Extra Long Flex Head Ratcheting Wrench Sets

[dallastide]

I have an install coming up next weekend where a set of these would come in very handy. Plus I've wanted them for a long time and this is a great excuse.

I'd love the Snap On set but I can't take a second mortgage at current interest rates so they are out. Right now I've narrowed it down to the Icon set or the Tekton set. The Icons look pretty damn close to the Snap Ons. Potentially made in the same factory. The Tektons aren't reversible (but you can just flip the wrench) and they don't have the extended gear to access recessed bolts (but how often do you need that). On the flip side, they include more wrenches with no skips. Price is relatively close between the two. I also considered the Mountain set, but it appears to be the same set as the Icons but with less warranty support.

Does anyone own any of these wrenches or have an opinion on which way to go here? Am I missing a better option? I own plenty of Icon and Tekton tools and have never had problems with any of them. Appreciate any input.

 

[Theronswanson]

IIRC Mountain is the actual manufacturer of most of the Taiwan brands. That being said, I picked up the old style Tekton on sale and have been happy with them.

 

[FlaGman]

I was able to get the Mountain set on sale on Amazon for $143 a couple weeks ago. I would rather have the Icon set for ease of warranty, but am happy with my purchase.

 

[Etchase]

I’m happy with my mountain set as well.

 

[ATC]

I have an EZ-RED set that came with my MAC box when I bought it. They've worked just fine for me when I've needed them.

 

[LWB]

The Tekton and Snap-On are 12 point.

The Icon and Mountain are spline drive.

I just sold my Mountains and are replacing them with Snap-On because the spline drive gets stuck on fasteners occasionally. The Snap-On is a much heavier design with a butter smooth drive. These aviation style wrenches are my most used so I'd rather spend money on them. I had a 6 point ratcheting Tekton set and the drive wasn't great. I don't know if the new ones are better.

 

[mreisner]

Snap on ones are made in the US by Snap on. All of the rest of them are made in Taiwan by a company called Kabo. I have the icon ones and I'm very happy with them. If you don't care for spline Drive I believe the Matco ones are the same but 12 instead of spline. Kabo makes very nice tools.

 

[KnurledNut]

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...ong-flex-ratcheting-double-box-wrench.492328/

 

[nicks78camaro]

I wouldn't get non-reversible. Personally I'd get the Icons for the ease of warranty and the price point. Snap Ons would be nice but way out of the same league price wise.

 

[FigN⋅m]

I was able to get the Mountain set on sale on Amazon for $143 a couple weeks ago. I would rather have the Icon set for ease of warranty, but am happy with my purchase.

100% same. Was a fair price for a recognized quality set of wrenches.
I held out forever waiting for a good enough coupon to justify the Icons, but it just wasn't happening.
Being smart about what these wrenches are capable of should hopefully provide years of trouble-free use.

 

[chevy.stroker]

I have the 2 sets from National Tool Warehouse:

5 Pc. XL Ratcheting Wrench Set with 10 Metric Sizes

Platinum Tech PLT99650 5 Pc. XL Ratcheting Wrench Set with 10 Metric Sizes at Great Prices | National Tool Warehouse

www.nationaltoolwarehouse.com

4 Pc. XL Ratcheting Wrench Set

Platinum Tech PLT99750 4 Pc. XL Ratcheting Wrench Set at Deep Discounts | National Tool Warehouse

www.nationaltoolwarehouse.com

I am waiting to see the reversible ratcheting wrench heads VIM has in their 2024 catalog, that are supposed to be out around August. You just add any length 3/8 extension to them to create any length.

 

[Fedwrench]

Kabo does not make the Tekton extra long ratcheting flex head wrenches. There's no sealed screw on the ratcheting boxed end. I think Infar is Tekton's current ratcheting wrench supplier. Tekton's excellent customer service with the availability of individual wrenches is a wise choice.

 

[Wamsutta]

I'd love the Snap On set but I can't take a second mortgage at current interest rates so they are out.

That's why I'd get one wrench in the size I needed. I may end up with only one wrench, but at least it would be a real wrench.

 

[FlaGman]

Does anyone with the Mountain/ Kabo set have a better way to store and organize them instead of the crappy thin plastic case they came in?

 

[ThePostman]

I'm going to throw in Gearwrench 86126. Used almost daily in an indie shop and they have held up well for alignments and many other automotive scenarios. I like them because the ratcheting flex end has no protrusions like some of the others. I got them at a steal compared to what the price is now, but I would still consider buying them today if they are Taiwanese. The wider offerings are true 12 point versus spline and 72 teeth, again, no complaints. No warranty claims for any at this point.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

IIRC Mountain is the actual manufacturer of most of the Taiwan brands. That being said, I picked up the old style Tekton on sale and have been happy with them.

Mountain is a private label brand of the tool warehouse ISN, we and many others have made tools for the brand. They simply had them very early on.
The wrenches are made by Kabo TW for darn near everyone

 

[Theronswanson]

Mountain is a private label brand of the tool warehouse ISN, we and many others have made tools for the brand. They simply had them very early on.
The wrenches are made by Kabo TW for darn near everyone

Thanks for the clarification!

 

[roofdweller49]

I'm going to throw in Gearwrench 86126. Used almost daily in an indie shop and they have held up well for alignments and many other automotive scenarios. I like them because the ratcheting flex end has no protrusions like some of the others. I got them at a steal compared to what the price is now, but I would still consider buying them today if they are Taiwanese. The wider offerings are true 12 point versus spline and 72 teeth, again, no complaints. No warranty claims for any at this point.

I'm torn on the protrusion. I can see how it can help with recessed fasteners, but I can also see how it gets in the way. I like having a non ratchet box end, though

Also, are the tekton/infar ones fatter in diameter vs the kabo ones?

 

[LWB]

That's why I'd get one wrench in the size I needed. I may end up with only one wrench, but at least it would be a real wrench.

This is what I am doing. I currently have 1 and have 2 more on order (JIS sizes)

These are specialty wrenches and IMO you only need the sizes you use most often. I had a couple of Mountains that never left the box.

 

[chevy.stroker]

Another similar option is:

Astro Pneumatic 78318 - if you can find one

Nano sockets - HF is lowest priced

That is often used more than the wrenches in my set.

 

[dnschmidt]

Mountain is a private label brand of the tool warehouse ISN, we and many others have made tools for the brand. They simply had them very early on.
The wrenches are made by Kabo TW for darn near everyone

Chris, we're all waiting for the shorter FEDWRENCH special. When are these going to be available?

 

[chevy.stroker]

Another similar option is:

Astro Pneumatic 78318 - if you can find one

Nano sockets - HF is lowest priced

That is often used more than the wrenches in my set.

Sorry, I mispoke. The 3/8 nano sockets I have are Astro Pneumatic. HF's are 1/2 in drive.