What is the consensus here?
1) ratchet on other end of open end wrench?
2) both ends ratchet
3) offset or straight?
1) ratchet on other end of open end wrench?
2) both ends ratchet
3) offset or straight?
Box end ratchet wrenches
- Thread starter Donald
- Start date
I can't make up my mind...
I only have the box end ratchet / open end.
My next purchase will be stubby version. Both end box if possible but we will see.
I would love a set of double box end long like @JeffKeryk is showing above.
My next purchase will be stubby version. Both end box if possible but we will see.
I would love a set of double box end long like @JeffKeryk is showing above.
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2025
- Messages
- 656
I haven't needed any so far, but I'm thinking about getting a long flex end to reach one of the transmission mount nuts.
I'm not embarrassed to buy one single wrench. It would be a Snap-on like JeffKeryk has in 18mm.
I'm not embarrassed to buy one single wrench. It would be a Snap-on like JeffKeryk has in 18mm.
These are the two styles I use most often:
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Fla...tcheting-Wrench-Set-(8-10,-12–19-mm)/XFRRM705
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Rat...-Combination-Wrench-Set-(10–19-mm)/SOXRRM710A
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Fla...tcheting-Wrench-Set-(8-10,-12–19-mm)/XFRRM705
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Rat...-Combination-Wrench-Set-(10–19-mm)/SOXRRM710A
I like my set of mid-short length flex head ratchets with the other end open. They are super handy for spinning on and off bolts that I can't easily get too with the impact. I use a dead blow hammer on the open end to break loose stubborn bolts, or put a pipe over them.
The odd time the ratchet end is too fat to fit, so pay attention to the smaller sizes as I'm sure some sets optimize the box end size for each wrench.
This set just ratchets the one way so you flip them to reverse. These are Can tire branded Mastercraft Maximum, but they might be gearwrench in the US, Apex tools makes them I believe. Can tire warranties them for life, so I just use/abuse them to get the jobs done, and no problems yet.
The odd time the ratchet end is too fat to fit, so pay attention to the smaller sizes as I'm sure some sets optimize the box end size for each wrench.
This set just ratchets the one way so you flip them to reverse. These are Can tire branded Mastercraft Maximum, but they might be gearwrench in the US, Apex tools makes them I believe. Can tire warranties them for life, so I just use/abuse them to get the jobs done, and no problems yet.
Last edited:
I have flex head ratchet/open Tektons that work well. I also just picked up these, both ends boxed/ratchet, but different sizes on each end, long panel. I think I’m going to like them quite well. Flex heads make a big difference for me.
EDIT: Harbor Freight has their parking lot sale going on right now. 35% off ICON wrenches.
Those cost more than my first house!
Well more than my first car.
Nice sets though for sure.
I got most of the SO tools the hard way; I inherited them. My older brother died at 44 from cancer. He owned and operated Comprehensive Mechanics in Santa Cruz, CA, near the University. Greg left me his hand tools. I believe one of our BITOG contributors is a Banana Slug; the school's unofficial mascot.
The flex Icons were a recommendation from @Trav; so I had 100% confidence they would be up to the task.
By the way, the bigger Snappys are in a lower drawer (every tool is a hammer) and the SAE wrenches are in another box.
He who dies with the most tools wins! I love these tools; it's like my brother is instructing me to go along with the way they feel in my hand.
The flex Icons were a recommendation from @Trav; so I had 100% confidence they would be up to the task.
By the way, the bigger Snappys are in a lower drawer (every tool is a hammer) and the SAE wrenches are in another box.
He who dies with the most tools wins! I love these tools; it's like my brother is instructing me to go along with the way they feel in my hand.
I believe they make Duralast at AutoZone as well. They always seem nice.
Ive got them all. My most used are a toss up between the ratcheting box/open end and my extra long flex heads. The Flex heads I use most are reversible but I have a set of non-reversible extra long flex heads that have a slimmer head . That said I have flex heads, stubby flex heads, no flex stubbys and about any other one you can think of. They all have their place and I use them all from time to time.
Really you need all of the above.....but if I had only one choice it would be ratcheting opposable on one side and open on the other side
As shade tree mechanics most of us do not have every version of tools. My take on it is that you probably already have regular metric and sae combo wrenches for most work. Buying the flex head ratcheting wrenches gives you a different tool that helps in more instances that your regular wrenches don't fit. The flex head will work flat or offset.
With some other gadgets, they can act as a low clearance socket wrench in really tight places:
Last edited:
I say its good to have a variety of everything never know what you'll run into. Back row is that the Mountain universal spline ratchet wrench set?
I do not like the reversing lever style as I'm always hitting the lever into the wrong direction in tight spots.
That said I'm on tool addiction recovery now after hitting the 3 rollaway mark.
That said I'm on tool addiction recovery now after hitting the 3 rollaway mark.
I'm thinking SK or GearWrench. Craftsman only seems to offer a 7 piece set. SK and GearWrench offer 11 piece set (for SAE or Metric).
Nice sets. But if I could afford those I could afford to hire a mechanic.
as a technician I have stubby flex head ratchet wrenches. Regular length fixed ratchet wrenches. I also have regular length flex ratchet wrenches and super long double box and flex ratchet wrenches with the offset. I use them all constantly depending on what I'm doing
Icon, which are on sale now. As posted, @Trav recommended them. Otherwise I would not have considered them.
