PepperCrab
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2011
- Messages
- 120
For working on vehicles, which is preferable, wrenches with no offset or with a 15 degree offset? Thanks.
Wrenches - 0 or 15 degree offset?
- Thread starter PepperCrab
- Start date
wafrederick
Well-known member
I like the Zero offset wrenches in some applications.Tight spots are one including surpentine belt tenshoniors.A 15 degree offset will not get into tight spots.
I just went though this... If only one set I'd suggest starting with offsets for general or vehicle use... I have both in normal sizes but was purchasing some larger wrenches and for those I went 0 offset, as they will mostly be used on suspension, etc where I felt the offset would not be overly beneficial. But for non-specialty I would start with offsets. Your knuckles will thank you. 
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.scott37300
Well-known member
I would start off with offset wrenches. But they both have their place. I helped a buddy change a ****** last week and he had a set of mac(genious) zero offset wrenches and they were great for torque convertor bolts. I will be adding a set to my toolbox when the funds are available, they are about 80 bucks on amazon.
rslaback
Well-known member
offset wrenches allow you to flip the wrench over to better fit a bolt in a tight spot. They also make it so you only need to turn the fastener 30 degrees instead of 60 when removing it. You simply flip the wrench over once you go 30 degrees and then grab it again.
I believe that is the purpose of the offset in the first place.
I believe that is the purpose of the offset in the first place.
Bran Diezel
Well-known member
wat?
HandyManny
Well-known member
Some automatic tensioners use either a 1/2" drive square end or a 15mm box wrench. It just depends. Sometimes if you have the hex on your tensioner it's good to use a zero degree offset because a 15 degree will result in your hands hitting the radiator fan shroud or something else, depending on the vehicle. Most Japanese vehicles leave your hand little room to work.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Yes, and add 30 and 60 degree offset too while you're at it.
First off, if you work on cars, one type of wrench won't cut it. You need an assortment of different lengths, depths, and types.
The original reason for the 15 degree offset was knuckle clearance.
Other offsets are needed to clear obstructions in today's crowded engine compartments. When reach and a low profile is is needed (belt tensioners), the extra long zero offset wrench is king. We won't even go into the merits of ratcheting wrenches at this point.
If on a budget or just staring out, get long length combination wrenches with the 15 degree offset boxed end as a starter set.
First off, if you work on cars, one type of wrench won't cut it. You need an assortment of different lengths, depths, and types.
The original reason for the 15 degree offset was knuckle clearance.
Other offsets are needed to clear obstructions in today's crowded engine compartments. When reach and a low profile is is needed (belt tensioners), the extra long zero offset wrench is king. We won't even go into the merits of ratcheting wrenches at this point.
If on a budget or just staring out, get long length combination wrenches with the 15 degree offset boxed end as a starter set.
wafrederick
Well-known member
I am not a good speller of some words and I admit to this.I find the zero offesets are great for getting to FWD GM torque converter bolts.I have done it with 15 degree 18mm wrenches,nothing but a real PITA.Wrench slips off most of the time.
scott37300
Well-known member
I used them for this purpose for the first time last week and I was sold, have to add a set to the box!
JeremyManning
Well-known member
zero
hilld
Well-known member
I think he is talking on the box end side not on the open end. The 30 and 60* offset is for the open end.
rslaback
Well-known member
I don't want to thread jack but how does that actually happen since knuckle clearance isn't based on the wrench angle alone?
It is based on the angle of the flats compared to the location of obstacles and the angle of the wrench. I couldn't find too many resources when I searched but what I did find agreed that the purpose of the offset (which began as 15 and 30 degrees) was to make the wrench more usable by being able to flip it over.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
NO, 30 and 60 can also refer to the bepth of the boxed end offset too.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=hand&item_ID=4922&group_ID=538&store=&dir=catalog
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...8&group_ID=531&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
http://www.tooltopia.com/stahlwille-20_8.aspx
mixxmstrmike
Well-known member
My SO dealer sells more of the zero offset in a 9:1 ratio. With that said, I own both 0 & 15 degree offset long pattern box wrenches, BUT I reach for the 0 degree offsets 95% of the time. Both are needed, I must admit.
-Mike
-Mike
AZ_Catskinner
Well-known member
In my home box, I keep normal 15 degree combo wrenches, also 60 degree double box ends, and a set of half moons that do double duty for obstruction and zero degree work.
I prefer 15 degree offset. I've ran into things that have slowed me down using the Gearwrench flat wrenches. Since then I bought the flex and usually use those first. There was a few times I appreciated the zero degree though, that's why I won't get rid of the flat ones even though I have all the sizes in both, plus Craftsman regular combinations.
dede2897234
Well-known member
Do not forget about 75 degree offset, double box wrenches. Please go to this GJ thread where "Monte" and others posts pictures and discuss the benefits of the Stahlwille deep offset wrenches: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=66518&highlight=stahlwille+deep+offset. I purchased a set of the Stahlwille wrenches from Tooltopia after reading the linked thread.
Since the Stahlwille set did not include a 21mm or 24mm box end wrench, I purchased the model 20, 21mm x 24mm box end wrench from Samstag Sales. Here is the link: http://www.samstagsales.com/stahlwille.htm#dblbox. I would call Samstag for the availability of the wrench. When I purchased mine, Samstag did not have it in stock. It took 2 weeks to arrive from Germany before the company shipped the wrench shipped out to me.
Dave
Since the Stahlwille set did not include a 21mm or 24mm box end wrench, I purchased the model 20, 21mm x 24mm box end wrench from Samstag Sales. Here is the link: http://www.samstagsales.com/stahlwille.htm#dblbox. I would call Samstag for the availability of the wrench. When I purchased mine, Samstag did not have it in stock. It took 2 weeks to arrive from Germany before the company shipped the wrench shipped out to me.
Dave
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Gregg33
Well-known member
If you have to choose one type go with the 15 degrees. If you really need a 0 degree you can use the open end anyways. But having said that in an ideal world you'd have both.
As an interesting footnote I have several antique Mossberg box end wrenches. Unlike modern box end wrenches both ends are the same size, one end is a straight 0 degree, the other end has a considerable amount of offset. Very handy and ahead of their time.
As an interesting footnote I have several antique Mossberg box end wrenches. Unlike modern box end wrenches both ends are the same size, one end is a straight 0 degree, the other end has a considerable amount of offset. Very handy and ahead of their time.
I have been debating this myself , personally all of my wrenches have an offset but I'm still interested in getting at least one set of zero offset wrenches. For the stuff I mostly do I think offset wrenches have the advantage being that straight no offset wrenches are very tough to impossible to use in many application's where the bolt or nut head is recessed or in a tight spot where the fastener is at an angle. But in saying that I really have not put zero offset wrenches to much use besides a few short times so.
diesel research
Well-known member
Not going to lie, but for the most part, that makes absolutely no sense. In most cases you can't flip it over.
Oh, no, I get it. You are talking about the open end. No, this angle usually pertains to the box. (the end you should be attempting to be using at all cost) It could pertain to open end, but not so often.
OP
PepperCrab
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2011
- Messages
- 120
For those who reach for the 0 degree wrenches first, may I ask why?
diesel research
Well-known member
Sometimes that 15* won't clear a tight spot.
In a separate case (ratchet wrenches) 0* means non reversible, which means non-accidentally-reversible as well.
But for normal box type wnreches you may have clearance issues between 2 objects like back of an engine and firewall, a turbo and block numerous things vs frame rail, ect ect.
Put the box end of a offset wrench flat on the table and measure how much higher the tip of the open end is. Sometimes you don't have that kinda space.
If I only had one, it would probably be offset.
In a separate case (ratchet wrenches) 0* means non reversible, which means non-accidentally-reversible as well.
But for normal box type wnreches you may have clearance issues between 2 objects like back of an engine and firewall, a turbo and block numerous things vs frame rail, ect ect.
Put the box end of a offset wrench flat on the table and measure how much higher the tip of the open end is. Sometimes you don't have that kinda space.
If I only had one, it would probably be offset.
rslaback
Well-known member
I follow you guys now. I assumed you were talking about the open end. I totally agree that the box end is angled to provide finger clearance.
In reading the thread I think we might not all be on the same page in this regard.
scott37300
Well-known member
Yes some were talking about angle of the open end and some were talking about offset angle of the box end.
The zero offset wrenches I have on my wish list are the genious ones from amazon.com and they have a deeper box end, meaning it sticks out from the wrench. After using them once they are a must have. Snap on also sells them under the "high performance" catagory.
Reversible ratcheting,15 offset,anti slip open end;
I beam handle for more touch.
Blue for metric,Red for SAE.(Is it neccessory to make this color for identify metric and sae?);
The blue and red color is " Nano Anhydrous Plating",which is environmental friendly than normal electroplate;
Chrome finish or satin?
What is your idea about this set?
I beam handle for more touch.
Blue for metric,Red for SAE.(Is it neccessory to make this color for identify metric and sae?);
The blue and red color is " Nano Anhydrous Plating",which is environmental friendly than normal electroplate;
Chrome finish or satin?
What is your idea about this set?
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Lucid Moments
Well-known member
Zombie thread alert!
@bryant 24 You might want to start a new thread for this. The issue with resurrecting old threads is that people will respond to 12 year old posts without looking at the date and will then never reply to your question.
As for the wrenches you posted you don't give us a brand or any origin information. Based on the information you do give us I don't see any problems, but there is no way to tell how good, or reliable the ratcheting mechanism is.
@bryant 24 You might want to start a new thread for this. The issue with resurrecting old threads is that people will respond to 12 year old posts without looking at the date and will then never reply to your question.
As for the wrenches you posted you don't give us a brand or any origin information. Based on the information you do give us I don't see any problems, but there is no way to tell how good, or reliable the ratcheting mechanism is.
Thank you Lucid
All depends on the work space provided. I've been able to make due with what I have. Though I have been tempted buying some angle head wrenches for certain instances. One is an air control valve that resides behind the PS pump. Accessible from the bottom with a 3' extension with crowfoot or up top with an angle head. A few of the guys have cut-welded up their own SST for that valve access.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
To quote "The FIXX"
saved by zero. In some cases that's all that will fit. Now I've got everything there is including the KABO but there is a place for zero offset wrenches. Just wish TOPTUL would make them in 13, 15 and 18mm which they do not.