Open End Ratcheting Wrench?
- Thread starter Rickkyyr8
- Start date
garfunkle24
Well-known member
Every one I've tried or have seen has been pure, unadulterated garbage.
The ratcheting flare nut ones that surround the fasteners (not the **** GW sold with one side of the open end that moves) seem like they might be slightly less **** but I haven't used one and they certainly limit access and wouldn't work in a lot of spots.
Have you tried a plier wrench? You can KINDA ratchet with those just by relaxing your grip and regrabbing.
The ratcheting flare nut ones that surround the fasteners (not the **** GW sold with one side of the open end that moves) seem like they might be slightly less **** but I haven't used one and they certainly limit access and wouldn't work in a lot of spots.
Have you tried a plier wrench? You can KINDA ratchet with those just by relaxing your grip and regrabbing.
Yeah I hear you. Problem is I don’t have the clearance with a plier wrench. Really small spaces and a boxed end won’t fit. Pita spaces im dealing with
oldschoolcraft
Well-known member
VIM tools makes a ratcheting open end wrench socket
garfunkle24
Well-known member
And I hear you on that. I (and a ton of people i'm sure) wish their was a good implementation but I don't know of one. Here's hoping someone does!
Another problem with open end ratchet wrenches in tight spots is that besides the ones I mentioned before, they all require 60* of swing.
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oldschoolcraft
Well-known member
Maybe OP needs 4 way angle wrenches? I didn’t know how they were used until I watched a Last Best Tool video where he setup a demo and they’re genius!
I have an older Snap-On double ratcheting OE wrench that I found along my journeys. Looks like the ole Craftsman Snake Bite style from some years back.
1/2" x 9/16" - two sizes I come across alot, so I grabbed it. Maybe S-O still makes the style?
1/2" x 9/16" - two sizes I come across alot, so I grabbed it. Maybe S-O still makes the style?
Do you actually use it? I have one, and never think to try it.
neophyte
Well-known member
If this is about the single piece Forged Ratcheting Open End Wrenches, that have a weird broached design, there have been various patented designs going back at least 100 years ago at this point.
Snap-On has had several or more patents for different designs over the decades.
I have a set of Metric and SAE Double ended version that were made by Armstrong, and which possibly shared the same Ratcheting end design as ones Facom used to? produce as Combination Wrenches.
I’ve used the wrenches for lock nuts on long threaded rods in areas that were not readily accessible, were the ratcheting design was less fatiguing to use than trying yo use a regular open end wrench.
Someone on GJ once commented that a Snap-On version was used attached to a torque wrench for some assembly job on one of the major car production lines to increase the job speed.
Snap-On has had several or more patents for different designs over the decades.
I have a set of Metric and SAE Double ended version that were made by Armstrong, and which possibly shared the same Ratcheting end design as ones Facom used to? produce as Combination Wrenches.
I’ve used the wrenches for lock nuts on long threaded rods in areas that were not readily accessible, were the ratcheting design was less fatiguing to use than trying yo use a regular open end wrench.
Someone on GJ once commented that a Snap-On version was used attached to a torque wrench for some assembly job on one of the major car production lines to increase the job speed.
mv213
Well-known member
It seems to me something like this would be the way to go. I haven’t bought a set but have been tempted. Reviews seem decent. Anbull ratcheting wrench on Amazon
Ditchdigger
Well-known member
I have had a set of Alden ratcheting flare wrenches forever. Rarely used but very handy when nothing else works. I have put a lot more pressure on these than I am comfortable with and they have never failed.
Also very useful for holding a nut and positioning it in awkward places to start the bolt, since the head has spring pressure and will hold a nut pretty well.
Michael_in_DE
Well-known member
i've had good luck with these, and like them.
I have had a set of Alden ratcheting flare wrenches forever. Rarely used but very handy when nothing else works. I have put a lot more pressure on these than I am comfortable with and they have never failed.
Also very useful for holding a nut and positioning it in awkward places to start the bolt, since the head has spring pressure and will hold a nut pretty well.
Schurkey
Well-known member
I've got Snap-On "ratcheting" or "Speed" open-end flare nut wrenches in both SAE and Metric. Recently bought the same open-end design in a ratcheting box-end combo wrench in Metric.
The flare nut/speed open end is probably the more-useful, as once the flare nut is popped loose, the speed end does a fine job of zipping it all the way off. Snappy made them for a very short time, and then they were discontinued. Bummer. I've got every size I want except for 1/4". Not sure they made that size--never seen one.
Speed open-end combo wrench set
shop.snapon.com
The flare nut/speed open end is probably the more-useful, as once the flare nut is popped loose, the speed end does a fine job of zipping it all the way off. Snappy made them for a very short time, and then they were discontinued. Bummer. I've got every size I want except for 1/4". Not sure they made that size--never seen one.
Speed open-end combo wrench set
Snap-on Store
I think I used it one time right after I got it. Had a worn brass compression nut on an evap cooler in a weird place, and was able to get the Snappy wrench on - and it grabbed it. Saved me from having to go down the ladder to the truck and get a Bonney flare. Kinda cool. Now it just sits in a box. Part number FS1618B
Though I have a pair of stamped stainless steel wrenches in this style that see some use as cone wrenches on bicycles.
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A few years ago, I was working on a low air alarm sensor under a truck dash that was mounted in such a way that a box end wrench or socket could not be used. 4 total nuts made me wish for a ratcheting open end wrench. Later, I found myself removing a ton of gas shocks on forklifts where they use a "ball stud" with a hex on them that you can only use an open end wrench on. Again, I wished for an open end ratcheting wrench.
Noting that the anti slip Infar manufactured wrenches had that "V groove" open end and that they were cheap, particularly the Channellock branded ones, I got some and set to work cutting part of the open end jaw off to match the way Snap-on and others did their's.
It was a reasonably easy project and for some reason I went overboard and made a 1/4" - 1" and an 8-19mm set. I think I've used the 7/16", 1/2", and 12mm. If they're going to be yet another combination wrench taking up room in the toolbox, at least they've got a different open end this time. I probably should have used the Channellock DOE wrenches.
Noting that the anti slip Infar manufactured wrenches had that "V groove" open end and that they were cheap, particularly the Channellock branded ones, I got some and set to work cutting part of the open end jaw off to match the way Snap-on and others did their's.
It was a reasonably easy project and for some reason I went overboard and made a 1/4" - 1" and an 8-19mm set. I think I've used the 7/16", 1/2", and 12mm. If they're going to be yet another combination wrench taking up room in the toolbox, at least they've got a different open end this time. I probably should have used the Channellock DOE wrenches.
guitarbutt
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2017
- Messages
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I'll be stealing this idea
A few years ago, I was working on a low air alarm sensor under a truck dash that was mounted in such a way that a box end wrench or socket could not be used. 4 total nuts made me wish for a ratcheting open end wrench. Later, I found myself removing a ton of gas shocks on forklifts where they use a "ball stud" with a hex on them that you can only use an open end wrench on. Again, I wished for an open end ratcheting wrench.
Noting that the anti slip Infar manufactured wrenches had that "V groove" open end and that they were cheap, particularly the Channellock branded ones, I got some and set to work cutting part of the open end jaw off to match the way Snap-on and others did their's.
It was a reasonably easy project and for some reason I went overboard and made a 1/4" - 1" and an 8-19mm set. I think I've used the 7/16", 1/2", and 12mm. If they're going to be yet another combination wrench taking up room in the toolbox, at least they've got a different open end this time. I probably should have used the Channellock DOE wrenches.
5ubtle
Well-known member
similar thread: Ratcheting flare nut wrench
I tried a set from crescent but the manufacturing was hot garbage and one of them didn't even work, as far as I know, SATA, gearwrench, etc.. use this design:
The Japanese (tone) have a similar design that is likely more reliable given their history of not releasing stuff that sux. In the above design, that pin would spin in place in one of the non working ones. In the design below, that can't happen since the jaw is square/indexed
I considered the flare type but it defeats the purpose of coming to a hex head from the side.
The Japanese (tone) have a similar design that is likely more reliable given their history of not releasing stuff that sux. In the above design, that pin would spin in place in one of the non working ones. In the design below, that can't happen since the jaw is square/indexed
I considered the flare type but it defeats the purpose of coming to a hex head from the side.