Ratcheting combination wrenches info wanted

[Cholo]

I don't own any ratcheting wrenches but am finding uses for them on one of my motorcycles.

What is generally better?

1) 15% angled ratchet end, straight wrench, or or on a swivel?

2) One where you flip the wrench to go in the opposite direction or one with the lever to switch directions like your standard ratchet when using sockets?

This is the kind of wrench I'm looking at. This one has a 15% angle and has the lever.

This one has the flex head.

Anything else to look for? I know length can be a problem in tight spaces.

Thanks in advance.

 

[eveled]

I like the gear wrench brand. The flat ones you flip over to reverse direction.

 

[Cholo]

I like the gear wrench brand.

I have a Northern Tool a few miles up the road. I like the store for this and that. Here's a set in both SAE and metric. The price is right. They won't be getting heavy work. At this point in my life I'm just tinkering on my bikes.

www.northerntool.com/products/gearwrench-ratcheting-combination-wrench-set-20-pc-sae-and-metric-model-35720-06-114812

Any other suggestions?

 

[eveled]

That is the set I have. The standard one has been used hard and never failed.

They are a little thin, the open end can spread if pushed hard, at least one I had to wack with a hammer to close it up a little. The ratchet end seems unbreakable.

 

[Jeepnik]

NOt what you are for, but you gotta get one of these.
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/products/3050-20

 

[Mike J]

I have used both the flat gear wrenches you have to flip over & the angled ones that reverse. They are both fine & which is better could depend on exactly what you are doing & where you are doing it.
I haven't used one of the little battery wrenches Jeepnik posted but my experience with Milwaukee battery tools makes me like them. That is what a contractor I worked for a lot provided us with.

 

[wheelgun1958]

Snap on sells a good one, but they're pricy. Harbor freight sells a cheap one and is warranted the same as the snap on.

 

[Cholo]

Cheap as in their ICON line or their Pittsburg line? I've read their ICON line is top rated. At my age a lifetime warranty might extend for 5 years or so LOL

 

[hittman]

I've texted a couple of friends who own motorcycle shops ….. will let you know

EDIT: One guy already says gear wrench / straight

 

[Mobuck]

Son has a set of the Pittsburg ratcheting wrenches. He did break the 3/4" one but was putting a lot of torque on it. I don't like the flat ones--they're hard on knuckles.

 

[WAYNO]

I have used gear wrenches but they are only useful to me when access or amount of room dictates their use. There is no one-wrench-fits-all application.

 

[Randyzzz]

The Gear Wrench straight gets the most use here, but I’m all automotive. The angled ones are nice but I prefer the flat n

 

[hittman]

There is no one-wrench-fits-all application.

Same thing my second guy said. But added ( as always ) buy the best quality you can afford if you’re really gonna use them.

 

[Cholo]

I have used gear wrenches but they are only useful to me when access or amount of room dictates their use.

It's all about the amount the room.

This all came about when I bought a new Triumph Bonneville T120. It's old school, and I'm okay with that. I could buy special Snap-On open ended wrenches to adjust the chain, but you can't realistically do it with a chain cleaning and lubing. To do it right you have to remove the mufflers and passenger pegs. That's where it gets tight, very tight.

I did get by with a regular 12mm box wrench, but how much time could I save with a ratchet box wrench? Anything that makes this chore easier I'm all for.

Chain and wheel after the dealer serviced my chain at the 900 mile service. This was in GA's high pollen season. The lube spray is purely what the Triumph dealer used. You'll see a before I serviced the chain and after I serviced the chain. It looks the same 800 miles later. Day and night. I need the tools to make this unpleasant task easier. I do admit I felt pretty good with the results :)

 

[gunzo]

I have 2 sets both in metric & sae. one set is flat & have to flip. it over for reverse rotation. bought on the cheap & wished I had sprung for the 15 deg gearwrench with the lever. Finally caught a double set of those on sale & very happy with them. Used them just yesterday & they helped greatly with the task.

Swivel heads on any wrench have their place but unless really needed I've always found them troublesome.

 

[Jeepnik]

Cholo, jobs like that need creatively "enhanced" wrenches. I've got a tool box full of modified tools. I made the last one a month or so ago.

 

[arfmel]

Link to a thorough test and review of several brands of ratcheting wrenches:



Spoiler: if cost is any issue, Gear Wrench and Tekton are recommended

 

[Cholo]

Great test, thanks! I've watched Project Farm's tests for years and they're the best of the best!

 

[redfernclan]

I have a set of each. Usually grab the angled first because that's what I'm used to with a regular combo wrench. There are times when I can only use the straight one so they both have their purpose. I turned wrenches for a living so over time, you end up whit a lot of tools. There are usally work arounds but sometimes not. You buy more tools when you get tired of the work arounds.

 

[Yaworski]

FWIW, I've never liked the flexhead wrenches. For me, they always flexed at the wrong time.

I have a set of offset and straight and I rarely use either. I also have a set of ratcheting open end wrenches and rarely use those too.

Maybe I got them too late in life.

 

[Cholo]

For me, they always flexed at the wrong time.

That's exactly what I thought just looking at them.

 

[bobski]

dang. im still using 70 year old tools and now i feel old.

 

[Killer Bee]

although a confirmed Snap-on snob as a heavy junk mechanic by trade, I was persuaded by co-workers to try Gearwrenches years ago and actually found them to be much sturdier than I expected and great time savers.

I still rely on Snap-on chrome to break the tough ones loose and save my knuckles to fight another day, but Gearwrenches are great for faster nut running where sockets are impractical.

I have standard and metric Gearwrenches, in long pattern and shorties plus a few specials for specific jobs.

flat / angled / swivel is personal preference. My Snap-on combos are angled enough to break anything I'm working on, flat Gearwrenches have worked great for me. I'm not a fan of most swivel wrenches, leading cause of skin loss. I do have a nice set of locking Snap-on ratchets, but then they lock on the desired angle.

hope that helps and good luck with your tool selections and projects!

my common size standards have a lot of miles on them, the finish is worn completely off the nine stinks

gratuitous shot of Snap-on chrome

 

[WanderLust]

I have a discontinued brand that pivots but has a lever that locks the position. I made my living with tools so it mattered.
I like the angled Gearwrench brand or the flex heads. Both are solid.

 

[RoninPA]

A good mechanic has good tools, cheap tools do not help a so-so mechanic get better.

I have my dad's (and some of my grandfathers) auto body dollies, spoons, hammers, dent pullers, paintguns, molding pullers, etc. Some are at least 75 years old and some even older and they still can do the job. That said, in this day and age of unbolt, remove, bolt on a new one, most of the body repair by hand is only done at custom repair shops. It's easier/quicker to remove and replace than to do it by hand it seems.

 

[Richard76]

A good mechanic has good tools, cheap tools do not help a so-so mechanic get better.

I have my dad's (and some of my grandfathers) auto body dollies, spoons, hammers, dent pullers, paintguns, molding pullers, etc. Some are at least 75 years old and some even older and they still can do the job. That said, in this day and age of unbolt, remove, bolt on a new one, most of the body repair by hand is only done at custom repair shops. It's easier/quicker to remove and replace than to do it by hand it seems.

It's hard to find someone who will do "rust work" anymore. You are right, they just want o replace panels. Not what I consider real body work

 

[Rat76]

About 15 years ago I was at a Sears night before Black Friday sale. I picked up a set of GearWrench flat, metric & SAE, regular & stubby for the same price as the Craftsman, Metric or SAE, regular or stubby sets were each. In other words, I would have had to pay 4 times the price to get all of the same wrenches in Craftsman.

No brainer, less than $50, half price IIRC. Came in a flat plastic case organizer. I use the begezus out of them. No sign of wear on any of them.

 

[NikA]

I have the 25$ Pittsburgh sets from HF. Have had to swap one in the past couple years due to breaking the ratchet mechanism. Mine are flat/double ended, mostly get used on tractor equipment where I want one wrench to loosen/tighten adjustment bolts and not be too worried about losing tools in the field.

Strongly considered the Gearwrench sets but wasn't sure how much use these would get. I prefer not to fiddle with small adjustments when working, not sure I would be interested in an angled set with a direction switch.

 

[protoolman]

If you use them in tight spaces you'll find out quick why regular box end wrenches are always angled. That's what gives you a little clearance for your knuckles! Like Mobuck said a few posts back. I've got some gear wrench and Craftsmans, never broke one but I don't use them hard. Any ratcheting box end really needs a little more clearance than a regular wrench so I don't use them all that often.

 

[Cofaler]

If I only got one set it would be the Gear Wrench with no lever where you flip it to go the other way. There are times where the 15 degree angle can be helpful, but I've found that the lever can be a hindrance in tight spaces and can get switched to the other direction. Flex head would be a distant third choice. I've rarely found them helpful, and almost never necessary.