Looking for people that own XL DBE ratchet wrenches to chime in. What make are yours? Likes and dislikes? How often do you use them? I am possibly looking to ad a set to my box and want to buy once and be done. Appreciate your feedback.
Extra long DBl Boxed End Ratcheting Wrenches
- Thread starter tripplejl
- Start date
I have gearwrench 120xp DBE ratcheting wrenches. I do like them, I don't use the ratcheting portion as much as i thought i would. Mine are spline drive which i'm not too thrilled about, It doesn't seem like they grip as well as 12 point. Ive stripped a few iffy fasteners with them.
I love the extra leverage though. If I had to do it again, I'd get non-ratcheting 12 point DBE wrenches.
I love the extra leverage though. If I had to do it again, I'd get non-ratcheting 12 point DBE wrenches.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I own both the Gearwrench Gearbox wrenches and 120xp spline flex head versions. At times they can be too long. However, when you need extra reach or added leverage, they are great to have around. If you're only buying one set, I would probably go with the 120xp flex head spline for more versatility. The trick when using spline wrenches to ensure you're using the correct size wrench otherwise, you'll chew up some fasteners. These wrenches also offer ability to use the fixed boxed end to break a fastener loose, and then speed it off or on with the ratcheting boxed end.
JJThrasher
Well-known member
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002YK9LA4/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I have this set. I like them. So do all the bums at work that like to borrow them. Recently told the alignment guy to go buy his own set.
I have this set. I like them. So do all the bums at work that like to borrow them. Recently told the alignment guy to go buy his own set.
WhiffySpark
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2009
- Messages
- 6,252
I have that set too. No complaints. Primarily use them for oil changes, drive belts, and rear alignment cams
tonyciambrone
Well-known member
I have the Metric Tektons and they are awesome so far.
kctyphoon
Banned
I don't own them - but the ez red long flex head ratcheting wrenches get a lot of compliments from pro's. Might be worth looking at.
http://www.ezred.com/product/5-pc-extra-long-flex-head-spline-ratcheting-wrench-set/
They have a locking flex head option too.
http://www.ezred.com/product/5-pc-extra-long-locking-flex-head-wrench-set/
http://www.ezred.com/product/5-pc-extra-long-flex-head-spline-ratcheting-wrench-set/
They have a locking flex head option too.
http://www.ezred.com/product/5-pc-extra-long-locking-flex-head-wrench-set/
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gdocktor3
Well-known member
Bought a set of metric Expert XL spline dbe ratchet wrenches on a whim on eBay about a year ago. My initial impression was not good, but after using them, they're surprisingly well made. Then I have extra long sae SK double ratcheting end wrenches made by Kabo, as well as Matcos made by Kabo, and they're super nice. The Matcos are expensive, but so smooth and super strong.
A guy at work has a set of the ez red ones he purchased recently, a month or two ago.
Don't think I've ever seen him use one. I haven't come across a situation where I have needed one.
They do seem really nice though.
Honestly they confuse me a little.
Not supposed to use a ratchet wrench to break things loose, although I do on occasion.
But never anything that's really hard to break free, so the long handle doesn't seem all that useful.
Granted I can conceive of a situation where I might need the extra length to reach a fastener more easily, one that isn't hard to break loose or I already have, and yet has enough extra room to swing a really long wrench.
I remember doing a bmw engine where the long triple square ratcheting wrench a coworker had was pretty handy.
Not useful enough to justify their cost/storage for me.
Don't think I've ever seen him use one. I haven't come across a situation where I have needed one.
They do seem really nice though.
Honestly they confuse me a little.
Not supposed to use a ratchet wrench to break things loose, although I do on occasion.
But never anything that's really hard to break free, so the long handle doesn't seem all that useful.
Granted I can conceive of a situation where I might need the extra length to reach a fastener more easily, one that isn't hard to break loose or I already have, and yet has enough extra room to swing a really long wrench.
I remember doing a bmw engine where the long triple square ratcheting wrench a coworker had was pretty handy.
Not useful enough to justify their cost/storage for me.
That's why the gearwrench ones are nice one side is just a normal box wrench the other side ratchets
Also imo if your just going to get one set of ratcheting wrenches you should go flex head there infinitely more usable
Agree. I had a set of the original GW years ago, barely ever used them. Ended up selling them...
I'm always up for an excuse to add new tools but ratcheting wrenches are just a space waster for me.
I've considered ratcheting box ends a bit gimmicky, I think I'm in the minority though
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gdocktor3
Well-known member
I haven't heard any real reviews of the Sunex ratchet wrenches. Nobody on here has them?
I believe they are same as ez red, mountain, Steelman and pretty much all of the others, tekton I see has the same but 6or instead of spline.
I have the Steelman, prob shouldn't figure on this style as your only set, handy sometimes
Pretty long - 15 inches or so
https://store.snapon.com/Standard-H...19-mm-0-Offset-Metric-Box-Wrench-P633889.aspx
Length, mm 372.1
https://store.snapon.com/Standard-H...19-mm-0-Offset-Metric-Box-Wrench-P633889.aspx
Length, mm 372.1
johndeereman
Well-known member
I have the kd tools set 85988c and i have used them at work mainly the 9/16,3/4'' for installing unistrut systems and so far i really like them. Those two wrenches, a mini spud a bfh and am all set. Build america
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Same set here. Absolutely key.
Any situation where leverage is needed at a 1/2 drive ratchet won't fit. I also have the "topper set" 20-25mm. Very nice for upper control arm bolts. Their greatest use in in FWD engine bays, and crowded multi-link suspensions.
Do you happen to Have a link to that topper set?
I have Matco's fixed/flex which were the only game in town for a number of years. I use them all the time. They've been invaluable for avoiding R&R components that would have otherwise obstructed a standard ratchet or any power tool. Quite a few times I have found myself wishing I had the style with the elongated ratcheting box end which I just recently rectified by buying the Steelman Pro set (jury is out, not too happy with out of box coarseness). To further justify the purchase the wrenches also double as pretty decent tensioner tools.
As far as torque goes, the Matco's will take quite a bit of abuse. After enough time you'll strip them out or completely split the ratcheting box end ring but Matco replaces them no questions asked. If the GW sets were out when I got mine I probably would of went that route. I like the colored sizes and the sets run about a third of the price.
I have fixed/fixed Snap-On XDHRM as well but I don't touch them. Nice wrenches but the Matco have the added benefit of the flex end which comes in handy a lot.
http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/p...DEGREE-FLEX-RATCHETING-EXTRA-LONG-WRENCH-SET/
Only source for the time being I believe.
Some 17mm for comparison, bottom is a standard cheap GW ratcheting combo.
As far as torque goes, the Matco's will take quite a bit of abuse. After enough time you'll strip them out or completely split the ratcheting box end ring but Matco replaces them no questions asked. If the GW sets were out when I got mine I probably would of went that route. I like the colored sizes and the sets run about a third of the price.
I have fixed/fixed Snap-On XDHRM as well but I don't touch them. Nice wrenches but the Matco have the added benefit of the flex end which comes in handy a lot.
http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/p...DEGREE-FLEX-RATCHETING-EXTRA-LONG-WRENCH-SET/
Only source for the time being I believe.
Some 17mm for comparison, bottom is a standard cheap GW ratcheting combo.
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a52-830
Well-known member
i have thes tekton sets:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F512F4M/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F512HOU/?tag=atomicindus08-20
both are long format flex hex heads. they feel substantial, but not bulky. so far, they work well, and have not given me any trouble.
i got mine for substantially less than they are now on amazon. their prices seem to be like the tide. sometimes the water rises, and then it drops. . . . . but, to be honest, they are not outrageously priced even now. while gearwrench tools may have higher tooth counts, as an example, these tekton wrenches seen every but as well made as my gearwrenches.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F512F4M/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F512HOU/?tag=atomicindus08-20
both are long format flex hex heads. they feel substantial, but not bulky. so far, they work well, and have not given me any trouble.
i got mine for substantially less than they are now on amazon. their prices seem to be like the tide. sometimes the water rises, and then it drops. . . . . but, to be honest, they are not outrageously priced even now. while gearwrench tools may have higher tooth counts, as an example, these tekton wrenches seen every but as well made as my gearwrenches.
I have matco double ended ratcheting wrenches like that. http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/p...EXTRA-LONG-DOUBLE-FLEX-RATCHETING-WRENCH-SET/
I also have the ez-red. I am not a matco fan but those are probably the best wrenches for the money. I have had them probably almost 10 years and I use them every day. I broke one once. Not the ratcheting part but the wrench actually broke. They take way more abuse than they should. The ez-red, not so much. First time I used the 13mm, the ratchet broke.
I also have the ez-red. I am not a matco fan but those are probably the best wrenches for the money. I have had them probably almost 10 years and I use them every day. I broke one once. Not the ratcheting part but the wrench actually broke. They take way more abuse than they should. The ez-red, not so much. First time I used the 13mm, the ratchet broke.
wafrederick
Well-known member
I have the Mountain set in metric and well worth the money.I have a set of the older SK metric set,no longer made and SK discontinued them and I don't use them anymore for this reason.
Greg85mcss
Well-known member
I have the set in the first link. I wish they were 12pt instead of spline but good overall. Great for under hood & suspension work. I started with the non flex gearwrench combinations but now use these with a set of non ratcheting combos as backup.
thegroundpounder99
Well-known member
I have the Mountain set, don't use them terribly often but they work great when I need them.
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kctyphoon
Banned
The idea behind it is to not have to reach down into tight spots. More ergonomic for the user I suppose for things like water pumps. There's a user on here that has a few videos doing tool box tours that are probaly a few years old now, and he swore they were a must have item. It's the first time I ever saw them since I'm not in the field like you guys. If it saves having to remove other items to get access for a ratchet, I suppose it's a good investment. I do agree it might be more useful to have a regular box end on the opposite side to break bolts free first.
He shows them quickly in this vid at the 19:50 mark, but he's gone over them in previous videos. You can see how the drive extends past the wrench in here..
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I have the snap-on box/ ratcheting box wrenches, which I really like. They are great for breaking fasteners free, then flip and ratchet away. I go for these first if I think they will fit. These are great for tight spots, the box end is is very thin with a nice offset on one side. If I can turn the box end enough to break something free, I have enough room to ratchet.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Derek420
Banned
I'm thinking about buying a set as well but idk I might get the non ratcheting type because of 2 sizes on each wrench but may go 120xp. Been looking at all brands as I want the 0 offset ones and don't have deep pockets so been looking at the V8 brand and the Genius ones but still not decided and they are going to be a Christmas present from my wife.
toolaholic
Well-known member
I have the following set from Matco. Very useful wrenches , use them on brakes , suspension , engine work etc. I have been quite surprised with the strength of these wrenches, I honestly have not been terribly easy on them and have had zero issues. They were a bit pricey but I consider them a good investment. Obviously the advantage to buying a Matco or Snap on set would be dealer service , so insure you have good warranty support. Otherwise I would get ez-red , gearwrench etc.
http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/p...G-DOUBLE-BOX-FLEX-HEAD-RATCHETING-WRENCH-SET/
http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/p...G-DOUBLE-BOX-FLEX-HEAD-RATCHETING-WRENCH-SET/
toolaholic
Well-known member
kctyphoon
Banned
This seems like a pretty good deal. Probably the same as the ez red's - used 5 piece set under the Mountain brand, $62 shipped
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=262714160692
Lifetime warranty - more than 10 sets available from this seller..
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=262714160692
Lifetime warranty - more than 10 sets available from this seller..
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Finky198
Well-known member
Agreed
on the snap on xdhrm series. I use them quite a bit for brakes and suspension work. I'd say their my 2nd most used wrenches mainly just for the leverage. I will add theses wrench do two things very well in a nice package.
I find them to be more of a luxury, for daily work i'd think offset or flex is more useful...
on the snap on xdhrm series. I use them quite a bit for brakes and suspension work. I'd say their my 2nd most used wrenches mainly just for the leverage. I will add theses wrench do two things very well in a nice package.
I find them to be more of a luxury, for daily work i'd think offset or flex is more useful...
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I understand the concept, I just haven't ever seen the need.
For some years I have swapped engines and/or done heads something like 3-5 of each a week, plus whatever smaller jobs like timing belts, starters, brakes, or what have you that can be stuffed in.
Nothing exceptional for a relatively decent mechanic, but its moving right along and requires you have what you need, and you can't have a bunch of extra stuff you don't need in the way.
I do have a set of flexhead ratcheting wrenches and I use those often enough to justify keeping them on my cart. Their main function is to get into hard to reach areas that would be difficult otherwise.
If I were to get another set of wrenches, it would be the stubbie flexhead ratcheting ones.
But I can't justify a set of those either. Perhaps a set for my main box, but honestly it still wouldn't justify the expense.
I don't do front end alignments and haven't in years. Last time I did them was way before there were ratcheting wrenches. Well, except for the flat crappy ones we used to call motorcycle wrenches.
My alignment experience these days is to eyeball it close enough and send the customer to an alignment shop.
Perhaps if I did alignments then I would find them useful to the point where they would be worth the expense and space.
I could use them for things of course, but that's not the same as needing them.
For example the sway bar end link on the Yaris posted earlier. One could do it that way, or you could use a regular wrench and a hex bit on an impact and be done way faster, plus I already have those in my cart.
a52-830
Well-known member
wow, how do you end up with more than 10 sets of used wrenches like that?
he also has other sets of exactly the same wrenches available at different prices. my god, he cornered the used market on those things . . . .
My sentiments exactly...
I have the stubby flex ratcheting wrenches. I use these the least. I thought I would get more use out of them. These are more for convenience. They do not fit in places I wish they would.
I think the best most usable ratcheting wrench is a reversible mid length, with angle offset. I find these to be the most versatile. Although much could be said for a flex end, of similar or a little longer length. The long box wrench really allow a great deal of leverage.