"Open" vs "Solid" ratcheting box wrenches?

[Off-Street Parking]

Not sure on the terminology...

For ratcheting box wrenches, is there any benefit to the open frame style over the smaller more modern one-piece fully enclosed style?

I've run across several NOS sets of USA-made versions of the first, but they're bulkier than the newer style. Both styles are available new from multiple brands. Neither style looks serviceable or rebuildable. From a user (not collector) perspective, is the newer style the winner?

 

[Wakefield]

I think there was a style called "Kastar" that was bulky and strong but now considered obsolete. I have one that fits my oil drain plug. Plenty of room to use it.

Yep its Craftsman. Reversible.

 

[LumpyMusic]

I like the offset "open" style with a switch for direction over the flat style that you flip over to reverse. I don't use it for tons of torque, just rapid on and off. Stuff like adjusting bumper heights and angles. Finish the torque with a more appropriate wrench.

The HF style are fine for that. Cheap. Last forever. Never need polishing.


Sgt Lumpy

 

[rice rocket]

The open frame is certainly cheaper to manufacture. Just stamp two sheets of metal out and rivet them together.

As to whether or not the beam needs to be structural, I'm not entirely sure; since the ratcheting mechanism is floating, any stresses on the beam shouldn't translate into a deformation at the points of contact. Excess stress might cause the ratcheting mechanism to seize though.

 

[uart]

Yeah I've got a cheap set of those old "open frame" style and they work well enough.

The main functional difference I notice is that those older style ones are nearly always a very low tooth count compared to the newer style ones. Can't remember the exact number, but I did count mine once and I think it was something like only 15 to 20 clicks per turn.

Mine are cheap ones. The frame (body) is just cheap pressed carbon steel, with only the inserts and ratchet mechanism being Cr-V. I think they cost about 1/4 to 1/3 the price of a similar sized set of the more modern type.

 

[Fedwrench]

None what so ever. Today's 72 or more fine tooth ratcheting wrenches versus the 20 or 30 teeth of the old laminated ratcheting wrenches is no contest. The new style win hands down. The old style should be melted down to make new fine tooth ratcheting wrenches.

 

[Marc Benjamin]

In addition, leverage and clearance are much much better on newer ones.

 

[gungatim]

I have about a dozen of the old style from various makers, kastar, craftsman, craftsman with the plastic middle, easco, and forget the others. I never use them. they are just hanging on a rack...too thick for my liking, clunky, not very smooth, and only the largest 3/4" one has an offset...

so for me, no advantage to them whatsoever. I prefer my gearwrench style ratcheting wrenches hands down...