Laminated ratcheting wrenches.

[paramudduck]

With the advent of the Gearwrench type of wrenches. Do any of you use the older style laminated ratcheting wrenches?

I'm talking about the Snap-on RBM1213S style. http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...id=543&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

I remember these being often used years ago. I'm just wondering if they are now a dying breed.

 

[vssjim]

They worked good in the day but the problem is the course ratchet compaired to modern style ratchet wrenchs

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I have a 3/8-7/16 straight "dogbone" and an offset one that I use daily.

Charles

 

[Fedwrench]

I still use my long ones designed for serpentine belts. The rest have become dust collectors in the home box.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

The straight ones are goners, haven't seen them in years now. Old timers still use the offset ones (spent the money), or do what the newbies do and get the flexible ones.

 

[DiStOrTiOn]

I've got the offset craftsman ones. In my opinion, worth every penny. They have saved my *** on our old Pontiac many times. I've been considering moving up to the newer, more fine toothed ones, but the cost for me, a weekend warrior, is a little daunting. The gear wrench half off sales are great, but I do NOT want to buy anything made in china, let alone tools, even if they are good quality. But yes, I do still use the old style laminated ones, and I definitely would not consider myself an old timer at 21.

 

[bchee]

I think coarse vs. fine is not the only difference. I think the older laminated ones have slightly larger heads and might not fit where the newer style would.

 

[wilbilt]

I have some and use them all the time.

 

[Ducroix]

I have a metric and sae set of the offset craftman and use them daily along side my regular wrenches and "newer style" ratcheting wrenches, can never have enough wrenches

 

[Danglerb]

I think coarse vs. fine is not the only difference. I think the older laminated ones have slightly larger heads and might not fit where the newer style would.

What he said, too many spots they don't fit in, so they rarely leave my box, but I do have a few including a full set of the offset type. I wouldn't buy them if I didn't have them, but mine are from years before GearWrench. A job would have to have more than one or two bolts they would work on for it to be worth the time walking back to the box instead of using a non ratcheting wrench.

 

[speed bump]

I still like using them, its easier to carry them and I don't feel to bad if I lose one becuase I can pick up another 5 for $20 when they go on sale again.

 

[eschoendorff]

They are an outdated concept. The people who use the are the folks who haven't yet used the modern fine-tooth gearwrench style wrenches.

 

[Thumper]

They are an outdated concept. The people who use the are the folks who haven't yet used the modern fine-tooth gearwrench style wrenches.

I gotta disagree with this statement.......I have some of the "old" style from my younger days and still use them occasionnally ( I retired from pro wrenching 10 years ago ) and I also have the "new" style. Both have their place in my box and get used.

 

[Brandon_Lutz]

I have an older set of Craftsman laminating wrenches that I bought about 12 years ago. I still use them every now and then on some projects. However, I generally use my full polish Craftsman reversible ratcheting wrenches on most things.

 

[goodfellow]

Although I'm a fan of "old technology", I've never liked this style of wrench. too clumsy and coarse, they "felt" cheap, and the ergonomics were awful.

I finally removed them from my box and put them in the "junk tool box" for occasional use, or modification if a special tool is required

 

[caper]

I've just never been able to let go of the old style ones,use em all the time.I have the newer style versions but they just feel so mickey mouse to me they end up sitting in the drawer.

 

[wilbilt]

They are an outdated concept. The people who use the are the folks who haven't yet used the modern fine-tooth gearwrench style wrenches.

Not necessarily true.

 

[paramudduck]

I actually use mine more then the Gearwrenches. They are a little bigger so they are easier for me to hold.
Strangely enough, when I use gearwrenches, I use my stubby Gearwrenches the most.

 

[Stanger]

I hated those wrenches. I can almost fit a thin pro ratchet where those things can fit. They always piss me off when I use them. BTW, I don't own any, but an old man friend of mine has them, and none of the new style. I thought, ehh, this will work I guess. Wrong. Fat as hell and course as hell. They disgust me.

 

[wilbilt]

Fat as hell and course as hell. They disgust me.

I respect that statement, it leaves no question as to how you feel about them.

Let me say I like the laminated wrenches for a few reasons. The mechanism is open, so it can be easily cleaned and lubed. It is also easy to tell if it is worn out and about to fail.

The audible and tactile "click-click-click" can be useful in determining whether the fastener is spinning or not in a less-than-visible location.

Granted, they are bulkier and have a stiffer action than the GearWrench tools, but that can be an advantage. I do trust the laminated wrenches more for high-torque situations.

I do own a set of the GearWrench non-reversibles. They utterly digust me, but for entirely different reasons.

 

[russlaferrera]

I still use mine, mostly for adjusting hand brake cables and exhaust clamp removel.

 

[fhens1]

I have them in every toolbox/tool bag I have and use them. I am a retired aircraft mechanic (60 years) and used them almost daily then.

 

[Qualitytools]

I had a Craftsman metric offset set, hardly used it and on the occasions that I needed it, the size of the wrench was too big for my application so I couldn't use it (frustrating). So I sold them and purchased a set of FACOM ratcheting wrenches and those I end up using a lot more often because the end is compact therefore, I can use it in confined spaces.

 

[RoundedNut]

They are primitive but cheap so like, I can lend them out to assemble a show display I made and not be too sad if they go missing.

But they have their place for the lowest profile bit ratchets so I have a couple, including this one I got recently: https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B007FLQQPA/

 

[bonneyman]

I do like the newer GW style but those old laminated jobbies do work....and no one is tempted to steal 'em!

 

[81turbota]

I don’t like them. Any that I own have ended up in my junk box.

Ease of maintenance isn’t a consideration when the usage is zero.

 

[Wyoming09]

I have a set of the old Craftsmans from 30-40 years ago. I can't say that I've ever used one. They're just taking up space in one of the boxes.

 

[seber]

I have a set in the bottom of the box. Never think about them. For the same reason I've never bought the new style. If it can't be done with a standard wrench, those won't work either. I'm never in that much of a hurry.

 

[lardy1]

Mine were just like brand new. Some still had stickers on them. I got peanuts for them at the auction but I gained drawer space. I never used them. Hated them.

 

[tcttcf]

They worked good in the day but the problem is the course ratchet compaired to modern style ratchet wrenchs

I went with Cornwell Flex ratchet wrenches. Ambulances have a lot of tight places where a lot of torque is needed. They were not cheap, but they are great.

 

[speed bump]

The only one I use regularly is an HVAC wrench that I use for small acetylene tanks.

 

[unslow1]

I have a set of Snapon and another set of Cornwells. None of which has seen the light of day in years. Once I got the Gearwrench I haven't had any desire to mess with them.

 

[qqzj]

I think they are all made by Lang tools and they are still being made. Outdated design, but it could work really well when you want to pose for a photo.

Sent from my SM-G981U1 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[senlow]

Holy thread resurrection, Batman! Wow, there are some old names in this thread. Wilbilt and eschoendorff are a blast from the past.

Back to our regularly scheduled programming:
Laminated ratcheting wrenches ****. They are bulky and crude, with excessive backdrag and very coarse action. Back in the day all the other guys at work had them. I tried them out and found that there was always a more efficient solution. Because of this experience, I held off on buying modern ratcheting wrenches. The current offerings are light years ahead of the laminated ****.

 

[bonneyman]

Sounds like this is what most people think:

 

[4xdog]

I had a set of Craftsmans for nearly forty years, and almost never used them. Bulky, awkward things. Sold 'em last year and happy to have them gone.

I have an old tiny Snap-on laminated ratcheting box wrench, found in the road when bicycling decades ago, and that one I do use from time to time for the 1/4" option.

Between the basement shop and the garage there are four sets (inch and mm) of the Craftsman Industrial USA-made polished reversible-ratcheting combination wrenches, which I like as much as I disliked the laminated ones.

 

[senlow]

Sounds like this is what most people think:

Free is Overpriced. They would have to pay me to take them.

 

[bonneyman]

Free is Overpriced. They would have to pay me to take them.

 

[fatfillup]

Knew an older tech that liked Snappys 6 point version of them.

I have a few at the work bench thst see a little use installing nozzles in wands or quick coupler plugs on hoses. Have other choices but they are handy and work well enough for a few applications

Every once in a while I see Snappys bring $30 or so at auctions though not routinely

 

[Packard V8]

Since so many of you hate them that much, I'd be doing you a favor to get them out of your sight. Put them in a USPS Small Flat Rate Box and I'll even pay postage.

jack vines