Ratcheting wrench recommendations?

[jimbothecricket]

I've decided that ratcheting wrenches would be a good addition to my set of tools. I initially looked for made in USA sets but the only sets I could find were Snap-on, Proto ASD spline, and Lang laminated wrenches (rebranded by Wright, Proto, and others). I don't use wrenches frequently enough to warrant spending over $200 for a set of 10 which knocked Proto and Snap-on out of the running.

Are the Lang laminated wrenches decent enough or should I avoid them since we have better designs for ratcheting wrenches nowadays? People are selling sets of double sided offset SAE and metric for $45 on eBay, which is dirt cheap, almost to the point that I might buy them just to find out lol

I'd like to avoid Gearwrench and Pittsburgh. I'm currently looking at the Blackhawk reversible wrenches and the VIM ratcheting wrenches but would love to hear any other recommendations

 

[Callelle]

I'd give Icon's a shot. I love my double box reversible flex heads, and their reversible combos were what I was going to go with before I ordered Mac's.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I'd like to avoid Gearwrench.

Why?

I have a set of Gearwrench and they're really good.

 

[lardy1]

If you can stand the wait, Tekton is releasing their new line next month (I think). I've been considering a set of Williams or Icon reversable's but I'm going to wait to see what comes out from Tekton before I pull the trigger.

 

[jimbothecricket]

Why?

I have a set of Gearwrench and they're really good.

Not a massive fan of Apex tools, but to be blatantly honest I like buying tool brands that are slightly less common. Gearwrench might be the best represented brand in ratcheting wrenches (with good reason too!)

Also don't want to get them mixed up with my coworker's wrenches.

 

[bcschief]

While I am not turning wrenches anymore, I purchased stubby metric and standard Gearwrench years ago. I never saw the need for standard length versions as I only used them in tight locations and used regular wrenches to break things loose. Just my opinion.

 

[GeoBruin]

I've had about every flavor of Blackhawk ratcheting wrench (reversible, flex, indexible flex, etc) and they've all been just okay. A little sharp in the hand. I still have a flex head set on my pegboard for quick things but I think I would probably look at Icon or wait for Tekton like mentioned above.

 

[WAID]

The laminated ones are pretty terrible in my opinion for whatever its worth. Coarse teeth, heavy back drag, and very big heads make them pretty hard to use for much.

 

[M635_Guy]

Wright or Proto would be my choice for MiUSA.

But I've been very happy with my Icon stuff.

 

[Mgdoug3]

Why?

I have a set of Gearwrench and they're really good.

Are your GW made in Taiwan or China? The ones I bought a couple of years ago were made in China and are terrible. The metric offset wrenches are tolerable but had to warranty a 10mm the first time I used it and it wasn't from abuse. The SAE ones are flex joints and are so floppy they're unusable.

GW ratcheting wrenches have made me hate ratcheting wrenches and only use them when I absolutely need to. I would like to buy a good set but 95% of the time I can use a socket. 4% of the time I can use a pass through socket set. The 1% time I need them, I just cuss the GWs ones and get the job done.

 

[drtyler]

Here's a set for under $30 if you use the 10% coupon offered.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L3HJBK2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[unslow1]

The laminated ones are pretty terrible in my opinion for whatever its worth. Coarse teeth, heavy back drag, and very big heads make them pretty hard to use for much.

I have Cornwell and Snapon laminated ones and they are junk compared to any decent modern style.

 

[Fedwrench]

Leave the lang laminated ratcheting wrenches to history.

Consider Proto. Not the uber expensive eye beam version but these:

Proto Combination Ratcheting Wrench Set. Alloy Steel, 13 Tools JSCVMT-13S | Zoro

Order Proto Combination Ratcheting Wrench Set. Alloy Steel, 13 Tools, JSCVMT-13S at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

ebay can be your friend for these. They are made in Taiwan though (as the world's best ratcheting wrenches are)

Also consider Blackhawk, Dewalt (long pattern with ASD open ends if you can find them), expert, Craftsman V series (only if you don't need 15 & 18 mm), The Icons are really nice, and really long.
As others mentioned, I'd hold off if you can, to see what Tekton comes out with

 

[WWheeler]

Here's a set for under $30 if you use the 10% coupon offered.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L3HJBK2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I bought that set not long ago and they aren't bad at all, especially for that price. 8mm-19mm reversible with no skips if they worked at all they'd be a steal and these definitely do work surprisingly well. Very similar to my Gearwrench for a fraction of the cost. They also came in a tool roll which made them perfect to toss in my road kit.

All that said, if someone like the OP is looking for a quality Made in USA set, these aint that.

 

[Toold_up]

Make sure you buy ones that are reversible. I almost lost a wrench when the fastener butted up against something and I wasn't able to get the wrench out. A reversible wrench doesn't paint it's self into a corner (I know... I know... it was my fault not the wrench).

I had to get creative and bind the ratcheting mechanism to tighten the nut far enough down so that I could remove the nut from the stud and use the open end. Turned a 5 minute job into a 45 minute tool rescue.

 

[Mordineus]

Has anyone else tried and liked the Capri 4-in-1 wrenches? I picked up a couple and they seem pretty nice for my basic needs.

Kinda handy to me.

4-in-1 Reversible Box End Ratchet Wrench Set

4 sizes of ultra-fine gear reversible box end in 1 wrench, making this the most versatile wrench you own 120-tooth ultra-fine reversible ratcheting gears with just 3 degrees of swing arc let you work effortlessly even in tight spots. Change gear directions with a simple thumb switch 6-point...

capritools.com

 

[cgrutt]

I wanted Snap on but recently purchased two sets of icon ratcheting wrenches, a non-reversible flex head and reversible long pattern (I think?) fixed head. Haven't used the reversible wrenches yet but they seem very well built and look nice. I wound up bending a 12mm flex head first time I used it after getting it stuck in my driveshaft. No fault of the wrench but Harbor Freight replaced it. The flex heads worked fine but little concerned about how I was able to bend the handle (by throughly mistreating it lol). I really expected the ratcheting mechanism to fail or break at flex joint or fastener to snap but the handle gave away first. Not sure what that says about quality if anything at all.

 

[VolvoRyan]

My Gearwrench flex heads keep-on keepin' on. They survived my "Angry at Gearwrench" period after a recent couple of purchases.

The new Tekton wrenches have me curious. I'm a bit of a stickler for the Made in USA thing, but ratcheting box wrenches are hard to justify. They're indispensable when they shine. On the other hand, I run into a lot of clearance issues around fasteners.

-Ryan

 

[threewood]

Might be just outside your price range but I love my Facom set.

 

[Jazz1]

I lent out my garage for a week and among the tools gifted to me were a set of SAE and Metric WESTWARD ratcheting wrenches.. They been good to me for 15 years.

 

[M6erfan]

I had Gearwrench years ago and they were horrible.

I have KTC MSR2 ratcheting wrenches now and they are great.

 

[pelletman]

I love these, zero offset for tight places, like the center rusty bolt on an early MDX power steering pressure hose. Great on rusty stuff

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0932C1S9J/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[CGarage]

Williams from Amazon.
You are buying them for the box end, not the open end. Remember that.

 

[M6erfan]

You are buying them for the box end, not the open end. Remember that.

Unless of course one buys ratcheting DBE with one fixed box end, like my Armstrong set. Wish there was more availability of DBE fixed/ratcheting.

 

[Fedwrench]

Unless of course one buys ratcheting DBE with one fixed box end, like my Armstrong set. Wish there was more availability of DBE fixed/ratcheting.

I do too but, in standard length versions. Long and extra long are pretty much saturated to me.

 

[Madjik Man]

I haven't put many miles on these but they've been just fine for a combo ratcheting wrench:

DEWALT Reversible Metric Ratcheting Wrench Set (12-Piece) DWMT19230 - The Home Depot

The 12-Piece Full Polish Metric Ratcheting Wrench set offers a variety of wrenches for any user need. These wrenches have 72 teeth for a 5° arc swing. This set includes Metric 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,

www.homedepot.com

 

[Hohn]

It’s kind of disappointing how many places you can NOT fit a ratcheting wrench. I’m working mostly on Honda and Toyotas and many of the fasteners are on or near a casting boss that’s close enough the ratcheting wrench won’t fit. My gearwrenches won’t and my 1990s Craftsmans for sure won’t because they are huge. Standard box end fits beautifully. Sockets too.

Nothing is growing my appreciation for a regular box end like the ratcheting wrenches that promise but rarely deliver.

 

[HannibalLecter]

My suggestion would be facom 467. Thin box end, great design and shape and not short. Also, lifetime warranty. I really don't see the point of the huge and bulky box ends, like snap on and gedore

 

[CGarage]

Unless of course one buys ratcheting DBE with one fixed box end, like my Armstrong set. Wish there was more availability of DBE fixed/ratcheting.

Excellent point and I totally agree.

 

[Hohn]

The laminated ones are pretty terrible in my opinion for whatever its worth. Coarse teeth, heavy back drag, and very big heads make them pretty hard to use for much.

These are my 90s c-man tools that never get used. Pretty awful overall—big, sloppy and weak.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Make sure you buy ones that are reversible. I almost lost a wrench when the fastener butted up against something and I wasn't able to get the wrench out. A reversible wrench doesn't paint it's self into a corner (I know... I know... it was my fault not the wrench).

I wholeheartedly will agree with this. If you're buying ratcheting wrenches, make sure they are reversible.

I was fortunate enough to buy some USA made CMan years ago.

 

[Wamsutta]

The laminated ones are pretty terrible in my opinion for whatever its worth. Coarse teeth, heavy back drag, and very big heads make them pretty hard to use for much.

Try the Snap-on version sometime. I have one that's 3/8 X 7/16. It's super smooth and makes a lovely "snick snick" sound.

 

[Toold_up]

I've used the laminated ones in refridgeration work. They work just fine opening and closing gas valves.

 

[craftsman creep]

These aren’t that bad for 30 bucks
And they have life time warranty
-Preston

 

[zendriver]

These aren’t that bad for 30 bucks
And they have life time warranty
-Preston

The OP already gave a pre tumbs-down on these.

I have these and the flex heads. They work fine.