Anybody have any experience with ratcheting open-ended wrenches? I just started a job as a boat mechanic, and after two days I've realized that anything that can let me get a little bit of speed in close quarters would be worth it. Are they all gimmicks or are some of them workable?


I also need some really close-quarter Allen bits. Anybody ever see Allen bits that are about one half inch to three quarters inch long, with the Allen head on one side and a standard-sized hex head on the other side? So I could stick the Allen-headed side into a bolt, then put a wrench on the other side of the bit? So far I've had to cut down three of my Allen wrenches and I've only worked on one boat...

 

i like the wratchiting wrences in some instances, speed in tight places definatly. being a diesel mecanic im up for trying anything the wratchiting wrenches are defiantly worth it

 

Do you have any experience with open-ended ratcheting wrenches?

http://ratchawrex.com/NewBlackOxideBrochure.pdf (Like these, only these seem too rich for my blood.)

I've used Gearwrenches for a while. I'm pretty faithful in them now. I had my 5/16" Gearwrench box-end bent at least 45 degrees with a cheater bar trying to get an exhaust manifold bolt loose yesterday (the ratcheting box-end was on a cut down Allen wrench). It's only 5-10 degrees permabent now.

 

not that brand im not but what i use is simalair, i love the gear drive box ends, and those have there uses but not as many in my opinion.

 

How much are those?

I dont think Id spend big bucks on them.


Whats wrong with a good ratchet, a u joint and some extensions?


Might want to try some PB Blaster or a mix of ATF and Acetone...

and yes, you can get short allen bits, both with a 3/8" socket and just the 1/4" hex bit. You can get absolutely anything you want - but question is how much are you willing to pay?

 

you cant get a socket in some places were you need to use an open end wrench and those speed up the process

 

I got ratchets, U-joints and extensions. There's a lot of times when you can't get all the way around a bolt head, so a box-end or socket is useless. If a ratcheting open-end lets me get a bolt out that is only halfway open around the head, it'd save tons of time and energy. I hate having to manually reposition an open-ended wrench 60 times (I counted), 30 degrees at a time, to get a rusty bolt out of an engine mount...

What brand are yours 94Cummins? Guys on eBay want $200 for an 8-piece Ratcha-Wrex SAE set. They're not worth that unless they come with tata's.

 

be honest with you i bought them from a tool truck about 6 months ago, either matco or something like that i paid $130 for them i belive there a 10 pice set, like i said i dont use them all that often but when i do they are the ticket for sure

 

Bad thing about ratcheting end wrenches is the box end is a little bigger. Needs some room to work. Other than that, they work good. Doesn't take a lot of movement to grab a notch.

 

yes that is a true statement i maybe use mine 1 a week at most