Ratchet Spanners (Wrenches)

[pwd72s]

Have gearwrench sets in both metric and SAE. Find them to be quite useful...but standard combo wrenches also have their place. (edit) I suppose one could say the ratcheting sets aren't really "needed" because a standard set will do the job. However, they do shorten the job time quite a bit.

[widebody911]

I have a couple three and love them - short, normal, and a few extra-long. For example when removing a VW motor, it's much easier to use the 17mm ratcheting wrench on the top engine mounting nuts, which are behind the fan should and blocked by the oil cooler on the left side. With the traditional wrench, you get a 20 degree swing, and then have to take the wrench off and then try to get it back on again in a new position. I got some ratcheting flare wrenches as a gift, and they would have been awesome, but the set does not contain any of the actual sizes used on German cars; it's as if they said "What sizes can we create so that nobody will actually use these?

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by cabmando

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!

the ones the OP posted had no offset and weren't flexhead

flexhead is what most will want...

[masraum]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Have gearwrench sets in both metric and SAE. Find them to be quite useful...but standard combo wrenches also have their place. (edit) I suppose one could say the ratcheting sets aren't really "needed" because a standard set will do the job. However, they do shorten the job time quite a bit.

I have run into really tight situations where I couldn't get enough turn with a non-ratcheting wrench, but the gearwrench teeth are fine enough that I was able to get enough turn to tighten the bolt. In that particular case, the gearwrench saved my bacon and kept me from using a punch and hammer or something equally horrible.

[onewhippedpuppy]

You guys that don’t use these are missing out, great time saver.

[pmax]

Flipping flopping around to reverse the direction is just too much of a pain IMO. Access is also a problem given the thicker socket. Almost never use them in lieu of the standard socket and rachet.

[RWebb]

some have levers to reverse things

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by pmax

Flipping flopping around to reverse the direction is just too much of a pain IMO. Access is also a problem given the thicker socket. Almost never use them in lieu of the standard socket and rachet.

I have some that have a little lever to reverse it, and others you just flip it. Honestly, I prefer the latter, as I seem to perpetually hit the little reversing lever.

[RWebb]

Just buy a 13, *, 17, or 19mm Hazet - if you don't like it, sell it to me

* I already have the 15mm Hazet


If you can afford a Pooschey you can afford nice tools, even if you don't need them

[masraum]

Originally Posted by RWebb

some have levers to reverse things

Which is probably great until because you're in a really tight space, every time you run through the range of motion, you bump into something that flips the switch.

Looks like WB/TF confirmed my suspicion.

[RWebb]

go flex head

[gr8fl4porsche]

I have a couple sets and use them often.

Used one today working on my Terramite.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by RWebb

go flex head

Disagree. I have a Snappy flex 3/8ths and while it's cool to rotate the handle up 90º and spin the nut off, it sometimes folds over and loses grip when you want it to stay rigid. This usually happens when you are holding only the end of the handle reaching into a tight spot. Now if they had a pawl to lock the handle at straight, that'd be one I'd buy.

[RWebb]

horses for courses

if they had locks at every angle, that would be even cooler...

FWIW, I only have angled ratchet wrench

I can't think of any place I need a flex - I use my locking flex head 3/8" ratchet handle in several places but none has such poor access I need a flex wrench

on a new car, you're more likely to need one...

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Disagree. I have a Snappy flex 3/8ths and while it's cool to rotate the handle up 90º and spin the nut off, it sometimes folds over and loses grip when you want it to stay rigid. This usually happens when you are holding only the end of the handle reaching into a tight spot. Now if they had a pawl to lock the handle at straight, that'd be one I'd buy.

e- tape

[masraum]

Originally Posted by RWebb

horses for courses

if they had locks at every angle, that would be even cooler...

FWIW, I only have angled ratchet wrench

I can't think of any place I need a flex - I use my locking flex head 3/8" ratchet handle in several places but none has such poor access I need a flex wrench

on a new car, you're more likely to need one...

Honestly, I rarely need the flex myself, but when you do it's nice to have. Fortunately, mine hold their angle pretty well. I've not run into them being so floppy that they move by themselves.

I wonder if you could use a hammer and tighten the flex joint, or maybe use a punch to tighten things up in the joint.

[Jeff Higgins]

I agree with Shaun - e-tape on the floppy joint (he's said this twice now, guys, pay attention ). Otherwise it's just a bit too floppy. Most of the time I like the rigid ones, though. And forget the reversible kind - just flip it over. I'm like widebody - I hit that blasted little lever way too often.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

e- tape

But that eventually leaves the irritating gooey residue. I wonder if heatshrink would be better or if it would be too stiff.

[cabmandone]

My standard set won't allow the head of the bolt or the nut to pass through. My metric set the nut or head of the bolt can pass through. I like the standard set a bit better because I don't have to worry about pushing the box end past the nut when I'm tightening something.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by masraum

But that eventually leaves the irritating gooey residue. I wonder if heatshrink would be better or if it would be too stiff.

how about one with a magnetorheological fluid in it ??

you could dial up the resistance to flex right where ya want