Over the last year I have been getting into buying tools for home DIY repairs. I'm no expert by any means, heck the biggest job I've done is a head gasket change. Please excuse the novice question, but I've been noticing my friends for the past months who are mechanics seem to have a preference when it comes to using a ratcheting wrench vs ratchet. I know both tools are a must but they seem to like using one over the other when either tool will get the job done. So as I build up my tool box I'm wondering if buying ratcheting wrenchs & wrench sets over let say swival & wobble sockets would best fit or vise versa. Thanks in advance for all the expert input...
Ratcheting Wrench Vs. Ratchet
- Thread starter Bross956
- Start date
General Geoff
Well-known member
IMO sockets are more versatile because of shallow, deep wall, universal joints and extensions of varying lengths to facilitate access to hard to reach fasteners.
Ratcheting wrenches are most certainly useful as well, and can provide access to fasteners where sockets cannot fit; but in my experience they don't work on as many fastener locations as sockets because of increased bulk directly adjacent to the fastener head.
Ratcheting wrenches are NOT a replacement for ratchets, swivels, wobbles, and extensions.
Ratcheting wrenches are most certainly useful as well, and can provide access to fasteners where sockets cannot fit; but in my experience they don't work on as many fastener locations as sockets because of increased bulk directly adjacent to the fastener head.
Ratcheting wrenches are NOT a replacement for ratchets, swivels, wobbles, and extensions.
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Could not have said it better. You really need ratchets, sockets AND wrenches.
-Valentine
Yup. Ratcheting wrenches are a luxury but when you need one, they can save a ton of time.
I'm with those guys 100%. Ratchet wrenches come after you have socket and combo wrench sets. Good luck bud, I've been collecting for forty years and still get new stuff every week. When I die and the wife gets a real look at all this ****, she's gonna drag my lifeless body out the coffin and beat my *** just on principle 
1950mercury
Well-known member
You have it totally backwards every flat rate mechanic that I know uses air tools and swivel impact sockets and they get almost every job done with plenty of time to spare
bowlofturtle
Well-known member
Build up ratchets and all forms of sockets. Then normal wrenches and then long wrenches. After that u can go for speed. Ratcheting wrenches and air tools. I only reach for my gear wrenches in cases where my m12 impact and normal socket/ratchet can't get to.
Bross956,
Congratulations on getting into DIY work on your stuff. And doing a head gasket is a lot more than some of the tool polishers around here do. As you do more involved projects you are going to find that you need more and more tools to do some things and/or make it faster along with easier to do some things.
Just as others have said before me, you are going to need both wrenches and ratchets/sockets. And even a lot more after that if you continue DIY'ing. Offset box end wrenches, wobble extensions, half moon wrenches, line wrenches, crowsfoot open end and line wrenches, and on and on. You get the idea. The more you do and especially on more modern machinery the more you need - for example oxygen sensors. I did one a couple of years ago on a project car I have and even though I already had a couple of O2 sockets and a specialty wrench, I still had to get another one just to remove this one particular O2 sensor. It never ends. I started with tools when I was around 10 on bicycles, then minbikes, gokarts, cars, motorcycles. Now I'm in my late 50's and still buying tools. Fortunately for me, my wife is fine with it and even encourages me since it has paid off with the work I've done to the house and the repairs/maintenance on the vehicles. She figures I've paid for all my tools many times over with the money saved on plumber, electrician, carpenter, and mechanic labor.
Congratulations on getting into DIY work on your stuff. And doing a head gasket is a lot more than some of the tool polishers around here do. As you do more involved projects you are going to find that you need more and more tools to do some things and/or make it faster along with easier to do some things.
Just as others have said before me, you are going to need both wrenches and ratchets/sockets. And even a lot more after that if you continue DIY'ing. Offset box end wrenches, wobble extensions, half moon wrenches, line wrenches, crowsfoot open end and line wrenches, and on and on. You get the idea. The more you do and especially on more modern machinery the more you need - for example oxygen sensors. I did one a couple of years ago on a project car I have and even though I already had a couple of O2 sockets and a specialty wrench, I still had to get another one just to remove this one particular O2 sensor. It never ends. I started with tools when I was around 10 on bicycles, then minbikes, gokarts, cars, motorcycles. Now I'm in my late 50's and still buying tools. Fortunately for me, my wife is fine with it and even encourages me since it has paid off with the work I've done to the house and the repairs/maintenance on the vehicles. She figures I've paid for all my tools many times over with the money saved on plumber, electrician, carpenter, and mechanic labor.
rodsnratfinks
Well-known member
Cato
Well-known member
They both have their own uses - and, you'll need both.
If you are a DIYer like myself, I suggest you just wait to buy the tool you need until you get ready for the job or come across a very good deal.
If you are a DIYer like myself, I suggest you just wait to buy the tool you need until you get ready for the job or come across a very good deal.
The Toolest Guy
Banned
I find it more enjoyable using wrenches/spanners. Of course in most cases they are slower.
toolaholic
Well-known member
When you get to ratcheting wrenches you have a lot of differant types to choose from. I have gearwrench ratcheting wrenches that to reverse you flip wrench over and I have the ones w/ the reverse switch on the wrench. I also have gearwrench fkexheads and sk gpro deep offset wrenches.
You aint kiddin' there.I'm with those guys 100%. Ratchet wrenches come after you have socket and combo wrench sets. Good luck bud, I've been collecting for forty years and still get new stuff every week. When I die and the wife gets a real look at all this ****, she's gonna drag my lifeless body out the coffin and beat my *** just on principle
I've been working on a Snapper mower and it has nut for the discharge chute, I can only get at it with a ratchet wrench. Best part is the wrench set came from a member of the GJ.
MikeF2316
Well-known member
I agree with everything General Geoff says.
I can add that if you don't have power tools and the situation allows both ratchet/socket and ratcheting wrench, I'd prefer to use the wrench.
I can add that if you don't have power tools and the situation allows both ratchet/socket and ratcheting wrench, I'd prefer to use the wrench.
trentonmakes
Banned
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2014
- Messages
- 447
Didn't see it mentioned so I'll add...
Do NOT use ratcheting wrenches to break bolts/nuts free!
As said they're for speed... Break the bolt free with standard wrench then use ratcheting wrench to quickly remove it.
Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk
Do NOT use ratcheting wrenches to break bolts/nuts free!
As said they're for speed... Break the bolt free with standard wrench then use ratcheting wrench to quickly remove it.
Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk
pauls_workshop
Well-known member
You aint kiddin' there.
The good thing is, when she beats you up after you are dead for all the tools, you won't feel it then!!!! It is kind of painful when you get beat up for them while still alive! Don't ask me how I know that! - Paul
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
I'm no mechanic, but just a DIY'er. I love my ratcheting wrenches. I use them almost as much as I use my sockets. For one, they will hang onto a nut easier than a socket and ratchet will. A lot of times I will find myself having to have the wrench hang on the nut while I turn the bolt. And what I mean is that a lot of times, I don't have the advantage of using both arms to tighten or loosen something. and the fact that they are a lot quicker to use than a standard wrench. I use my ratcheting wrenches on the mill quite a bit when tramming the mill, or when putting clamps on the table. They are just damn handy to have, and almost a must have to me.
WhiffySpark
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- Oct 22, 2009
- Messages
- 6,252
Then why use a ratcheting wrench in the first place?
I break bolts free with them all day long. I've only broke one. And it was the box end on a xl gear wrench. Flipped it over to the ratcheting end and didn't have an issue
popparoach
Banned
Then why use a ratcheting wrench in the first place?
I break bolts free with them all day long. I've only broke one. And it was the box end on a xl gear wrench. Flipped it over to the ratcheting end and didn't have an issue
same here.I even have used them to back up an impact with no trouble at all.
WJD
Well-known member
Arm yourself with both. I tend to use socket/ratchet combo more than the ratchet wrenches in most cases though... More leverage and grater fastener size range and tool options favor the ratchet/socket combo over ratchet wrenches in my own tool box.
Also, socket/ratchet combo have the reach with a variety of extensions and sockets for doing deep and far fasteners plus the option of power tool assistance for more speed and power.
But, ratchet wrenches have the ability to do low profile /tight spot applications such as when you cannot see the bolt or fastener but you can feel it with your fingers.
Ratchet wrenches have saved hours for me over the years by adding another tool option for repairing items from my riding lawn mower, personal vehicles to the heavy forestry equipment I operate and maintain.
trentonmakes
Banned
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Maybe they've gotten better???, but I've broken three gear wrenches breaking bolts freeThen why use a ratcheting wrench in the first place?
I break bolts free with them all day long. I've only broke one. And it was the box end on a xl gear wrench. Flipped it over to the ratcheting end and didn't have an issue
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Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Ratcheting wrenches were never intended to replace sockets only to compliment them. Although ratcheting wrenches offer speed over a traditional wrench, they still can't compare to the speed offered by cordless and pneumatic tools. As long as there are flat rate techs where time is money, techs will continue to strive to do nothing by hand and to use some type of power tool at every opportunity.
Besides this is a tool forum where the answer is always more tools
Besides this is a tool forum where the answer is always more tools
shockwave
Well-known member
I have been using ratcheting wrenches for years. But I still use my ratchet and socket set first
I would start with a complete socket set and get a set of mountain long flex deep spline to start with I use these the most
I would start with a complete socket set and get a set of mountain long flex deep spline to start with I use these the most
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
I'm with everyone voting that the ratchet wrenches are great, but they don't replace a ratchet and socket system.
Kinda like trying to remove a wheel's lug nuts with a wrench. Most of the time it's not gonna happen.
Kinda like trying to remove a wheel's lug nuts with a wrench. Most of the time it's not gonna happen.
Thanks everyone!!!!! For the great tips. I'm going on a proto socket-wrench shopping spree. I will stockup on those items first, from the tips I'm getting wrenchs as the job needs them (or the wife feels like letting me spend my $)....
neuralsnafu
Well-known member
I've got two sets of regular wrenches (cman rp and a hf long set) and a set of cman ratcheting wrenches. Each set has their own uses... but the ratcheting wrenches save time...
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Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
Firebrick43
Well-known member
I hope the current proto sockets are better than their current wrenches. Very disappointed in the finish of the last few I have seen in the last month!
Dave455
Well-known member
For what it's worth, I think there are very few jobs where you actually NEED a ratcheting wrench. Sure, there are some jobs where it's a right pain to keep locating and removing a conventional wrench, and the ratcheting ones are great, but that's in the 'nice to have' category rather than 'need'!
A good set of socket wrenches and accessories is different though, you do need these! How so? Well, half a century ago, a designer would design most machines or vehicles so that they could be taken apart using regular wrenches. Books like 'Machinerys Handbook' set out how stuff like how to space bolts so that an open end wrench can always turn them!
Not so today. Designers cram stuff into engine bays and quite often the ONLY way to get at a fastener is with a socket on a long extension. Even things like Torx screws and Hex screws can often not be removed with a torx screwdriver or hex key. So, ensure you have a comprehensive set of sockets, plenty to turn them with (Maybe a flex head ratchet if you don't own one) and, depending on your vehicle, a set of hex bits or torx bits as well, before the ratcheting wrenches!
Good on you for tackling the head gasket! As you do more jobs, you will often find a need for something you hadn't though about. That's the time to buy. You might want to think about stuff such as a Torque Wrench too!
Beware though, once you start acquiring, you'll only want to stop when you own EVERYTHING!
A good set of socket wrenches and accessories is different though, you do need these! How so? Well, half a century ago, a designer would design most machines or vehicles so that they could be taken apart using regular wrenches. Books like 'Machinerys Handbook' set out how stuff like how to space bolts so that an open end wrench can always turn them!
Not so today. Designers cram stuff into engine bays and quite often the ONLY way to get at a fastener is with a socket on a long extension. Even things like Torx screws and Hex screws can often not be removed with a torx screwdriver or hex key. So, ensure you have a comprehensive set of sockets, plenty to turn them with (Maybe a flex head ratchet if you don't own one) and, depending on your vehicle, a set of hex bits or torx bits as well, before the ratcheting wrenches!
Good on you for tackling the head gasket! As you do more jobs, you will often find a need for something you hadn't though about. That's the time to buy. You might want to think about stuff such as a Torque Wrench too!
Beware though, once you start acquiring, you'll only want to stop when you own EVERYTHING!
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TheRobotCow
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2014
- Messages
- 176
At least it's better than a drug addiction..... or so i've been told haha
You'll want to start with standard sized sockets, then deeps, then semi-deep, don't forget about the low-profiled set, then the same set but in impact sockets,then all kinds of ratchets then all the various extensions the same thing now in Sae sizes, and duplicate that for 1/4 and 1/2 haha.
Back to the topic.
Well there are times where a socket will NOT fit in and a wrench is the tool for the job. Ratcheting wrenches sure do speed things up but don't forget that the ratcheting end is bulkier than the non-ratcheting wrench. I've come across where the ratcheting wrench could not fit and had to resort to a non-ratcheting wrench.
Another thing to consider is I find wrenches of any kind much less comfortable than a thicker ratchet handle. Wrenches are just harder on the hands. And with the (typically) added length of a socket wrench you get more leverage on rusted in bolts. I love my flex head ratcheting wrenches and they are life savers in certain situations.
Holly ****!!! And these were the cheapest things on my list. I figured this would be a good start. I do own a craftsman socket set from back in 2000, so I'm going to hold off on buying some sockets until my list is complete.
Precision Instruments 3/8 & 1/4 InLBS
Precision Instruments 3/8 & 1/4 InLBS
Ratcheting wrenches are NOT a must. they are a "nice to have" for some situations. a ratchet and sockets are a must. How exactly would you remover or even torque a headbolt with a ratcheting wrench?
Farmall450
Well-known member
Exactly. Ratcheting wrenches just make the latter easier on the user.
I agree that while ratcheting wrenches are a great thing to have (i have 1/4" through 25mm in various lengths/styles), in a flag hour environment i would always rather use wobble sockets on a cordless impact. Even two or three wobbles in a row making a 90* angle. Ratcheting wrenches are a wonderful thing, but if you're looking for where to spend a big chunk of money first, wobble sockets is where it's at. My Matco 3/8 dr shallow metric wobbles are the absolute best money i ever spent on any tools, and they've held that 'title' for me for about ten years. They predate good cordless stuff but even that invention has not surpassed the greatness of good wobble sockets.
catalytic
Well-known member
2 pages of replies and no one has mentioned that ratcheting wrenches have a 12pt end and an open end (the new SK's excluded), whereas sockets are (for most of us) 6pt?
I reach for Armstrong reversible ratcheting wrenches before anything else. They save me a ton of time. But they will round a stuck bolt over before my tight fitting Wright 6pt sockets will. This means socket sets should be bought first to expand your capabilities, and a time-saving ratcheting wrench set comes only second.
I reach for Armstrong reversible ratcheting wrenches before anything else. They save me a ton of time. But they will round a stuck bolt over before my tight fitting Wright 6pt sockets will. This means socket sets should be bought first to expand your capabilities, and a time-saving ratcheting wrench set comes only second.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Many, many, MANY years ago, when I was spending a few dollars for my meager weekly paycheck building my tool collection, I bought a Craftsman 1/2 x 9/16 ratcheting double box wrench, because it was "cool". 30+ years later, I don't think I have EVER used it !
As opposed to the Craftsman stubby 3/8 x 7/16 and 1/2 x 9/16 double box wrenches which I have used a lot. Sadly, there are no metric equivalents.
As opposed to the Craftsman stubby 3/8 x 7/16 and 1/2 x 9/16 double box wrenches which I have used a lot. Sadly, there are no metric equivalents.
Actually that can be a plus...just did a new intake on wife's vette, cuouldn't get the standard 6pt bolts tightened up on the middle two (you know, old chevy sb), so put in new small head 12pts. guess what? couldn't find a 12pt socket to save my life! had to go buy a 12pt just for this job. tried the gearwrenches and still couldn't fit that fat end on the one middle bolt though....