How important is reversible switch on ratchet wrench

[pseshooter300]

How big of a deal is it to you to have reversible switch on your ratcheting wrenches?

 

[Skin]

If I had a choice i'd take reversible but im not fanatical about it like some (you're going to get it stuck ten times a day!). My first set was the basic 0* offset non-reversible style and I used them for years without ever encountering an issue.

 

[SMKS]

I've never owned any reversible ratcheting wrenches.

I can see how you could get it stuck if you weren't paying attention, but I've never had that happen.

My opinion, pay a little more attention and non-reversible wrenches are fine.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

They're useful if you back yourself into a corner. Sometimes thinking a bolt is shorter than it is in a tight area and you back yourself up you can't reverse it. Then it's either cut the bolt in half and save the tool or hope the bolt can be threaded back in some how to release the wrench. I don't have reversible but have used them. Oh wait, I have a 19mm I got as a promotion for buying some great wrench sockets.

 

[trim]

I had a set of the non-reversible wrenches when they first came out. They do not have any offset/angle like a normal wrench, as they are designed to flip over to change direction. This does not work as well when tightening a nut up against a flat surface. When the reversible wrenches came out with the offset, I swapped them out and got reversible. I like them a lot better. More like a regular wrench.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I don't mind a non reversible wrench.....well it's actually all I have anymore.

 

[helterskelter]

I have 5 or 6 sets of ratcheting wrenches. My go-to wrenches are the flex-head non-reversible types. I'd buy those and a set of reversible and you should be good to go. Honestly there's nothing wrong with the non-reversible and I've never gotten one stuck. Just prefer the other styles.

 

[RECox286]

If the wrench is an offset style, reverse is a necessity.

If you have only flat wrenches, then it's probably a moot

point for the most part.

Uncle Bob

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I prefer the reversible, mostly because of the offset. I rarely grab the non-reversible. I don't own a set of the flex, but they are on my list.

Kinda hoping SK comes out with a set of those.

 

[MDK22]

I use flex non reversible ones. I have only been stuck twice but, then i just used channel locks to push it back in. If you pay attention its never a problem. I actually hate reversible style because if I cant see in the area and its tight its easy to bump it and not notice till you are ran it back in.

I have one set of reversibles bump them every time i am in a tight spot then i have to use a screwdriver to fix it or pull it off and switch it. You normally do not use ratcheting wrenches unless its a tight spot so.......

 

[gdocktor3]

I've never had a problem with out, but do like to use them when I use my Kobalt pass thru sockets. They work just the same as the pass thru ratchet, but the gw have finer teeth. I don't own a single pass thru ratchet. Only use ratchet wrenches. Other wise I use flex head non reversibles for almost everything else. Just something about the angles that can be achieved makes them more comfortable to use.

 

[TK-421]

I own a set of non-reversible and don't have any complaints about them. I will eventually get a set of reversible, simply because I'm a tool ***** and he who dies with the most tools wins.

 

[gdocktor3]

I own a set of non-reversible and don't have any complaints about them. I will eventually get a set of reversible, simply because I'm a tool ***** and he who dies with the most tools wins.

Challenge accepted

 

[T45]

Simple personal preference. If you work on a lot of unknown things, sometimes the switch will save your ***. Otherwise, you typically will understand they type of obstructed flangebolts that are a problem, and not do something stupid.

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

I have nonreversible, but prefer the reversing that have a lip that keeps the nut from slipping through.

 

[IUEC Medic]

I prefer reversible for the offset.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I hit the switch on stuff more than I trap myself, prefer non reversing.

 

[AndrewDouglasBird]

I prefer non-reversible because they are often thinner/smaller and they can't accidentally be switched my running the wrench into something while in use. I also prefer flat wrenches instead of the angled ones.

 

[Jim Diesel]

I own both types. But if your turning spanners for a living sometimes you can have a brain snap, or interupted whilst mid ratchet and stuff your self up. So i do like the reverseable levers.

 

[bcradio]

If I had to choose one option between flex and reversible, flex would win every time.

 

[JBradley500]

Honestly I like the idea but it seems to hurt me more than it helps me. The cheaper ones will auto-reverse when you get going fast. I like non-reverseing flex heads myself but that's what I was broke in on so it's what i'm used to.

 

[AV tinker er]

If your don't like/don't want flex the non reversing are usually 0 offset. Reversing will have an offset. Which is more important to you?

 

[PureLeaf]

I have both styles. I've had situations where a zero offset was needed, and I've had situations where I needed either a flex head, or an offset head.

My zero offsets have no switch, my flex heads don't have a switch, but my offsets do.. I've got Wera and Gearwrench for my zero offset and flex heads, and Proto USA for my offsets.

 

[anndel]

Not at all

 

[thegroundpounder99]

I personally like the reversible, I've got non reversible but that was before I got the reversible set.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[sberry]

I have a set of simple non I finally bought on sale from Sears and I used them half a dozen times as problem solvers. Sets of these in small sizes or where a guy used the snot out of them are priced reasonable and could well earn their keep and would have them in reverse though.
I am a common combo maniac though with a few double box tossed in. My brother drives one of my trucks. We were changing a starter. He was going to get a whole fist full of stuff out and I did demo the 2 simple combo method so I don't got to hear "I cant".
It doesn't mean I wont get an easier tool, If it doesn't go with fingers then something is wrong. Most install work I do is a turn or 2 to tighten something, a bolt or 2 here and there to remove a cover, install equipment. I would power drive anything difficult apart and impact installation on larger stuff.
I wouldnt use it on an implement shovel change, lots of fittings real tight. Couldn't get them tight enough by hand and would ruin the wrench. But as problem solvers it wouldn't take but a few cases for a busy auto guy to support them, kind of like a tubing wrench.

 

[Ign]

I just backed a Torx screw into a Focus window in the door....without reversible I'd be in the shop still cursing rather than here typing.

Reversible is non-negotiable.

Would you drive a vehicle without reverse? After all, w careful planning you'd be ok 99% of the time.....so yeah, forget reverse, not necessary.

 

[Ign]

Honestly I like the idea but it seems to hurt me more than it helps me. The cheaper ones will auto-reverse when you get going fast. I like non-reverseing flex heads myself but that's what I was broke in on so it's what i'm used to.

IME the GearWrench reversible auto-reverse. I warrantied several and the replacements did it too. Now they sit in my truck as "roadside" tools. GW = garbage, and this was pre-China

 

[Jim Diesel]

I just backed a Torx screw into a Focus window in the door....without reversible I'd be in the shop still cursing rather than here typing.

Reversible is non-negotiable.

Would you drive a vehicle without reverse? After all, w careful planning you'd be ok 99% of the time.....so yeah, forget reverse, not necessary.

 

[Stooge]

Flex head is more important to me than reversible. i only have a handful of reversibles but have a set of metric and sae gearwrench nonreversible flex ones, and i can only think of one time when i got 'stuck' backing into something, (low mount ac compressor on a mid 2000s 4wd Silverado, underestimated the bolt length by a lot! )

 

[sberry]

I got jammed up about the first time I used one. I never used those ratchet box things that came with Sears, they may have been called fender wrenches?

 

[gungatim]

I hit the switch on stuff more than I trap myself, prefer non reversing.

same here. prefer non reversing for that very reason. my mini ratchet driver is the same way. prefer just to flip it over when using screwdriver bits, constantly moving the lever with my thumb when applying pressure to ratchet a loose nut/screw.