Ratcheting Wrenches - quality levels?

[dchawk81]

I've recently found a 14mm flex head ratcheting flare nut wrench to be extremely handy. Never would have thunk it before until I had to take a part off over and over because I kept getting defective ones.

It was a fuel line going into a module with a stupid amount of threads. I cracked it loose with the Snap-on due to the better fit, fixed head, and known strength then spun it off the rest of the way with the cheap generic flex head.

I did the first one the hard way then found the single wrench on Amazon cheap enough to spend the money and reduce frustration to where replacing the module is no big deal.

I did the same regarding purchasing a u-joint socket and extensions for the mounting bolts as well.

I don't know that I'd find much value in buying the complete sets of the aforementioned tools though. Especially the wrench. Even the cheap ones as a complete set are a little salty for my taste.

 

[Outahere]

One year old thread

14 year old thread:

Tools from the old world

This thread is for all tools "from the old world" like tools from Europe, but you can also post all tools from outside the USA here. (If you want :) ) :bounce::beer: some pictures of my tool collection :thumbup: Wiha and Bahco (Belzer ) reversible screwdrivers Wiha PZ and PH offset...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[threewood]

I'm a big fan of the Taiwan made Facom. Fit, finish, profile are great.

 

[Outahere]

I'm a big fan of the Taiwan made Facom. Fit, finish, profile are great.

Does the Facom have low, medium, or high backdrag?

 

[HannibalLecter]

You didn't ask me but definitely the backdrag isn't low. I'd say medium. High backdrag I consider a wurth bit driver that you must hold the bit in the unsrewing because it screws back in! Low backdrag I consider koken

 

[Sumboodie]

Isn't Gear Wrench the OG?

I have a set from around 2002 when then came out, still working great. Used nearly daily.

 

[Wrench97]

Isn't Gear Wrench the OG?

I have a set from around 2002 when then came out, still working great. Used nearly daily.

Not as good now as they were back then.

I do not like the Facom style because you can not flip the box end over and use it in tight spots.

 

[Mr_B]

I do not like the Facom style because you can not flip the box end over and use it in tight spots.

Why not, the stop ring does push inward or can be fully removed .
Mainthing I would like facom do is add long pattern set as the euro wrench standard lengths are on the short side which not always a bad thing but a top profesional brand should be offering more options than 1 .

 

[ching0n]

I think due to the pawl mechanism, even the cheapest brand will makes it stronger than most socket wrench anvils. I got Sunex spline drive several years ago. If I had to do it again, I'd get .hex w/a direction switch:

 

[Outahere]

You didn't ask me but definitely the backdrag isn't low. I'd say medium. High backdrag I consider a wurth bit driver that you must hold the bit in the unsrewing because it screws back in! Low backdrag I consider koken

My medium-length set of Tekton double-box-end 6-pt flex-head ratcheting wrenches have very low "Koken like" backdrag. I hope the new 12-point ratcheting wrenches arriving from Tekton in November retain this low backdrag, and reduce the head diameter.

 

[Lasu]

Another taiwan "flat" Matt + Mirror chrome model available from several brands. +1mm thick brass plug which is for the spring.

 

[infinite97]

14 year old thread:

Tools from the old world

This thread is for all tools "from the old world" like tools from Europe, but you can also post all tools from outside the USA here. (If you want :) ) :bounce::beer: some pictures of my tool collection :thumbup: Wiha and Bahco (Belzer ) reversible screwdrivers Wiha PZ and PH offset...

www.garagejournal.com

If you’re not smart enough to recognize the difference, I don’t know that I can help you.