Your thoughts on the reversible ratcheting wrenches, These things are really calling my name lately Options

[enderswift]

so, over the course of the past two years i've slowly built up a pretty complete tool collection. I feel like I have the right tool for just about any job

I would love to get my hands on some snap-on/matco/sk tools but they are waaay to expensive for what i plan on doing. Thats why most of my tools are of the craftsman variety and I have had no problems with them whatsoever. Please dont turn this into a brand loyalty thread, everyone has their opinion on tools. I happen to like the value found in craftsman.

anyway, one of the things i hate most about regular wrenches is that they can be a real PITA to use. For example imagine a hard to reach bolt that is tucked way the hell off in the most awkward place possible. You feel around with your hand and then try to shimmy in the wrench after. Eventually when you manage to you get the wrench on the bolt, a lack of space only allows you to turn it about a quarter before you have to reset the wrench, all the while your body is screaming in pain. THIS TAKES FOREVER and usually puts me in a bad mood. Dont get me started on putting the bolt back on

for a situation like this, those reversible ratcheting wrenches would be amazing. 5 degree arc, no more resetting, and waaaay faster ratcheting wrenches(ignore the price, they go for alot cheaper on ebay)

honestly these seem worth replacing my regular wrenches just for the amount of irritation they save. The only thing that bothers me is whether or not they can handle torque.
Is this one of those things where you have to break the bolt loose with the open end and THEN use the box end to finish the job? or do these wrenches actually hold up?

btw, im not talking about the crossforce reversible ratcheting wrenches, just the regular reversible ones. (crossforce is a gimmick in my book)

your thoughts please

This post has been edited by enderswift: Jan 10, 2009 - 11:22 AM

[soulshadow]

I think they are pretty decent, I have a few set myself but I tend to lose my own tools in my own shop plz don't ask why.

They can take quite a beating but you shouldn't really abuse them tho, ( Turning a stubborn bolt with them using a hammer to hit the wrench)
They last just as good as a ratchet wrench, provided you didn't buy some cheap china made tools. They are very handy because you never have to take them off the bolts like the regular ones. Good for tight spots or being under the car. I would just get a set from 8mm-14. Anything beyond that requires a bigger tool.

[enderswift]

thanks for the reply. What brand of ratchet wrenches do you use? Any experience with the craftsmans? the reason i ask is because i broke an ace hardware model the other day w/o even applying that much load... *note to self: stay away from ace tools.

[Hanyo]

Depending on the the project i am working on and what is needed to be done.

A simple tune up I always use the cheap china made tool sets.

But if its something hardcore, such as an engine rebuild. I use my snap on tools.


I think those reversible are a good idea, But they will never replace the normal wrenches. There have been times where i had to take a grinder and modify the wrenches i have so they would fit.
The reversible wrenches are good if you can use them. But some of the situations, the thicker reversible mechanism will get in the way.

[MaskedMan]

I have a set of these, and they have already proven to be very helpful. I am a Toyota tech and I use these everyday, so they can take a beating. They are able to handle a good amount of torque, and haven't had any problems with them at all. The only complications I can think of is that the ends are a little thicker than a normal wrench, so some bolts are out of reach. But I can't really complain about them, I would highly recommend them.

[lagos]

I have a set of the gearwrech ones. They rock. Very handy and never hand an issues with breaking them. The craftsman ones are even stronger then the ones I have.

[enderswift]

yea the thicker profile is a drawback, but when compared to a regular wrench theres only a 1-2 mm difference. Lagos, i read on a tool forum that the craftsmans and gearwrenches are made by the same company. I think its called Danaher, so you might have better wrenches than you thought

[presure2]

they work very well, provided you arnt using them to break loose bolts with high torque settings.
the open end on the craftsman set i have pretty much suck, they tend to round off nuts.
if i cant break it loose with the racheting side, i use either my normal wrenches, or break out the snap on or cornwell offset wrenches depending on the situation.
the snap-on and cornwell gearwrenches are alot more expensive, but they are a much better tool.
smaller degree of movement between clicks, higher torque capacity, and the awesome flank drive system on the open end is where its AT.
but unless you use them to make a living, i cant see spending the money on them.

[Stambo]

i dont have any problems with them, they help a lot in my opinion

[Lil-Joe101]

I've got two, lol havent let me down yet.

[enderswift]

sweet, now i know what im spending my tax return on

heres an idea, since the ratcheting wrench's have a 5 degree arc, wouldn't it have made sense to make them into 6 point instead of 12? you wouldn't sacrifice very much mobility because of the ratcheting mechanism, but you would gain a whole bunch of bite on the bolt. It just seems like that would save a few headaches along the way..

do these already exist?

[x_itchy_b_x]

get a set! nothing is hard if you have the right tools.

[stetsonaw]

i have this set...
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_0...;sName=Wrenches

picked it up for $54 @ AAFES, i love these wrenches, use them all the time.

[enderswift]

thanks for the opinions guys. now i know what im spending my tax return on

[Agent21]

I got a flex head metric Thorsen set from big lots for $40. Best deal ever. I use the hell out of them every time I pop the hood they come out. Cheapest I have found is Gear Wrench at Northern Tool for I think $79? for a set of 7.

[edm747]

Ratcheting wrenches makes the job easier. But don't use them to 'break off' stubborn bolts, use a regular wrench instead then when it budges, use the ratchet especially on long bolts. T-wrenches are also nice for your tool collection.

[Fastbird]

I absolutely cannot live without my reversible ratcheting wrenches. I had been pining over them for a few months and my wife surprised me with both the standard and metric 8 pc Craftsman sets about 4 years ago now for christmas. Let me tell you, those buggers have seen some action. I use those more than any other tool.

[BLINKYxMUNKEY]

I've got a set of Blue Points of the Snap On truck and I love them. They really help in small spaces.
I also love my Snap On racheting screwdriver.

This post has been edited by BLINKYxMUNKEY: Feb 4, 2009 - 10:32 AM

[garin]

yeah these are nice wrenches. they are nice foe small areas where there isn't much room. mine are craftsman.

[blu94gt]

I have a set of the gearwrech ones. They rock. Very handy and never hand an issues with breaking them. The craftsman ones are even stronger then the ones I have.

I also have the Gearwrench ones. Survived working as a mechanic. They are a lifesaver when working in tight spots.

Mine are the non-reversible though, I never really came across a situation where the reversible feature would have been worth the extra money. It takes the same amount of effort to pull the wrench off and turn it around.