Ratchet Wrench Guide: Types of Wrenches, Uses and Features
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- Опубликовано: 4 фев 2017
- Below are some of our suggestions on what to look at for a good set of ratchet wrenches for a DIY Mechanic.
GearWrench 20-Piece Ratcheting Wrench Set, SAE and Metric amzn.to/2jVmAbK
DeWalt DWMT72169 Reversible Ratcheting Wrench Set (10 Piece) amzn.to/2kVGWC1
TEKTON WRN53190 Ratcheting Combination Wrench Set amzn.to/2jXDYPB
What Type of Ratchet Wrench? - Ratchet wrenches are available in a variety of styles for a variety of applications. Like all the other tools in your tool box, they fit a specific need and in many ways solve problems. Ratchet wrenches are used in similar ways to a socket and ratchet, but in many ways a ratchet wrench can be much more useful. They fit into smaller areas and allow a much better line of sight to what is happening around the fastener.
Ratchet wrenches are made in many different styles and they all seem to have a place, in fact many mechanics will have multiple types of ratchet wrenches. so if you are in the market, don't look for the cheapest set on the market, look at the features. when we were shopping we thought the swivel head types would be a bit awkward to use but we were proven completely wrong and now mostly use swivel head models.
While the price of the models will differ, most of the cheaper models will be a straight ratchet wrench. There are fewer moving parts and they cost less to make. The next highest price will be the swivel head and further on up the reversible ratchet wrench. note there are tiers of quality and warranty in each type so pricing will overlap.
Ratchet Wrench Uses
Tightens / loosens nuts and bolts.
Metric and standard sizes.
Ratchet action on one end moves freely in one direction and engages the fastener in the other direction to tighten or loosen without removing the tool.
Some have pivoting ratchet ends for use in tight spaces.
Where to Start?
If you have never purchased or do not have ratchet wrenches in your tool box, look for a specific area that you would need these wrenches. In many cases, people might not have stubby wrenches or they might not have a swivel type wrench to get into tight areas. Try to fill that niche with this purpose.
Most will start out with the simple standard or metric set of swivel heads as they are moderately priced and wok in many situations. Stubby ratchet wrenches are also popular as a first purchase because they are made for small and tight areas. We normally would not recommend that someones first purchase of a ratchet wrench set be reversible because of the extra cost. The reversible ratchet wrenches absolutely rock, but the cost is normally double of the standard or swivel head. That means you get half the tools for the amount spent. 
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Brian mentions it, but remember that you shouldn't be "breaking loose" or torqueing down fasteners with the ratchet ends of these. That's asking for trouble, as the ratchet mechanism is the weak point of the tool. ALWAYS use a regular (non-ratcheting) wrench to do this, then use the ratchet portion to quickly remove or reinstall the nut or bolt. It's the same thing as when you're using a ratchet and sockets; use a breaker bar to break loose or torque down nuts and bolts, then use the ratchet to work more quickly while removing/reinstalling. Remembering to do that will insure a lifetime of use from your ratcheting wrenches.
Great tip
Your method would take forever.
Well, what's the point of buying the 90° ratchet wrenches if they're not for breaking? They're to get into tight spots, but what do I use to break a bolt that's in a tight spot where only the were ratchet wrench will fit?
Do you think craftsman is ok for just for emergencies to keep in vehicle
Excellent content, Brian. Incredibly helpful to me.
I'm loving that '70 Chevelle in the background.
Thank you for this excellent video!
Thanks so much for this. I had to hunt hard to find a video on ratchet spanners (wrenches) instead of ratchets. Very well explained and demonstrated.
Thanks for the great explantion.
Very nice video!
I’m trying to tighten the nuts on my steel frame been. Do you know what wrench I should get?
I love my ratchet wrenches! Good video Brian!
Thanks sir
2:08 exactly. Does anyone make an indexing set like the flex head ratchets?
Nice
awesome video
I love love love my crossforce gearwrench ratchet wrenches
Do I need regular close end and also a set of ratcheting close ends ya think? What would you get if only one and still cover most things
Ratchet wrench ends are not meant to be used for breaking loose really tight or rusted fasteners. They compliment normal wrenches.
I've been staring at the stubby flat wrenches at Lowe's wondering how the hell you change direction. Imagine my surprise upon hearing that you simply flip the wrench around. That is the DEFINITION of working smarter, not harder.
ive had my Gearwrench sets(metric&SAE) for about 10 years and ive never looked at another set. They are the straight no selector
I'm trying to understand the purpose/difference between a stubby and standard ratchet wrench?
I guess mainly place that it takes in your toolbox and space in the stuff you´re working with.
... There are some areas where a wrench of regular length would not fit. Stubbies are meant for that. A stubby wrench would not take the place of a regular one because it has about half the leverage. Things would take much more effort to tighten. You need both types of wrenches.
I choose reversible almost every time. reason being head is usually smaller and I notice they fit in more places and to me that's that these wrenches are all about... fitting places my electric ratchet won't
lifetime warranty is a lie when the companies start making shit lower quality.
As far as I been told you have to send dewalt hand tools back at your own cost to get a replacement, meaning ratchets, sockets, wrenches etc.
Dill Wiggle I warrantied a DeWalt ratchet with just a phone call and a part number. No questions asked and no return of the broken tool ever mentioned by the CS rep. I had the replacement tool in two days. I'm not sure if this is the 'actual' policy or not.
Dill Wiggle you just give them a call with the model number and they send you a new tool. no sending anything back.
Happened to come back and watched the video again. The wrenches that aren't flat have a 15 degree OFFSET, rather than an "angle".
The reasoning for the reverse switch doesn't make sense... who needs to go both directions on the bolt without needing to take the wrench off anyway..(when you loosen, it's to take the bolt off so wrench coming off anyway, and same with putting it back on, when you tighten it, the wrench is coming off, it's not like your going to loosen it right after tightening it at the same time...
The reverse switch is really about allowing the wrench to have the 15 degree offset, something that couldn't work if you had to flip the wrench over to change direction.