To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Wrench Offset Angles

Zewnten

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 11, 2017
Messages
1,839
Does any one find they often use the offset of the wrench to access a nut or bolt? By this I mean using the inside angle of the box end to reach under something and turn the nut. The wrenches I am considering changing over to are only available in a zero offset so I'm curious if that hinders you, specifically I was looking at a set of used Matco Proswing as fedswrench suggested in a previous thread.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Wamsutta

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 8, 2014
Messages
10,888
Location
Amarillo, Texas
I'll often use both sides of the 10 degree offset on a box end depending on what I'm doing. I'll use the offset pointed down when working with an oil drain plug; or flipped around pointed up for knuckle clearance on something else. But for ratcheting wrenches, I prefer zero offset.
 

ChrisLS8

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 16, 2015
Messages
1,964
I rarely can use zero offset wrenches. I had a set for like 2 years and never found a real use for em so they got sold
 

6PTsocket

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 12, 2014
Messages
4,593
I agree. That is why I would never buy a ratcheting box wrench that has no reverse lever but reverses by flipping it over, unless it is a flex head. It has to be flat, with no offset.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 

Ole Slewfoot

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 22, 2016
Messages
5,098
Location
Freedom, CA
I on the other hand pretty much only pick up my reversible s by mistake.
I have flex heads if I need the offset.
 

RedneckWelder

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 12, 2013
Messages
5,705
Location
The Ghetto Kingdom of Methlandia
All the time. I wouldn’t be without a standard offset combo it is very versatile

Zero offset are specialty. For me they are for reaching down to fan bolts or something like that. I have a set of the gearwrench extra long zero offset there is no way they can replace a normal offset wrench
 

Tonyuk

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2017
Messages
1,539
Location
Scotland
You wont use the long zero-offsets nearly as much as you'll use a standard combo spanner.

I recommend the facom 440 series, the toptul extra-longs, and the gedore XL series.

Sthalwille 14's are great too.

Facom and wera for ratchet spanners.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
OP
Z

Zewnten

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 11, 2017
Messages
1,839
The set I was thinking of getting has the box side offset but the ratcheting is a zero offset. No company I've seen makes a fixed and ratcheting with both ends offset. Maybe I need to cut two wrenches and weld them up the way I want haha.
 

larry_g

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 28, 2007
Messages
16,893
Location
oregon
Maybe I need to cut two wrenches and weld them up the way I want haha.

You wouldn't be the first one. As I have said before, a tool is not sacred, it is just a starting point to be modified as necessary to do the job needing done.

lg
no neat sig line
 

Fedwrench

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Dec 9, 2007
Messages
14,961
Location
Valley of the sun
The old matco Proswing is only zero offset on the ratcheting boxed end side. the fixed boxed end on the other side is offset 15 degrees.:beer:

I have said for many years that someone needs to take the STANDARD LENGTH proswing type wrench and make the ratchet boxed end a flex head and leave the fixed boxed end at 15 degrees offset. There are many long and extra long versions in this style but, no one that i know of, makes it in standard length. :wtf:
 
Last edited:

DFB

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 7, 2016
Messages
5,765
Location
Southern VT/Western Mass
Long, long ago I had bought a small set of thin 0 degree off set Gearwrench brand ratcheting box/open end combo wrenches. As mentioned they are great for that special purpose when needed but otherwise even though they are very smooth and great finish they are my least favorite to use on any regular basis.

For the most part give me a long offset DBE or drop box anyday :D
 
OP
Z

Zewnten

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 11, 2017
Messages
1,839
Well if I need to make my own I better find a wrench with similar dimensions to the Blue Point/Williams reversibles I have. Are the Taiwan made Williams close? These Williams/Blue points are the only ones besides Gearwrench that have reversible in larger sizes, unless someone knows of some other company.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom