Ratcheting Wrenches- Do you prefer 15 degree or 0 offset?

[Rocky Rotella]

I am looking to add a set of (reversible) ratcheting wrenches to my tool box. I am undecided on whether a 15 degree or 0 offset head is a more practical choice for automotive use.

Assuming brand is irrelevant, what offset style have you found more usable and why?

Thanks

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

think all of mine are either straight or flex headed...

 

[jmm]

15 degree all the way. That off-set comes in handy big time, very often. For jobs requiring no offset, I have seperate wrenches. I think it's a matter of preference, though...you might see what works for your coworkers.

 

[DodgeMech]

I prefer 0 offset on ratcheting wrenches...but I have wobbles in all three drive sizes so I use sockets when possible

 

[JerseyBoatBuilder]

I usually need both so I used 15 offset and flex heads as my 0's

 

[FiendFX]

This is the reason why I buy the flex head from Gearwrench.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I usually need both so I used 15 offset and flex heads as my 0's

This^^^.

 

[Conductor562]

I have both though I have more 0's by far. I like the 0's better personally. The 15's come in handy sometimes, but I like the more balanced feel of the 0's better and I've never came across a task I couldn't pull off with them that I could have done with the 15's. More often I find myself in situations where the offset would require more area to operate versus the flush operation of the 0's. In the vast majority of instances I use a socket in the types of situations where the offset would prove beneficial.

 

[2oolhound]

I am looking to add a set of (reversible) ratcheting wrenches to my tool box. I am undecided on whether a 15 degree or 0 offset head is a more practical choice for automotive use.

Assuming brand is irrelevant, what offset style have you found more usable and why?

Thanks

Keep in mind zero offset is reversed by flipping the wrench.

 

[Conductor562]

I usually need both so I used 15 offset and flex heads as my 0's

I bought mine before the flex heads were available but if I were buying them today I'd buy a set of flex heads and be done with it.

 

[pipsters]

After trying 0* and 15* I found I actually should have bought the flex. I am returning the 15* as they don't serve more of a purpose than my 0* ones. In the future I'll look for a good deal on flex.

That being said, I don't think flex come in reversible. Either one or the other. Ultimately I would like double box locking flex. No need for the combo side of them.

 

[Arne73]

I used a set of Gearwrench 0 offset for a year, while they did the job there were limitations that caused me to get a set of Gearwrench flex heads. Much happier with them, still have the 0 offset set for my back up.
Also I strongly agree with the use of sockets when they are called for, I work in a factory and most guys try to travel light, it drives me crazy to see the 'wrong tool for the wrong job'.

 

[TwoInch]

i prefer the zero * and the 15* styles, over the flex type, although the flexes can be super useful.

this style would be what i would get, if i got flex ratcheting.
http://discountdailyonsale.info/ima...ce-Metric-Double-Box_21-sndMCaZL._450_417.jpg

 

[Skin]

In tight spaces the 0* are more helpful, hence why most high performance wrenches are zero offset. With how cramped everything is today the offset tends to put the wrench into another component.

 

[yjWrangler]

15s.

 

[Fedwrench]

You need both styles. Do not buy reversibles with the capstop feature. The little steel washer may keep the wrench from slipping past the nut but, it also means you can't use a reverse grip on the wrench if access is an issue.

 

[CWP1616L]

With Armstrong, you get the best of both worlds:

 

[toddacimer]

I have Snap-on SOEXRM 15° metric wrenches and the 0 degree standard Cornwell wrenches. I really like the offset. The 0 degree drives me nuts in tight places . Seems like more of a knuckle buster without the angle

 

[KinzeMech]

15° offset, reversible wrench.

I will not have a non-reversible one unless it is the only choice available in the size I need.
I will not have a 0° wrench, unless it is in addition to a 15° I already have in that size.

Flex heads are good, I like mine, but if I could only have one, I would still choose the 15°. The clumsy bulk of a flex head can be a hindrance just as often as it can be helpful.

 

[JeremyManning]

The armstrongs are nice I just wish they made a longer wrench set.

With Armstrong, you get the best of both worlds:

 

[dankicksass]

The armstrongs are nice I just wish they made a longer wrench set.

Snap-On and EZ-Red offer that sort of thing.

 

[Noxx]

I find the 15°s are the set I use most often, but then I do a lot of bench type work and not much engine bay wrenching. YMMV.

 

[jshillin]

0 all the way... I have many of both, but I prefer them to the 15's unless I need the angle to get around something.

 

[JerseyBoatBuilder]

I bought mine before the flex heads were available but if I were buying them today I'd buy a set of flex heads and be done with it.

I wish it was the case for me but occasionally I run in to obstructions around nuts or bolts where the size of the flex head will not clear and only the 15 offset will fit

 

[TwoInch]

Flex heads are good, I like mine, but if I could only have one, I would still choose the 15°. The clumsy bulk of a flex head can be a hindrance just as often as it can be helpful.

totally agree

maybe its the fact that im used to combos and such, the flex just feels clumsy and off to me.

 

[Rocky Rotella]

Thanks for the replies guys. I know many are completely happy with the flex head wrenches, but they're just not for me.

Based on what you say, I'm leaning toward a 15 degree set for my needs. I suppose I can purchase 0 offset individuals in the most common sizes such as 7/16, 1/2, and 9/16 inch.

 

[ATC]

I have both, and prefer the 15° wrenches all around. I don't have flex heads, and really don't care for them anyways...

 

[Hammell]

When 15d works I use them, when 0d work I use them.. Buy both and be good to yourself. And a set of offset wrenches and a bunch of cheap wrenches to hack, bend and weld to your needs.

 

[trexdoink]

I use the Mac single flex head and have been happy with them. They are a little sharp on the edges of the wrench when you really get pushing or pulling with bare hands. Never broke one in 4 years.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Flex, offset and straight are the three options.. If I could only have one set, it would be the flex.. I have all three styles, and find them all useful.. May boil down to what you work on...

 

[vga]

I have and use all 3 options based upon the need. My cars have lots of tight hard to reach bolts and there are times when these are the only tools I have out of the box to remove or install nuts, bolts. In fact ny Matco double flex metric set should be here tomorrow.

 

[shampoop]

I usually need both so I used 15 offset and flex heads as my 0's

+1

15's are the most used for sure though.

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

Both. I have the flex heads, Which can be super annoying especially if there is no room for your other hand to support the flex end it will just flop around.

One thing i do like about the 15* style is they now have the no pass though design. alto this kind of defeats the purpose of having the offset as now you can only use the wrench angle

 

[Jason280]

I prefer the 15* offset wrenches, but have both styles.

 

[Rocky Rotella]

Thanks guys.

I think I will go with the 15 degree offset for now. I can add 0 offset down the road, either as a set or piece by piece.

 

[nanofrog]

I have flex heads so I don't have to choose.