Anyone try open end ratcheting wrenches?

Pop has some of those from the 40s. I don't know if they were Craftsman. I remember being surprised at how well they worked.

I am heading over to Pop's later today. I will have to ask him about them.
 
Are you talking about the open end wrench that has a way of letting it "ratchet" or slide back and then when you go to tighten the nut it grasps the nut? Not a mechanical ratchet but a modification of the open end portion? If yes, we just picked up a set of Gear wrenches that they added that to at the SEMA show. Haven't used them yet but they looked interesting and like you said they were something new in the tool aisle!
 
Yes I bought a set of these years ago. They are real handy when working in tight spaces as the wrench stays on the nut.
 
I bought a set and don't like them. They slip if you cannot get a full on grip. But, your experience may differ. But hey, the box end works good and you cannot have too many wrenches.
 
Mine are in the junk drawer. Did not like them at all.
in all fairness though, I generally do not like open end wrenches.
 
If they are the wrenches as John described, I bought a set of them from the MAC tool truck in the 70's. I liked them and thought they were something new at that time. I later found some very old ones at the swap meet, so they've been around for a very long time. I think they come in handy, but I always try to do the final tightening with the box wrench.

I bought a set of the ratcheting box wrenches, but never use them.
 
wow, Tom, the gear wrenches or ratcheting box wrenches are the greatest thing since sliced bread. try'em. Chances are you will seldom use your regular ratchet after that. dave
 
I like the Gear Wrench ratcheting box wrenches. They're good in tight access uses. They can take lots of torque and have a lifetime warranty.
 
Always watch to see where your hand and arm will go in case of wrench failure. Watch for cotter pin ends and any sharp edges. My boss in the 70's was out of work for a month when the wrench broke or slipped and his wrist got a tendon cut. When I was about 18 I got my hand stabbed with a screwdriver while pushing real hard and trying to loosen a screw. Many such stories that could have been avoided with more forethought.
 
Hi Tom,
Just a thought. I do not have any of these wrenches but I would think they would round off a lot of nut/stud corners and make for a not so good looking repair. Jim
 
Midwest Tin said:
Hi Tom,
Just a thought. I do not have any of these wrenches but I would think they would round off a lot of nut/stud corners and make for a not so good looking repair. Jim
Click to expand...

Yes, that's why I always start and finish with the box wrench and use the slip ratchet for speed during the loose turning.
 
I agree. Even tho I like and use the ratcheting wrenches, both open end and box, I would not dream of using one to loosen a tight fastener or torque down a bolt or nut. I prefer a box end or better yet a six point socket for the start or finish.

But they sure help in a tight spot. Ya's gotta use a little common sense...
 
I've had a set of Sears open end "ratchet" wrenches for years. They work as designed. I don't know if I'd trust them for heavy work though.
Rog
 
I have a set of these open end "ratchet" wrenches in the drawer. They look real nice there. That is where they will stay. If the nut or bolt head is perfect with no rounding of the corners, and you can get the wrench squarely on the head, they work OK, but there is no margin of error. They may also work better in the hands of a real mechanic--I have ten thumbs.

W. Michael
 
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