Offset box end wrenches.

Dick2

Well-known Member
When I was a kid, my Dad thought that offset box end wrenches were the ultimate tool. I thought that they weren't very handy in most situations. I've never had any of those for myself, but saw them in the HF store yesterday. When I got into high school, I started buying tools that were more suited for mechanic work. I can't think of any situation where an offset box end would be the best tool for the job. Does anyone still use those? For what?
 
When they started turning the engines sideways you need them to fit with your hand between the engine and fender . Like to change serpentine belts.
 
I have a set of them and some of the wrenches get used a lot. the 1/2 -9/16 I use all of the time. A big reason is the wrench is longer than even my long pattern wrenches. So you can get leverage easier. The offset is handy when holding nut/bolts that your tightening with an impact wrench too. You can get the wrench straight on and still have room for your fingers.
 
One place where they are useful is a row of closely spaced bolts. The offset provides enough clearance to let you turn the wrench full revolutions.
 
Almost always get into a situation where a different tool would work better. Like JD said room for your hand to grip. gobble
 
I have my dads Craftsman set that he bought back in the very late 30's and find them very use full at times.
 
Dick not used everyday but I have the deep ones the short ones and angled (often called hydraulic wrenches)They have there spots like the crowfoot of flare nut wrench.
 
I have two sets, a mixed batch of Craftsman and SK-Wayne SAE that I got from my Dad and are from the 40's or 50's, and a set of Japanese Kyoto brand metrics that I bought in the early 70's when stationed in Japan and working on my bikes.

If there's room to get it on the fastener, I MUCH prefer a box end to an open end. Less chance of it slipping off and making me mumble incantations that Mother wouldn't approve of.

Offsets may or may not be ideal for any given situation, but I have offset box, straight box and straight combo wrenches so I can usually find something that will work.
 
Good for working on aircraft. While wrenching F4 Phantoms in Thailand I took one of my box wrenches to welding shop to have it angled so I could wrench a difficult part on the bird.
 
I use a couple on my cultivators when adjusting or changing plows or sweeps. Some of the places are hard to use a flat one on. Just removed sweeps and put on my potato plow this morning to plow up sweet potatoes.
Richard in NW SC
 
I have my Dads old offset wrenches. By offset do you mean manifold wrenches. If so I don't use them very often BUT when I do it's the ONLY thing that will work.
 
that is the only wrench I had that would get the starter bolts out of a farmall m we carried in the tool box just in case the starter jammed
 
I have a few of them in my tool boxes,and like using them better than flat wrenches because your less likely to bust your knuckles if they should slip off.
 
Last year, I was working on something on my car (forget now what it was) and needed an offset wrench. Went to Sears, couldn't find any on the rack, asked the clerk and he said "Huh?". I explained what they were and his response was "don't carry them". :shock: He said it with so much conviction, I almost believed him. :lol: Went to Autozone, got a cheap set just to get the one I needed.
 

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