Regular stubby wrenches vs. ratcheting

[bp460]

I have been wanting a set of stubby wrenches for quite some time and almost pulled the trigger on a set of CM professionals... then I started looking at the ratcheting variety. I don't really need both, but it seems they both might have their advantages. I would think the regular style would get into tight areas better due to the thinner box section. What do you guys think?

-Brad

 

[sdguy55]

If you need a stubby its almost always because its in a confined space and what doesnt a confined space have? Space. So anything that takes up more space is useless

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Hootbro]

The once in a blue moon I need a stubby wrench, the standard ones I have do fine and I do not fret wishing I had a ratcheting one.

FWIW, I have the Craftsman stubbies myself. Just make sure you fine NOS USA made ones if you decide on the Craftsman stubby.

 

[TheDogHouse]

I have a set of metric Gearwrench stubby ratcheting wrenches. I never use them, but they look cool in the drawer, so I keep them.

 

[luvit]

.
i'm always reaching into confined spaces.. i use my stubby ratcheting wrenches often and can't believe i used to refuse such items.

 

[shoturtle]

Since I do not use stubby to often, I went with a standard stubby. But 25 dollars for a set of 10 metric vs 125 a full set of 10 ratcheting. Also help with the choice on a tool that I do not use to often. As I got a set of BGS set.

 

[davesnothere]

I've got stubby wrenches and stubby ratcheting wrenches.

I use the ratcheting ones at least 10x more often.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

my ratcheting stubbies are used frequently. couldn't get by without them.

 

[ianguilly]

I've got standard , flex head, and stubby...like to be prepared

 

[greasemonkey44]

ive got combo stubbies
i dont use them much, but when i do i usually cant get a gear wrench in there either....god knows ive tried, the other guy has them

 

[Dust]

If I need a stubby, I usually need a ratcheting action as well.

I don't think I could really put up with standard stubbies for more than about five minutes before throwing it across the shop in frustration and looking for something that ratchets or rotates.

 

[vintagefan]

Stubbies just make more sense ratcheting... it's pretty much impossible to put enough force on them to spread the open end or strip a bolt, which is the main reason that you'd prefer to use the box end.

American style wrenches don't have an full offset box end anyways, so that type of recessed access isn't a concern, the only time that you'd have trouble is if the box end's diameter was an issue, in which case you can just use the open end.

The are some instances where ratcheting stubbies wouldn't work, but they are few and far between compared to those instances where they will. If I had to pick one type only, it would be ratcheting.

I personally prefer non-ratcheting standard combos, and ratcheting stubbies. Those are my two most used wrench types.

99% of the time you can get enough torque with the ratcheting stubby to finish the bolt, and then use a standard wrench to torque it down.

 

[ajchien]

With ratcheting wrenches, my regular wrenches get used more like breaker bars now. If cost was less concern, and time was a greater concern, I'd vote ratcheting.

 

[BigLeagueSmoes]

I’m going to revive this thread with my own follow up question. I too am looking to purchase some stubby metric wrenches, and then maybe SAE later down the road (I just use metric way more often on my vehicles). I’m still debating in my head ratcheting vs regular. However, my question is, how big of a size do you really need/use in the set? I see that different brands have different size ranges. For metric, some go 8mm- 15mm, some 10mm-18mm, some 8mm-19mm etc. I don’t want to buy a massive set if I won’t practically use the full range, and I can’t think of many times that I wished I had a stubby 19mm… it usually seems like the 12 or 14 sizes are more important. Thoughts? Recommendations welcome

 

[johninct]

A ratcheting head can't fit everywhere a box head can. I could not have done a job with a ratcheting that I did with a stubby.

 

[Lucid Moments]

I’m going to revive this thread with my own follow up question. I too am looking to purchase some stubby metric wrenches, and then maybe SAE later down the road (I just use metric way more often on my vehicles). I’m still debating in my head ratcheting vs regular. However, my question is, how big of a size do you really need/use in the set? I see that different brands have different size ranges. For metric, some go 8mm- 15mm, some 10mm-18mm, some 8mm-19mm etc. I don’t want to buy a massive set if I won’t practically use the full range, and I can’t think of many times that I wished I had a stubby 19mm… it usually seems like the 12 or 14 sizes are more important. Thoughts? Recommendations welcome

Downside to resurrecting an old thread is that a lot of people won't notice it is old and will respond to the 10 year old posts instead of going all the way to the end and seeing the new post.

I don't see a whole lot of benefit in the smaller stubby wrenches. The regular length are already pretty short so you don't gain much access. I wouldn't bother with anything below 10mm. My current set stops at 15mm but just yesterday I would have really liked a stubby 17mm and have been in situations where a 19mm would have been useful. I am about to go ahead and replace the wrenches I have with a 10 to 19 set.

 

[dnschmidt]

Well, if you're going to go ratcheting definitely go reversible ratcheting.

 

[mdim]

I've found I don't use my ratcheting wrenches very often. They are thicker than a regular wrench. I generally find I don't have enough room for them, or I have enough room to get a socket in there. Maybe just unlucky but have not found a ton of cases in between.

 

[qqzj]

If you only use it once in a couple of years, get the non-ratcheting type. If you use it often enough, get both. Use the ratcheting one most of the time and have the non-ratcheting one just in case.

Or, you can be like me who have both and never use any of them.

 

[JradM]

If you only use it once in a couple of years, get the non-ratcheting type. If you use it often enough, get both. Use the ratcheting one most of the time and have the non-ratcheting one just in case.

Or, you can be like me who have both and never use any of them.

I concur. On both counts.

There are times when you need the absolute smallest wrench possible and non-ratcheting is it. Other times space is tight in a different plane and you don't have much space to spin the fastener - ratcheting is handy.

I also have both and use them hardly ever - not "never ever", but close.

 

[Sneezer]

I have both, and they get used. There are times where the space is just too tight for that bigger box head on the ratcheting ones. What I really want is a set of the S-K double deep offset stubbies they used to sell. There have been a few times where such a wrench would have made it easier, but then again my tools are a hodge podge of leftovers and clearance deals and not complete compared to most around here.

I will say the ratcheting ones get used a more, and the regular are treated more as a specialty tool for those tight spots. My main ratcheting stubbies are a set of flex head GW ones I got on clearance from NAPA a while back, and some non-flex Husky ones.

 

[BigLeagueSmoes]

Downside to resurrecting an old thread is that a lot of people won't notice it is old and will respond to the 10 year old posts instead of going all the way to the end and seeing the new post.

I don't see a whole lot of benefit in the smaller stubby wrenches. The regular length are already pretty short so you don't gain much access. I wouldn't bother with anything below 10mm. My current set stops at 15mm but just yesterday I would have really liked a stubby 17mm and have been in situations where a 19mm would have been useful. I am about to go ahead and replace the wrenches I have with a 10 to 19 set.

This is very helpful, thank you. Also, I should have realized that my question about what size range is typically most useful is VERY subjective based on what I’d be working on, in which I would say just general DIY automotive and maybe a little bit of “heavy” equipment. Which oddly enough I swear those little skid steers and mini excavators are more jam packed with stuff and harder to access than your typical pickup truck and car engine bay. Hydro lines will be the death of me

 

[BigLeagueSmoes]

I've found I don't use my ratcheting wrenches very often. They are thicker than a regular wrench. I generally find I don't have enough room for them, or I have enough room to get a socket in there. Maybe just unlucky but have not found a ton of cases in between.

This is what I’d be most fearful of. Just how thick the box end is and not having the space to get the box end on the bolt head or nut. I appreciate the input

 

[BigLeagueSmoes]

I have both, and they get used. There are times where the space is just too tight for that bigger box head on the ratcheting ones. What I really want is a set of the S-K double deep offset stubbies they used to sell. There have been a few times where such a wrench would have made it easier, but then again my tools are a hodge podge of leftovers and clearance deals and not complete compared to most around here.

I will say the ratcheting ones get used a more, and the regular are treated more as a specialty tool for those tight spots. My main ratcheting stubbies are a set of flex head GW ones I got on clearance from NAPA a while back, and some non-flex Husky ones.

I too am a member of the hodge-podge tool box of clearance, pawn shops, and purchases of the like. I’m almost tempted to buy some 25 cent pawn shop bargain bin wrenches and cut them in half and call it good

 

[nicks78camaro]

I have stubbys, both ratcheting and non ratcheting. I've never reached for my ratcheting ones.

But I use my ratcheting normal combo wrenches daily. One of the best tools ever invented.

 

[BigLeagueSmoes]

But I use my ratcheting normal combo wrenches daily. One of the best tools ever invented.

Agree^^

 

[Ton ton]

I use El cheapo full length flex head ratcheting wrenches most of the time. I do have stubby ratcheting wrenches. Thankfully I don't have to use the stubbies very often. But when you need the stubbies, you need them. I would get both ratcheting and standard stubbies. This is garage journal, never one or the other. The answer is get both. Maybe check the classifieds on garage journal and see if anyone has some for sale.