Modern Vespa

I've pretty much collected an array of tools for my scooter wrenching, but got the idea that a couple of ratcheting (box) wrenches would be useful. Any thoughts from the trenches, er, shop? Seem like they'd be useful over socket wrenches in tight spaces? I have to decide on size, 8, 10mm? Also the option of wobble? Anything you wouldn't want to live without?

Also, a bit ago .someone posted a link to tool chest organizers. I can't recall which thread it was in. If you don't mind posting that again....

I have a metric set - very useful on occasion, but I've never felt the need to use one on any of my bikes.

Open/box metric set and sockets will get everything done you need to. A whole ratchet wrench set is nice to have, but if just want to buy as you go I find a 8-10-12-13 and 17mm get used most. I have duplicates in wrenches, sockets in just about every size metric and SAE but if I had to pick of the metric ratchet wrenches to own it would be the 8mm and especially the 10mm sizes. This is open end/ ratchet end. I prefer the longer handle versions. As far as wobble sockets, in 3/8" drive 10,12,13,14 IMO.

When I first saw the post title I missed that second "r".
That would have been going in a TOTALLY different direction.

I've never seen the point of buying wrenches, sockets or screwdrivers singly, unless they are a size that doesn't come in a set. 46mm socket comes to mind, but I use the 3/4" drive one I can use on the rear axle nuts of the van.

The set usually only costs about twice the price of buying a single 'whatever'.

Jim,
Agree on the economics, though it's a bit of a PITA to have tools you'll likely never use rattling around the toolbox. There's a tipping point somewhere....

I have a set of Harbor Freight metric wrenches. I use the 10mm and 17mm occasionally, but they wouldn't be absolutely necessary. Actually, the first ratcheting wrench I bought was a 1/4" SAE, which I use along with a 1/4 hex drive screwdriver bit to make a ratcheting screwdriver for very tight spaces.

I picked up a $45 set of Husky brand a few months ago. For the light duty this tool type will most likely receive, it seemed like a good option. 7pc. ratcheting metic, nice polished finish... plenty of Home Despot's around to honor the warranty if something goes wrong.

The storage organizer was in this thread:

My garage work area is a disaster!

Mmmm....nurse Ratched...hubba hubba!

Back to wrenches.

I have a nice set of ratcheting wrenches, both SAE and metric. They're nice to have, but I don't use them as much as my socket sets.

I guess they're worth having, and they sure do look nice, eh?

I have a set of ratcheting box end wrenches that have two different sizes, one on each end. 8mm and 10mm, 12mm and 14mm, 13mm and 15mm, 16-18 and 17-19. They are pretty useful, certainly worth owning. The 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive socket sets get used more. When you have a bolt that goes all the way through something, with a nut at the other end, it's very good to run in the bolt with a socket and hold the nut with a box end. You can ratchet both ends at the same time and go very fast, and the nut doesn't want to slip out of the wrench and go flying.

I have a bunch of sets and find myself using the flex head ones more than any of the other variations.

8, 10, 12, 13, 14 & 17 get the most use.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that they're a necessity, but they're nice to have.

You could check out Quezzie's Vespa toolbox:
Minimalist Tool Kit for GTS Touring

Thanks, greasyl. I'm at the point where I can get almost everything done with what I have, but there are times when it might be just a tad easier with another tool...and I'm not above spending big bucks (under $20 ) to do it.

My garage work area is a disaster! (Post 2674150)

In my Amazon cart already! Now I'll have room for ratcheting wrenches

I have a full set of metric socket wrenches (quarter-inch, three-eighths inch, and half-inch drives with up to 19mm sockets).

I ordered them from J. C. Whitney Company over 50 years ago.

They still all work.

They included a full set of open-ended box wrenches.

A few years ago I added ratcheting box wrenches in metric and English units. Husky brand from Home Depot.

What you gain from having a set of ratchet wrenches around is time, if you do a lot of work on your scooters. There are places you can't get a socket on the nut, and you can either turn, lift, reseat and turn again with a regular wrench, or zip zip zip done, with a ratchet wrench. They will speed things up.
There are varying qualities of them on the market, and some of them are more refined and smaller profile than others. The mechanics I've had over the years who used them, liked a brand called Gearwrench. I've used the harbor freight ones, and a couple others, but if I was buying some for myself and not concerned that someone would borrow one and not return it, which happens in shops surprisingly often, I would likely go with the Gearwrench brand.

Good post ^

I love my ratcheting wrenches and have both a set of metrics and a set with weird mixed fractions (because 'murka).

BUT... If I didn't already have a set, I would buy these: https://www.amazon.com/Flexible-Ratcheting-Spanner-Ratchet-Combination/dp/B088386RPX/

The bend would let me get into even more places!!



Also, pro tip: If you're ever choosing between a gloss or a matte finish ratcheting wrench, pick matte as a it may be easier to draw on.

What would you draw? An arrow to point which why they turn. If you don't you'll always put them on backwards first. That's just science. It's called Murphy's Law.

I'll tell you, I cringed a little at the prices from Toolbox Widget. They are a little pricey for plastic w/ magnets. But after I bought a set, I was sold on the value. They freed up so much space in my tool drawers.

I really don't mind you promoting your channel here -- it's appropriate content.

I would prefer, though, that you not subvert what little revenue we get from Amazon by using your own affiliate links. We don't bombard y'all with endless ads or subject you to stupid popups or demands to sign up for our stupid newsletter.* The Amazon revenue helps offset the cost of running the site in the absence of all the more obnoxious forms of revenue generation.

I don't think that's asking too much.

Thanks.

* Note to people who run websites that pop up an immediate request to subscribe to your stupid newsletter: you suck and you make the web an awful place to live.

Oooh, fair point. I'll get the link from incognito browser and update!

jess - Updated. Honest mistake. Rushing in my busy season has me doing things out of reflex.

Thank you sir.

(Not necessary to edit the one above).

If anybody already has ratcheting wrenches but still wants to spoil themselves with some new toys tools - after watching a mechanic make short work of taking a bunch of bolts off by using one of these electric socket wrenches, I'm asking a sponsor to send me one to review. They work really well.

https://www.amazon.com/Cordless-Electric-Ratchet-AOBEN-Lithium-Ion/dp/B07CZWBYBK/




I wouldn't use it for tightening anything in all the way, but on things that use the same bolt head repeatedly like covers or fairings you need to take off... This can make even your favorite regular socket wrench seem slow.

And if you're too cheap for that, just make your existing drill into the same thing with these.

https://www.harborfreight.com/hex-shank-socket-driver-set-3-piece-68513.html

how many times can you drop that before it becomes just a regular ratchet?

*ties another onion to belt*

You just gave me a great idea for testing.

How would you rather see it tested: One 50 ft drop, or ten five foot drops?




Nevermind... The answer is ten 5 ft drops followed by a 50 ft drop. I'll do that.