Real world feedback on 6pt ratcheting wrenches?

[lilscorpion]

I've only ever had the 12 point USA craftsman ratcheting wrenches. Need a set now and it seems those which have the best reviews are 6 point. Seems like there's an opportunity to not get on the fastener from time to time. I get that a 6 point wrench will fit the fastener better and is "heavier duty". For ratcheting wrenches though, I'm not concerned about strength. That's where MFG quality and durability comes into play. In my question, I'm really just focused on how easy it is to "find the fastener" when it's time to put wrench to nut/bolt.

For those of you who bought sets like Carlyle, SK, Tekton, etc, what are your experiences? No biggie or should I steer clear?

TIA

 

[Fedwrench]

Fastener engagement has never been an issue for me with a fine toothed 6 point ratcheting wrench like Carlyle or Tekton. After all, the ratcheting action is 72 teeth so, you can move a few degrees if necessary.
What has been a concern a few times, is the thickness of the area between where the fastener goes and the outer edge of the wrench. Sometimes a ratcheting boxed end won't fit. In those instances, Nano stubby sockets with the hex shaped bases worked with the ratcheting wrench.

 

[vssjim]

I have both and many times with out a 6 point in a rust area it would not work as a 12 point just spins on a rusty nut or bolt

 

[lilscorpion]

Fastener engagement has never been an issue for me with a fine toothed 6 point ratcheting wrench like Carlyle or Tekton. After all, the ratcheting action is 72 teeth so, you can move a few degrees if necessary.
What has been a concern a few times, is the thickness of the area between where the fastener goes and the outer edge of the wrench. Sometimes a ratcheting boxed end won't fit. In those instances, Nano stubby sockets with the hex shaped bases worked with the ratcheting wrench.

Do you have to think about the box end placement on the fastener and actually advance the box end to get it in the fastener? I’m probably over thinking it…

I have both and many times with out a 6 point in a rust area it would not work as a 12 point just spins on a rusty nut or bolt

I can see that, good to know

 

[PelicanPines]

My next wrench set will be 6 POINT RATCHETING. Used someones... and said damn... these be nice... don't know the brand he had but... I'm on the lookout.

 

[lilscorpion]

My next wrench set will be 6 POINT RATCHETING. Used someones... and said damn... these be nice... don't know the brand he had but... I'm on the lookout.

I’m looking at Carlyle. Others that get great reviews are SK but I’ll be damned if I can find a supplier that isn’t gouging…

 

[dnschmidt]

Gauging on S-K seems hilarious to me. Why people pay a premium for what I consider to be below good Taiwan grade tools is a mystery to me. TOPTUL, KABO, and Infar make far better tools than S-K ever did. The best tools S-K ever sold were the KABO made deep offset ratcheting box wrench set that they use to sell prior to wrapping themselves in the flag to appeal to the Buy American crowd. Buy the KABO made Carlyle.

 

[lilscorpion]

Gauging on S-K seems hilarious to me. Why people pay a premium for what I consider to be below good Taiwan grade tools is a mystery to me. TOPTUL, KABO, and Infar make far better tools than S-K ever did. The best tools S-K ever sold were the KABO made deep offset ratcheting box wrench set that they use to sell prior to wrapping themselves in the flag to appeal to the Buy American crowd. Buy the KABO made Carlyle.

Are all Carlyle made by Kabo or only specific sets? Not sure I can tell on the Napa site

 

[65ranchero]

You may want to check to see if they are lever reversible or flip over reversible.
I can speak from experience, I had one situation where I was using a flip reversible Snap-On and it got wedged and could not get it off. If I hade a level style I could flip the lever and move on

 

[wtn1271]

I have Capri ratcheting wrenches (lever reversible) that are 6 point on the box end. I haven't used them a whole lot but so far I haven't had any real problems placing the box end onto the fastener. A few times when clearance has been an issue I just rotate the ratcheting part a few clicks with my fingers and place it back on the fastener. It does add a few seconds to the operation but I am not on the clock so it really doesn't matter to me. The Capri tools are nicely made and finished. They were on sale when I purchased, have both metric and sae.

 

[KnurledNut]

I recently bought a new single DBE flex ratcheting Tekton. I havent had any problems in the short amount of use its had, but reviews out there mention others have had failures. They seem to back up their products so I went with them this time. I will say the chrome on the thing is immaculate. And the squarish shape reminds me of MAC.

 

[qqzj]

Tell you a secret, use a pass-thru ratchet and socket is even stronger. Or you can use low profile socket.

 

[lardy1]

I have Tekton 6 point reversables and a couple versions of 12 point. I really don't even notice the difference. Maybe if I used them daily I would.

 

[ex-x-fire]

I'd be happy with a 6 point regular on one end and a 12 point ratcheting end on the other.

 

[lilscorpion]

Ok, Napa's website *****. Turns out there are both 12 and 6 pt wrenches. 12 pt are 72 tooth and 6 pt are 90 tooth.

12 pt Metric 72 tooth - CHT RWR1212M https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQRWR1208?ref=NQ==
12 pt SAE 72 tooth - CHT RWR1208 https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQRWR1208?ref=NQ==

6 pt Metric 90 tooth - CHT RWR612M https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQRWR612M?ref=MA==
6 pt Metric Stubby 90 tooth - CHT RWRS612M https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQRWRS612M?ref=Mg==

6 pt SAE 90 tooth - CHT RWR608 https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQRWR608?ref=MQ==
6 pt SAE Stubby 90 tooth - CHT RWRS608 https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQRWRS608?ref=Mw==

Right now, on the website, if you buy 3 or more they're 20% off...not bad.