Something else to ponder - you cant ever have too many tools.

 

 

if you get a good set of ratcheting wrenches the box end is usually small enough not to notice, now when i say good im talking Snap on, MAC, Cornwell...not wal marts finest...also dont get straight ones get the ones that the ratcheting end is at an angle so much nice to keep your hand out away from what ever your taking the bolt out of.

I use my ratcheting wrenches alot, i recently seen the open ended ones and they seem like a good way to bust a knuckle to me...and seem like they wouldnt take much to break the ends off of them that let them accomplish the ratcheting affect

 

*Watching*

 

I have angled, reversible combination Gearwrenches and flat S-shaped and C-shaped Gearwrenches. Sometimes I need the angled box end, sometimes I need the flat boxend, all depending on how the cavity I'm in is shaped. Sometimes I need the standard box end because the ratcheting box end is too big. Sometimes I need an open end. Sometimes I need a crow's foot.

Usually I need whatever I left back in the shop since I work in the slip and so can only carry a couple flight-line bags with me at any time, and one flight-line bag is full of liquids, covers and rags.

 

I dont like gearwrenches because they have a ring machined in the top of the box end that does not allow you to pass the ratchet over a bolt head. Like getting to a jam nut for instance, where these wrenches really shine. I have craftsman, and like them really well. Cornwell and snap-on trucks stop at work and I have looked at their ratchet wrenches (have set of standard, need metric) and I think I am gonna go with craftsman on these. Blue-point makes a set that is real close to the craftsmans as well, but the teeth are much finer, almost too fine. Nicest part about the craftsmans is they are identical to the regular wrench, but with reversible ratchet.

 

^you talkin about the open ended wrenches?? That you have craftsman or just regular old fashioned ratcheting wrenches

 

I've never seen a ratcheting open end wrench but i'm definetly going to see if the Cornwell man can get me a set. You ever consider a set of go-through sockets? they are lower profile than a standard ratchet and socket plus the ratchet is gearless so it will turn the fastner no matter how little you move it.

 

The snap on ones as well as the blue point are made by gear wrench

very much well werth there money IMO

i go grab a ratchet wrench long before i grab a standard one

i just purchaced a long set that have a 90 degree twist so your pushing on the flat part of the wrench saves the hands