I dont use wrenches

[spy604]

Everyone here always seems to be talking about wrenches, and I got to thinking, I hardly ever use mine. Whenever I can, i find myself grabbing for a ratchet and a breaker bar, or 2 ratchets. Whenever I am using a wrench, I can't help but think, I should be using a socket instead.

Is this just me?

 

[chewy7]

I like to use a wrench with either a socket and ratchet or backing up an impact wrench, sometimes neither

 

[franzdom]

Sounds like you need some ratchetwrenches

 

[pipsters]

I don't use them much either. I do have a 5 pc set of Gearwrench, 10mm, 12-15mm, ratcheting wrenches that I occasionally use but I bought those for $10. I do have a large set of Craftsman raised panel wrenches but they were fairly inexpensive compared to what others spend (around $140 for up to 32mm and 1-5/16).

I've found pretty much anywhere you can use a large wrench you can use an adjustable wrench. You can also back up a impact with a ratchet as well. So yes I agree not as useful as they seem especially when you have folks putting a lot of energy into discussing them!

 

[VWandDodge]

Sometimes, a wrench is best used on a stubborn fastener and might be the only option in a tight place where a ratchet won't fit.

 

[Trucky]

I'm no pro, not even close, but I'm just the opposite. I love the feel of a good wrench, and ratchets feel clunky and cheap to me. Then again, I do almost all of my work on the same machines. The mills are either Bridgeport or Haas, and the lathes are Colchester, Haas, or our cheapie KBC ones. After you work on something for a while, you just tend to bring the right wrenches with you to the machine. 3/4 for the draw bar and adjusting the head, 15/16 for the nuts that hold the vise down, etc. A ratchet just makes you look weird.

Of course, that only seems to ring true in that environment, imo. Ratchets just aren't used.

 

[chadster1]

I sell way more sockets and ratchets than I do wrenches...

 

[Mross506]

I go to my ratcheting wrenches before I reach for anything else. They fit into tighter spots, allow for better leverage, and don' give you the top heavy wobble that sockets do. I have C-man, kobalt, and Gearhead ratcheting wrench sets. Of which Gearhead is far superior.

As for using and adjustable "Cresent" wrench, it may be handy but be aware that it has the tendency to work out of adjustment and round off bolt heads when being used. It belongs in a portable tool box to "Make do" but is no substitute for using a wrench of the proper size.

Sockets have their place but if given the option to use either ratcheting wrenches are my choice hands down.

 

[ptschram]

I use the correct tool for the job, whatever that may be.

 

[spy604]

I use the correct tool for the job, whatever that may be.

Ive never seen a bolt stamped "wrench only - no sockets"

I can see using a wrench for a place a socket wont fit, but the ratcheting wrenches seem like a solution in search of a problem. They are less comfortable to hold, they weigh 10x more and take up alot more space than a ratchet and socket set, so whats the point? I dont encounter alot of times a wrench is 'required' so I guess I see their place, they just seem like more of a specialty tool, not a toolbox standard.

 

[franzdom]

ratchet wrenches are inline so they don't torque off the head it you apply simple pressure to them. Ratchets with sockets have to sometimes be held to keep from twisting at the same time. I prefer ratchets to ratchet wrenches but each definitely has it's place.

 

[speed bump]

It all depends on what you work on:

For lines those ratchets typically aren't very useful.
I keep running into really tight areas where a ratchet doesn't fit.
I work around open holes so having a socket that can come off is a no no in those areas.

Overall it just depends on your application and the scope of your work. At my job I use 1 torx socket and only one but I use the heck out of chain tongs. At your job you may use torx sockets all the time but probably don't even have a set of chain tongs on location.

 

[W650Mike]

Combos, boxes, offsets, stubbies, ratcheting, ratchet/socket, T-handle, breaker bar, speeder, air ratchet, impacts, adjustables, dog bones (if I dare); all have their applications.

If there was one wrench to do all we wouldn't even need rollcabs; just big pockets.

I'm getting to the point of needing another rollcab!

 

[ptschram]

I'm getting to the point of needing another rollcab!

Aren't we all, and I have three!

As for wrenches, I've got zero-offset, large offset, regular offset, flare, 12-point, six-point, stubby, long, etc. Metric, imperial, Whitworth.

As for sockets, deep well, shallow-well, mid-depth, 12-point, six-point, eight point, Whitworth, Imperial, Metric, long ratchets, short ratchets, fixed ratchets, hinged ratchets.

Fit the tools to the job.

 

[Packard V8]

Yes, many, through necessity or through choice get by with many fewer tools than some of us An extreme example of why specific tools are necessary for specific fasteners and fittings:

Many here will never have even seen or used, much less own a Weatherhead socket set. They are specifically for removing and installing the brass fittings which are ninety-degree male-in-the-engine-female-to-the-hose-or-tubing. I know I wrenched for fifty years without them. Now I've finally got a set.

Many an experienced shop mechanic where he has a parts department in house has always removed and installed Weatherhead fittings with an adjustable wrench. If a fitting is deformed, there's another one handy and the customer gets billed for it.

Those paying for their own fittings or those out in the field where that one machine absolutely has to be operating and with the tools and fittings on site may have spent $500 for a set of Weatherheads. Experience has proved to me, no matter how experienced and how careful, sooner or later, that adjustable wrench isn't going to do the job. Whether it is lack of clearance or the fitting is just in too tight, the only tool which will get it out and in in reusable condition is a Weatherhead. Ruin a very few Cat-specific fittings and you've paid for the sockets. Ruin that one fitting for which there is no spare and an entire crew sits idle for days until another fitting can be airlifted into the wilderness.

The various tools exist because there is a need. That we don't see the need is just because we don't have enough experience and/or enough money anyway.

jack vines

 

[ajchien]

DIY guy here.

I also prefer ratchet/socket over wrench in genreral but ...

I use wrenches when sockets don't fit or when I dont want any ratcheting effect.

For example:
1) car serpentine belt change, none of my sockets fit in the space.
2) brake bleeder bolt - i just want a back and forth open and close, don't want to switch a selector on/off.
3) my swimming pool pump filter cover has a nut with a very long bolt. far longer than any deep well socket (ratcheting wrench here).
4) holding the backside of a nut, when turning the frontside of a bolt. (various home repair items)
5) idk why, but it just seems simpler to change out your circular saw blade with a wrench than a socket and ratchet. (few turns needed, low torque, 1 wrench rather than 2 item socket/ratchet, and it's lighter to hold?)
6) mounting some of my vises on the workbench (space limited, doesnt fit in ratchet, also the bolt may be too long for deepwell socket).

 

[nato]

Try getting a ratchet onto the two rear brake caliper bracket bolts on any '99+ GM 1/2 ton+ trucks

Anymore, I'll agree. I don't know if it's coincidence that you posted this thread or what, but it seems like every fastener I've come in contact with lately, has been ungodly tight, forcing me to use a ratchet/breaker bar. I used to be to always do brakes on a vehicle with usually my long pattern & ratcheting wrenches, even if they had loc-tite on the threads. Anymore, it's almost 90% of the time, with a ratchet.
Even import (Japanese) 10mm & 12mm fasteners seems to be tighter
I will say though, once anything is broken loose enough to almost free hand spin it off, I ALWAYS reach for my ratcheting wrenches!!!!!

I also have noticed that I'm glad all of my combo wrenches are standard to long pattern in length. I hardly ever use my stubbies and find it necessary to always need a little extra leverage now too.
Short stubby ratcheting wrenches are another story. They definitely get their use.

 

[warmpancakes]

wrenches are required for pretty much any 4x4 truck suspension work, castle nuts on ball joints or pulling control arms

 

[Tom2]

Since I bought my flexible ratchet wrenches - I use them for jobs that sockets could be used all the time. They're a joy to use.. I use them any time I can over a ratchet.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

wrench is a holding member

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

how about line fitting ?

 

[saturdaymechanic]

Also a DIY guy. I love using my GW flex wrenches. I reach for them first when I do need a wrench, like last weekend when I needed to snug the 3 retaining nuts on my CV axle, . I also like my regular GW wrenches. My brake lines need flare nuts (still looking for a used SO set). My CMan raised panels collect dust these days.

Otherwise I mostly use my ratchets and sockets.

 

[fordbroncodave]

take off a driveshaft with a 8mm 12 point bolt. your 3/8" ratchet don't fit and your 1/4" ratchet doesn't have the leverage.

 

[plinker]

I use wrenches on a varitiy of things but when using an impact I prefer to use a breaker bar and a socket. It dosent dig in to my hand near as bad.

Example is using a 1" impact w/ 1-1/2 socket on a trailer spring hanger, A wrench that size is hard on the hand with that much torque.

 

[Original Man]

Could of used one yesterday. Ratchets are difficult/impossible to use in certain instances.

 

[Danglerb]

Stubby ratchet and a wobble extension with a socket, any time I can, but that is no more than about 60% of the time.

 

[bczygan]

My first perfect job for my new set of Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches was assembling the HF red Service Cart. Made it easy......and so much fun I almost loosened all the nuts, just to tighten them again! I'm thinking of a set of standard GW combinations, but also of an impact.

 

[back2class]

I split the use. If I have many fatsteners to remove I grab the ratchet if it will fit. Otherwise I use just a plain combo wrench. Most of the stuff I deal with is not replacing parts, so repetitive movement of many fasteners is not the typical for me. I also much perfer the feel of a wrench over a ratchet. Straight on torque, where a ratchet will tend to break a fastener because it is outbound of the fastener and difficult to apply torque perfectly without shifting torque outbound. I almost never use ratcheting wrenches. Good to have but they just don't do it for me.

 

[wafrederick]

Same with some rear driveshaft bolts on some GM and Dodge fullsize trucks,can get to them with a wrench only.I do use the wrench method that is not recomended,the cheater wrench metheod hooking the box end of any combination or box end wrench into the open end of a wrench breaking loose very tight bolts.The British call a wrench a spanner,I have an uncle that is British and told me this.

 

[Aberdale]

When I'm taking things apart, a 3/8" electric impact and sockets are fast and break things loose easily. When I'm putting things back together, I like the feel of a wrench to gauge the torque, and the slower pace to make sure I'm assembling things in the proper sequence.

 

[GoBlue]

Man o man...as far as wrenches go i have 12 point in sae and metric, 6 point in sae and metric, stubbys, gear wrenches, offsets, line wrenches, obstruction wrences, all in metric...and as far as sockets i pretty much have every size known to man...i use them all...honestly my wrenches get a ton of use...all but the obstructions and sae...but when i need them i NEED them

 

[slip knot]

If you work by the hour wrenchs are great, Getting paid piecemeal and ratchets or air tool is the way to go. I find wrenchs to be more relaxing.

 

[davesnothere]

I use a lot of rats, which works out well for me, because it justifies having a lot of rats.
That being said, I also use a lot of wrenches. Ratcheting or otherwise.

 

[shampoop]

If a wrench or ratchet can be used, of course you would use a ratchet. But there are many situations where you can ONLY use a wrench.

 

[larry_g]

I think Jack hit it on the head. If you can get by with just sockets you don't have a wide base of experience. I at one time had (if I remember right) 17 different sets specfic for use in socket head screws. I was in an industrial setting and hex head bolts were the rarity. I work on a lot of farm equipment now and open end wrenches are a must and a cresent-hammer will not get it done either. I know your not getting an older chev engine apart easily with a socket set as some of the intake bolts are confined. Lock nuts are perty difficult with only a socket set. Is a crowsfoot a wrench or a socket?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Fedwrench]

It's all a matter of what you're working on, if time = money, and what you have to use. I think with the introduction of proswing wrenches some of my sockets gather a little more dust these days. However, my impact swivels at the end of a cordless impact probably get used the most follwed closely by the air ratchet. Like all tools, it's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. I wouldn't want to be without my vast collection of wrenches though.

 

[sberry]

I use all of it but do lean heavily on common combination and adjustable wrenches as well as channeloks. Only specialty wrenches are where I really need them, don't collect just to fill the box.

 

[tyyost]

I can see using a wrench for a place a socket wont fit, but the ratcheting wrenches seem like a solution in search of a problem. They are less comfortable to hold, they weigh 10x more and take up alot more space than a ratchet and socket set, so whats the point? I dont encounter alot of times a wrench is 'required' so I guess I see their place, they just seem like more of a specialty tool, not a toolbox standard.

While this seems like a shameless troll I will bite. I too have become a ratchet wrench convert. I don't get the digs like the 10x heavier and more space comment, but for 10/12 mm brake caliper bolts and lots of other routine tasks I find them indispensable. There are times ratchets and sockets are the best solution, as for fixed wrenches, but situational awareness is the key.

The more diversity in ratchet wrenches makes the choices even easier, I am still waiting to break one after hitting them with deadblows, hanging from them and general abuse. I have yet to see a downside beyond not having an affordable (to me) US maker.

 

[Lotek]

how about line fitting ?

Crowfoot socket.

But seriously, anyone who doesn't think he needs wrenches hasn't turned enough of them. Every tool has it's place.

 

[Damian]

Someone who says "I don't use wrenches" does not wrench for a living.

When you do this day in/day out, on 100's of different types of engines/cars, you will run into a need for a wrench eventually whether you want to or not. Doesn't matter how small the ratchet head is or how high the tooth count, there's some spaces that a ratchet/socket absolutely will not fit.