Multiple wrench sets...ratcheting, flex, combo?

[mojo_13]

I bought the Gearwrench flex head ratcheting wrench set and am now filling it out with the missing wrenches, I also have an older set of Stanley combination wrenches. But that got me thinking, what are all of your "go to" wrenches and if you had to have a minimalist box would you even have multiple sets of wrenches.

I ask this out of curiosity but also because I have been thinkng about getting a non flex head ratcheting wrench but not sure if I will ever even use them.

 

[filtered]

I have a set of flex head ratcheting wrenches and regular ratcheting wrenches. I find myself grabbing the regular ones first. If I had to pick two sets for my tool box it would be locking flex head ratcheting and long non-ratcheting combo wrenches. Just my personal preference, but i'm also not a mechanic.

 

[mojo_13]

I have a set of flex head ratcheting wrenches and regular ratcheting wrenches. I find myself grabbing the regular ones first. If I had to pick two sets for my tool box it would be locking flex head ratcheting and long non-ratcheting combo wrenches. Just my personal preference, but i'm also not a mechanic.

I'm no mechanic either by any means just like getting other peoples thoughts. Can I ask why you don't prefer the flex heads? Just can't get as much torque?

 

[reptilezs]

get both. the flex ones flex when you dont want them too, but are handy to have

 

[BWright]

Or you could get locking flex which would cover both realms.

 

[Bran Diezel]

i'm a mechanic or tech or whatever the term and i got for the flex first. i prob have 20 sets of wrenches. if i was to minimize i'd go ... wait how many is minimizing? lol

1) flex combo
2) long combo
3) 0 degree xl box
4) stubby
5) line
6) 40-75 deg box

 

[Craftman]

I have a complete set of metric and sae set also 9 of the most use metric and sae stubby and the most use ratcheting wrench in metric and sae, all with a life warranty!

edit: if I would have to go with a minimalist tol box I would go with complete set of metric and sae, in normal wrench.

 

[pfbz]

In order of use for me...

1) Standard combinations.
2) T-handle wrenches.
3) Ratcheting wrenches, non-flex.
4) Offset Box.
5) Open end.


The stubbies, both ratcheting and combination, almost never come out of the box...

 

[Stick Figure]

Biggest way to save space in your box is to try and buy specialty wrenches that have two sides you can use. If you have a basic combo wrench set, anything you buy that has an identical open end is going to be on the verge of worthless. If you need ratcheting wrenches, a double box style that has all the sizes but half the number of wrenches would be your best bet in my opinion.

 

[matthew]

Biggest way to save space in your box is to try and buy specialty wrenches that have two sides you can use. If you have a basic combo wrench set, anything you buy that has an identical open end is going to be on the verge of worthless. If you need ratcheting wrenches, a double box style that has all the sizes but half the number of wrenches would be your best bet in my opinion.

I absolutely agree - except that a 12 piece ratcheting combo set seems to be cheaper and easier to obtain for us non-pro wrenchers than a comparable 6 piece set. So I'd prefer the smaller set, but actually have the larger set with open ends on it, as well.

Personally as a non-pro, a complete set of non-ratcheting combos is far and away most important, preferable long pattern. I also have a full set of ratcheting flex Gearwrenches, which are sort of candy for my toolbox - nice, but not essential. I very much like the flex version, because I find the adjustability can be quite useful, and I think the most multi-purpose. I like the non-reversible, non-locking flex, but that may just be preference.

If not double-box with two ratcheting ends, then the ideal Gearwrench would be flex ratcheting wrench on one end, and fixed box end on the other. Wish they made them like that...

 

[bmxr4life87]

I think matco does! I have certain jobs (trans mounted park brake on new ford vans) where I use my flex to break it loose and then speed it off with a ratcheting stubby! Someone needs to make a non ratcheting flex box wrench

 

[Simplespeed]

Im a mechanic and my go to set is 8-19mm flex, ratcheting, open end gearwrench. Sometimes its just easier and faster than getting sockets and swivels and extensions out. And when your working on commission, it matters. Today for example, i did front struts on a 2000 4 runner and rear struts on a 2005 ford explorer. Both would have taken longer if i only had regular wrenches and not flex ratcheting wrenches. Its impossible to get an impact or air ratchet in there. The only other tool that would have been better is a stubby flex ratchet.

I did buy the HF Pittsburgh long wrenches a couple days ago. I havent used them yet. Iv been wanting to buy an extra long ratcheting set of MAC but dont want to cough up the dough. Dunno how well these will work, time will tell.

 

[Simplespeed]

I think matco does! I have certain jobs (trans mounted park brake on new ford vans) where I use my flex to break it loose and then speed it off with a ratcheting stubby! Someone needs to make a non ratcheting flex box wrench

Why would you want it non ratcheting?

 

[Stick Figure]

I absolutely agree - except that a 12 piece ratcheting combo set seems to be cheaper and easier to obtain for us non-pro wrenchers than a comparable 6 piece set. So I'd prefer the smaller set, but actually have the larger set with open ends on it, as well.

the problem becomes storage though .... what starts to cost more, the "better" wrench set, or the larger box?

 

[filtered]

I'm no mechanic either by any means just like getting other peoples thoughts. Can I ask why you don't prefer the flex heads? Just can't get as much torque?

Mine are the non locking version, so they flex when I don't want them to. I guess i'm not used to them yet.

 

[dankicksass]

Six point flank drive combination wrench set, 28 pcs standard and metric Craftsman: $100. Offset reversible ratcheting box wrench set, 10 pcs standard and metric Craftsman: $40 on sale. 1/4 and 3/8 drive homeowner ratchet and socket kit Stanley/Kobalt/Husky: $50. Screwdriver set, Stanley cushion grip: $35. Allen keys, standard metric and torx: $15. Four drawer Craftsman Ralley box 20in: $75. Socket rails, magnetic tray and drawer liner: $20. Hammer: $15. That would bring a grand total of $350 to your above-average basic homeowner's box and outfit you for just about anything around the house that doesn't need a power tool.

 

[mrholeshot]

In a true minimalist box ratchet wrenches wouldn't be in mine. A really good set of flank drive combo wrenches and a socket set would be. I love ratchet wrenches but my go to wrenches are still my Flank drive Snap-Ons (any flank drive combo would be fine). I'm almost as fast with a combo wrench as some people are with ratchet wrenches. Speed isn't everything. No matter what you have in your box you will always go back to the basics. Socket sets, wrenches and screwdrivers. Cover that in good stuff and then experiment with other stuff

 

[SMKS]

I ask this out of curiosity but also because I have been thinkng about getting a non flex head ratcheting wrench but not sure if I will ever even use them.

I have both flex and non-flex ratcheting wrenches. I'm just a hobbyist now, but I have used my non-flexing wrenches quite a bit. I bought this set.

Tooltopia link

One of the nice things about this set is that it doesn't skip any sizes. It is 8-19mm.

 

[78Bird]

Am I the only one that likes the Gearwrench QuadBox wrenches? 8 sizes in 2 wrenches is nice... (I don't have the biggest SAE one or the metric set yet)

They are good when you might run into a couple different sizes and can drop 2 tools in your pocket that will cover it.

 

[matthew]

the problem becomes storage though .... what starts to cost more, the "better" wrench set, or the larger box?

I keep mine in tool rolls. Then when I need them, I pull the roll I want and set that out where I'm working. I don't find that takes up too much space if you put your wrenches in a decently deep drawer, but again as a non-pro I don't have nearly as many wrenches as some guys here do - just my regular combos plus the flex gearwrenches in both SAE and metric, and a few odds & ends in addition.

 

[Scout Driver]

what are all of your "go to" wrenches and if you had to have a minimalist box would you even have multiple sets of wrenches.

My "go to" wrenches are my offset, double box ended wrenches. Its easy to grab a couple and have multiple sizes covered. They give good knuckle clearance and are a longer than combo wrenches. Of course they won't suit every application, but they fit enough to be the first wrench that I grab.

As far as going minimalist, the offset double box ends, and a set of regular combination wrenches would be fine for me. I've never used ratcheting wrenches very much. They are great for the spaces that need them, but for me, not 100% necessary. (notice that I didn't say that I'd give them up either ).

Scott

 

[mrholeshot]

Am I the only one that likes the Gearwrench QuadBox wrenches? 8 sizes in 2 wrenches is nice... (I don't have the biggest SAE one or the metric set yet)

They are good when you might run into a couple different sizes and can drop 2 tools in your pocket that will cover it.

I like the standard set but they skip the 14mm and 15mm in the metric.

 

[beelsr]

they have them in the catalog but noone seems to sell them.

I like the standard set but they skip the 14mm and 15mm in the metric.

 

[isr2kba]

I bought the Gearwrench flex head ratcheting wrench set and am now filling it out with the missing wrenches, I also have an older set of Stanley combination wrenches. But that got me thinking, what are all of your "go to" wrenches and if you had to have a minimalist box would you even have multiple sets of wrenches.

I ask this out of curiosity but also because I have been thinkng about getting a non flex head ratcheting wrench but not sure if I will ever even use them.

I have the Gearwrench flex heads and the Snappy non-flex ratcheting wrenches.

For me it comes down to clearance. I have to say that the Gearwrench flex heads are bulky and don't fit a lot of places I would like them too.

The Snappy non-flex ratchet wrenches are a measure better, but I have to say that when working in tight clearance situations the go to wrench is the good old fashion non-ratcheting combination wrench. Therefore if you gotta have only one set, you're screwed with anything that ratchets.

I would add that I love using the flexible gearwrenches as ratcheting crowsfeet when space permits.

 

[Old Donn]

I've got reversible and flex-head, nine times out of ten, the reversibles are my go-to ratcheting wrench. Non-ratcheting I'm old school, open ends and box wrenches.