Pass Through vs Ratchet Wrench

[shoturtle]

Is there any advantage that pass through has over a ratchet wrench? Any real reason to have a pass through and a ratchet wrenches?

See like ratchet wrench has the low profile cover vs the pass through and gives the same advantage they have over a regular ratchet setup?

And are the Gearwrench pass through good quality tools?

 

[cbracer]

The pass through is stronger, lighter, less expensive. Quality looks great too. The gearwrench and craftsman are interchangeable and likely made in the same place over in China. I saw and felt the GW ratchet this week and didn't like it. CM typically has a display demo out of the pass through in some stores. Soon I'm going to get the CM set that just came out because it includes a T-55 with it:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00932820000P?mv=rr
I'm hoping the torx and hex bits have normal square drive inside them like the GW. Though for a 6 inch ext I'll have to buy the GW one since I haven't seen a CM yet. I'm also going to get the adapter to use the pass through sockets on normal 3/8" ratchet for when I need a torque wrench. I'm going to have both the pass through and normal square drive, keeping the pass through in it's case likely so it will be my grab and go box. It's a decent collection of stuff for $100.

 

[shoturtle]

I saw a gw set with metric and sae with the locking flex head for 40 dollars. Trying to decide if it is worth the money. And if it is really needed

 

[GSteg]

I use mine whenever I encounter a nut that's recessed. A ratcheting wrench won't reach the nut, and the stud may be too long for a deep socket.

 

[nelstomlinson]

Is there any advantage that pass through has over a ratchet wrench?

The pass through socket is a socket. It will fit down into a recess. A ratcheting box end won't do that.

Any real reason to have a pass through and a ratchet wrenches?

The ratcheting box ends are low profile, the pass through is a socket, as I said above. They solve different problems. The down side to the pass through seems to be that they are totally proprietary and non-standard, and if you break one, you may have a problem.

 

[6-Speed]

I have the Craftsman Max-Axis set with the chrome finish. I prefer it over my ratcheting box-end wrenches because of the 6-pt sockets vs. 12 pt on the wrench. The set is made in China, but appears to be good quality. The first set I got had an 18mm socket wiith a burr on it that prevented it from being secured in the ratchet handle. Took the set back to Sears for an exchange and then made sure all the sockets installed on to the handles before I left the store.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

As stated above, pass thru sockets are great for recessed fastners, or in places where a ratchet wrench end id to thick...good example of where pass thru works well is the backside of a yoke removing u-bolt nuts.

I have both pass thru socket set and ratchet wrenches...They're both good to have if you wrench alot

 

[shoturtle]

Thanks for the info, u-bolts i run into allot.

So GW has this set
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00944914000P?mv=rr

and Kolbalt has this with spline, seem a more conventional attachment vs the vortex. smaller setup.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_379762-2232...=/pl__0__s?Ntt=pass+through+socket&facetInfo=

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

I use mine whenever I encounter a nut that's recessed. A ratcheting wrench won't reach the nut, and the stud may be too long for a deep socket.

That was going to be my point.

Prime example, most front wheel drive pulley bolts. 1/4 shallow socket is too long... Pass Thru saves, time, knuckles, and swearing.

 

[concealer404]

Clearly the answer is both.

I think you missed out on the other GW sets on sears.com, though. They carry all three.

 

[shoturtle]

How many teeth does the gw have. I saw the 1/2 drive sent, I barely ever uses 1/2. 3/8 is more useful to me. The spline that lowes sell can deal with more types of fasteners. Can decided. I do like spline.

 

[dankicksass]

The oil plug kit is the crown jewel of the Gearwrench pass-thru family.

You don't need the pass thru ratchet for the sockets, but it costs less that way. Never drop a drain plug again.

 

[shoturtle]

nah, don't have to every worry about oil plug, have famco drain plugs on everything

 

[DertyWerk]

A little off topic but The OTC 5911 works great for drain plugs.

 

[cbracer]

Did you see they must be discontinuing this set. It doesn't have all of their sockets, but neither does the largest $99 kit either. This is good price if you wanted to try it out and the only one with a metal handle ratchet.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_379796-2232...urrentURL=/pl__0__s?Ntt=go-through&facetInfo=

 

[shoturtle]

The new sets are complete,

The metal handle one skip sizes. That drives me nuts when I run into the size I do not have.

 

[devan7815]

I have the GW 23pc 3/8 pass thru set. I like a well made ratchet as well as ratcheting wrenches. The pass thru set up may be a good middle ground some may want to try out. It's just getting harder to buy tools on a whim .

 

[MikeF2316]

Clearly the answer is both.

Always the answer is both!