Im looking to buy a rachet wrench set. Metric sizes. 10,12,14,15(oil drain bolt),17,19, and 21mm. I have a $10 off coupon at Lowes, but Harbour Freight is so much cheaper.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?category=&q=rachet+wrench

http://www.lowes.com/SearchCatalogDisplay?storeId=10151&langId=-1&catalogId=10051&N=0&newSearch=true&Ntt=racheting+wrench

Which do you think is best?
And I know Mac and Snap-on make the all out best tools. But seriously I only plan on using these things maybe 5-10 time a year, not everyday. I usually buy all craftsman, but their quality is lacking.

2/9/2011 9:01:04 AM

I've got gearwrench set. Been using it at least 6-7 years now. No big probs. Sometimes they stick, and I just need to swap it out at sears (been too lazy)

I bought them when they were inexpensive. Don't buy the non flip kind where it has the switch like a socket wrench. Buy the one where you flip it one way or the other for loosening/tightening. It'll last much longer.

2/9/2011 9:13:42 AM

kobalt is fine, just remember to not use a cheater-pipe on them. Not sure about the HF, might want to 'feel' the mechanism and judge the quality based on that.

I've a set of these:


wasnt thrilled with them at first (christmas gift), but I have come to love their spartan design, and they have functioned for the past 3yrs with no issues.


also, if you want to talk about handy tools for small sized fasteners:




[Edited on February 9, 2011 at 9:22 AM. Reason : -]

2/9/2011 9:15:41 AM

I got an sea gear wrench set for 12 bucks lol. The store thought it was missing a wrench ( the one pulled out of the set as a demo on the side.)

2/9/2011 9:16:53 AM

harbor freight. lifetime warranty on all hand tools. also, no questions asked when exchanging a defective product. hell, they didn't even ask any questions when i told them i had an issue with a reciprocating saw. i didn't even have a receipt. i just brought it in and told them it had stopped working. guy went and got one off the shelf, handed it to me, and said have a good day.

lowe's would not let me exchange a socket i had busted without a receipt proving i had bought it from them. i asked who else sold kobalt tools (implying why would I need a receipt when they're the only ones who sold that line of tools.). the guy looked at me dumbfounded and said he agrees with me but policy is policy.



[Edited on February 11, 2011 at 5:56 PM. Reason : -]

2/9/2011 11:40:07 AM

the cheaper ones are so bulky that they are hard to fit into a lot of spaces. Get the ones with the flexible head.

2/9/2011 2:16:35 PM

this was the packaging... mine have adjustable heads though..

they thought there was one missing out of the set because...of the gap.... Kmart

2/9/2011 3:56:24 PM

yes, the flex heads are the way to go.

2/9/2011 4:14:07 PM

gearwrench. I have had a set for about 5 years now using them almost everyday and never had any probs.

2/9/2011 4:25:25 PM

I have a standard length and stubby set of gear wrench brand wrenches.
Been great for 6+ years of moderate use.

2/9/2011 6:37:02 PM

so they survive car fires

2/9/2011 6:45:03 PM

I was using one on a battery terminal and hit the other terminal.
There is now an arc weld chip missing from the side of one.

2/9/2011 7:07:48 PM

how is the ratchet action on the gearwrench, i want one that requires as few degrees as possible to ratchet because i've got a couple bolts that have terrible clearance

2/9/2011 8:07:08 PM

^its less than any but the absolute best.

Didn't snap-on have a fine tooth ratcheting set? i don't see them anymore

2/9/2011 8:48:52 PM

I initially bought the gear wrench brand, but generally the ones you find in a store (& not off a tool truck) are only toothed on one side of the ratcheting box end. PITA annoying. That was true of the offset/reversible variety anyway. Took that shit back & picked up some craftsman. Works the same, is not retarded.

& the kobalt return fight I've been through just isn't worth it even if the tools were free. NEVER AGAIN.

[Edited on February 9, 2011 at 8:53 PM. Reason : *]

2/9/2011 8:52:22 PM

Quote :

"the kobalt return fight I've been through just isn't worth it"

2/9/2011 9:56:21 PM