Ratchet wrench sets

[smalltown]

Thinking about buying a ratchet wrench set(s). Not sure what to look for.
What little I know about sockets for example is that 6 sided are better to stop rounding off the bolt. So far the sets I have looked at on line seem to have quite a few sides.

But when i think about I'm imagining that anything that would be too hard to get turning I would be using a regular socket, and use the ratchet to quickly remove the bolt once started ?

 

[M6erfan]

Good questions. You'll get many different answers.

Personally I don't use my ratcheting wrenches very often. Like your intuition I think is telling you, I find a ratchet and socket easier. Now, there are certain (rare) times that a ratchet wrench makes sense, but I don't work with long lengths of allthread too often (ever?).

And, like you said, one has to decide on style. Flex? Reversible? Six point? Combo? Double box end?

Probably best to get a couple cheapies in what you think your most used sizes will be and try them out.

Good luck

 

[qqzj]

Costco is selling a 5 piece set for only $13. MM or SAE. You can get a set and play with them. it's just$13 bucks. I think you can flip it for more later if you don't want to keep them.

Thinking about buying a ratchet wrench set(s). Not sure what to look for.
What little I know about sockets for example is that 6 sided are better to stop rounding off the bolt. So far the sets I have looked at on line seem to have quite a few sides.

But when i think about I'm imagining that anything that would be too hard to get turning I would be using a regular socket, and use the ratchet to quickly remove the bolt once started ?

Sent from my SM-G981U1 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[dscheidt]

There are two sorts of ratcheting wrenches, ones that are reversible, and those that don't. The ones that don't reverse are usually flat (so you can flip them over to go the other way), or flex head. Reversible ones are available in regular combination wrench style, with a 15 degree offset.

I detest the non reversible wrenches. You can't tell which way they're going to work without looking at one or testing. You can work yourself in a position where the wrench and fastener are stuck, and can't easily get out of it. There are a few situations where a zero offset wrench is what you need, but not many.

 

[joey1320]

I don't use ratcheting wrenches often. They are usually a "last case scenario" when I can't get the ratchet/socket to work/fit.

Advance Auto has the GearWrench kits on sale.
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...8-piece-9543/25984326-P?searchTerm=gearwrench

 

[BarryWells]

Stanley, if you can get them......

 

[seanb02]

Had a couple sets of Gearwrench regular ones for a long time. Didn't use them often, more as a problem solver than a regular go to wrench. The fit on the fastener wasn't great, and the mechanisms had a tendency to jam up from time to time. Decided I needed something better, so purchased the SK X-frame ones. Much better wrenches, but the zero offset, non-reversing, and being only 6 point all turned into more of a headache than I thought. Sometimes zero offset is necessary, but not very often. 6 point makes it difficult to line up on a fastener when there is minimal clearance, and ratcheting wrenches are not generally used in high torque situations where 6 point is even necessary.

Got fed up with those ones and purchased the newest style of Snap-on reversing wrenches. The offset is perfect, being able to reverse the wrench has proven to be absolutely great. And the best part is they are very narrow around the head, so they fit in a lot more places than the ones that have a thicker outside diameter around the mechanism. Reach for them all the time now for a wide variety of uses.

 

[Iowafox]

For me anytime I need a wrench now I only use ratcheting ones. I currently have Gearwrench and there a good value and a good starter set. I am currently looking at Tekton's double boxed end flex wrenches.
if your not sure if you will use them or not I agree with others and get a cheaper set or a few individual ones and try them and figure out if you will actually use them or not. For me they are all I use wrench wise anymore.

 

[anavrinIV]

I have a Gearwrench SAE set and Kobalt metric set, both flex heads. I like the flex heads for versatility and speed but would not mind a set of 15* reversible ones. Both of mine are 12 point but in a ratchet situation a 6 point isn't an issue - I would not buy 6 point standard box ends because when I need them there is usually very little space to work.

Despite being 12pt I have never had a slipping issue with either brand, and I've broken quite a few bolts loose with them especially if I cannot get a socket in (brake work comes to mind)

 

[javyLSU]

...Got fed up with those ones and purchased the newest style of Snap-on reversing wrenches. The offset is perfect, being able to reverse the wrench has proven to be absolutely great. And the best part is they are very narrow around the head, so they fit in a lot more places than the ones that have a thicker outside diameter around the mechanism. Reach for them all the time now for a wide variety of uses.

Totally agree. The new Snap-on reversible ratcheting wrenches are one of my favorite sets of all the Snap-on tools I own - they are an absolute pleasure to use.

 

[casmurbax]

The Gear Wrench 20-Piece Ratchet Wrench Set is a better deal if you want standard and metric.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...ch-set-8920a/10703429-P?searchTerm=gearwrench

 

[Gunfixr]

I picked up a gearwrench set not too long ago, has sae and metric, both standard and stubby. It was on sale at a pretty good price. They are the flat non-reversible ones. It went from 3/8" to 3/4", and metric equivalent. When sears was going out of business, I finished out pretty much all of them, going down to 1/4", and up to 1", and metric equivalent, at half price.
I haven't gotten to use them a lot yet, but like them so far.
However, I also have craftsman standard combination wrenches, from 1/4" to 1", and metric equivalent. The older made in USA ones. I did add to those also, at half price, going up to 1 1/4" or more, both sae and metric. I do have a set of older snap on combination wrenches, 3/8" to 3/4", and metric equivalent, purchased back when they came out with "flank drive".
I still use ratchets more, though.
I picked up the gearwrench 120 tooth in 1/2" and 3/8" drive, and I think 90 in 1/4" drive.
I already have the craftsman teardrop head ratchets, in all three sizes, the coarse ones with the levers, older made in USA versions. Plus a stubby 3/8" drive sk ratchet, and matco 3/4" drive ratchet.

I don't use mechanic tools a lot, so I guess i'm not too picky.

 

[Al Borland]

I have some older Kobalt ones, a few Husky ones and some of the old Craftsman laminated ones. Almost never use them, but are great when you need them. As far as the reversible issue goes, it's a matter of preference. I have only seen a couple instances where you could "trap" a non-reversible, and all were easily corrected with a little thought.

 

[rangerfredbob]

We have a bunch of the gearwrench ones at work I like them, they're easy to tell which direction the ratchet goes, the big end of the open end is what your palm pushes on, plus there's grip lines on the narrow side of the push side of the handle. On the Harbor Freight version they're smooth on both narrow sides and you push on the small side of the open end (gotta have the % difference to avoid patent issues). I haven't used the Husky set I have enough to know the difference but that set was a heck of a deal... I think it was $59 for metric and standard normal and stubby...

 

[Fedwrench]

I think my favorite no frills reversible ratcheting combination wrench set would be this one from Dewalt:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...ickid=1xqz-OUg0xyLRmmwUx0Mo36aUkEVh5zIEzs8zY0

Runner up would be this PROTO set:

https://www.zoro.com/proto-ratcheting-wrench-set-combination-jscvmt-13s/i/G6764432/

 

[Ralf11]

I'd love to have a single Snappy ratcheting flex-head wrench with 17 mm and 19mm on it.

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

Wow. I'm surprised to see soo many posters saying that they don't use ratcheting wrenches very often. I use mine all of the time. I can't imagine life without them.

That said, I'm not much help here. My most used set is my Gearwrench flex head ratcheting wrenches. I use them very often and they work great. However, I've probably had my set for 17-20 years. I know the quality has changed a bit since then.