Ratcheting open end wrenches

[JMorrison4371]

craftsman has a set of these at sears that i really want. they look really cool and really useful. anyone had any experience with these?

 

[DrkMtnDew]

i don't own one, but there was one instance when a 13mm saved me. seemed to work just fine for backing fasteners out once they were broke loose by another wrench.

 

[trboxman]

I've got an older set of RPs, they're useful once the fastener is broken loose or during initial tightening. I've been unwilling to really use them hard for fear of rounding fasteners....kinda how I feel about ratcheting box ends, no way I'd really pull on those, but there are times when they're the best thing you can grab.

 

[e3pres]

My grandfather has a set and they are basically useless for anything in a tight space. I guess they would be okay if you had plenty of room to use them but they take alot of angle to function. I'm not a fan.

 

[spity]

You need such a large sweep to get them to ratchet they are almost useless unless you have a lot of room. They do work great for transmission lines, and hydraulic fittings that are already loose. I consider them a specialty tool, but for the 12.50 a set they are on sale for they can save you a lot of time. They only come out on rare occasions, and imo dont replace a standard open end.

 

[ishiboo]

I have a set in a junk box, I think they're Popular Mechanics or something. Basically a gimmick. Ratcheting box ends have eclipsed them for anywhere you can get one on, otherwise the few times you'd actually need an open end, a true open end works just about as good.

 

[djjsr]

I bought a set about 5 years ago. After trying them out, I don't like them and never use them.

 

[diesel research]

They do work great for transmission lines, and hydraulic fittings that are already loose.

 

[dtt454]

i have some also, what these guys said is about right, they have came in handy a couple times, but they are no replacement for standard open ends. you need close to a 60 degree arc to ratchet them, and if you can do that, you can do it with a standard open end usually. if the price is right then why not, the box end is what i usually use anyways.

 

[plinker]

The one place where I could have really used them (but didnt have them) was adjusting the tension on a hay elevator. You can only use the open end as it a threaded rod with double nuts so it stays put where you set it. Real pain if it needs alot of adjustment.

 

[Seanbev24]

I bought some on sale and they are basically useless ****. But the 1 time that 1 of them saved me made it worth the price, so they're still in my box.

 

[Michael Bryce Winnick]

Just like any other tool, when the need arises, it is great. My Craftsman ratcheting open ends are great assembly tools. Faster than an open end or box end. They can tighten without rounding as well as any 12 point socket bit.

 

[goody4her]

Yes, I have used them, but do not expect to remove a bolt that is really tight, rounded or rusted. This is more so for bicycle repair, home repair etc. No ********* mechanical repair, the wrenches are kinda short. If you have room to play with, the ratcheting type would be much better.

 

[Larwyn]

Mine are not Craftsman but they have came in handy a few times over the last 40 years. These came from the base exchange at Tachikawa AFB back about '71. I also have the SAE set but am missing the "most useful size" (1/2 x 9/16) naturally. That wrench was lost the same day that I realized just how helpful it was when adjusting the parking brake cable on a '64 Chevy half ton.

 

[davesnothere]

I have them.
They are worthless.

 

[BHH]

After reading the thread and this is how the original post should read.

craftsman has a set of these at sears that i really do not want. they look really retarded and really useless. anyone had any experience with these?

 

[trboxman]

Would you love them if they were green?

 

[mypov]

I got a similar set from mastercraft (a canadian tire brand, they make decent basic tools, on par with craftsman)...anyway, the ratcheting open ended wrenches are absolutely USELESS - hated them, fell off the fastners, did not grip, definitely opposite of knuckle saving technology....

just my 2 cents... they might be good for a hobbyist but not for the regular wrench puller...

 

[BHH]

Would you love them if they were green?

No because I just got a set of these

 

[diesel research]

No because I just got a set of these

Those would be nearly worthless for the applications they speak of. Well, not worthless, but just as worthless as any other standard open end wrench.

 

[BHH]

Those would be nearly worthless for the applications they speak of. Well, not worthless, but just as worthless as any other standard open end wrench.

I won't be using them for any application listed above.

 

[Michael Bryce Winnick]

Telling a tool it is worthless is like telling your child that he will grow up to be a nobody in a dead end job and marry a woman who will sleep with him, but nevertheless she will sleep with a lot of men while he is at work as well as all of his friends, the neighbors, and his boss.

I use every tool in my box even if I have to intentionally break something just so I have to use that tool to fix it.

 

[Bart Simpson]

Those would be nearly worthless for the applications they speak of. Well, not worthless, but just as worthless as any other standard open end wrench.

Well these may be the ticket then.

http://image.snapon.com/international/pdf/srxrm710.set_npa.pdf

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=35098&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[trboxman]

Well these may be the ticket then.

http://image.snapon.com/international/pdf/srxrm710.set_npa.pdf

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=35098&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

OMG!!! The best wrench evar!!!!

 

[Larwyn]

They are not the most frequently used tool in the box, that's for sure. But they are most useful when you have the need to move a nut a couple of inches (or more) up/down a threaded rod and there is no access to the nut from either end of the rod. I have also used mine in situations where there was no clearance to get a box end off of a bolt once the the bolt was backed out. I have never had one slip and have, in fact, used them to break loose some moderately tight bolts though I do not make a practice of that. They generally stay in the box awaiting a valid need for for such a specialized tool and are of limited use, but in no way are they useless.

 

[spity]

I was looking at a set of the Armstrong ratcheting flare nut wrenches that are similar but I think they cost well over $200+ a set. For the super rare occasion that i need them the $24 is a much more sensible buy.

 

[JMorrison4371]

Yeahhhh those may be the "best" wrenches ever....but I'm not paying $358 dollars for a set of wrenches, I'm sorry guys but I just honestly don't see the point.

 

[adamsredlines]

Like alot of tools, they are amazing when you find the correct application. I've only used mine once, and it was a real timesaver to use. That one time was worth it for me to not hassle with that ONE nut for half an hour trying to get it loose.

Completely different application than regular box end ratchet wrenches...both have their place.

 

[WR250F]

I have them.
They are worthless.

+1

Biggest POS tool idea ever

Great concept... I guess... terrible execution.

Before you ask, yes, mine are Sears Craftsman, bought them about 6 months ago

Save your bucks and go with something else

Really.

 

[DARK AGE 53]

I've had a set for years, I wouldn't call them worthless but you'd be better off spending your money on some other tool. Just my 2 cents worth.