EZ Red flex wrenches

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Looking at these two metric sets:

http://www.ezred.com/product/5-pc-extra-long-flex-head-spline-ratcheting-wrench-set/

http://www.ezred.com/product/5-pc-extra-long-locking-flex-head-wrench-set/

I'm wondering if the benefit of having a longer "socket" drive inside the wrench head outweighs the thickness it adds to the regular metric flat wrench. I may pick up the SAE set too, i'm undecided.

http://www.ezred.com/product/4-pc-extra-long-sae-locking-flex-head-wrench-set/

 

[gdocktor3]

With the torque that could be applied with such long wrenches, deeper box ends are probably a benefit especially with the flex heads. Those EZ red wrenches get a lot of good reviews and I'm interested to see what others have to say. I've considered buying them myself. I'd buy from eBay or Amazon if I were you.

 

[rhandwor]

As they are spline drive and 11mm and 9mm aren't in the metric set I had to purchase a 7/16 and 3/8 and 1/2 inch to give me full coverage. I checked with a spline and allen head to make sure the 3/8 will pull a 9mm. I have used a 7/16 12 point on 11mm in the past. I've found they are handy but I have a ezred long straight metric set.
I'm sure you will find a use for them.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Maybe I'll go with the deeper ones then in sae and metric.

 

[LXCam]

I don't have those but do have their complete set of extra long ratchets which I flipping luv. What I do have is the Mountain set of these (more or less). If you're going to buy a set get the kind that have one side offset, that really comes in handy.

 

[Finky198]

Edited for Clarification...


I was thinking of going that route... esp.. If you all ready own a set of
zero offset double Box wrenches or zero offset Box/Ratcheting wrenches.
The EZ Reds would seem to be the best compliment giving you pretty much
the best of both worlds...

Im my case I have the XDHRM Box/Rat wrenches and I would agree that if I had EZ Reds with Flex and ( deeper Box as you called it) it would pretty much cover all the bases in the long pattern wrench department...

with those 2 sets it would cover me for
0* Box , 0* Rat Box, and Flex Rat wrenches


I like The Blue point stubby flex rat wrenches, and i'd think The EZ Reds are as close as you can get to that in a long pattern wrench,

In my OP I'd consider the (deeper Box as you called it) on the EZ Reds as an advantage, The main reason I would used either of these flex types of wrenches is due to tight spaces or Obstructions...

.

 

[gdocktor3]

Wouldn't you rather have flex heads vs offset? This way you have even more accessibility and maneuverability.

 

[Strouty]

Personally I went with the gearwrench 120XP sets, they did not skip sizes and having the non ratcheting box end with the deep offset is very nice. They are more expensive, but they also feel like they are worth it.

 

[Finky198]

Wouldn't you rather have flex heads vs offset? This way you have even more accessibility and maneuverability.

Yes I guess that wasn't to clear in my post?
Flex in my op is absolutely Superior to a stnd 15* offset
adding the deeper box end just sweetens the deal a bit...


I edited my prev post to hopefully make more sense...

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I'm not too worried about 9 & 11, very rarely have I come across those sizes. Usually 8, 10, 12-15, 17-19,21.

 

[PoorOwner]

Personally I went with the gearwrench 120XP sets, they did not skip sizes and having the non ratcheting box end with the deep offset is very nice. They are more expensive, but they also feel like they are worth it.

I think the non ratchet end isn't flexible on gear wrench set. Or do they have one with both end flex ? If you can't flex the box end to reach in the first place.

As much as ratcheting wrenches have improved I found half the time it just won't fit over the bolt initially like box end does. (Some casting always in the way). So I wouldn't say buying a particular ratcheting wrench set will get everything covered.

 

[Strouty]

Correct the non ratcheting end does not flex, I like it that way too. They have a very deep offset, almost like using a low profile ratchet. It is a great feature and has helped me in more than a few situations.

 

[Finky198]

I think the non ratchet end isn't flexible on gear wrench set. Or do they have one with both end flex ? If you can't flex the box end to reach in the first place.

As much as ratcheting wrenches have improved I found half the time it just won't fit over the bolt initially like box end does. (Some casting always in the way). So I wouldn't say buying a particular ratcheting wrench set will get everything covered.

This what I mean when I say at the min you need both sets of

Fixed 0* offset dbl box wrenches, and a Flex ratcheting set (EZ red...)
to get most things covered....

but if you get the xdhrm style (box/ratcheing box) over the Std style double box, you'd get the 3rd option added to the mix as long fixed 0* offset ratcheting end...

It is Garagejournal so 3 options are always better than 2 right

 

[Adam.C]

I have snap on ratchet wrenches and I'm starting to question their utility.

Long wrenches are awesome. But I think with the best of these, you can strip the ratchets. If you are in the camp where you crack the bolt free with one tool then switch to these, I don't see the utility in having a long ratcheting wrench.

The XDHR are pretty awesome in that one end is fixed, other end ratchets. I have and use these. But most often I use a long box wrench to crack loose, then the smallest, lightest ratcheting tool I can get to remove. Many times I use nothing (fingers) or 1/4" ratchet, or my stubby snap on ratchet wrenches (anyone's would do as well).

I love the looks of these EZred wrenches, but based on my latest jobs I'm starting to question why I need them

 

[Olafur]

Looking at these two metric sets:
I'm wondering if the benefit of having a longer "socket" drive inside the wrench head outweighs the thickness it adds to the regular metric flat wrench.

In many cases YES. There are just so many fasteners out there that the regular ratcheting wrench cant access because of it's big head - flex head or not. But these can!!

I would love to find a set like this in regular length.

 

[Greg85mcss]

I have the ones in the first link & love them but got them cheap off cl. If buying new I'd go for the other ones or the gearwrench set people mentioned.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[shockwave]

Go for the mountain brand deep offset wrenches over the ezreds since the current ezred is locking flex and not very good compared to current mountain design non locking flex

The deep offset far outweighs the thinner profile of standard flex wrenches like brakes on Toyota rear anchor bolts fit easily with these

And I recommend getting 6 piece mountain set and 10 piece gearwrench 120xp (I went Matco before these came out and they offer 8-25mm in this style 9 and 11 included but only 21,22,24,25 after 19 on the Matco though

I purchased both set but use the offset more solid box end on these are great too

 

[smittyjones]

I have that set, the metric. My work neighbor has another set (I'm not sure of the brand) that has a thicker sockety part.

They've both been reliable, doing brake jobs and stuff. I wish mine had the thicker part, because there are a lot of times I don't have the room to get a socket and ratchet, but there's a bulge or a recess or something allowing me to not get on it very well with this wrench. They're really handy doing timing covers!

 

[A&P mechanic]

I have this set by Mountain in Sae. It's made in Taiwan, I was not able to find an American made set. I like the wrenches mainly due to having a reverse lever which makes the wrench not get stuck if the top of the wrench hits an obstruction while backing out a bolt. In hindsight, I am happy with the wrenches but would of bought the type that does not have the offset (black part that sticks out of the box end) if I could do it over. The wrench heads are a little to tall-not length but thickness. I find that they are to bulky in a lot of instances when I use them. For example, when you take a starter off you use starter (half moon) wrenches but a generator is bigger and the half moon wrenches do not fit and neither do the mountain flex wrenches wrenches. I even tried to use the flex wrenches today removing a hydraulic power control unit but the wrench heads were to thick to get the mounting bolts off. Overall, I do like the wrenches but I have seen flex wrenches with a thinner head that I personally believe would be more beneficial.

 

[Finky198]

I have snap on ratchet wrenches and I'm starting to question their utility.

Long wrenches are awesome. But I think with the best of these, you can strip the ratchets. If you are in the camp where you crack the bolt free with one tool then switch to these, I don't see the utility in having a long ratcheting wrench.

The XDHR are pretty awesome in that one end is fixed, other end ratchets. I have and use these. But most often I use a long box wrench to crack loose, then the smallest, lightest ratcheting tool I can get to remove. Many times I use nothing (fingers) or 1/4" ratchet, or my stubby snap on ratchet wrenches (anyone's would do as well).

I use them mainly in this fashion as well (para 2) but on occasion if my hand wont fit the long ratcheting end can come in handy and help you avoid an obstruction or from remove a knuckle or 2 I mostly use them for brake jobs due the the extra leverage... and abilty to crack loose and ratchet out... with one tool...

I do agree with you that the EZ reds are not something you really need, but I could absolutely see them coming in handy for those few ****** situation...