Stubby Wrenches

[mobiledynamics]

Ordering 1st set of Stubby wrenches.
Should I go boxes or ratcheting for a 1st addition to the stash..

 

[volvo92906]

Box. They hold up better. Ratcheting is good.. but if you need the strength of a wrench but shorter for space, solid is better.

 

[bimmer630]

Also, the actual girth/size of the box end on ratcheting wrenches sometimes inhibits the tool from actually fitting in the space around the fastener

 

[shoturtle]

ratcheting are nice. But for breaking a nut loose where a regular length will not fix, I would go with the box head first, then add the ratcheting later. And if you get reversing ratcheting, you may have a bit more difficulty fitting them in really tight areas.

 

[Gabastone]

I cannot image pulling that hard on a stubby. I would get the ratcheting ones...

 

[Deafautotech]

I own both and always use box end to break loose or tight up but use ratcheting to speed up or speed down.. Tools are my investment so I like to own both..

 

[cundifc]

Anyone have sk stubbies? How do they compare to like snapon or matco?

 

[wxm]

Anyone have sk stubbies? How do they compare to like snapon or matco?

I have a standard set. Love it. I specially like the feel of the SK Superkrome's box end. That's just me.

 

[Armstrong1720]

Every time i need a stubby its so tight that a ratcheting one will not fit. For me theres never enough room between the bolt/nut against what ever is there against it

 

[MattPersman]

I am the opposite I only use stubbies in the ratcheting variety. Put it on the nut or bolt and if its too tight to get my arm in there and push or pull then I push or pull against it with a pry bar or whatever else I can fit in there

 

[shocksandstrutz]

i just bought both SAE and METRIC 8pc gearwrench ratcheting stubbies from SEARS for 35 each.....also have the regular. love the ratcheting and it comes in handy a lot for my with tight spaces and not having to take the wrench off to turn the bolt more

 

[Davefr]

Anyone have sk stubbies? How do they compare to like snapon or matco?

Yes, similar quality.

I'd always start with std. wrench sets before going ratchet, but that's just me.

 

[truckwrench1]

For the price the craftsman professionals are awesome I have both metric and standard, and save some money here you will never get enough torque on a stubby to warrant the high dollar ones just my. 02 cents.. Just stay away from the user cap and you will be just fine

 

[Farmall450]

I have gearwrench stubbys...I only really use them for pneumatic fittings, etc, but they're still awesome to have.

 

[Murphy4570]

I have the cheap HF stubbies. Work well enough when I need them. Ground out the open end of the 1" one to fit Ford EGR nuts, works like a charm. Been thinking about welding on a 3/8" square drive piece to use it as a crows foot wrench too, can be a PITA even with a stubby wrench sometimes.

Some tools you really don't need Snap-On quality. Stubby wrenches are one of them, IMO.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

i have sk stubbies I really like them.

 

[plinker]

I have a metric Williams set (USA), An import Williams set 3/8 to 3/4, Gearwrench from 13/16 to 15/16, and homemade jobs from 1" to 1-1/4.

I've found you can get a fair amount of torque from them, but nowhere near that of a long combo wrench. I mostly use mine for air line fittings and hydraulic lines.

 

[ddo]

Big fan of the ratcheting stubbies. Provide more access than a standard ratcheting wrench without handle getting in the way and for speeding something off, they are the right length where you get tons of motion with little action in the hands - similar to choking up on a standard ratcheting wrench. Id go mid grade to premium on the ratcheting stubbies and any old thing will do with standard stubbies - HF, etc. There will be minimal torque on a 4" wrench so quality does not matter much. On the ratcheting stubbies, I'd consider a flex head version as you will generally use these in low clearance areas to begin with and the flex can help a bit.

 

[txz28]

Anyone have sk stubbies? How do they compare to like snapon or matco?

I have the SK in both SAE and metric. I am just a weekend warrior, but they meet my needs.

I also have have a set of gearwrench stubbies and they have also worked well.