SK Hand Tool is soon coming out with their new X-Frame ratcheting wrenches, which are so drastically different from others currently on the market that SK calls the design “revolutionary.”
The new SK X-Frame ratcheting wrenches feature a new box end design, as well as a new x-shaped handle. The new wrenches are said to provide “up to 5X more strength than ANSI spec.”
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SK X-Frame ratcheting wrenches are similar in design to Gearwrench’s 120XP double pawl ratcheting wrench design, but take things to a whole nother level.
As an aside, check out the inside of Gearwrench’s 120XP ratchet!
Traditional ratcheting wrenches are often of a single pawl design. The box end, whether 6pt or 12pt, has a single pawl that engages a main gear to create a strong, yet simple ratcheting mechanism.
With single pawl ratcheting wrenches, the pawl must shift at least one tooth over to ratchet. This means that the minimum swing arc is 360° divided by the number of teeth. There’s a limit as to how many teeth there can be. Too many small teeth, and pawl-gear engagement might suffer, resulting in lower strength.
SK X-Frame ratcheting wrenches have a 6-pawl ratcheting box end design. Yes, that’s right 6 pawls.
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In an X-Frame box end, there are always two pawls engaged with the gearing at all times. The first pair of opposing pawls are engaged with the gear. The second pair of pawls are half-engaged. The third pair are disengaged. This creases a 3-stage ratcheting action.
When the wrench is rotated in the free-swinging direction, the pawls engage one pair at a time, creating 3 separate pawl engagement positions for each tooth.
72 teeth x 3 pawl stages per tooth = 216 positions. This leads to a 1.7° minimum swing arc.
And since there are two pawls always engaged, SK X-Frame ratcheting wrenches are also said to be quite strong. They don’t just meet ANSI strength standards, they exceed them by up to 5 times.
SK also sought to give the X-Frame wrenches a new look. But the X-Frame design isn’t just for looks – the new wider double beam arms help to distribute the load in higher torque applications.
SK X-Frame ratcheting wrenches also sport SK’s “SureGrip open end that grips fasteners on 4 sides. Other premium brands’ wrenches also offer anti-slip open end designs.
First Thoughts
The new box end definitely looks like a fantastic idea, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, it looks like SK X-Frame ratcheting wrenches are non-reversing. This is a big downside for a lot of users. Personally, I greatly dislike non-reversing ratcheting wrenches, despite how they can often be made stronger than reversible ratcheting wrenches. I prefer reversible wrenches with a slight offset.
Second, the box end and open ends are beefed up. Yes, this means greater strength, but it also means greater width. The wider box end means that, in tight areas, you might not be able to swing an X-Frame wrench as far as you could with a narrow ratcheting wrench.
Third, all of SK’s promo materials only show 6pt ratcheting wrenches. A lot of users prefer 12pt, as it’s easier to get them onto fasteners in tight spaces. With 216 ratcheting positions, these wrenches should be easy to adjust and align to fasteners’ orientations, but many times this might mean an extra step.
Fourth, SK is producing their new wrenches in the USA. This was expected, but is good news nonetheless.
Keep in mind that strength and fine turning was the goal here. 6pt box ends are stronger than 12pt.
These wrenches are flashy-looking and highly appealing, but part of that is because they’re so different and new. Once the hype settles, I think that we’ll find that SK X-Frame ratcheting wrenches are the ideal wrenches for some users, but not for others.
Ken S.
I actually prefer non-reversing wrenches, I’ve had both and since these generally are used in confined spaces for my purposes I am bothered by the reversing lever getting hit or caught on something and changing the direction of rotation.
I currently am using gearwrench’s in SAE and MM but like this design more, on the other hand I have yet to break a gearwrench in automotive use.
At the end of the day I am a tool junkie and will probably pick up a set or two of the new SK’s
Jerry
I might note that the box end looks a bit bulkier, to make room for the extra pawls. I guess it is a trade off for the extra strength and lower swing angle for ratcheting.
Otherwise, they seem like good strong non reversing wrenches, which some will like more than others. My personal preference for ratcheting wrenches, would be non reversing, with a flex at the box end side, that will lock into several positions from straight, to slight offset, to more offset. This allows for as much clearance as needed.
I also am on the side of non reversing ratcheting box wrenches, as it seems that the reversing mechanism in one wrench or another in my reversible set isn’t working properly, while my non reversing set has been problem free. The flex allows for knuckle clearance. I far prefer the locking flex over just a flex, it saved the skin on my knuckles more than once.
cody
I like it!
Jim
The reversible option feature for this high tooth count, multi-paw design is a moot point. I find there would be an inherit design constraint in designing a mechanical reversing mechanism to effectively control the synchronized orientation of multiple paws. At a minimum, it would complicate and enlarged the head design. Regarding 6-point versus 12-point, with such a fine tooth design making for almost unlimited positioning of the 6-point opening, the only advantage of a 12-point design would be in support of 12-point fasteners. Had SK those chose a spline design, like the Gearwrench 120XP series, the fastener coverage would have expanded to cover 4-point and the uncommon 8 and 12-point fasteners. The choice of the 6-point design greatly improves the gripping performance on the corroded or worn fasteners often encountered by it’s targeted professional users.
Pablo
Non reversible is a total deal breaker. Ratcheting wrenches are most used when there isn’t clearance for a full ratchet…and that’s precisely where you can potentially back a flange head bolt into an unrecoverable situation. Stupid decision IMHO.
Looks flash though, which is a good change of pace from the plainest brand on the market.
Pablo
Oh and zero degree offset? Another pretty massive oversight.
Looks like the marketing folks designed these, not actual users of the tools.
joel
@ pablo you hit them hard, that most be the marketing department got toogether on lunch break and designed this tool, no offset and and extra thick wall to only fit bolts when you take them out lol..
I say make it like the soexlm flank drive plus but keep that same open end and take my money lol but mean time ill buy does too dang marketind department got me again
Han
It’s reversible you just have to flip the wrench around, and not being offset allows the handle to be at the same angle tightening or loosening. Usually whenever I have needed a ratcheting wrench I would prefer no offset, otherwise I would just use a socket wrench. I was just changing the fuel line in my truck and had to work between the fire wall and the rear of the engine block the offset of my normal combination wrench using the box end put the open end of the wrench scraping against the firewall insulation, this X frame design would have been perfect. Also I have busted off at least two reversing levers from wrenches.
Pete
I preffer non-reversible. I simply apply a non-slip epoxy to the tighten side and blam. I know which side is the tighten side and which is loosen side. I do wish it had a hair of offset
Nathan
with an offset it would have to be reversible – without the offset I don’t need a need.
I don’t have ratcheting combo wrenches I look but never seem to buy. I’ve used some – they work – but with decent combo wrenches and good ratchet/sockets I just can’t justify the buy.. but I always keep looking – might consider buying these.
Only real issue with these is the need I have for 12 pt. so knowing SK does other stuff I expect to see a 12 version of this.
jesse
I think they are going to be quite expensive.
Toolfreak
They could make these a flex-head set and it’d be a lot more useful.
I get that they are supposed to be “strong”, but they also should be able to make a decent wrench if the ratcheting end were half as thick, still having all six pawls, just half the height.
The other big thing is that handle doesn’t look comfortable. Sharp edges that will dig into fingers and palms when really torquing on it. A thick handle with a rounded edge would be ideal.
I get that they were going for crazy and flashy looks to show off how “different” the wrench is, but a wild, innovative design can also be completely functional. in this case, the ratcheing end is good, the open end is ok, but the middle part is a lot of showing off and not that great.
Hopefully the production versions will have much more rounded edges that will make the wrench comfortable to use.
William
Give it 10 years. This is a gen 1 product and even with it drawbacks runs circles around the competition. All ratchet wrenches will end up looking like the SK one. Probably be 12 pt and lower arc swing and offset. In time.
superautobacs
Perhaps this is one of the few tools from SK that I’ve found to be exciting.
This mechanism wouldn’t be of much benefit in a standard length design as a standard 72-tooth will work just fine in confined spaces. I think this mechanism would really be of benefit the longer the length is.
Doing vehicle alignments, I much prefer the non-reversible types in XL pattern. So, I sure hope they make these in 12pt drive, in an XL pattern so that they can really make use of their small swing-arc mechanism.
Kent
Being reversible isn’t a deal-breaker, but having zero degree offset is. Having an offset angle is exactly why I spent the extra money for a reversing set.
These are slick, but won’t end up in my toolbox.
Rick
Though the animated vid doesn’t show all the engineering and the actual workings, it looks like the pawls are free-floating. This will modify the 1.7° claim until the shoulders fully force the pawls to engage. Free-floating pawls could also allow it to spin if dirty enough, though even ‘sprung’ pawl ratching systems can also spin if dirty enough. The same people who complain about the size of lobster-claw wrenches won’t like these either.
Though I don’t see the need for such strength in the smaller sizes and the larger sizes I’d want might be individually pretty expensive, they look good to me!
Steve Hardy
I have no doubt that SK will be coming out with a few variations over the next year or two.
jarred leigh
I have a $50K rollaway and I feel these are the cats ass. I love the zero offset, this is my go to wrench, every time… period.
I have 7+ other wrench sets with as many different offsets and angles when that unique occasion comes along.
Rodger
PRO’s
The wrenches are great in tight spots.
The ratcheting heads are about the same size of the other brands.
The open end is like the Flank Drive design it grabs & It Will not round fasteners.
The ratcheting end is strong, It will snap off a 3/8″ grade 8 bolt without damage to the ratcheting portion of the wrench.
Nice durable chrome finish.
12pc metric set comes with a nice rack.
Made in the USA
Con’s
Needs A flex head design.
Cost is a little on the high side.
Nathan
so I have to retract my other statement – I bought a set of these mostly on a whim and secondally on need as I didnt’ want to disassemble the back end of my car to take off a sway bar.
anywho – I like the new SK and so I purposely bought 2 of these – 15 and 18mm as that was my need.
fits very good, and you don’t need the 12 pt like I use on my combo wrenches. why that sub 2 degree swing let’s you get that index you need to set the head – and then just swing away never taking the wrench off again.
fantastic. torque I know I can’t break them, so that’s the last of my worries.
Mike
I bought the metric set a few months ago. I like them. Also recently got the Wera Jokers in SAE. They’re nice as well.
Just got going with organizing the garage last week. Flipped the (never been used) X-frames over out of their tray, and one of the wrenches had the ratchet fall apart. Looks like the retaining ring was not screwed down. No big deal, but, wasn’t sure how all of the puny parts should go back together.
Got a fast response from SK and they advised sending it to them. They received it, but will wait at least 1 week before they will ship the warranty replacement. Don’t know why, and it’s really not an issue, but kind of weird.
Stuff happens. But, it’s nice when quality stuff just works. Also thought there would be some embarrassment, a free shipping label, and maybe some remorse.
All of my Wera tools are fabulous.