How strong are ratcheting wrenches?

[danmcph]

I am wondering if ratcheting wrenches are strong enough to use the ratchet end to break free rusted fasteners. The reason I as is that I have the SK ratcheting wrenches with 6 point ratcheting ends and I have 12 point wright grip non-ratcheting wrenches. So If I need to break a fastener loose and want to be able to use a 6 point wrench will the SK be strong enough to use for this so I don't have to use the 12 point?

 

[Tim37]

I wouldn't use them on rusted seized bolts but I use (gearwrench) to break loose bolts all the time it if it's something that I know or think is going to be tough I break it with a standard wrench first.

 

[derosa]

If you're talking about the sk x-frames then they shouldn't have a lot of trouble breaking loose most fasteners, though the 12pt on the wright are set to grab away from the edges and shouldn't round out the fasteners either.

 

[T45]

I'd say the risk of plastic bolt-head deformation and breaking a gear in a ratcheting wrench are probably around the same order of magnitude in terms of force. If you are worried about either, you should be using a combo wrench or a 6pt socket with a proven-strength ratchet (eg, f80). The SKs are probably as good as they get for ratcheting wrench, so you can always shoot first and ask questions later with the warranty.

 

[M_George]

I use a breaker bar for that, then switch back to the ratchet.

 

[shawhite]

if a wrench is my only choose due to space constraints I use the open end of my FD+ snapon to break it loose then run it off with the ratchet side. But if I can get to the bolt with a long handle ratchet or breaker bar that will be my tool of choice

 

[bonneyman]

I wouldn't use them on rusted seized bolts but I use (gearwrench) to break loose bolts all the time it if it's something that I know or think is going to be tough I break it with a standard wrench first.

I agree.

My set of GW have been used for almost 20 years and I've yet to strip one out. Even the 5/16".

 

[motofool33]

i am stunned i haven't broke a ratcheting wrench with some of the things ive put them through.

 

[Fedwrench]

This question comes up often. The short answer is it depends on the brand. As for the SK you have are we talking the super strong X Frame combination wrenches or the old school laminated coarse toothed short ratcheting wrenches?

I feel that MATCO solvEd this delima a long time ago when they came out with the pro swing ratcheting wrench. It has a fixed 12 point boxed end wrench for breaking fasteners loose or for final tightening and a 72 tooth (90 tooth later) for speeding fasteners off and on.

 

[Hammer1963]

This question comes up often. The short answer is it depends on the brand. As for the SK you have are we talking the super strong X Frame combination wrenches or the old school laminated coarse toothed short ratcheting wrenches?

I feel that MATCO solvEd this delima a long time ago when they came out with the pro swing ratcheting wrench. It has a fixed 12 point boxed end wrench for breaking fasteners loose or for final tightening and a 72 tooth (90 tooth later) for speeding fasteners off and on.

I agree. The Pro-swing box/ratchet wrenches are one of my most often used wrenches.

 

[jimmy-ray]

yep another vote for the pro-swings. I looked up a different set of matcos the other day and was confused by the price, they were less than half of what i paid for mine 15 or so years ago. I was thinking i got swindled, it turns out though i had the pro-swings. Im very hard on those things and not so much as a skip so far.

the only one of those ive replaced is the 5/16 because i lost it or it was stolen, most of the smaller ones are bent from using cheaters on them, still work great. the newer 5/16 is a little longer too, they dont make my set anymore i guess

 

[Skin]

Matco did a video awhile back where they pushed 3 brands of wrenches until they broke. I think it was a GW, SO, and of course a Matco. If memory serves all of them made it over 120 foot pounds which is well beyond what you're realistically going to be able to apply by hand to a combo ratcheting wrench-short of abuse.

 

[ToolNuttt]

This question comes up often. The short answer is it depends on the brand. As for the SK you have are we talking the super strong X Frame combination wrenches or the old school laminated coarse toothed short ratcheting wrenches?

I feel that MATCO solvEd this delima a long time ago when they came out with the pro swing ratcheting wrench. It has a fixed 12 point boxed end wrench for breaking fasteners loose or for final tightening and a 72 tooth (90 tooth later) for speeding fasteners off and on.

yeah I remember those matco wrenches. had a set back when I was doing alignments. Perfect leverage and the first wrench I reach for.

 

[doogdoog]

I would first spray the nut with some good penetrating oil and then break it loose with a 6 point and breaker bar if need be.

 

[kctyphoon]

Reality is this - you won't find out unless you try..

 

[GTO]

I use a breaker bar for that, then switch back to the ratchet.

This

 

[danmcph]

My SKs are X Frames

 

[T45]

....120 foot pounds which is well beyond what you're realistically going to be able to apply by hand to a combo ratcheting wrench-short of abuse....

Size matters...if they could do 120 ft/lbs (150nm) with say 1/2 (13mm) I'd be impressed...my guess is they used something like 3/4 (19mm)....

Also worth considering that ratcheting mech's fail from cumulative abuse, not just single-use failures...ie they wear out and skip before they completely **** the bed..at least that's been my experience.

 

[Fedwrench]

My SKs are X Frames

Then I don't think you will have any problems.

 

[-OSIS-]

The ones I've used seem to break every time I use them lol... not a fan.

 

[dchawk81]

I feel like a peasant for not having a set of these.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Size matters...if they could do 120 ft/lbs (150nm) with say 1/2 (13mm) I'd be impressed...my guess is they used something like 3/4 (19mm)....

Also worth considering that ratcheting mech's fail from cumulative abuse, not just single-use failures...ie they wear out and skip before they completely **** the bed..at least that's been my experience.

I've spent some time trying to find that video again over the years, and I recall it was either a 14MM or 17MM, as I remember it being a size I would use. It was more torque than you were going to get without slipped a pipe over the wrench, that much was clear.

IIRC, the beam on the Matco failed before the ratcheting mechanism, and that was the purpose of the video.

Also, those were on brand new ratchets. As they get used over time, I would like to see how long they could maintain that torque level (i.e. for how long would they be able to pass that test, or does strength drop dramatically?).

 

[Skin]

Size matters...if they could do 120 ft/lbs (150nm) with say 1/2 (13mm) I'd be impressed...my guess is they used something like 3/4 (19mm)....

They were 13mm.

 

[countryroad82]

Many times I've broke rusty nuts and bolts loose with a ratchet wrench. I've yet to kill one.

 

[jimmy-ray]

I have some husky ratcheting wrenches that I've done some pretty stupid stuff with and I've never had a failure. Hitting with hammers, jacking with a floor jack, that kind of stuff.

lol, YES!

 

[Empty Pockets]

SK X-Frame wrenches are pretty substantial, but that said, I'd use a breaker bar and a 6 point socket to be safe

 

[SnapOnAddiction]

As long as they are lifetime warranty I will break loose rusted fasteners with ratchet wrenches, your sk x frames are as strong as it gets I don't think I'd try gear wrench as they are inferior they will break.

 

[finn]

I don't understand the connotation that it's ok as long as there's a lifetime warranty.

Unnecessarily pressing a tool to the point that it may fail doesn't make sense to me , as a broken tool is useless until it is replaced. Replacing it is a unnecessary trip to the store, or time wasted packing and shipping.

If there's a question as to the suitability of a tool for a given task, it's better to defer to a more suitable tool. How rusted is rusted, and is it a grade 2 or grade 8 fastener?

Using the correct tool saves time and money in the end, and is more professional.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I broke my GW 14mm on a Subie catalytic converter bolt. I had my back braced on the wheel and was pushing with both feet. It didn't slip, just wouldn't ratchet anymore.

 

[Coach James]

I broke my GW 14mm on a Subie catalytic converter bolt. I had my back braced on the wheel and was pushing with both feet. It didn't slip, just wouldn't ratchet anymore.

Why didn't you use a regular box end?

Coach

 

[Packard V8]

Why didn't you use a regular box end?Coach

Flat rate tech trying to make rate or a field tech who can't carry everything sometimes has to push the wrong tool. OTOH, when doing my own stuff at home, often I don't even plug in the compressor, as I like the peace and pace of using just a plain old wrench.

I feel like a peasant for not having a set of these.

Been wrenchin' for sixty years and somehow still git 'er done without ratcheting wrenches. There are a very few times when they might be nice to have, but not having them usually won't keep one from finishing the work.

jack vines

 

[PeterT]

Just don't do the two wrench trick, to get additional leverage, with those ratcheting wrenches.

 

[Mr_B]

^ I've done that when needs must and only wrench to get on was a flexi ratchet wrench. Was taiwan geartech set and none broken yet. Seem capable of good torque if not chrome chineseium wrenches and not totally worn or full of crud and never lubed/cleaned.
my reversible facom set get treated like a normal combo wrench and no issues in several years of service . Stay away from total **** and keep abuse sensible and they will do well for most users .

 

[bushmechanic]

I only have Gearwrench units, but they are pretty solid. I certainly abuse them in that regard, and I haven't broken one yet. Obviously you aren't supposed to use them like that, but reality is a bit different in tight confines.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Why didn't you use a regular box end?

Coach

I had a wrench already on the fastener, and the fastener decided to escalate the confrontation. I almost never use a regular box unless the ratchet wrench wont fit.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Been wrenchin' for sixty years and somehow still git 'er done without ratcheting wrenches. There are a very few times when they might be nice to have, but not having them usually won't keep one from finishing the work.

jack vines

You'll get by for sure, but sometimes they really speed up the process.

Subaru engine mounts are the one example that drove me to get them. Just using a wrench (with the limited space) and you might be wrenching 20-30 minutes on each side (two bottom engine mounts), so almost an hour total. They're long bolts and not much room to swing a wrench and it's a very difficult area to reach making getting the wrench back on a challenge. Then install time.... Ratcheting wrench and the bolts both are out under 2 minutes, and back in just as fast.

Or you can pull the subframe or engine to do them

 

[d.mcfarland]

I've never had any problem with my Gearwrench wrenches. However hard I can push/pull apparently isn't enough to break the mechanism.

 

[Briancapecoral]

I had a wrench already on the fastener, and the fastener decided to escalate the confrontation. I almost never use a regular box unless the ratchet wrench wont fit.

"The fastener decided to escalate the confrontation." I'll have to remember that one when my wife is worried what the neighbors will think when I'm in a verbal confrontation with a fastener.

 

[48548]

If I am not using a ratchet, I use ratchet wrenches to break fasteners free, I never worry about breaking them. I feel that is what the warranty is for. I have only had one broken gear wrench and it was DOA out of the box. Still trying to get fastenal to replace it.

 

[bonneyman]

This question comes up often. The short answer is it depends on the brand. As for the SK you have are we talking the super strong X Frame combination wrenches or the old school laminated coarse toothed short ratcheting wrenches?

I feel that MATCO solvEd this delima a long time ago when they came out with the pro swing ratcheting wrench. It has a fixed 12 point boxed end wrench for breaking fasteners loose or for final tightening and a 72 tooth (90 tooth later) for speeding fasteners off and on.

Oh yeah, seeing the Real Tool Videos of him snapping off the head of a grade 8 bolt without hurting the ratcheting mechanism in the X-frame head was freaking cool.