Learn me ratcheting wrenches

I'm looking to buy some ratcheting wrenches. I'm figuring on buying SAE and metric, and will probably buy 5-7 wrench sets to get the common sizes and then other sizes as/if needed. So it seems like my options are GearWrench, which is a bit spendy for me, and then Menards has Crescent X6 and Home Depot has Husky. I also have Lowe's and Ace Hardware nearby (so Kobalt and Craftsman). And then also Harbor Freight.

I've read in the reviews for Harbor Freight's version that they will break if you use them to crack a tight nut (heh), is that true for all of them? Is one significantly better than the others or are they all pretty much the same?

Husky reversible and offset, from HD are the best I've found. The Lowes wrenches are fragile, Northern Tool is the same wrench. Gear wrench didn't used to have a reversible wrench.  I think the Ace wrenches are made by Gearwrench. I don't know anything about the Crescent. 

I have Gearwrenches, and I like them, but I refuse to put too much force on them.  I don’t know if anyone makes a very durable model, and if they do, it’d likely be at the expense of size.  I’m willing to break something loose with a regular combo wrench, then finish work with a gear wrench.  They should be as slim as possible, since one of the main reasons to use them over a socket wrench is their ability to fit in tight spaces.

Some are stronger than others but the weak point is the paws for the ratcheting mechanisms. I've broken loose 50ish ftlb nuts with Snap-On and Craftsman branded wrenches on a regular basis with no ill effects. The only one I've seen that make some claims about holding up to high torques are the SK Tool X-Frames.

The big thing to keep in mind with ratcheting wrenches is their arc. 5 degrees (for common 72 tooth ratchets) doesn't sound like much but damn can it be annoying in tight spots. The finer toothed ones (120 teeth is common so 3 degree swing) are typically more susceptible to breaking when a lot of force is applied.

I prefer the kind with the lever to switch directions. Much easier than figuring out which way to flip the wrrnch on the other designs. 

I've got some harbor freight and some actual gear wrench ones. I like the harbor freight better, but I don't use them as much as I thought I would. 

I have 2 sets of the gearwrench brand.    absolute life changers.

I have a set from snapon, maco, Harbor Freight, and Gearwrech. 9/10 times I reach for the Harbor Freight. I have put some forces on them they shouldn't have been able to handle. 

Thanks guys, this is very useful! I'll take a look at various sets when I'm at places that have them. I think I definitely want the kind with the lever to switch directions though.

Bought cheapos recently from HD. They are OK. non offset and non reversible. Absolutely amazing when you need them.

I have some Kobalt and Craftsman ones. The Kobalt ones are fantastic. They are made well and have a lot of teeth, so you can get every millimeter of throw out of them in a tight spot, which is important with these.

The Craftsman ones... not so fantastic. They were not only more expensive, they are flat out useless as a ratcheting wrench. They have what seems to be 2-3 teeth in the ratcheting mechanism, and they freewheel more often than not. Also, they started rusting on me just sitting in the drawer. None of my other tools do that.   

Gearwrench ones are nice too; I've used those more than a few times in the past. 

I've broken Gearwrench and Craftsman ratcheting wrenches, but that's under heavy professional use.

Craftsman seem the weakest and their mechanism isn't very tight.  All that extra slop results in less useable motion in tight spaces.

I also have some awesome Matco super long wrenches.  They are absolutely the best I have ever used, but for $450 they damn well better be.

I have a set of the Gearwrenches, and they are pretty nice.  Good length, fine ratchet, nice finish.  I certainly wouldn't use it in an application calling for a socket and breaker bar, but they have their place.

The Craftsman set I have is a lot less commendable.  As someone noted above, very coarse ratchet, relatively crude in execution.

So, if it's between Craftsman and Gearwrench, it's Gearwrench!

Keep in mind, sometimes the ones with the switch can cause issues where they won’t fit where another might.

i just make sure to double check the direction before I put it on the fastener, no problem.

i have the HF ones and I’ve not broken one and I’ve abused them pretty well just because they are so damned handy.

A pro mechanic friend of mine once told me not to buy any ratcheting wrenches except GearWrench, so that's all I have.  I like them, never broken one, but I don't use them for breaking torque.

The flip-over nature rather than being reversible means that they can be stronger.   OTOH, it also means that in a tight space it's possible to make the wrench impossible to remove.  That hasn't happened to me yet, but I got close on the turbo nuts once...

I forgot, I have a set of the totally cheesy open-wheel Craftsmen and they are terrible. It's like two plates riveted together, and when I, well, wrenched, on it, they were not riveted together anymore.

I have the floppy headed Gearwrenches. I agree with GRTechguy, they are life changing. I’ve also found them on sale cheap at True Value. 

If you end up going to the Gear Wrench ones, look at the x-beam design.  I bought the Craftsman version a long time ago and got spoiled on how well they feel to the point I hate stand using "normal" wrenches anymore. 

http://www.gearwrench.com/gearwrench-85888-12-pc-xl-x-beamtm-combination-ratcheting-wrench-set-metric.html

-Rob

I've got both a set of Blue Point and a set or three of HF ratchting ones.

I don't use them to break loose stuck fasteners, so no issues with longevity so far. As everybody else said, they're life changing when it comes to wrenching.

The GearWrench that are not reversible are tougher than you think, I have put mine through hell and they have not skipped a beat.  

I've had the bluepoint switchables for 13 years without breaking them but I don't use them for breaking bolts loose very often. Being able to switch directions and use the offset whatever direction works best is the greatest part of them.

You're probably not going to break them.

I have the Blue Point ones at work and they've taken a beating.

>edit< NSFW language below.

https://youtu.be/V8ggDQnQN3E

Another vote for gear wrench.. I have the flexi headed ones as well.  They're my first recommendation to the "what tool should I have in my garage?" After about 10 years the head part is starting to get a bit floppy, but they're used more than most tools in my box.

Thanks everyone! Not sure what I'll end up with but I've got way more info than when I started.

I have yet to buy any.  Glad to hear the opinions though.