Content brought to you by PTEN. To subscribe, click here.
Q: How did the tool/equipment function as far as saving you time?
A: This is a very unique tool set. It is a set of five ratcheting wrenches that are very unusual in design. They are spring-loaded and split apart to slide onto the nut that you’re trying to loosen or tighten. They are fairly thin in design, so they can get into tight spaces. Unlike other ratcheting wrenches, since they split apart, you can get them into spots even if you can’t get the wrench over the end of the bolt in question.
Q: What kind of setup was involved before using the product?
A: There is no setup involved. You simply take the wrenches out of the package that they came in and put them to work.
Q: How easy was it to use?
A: It’s actually very easy to use. You simply spread the two halves of the wrench apart and slip it onto the nut. You can use it to loosen a nut or flip it over to tighten the nut.
Q: How was its packaging? Did it come with any accessories?
A: The packaging is actually very nice. The wrench set came in a very nice roll pouch with individual pockets for each wrench.
Q: Was there a manual included?
A: There was no manual included. It’s a wrench set, so it’s pretty self-explanatory.
Q: What features did you like?
A: The wrenches are made in Germany and seem to be very high quality. They spread apart easily but have good spring tension to hold onto the nut. There are five different sizes, and each wrench will fit a standard as well as a metric nut: 10mm - 3/8”, 11mm - 7/16”, 14mm - 9/16”, 17mm - 21/32”, 19mm - 3/4”. They are also fairly thin if you have limited room for access.
Q: What types of jobs/repairs did you use this tool for?
A: I used the wrenches to take off nuts in tight places. I also used them to move some adjusting nuts on a long shaft. They definitely saved time over an open-end wrench. I used them on a couple of nuts that had rounded off, and they worked surprisingly well.
Q: Have you used a previous version of this tool?
A: I have used various ratcheting wrenches before but never any that would spread apart to slip over the nut. That’s a pretty handy feature.
Q: Is there any way you could think to improve or add to this tool?
A: It would be nice if the part of the jaws that grabbed the nut was straighter for a better bite instead of so rounded, but then it might not ratchet as well. They are quick and easy to use, but because of the design, you cannot exert a lot of pressure without them slipping. It’s a trade-off to gain the other design features.
Q: Is there anything you had questions or concerns about in regard to the tool?
A: Not really. They were pretty much self-explanatory.
Q: On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this tool overall? Why?
A: Probably a solid nine. They are very nice and definitely something different than I had ever used before. They are definitely a time-saver in the right situation.
