Non-Reversing Ratcheting Combination Wrench

[BMoscato]

Howdy All,

If you were to invest in or upgrade your Non-Reversing Ratcheting Combination Wrenches today, what brand would you buy today if cost wasn't a factor?

I'm debating on SK, but still up in the air. I'm definitely going to stay with American made.

Bryan

 

[2ndGearRubber]

The williams USA fine tooth, snap ons old design, would be high on my list.

For example - https://protoolwarehouse.com/10-19mm-williams-combination-ratcheting-wrench-set-10-pcs-mws-10rs/

 

[Kscardsfan]

The williams USA fine tooth, snap ons old design, would be high on my list.

For example - https://protoolwarehouse.com/10-19mm-williams-combination-ratcheting-wrench-set-10-pcs-mws-10rs/

Those are pretty sweet. You used them or the Snap On versions in your shop?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Those are pretty sweet. You used them or the Snap On versions in your shop?

Most of my Williams ratcheting wrenches are the Taiwanese versions, blue point equivalent. The USA made ones popped up around the time snap on released their new and smaller ratcheting wrench head - thus williams got the older design. I have 4 sets of tiawanese, 1 set of the USA design? My USA ones are non-reversible stubbies, so not crazy high use. They've done very well for me. I've used coworkers snap on years ago, and liked them aside from the thin beam. Williams fixes this, as it appears to just be a super-combo profile.

 

[Ton ton]

Are you looking for a flexhead version? Just curious.

 

[BMoscato]

Are you looking for a flexhead version? Just curious.

No Sir, fixed head, non reversible.

 

[Ton ton]

I have a some cheap Chinese flexhead ratchet wrenches that I get a fast warranty support through my local auto parts store. This is the reason I asked. SK xframe wrenches are the USA option that I am familiar with. I'm a little scared to use the xframes for fear of breaking them. I bought them at a store 5 hours from home.

 

[kelpaso1]

I wouldn't waste my time or money on non-reversible wrenches. Never understood the need for them. The little reversing lever has never gotten in the way on anything I've worked on. Plus I hate wrenches that aren't bent at box end to move your hand away from what you are wrenching.

 

[dlwilson]

I've used my Gearwrench non-reversible ratcheting wrenches hard for years, and haven't broken one yet. I would replace them with the same.

 

[boom10ful]

I have a some cheap Chinese flexhead ratchet wrenches that I get a fast warranty support through my local auto parts store. This is the reason I asked. SK xframe wrenches are the USA option that I am familiar with. I'm a little scared to use the xframes for fear of breaking them. I bought them at a store 5 hours from home.

I wouldn't worry about breaking the X-frame wrenches. I use my 3/4" with a torque adapter and a 1/2 drive breaker bar to loosen motor mount bolts and it hasn't failed yet.

 

[M635_Guy]

My SK X-frames are really beefy - I don't worry about them at all...

 

[dscheidt]

I wouldn't waste my time or money on non-reversible wrenches. Never understood the need for them. The little reversing lever has never gotten in the way on anything I've worked on. Plus I hate wrenches that aren't bent at box end to move your hand away from what you are wrenching.

There are a small number of jobs where a ratcheting straight wrench makes life easier. In general, though, they're vastly inferior to a reversing combination wrench with an offset.

 

[msharley]

The thick Gear Wrench set is the "cat's meow"...

Next on my list.......

I have had the regular Gear Wrench sets, both SAE and foreign, stubby and regular length flat wrenches for years....all four sets have done well well for me. Really like the stubby...Several "manufacturers" put fasteners where nothing else will do!

The Thick Gear Wrench you can really pull on.....

Think it is the Gear Wrench XL? 12 wrenches on Amazon for about $150??

Buddy of mine has them....Just that "little bit more" than mine....

 

[CS454]

I've been happy with my 72 tooth Matcos. That said, they see 5% of duty versus my reversible Snap On ones.

 

[Al Borland]

I have Huskys and Kobalts. They don't get a lot of use, but they do what they are asked to when needed.
I have a few reversibles and a few flex ones as well, Older Williams and Craftsman, Don't use them much either.
Not a regular part of my tool choices, but sometimes they are needed.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

The thick Gear Wrench set is the "cat's meow"...

Next on my list.......

I have had the regular Gear Wrench sets, both SAE and foreign, stubby and regular length flat wrenches for years....all four sets have done well well for me. Really like the stubby...Several "manufacturers" put fasteners where nothing else will do!

The Thick Gear Wrench you can really pull on.....

Think it is the Gear Wrench XL? 12 wrenches on Amazon for about $150??

Buddy of mine has them....Just that "little bit more" than mine....

Gearwrench XL live on my cart, GREAT tool and super useful. I believe I've worn out or broken 2 or 3 over the last 7-8 years. I just bought replacements. Those wrenches have been so good to me I didn't have the heart to ask for a warranty replacement.

 

[vssjim]

Gearwrench XL live on my cart, GREAT tool and super useful. I believe I've worn out or broken 2 or 3 over the last 7-8 years. I just bought replacements. Those wrenches have been so good to me I didn't have the heart to ask for a warranty replacement.

You can do the online warranty from GearWrench which real easy and a new tool just shows up. https://www.gearwrench.com/warranty

 

[BMoscato]

Why is Snap On selling GearWrench?

https://shop.snapon.com/search?q=gearwrench
https://shop.snapon.com/product/sup...ric-Combination-Ratcheting-Wrench-Set/KDT9416

 

[msharley]

Why is Snap On selling GearWrench?

https://shop.snapon.com/search?q=gearwrench
https://shop.snapon.com/product/sup...ric-Combination-Ratcheting-Wrench-Set/KDT9416

Hey B,

For the folk that want to pay DOUBLE??

Later, Mark

 

[dstblj52]

Why is Snap On selling GearWrench?

https://shop.snapon.com/search?q=gearwrench
https://shop.snapon.com/product/sup...ric-Combination-Ratcheting-Wrench-Set/KDT9416

It's probably more they have it through their vendor chain and those it ended up on their dogshit website lol

 

[Ton ton]

Gearwrench is in the paper snap on supplemental catalog. If you buy through your local snap on rep, you have the famous tool truck warranty. I'm not being sarcastic. I have heard the gearwrench price is halfway competitive off of certain tool trucks. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Ton ton]

Snap on seems to have a fairly complete selection of the various versions of gearwrench ratchet wrenches. This is how I know how all these options exist. I feel like a kid in the candy store when I Page through the snap on supplemental catalog.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

^ acquire part numbers via supplemental catalog - purchase online - fill toolbox. I'll usually price check rebrands on the trucks to compare additional cost vs. ease of replacement parts or warranty.

Snap on sells solutions - They come to you, "what do you want?", they can supply it. That's the business model.

 

[Terry D]

I have the older Made in USA reversible Craftsman Bought them a long time ago, always been on my service truck. If I had to buy new, probably the SK if I wanted to stay American. I do have some Tekton regular wrenches, they look and feel great. Their ratcheting wrenches only seem to come in 6-point, don't know if that would be a issue

 

[setfocus]

All my ratcheting wrenches are of the non-reversible design except my Kabo made "Platinum" XL double box flex wrenches

I've got Matco 72T 21, 22, 24mm combos and believe they are the long pattern version. I've had the 21mm for a long time, lots of abuse, no issues. Added the 22 and 24mm recently

Gearwrench 8-19mm combos reg length. These see a lot of use, try not of abuse them. Lost the 10mm, the gear binds up a bit, super easy, on the replacement 10mm, some of the other wrenches have the same issue but only after heavy use. The 18mm is on it's last leg, action feels real ruff and lots of backdrag but doesn't skip yet

Tekton 8-19mm stubbies. Don't use them much. Use the open end more than the box end, but no complaints yet

SK X-frames have been on the wish list for awhile to replace the gearwrench but since the SK are 6 point, I'll probably need actual E-Torx wrenches too. Been a few times that I've had to use a 12 point wrench on an external torx bolt (E-socket bolt)

 

[Fedwrench]

You're going to be hard pressed to find US made ratcheting wrenches outside of snap on, williams supercombo, and the SK X frame.
current Matco ratcheting wrenches are sourced from Taiwan. Now, you might be able to find some old stock MATCO proswing or even some old stock Craftsman & Armstrong. At one time the armstrong factory churned out MATCO, Craftsman, and Armstrong US made ratcheting wrenches but, that was more than a while ago. I'm not including PROT as their eyebeam spline boxed end combination ratcheting wrenches are reversible.
To be honest, Taiwan is the king of modern fine toothed ratcheting wrench manufacturing and they do a great job at it. My favorite ratcheting wrench is the standard length Armstrong/Matco 72 tooth proswing model that have a zero offset ratcheting boxed end on one side and a fixed 15 degree offset boxed end on the other side. The greatest wrench ever made.