Who has a set of Ratcheting wrenches?

[472Scout]

I'm thinking about buying a ratcheting wrench set. Leaning towards the Craftsman locking flexhead, but I've never used them so I'm open to suggestions. I'm also looking at the Gearwrench ones. What do you guys use and how do you like them? Any failures?

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Hand+Tools%2C+General+Purpose&pid=00942400000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Wrenches&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

[Hackfabricaton]

I've got a couple sets. Two sets (1 straight-1 offset) of the Craftsman ones that are sorta flat and are make from stamped steel. And a set of GearWrench stubbies (I had the wife pick those up on sale during Christmas). I love the stubbies.

The ratcheting wrenches are really nice for using on stuff that the sockets won't fit over.

[comeonstart]

I have a set of cresents and macs. I like the offset that the cresent has, but the buttons on the sides make the wrench consantly reverse ing tight areas. I like the macs fine other than I would like them to have a little more curve. proto had some very nice looking ones.

[AnthonyD]

I have a set of the straight Craftsman's. I use them all the time, don't know how I got by without them before. haha

[eschoendorff]

I have sets of the Craftsmans (full polish), Husky Pro's, and Gear Wrenches. I also have a metric set of those locking Craftsmans that you were referring to. They all perform about the same. There is no discernible difference between the Craftsmans and the GearWrenches, IMHO. Those locking Craftmans are a little bulky, but they have their place.

[YJTypeR]

I have the full polish craftsman's too and I use them constantly. They are awesome.

[rock mafia]

I have at least 5 sets of husky's, a set of gearwrench, and some blackhawks. I like all of them, can't say one is better than the other. The flex head ones are great, I never thought they were a big deal, until I got a set.

[karlm]

I have a couple of sets of the craftsman ones. If you get them during the right sale you can get them pretty cheap. I use them all the time.

[ironpig70]

have a set of flat craftsman and they have the little switch for forward and reverse. some you have to turn the wrench over which can be a pita. anyhow they are great for taking stuff off but i'd advise against using them to break a bolt lose it can snap the gear in there and crush your hand:D

[EMG7895]

I have the flat old style snap ons with no switch, they work well and have alot of teeth in the ratchet mechanism so you get alot of movement in tight spaces.

[plug ugly]

get them, I dont know how I got by with out them for so long. Just makes certain things soo much easier.

Mine are gearwrench I think, and the only complaint is, mine are nly reversible by flipping the wrench over. In a tight spot (like removing driveshaft bolts, if you dont pay attention, the bolt gets backoutout pushing the wrench into the tcase and you cant just flip a switch to change direction.

OTH, mine have two sizes ona single wrnech which cuts down on the number of wrenches I carry on the trail

[Snowbird13]

I have a set of the gear wrenches and I like them a lot. The only problem I have with them is that the racheting mechanism makes the box wider so they don't fit in some tight places, but there is no way to get around that really.

[pmurf1]

I have the set from Costco, I think they're "mastergrip" brand. Work real good for $20. Comes with 7 from 5/16" to 3/4". My 3/8" sticks a little sometimes, but if I tap it on something hard it comes right back. In it's defense, I did pound on it with a hammer a couple times tightening things. I'm real hard on tools though. I snapped a leatherman clean in half last week.

[jmhinescj]

Iv'e got a set of the flex head Gear wrenches...Iv'e only had them for about a year, but therachet mechanisim is starting to lock up on me. I like having them, I'll probably replace them with a set of chaftsmans or similar

[Wicked_S10]

I have a full set of the craftsman pro metric and standard. Been using them for about 3 years, and they are great. The reversible ratchet mechanism IMHO is a must! I highly doubt there is much of a difference between any of the mid priced manufacturers though. My craftsman ones were about $150 per 7 piece set, and from day one I have had intermittent problems w/ the ratchet mechanisms. Some lock up, some automatically reverse, and I even had the reverse lever break off one. Sears has always replaced them for me though, so it isn't a big deal. If they freeze up, you can try spraying them w/ penetrating oil, it is not good for them in the long run, but it will get the grit out so they work until you can get them exchanged.

[jdrocks]

have a bunch of gearwrench and craftsman sets-never a problem with any. buy on sale only locally and also have bought a couple new sets on ebay cheap.

[Impex]

I have the set from Costco, I think they're "mastergrip" brand. Work real good for $20. Comes with 7 from 5/16" to 3/4". My 3/8" sticks a little sometimes, but if I tap it on something hard it comes right back. In it's defense, I did pound on it with a hammer a couple times tightening things. I'm real hard on tools though. I snapped a leatherman clean in half last week.

ya i bought the same set, for 20 but you cant go wrong. they have lasted me a while now and like you im hard on tools

-josh

[nissancrawler]

I have the gear wrenches, use them on my job everyday, all the time. I've had no problems with any of them yet. I would recommend a reversing one. I've gotten myself into a few situations (damn planes) where I've backed a bolt out, or tightened a nut down so it drew the bolt down and I couldn't get the damn wrench out, and I couldn't get it off the nut/bolt enough to turn it with another one. That gets interesting fast.

[Mh4Runner]

I have the Matco's, Craftman and the Snap-on. I really like the clearance, length and the open end of the Snap-on. Craftsman ones are nice for the money and I don't have to wait til Tuesday to get a replacement, but they really are expensive relative to the rest of their product line.

[gilraine]

I have a set of SK ones that I love... probably the most used tools I have..

[bgaidan]

I have the big set of SAE GearWrenches (up to 1 1/4 I think) original style and two sets of Blackhawk flex-heads in standard and metric. Both are killer.


I was told to stay away from the reversing ones as you can easily hit the switch when using them and bust your knuckles. Sounded logical at the time!

Check ebay - I got my blackhawks new for $160 shipped for both sets.

[loveshackle]

Have had the thicker reversing Craftsman for 6 years or so. Too thick, too easy to reverse accidentally, and starting to slip / lock up. Have gotten a LOT of use out of them, tho, including 2 years as a dealership tech.

Had some of the early GearWrenches, but got rid of 'em pretty quickly. Too much swing needed for the next click & the action was too 'notchy'.

Just bought the standard & metric sets of the newer Craftsman (non-reverse) with the lock on the angle of the head around Christmas. Local SEARS going away from tools (WTF!!!!?????!!!!), so damn good price. Thinner than the old & smooth as silk with very small degree between notches. LOVE 'EM!:grinpimp:

[a2b]

i have the crafstman, but unlike everyone else, i dont like them. there rachet points are not close enough which makes it hard to rachet in small tight places.

i also have the gearwrenches, and those rachet points are very close together and they work great. i will defitnelty buy more of those and not craftsman

[Ed ke6bnl]

I have metric and american Costco wrenches they are straight and have to turn them over to reverse they are thin and stainless steel and they are about $20 for a set. I have some racheting ones with reverse button that I hate they reverse when they touch something and they are in the truck backup tool box not well liked. Check out the type of reverse mechanism you will get.

[nate379]

I had a nice set from Matco, had nice wood boxes for them even. But someone liked them better than me and they dissappeared with them.

I bought a set of Gear Wrenches back when they first came out. Was around $90 for each set (SAE and Metric... 7 wrenches each).

I've been using them for several years and haven't broken one yet.

They are the flex head ones, you turn them over to change direction.

[YJTypeR]

i have the crafstman, but unlike everyone else, i dont like them. there rachet points are not close enough which makes it hard to rachet in small tight places.

i also have the gearwrenches, and those rachet points are very close together and they work great. i will defitnelty buy more of those and not craftsman

You talking about the old flat style, or the new craftsman pro ones. If I remember correctly they have a 5 degree swing until it ratchets to the next tooth.

[AbnRgr375]

I have Gearwrench SAE and Metric. SAE up to 1 1/4" and Metric up to 27mm. I beat on them everyday at work and have never had a problem, my only issue is I could use an 1 1/2" version.

[1990BlueXJ]

I have the original version by gearwrench bought at Sears before they had their own brand. They work great and have a short ratchet distance. They are one of my most used tools.:cool2:

[YO38]

I've got the craftsman flex head ones, I love them. Every time I go to my box for a wrench I almost always grab one of the ratchet kind. Now I want a set of those stubby ones.

[gnob]

make sure you get some with some kind of offset.
a flat box end is a POS

[j2005]

ratcheting wrenches are a true gift from god. i use the crap out of mine i got from lowes. the best tool upgrade for any shop

[TLCObsession]

I am going to pull the trigger on a couple of sets. It looks like Husky & Gearwrench have the 'correct' metric sizes and Craftsman doesn't. I can't figure it out - I don't think I have ever used an 18mm - meanwhile a 17 or 19 is crucial.

I was going to get more flex heads, but I think first I will get some reversibles. the flexheads I have are pretty big, and would bnot have worked for what I was doing this weekend.

Any feedback of other sets worth looking at?

Jim

[Grenz]

i have the standard and metric gear wrench for home, and work. both sets are abused pretty hard no problems.

[guidolyons]

I've got the cheaper Craftsman flat ones, stamped steel that you have to flip over to reverse. The teeth are too coarse and aren't as nice as the flex head fine tooth ratcheting ones. They come in pretty handy, I wish I had the nicer ones though, but I can't complain I got them for as a Christmas gift a few years ago. I'd like to get another nicer set, probably the Gear Wrench ones. Even the crappy ones I have are worth it.

[f250rollinon37s]

i have the gear wrench stubbys ( non switch ) SAE & MEC
have snap on SAE & Mec ( switch )
snap on flex heads ( sae )
love the snap ons - hardly any movement and they will grap ( 2.5 deg. i think )

[Grimjaw]

I bought a 7 pcs sae and 7 pcs metric flex head sets off ebay for about $70 shipped about a year ago. They are Duralast brand with life time warranty. They appear to be the same as Husky and a few other brands. They are my most used wrenches currently.

[rockyota83]

ive got a set of 7 of the huskys with the flexable ends, never had a problem with any of them and it makes certain bolts so much easier and quicker to remove i never want to go with out them ever again. only thing thats a lil annoying is you have to flip the rachet over to change direction, but i think thats better then having a lever to switch it that will get gummed up and stick

[keenavv]

I got the polished chrome Costco set. 7 sae & 7 metric for $50 and they are GREAT!!!

[hexal]

I have the polished craftsmans, flex and non flex head. LOVE them, As said above, one of the most used tools in my garage

[eschoendorff]

I have the full polished Craftsman, GearWrench and Husky versions in Metric, SAE and Metric flex. They are all good and I would buy any of these brands again.

[D60]

I am going to pull the trigger on a couple of sets. It looks like Husky & Gearwrench have the 'correct' metric sizes and Craftsman doesn't. I can't figure it out - I don't think I have ever used an 18mm - meanwhile a 17 or 19 is crucial. Jim

Never worked on many '80+ Fords then. Ford fawking loves 18 and 21mm. I actually went and purchased the 21mm Gearwrench separately for this reason.

My craftsman ones were about $150 per 7 piece set, and from day one I have had intermittent problems w/ the ratchet mechanisms. Some lock up, some automatically reverse, and I even had the reverse lever break off one.

Yep, I had the same problem w my Gearwrench reversibles from day one. I got sick of warrantying them at Napa, and the replacements were never any better. Now they sit in my daily driver as "emergency" tools. Fawking expensive wrenches to just sit behind my passenger seat 364 days of the year. I purchased some SK's to replace them and recently I've been using the SK's without incident. So far I'd have to say the SK's are superior.

I won't purchase the non-reversibles if I can help it for the reasons already stated in this thread: back a bolt into a tight spot and then you can't remove the wrench to flip it over to thread the bolt back in.

[D60]

I should also note that SK has the most complete sets I've seen in reversible. Their standard set includes at least one more size than GW, and their metric set has several more.

[vanguard_anon]

I have a few different sets. I've used the heck out of duralast wrenches and they hold up nicely. I've even used them to hold a bolt still while I tightened the nut on the other side with an impact wrench. No problem.

But I like the gearwrench brand the most because it's designed so that it stays on the head of the bolt. A lot of brands will let it slide right through to the threads which means you just have to pay more attention when you're working on it.

[eschoendorff]

But I like the gearwrench brand the most because it's designed so that it stays on the head of the bolt. A lot of brands will let it slide right through to the threads which means you just have to pay more attention when you're working on it.

Really???? Taht feature drives me nuts! That's why I returned the oringinal metric GW wrenches.

[glfredrick]

I've got an original set of the flat gear-wrench style, and have used them for years with no problems. They are sort of problematic at times, in that if you back a bolt out against an obstacle, you can get in trouble -- can't reverse it to make room to get the wrench off...

I also have a Blue Point set (Snap On's lower cost line - very reasonable in price - lifetime warranty) with the switch, and angled like a regular box wrench. Work great, but they are sort of short. Good for close quarters.

Then, I have a full set of Snap On in Inch and Metric. They are the shiznit... Best of the bunch by FAR. Also pricey, but they are my FIRST choice when I grab a wrench. They have all the special features of any Snap On wrench (flank drive plus), small teeth for very quick ratchet action, and a switch to reverse the wrench.

I'd save the money for the Snappy ones if I had to do it over again. Yes, they're worth it.