They're Back...

[Farmall450]

Remember when Sears had US RP ratcheting open end wrenches?

Well guess what, they're back, better than ever!
Well, not really, they're imported now, and in black oxide (?)

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-10-p...p-00944730000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

 

[Farmall450]

Better yet, you can go on eBay and pay 2X store price for a set, even includes free shipping!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-C...54504152?pt=US_Hand_Tools&hash=item19ed3ee3d8

 

[sal024]

i had actually bought a set last time to try, didn't like them at all

 

[Nanashi]

No need for them. If I am working on a 17mm bolt this is what I do. I'll grabe a 17mm wrench and an 18mm stubby. Brake it loose with the 17mm and use the 18mm stubby as a speed wrench. This work in those situations where you cant get a ratchet wrench or socket.

In other words a wrench that is one size larger always works great for me as a speed wrench.

 

[AndrewV]

Low profile pass through set will work better Nanashi.

But to op. Ty for posting. Still on the fence with these wrenches.

 

[Southern]

Ratcheting end wrench with no moving parts? Pretty sweet.

What's everyone's favorite domestically made brand of these? I need to get some.

But to op. Ty for posting. Still on the fence with these wrenches.

Just my opinion, but why reward this behavior by giving them your money? A lot of people complain about cman sending more and more of their storied production to the orient, but consumers forming a line to gobble up the the cheap Chinese gear is exactly the reason they continue doing it. Help break the cycle.

Unless you literally couldn't care less about COO. Then disregard my $0.02.

 

[sonvolt]

I tried them once, not for me just a clumsy design

 

[PelicanPines]

These wrenches make my OCD itch.

 

[Pumpman1968]

"New black finish with red accents on the ratcheting open end indicates the ratcheting direction."

Just when you thought you would NEVER remember which way to turn a wrench.......Sears has got you covered!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[goodinblack]

I have a set of the originals

I like them....... cause they are longer than the normal raised panel.

I only use them a a box end though. The other end is stupid.

 

[Skin]

Remember when Sears had US RP ratcheting open end wrenches?

Well guess what, they're back, better than ever!
Well, not really, they're imported now, and in black oxide (?)

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-10-p...p-00944730000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

They never left. That style has a little tooth that retracts in the open end. Those have always been Asian made and can still be found in full polish double ratcheting and double open end versions. As far as USA made versions I think you're remembering these Extreme Grip wrenches. The open end design was marketed as high torque as opposed to ratcheting though.

 

[Farmall450]

I have a set of the originals

I like them....... cause they are longer than the normal raised panel.

I only use them a a box end though. The other end is stupid.

Agreed. Never used them for that purpose.

They never left. That style has a little tooth that retracts in the open end. Those have always been Asian made and can still be found in full polish double ratcheting and double open end versions. As far as USA made versions I think you're remembering these Extreme Grip wrenches. The open end design was marketed as high torque as opposed to ratcheting though.

Nope, they definitely had a open end, ratcheting raised panel wrench made in the USA that looks nothing like the above picture.

 

[Jim C.]

Remember when Sears had US RP ratcheting open end wrenches?

Well guess what, they're back, better than ever!
Well, not really, they're imported now, and in black oxide (?)

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-10-p...p-00944730000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

Hey Farmall,

Sears actually used to carry them under the Craftsman name way back in the late 1950s to mid 1960s. They looked a little different than they do today, but they basically worked the same. I think when they first came out there were three sizes (7/16", 1/2", 9/16"). Later, two more sizes were added (3/8" and 5/8"). I can't say that I ever use them, but I guess they could be handy in some circumstances.

Jim C.

 

[Kracin]

noooooooooo


no more ratcheting open end wrenches.....


you lost the ability to flip the wrench in tight spaces, basically sacrificing half the versatility of the open end offset design while barely gaining any speed from not having to take the wrench off to turn it....

 

[djjsr]

I've had a set for several years. I don't think I've ever used them. I don't know why I bought them. At the time, I must have thought they were a good idea. Guess I was wrong.

 

[Farmall450]

Hey Farmall,

Sears actually used to carry them under the Craftsman name way back in the late 1950s to mid 1960s. They looked a little different than they do today, but they basically worked the same. I think when they first came out there were three sizes (7/16", 1/2", 9/16"). Later, two more sizes were added (3/8" and 5/8"). I can't say that I ever use them, but I guess they could be handy in some circumstances.

Jim C.

A select few circumstances. I guess they revisited them in the early 2000s and again now.

noooooooooo


no more ratcheting open end wrenches.....


you lost the ability to flip the wrench in tight spaces, basically sacrificing half the versatility of the open end offset design while barely gaining any speed from not having to take the wrench off to turn it....

My thoughts as well.

I've had a set for several years. I don't think I've ever used them. I don't know why I bought them. At the time, I must have thought they were a good idea. Guess I was wrong.

Same here, I too was sorely wrong.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

This is the older ones the OP is talking about, I remember them being advertised in the late 90s as the next big thing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-CRAFTSMAN-Open-End-by-Ratcheting-VA-Series-Quick-Wrenches-/201097706442?pt=US_Hand_Tools&hash=item2ed25b7bca

-Sam

 

[John in OH]

This is the older ones the OP is talking about, I remember them being advertised in the late 90s as the next big thing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-CRAFTSMAN-Open-End-by-Ratcheting-VA-Series-Quick-Wrenches-/201097706442?pt=US_Hand_Tools&hash=item2ed25b7bca

-Sam

I was given a set of these as a gift some years back (but there are more than 4 wrenches in the set). I keep them in the tool chest and have used them as ratcheting open ends on a few rare occasions. When you need them they are nice, but I'd never spend hard-earned money for them.

 

[Farmall450]

This is the older ones the OP is talking about, I remember them being advertised in the late 90s as the next big thing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-CRAFTSMAN-Open-End-by-Ratcheting-VA-Series-Quick-Wrenches-/201097706442?pt=US_Hand_Tools&hash=item2ed25b7bca

-Sam

Exactly. There are bigger sets too. Thanks for finding good pictures of them.

 

[Skin]

Exactly. There are bigger sets too. Thanks for finding good pictures of them.

They aren't the same though, the ones in your OP and the ones that came out a few years ago like these have a mechanical action via a spring loaded stopped in the open end. They were never USA made. The older ones were just a play on a decades old design.

 

[byoungblood]

noooooooooo


no more ratcheting open end wrenches.....


you lost the ability to flip the wrench in tight spaces, basically sacrificing half the versatility of the open end offset design while barely gaining any speed from not having to take the wrench off to turn it....

Not to mention you have to have a lot of room available to swing the wrench. I had a set and the open ends were practically useless. I sold them off about 5-6 years ago and couldn't hardly give them away at a yard sale, and usually Craftsman stuff sells pretty quickly.

 

[Farmall450]

They aren't the same though, the ones in your OP and the ones that came out a few years ago like these have a mechanical action via a spring loaded stopped in the open end. They were never USA made. The older ones were just a play on a decades old design.

I have US made ones w/out the spring loaded stopper.