Reversible Ratcheting Wrenches vs. Typical Ratcheting Wrenches

[1950mercury]

The Dewalt reversible wrenches are a nice option. They're made in Taiwan and don't skip sizes. The only issues I see with choosing Dewalt over Gearwrench is they currently don't sell wrenches individually, so you wouldn't be able to expand beyond what is offered in the sets, also it's possible you may run into trouble with non-warranty replacement(s).

http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-Reversible-Ratcheting-Metric-Wrench/dp/B00FAE6G68

Cpo outlets has the metrics for 29.99

 

[Sal Bandini]

One other advantage of the reversible ones is that you can't get them "trapped" in a tight spot. I know it doesn't sound very likely, and if it's never happened to you then you mightn't even be able to imagine that it would.

But it really can happen surprisingly easily. You're backing out a bolt with an obstruction behind and suddenly you're backed up up against the obstruction and you can't back it off to get the wrench off the bolt! You can't go forward and you can't go backwards!

It happened to me just a few weeks ago re-hanging a gate. Was backing out a lag screw holding a hing and I got the (non rev) wrench jammed between the gate and the post.

So how do you remove the screw at all if the post in the way. Sounds like a reversible ratcheting and for that matter on open end or standard box end wouldn't take out the screw either.

 

[1982fxr]

sometimes what u just backed it out of slips from weight or whatever, and hole is no longer aligned so you can't just screw it back in to switch to standard open end. ur stuck

 

[dgxlh]

I have all the types of these wrenches and the short and skinny of it all is not one wrench will fit all applications or be the best choice, sometimes the added meat from the reversible get in the way, sometimes the regulars zero offset causes problems, sometimes the added length of the double box causes issues, and other times the flex will have issues with staying put. On the other hand they all have their pros.

If I could only have one set I'd get the regular ones with 0 offset again and build from there. Just my .2 most guys already stated most of this anyway

 

[1950mercury]

http://www.cpooutlets.com/dewalt-dw...8,default,pd.html?start=1&q=dewalt wrench set

 

[winlinmac]

Since its good to also have a set of zero-offset, I'm keeping the double-box ratcheting set I have as they have zero degree offset, whereas the irreversible ratcheting set from Harbor Freight is being returned; there's no need to have both as irreversible ratcheting set is pretty much the same as double-box, but with just one size per wrench; double-box has two sizes on each wrench. Also, I get to keep the flex-ratcheting set for other situations.

I've also ditched the S-type and D-type (half moon) obstruction wrench sets, as I don't have any use for them just yet. Save some money for the long run.

 

[popparoach]

Yeah..

 

[MagnumForce]

I am not a fan of non reversible ratcheting end wrenches, I have backed a nut off too far and gotten myself stuck one too many times.

I bought reversibles and never looked back. There is a place in my box for non reversible flex heads until the price of reversible ones come down.

 

[MagnumForce]

So how do you remove the screw at all if the post in the way. Sounds like a reversible ratcheting and for that matter on open end or standard box end wouldn't take out the screw either.

You use the open end, duh. It happens more than you'd imagine. You may have enough thickness for the nut, but you need enough for the nut and Wrench. With reversible ones you get there and go oops, flip the switch, back the nut down a bit and get your Wrench out, then use the open end or fingers to get it off the final bit. With non reversible you cus, throw something, and break out the cut off wheel.

Anyone who has used those wrenches and hasn't had that happen hasn't worked on much stuff.

 

[uart]

So how do you remove the screw at all if the post in the way. Sounds like a reversible ratcheting and for that matter on open end or standard box end wouldn't take out the screw either.

That's not really a silly question, I can see what you're thinking.

The issue was that there were quite a few obstacles, like a fence and a tree as well as the gate post. So although there was just enough room for the lag screw to back out fully, I simply ran out of room to swing the box end (despite the ratchet), and couldn't get onto it at the angle I needed to be at (it wasn't a flex head).

So by the time I realized that I could no longer make any progress with the box end and that I'd have to turn it around and use the open end to get the last few turns, it was too late, the wrench was stuck on there. I hope that makes sense.

 

[Sal Bandini]

That's not really a silly question, I can see what you're thinking.

The issue was that there were quite a few obstacles, like a fence and a tree as well as the gate post. So although there was just enough room for the lag screw to back out fully, I simply ran out of room to swing the box end (despite the ratchet), and couldn't get onto it at the angle I needed to be at (it wasn't a flex head).

So by the time I realized that I could no longer make any progress with the box end and that I'd have to turn it around and use the open end to get the last few turns, it was too late, the wrench was stuck on there. I hope that makes sense.

Yeah that makes sense.

 

[HanShotFirst]

So I have some Husky non-reversable wrenches, and some Proto reversable. Now obviously he Proto's are better wrenches in every conceivable way, but I have to say, I'll never buy non-reversable again. I might buy some swivel head non-reversables; been thinking about those because every once in a blue moon I run into a situation where that would make life easier.

 

[BottomLineReviews]

So how do you remove the screw at all if the post in the way. Sounds like a reversible ratcheting and for that matter on open end or standard box end wouldn't take out the screw either.

Most of the time it won't, but you can get your wrench back without losing time.

 

[66354dream]

I think both have their place, I agree you cannot get much torque from the flex ratchets without a little persuasion, but when you need them it sure is good to know you have them.

 

[popparoach]

you should try these out,they have worked well for me.https://toolfactor.com/index.php?ro...oduct_id=518&gclid=CJXN2e7HjsgCFUU6gQodQOsGbA

 

[Finky198]

^^^ +1 those are cool we have a small set at the shop they come in extremely handy from time to time... Especially as a ratcheting line wrench

I'm a huge fan of the blue point reversible flex head stubbys I have yet to buy the full length but they a awesome for tight access and assembly Highly recommend

BOERSF708 5/16"-3/4" and BOERMSF712 8mm-19mm

They are also made in Taiwan but feel much heavier and with much better chrome than our other ratcheting wrenches