Need advise on buying ratcheting wrenches

wifehatescar · 01-01-04, 04:58

I'm going Craftsman. It's between this type:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00943376000

which are not as nice but cheap, or these:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00942409000

which are nice but pricy. Anyone have either type and care to comment? I really am leaning towards the nice ones (since I'll be using them for the next, oh say, 30 years) but I'm not looking forward to the price.
I'm not getting the Gearwrench ones cause you have to mail away for warranty replacements.

rightlane · 01-01-04, 05:27

I just purchased the 59 dollar set. I have broken the cheap ones(not made by craftman) before while trying to break lose tight bolts. I can not comment on my new set because I have not used them.

good luck

andriver · 01-01-04, 06:44

I am sure that either set will be fine.

jchetty · 01-01-04, 06:52

Quote:

Originally posted by rightlane
I have broken the cheap ones(not made by craftman) before while trying to break lose tight bolts

while it is ok to loosen fastners with a ratchet, i would never break loose any fastener w/ a ratchet. a few ruined ratchets and bloody knuckles later i have learned that valuable lesson

to loosen a stubborn fastener i would a box end wrench or an open end wrench. those wrenches are very nice and useful, however i would not use the ratcheting end to break loose any fastener( not saying that you would), if you dont have a set of box end wrenches or open ended wrenches or combination wrenches(one side open/one side box), i would get the first set. if you already do or are planning to get a set, the second set is the way to go because the offset and the thumb operated reversing lever can come in very handy.

KevinA · 01-01-04, 07:34

The second set is only $10 more since they're on sale. I like the choice it gives, you can't always get the ratchet side on everything.

bmwtinut · 01-01-04, 07:53

I would go with the second set. The profile of the wrench will be much more comfortable when using.

madazskunk · 01-01-04, 08:01

If you don't need all the sizes in the set you might wanna check out ebay for individual ones. I've bought 4 of the first type ratchet wrenches 3 of which were snap-on and 1 proto for around $30 total because I didn't need some of the sizes that came in the set. If you do decide on getting the set I would go with the second set becausr like the other post said you should break the nut/bolt with the open end and then use the ratchet. Their only $10 more and fully polished so you can practice on polishing chrome with them too

.

madazskunk · 01-01-04, 08:04

Another thing to consider is where you will be using them. Sometimes you can't get to the nut/bolt with those 25 degree bends in the first set. But sometimes there better.

wifehatescar · 01-01-04, 08:42

Thanks for the replies so far! I already have a full set of craftsman tools, including regular wrenches. I like the Craftsman because I love to break tools apparently (like using ratchets as hammers, regular sockets on my 600ftlb impact gun, etc...hehe). I've had small sockets get messed up, you just take it back and get a new one, no questions asked. That's why I pay extra for Craftsman [hand tools], so I don't have to baby them.

The only downside for the second set is it only has 5 sizes (whereas the second set has like 10 sizes). I'd like a faily complete set of SAE and metric so the nice ones, all in all, it will cost about $150. However, as I expected the consensus to be, I am heavily leaning towards the second nicer set anyway (I have my $100 xmas gift card burning a hole in my pocket

). Any other thoughts are as always welcome.

chpsk8 · 01-01-04, 08:53

I've got the second set. Very nice stuff, I don't know how I wrenched without them. I'll search the whole house for one of them before going back to the regular wrenches (did it tonight looking for my 7/16".)

Brad B. · 01-02-04, 05:05

I have both sets.

Absolutely, the second set is nicer and more usable. Better flexibility, usability, feel, etc. The ratcheting mechanism is also finer.

4DSC · 01-04-04, 10:20

Yeah for breaking really stubborn nuts and bolts loose using something else is a better idea. My father has had the same set of ratchets for years and has never busted one yet. I think they're Craftsmans as well.

I bought this 18" flex handle specifically for busting loose large, stubborn bolts. It's one of the best things I have bought because other tools like huge adjustable wrenches and combination wrenches can only do so much. http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00944202000

EDIT: Mine actually has a different looking handle, but the idea is the same.