Ratcheting Wrenches - which styles do you use?

[oldschoolcraft]

I dont own any ratcheting wrenches, yet. I plan to rectify that soon but there's so many options, I'm drowning for choice.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

Beware. Some of the combos like Gearwrench are okay ratchets, but have pretty bad open ends. To me, that’s a decider. If I were buying a new set cheap, I’d buy the long double box ends, either both sides ratcheting or fixed and ratcheting. Not interested in a poor performing Taiwan open end wrench in my box. That just seems like a waste.

This is exactly what has prevented me from buying any combination ratcheting wrenches. They're either crazy expensive from Snap On, or they are going to have a junk open end that is a waste.

 

[ItwastheChad]

Sk x-frames are pretty nice too

I think they are Chinese now but the USA ones are pretty nice

 

[ns_astro]

Does anyone have experience with this set from Gray Tools?

 

[ThePostman]

I own many of various lengths, but, Gearwrench 86126 gets a regular workout in the auto world, plus the 21,22, and 24mm. I cannot complain about that set at all after heavy abuse over at least the five years I've owned them.

 

[bonneyman]

No votes for vintage cam-loc or speed open end. Interesting.

I do have two sets of those. A partial single set and a full set of double open ends.

 

[swsman]

Right before Sears was closing its stores down, I managed to grab a set of Craftsman ratcheting combination wrenches in Metric/SAE while on sale.

Still using them to date, only an 18mm had to be replaced as ratchet boxed end quit working a few years back.

As of recent I have added Capri extra long double box end 8-19mm, decided against ratcheting options as I wanted something with more leverage and to break the offending fasteners loose.

 

[joel63]

I do have two sets of those. A partial single set and a full set of double open ends.

I'll bet those were handy for flare nuts.
Do they still make them?

 

[joel63]

Right before Sears was closing its stores dow, I managed to grab a set of Craftsman ratcheting combination wrenches in Metric/SAE while on sale.

Still using them to date, only an 18mm had to be replaced as ratchet boxed end quit working a few years back.

As of recent I have added Capri extra long double box end 8-19mm, decided against ratcheting options as I wanted something with more leverage and to break the offending fasteners loose.

That's a nice little setup.

 

[Toold_up]

Right before Sears was closing its stores dow, I managed to grab a set of Craftsman ratcheting combination wrenches in Metric/SAE while on sale.

Still using them to date, only an 18mm had to be replaced as ratchet boxed end quit working a few years back.

As of recent I have added Capri extra long double box end 8-19mm, decided against ratcheting options as I wanted something with more leverage and to break the offending fasteners loose.

I like your garage door lock. I have the same one!

 

[swsman]

I like your garage door lock. I have the same one!

Effective

One on each end for me.
A good friend uses wise grips on his automotive shop doors.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

There's allegedly a 20% off HF sale Friday through Sunday, Icon included. I may be picking up my first set of ratcheting wrenches this weekend.

 

[LWB]

Does anyone have experience with this set from Gray Tools?

I wonder if it's made in Taiwan. I'd email and ask if it matters to you.

 

[bonneyman]

I'll bet those were handy for flare nuts.
Do they still make them?

No, but I'm sure similar wrenches are available from other makers. Besides, you might still find some on ebay. Not ratcheting, but sure helpful.

Here's my pair. 3/8 x 1/2, and a 7/16 x 9/16. I like how they "mismatched' sizes from other wrenches - makes it easier to tell the sizes apart.

 

[joel63]

No, but I'm sure similar wrenches are available from other makers. Besides, you might still find some on ebay. Not ratcheting, but sure helpful.

Here's my pair. 3/8 x 1/2, and a 7/16 x 9/16. I like how they "mismatched' sizes from other wrenches - makes it easier to tell the sizes apart.

Thanks.
I always wondered about 12point flare wrenches.
Did you find them very useful or a must tool for certain situations?

 

[oldschoolcraft]

Thanks.
I always wondered about 12point flare wrenches.
Did you find them very useful or a must tool for certain situations?

No personal experience, except that when I was researching Snap On Flare wrenches, for whatever reason, in their versions that are one side open end, one side flare nut end, both being the same size, the 11/16" and higher SAE sizes only come in 12-point. The metric come in 6 point. The smaller SAE come in 6 point. So there's something Snap On knows or thinks they know about larger SAE flare nuts and the need for 12 point.

 

[bonneyman]

Thanks.
I always wondered about 12point flare wrenches.
Did you find them very useful or a must tool for certain situations?

They don't find everyday use, but in certain situations (A/C fittings in tight places), they are indispensible. Front brakes also seem to benefit from flare wrenches.

I've developed the mindset over many years to have multiple wrenches in the same size. Like say 10 mm. I grab every one I see - stubby, long, extra long, flare, ratcheting, flex, no offset, deep offset. I've always seem to run into situations where the assortment I had didn't have the one style that would have worked. So, I grab them all.
The same is true with 1/2" x 9/16" combos. Just seem to accumulate those without even trying.

Kinda explains my overstuffed shop! lol

 

[joel63]

They don't find everyday use, but in certain situations (A/C fittings in tight places), they are indispensible. Front brakes also seem to benefit from flare wrenches.

I've developed the mindset over many years to have multiple wrenches in the same size. Like say 10 mm. I grab every one I see - stubby, long, extra long, flare, ratcheting, flex, no offset, deep offset. I've always seem to run into situations where the assortment I had didn't have the one style that would have worked. So, I grab them all.
The same is true with 1/2" x 9/16" combos. Just seem to accumulate those without even trying.

Kinda explains my overstuffed shop! lol

When I look at my collections of wrenches, I think I must have developed the same mindset.
I have many that I haven't used yet, but some day......
Rather have than need.

 

[bonneyman]

When I look at my collections of wrenched, I think I must have developed the same mindset.
I have many that I haven't used yet, but some day......
Rather have than need.

Yeah, it's a dreadful disease I tell you.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

Yeah, it's a dreadful disease I tell you.

It may be a disease but it's the only disease where if you need something, you'll have it!

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

It may be a disease but it's the only disease where if you need something, you'll have it!

Funnily enough I actually had this problem at work. I brought home some tools because I never use them anymore at work and then a job came rolling in last week and I got excited because I was thinking this is great I can use those tools I never use. I reached into my box only to remember I brought them home. I was stuck using a different tool and it turned an hour job into a whole day affair. I learned my lesson.

 

[KnurledNut]

Funnily enough I actually had this problem at work. I brought home some tools because I never use them anymore at work and then a job came rolling in last week and I got excited because I was thinking this is great I can use those tools I never use. I reached into my box only to remember I brought them home. I was stuck using a different tool and it turned an hour job into a whole day affair. I learned my lesson.

...the story of my life!

 

[cannuck]

I have a few ratcheting wrenches in both metric and US drawers, but I seldom use them as they won't clear obstructions on many applications. I also don't understand why there would be an open end on such a tool, as there has to be room for a box or it would have no use at all.

Another thing that limits use: much of my work over last 30 years has been inside the tank of power transformers. I have my local guys thoroughly beat down on using garbage quality tools, but at a distant branch a few years ago a local used one of the el cheapo ones with a reversing switch - and the POS tool fell apart and rained little bits of the ratcheting pawl, spring and selector lever down into a horizontal winding. It took 2 full days at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars to recover all of the pieces. Needless to say that prompted a company wide examination of WHAT was allowed into a tank and how it was going to be secured from accidental disconnect.

 

[roofdweller49]

I guess it's because they intended the ratcheting combo wrenches to replace your regular combination wrenches. But yeah, I wish there were more double box end ratcheting options (either regular/ratcheting or ratcheting on both sides)

 

[bwringer]

I almost hate to admit it, and the ratcheting action is ****, but I've solved quite a few problems and saved myself a ridiculous amount of time with the crappy janky cheap ratcheting flexers from Harbor Freight.

https://www.harborfreight.com/flex-head-metric-ratcheting-combination-wrench-set-5-piece-60592.html

They're kinda horrible to use, yes, but they do work, and they've gotten me where I needed to go many times.



As far as frequency of use, my "Mountain" double-end flexies have also solved all kinds of problems and are probably my most-used. Honestly not the greeeeeeeatest action, but they're pretty well made for the most part and quite strong for what they are. Be aware that when you buy them most of the complaints are from absolute morons who use them for breaking loose suspension bolts and wonder why they don' work no mo. You have to make sure you understand that the length is for reach, not torque. Think before you yank...

I also love that the sizes are set up very intelligently so that I can keep an 8x10mm, 12x14mm, and 17x19mm in my box for working on my primarily Japanese fleet, and the 13x15 and 16x18 can live in a secondary box out of my way unless I need them for a visiting 'merican or Euro car.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

Funnily enough I actually had this problem at work. I brought home some tools because I never use them anymore at work and then a job came rolling in last week and I got excited because I was thinking this is great I can use those tools I never use. I reached into my box only to remember I brought them home. I was stuck using a different tool and it turned an hour job into a whole day affair. I learned my lesson.

Which tools were they, so that the rest of us can buy them in case we need them, too.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

I almost hate to admit it, and the ratcheting action is ****, but I've solved quite a few problems and saved myself a ridiculous amount of time with the crappy janky cheap ratcheting flexers from Harbor Freight.

https://www.harborfreight.com/flex-head-metric-ratcheting-combination-wrench-set-5-piece-60592.html

They're kinda horrible to use, yes, but they do work, and they've gotten me where I needed to go many times.

Icon makes a stubby flex head ratcheting non-reversible wrench. It's on my "maybe" list. I dont think any high end tool companies make a wrench in this style. I'd prefer Proto or Snap On if it existed. Seems useful for tight spaces. My hesitance is that most of these mid and cheaper tools have poor quality open-end sides so I'm buying these for just the one side. Though, for a stubby, you can't get much torque on the open end side anyway so maybe these are fine.

https://www.harborfreight.com/brands/icon/hand-tools/professional-stubby-flex-head-metric-ratcheting-combination-wrench-set-10-piece-57492.html

 

[joel63]

Funnily enough I actually had this problem at work. I brought home some tools because I never use them anymore at work and then a job came rolling in last week and I got excited because I was thinking this is great I can use those tools I never use. I reached into my box only to remember I brought them home. I was stuck using a different tool and it turned an hour job into a whole day affair. I learned my lesson.

Life is always teaching.

 

[genog]

Reversible combos with 15° offset in the box-end. "Regular" length.

Just my nickels worth....
....but probably not worth even 5 cents.....but I like the 15 degree offsets.
Dog bones just don't feel Right...

....and I've broken two of mine over the past

 

[bwringer]

... My hesitance is that most of these mid and cheaper tools have poor quality open-end sides so I'm buying these for just the one side...

Yup, the open ends on ratcheting wrenches are completely useless. I'd have no problem slicing the open end off with a cutting wheel if I ever needed to modify one for access.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Which tools were they, so that the rest of us can buy them in case we need them, too.

Extra long 1/4” ratchet. I haven’t done this particular job since 2018. What ***** is that the toolmaker that designed the fixture put the securing SHCS in the middle of the block and it is from the bottom. And it fits between two vises so there’s only a 2” wide gap to work in. So it’s a pain to reach it and without a hex bit socket and ratchet I have to do everything with an extra long hex key. Took forever and I was cussing like a sailor.

 

[M635_Guy]

As the title states, which styles are most commonly used for your type of work?

I personally use the extra long, Kabo (sold under Mountain, Icon, Platinum, etc. brands) double-box flex ratcheting wrenches more than anything else. I rarely find the need to use any other style of ratcheting wrench in my routine workflow.

I'm just a home/DIY guy mainly wrenching on the family cars (six of them). I have the Icon version of the long flex and they're fantastic. I don't use them often, but they're often lifesavers when I do. I have the regular long ratcheting Icon set and they're hardly touched. I value the reverse switch in the head very much - too easy to be distracted and trap yourself.

My regular ratcheting wrenches are rarely used too. That just may be because I work weird - I have zero training.

 

[midshipmen89]

I love my Matco extra long double box end flex wrenches, SRFBZLM102TA/SRFBZXLM42TA. They were expensive when I bought them, and, naturally, even more so nowadays, but the warranty is worth it. I break one every 6-9 months, usually my 15, 18, or 24mm, and my Matco guy has learned to keep them in stock for me and a few other guys on his route.

The real game changer has been the Gearwrench 85498 indexing wrenches. Super useful, and one of those tools that makes things possible in a few places. I'd like to find a 7mm and 21-24mm, but the standard set sees a lot of use for me. Quality isn't great; my 16mm was DOA and I've worn out my 10mm and 13mm, but getting them warrantied was easy through one tool truck or another.

The mechanism has been helpful enough that I picked up a Snap-on THD72MP as soon as it was available. That's been slightly less useful than the wrenches, but it still comes in handy. I proselytize about them as much as I can.

 

[Ton ton]

Extra long 1/4” ratchet. I haven’t done this particular job since 2018. What ***** is that the toolmaker that designed the fixture put the securing SHCS in the middle of the block and it is from the bottom. And it fits between two vises so there’s only a 2” wide gap to work in. So it’s a pain to reach it and without a hex bit socket and ratchet I have to do everything with an extra long hex key. Took forever and I was cussing like a sailor.

Thank you for the follow up!