Low profile sockets vs. ratcheting wrenches?

[Jacobson]

Do you guys use low profile sockets? Or can you pretty much use a ratcheting wrench most of the time? What is a situation where only a low profile socket will work? I might buy a real cheap set. Any ideas?

 

[JJThrasher]

Air valve on a Miata. Can't use a wrench and a low pro socket allows you to do it without removing the manifold.

 

[Itinerant]

Power steering pump pulley retaining nut on my '92 Toyota pickup. The low-pro socket was the only tool I could put on it.

 

[B_Bimmer]

The answer is: there is no "vs.", only "and". The other sometimes useful benefit of most low profile sockets is they usually are not sloped in on the socket end, which can be useful on soft, short, or damaged fasteners. Nice for use on motorcycles.

 

[gdocktor3]

I use Kobalt low profile pass thru sockets with my ratchet wrenches. Boooom...

Pictures of pass thru sockets in ratchet wrench with matching size regular ratchet/socket setup. I don't even own any of the actual pass thru ratchets.

 

[jlipsky14]

I use both for different applications, I needed a low profile ratchet to remove the torque converter bolts off of the project truck I have. Motor was locked up and couldnt spin the motor to get to the top bolts, ratcheting wrenches didnt work cause they needed the offset at the end. I keep a set like this is the truck and it allows for a dual purpose of having an extra set in the truck and doubling as a low profile set when you need it as my truck is pretty much always with me.

http://m.craftsman.com/craftsman-51-piece-max-axess-chrome-plated-alloy/p-00929309000P

 

[Finky198]

I use the same ^^^ craftsman pass through set for my low profiles. I also have ratcheting wrenches, But somtimes you need a slight offset In order to access something. The tool has saved me a lot of time in the past few years.

 

[ajchien]

I'm in favor of 60 degree offset wrenches for recessed fasteners with little room to work with.

In my limited DIY use, those types of fasteners that are recessed and can't get to with a wrench, and also have an obstruction that a ratchet+socket can't fit are not very common, but exceedingly annoying when you find them. Low profile ratchets + low profile sockets or pass through set ups always seem to be just 1-2 mm too thick to fit in the space. And thus, I resign myself to turning the bolt slowly with a old fashioned wrench OR going ahead and removing the obstruction.

 

[Jim Diesel]

Every tool has a place at some stage, especialy if you wrench professionaly

 

[Kev442]

98% ratcheting wrenches, 2% must use low profile for torque converter bolts and a couple other things.

 

[Jacobson]

I'll skip these for now. Thanks for the info.

 

[gdocktor3]

I'll skip these for now. Thanks for the info.

One of the most intelligent post's I've ever read. Good for you.

 

[bcradio]

I'm in favor of 60 degree offset wrenches for recessed fasteners with little room to work with.

In my limited DIY use, those types of fasteners that are recessed and can't get to with a wrench, and also have an obstruction that a ratchet+socket can't fit are not very common, but exceedingly annoying when you find them. Low profile ratchets + low profile sockets or pass through set ups always seem to be just 1-2 mm too thick to fit in the space. And thus, I resign myself to turning the bolt slowly with a old fashioned wrench OR going ahead and removing the obstruction.

This is what I do. I would say these wrenches would be used a good bit more than low profile sockets, so get these first if you're itching to get something.

 

[Kev442]

I'll skip these for now. Thanks for the info.

If you want something multipurpose, pick up the gear wrench serpentine belt kit. It has the basic middle sizes, is pass through and does the belts too.

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

While they do have their purpose they aren't needed very often. There are a lot of tools I'd buy before buying these.

 

[B_Bimmer]

While they do have their purpose they aren't needed very often. There are a lot of tools I'd buy before buying these.

Personally I would buy the "lot of other tool's" as well, and these.

 

[T45]

Actual recessed fittings usually don't also have obstructions, but some time they do. that is the use case for these tools. if you need them buy them, if you don't think you've ever seen something of that nature, I'd say there is no hurry to own the (especially a complete set).

The difference is fairly substantial, but also is a function of your other tools. The socket itself is only 4-7mm shorter than a standard unit. Its usually by using the external hex of the socket that you can eliminate the added ratchet height, anothe 11-20+mm of stack height.

Point being that you can save some of that by switching ratchets or socket brands. Especially if you are not already using a 22mm sockets and something like a 10-11mm ratcheat head. If you are using the lower-profile of the standard stuff, you get some extra clearance but its only 15mm or so.

 

[dnschmidt]

When you say low profile sockets what comes to mind to me is the HF pass thru socket set which you can buy for $20.00. This to me is an amazing buy. I have very seldom needed to use this but when you do it's invaluable.