A reader recently wrote in, asking for reversible ratcheting wrench recommendations, and they also expressed concern that Tekton seems to have discontinued all of theirs.
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Reversible ratcheting wrenches typically feature a 15° offset box end and lever for reversing the ratcheting direction. More basic ratcheting wrenches lack the offset and direction selection lever and instead must be flipped over should you need to reverse the working and ratcheting directions.
I tend to prefer reversible ratcheting wrenches, partly because of the offset-angled box end, but also because it’s more convenient to reverse the ratcheting action with a flip of a lever. There are also rare circumstances where a non-reversible ratchet can back out and become trapped in tight spaces.
We reached out to Tekton, and they confirmed that they did discontinue their reversible ratcheting wrenches.
This development does not reflect anything about the products themselves, or the popularity of reversible ratcheting wrenches. Tekton encountered issues with their supply chain, and this has affected their ability to continue offering these tools. Tekton does not have any plans to replace these tools with new products at this time.
There are of course other brands that still offer reversible ratcheting wrenches, but this is still disappointing news for anyone looking to start or expand a mechanics tool kit with Tekton offerings.
It looks like the supply and production issues are affecting all of Tekton’s reversible ratcheting wrenches. At this time, Amazon still has listings for Tekton’s 6pt reversible ratcheting wrench sets, stubby wrenches, and open stock sizes.
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Mike (the other one)
That’s a shame. I hope they can bring them back once things settle down.
Jared
Seems like a significant tool to be absent from Tekton’s lineup. Hopefully they just come out with a revised version later.
Muh Fugen
They do have flex head ratcheting wrenches
Dargo
Agreed! I have sae set and would REALLY like to get the matching metric set!! Not to be found anywhere. Nowhere new or used! Obviously others discovered the quality and snatched up all of them.
Nathan
figure they are making a design change.
of the ones I’ve looked at I like the flex head models too. But I see quite a few people opting for double ratcheting end wrenches. Tekton makes a set of those too.
so with 5 wrenches you get 8-19mm for example. working on cars that’s usually enough. many people think a ratcheting wrench isn’t strong enough for some jobs so you keep a set of standard combo’s too.
I don’t think it’s a major problem but they could have announced something on their website.
Jared
Concerning strength – I’ve wondered about this. I have also heard “you don’t use ratcheting wrenches to break stuck fasteners free”.
I do. I assume hand tools should be strong enough to stand up to my hand strength. Am I wrong?
I don’t double-up ratcheting wrenches or put a pipe over them, but that’s the only courtesy I show.
I have ruined an 8mm reversible ratchet wrench, but that’s the only one. It’s a Sears Craftsman (Gearwrench) from about 15 years ago.
MM
I’ve heard the same. An old friend of mine went to formal diesel mechanic’s school and he said they stressed to only use non-ratcheting box end wrenches for breaking free fasteners, and were apparently also quite strict with the students about which orientation to use an adjustable wrench in. It makes some degree of sense, a ratcheting wrench is weaker than a solid box-end because all the stress is concentrated on the pawl(s) and their mating teeth rather than being spread out. That said I’ve never managed to break a ratcheting box-end wrench unless you count junk brands I’ve had to use here and there. And I’m like you: I don’t put a cheater on them or double-wrench with them, but otherwise I’ve put a lot of oomph into them and never had a decent brand fail. Mine are an assortment of older Gearwrench, Snap-On, and Icon/Mountain/Ezred and they’ve all been trouble-free thus far.
Lance
I just bought the long version of that 8-19mm Tekton kit (BTW it’s a 6 wrench kit – WRN77154). I’ve only used them for one job, but so far they are very nice to use. I love the additional length, it makes accessing deep dark places much easier and gives lots of torque.
Big pro: Six point design! I primarily use six point sockets and I don’t see the appeal in a 12-point ratcheting tool for general work. I have 12 point tools too, but they don’t see regular use.
Con: The 9mm/11mm wrench will likely never come out of the holder as I can’t ever see a need for it. Oh well, it’s still cheaper to buy the kit and holder than the other five wrenches piecemeal. Maybe some obscure application will surface where it comes in handy.
Jared
Ruined fasteners or using metric on an SAE fastener. It’s just better to have no skips.
MM
Agreed. And while those sizes are uncommon they do pop up from time to time. I was helping a friend do some repairs on an ’03 Ford Explorer Sport a couple weeks ago and actually needed both sizes.
MM
I think Tekton may be having production issues in general. I bought some Crowfoot wrenches from them a couple years ago and they were very nice. I just received two new ones I ordered yesterday, a 9mm and a 20mm, both 3/8″ drive. The 9mm is very nice. The 20mm has residual machining marks visible through the chrome. The square hole for the socket drive has very sharp corners that were clearly not deburred properly. The marking of the “20” for 20mm size looks strange. It appears to have been done with a single-point stylus rather than having been stamped. The “2” looks ok, but the “0” looks more like a “G”; it looks like the tool moved in the fixture while it was being marked. The marking of the Tekton logo & part number on the other side of the tool is slightly crooked. Strangely, the size marking was done mechanically while the logo was laser engraved. Makes me wonder why they didn’t use the laser for both processes.
I doubt there are any structural issues with it, and I’m nitpicking details here, but I felt it was relevant and worth mentioning.
Jim Felt
I wonder if this sort of competition is a marketplace issue for Tektron?
Olsa Tools 12pc Metric Ratcheting Wrench Set – 100 Teeth Ratchet Combination Wrenches – Patented Box End That Works On Stripped and Rounded Bolts – Professional Grade Ratchet Wrench Set for Mechanics https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PJ5FFSC/
fred
I think that the Olsa brand – is just another competitor. In this case its from a 7-year old importer/wholesaler that operates out of Edmonton (Alberta, Canada) – but you are right that there a many similar products from China and Taiwan offered for sale via Amazon, eBay and AliBbaba – so competition can be brutal.
Jared
Canada you say. I’ve been ignoring them, but maybe I should take a look. It does seem that everything they sell is also sold by someone else.
fred
The company is: 1760631 Alberta Ltd. dba Olsa Tools
TonyT
Amazon page claims made in Taiwan.
Nathan
so one thing I think people forget is ratchet strength in general. I mean have you ever broken a 3/8 drive ratchet or worse is breaking an extension. So there is a sizing pattern that I started using because I don’t want to do it again.
applies to 1/4 drive or 1/2 too. I mean if I was going to pull headbolts out of aJohn Deere Diesel I’d roll 3/4 drive or such.
So 5/8 inch or 15 mm on 1/4 drive square. Short of magic metals – that bolt can be stronger than your ratchet. the ratchet pawl, the cog, or the anvil/drive – but typically the socket or the extension.
A ratcheting wrench is only going to be as strong as that similar size ratchet. So I don’t like to break fasteners with a ratcheting but I do it occasionly when I know it’s not really hard. I mean I’m only so strong.
I don’t use 3/8 drive to do suspension work if I Can help it. sure I have a quality set of tools but 3/8 ansi rating requirement is only somethin glike 150 ft lbs. rusted caliper bolt on a 97 Riv is a 18mm – can easily be over 200 to get it removed. (incidentally that’s how I broke a 3/8 extension)
same issues though 3/8 drive turning a 19mm or 7/8th is pushing the limit. Pet peeve why then have a 24mm 3/8 drive?
my 1/4 drive is 12 pt mostly because of airplanes. My SAE 3/8 set is also 12 point same reason. aircraft use 12 pt bolts. but I bought some spline drive ratcheting wrenches works well on either. Also I’ve used then on damaged bolts.
I also don’t like size adapters unless I have to use one. so I won’t use my 1/2 drive with an adapter to turn a 3/8 unless I just have to.
MM
I get a lot of use out of what one might call oversize 1/4 or 3/8 sockets. Of course they are silly for standard bolts but are handy for sensors, plumbing fittings, adjustments, and other situations where high torque is not required.
Nathan
I could see that. I know some car sensor sockets as made are often sized for 3/8. I mean a oil pressure sensor shouldn’t be insalled at high torque. but those oxygen sensors sure get tight.
oil lifter housing on some engines is a 27mm but it’s plastic. so should easily be turned on 3/8 drive.
Richard Schneeman
Thanks for the investigation! As a followup question: I believe the originals had a lifetime warranty. How does that work with a product they don’t make anymore? I assume they keep some surplus stock at first but eventually that would run out. What happens then?
MM
I have never warrantied a Tekton tool so I don’t know how they handle it but with other brands I have been offered a similar, new, replacement from whatever their current product line is. Of course if they don’t have anything close then I have no idea what they might offer.
BobbyG
So who is left?
Gearwrench from Amazon and Husky from HD?
Richard Schneeman
And both gearwrench and husky are 12 point. It seems if you want 6 point reversible ratcheting wrenches you need to buy tool truck or this one random brand I’ve never heard of before “capritools”. I couldn’t find any other brands that make them.
John
Maybe they both come from the same plant in Taiwan
Jared
There’s lots of ratcheting wrenches. Perhaps one less in the regular retail category though.
Proto makes a couple versions (a chrome I-beam handle and a black spline drive (my favorite)).
Williams makes reasonably affordable reversible ratcheting wrenches.
Blackhawk.
Kobalt (if you can find them – I don’t think Lowes stocks these anymore).
Amazonbasics 😅
Titan
Craftsman…
I’m sure there’s lots more, but those are all I can think of at the moment. I would be looking at Gearwrench and Williams if I wanted something not to pricey, Proto if I had the budget.
Or there’s the SK x-beam and Wera Joker if you want something different and don’t need them to be reversible.
Maps Bam
I was about to order some Torx screwdrivers from Tekton because they are inexpensive and made in the USA, but if they discontinue products that means they don’t have to stand behind their lifetime warranty because they can’t offer a replacement anymore. There goes my trust in Tekton.
Jared
That seems a bit… excessive. They have a supply chain issue and you swear off the whole brand?
Maps Bam
It’s more than supply chain issues. They didn’t temporarily suspend sales of these ratchets until they can get more stock. That would be a simple supply chain issue. Instead, Tekton discontinued these and said they don’t plan to offer replacements! I don’t think I’m being excessive. I think you’re giving them an easy pass.
Jared
Maybe. Are you interpreting this line as Tekton refusing to warranty?
“Tekton does not have any plans to replace these tools with new products at this time.”
I thought that just meant they don’t yet have a plan to add a new version of the ratchet wrenches to their catalogue. I don’t know how Tekton would handle warranty. They still have flex-head wrenches right? Perhaps they’d offer you one of those.
Maps Bam
How are they going to warranty ratchets they no longer make? Sure, they may have a small supply of parts or replacement ratchets, but then what?
Stuart
“Supply chain issue” can mean any number of things.
They made it clear that 1) they cannot make more of these ratcheting wrenches at this time, and 2) there are no replacement offerings in the plans either.
If you’re worried about warranty claims, contact them and see what they say.
Maybe if they run out of warranty replacements they will start to offer store credit.
The listings are gone from their website, which I took as longer-term suspension due to not having any reasonable ETA for SKU individual wrench and set replenishments.
Stuart
Nobody said anything about their lifetime warranty.
They’re not replacing these products with new ones, meaning these aren’t being discontinued because new or updated models are set to replace them.
I’m sure that Tekton has a supply of replacements on-hand for warranty replacement purposes. Should that eventually run out before they develop a replacement product, that still doesn’t mean they’re not standing behind their warranty policy.
You can do what you like, but it seems a bit too severe to abandon a company and say they’ve lost your trust because of a situation that seems out of their direct control.
Maps Bam
The world has supply chain issues right now. Tekton isn’t alone. For them to give up on the wrenches seems a bit too severe to me.
Nathan
yeah I mean there are a lot of products you can’t get right now so they aren’t trust worthy on their warranties either.
Meanwhile did they discontinue it as it won’t make that specific item anymore or did they discontinue selling them for a short term.
I still wonder if they are taking the opportunity to update them a bit to say a 90 tooth.
Andy
Fortunately I had recently ordered their stubby reversible ratchets. I was waiting on ordering the standards, so darn it! BUT I did manage to purchase a standard set of reversible wrenches available on Amazon. I snagged a set of those, but they are out of the metric reversible wrenches.
Harry
Let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water just yet. Tekton is far from the only brand to stop offering a product or range of products. MAC stopped offering my favorite series of round head ratchets years ago. SK stopped offering probably the best series of ratcheting wrenches ever made, the G Pro. Cornwell has switched tool box suppliers so many times, I can’t get parts for my Kennedy made 60 inch series box, and there are probably other examples from various manufacturers too.
A lifetime warranty gives you a lifetime of failed tools. I wouldn’t get wrapped around the axle over warranty issues but, that’s just me. I’ll still buy Tekton tools. Not everything is outstanding but, most are excellent when you consider price.
Joemomma
“Lifetime Warranty “
J. Newell
As a heads-up, Home Depot is running a deep discount on the 7 piece regular ratcheting combination wrenches (both SAE and metric). They’re marked down to $20 from $50, with is generous even if not Black Friday levels. Local availability is uneven. One nearby store had none, while another had 35+ of both metric and SAE sets. The sets I purchased were labeled “Taiwan” with finishing done in China.
Bryan
Just saw this. I have their SAE & MM sets, been wanting to grab the stubby sets. Amazon still had some in stock so I just picked them up before they were gone.
Nolan
I know this is old but it appears Tekton has discontinued their remaining ratcheting wrenches as of today due to supply issues. They are selling their remaining stock right now as individual pieces.
PeteM
Almost two years later and Tekton cannot say as to when/if they will offer again reversible ratcheting wrenches.
It doesn’t seem just a supply chain issue anymore. At least to me.