Ratcheting wrench type?

[PeedoPie]

Looking at buying a set of ratcheting wrenches soon. Should I go standard, reversible, flex head? I’d love to have all types but that isn’t going to happen anytime soon

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Reversible

 

[mikeky]

reversible

 

[nicks78camaro]

Reversible

 

[Bighead38]

I use my flex set the most.

 

[Farleyfan]

I only have the reversible and the flat type.
I like the reversible because of the knuckle clearance the angle provides.

 

[Bikerdood88]

Wow, I feel like an idiot.. I didn’t know the reversible ratchet wrenches had an offset..

I purchased the GearWrench set of standard ratchet wrenches and I love them. They are my go to wrench. They replaced my 15 year old craftsman USA set and I’ll never look back.

 

[techieman33]

I would also recommend reversible. The standard no offset, and the flexible ones can be nice at times, but I always reach for the reversible ones first. Another bonus is you can't get yourself stuck with them. With the standard kind if your not paying attention you may back a bolt out of the point you can't get the wrench off the bolt.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I am 15 years retired from a career mechanic. I would have the reversing flex in a heartbeat. I dont do enough mechanics to have more tools than I do. I am watching for a sale. LOL

 

[madison069]

I got a set of flat ratchet, reversible ratchet, and flex head. I wish I could say which kind is the only kind to buy but I've used them all in different situations. If I had to pick only one I'd get the reversible cause sometime it's a pain to flip the wrench after you took a good bit of time to get it seated right, to only find you had it on the wrong side. With the reversible you can just flip the switch and start turning instead of having to reset the wrench.

 

[like2wheel]

I am 15 years retired from a career mechanic. I would have the reversing flex in a heartbeat. I dont do enough mechanics to have more tools than I do. I am watching for a sale. LOL

Reversing flex? Never saw those.
If you mean locking flex, i would agree.

Reversing offset are my favorite too, but the OP only wants one set. So I feel that locking offset is the best answer. The angle is not always correct with the standard reversing offset.

 

[Nineeightyone]

I would prioritize reversible above all else, non-reversible can get stuck if you're not thinking ahead, and that's not good.

I have a set of reversible offset, in addition to regular wrenches. If something's super tight, I'll break it loose with the regular box end, then get the ratcheting on there for convenience.

 

[Parrothead]

Non reversible flex head. I dislike the reversible as they’re a complete pita to actually reverse when working on stuff. Great for tearing thin latex gloves however.

 

[pbon]

I like the flex head. If I could have both, I would add a set of reversible fixed head.

 

[goforbroke]

I barely ever touch my flex head wrenches, 9 times out of 10 I reach for my reversible wrenches. I guess it's just a personal preference thing.

 

[nieuport17]

+1 on reversable

 

[rcbk00]

Definitely reversible. I used to be a big fan of flex wrenches, but in the last couple of years I've used them less and less. Once I picked up a set of reversibles, they became my go-to ratcheting wrenches. I have the standard and metric sets (linked below) and they work fine for my needs.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002NYD30/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001M0O166/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[plinker]

I prefer either the regular non-reversible wrenches and the long zero degree box end flex ratchet end style. Both styles get used as much as the other. Non reversable flex head is in 2nd place.

Pretty much all the reversible wrenches I've seen (except for recent truck brand ones) are too clunky to get in to where I want them and the offset isnt always helpful.

Getting a wrench stuck isnt that common, but it can happen if you're not paying attention. It is very annoying when it happens, it can happen with almost any tool given the situation.

 

[fatfillup]

I go with the reversible also. Like any type of tools, many designs and all have their application but if you can't have them all you have to start somewhere and the reversibles ones will fit most application.

 

[ChrisLS8]

I have a set of the Williams flex reversible and a set of the icon standard reversible and I like both of them

 

[finn]

Ratcheting, with the reversing lever, although the flat style sometimes fit better in tight areas.

Don’t like the flex head because they are more bulky and difficult to fit on the fastener in areas where you are working blind.

 

[Professional Tool User]

My preference is reversible. The standard type is kind of useless and the flex head has the potential to back you into a lot of trouble.

 

[JiminAZ]

Proto or Facom reversible offset.

Here's my thread on the Proto and Facom that I bought.

They also offer reversible flex head models (IIRC).

I'd say don't go cheap on this particular set as you will be using them a lot. I sure do and I'm just thrilled with them.

 

[Djosbun]

One of the most surprising tools I have bought in the past 18 months is the SK X Frame ratcheting wrenches. Super-low return angle, grip lines on the open end, feels great in the hand and strong! They aren't cheap but I was (and still am) blown away by how good they are. The perfect tool for extremely tight, low clearance work areas.

-- Dave

 

[JiminAZ]

The SK metric set is the next thing on my list. Maybe Santa will bring me some mad money. I have a buddy with a set and have to agree the ratcheting mechanism on them is something to experience.

 

[fordgasm]

Reversible.

Tekton is my go to brand.

 

[Rattle]

Xl zero offset non reversible. Break the faster with the non ratching end and flip over to the ratcheting end.

 

[16again]

Just received these. Just don’t like the reversible ones. “

 

[General Geoff]

Slight offset, reversible are my favorites

 

[ChrisLS8]

Slight offset, reversible are my favorites

Very nice. Facom-ish design