I cannot find a flat ratcheting 15/16 wrench that will last.

[iMarZ]

We have tried Snap-on, Blue Point, Klutch, Titan, Husky, Gear Wrench and Kobalt. None seem to last more than a week or two on one of our jobs. They are all good for about 300-400 tower bolts per day over 7 - 14 days. The problem is that working at heights you can only carry so many spares per guy.

The rebuildables are nice, but not really an option. When they go out at 300 feet, thats it.

Therefore, my question is;

Who has had success with a particular brand ratcheting wrench with a flat head and open end opposite, in 15/16 for over 5000 cycles?

 

[General Geoff]

sounds like they need additional lubrication if they're failing within 2 weeks. Maybe drill and tap a tiny lubrication port into one, fill with lubricant, and plug with suitably small screw.

 

[T45]

What are you using to break the Bolts with? This seems like mayve an ideal (?) application for a box end + ratcheting wrench not a combo, to try to keep peak forces off the fragile ratchet insides...just a thought.

- Facom and Proto come to mind as industrial brands not on your list with large sizes.

- King Tony won the shootout for overall strength in the only test I've seen. Sizes uncertain.

- Snap on has a new version OXR replacing OXER, so check the P/Ns and see which one has failed. (The OXER was never exceptionally strong.)

- SK sizing not sure how high it goes

- Gedore (COO is EU) has a massive box end, but not sure if field testing shows it be stronger or not. Warranty may/not be an issue with suppliers.

 

[Strouty]

If I wanted a full length ratcheting wrench I would buy one of the USA made proto wrenches. I would prefer a ratchet and regular box end or offset spud wrench, even using it as much as you do. Yes, I also work on towers.

 

[drtyler]

Proto JSCR30T is their 15/16 flat ratcheting wrench. Grainger/Zoro lists COO as Taiwan.

https://www.zoro.com/proto-ratcheting-wrench-head-size-1516-in-jscr30t/i/G5318257/

It may be worth a try.

Proto has USA made spline reversible ratcheting wrench, JSCV30A. But the box end is offset, which you may not want.

https://www.zoro.com/proto-ratcheting-wrench-combination-spline-jscv30a/i/G4809664/

 

[Strouty]

Yup, sorry the good ones are not flat.

Why do you want flat? I have always had clearance issues when trying to use flat wrenches, on top of that the damn ratcheting ends are almost always too big. Most people don't deal with structural bolts so they don't understand that the bolt head is a lot bigger and needs larger size wrenches. This makes for a tight fit a lot of times.

 

[shawhite]

All the tower guys I know use Lowell tower wrenches.

 

[M6erfan]

All the tower guys I know use Lowell tower wrenches.

Boom!

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Why are you doing 350 bolts a day with a hand wrench?

 

[gdocktor3]

Ya those Lowell's look like the answer to me. I was thinking Proto or a 36t ratchet wrench. The 36T ratchet wrenches have thick pawls and gear teeth that really mesh together well. Those fine tooth ratchets aren't good for large fasteners requiring a lot of torque. Get yourself a 36t that has the gears visible so you can oil or grease them easily and often. Something like this in whatever brand you choose http://www.toolfetch.com/wright-tool-9387-13-16x15-16-ratchet-boxwrench-12pt.html
Or something like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-On-Wil...278163?hash=item33bc3a6ed3:g:wmEAAOSwGIRXcY~x

 

[48548]

I wonder how an sk x-frame would work out...

 

[drtyler]

Probably ok, if they made one in that size. Currently, 3/4 is the highest fractional size offered.

I wonder how an sk x-frame would work out...

 

[Strouty]

All the tower guys I know use Lowell tower wrenches.

I have never used one of those and I have been doing tower work for ever. I have seen them before, but never actually had one in the correct size to use. Learn something new every day.


http://lowellcorp.com/8c-4-1-ratcheting-box-wrench/

 

[shockwave]

Get one of these in 24mm no open end but an adjustable should be fine for this never had any issues with these and wrench can handle very heavy loads and great leveragehttps://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/SRFBZXLM42TA/4-PIECE-ZERO-DEGREE-FLEX-RATCHETING-EXTRA-LONG-WRENCH-SET/#to-details

Other mention would be from eBay look at snap on oh30 socket end/open end (saltus) but very long my go to for alignment the socket end can be convient and save time but sadly has been out of production for years from snap onhttp://m-cafr.g.ebay.ca/itm/Snap-On-OH-30-Wrench-Combination-Flex-Head-Open-End-Long-15-16-12-Point-/281745201539?nav=SEARCH

 

[Wamsutta]

All the tower guys I know use Lowell tower wrenches.

Wow! I've never heard of a tower wrench.

 

[weg_guy]

A guy I work with has a older extra long armstrong with regular box end on one and and ratcheting on the other end. Its long and flat and actually really nice. I think he said he paid around $90 for it. I would have the guys break them loose or finish tightening with the fixed box end and then at the end of the day store them soaking in ATF or some other lube.

Just a idea.

 

[Advan]

Or a 24mm "scaffold" wrench. I've been unfortunate enough to work with many ironworkers over the years, and there's a particular Japanese made "open" design ratchet that can take years of their abuse like nobodies business.

 

[Strouty]

I am curious why only 15/16", I use tons of sizes but most are bigger than that.

 

[kctyphoon]

The Lowell wrenches are pretty indestructible. I have a few at work.. the downside is the weight if you need to climb, and your basically dropping a hammer if you lose hold of it. I've had a couple that were completely seized from being out in the elements and we're neglected for years. 15 minutes of cleaning and some new grease they are like brand new again. You can check out eBay to see what's available. I've seen them in both square and hex head, flat and offset.. I actually think I have a 7/8 hex ratcheting reversible Lowell wrench laying around that I will never use if that is any help. The pawls inside the old ones are huge. What some people choose to do is weld a 1/2" extension inside these things to make the most heavy duty ratchet on earth..

 

[kctyphoon]

Here.. I have the older solid metal styles, but this is probably the best you can find, and doesnt look nearly as heavy.

Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/182006382364

 

[larry_g]

I would suggest that you call Snap-on and/or Proto and talk to the INDUSTRIAL sales department. They make lines of tools that you do not see on the truck or automotive tool catalogs. Explain your problem and see what they can do for you.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[IUEC Medic]

I've had pretty good luck with my Proto Black (Taiwan) ratchet wrenches. 15/16 is the only size I have two of. I bought the reversible set and picked up a flat by itself. I use them very frequently. I think I paid $15 for the flat 15/16 on a Zoro 30% off sale. If I was afraid of breaking them, I'd wait for a sale and pick up 3 or 4... I like mine and haven't broken one yet, but I certainly prefer the reversible/offset to the flat.

 

[zzflattop]

I have used (not 300 bolts/day), Matco long double boxed ratcheting end wrenches GRBLM with good results. The reason I mention these wrenches are because one, both ends are flat, both ends are closed and one end ratchets and the other is a standard (non ratcheting) type. You could use the standard end to break the bolts lose, then the ratcheting end to remove the nut/bolt. They seem to be good quality, but maybe mine are old. Mine are definitely 12 point, I am not sure if they make them in a 6 point, or not. Obviously a 6 point would last longer than a 12 point.

Good luck in your search...

Ron

 

[Jawn]

FWIW, I wonder how the Armstrong double box would hold up (flat ratcheting box on one end, angled non-ratcheting box on the other).

 

[kctyphoon]

Keep in mind, he is probably tightening the living hell out.of these bolts if it's on a tower. A standard automotive type wrench will not survive for this work.

I have a 1" Lowell (square nut) on my digger Derrick at work.. the handle is probably 16" long.. these are made to replace an impact wrench. I could probably suspend a smart car off the handle of this thing.

 

[shockwave]

I took a picture of my long Matco and snap on oh30 with a fhlfd80 ratchet for size reference

 

[alinc100]

I have the 7/8" version of this wrench which worked very well for me day in and day out while doing scaffolding. This eBay listing isn't mine only there as a reference to the wrench.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MATCO-GRBL3030-15-16-DOUBLE-BOX-PRO-SWING-RATCHETING-/222200938645?hash=item33bc354095:g:MfsAAOSwENxXmMn6&item=222200938645&vxp=mtr

 

[Electric Flyer]

We have tried Snap-on, Blue Point, Klutch, Titan, Husky, Gear Wrench and Kobalt. None seem to last more than a week or two on one of our jobs. They are all good for about 300-400 tower bolts per day over 7 - 14 days. The problem is that working at heights you can only carry so many spares per guy.

The rebuildables are nice, but not really an option. When they go out at 300 feet, thats it.

Therefore, my question is;

Who has had success with a particular brand ratcheting wrench with a flat head and open end opposite, in 15/16 for over 5000 cycles?

Try SuperTool, a Japanese company that has been making quality ratchets for quite some time, https://www.supertool.co.jp/english/products/products_by_category.php?category=0202. I like the RN1924L, but you may be happier with a single end heavy duty, RH variety. Stahlwille makes an awesome heavy duty single end 24mm ring spanner, to which a handle can be added. I use it on truss and it fits in 12” corners rather well. Wright has a ratchet/open end construction wrench, designed for 7/8” but you could remove the pinned socket and replace with 15/16”. I believe the Wright is a 36-tooth. If you have to have a combination wrench, SuperTool has them, with flex as well— whether they’ll hold up to such extensive use, uncertain. You could always get a variety to test out for certainty. Best of luck and do let us know what you’ve tried since posting and results!!!

 

[Electric Flyer]

Try SuperTool, a Japanese company that has been making quality ratchets for quite some time, https://www.supertool.co.jp/english/products/products_by_category.php?category=0202. I like the RN1924L, but you may be happier with a single end heavy duty, RH variety. Stahlwille makes an awesome heavy duty single end 24mm ring spanner, to which a handle can be added. I use it on truss and it fits in 12” corners rather well. Wright has a ratchet/open end construction wrench, designed for 7/8” but you could remove the pinned socket and replace with 15/16”. I believe the Wright is a 36-tooth. If you have to have a combination wrench, SuperTool has them, with flex as well— whether they’ll hold up to such extensive use, uncertain. You could always get a variety to test out for certainty. Best of luck and do let us know what you’ve tried since posting and results!!!

Stahlwille 50 Heavy Duty Ring Spanner, #420200024, https://stahlwille.com/en_us/products/detail/876236.