Snap-on XFRM wrenches. Who has them?
- Thread starter Greg5OH
- Start date
Ton ton
Well-known member
They don't look reversible to me.
bob15
Well-known member
what do you suppose happens if you flip the wrench over?
Ton ton
Well-known member
Great point, Bob 15.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
What do you suppose happens if you can't flip the wrench over?
Radio Flyer
Well-known member
Yup!
Matco guys comes by with his version of them. He was raving about how good they were, and that everyone was buying them. He then goes to demonstrate how cool they are, and proceeded get it jammed in a pump house of a firetruck. It took few minutes with a pryer and hammer to remove it. I passed.
General Geoff
Well-known member
Yeah, reverse switches are a godsend in tight spots
Handyandy23
Well-known member
Is there an issue with the GearWrench set you previously bought that makes you want to upgrade? Just curious.
To me flex head wrenches are a PITA to use and I only use mine if I absolutely have to (which is rarely), but I do really like the XL wrenches without the flex. If the Snap On's don't have any extra features (like reversible) then it would be hard for me to justify buying them personally.
To me flex head wrenches are a PITA to use and I only use mine if I absolutely have to (which is rarely), but I do really like the XL wrenches without the flex. If the Snap On's don't have any extra features (like reversible) then it would be hard for me to justify buying them personally.
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
I have them and the GW splines. I grab the SO if I gotta flex and break free, otherwise it's the fixed end of GW to break free.
The SO are very nice though, never had one break and have pulled pretty hard on the smaller sizes. Handy for driveline stuff and caliper bracket type stuff.
As for the lack of reverse, it's like I tell my students...EVERYONE does it once, stupid people do it more than once!
The SO are very nice though, never had one break and have pulled pretty hard on the smaller sizes. Handy for driveline stuff and caliper bracket type stuff.
As for the lack of reverse, it's like I tell my students...EVERYONE does it once, stupid people do it more than once!
VolvoRyan
Well-known member
This.
Flex-heads just require you putting the right "English" on the wrench to keep it engaged on the fastener before you pull.
-Ryan
Yeah, I've done this once- I had read warnings here about this, but I still screwed up. I was able to thread in the bolt and recover. I have these wrenches by Ez-Red, Tekton, and Mountain, and the only ones that reverse are the Mountain with the extended ring.
sweet victory
Well-known member
I have them and they are exactly what you would expect in regards to snap on ratcheting wrench quality, superb.
Regarding getting stuck in a spot...the only way you'll get stuck is if it's a shouldered bolt backing into something else. If it's not a shouldered bolt, just slip the wrench forward over the threads and screw it in till you can slide the wrench out.
I would prefer a stronger single direction ratcheting mechanism on these over a weaker selectable ratcheting mechanism.
Regarding getting stuck in a spot...the only way you'll get stuck is if it's a shouldered bolt backing into something else. If it's not a shouldered bolt, just slip the wrench forward over the threads and screw it in till you can slide the wrench out.
I would prefer a stronger single direction ratcheting mechanism on these over a weaker selectable ratcheting mechanism.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
That still doesnt answer the question, What if you cant?
There is no question of the quality/strength/beauty of these wrenches. They are basically Dual 80s. Maybe some day they will offer them with the reversible mechanism found in the ratcheting combos. That would be super.
i would sell alot of stuff for that kind of wrench.
Regarding the GW wrenches. Only thing I dont like Is they tend to want to round the corners of softer bolts.
I almost got stuck on a bolt but thankfully was able to pry is out. I really only use them to break a fastener free, bend the wrench and i keep a finger on the bolt head as im spinning, 2 reasons- keep the wrench head on the bolt, and to know when i have adequate clearance to pull the wrench off.
Regarding the GW wrenches. Only thing I dont like Is they tend to want to round the corners of softer bolts.
I almost got stuck on a bolt but thankfully was able to pry is out. I really only use them to break a fastener free, bend the wrench and i keep a finger on the bolt head as im spinning, 2 reasons- keep the wrench head on the bolt, and to know when i have adequate clearance to pull the wrench off.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Dont get me wrong, these wrenches are awesome. The thick beefed up flex joint is no doubt incredibly strong, but it also increases the chances of getting it stuck.
Mohawk Dave
Well-known member
I use and love the Gearwrench ones...And I would still take those over the Snappy ones because I can use the box end to break the fastener loose, then use the ratchet side...(I've never had a problem with them being inferior and rounding hardware and I've cranked on them pretty dang hard on the race truck hardware.) (Also, just to be clear, I'm a Snap on fan and own more Snappy than probably needed)
It's this:
GearWrench 120XP Universal Spline XL Flex Head GearBox Ratcheting Metric Wrench Set 86126
www.gearwrench.com
It's this:
GearWrench 120XP Universal Spline XL Flex Head GearBox Ratcheting Metric Wrench Set 86126
86126 10 Pc. 120XP™ Universal Spline XL Flex Head GearBox™ Ratcheting Metric Wrench Set - Gearwrench
Count on GEARWRENCH to get the job done. Get the 86126 10 Pc. 120XP™ Universal Spline XL Flex Head GearBox™ Ratcheting Metric Wrench Set here.
Snapped-off
Well-known member
I use and love the Gearwrench ones...And I would still take those over the Snappy ones because I can use the box end to break the fastener loose, then use the ratchet side...(I've never had a problem with them being inferior and rounding hardware and I've cranked on them pretty dang hard on the race truck hardware.)
It's this:
GearWrench 120XP Universal Spline XL Flex Head GearBox Ratcheting Metric Wrench Set 86126
86126 10 Pc. 120XP™ Universal Spline XL Flex Head GearBox™ Ratcheting Metric Wrench Set - Gearwrench
Count on GEARWRENCH to get the job done. Get the 86126 10 Pc. 120XP™ Universal Spline XL Flex Head GearBox™ Ratcheting Metric Wrench Set here.
I have those on order. They're replacing the fixed GW version. They'll show up someday...
The snappy wrenches do look nice though.. maybe a promo will roll around.
I think the point of the snappy ones is a strong mechanism to avoid having to swap ends. Crack bolts loose with 1 end.I use and love the Gearwrench ones...And I would still take those over the Snappy ones because I can use the box end to break the fastener loose, then use the ratchet side...(I've never had a problem with them being inferior and rounding hardware and I've cranked on them pretty dang hard on the race truck hardware.) (Also, just to be clear, I'm a Snap on fan and own more Snappy than probably needed)
It's this:
GearWrench 120XP Universal Spline XL Flex Head GearBox Ratcheting Metric Wrench Set 86126
86126 10 Pc. 120XP™ Universal Spline XL Flex Head GearBox™ Ratcheting Metric Wrench Set - Gearwrench
Count on GEARWRENCH to get the job done. Get the 86126 10 Pc. 120XP™ Universal Spline XL Flex Head GearBox™ Ratcheting Metric Wrench Set here.
Mohawk Dave
Well-known member
If they do handle big power, then they definitely pique my interest. I know I over abuse my big 25" long Snappy 1/2" ratchet, but those gears have more meat on them... I think there is also some old-memory-fear of having a geared wrench fail and busting knuckles.....maybe that creates some subconscious hesitation and apprehension, lol.
I've no great love for ratcheting flex heads. To me the XDLRM High Performance Ratcheting Box wrench looks a lot more useful:
Eye-watering expensive thou, around $700 for a full set
I'm the opposite- I have a set of the original Gearwrench fixed ratcheting wrenches and haven't touched them since I got flex heads.
kbeefy
Well-known member
I have several sets of both fixed and flex head ratchet wrenches, they each have their place and get used when the situation warrants.
My first set of gearwrenches were non reversible double ended zero offset. I got them in 1997 and they are still my go to wrench when I can use them. You do have to be aware, they can get themselves stuck. I've been close, but haven't lost one yet!
The reversible ones with the button on the side can 'self reverse' by bumping things. My only complaint about them.
My first set of gearwrenches were non reversible double ended zero offset. I got them in 1997 and they are still my go to wrench when I can use them. You do have to be aware, they can get themselves stuck. I've been close, but haven't lost one yet!
The reversible ones with the button on the side can 'self reverse' by bumping things. My only complaint about them.