Ratchet ring spanners?

**AllanB** · 31st May 2014, 14:38

I've owned a metric Koken 1/2 in socket set for over 30 years - good stuff.

**Ocean1** · 31st May 2014, 15:43

Originally Posted by AllanB

I've owned a metric Koken 1/2 in socket set for over 30 years - good stuff.

I've owned a Koken 1/2" drive metric set longer than that, and apart from a couple of missing pieces it's relatively unscathed. But their stuff has always been agricultural. Heavy. It's not one of the tools I reach for first, the sockets are thicker wall, for example, and a lot of modern machinery is very compactly designed, the Koken stuff often simply won't fit into some areas.

My collection of impact sockets isn't huge, however and I'll often dig the old Koken set out for a bit of mild abuse rather than risk some of my more... high-strung stuff.

**buggerit** · 31st May 2014, 16:14

A Facom twist ratchet is next on my purchase list

**F5 Dave** · 31st May 2014, 20:00

I just love my (probably 60s) Tipco ally handled rachet passed on from stepmum. Light, takes abuse (I was a teenager when I got it so it has a few dents) comfortable. Free. But I'd buy one if I found another. Ok so not a zillion pawls so a bit clicky but who cares? 1/2" is the biz I think. I laugh at morons who seem to think that somehow affects leverage. Give me 6 sider sockets too. They can be thin and strong and resist flex and striping.

Those Toolshed spanners are a heck of a price. Do I need more? Hmm been an expensive month.

**Grubber** · 31st May 2014, 21:05

STANLEY!!!!

Done!

**vifferman** · 31st May 2014, 21:11

I've got a Koken socket set I bought for my old man's birthday nearly 40 years ago. He died in 1979, so they came back to me. They're not great, but do the job.
Got a set of "Tradespro" ratchet ring spanners from one of my imaginary interweb friends in Mrka - he bought them at a sale for US$10, and included them in some bike parts I ordered through him (because Honda parts supply is so shit in UnZud, courtesy of Bluewing Honda's monopoly and "we don't give a crap" attitude.

**buggerit** · 31st May 2014, 21:31

Favourite ring spanners are stahlwille.
I have had a good run out of my kinkrome flex head ratcheting spanners.

**F5 Dave** · 1st June 2014, 07:48

Originally Posted by buggerit

Favourite ring spanners are stahlwille.
.

Someone returned someone else's 10mm one into my toolbox a a race meet 25 years ago. It's a delicate wee thing, but fits in tight spaces and has never broke. I feel special every time I touch it. I've heard criticism that the bigger sizes are a bit sharp being so thin. I just use that as comfort for not being able to afford a set.

sorry to whoever lost their 10 from their set. Didn't notice it till well after.

**skippa1** · 1st June 2014, 07:52

Originally Posted by buggerit

Favourite ring spanners are stahlwille.
I have had a good run out of my kinkrome flex head ratcheting spanners.

Stahwille are the best without any doubt.......

**unstuck** · 1st June 2014, 07:54

Originally Posted by skippa1

Stahwille are the best without any doubt.......

Tried all the others have ya.

**Ocean1** · 1st June 2014, 09:23

Originally Posted by F5 Dave

I've heard criticism that the bigger sizes are a bit sharp being so thin.

A lot of top-end spanners are like that, or used to be. Perhaps that's how they got their reputation for longevity, try too hard and you bleed.

Seems more common nowadays to find them sorta like a conrod section. Makes much more sense ergonomically AND structurally.

**SVboy** · 1st June 2014, 15:59

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

I had not even looked at Toptul because I figured if they can't spell "tool" properly how likely were they to be able to build a spanner.?

But in fact it looks like half decent kit at a reasonable price.

The RIPCO one I got is labelled Powerbuilt and was maybe $20? the 10mm is a GEARWRENCH.

mmmm tool porn. I am back at home and will have the garage set up this weekend so I can work (and get rid of a bunch of stuff.... NC30 a go go)

I did end up buying that Powerbuilt Racing roll cab by the way. I am happy enough with it for the price and my intended use.

Didn't buy toptul because of the name and ended up with power built! Oh dear! I have a quarter, three eight and half in drive socket set plus torque wrenches, screwdriver sets and spanner sets etc etc from toptul. On a cost for good quality basis, I found toptul pretty hard to beat to meet my tool porn needs.