ratcheting wrenches

[newbie12]

How often do you use your ratcheting wrenches for you home/diy guys. I am tossing up whether to get a set. I can get an ordinary combo set pretty cheap or a flex head version for about an extra $140. Jut wondering if these will actually see a lot of use or whether I will be using the socket anyway

 

[fordkid88]

I use them all the time

 

[22george]

They are my first choice

 

[ARFLY]

I use mine a lot.

 

[amguttin]

whenever possible

 

[newbie12]

are you guys using flex, normal combo, or double ratcheting box ennd?

 

[kb1982]

I use my Sk x frames everytime that I have no choice but to use an open end. Only time I don't use them is if I need to hammer on a wrench or if the extra length of the dbe wrenches are needed

Sent from my Z962BL using Tapatalk

 

[HanShotFirst]

I reach for my ratcheting wrenches first almost always. They're just too convenient.

 

[TNBurban]

SK X-frames are my go to. But lack of offset or flex head means they are sidelined at times in favor of my Gearwrench flex head reversible wrenches. If SK can do the X-frame in a reversible with offset, or flexhead...I will sell a body part to get them.

And there are times I like to use the old Craftsman USA wrenches that are 20+ years old.

 

[derosa]

A reasonable amount of time, probably get them half the time

 

[dscheidt]

are you guys using flex, normal combo, or double ratcheting box ennd?

Offset, reversible, combination wrenches. Flat ones are beyond stupid. I have never used my flex head ones.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I have an assortment of CM and GW Ratcheting wrenches. They get used most to the time

 

[PhysicsDude]

I use them all the time. Also worth noting that most ratcheting wrenches are stronger than comparable 3/8 or 1/2 drive ratchet + socket. Strong enough, in fact, that the fastener will probably sheer off before breaking the wrench. They're handier to use than a ratchet when you've got a stubborn bolt.

I personally went with the double box end ratcheting wrenches, they're the cheapest way to go. I have a craftsman set that I bought for around $30 for both SAE and metric. The Kobalt 5 piece/10 size SAE/Metric double box end wrenches are on sale for $12 each, $25 for both.

I'd love a set of flex head reversible Gearwrench or SK X-drive/X-frame wrenches, but like you said, $140+ is a lot to swallow for a home user.

 

[Yankee]

I'm a DIY, purchased a set of Craftsman Industrial reverseable ratcheting wrenches a couple years ago and honestly only used them a few times..

Seems like I never really have a good reason to grab them. Since I don't want to break any fasteners free with the ratcheting end, I end up using either a regular combination wrench or a ratchet/socket. (I really haven't had that many instances where the socket wouldn't fit, so rather than grab 2 wrenches, I just grab the ratchet....)

May be different for others....

 

[Htscheg]

I only use mine on certain fastners, otherwise I still reach for my normal ones.. old habbits and too lazy to change

 

[Ign]

I use mine all the time. Generally my first choice, too.

I prefer basic reversibles. The offset is nice to save your knuckles (non-reversibles are straight 'cause they have to be so you can flip the wrench over) and I like the ability to reverse right there (I almost backed a frame fastener into a Tacoma bed the other night)

I only grab for flex or stubbies if I need them. Some people prefer flex as their #1 choice. If I were doing that I'd only run the Williams reversible flex - that's just me.

 

[Philbert]

I use a 12mm flex head ratchet g wrench every time I do the trans after on my 05 Camry. It is the only wrench that I know of that will remove three of the nuts on the pan that is over the frame cross member.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

1st choice, Flex mostly just if necessary. dDont like reversibles.

 

[Earp69]

I have flex and straight. I always grab the flexheads, ive used mine daily going on 7 years now and never had an issue. if you watch sears will have gearwrench sets on sale for 30 a set sometimes.that's when I snagged mine

 

[Aussie Dave]

I only use mine on certain fastners, otherwise I still reach for my normal ones.. old habbits and too lazy to change

Same here.I have a 20 year old set of blue points and some have never been used.

 

[Rickster]

They are nice to have! Been reaching for them more often.

 

[Tonyuk]

I use mine all the time, albeit in a work environment but use them often enough at home to that i think they're worth the cost.

I definitely prefer the offset reversible type, often you'll need that offset to be able to turn the fastener against a flat surface and the switch gives you a safety barrier against backing yourself into a corner (seen it happen, guy had cut the bolt and replace).

If you can get a good set of zero-offsets cheap than perhaps just stick with them, i wouldn't bother with a flex set unless you need them, the movement of the head can be a pain when your trying to keep it on the fastener.

I like Facom but they're a bit pricey, whatever you get make sure to get a set with a warranty that covers the moving parts, i can pretty much guarantee that you'll strip one out eventually especially if you start using them often.

 

[mfewtrail]

I have offset reversibles and don't use them that often. If I'm working with hand tools, I often just prefer to use a ratchet and socket if there's room. The ratcheting wrenches I mainly use in lower clearance areas.

 

[gungatim]

I use mine all the time as well. still use regular wrenches and sockets, but the ratcheting wrenches have reduced both other options by 50% easily...only regular non-flex ratcheting wrenches here so far (well except for the single short 10mm Flex Blue-point ratcheting wrench I found in the trunk of my kids car under the spare tire after he totaled it...)

 

[AndeiH]

out of my 5 piece gearwrench metric set i think i've only used the 10mm wrench. i'm glad i have them but i don't use them all that often.

 

[Mr_B]

I use mine all the time, albeit in a work environment but use them often enough at home to that i think they're worth the cost.

I definitely prefer the offset reversible type, often you'll need that offset to be able to turn the fastener against a flat surface and the switch gives you a safety barrier against backing yourself into a corner (seen it happen, guy had cut the bolt and replace).

If you can get a good set of zero-offsets cheap than perhaps just stick with them, i wouldn't bother with a flex set unless you need them, the movement of the head can be a pain when your trying to keep it on the fastener.

I like Facom but they're a bit pricey, whatever you get make sure to get a set with a warranty that covers the moving parts, i can pretty much guarantee that you'll strip one out eventually especially if you start using them often.

+1 to this, facom reversible wrenches are real nice and can be had for around 100bucks if shop about, not much more expensive than lesser brands.
Northern tools klutch set not a bad full size range option and way good enough for home user .

 

[Al Borland]

More of a novelty tool for me, toolbox jewelry.
Occasionally I use an old craftsman with nut-driver bits because I'm too lazy to get my 1/4 drive set out.

 

[HanShotFirst]

These are what I use.

They are pricey, and they’re made in Taiwan. Initially I was offended by the Taiwan thing, but after some really hard use, I see the quality is definitely there. The spline design is pretty unique in that it’s faceted, not rounded. The facet edges really dig into a fastener in much the same way as most anti-slip design open end wrenches do, and they will break loose some really tough fasteners. And the open end has a very effective ASD design. This is why these are the wrenches I reach for first.

 

[newbie12]

Well I caved and bought the gearwrench flex heads. Got a pretty good deal at a local aus shop as I thought better to buy these things local for warranty. Got a 16 piece metric set with a free 13 piece SAE set for 300AUD delivered. Figure I should be able to palm them off if I don;t end up using them for not too much of a loss.

 

[Tonyuk]

Well I caved and bought the gearwrench flex heads. Got a pretty good deal at a local aus shop as I thought better to buy these things local for warranty. Got a 16 piece metric set with a free 13 piece SAE set for 300AUD delivered. Figure I should be able to palm them off if I don;t end up using them for not too much of a loss.

Glad to here you got some, things sound expensive there haha.

 

[newbie12]

Glad to here you got some, things sound expensive there haha.

Yep much more expensive than you lot have it. But that wasn't too far off the sets from USA with shipping factored in. The USA guys also get much better promo deal's