"standard" use tools vs. "low clearance" tools, PICS

[blackz26]

Well, as my interest in fixing things has evolved, so has my tool weaponry.

Here's some comparison on conventional tools vs. Newer lower clearance tools.

First is comparing a swivel with a socket on it vs a swivel socket. Both ratchets are tear drops with the same thickness. The front is a gear wrench swivel socket. The back is a Carlyle U joint with a Duralast socket. Both are 19mm shallow.

Next is the same set up, but the Carlyle/Duralast is on a pear head ratchet with a little thicker head them a tear drop

Same comparison without any ratchets

Next, is comparing a tear drop ratchet compared to using a kobalt socket cap adapter in a flex gear wrench ratchet wrench.

Now i know why these tools exist. The clearance in some cases is one inch. Invaluable in tight spots. Even the smallest difference is1/8". Which could still be the difference in a quick job, or removing components to get access to the fastener.

Hope this helps someone in a deciding whether or not to buy a new tool.

Then theres also mid depth sockets and so on. Little by little im learning with these tools exist. A few years ago i would have been naive to buying these saying they are a waste of money. No, i havent used the swivel sockets yet, but i understand their use.

 

[Veto]

For better clearance you could use some of those passthrough sockets and ratchet wrench sets. If you want EXTREME clearance then something like this Facom set would probably be the best bet.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00345EN6A/?tag=atomicindustr-21

 

[firebox40dash5]

For better clearance you could use some of those passthrough sockets and ratchet wrench sets. If you want EXTREME clearance then something like this Facom set would probably be the best bet.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00345EN6A/?tag=atomicindustr-21

Just keep in mind in a lot of cases with really tight clearance, you also often can't swing a rigid, straight ratchet (or whatever) much, or at all. Which is why my go-to ratchets are locking flex heads, and I've got flex Gearwrenches and pinless swivel sockets.

 

[Veto]

Just keep in mind in a lot of cases with really tight clearance, you also often can't swing a rigid, straight ratchet (or whatever) much, or at all. Which is why my go-to ratchets are locking flex heads, and I've got flex Gearwrenches and pinless swivel sockets.

Well the ratchet is actually a regular 14mm and 19mm ratcheting wrench. You could just use a flexhead 14mm or 19mm depending on the sizes you need. It's just the inserts that make the difference

Edit: I just read all the stuff I just wrote. Why the hell would someone buy that Facom set when you might as well use regular flex head ratcheting wrenches?!?

 

[blackz26]

For better clearance you could use some of those passthrough sockets and ratchet wrench sets. If you want EXTREME clearance then something like this Facom set would probably be the best bet.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00345EN6A/?tag=atomicindustr-21

I can achieve the same thing with socket cap adapters to fill all my needs. $5 + your choice of ratchet wrench.

And I'm not sure how a pass through set would compare to a swivel socket if you need an angled approach.

 

[firebox40dash5]

Edit: I just read all the stuff I just wrote. Why the hell would someone buy that Facom set when you might as well use regular flex head ratcheting wrenches?!?

Kinda my thought on most of that stuff, doesn't do much unless it's slightly recessed so you can't get a ratcheting wrench onto, but not recessed enough to weasel normal sockets onto. How often does that come up?

 

[toolstools]

Now I need to buy more tools! Thanks z..

 

[Rico.]

Kinda my thought on most of that stuff, doesn't do much unless it's slightly
recessed so you can't get a ratcheting wrench onto, but not recessed enough
to weasel normal sockets onto. How often does that come up?

Ever since I built my workshop and tooled it out I have been thinking the same thing.
Every time I see a pass through socket set or an ultra low profile socket set I can think
of a thousand places where it would be usefull and think about buying a set...

But in reality, in my 25 years of servicing and repairing my own cars and motorcylcles,
and those of my friends and families, there has never been one single instance where an
offset spanner, or a ratcheting flex head spanner or some other tool didn't get the job done.

To directly answer your question... How often does it come up that a fastener is slightly
recessed so you can't get a ratcheting wrench onto it, but not recessed enough to
weasel a socket onto..... In my personal experience, that situation has happened ONCE.
Yes, once in 25 years... and it was taken care of with a deep offset spanner no problem.

The shallow UJ sockets the OP posted definitely have a place, and I think if you're a pro
having a pass through low profile socket set in the tool arsenal couldn't hurt, but I do
wonder if manufacturers sometimes provide clever solutions to problems that don't really
exist.... and to complete my condemnation, come and see me a couple of years and I'll
post some pics of my new set and tell you how wonderful it is...

 

[BK13]

Edit: I just read all the stuff I just wrote. Why the hell would someone buy that Facom set when you might as well use regular flex head ratcheting wrenches?!?

'cause it's tools I don't have?

 

[abvw]

To directly answer your question... How often does it come up that a fastener is slightly
recessed so you can't get a ratcheting wrench onto it, but not recessed enough to
weasel a socket onto..... In my personal experience, that situation has happened ONCE.
Yes, once in 25 years... and it was taken care of with a deep offset spanner no problem.

Pass throughs are amazing when you have to work on rusty sway bar links, not that a GW wouldn't work, but pulling on a ratchet handle beats pulling on a wrench. A GW in any flavour would work, but you end up only having a few clicks to swing between the tabs that the sway bar links mount onto.

 

[Zelatore]

Needed a swivel socket just today on a Crusader Marine exhaust riser.

I do have a set, but of course I didn't have them on the truck with me.

Not enough vertical clearance to get on the nut with a socket/swivel combo.

Not enough room behind the nut to get my gearwrench ratcheting box end on it.

Could get an open end, or the box of my CM RP on it, but due to very limited swing I really needed a 12 pt to go this route.

Finally wrestled it off, but not without chewing up the nut a bit and spending far more time than I should have. I'll remember to throw the swivel sockets in the bag when I put it back on Friday.

http://www.mrcool.us/98126-crusader-risers.html?gclid=CMujvpji3bcCFUfhQgodFCEAZQ

Here's what it looks like. The left side has a couple of long bolts that go in from the top. The problem is the pocket area on the right side that drops over a stud. It was particularly fun doing the side up against the intake since you couldn't swing a full size wrench. Luckily they weren't seized from the salt water environment. On Merc risers I seem to snap as many bolts as come free.

 

[toolstools]

Anyone care to compare kobalt 12 point to gearwrench 6 points?

 

[jmm]

When you mentioned Facom, I thought you'd post up these. They work like a pass-through ratchet or deep offset wrench at the L-shaped end, and at the straight end they can be used as a spinner or t-handle. I actually own the Armstrong pass-through set, which is overkill because I always reach for these first.

 

[Veto]

When you mentioned Facom, I thought you'd post up these. They work like a pass-through ratchet or deep offset wrench at the L-shaped end, and at the straight end they can be used as a spinner or t-handle. I actually own the Armstrong pass-through set, which is overkill because I always reach for these first.

I was giong to post up those but didn't feel they fit in as the do not give that much clearance. But you are right, those things are amazing.