Ratchet Spanners (Wrenches)

[sc_rufctr]

They look cool but overrated IMO.

[ckelly78z]

I have never used one, I use a series of Craftsmen collections that I have had for 40 years, and have never found the need for these. Constantly doing tractor, home building, and car projects.

[SiberianDVM]

Every now and then they come in handy where there is not enough room for a conventional ratchet and socket.

And so far, the 10mm has not run away from home.

[cabmandone]

No way are they overrated IMO. I break mine out almost every time I need an end wrench. About the only time I don't is when a bolt or nut is too tight. I have the more conventional styled offset box end and mine have reversing levers so you don't have to flip the wrench to tighten or loosen.

You should box that set up and send them too me!

[Nostril Cheese]

Most useful tools I own. Save so much time with them.

[asphaltgambler]

They have their place...I own both SAE & Metric sets

[masraum]

I have 2 sets (SAE & Metric) like this, and they are fantastic. They don't replace a ratchet and socket set, but they are a fantastic tool to have under certain circumstances.

[fastfredracing]

Yep, one of my favs. Swivel head.

[Scott Douglas]

My set occupies a space right next to my open end wrench set in the drawer just below the drawer with the normal set.

Edit -they weren't in the same drawer. Old age, been a while since I've been in my tool box.

[911boost]

I have a bunch of them as well. The swivel head are really useful as others have mentioned. I have an older Craftsmen set that has a socket that fits in the wrench and is very low profile.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by masraum

I have 2 sets (SAE & Metric) like this, and they are fantastic. They don't replace a ratchet and socket set, but they are a fantastic tool to have under certain circumstances.

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

Yep, one of my favs. Swivel head.

I have 2 sets metric. one normal and one with the hinge wrapped with electrical tape a few times around. Still flexes but isn't as free as the normal hinge which helps in some situations.

Great tools.

[Otter74]

Ratcheting box-end wrenches are fantastic. I found them after replacing a water pump on one of my cars (thanks, FWD) where I had about 1" clearance between the pulley bolts and frame rails, and spent forever and a half getting the pulley off with a regular open-end wrench.

[island911]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

They look cool but overrated IMO.

Agree. Unless they are switchable, they can end up stuck.

[Jeff Higgins]

These are often the first thing I grab.

[Rot 911]

Usuallly these are the first ones I grab.

[GH85Carrera]

I use mine a lot. There are times they are the only way to get a nut off or back tightened down without spending forever turning a open end 1/4 turns at time.

I too have a set of fixed end and swivel ends in both metric and SAE. But I am a self confessed tool junkie.

[fastfredracing]

This is one case, where generic are just fine in lieu of Big dollar snappies.
I think I have one set of Blackhawk, and one set from Gearwrench. Both are fantastic, the only ones I have ever had to replace are the ones I lost . They are not for breaking fasteners loose, just winding the out .

[GH85Carrera]

Those and my Milwaukee 9 volt electric ratchet gets regular use. Recently I removed the seat on my 911. Those Allen bolts are a tedious with a regular ratchet. The battery operated ratchet makes it easy.

[911boost]

I have Crafstman, Gearwrench and some other no name brand. Have never broken one either.

[Bob Kontak]

I use them frequently. I only have a couple types, nothing fancy. Oh, and a set of metric stubbies. I like the fixed angled head ones best. I don't care for swivel head tools unless mandatory.