't know what it is but they are super useful.

 

[ssdave]

Long zero offset or small offset dbe are my favorites. I also like the zero offset short DBE that Proto, Williams, and Snap-on make for handiness in carrying in my pocket for certain jobs.

I really do not like the deep offset short ones, but they are problem savers in certain clearance situations. Use them, but do not like them.

I like dbe much better than ratcheting combo's, but there's no apples to apples comparison, they have vastly different uses.

 

[ThatSickRip]

The extra long.

Thanks! Would you happen to know the length of the 17 or 19? I couldnt find it on their website, and Im trying to decide between those or just the long set.

 

[toolmutt]

Probably my most used dbe wrenches are my standard 1990ish Craftsman USA. I recently got the Gearwrench extra long 120's, the ones with a zero offset box on one end and a flex ratcheting box on the other. Love the extra length when it fits.

 

[psychoclaw84]

I like the Zero Degree box wrench in the short and long versions.

The short version allows use in tight clearance and long for the stubborn fasteners.

 

[Flatheadpopup]

I really like the low offset double box end wrenches--my 15 degree protos just feel right in my hands and are a go to when applicable.

 

[bonneyman]

That Beta looks awesome!

Closest I have to that are my aerospace Utica's. Super long, enhanced broaching, and recessed accessibility. But SAE only.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

My Double box ends are all one piece tools.
Are extra long to extra short.
Are straight to deep offset.
Are either six or twelve point.

They are not the first wrench a normally grab; but for certain jobs, they are the only wrench I grab. When the Wrench Lords Thought about making Double Box End Wrenches; They smiled down on Me and said "We will make some for that Nut"

 

[JUNK-MAN]

I have a snap on deep offset metric set I bought years ago, they are great for some things but totally inconvenient for others if I were to get another set I'd get shallow or zero offset.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[sberry]

Probably my most used dbe wrenches are my standard 1990ish Craftsman USA. I recently got the Gearwrench extra long 120's, the ones with a zero offset box on one end and a flex ratcheting box on the other. Love the extra length when it fits.

I also use the Cman wrenches, I have some of those and some older, they are brutally tough. They are made for working on equipment and worthb having as they are routinely just the right thing.
I have some deeps, use them some but the 10 or 15 degree are first, got says of them go both ways where the big end is long, those are the extra longs.

 

[Rickster]

Yup, still have my Craftsman double box slight offset wrench set from the 70's. Decently long in length and tough wrenches. The Proto's are nice too, I like the longer length.

 

[CR888]

I like my recent DBE purchase of deep offset Stahwille Stabil 20 series. But for most things flat standard Kincrome open end/ratcheting 72t ends get the nod. But also my XL flat Mako sae set with ratcheting boxes on both ends are pretty darn fine too. Flex heads are next. You can spend plenty and have a lot of weight in your tool chest fulfilling your wrenching wants. The Jokers I have feel super nice in the hands and are a top shelf product, but I don't reach for them first oddly.

 

[SD_40]

If anyone cares......after much soul searching, I think I'm getting these:

Mountain mtnrm6 set.

Not exactly what I though I wanted, but should fit the bill nicely. Really wanted standard end/ratcheting end, but the only ones I could find were the gearwrench which were still $200 for the set.

 

[sberry]

I really live by simple combo wrenches, a collection of them. Some have a little uniqueness but a lot simple and some imports that survived. The only ratchets are a simple Sears set I use for troubleshooting for lack of better words. The long ratchet may be nice but usually when I reach for a non combo means its a problem, on equipment it means tight and long. I am with a couple others here, 12 point too.

 

[240Z_Master]

Snap-On XDH Series for me are the best... I really like the offset.

I'm still looking for XDH78A and XDH1012B... these other ones I have pictured are spares.

 

[Tonyuk]

Thanks! Would you happen to know the length of the 17 or 19? I couldnt find it on their website, and Im trying to decide between those or just the long set.

The 17mm from the extra long set is 312mm from end to end.

They're great spanners really, not too thick and the broaching is good. Well worth £70 i paid for them.

 

[ThatSickRip]

The 17mm from the extra long set is 312mm from end to end.

They're great spanners really, not too thick and the broaching is good. Well worth £70 i paid for them.

Thanks! I went ahead and ordered them since I was already impressed with the short offset wrenches I had

 

[Mr_B]

I own and like the Hallmark double box end, one end aviation style other straight ratchet ring .
12pc set, 8 to 19mm, no skips . would of been nice if went to 20mm .
19mm is 390mm long, ratchet pretty nice and seem durable .
Price real good if shop around .