Rascal2pt0yes but under low clearance situation you can get trapped without it and it will require you cutting the bolt (its called "Ratcheting Wrench Trap")
frandancoOnce you've used a socket and ratchet long enough you'll see they don't fit everywhere-especially once you've threaded the bolt/nut in question out.
In fact, it happens much sooner/more often to a ratchet & socket than a ratcheting wrench.
CrulpeakHuh. Yes/no. I've never gotten a non-ratcheting wrench into a situation I couldn't back it out of, but I've gotten ratchets into that... As least the one I have is reversible, unlike this set. :/
CrulpeakI'm not trying to diminish the value of these things, they must have a use somewhere.. When you can use them, they are very fast, and you only have to handle 1 tool..
Sockets are way more plentiful and less expensive, so they might represent another solution when you look at this set and only have so many sizes, no ?
But in the tightest situations, a thinwall socket and a flexible ratchet with a flexible extension, will get into probably far more places than the fixed sized wrench..
It's just the socket not the bigger- in- diameter wrench, you're trying to get into that spot, no ?
And thanks for the compliment; I'm not a kid, I have 57 years experience with all the automotive hand tools.. :)
Have a nice day !
arithonWell it's kinda hard to do that with a non-ratcheting wrench because you can usually swing it back once you realize you can't lift it off the bolt.
I'm not sure I follow the second bit, this drop is for reversible wrenches
frandancoThey have a use everywhere a normal wrench does except opposing an impact/etc...
If you've trapped a bolt and non-reversible ratcheting wrench against a surface in the direction of both travel, then the extra backspacing on a socket would run you into that wall faster, even with nice 360* swivel extensions/etc. A normal ratchet/wrench as in your first comment would do it faster yet.
In other situations, you may find you took the time to assemble your 3-5pc ratchet and hit a wall at the end of bolt travel, where the open face of a single wrench may have had it off already.
Plus, buying thin walled sockets/flex sockets/flex extensions is literally buying tools with a more niche use than these, which somewhat contradicts your second point.
Hope your 57yrs experience help this make sense.
CrulpeakYeah, in 57 years, I have also learned how NOT to run myself into that WALL you speak of, in the first place.. :)
I am sorry that you keep running into it... :)
Perhaps when you have more experience in mechanic hand tools, you will come to understand that putting together a ratchet, extension if needed, and a socket will NEVER take the long time as you said it would, and NEVER be a niche either...
Think about the last time you took an Engine apart, and how many times you had to resort to this tool here vs a ratchet and socket set.... :)
Ok, Im out....
frandancoI never said it was a "long time"- I said "the time". And if you use swivel sockets or swivel extensions constantly you're doing it the hard way.
I have far more experience in the industry than your ego is going to let you believe, as evidenced by the fact you think you can tell me my own work habit and thoughts...
As for never having to run a fastener back in due to lack of clearance...whatever you say. Not like you actually managed to explain your way out of the referenced situation to begin with.