Ultra-smooth combination ratcheting wrenches?

[miketyler]

Before I changed careers and left the aviation industry some 15 years ago, one of the mechanics had just bought a set of these combination wrenches. They were non-descript really, looked to be of pretty decent quality and I want to say he said had bought them from some auto parts store. (In that shop if it wasnt Snap-on or MAC most mechanics didnt want to be seen using it.) The name didn't stand out to me but the quality and feel of the ratcheting box end on the wrenches did. The action on these were SOOO smooth and you could not feel ANY detents.These would catch with even the slightest movement.

Since I left the job I dont know how well they held up. I would like to find a set of these now. Does anyone know about these that I am describing?

 

[chris142]

I've never seen them. I'm curius though. I do have a mac ratchet w/o teeth. It has some sort of clutch in its head.

 

[sk farmer]

15 years ago? almost had to be blackhawk. probably came packed in a nice little rectangular red box with a white plastic divider.

 

[Wakefield]

I see that Sears sold or sells "pawless ratcheting wrench"
probably some kind of sprag clutch in it
probably not reversable (unless you count turning the wrench over and putting it back on)

 

[miketyler]

Thanks for all the responses. After doing some Googling I'm thinking it may have been GearWrench brand. I dont mind flipping to reverse. Regardless I have found myself in some tight spots lately and wanted to find out about these. Think I will check out a set of the Craftsman.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Do your research before buying. All the current Craftsman ratcheting wrenches are now China. I like my new set of Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches (Taiwan) I got from Sears at half price, but they're definitely not as smooth as you're describing.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Been using the current crafty ratchet wrenches. No problems.

As far smooth?? They seem to be about the same as gearwrench, titan and older crafty flex head sets I have.

 

[CWP1616L]

The real smooth geared wrenches are the ones made by KABO. They're easy to spot by their brass screw on the side of the mechanism. Cornwell stamps their name on them and so does Blackhawk.

 

[wvrrcarknocker]

I like my Armstrong reversibles. They aren't well known in my shop, so they tend not to walk off like any of the truck brands do. I think they are like 60 tooth, but could be higher. Not as cheap as Gearwrench though

 

[Snapped-off]

Blue-Point has a really smooth ratcheting wrench, I'm not sure how many teeth it has, but it feels a lot smoother than Snap-on's ratcheting wrenches.

 

[FLRover]

Snap On announced a new set on Facebook. Might be smoother. But its $364 I believe.

 

[BFBOB]

Do your research before buying. All the current Craftsman ratcheting wrenches are now China.

Not all ... just yesterday I took in a broken ratcheting non reversing standard RP 10mm; they replaced it with a long pattern full polish (fully polished for the grammar nazis) wrench made in USA and prominently stamped so. Regular price for the single wrench $17.05!

 

[Hammer1963]

I have a set of double box end wrenches that I picked up on a lark about 20 years ago. They are made in Taiwan, but have no name on them. Just some random numbers. I have used them many times after breaking the bolt or nut loose first. My best guess is they are gearless friction style. They sound a lot like you are describing.

 

[Wakefield]

"Gearless Ratchet" brings up some results in the Search function. I imagine the gearless mechanism would be similar in ratcheting wrenches as in drive ratchets.
roller or sprag mechanism?

 

[miketyler]

Gearless is a better term to search by, thanks for that. Sometimes we miss the obvious. Anyone used Grizzly tools? Just saw this set of gearless ratchet wrenches. Website looks to be US based but country of origin could be otherwise. Pretty cheap at $25/set

Also using your search preference, found this discussion regarding design that that originated here back in 2007.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9592

 

[RCRGarage]

Not all ... just yesterday I took in a broken ratcheting non reversing standard RP 10mm; they replaced it with a long pattern full polish (fully polished for the grammar nazis) wrench made in USA and prominently stamped so. Regular price for the single wrench $17.05!

I believe you were handed old stock. The Sears around here switched to China ratcheting wrenches a year and a half ago. Without knowing where you live, I'd guess its not in a busy city type place.

 

[air]

Blue-Point has a really smooth ratcheting wrench, I'm not sure how many teeth it has, but it feels a lot smoother than Snap-on's ratcheting wrenches.

I have a set of Blue Points I use for my old Vette. I don't find them that much different than my Gearwrench flexers quite frankly. I like them though...

 

[KnurledNut]

Before I changed careers and left the aviation industry some 15 years ago, one of the mechanics had just bought a set of these combination wrenches. They were non-descript really, looked to be of pretty decent quality and I want to say he said had bought them from some auto parts store. (In that shop if it wasnt Snap-on or MAC most mechanics didnt want to be seen using it.) The name didn't stand out to me but the quality and feel of the ratcheting box end on the wrenches did. The action on these were SOOO smooth and you could not feel ANY detents.These would catch with even the slightest movement.

Since I left the job I dont know how well they held up. I would like to find a set of these now. Does anyone know about these that I am describing?

How about these? They seem to be high quality.

http://www.bgstechnic.de/category.php?id=209