Reversible ratcheting wrenches $$ cost these days

[pipsters]

I got a 10 pc reversing ratcheting wrench set from Sears. Was $80 + tax.

10mm-14mm (5 pcs), wish it skipped the 11 and gave me an 8 but oh well
3/8"-5/8" (5pcs)

Seems like a decent selection probably won't need more than that.

Just wandering what they are going for $$ wise these days. I picked up non-reversing Gearwrenches on black Friday 10, 12, 13, 14, 15mm for only $10 so it seems $80 is quite a jump for being reversible. But mine are also US so I know there is a premium there. For S's&G's I looked online at Gearwrench prices and they have gone UP a lot it seems.

I plan to use the SAE around the house as most of the stuff on my house is SAE.

Any other common sizes I should pick up? I think that 5 pc should cover pretty much all common sizes. I don't think I'll ever really need the flex ratcheting and they were double again of the cost ($180 or so for the two SAE and MM sets).

 

[srmofo]

sears has the 20 piece non reversible on sale for $50 every few weeks. 10sae/10metric

I prefer 1/4 -3/4 and 8-19mm. Those sizes cover just about everything with a few exceptions on the larger sizes

 

[pipsters]

Yeah those are the non's, I was thinking about it and really want the reversibles. But that is a good price for non-reversible ratcheting wrenches for sure.

 

[03protege]

Do the non reversible wrenches have that many issues getting into spaces?

I'm still on old fashion wrenches.

 

[Ditchdigger]

Just got the satin finish Toptul 12pc. 8-19mm reversible set in steel case shipped to my door from Canada for $136.

 

[shoturtle]

I got a 10 pc reversing ratcheting wrench set from Sears. Was $80 + tax.

10mm-14mm (5 pcs), wish it skipped the 11 and gave me an 8 but oh well
3/8"-5/8" (5pcs)

Seems like a decent selection probably won't need more than that.

Just wandering what they are going for $$ wise these days. I picked up non-reversing Gearwrenches on black Friday 10, 12, 13, 14, 15mm for only $10 so it seems $80 is quite a jump for being reversible. But mine are also US so I know there is a premium there. For S's&G's I looked online at Gearwrench prices and they have gone UP a lot it seems.

I plan to use the SAE around the house as most of the stuff on my house is SAE.

Any other common sizes I should pick up? I think that 5 pc should cover pretty much all common sizes. I don't think I'll ever really need the flex ratcheting and they were double again of the cost ($180 or so for the two SAE and MM sets).

The reversible are for when you get a nut stuck in them. It helps to free the wrench. But they are way more expensive then non reversible ones. Protos I have where 190 dollars for a 13pc, my non flex were only 60 for a 12pc set. And my 6pc double box index was only 50 bucks.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Really diggin those man^^^
Only drawback for me is accessibility, I like to pull mine straight out without having to open a case.

 

[pipsters]

Do the non reversible wrenches have that many issues getting into spaces?

I'm still on old fashion wrenches.

The more and more I do, the more I really like ratcheting wrenches. They really are a time saver.

As far as reverse goes, if you back out a bolt and into something, with a non-reversible wrench it will be almost impossible to free the wrench. Guy posted on here who did that same thing had to cut either the bolt or wrench. Just added a ton more time to something that didn't need to happen.

I've used the ratcheting ones and they just allow you to get things done a lot quicker and a lot less effort. Personally though I don't see a need for the larger sizes, the smaller ones are the most important ones from my experience. 8, 10, 12 etc.

 

[Link-Belt]

Always wondered why they call them non reversable? Turn the wrench over doesn't it work in reverse?

Sent from my SCH-R720 using Tapatalk 2

 

[shoturtle]

Not when you get them stuck on a fastener. Then they are really non reversible.

 

[pipsters]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=66730

 

[bchee]

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=202934585

 

[MattT]

Do the non reversible wrenches have that many issues getting into spaces?

The zero offset can be a problem at times. Aside from that there's no difference between non and reversible. They're both equally bulky and won't fit some places a regular box end will.

 

[srmofo]

The zero offset can be a problem at times. Aside from that there's no difference between non and reversible. They're both equally bulky and won't fit some places a regular box end will.

I find more issues with clearance on my offset reversible wrenches. I also have issues with the reversibles switching gears on me and going the wrong direction.

but then again I do have them both and will reach for the better tool for the job regardless of which one I prefer.

I really love my stubby racheting wrenches, those things have saved my skin a number of times.

As far as getting them stuck....you only do that once, I remember mine like it was yesterday. Pulling bolts on a GM transverse 3.8 motormount. Backed it right into the frame rail. Ended up having to unbolt the rest of the mount and jacked the engine up to squeeze it out

 

[bchee]

....you only do that once, I remember mine like it was yesterday

 

[bronc3buster842001]

I have the sae and metric set of the duralast ones. They have held up fine so far. Work just as good as the gearwrench or similiar brands I have used.

 

[pipsters]

My preference is always the double box wrenches so I don't have so many open end duplicates.

Yeah I agree. I am trying to streamline my tool collection and getting combo ratcheting wrenches isn't the smartest thing. I just missed an SAE and MM set of Craftsman double boxes on ebay by a day. But I will look for something like that. I don't need any more combo wrenches.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Speaking of streamlining, I've been happy with the Gearwrench Quad-Box wrenches. They're thicker than double box, but you get four sizes on each wrench.

I've got both an SAE and metric set above my bench, and a metric set in my car box.

 

[vibblueser]

Thumbs up on the quadboxes they are definitely a nice tool.

 

[gpalmer77]

I have the Craftsman cross-force reversibles, pretty nice..... comfortable in your hand when the going gets tough, even though you're not supposed to be using ratcheting wrenches when the going gets tough! Lol. As other people mentioned, the offset is nice on a reversible, as is being able to go the other way if you back out into something, or you need to free a jammed fastener.

I'm a metric guy mostly, so I spend my money there and buy SAE wrenches when the deals are good. I bought a set of the cross forces, then topped up with individual wrenches in the missing sizes and ones I wanted to repeat. So I have two 10mms, and I had to fill in the missing 15 or 16mm one.

I mostly use 10mm, 12, 13, 15, 16 and 17. Anything bigger and I find I'm using a regular box end wrench...... a few things are 21 and 22...... but they are knuckle busters and I need two wrenches hooked together for torque. Not doing that on a ratchet!

 

[bcradio]

.....a few things are 21 and 22...... but they are knuckle busters and I need two wrenches hooked together for torque. Not doing that on a ratchet!

You need the right ratchet my friend.

I usually use my straight non-reversible gearwrench ratcheting wrench sets I got from Sears. About a year ago, I got on a ratcheting wrench kick and went out and got: Half moon reversible sets, S-shaped reversible sets, flex sets, locking flex sets, stubby locking flex sets, and standard sets... all in SAE and Metric.

I went a little overboard I think.

 

[03protege]

I've been eyeing up the williams flex head reversible on amazon, made in USA if I understand correctly

 

[bchee]

I just missed an SAE and MM set of Craftsman double boxes on ebay by a day.

I've never seen a FINE tooth Craftsman double box ratcheting. Are you sure they were fine tooth?

 

[zjrog]

Bradio, I've been on the verge of such an obsession a few times. Luckily, I usually find a good reason not to go QUITE so overboard... That being said...

My first ratcheting wrences weren't very good 30 years ago. And that experience kept me from buying any more since. Until this past summer when I bought that Sears 20 piece GearWrench set. They have been super handy, and I even got a Sears Sort-A-Tool tray for them... Getting ready to order the wrenches the tray shows as gaps (7,9,11,19). I hate seeing the empty spots. Just needed to learn to loosen tight fasteners first, then ratchet them out.

 

[pipsters]

I've never seen a FINE tooth Craftsman double box ratcheting. Are you sure they were fine tooth?

They were the ones on the bottom left of your pic. I've used the stamped steel ones before in your pics as well and they completely ****, but I was under the impression the fully enclosed ones were decent.

 

[bchee]

pawless design