Dewalt’s adjustable wrenches are strong, durable, and comfortable to use (but not very corrosion resistance). They’re way behind our favorite Channellock/Irega wrenches, and even a step behind our go-to Stanley, but I do reach for them on occasion.
This ratcheting adjustable wrench, which was originally intended to come out under Dewalt branding, will be available starting in the Fall of 2013 under the Stanley FatMax label.
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Ratcheting adjustable wrenches – aren’t they gimmicky? Sometimes. About two years ago a reader emailed in to ask for my opinion about Bostitch ratcheting adjustable wrenches. I went to the nearest Lowes to pick one up, but after testing it in-store I was so turned off by the design that I left empty-handed. Luckily, Stanley FatMax’s new offerings look to be completely different animals.
The new ratcheting adjustable wrenches will be available in 8-inch and 10-inch sizes. A selection switch allows users to toggle between ratcheting and conventional operation.
Our problem with the Bostitch models was how the mechanism seemed like it would always rub hex fasteners’ corners, potentially leading to rounding-off damage over time. The FatMax wrenches seem to be designed differently, but I won’t get too excited until I can try one at home on my own terms. The fact that you can turn the ratcheting mode off makes the wrench more appealing.
Both wrenches will feature a corrosion-resistant matte finish. An ergonomically-shaped head will make it easier to reach fasteners in limited or confined spaces, and laser-etched SAE and metric jaw scales make it easier to dial-in fastener sizes.
These wrenches were originally slated to be priced at $20 (8-inch) and $25 (10-inch), and were supposed to have been released 8 months ago.
There is no word as to why Stanley Black & Decker decided to market these ratcheting wrenches under Stanley FatMax labeling instead of Dewalt. Maybe it’s because the wrenches are Stanley Tough but not Dewalt Tough. It could also be that Stanley Black & Decker wants to drive more focus to Dewalt’s new line of wrenches and mechanics tools.
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The design doesn’t seem to have been tweaked very much, aside from the change in branding.
This post was previously published on August 6th, 2012, and was edited and republished on August 23rd, 2013 to reflect new information about the branding change.
DC
If the design is sound then these wrenches could be really cool! They at least look heavy duty but as you said the design element of the ratcheting mechanism is gonna be key.
Stuart
The adjustment was smooth and solid and the wrench reassuringly weighty. At a prior event, I caught glimpse of the ratcheting adjustable wrench in a hand tool group photo, and when I talked to a product manager about it, he said that the mechanism was redesigned and would be up to Dewalt standards. I suppose that if the Dewalt-branded wrench was a simple adaptation of the Bostitch design we would have seen it released much sooner.
jesse
Made in China? If so, no thanks.
Bill
I agree
Daryle
As do I.
Soda
I’ll have to agree also.
Stan
Indeed, I agree as well. If I am going to use a wrench, that wrench will be 100% American made and if I am going to use a ratchet, that ratchet will be 100% American made as well.
Although this concept seems mildly interesting, I still prefer the tried and true wrenches/ratchets.
jesse
It looks as if Stanley let the patent expire: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=189929
Stuart
Thanks for the info! They can still produce the wrench even if not protected by a patent. Some of Dewalt’s hand tools have been hit by delays before, only to hit the market 2 years after originally estimated.
Stuart
Update: it looks like this product will be released under Stanley FatMax branding instead of Dewalt. If true, I wonder what this says about the quality of the ratcheting wrench.
joe
Oh my, this is the first time I hear about a ratcheting adjustable wrench. Though I can live with out one, if I understand the technology correct, this would make my job easier. Where I work, I use one a lot…when I get weird angles, I usually get away with flipping back and forth the wrench to try to get a best angle…you know, not all angles give you the best weight to pull ratio. IOW, you will scrape skin in the knuckles.
Stuart
Crescent and Bostitch ( target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”>$18 via Amazon) also make ratcheting adjustable wrenches.
I found the Bostitch design to be rather unimpressive when I checked it out a while back, but the Crescent is okay. This Dewalt/Stanley FatMax model left me reasonably optimistic. I wouldn’t [couldn’t ?] use it on fasteners in tight spots, but it might be handy for general construction applications.
jesse
There are a lot of ratcheting wrenches out there, maybe a dozen or more different designs, and they have been around for some time. Just search YouTube for “ratcheting adjustable wrench” to see them in action. I like the Xceleracer design, which is available in various brands and sizes.
joe
Another thing that regular wrenches bother me is, to minimize the chance of stripping, I close the jaws of the wrench all the way with no slack. When I try to remove it, it does not want to let go…hehehe.
Try it:
-close jaws while wiggling the wrench back and forth and at the same closing the jaws.
You get a perfect mate between the wrench jaws and the nut lug walls minimizing the stripping.
This type of wrench would not require opening the jaws by hand. (i’m guessing)
To most people this may not be an inconvenience but to me it is, I even labeled O with an arrow. O stand for open..hehehe
Jerry
Stanley makes an adjustable wrench, with a lever to lock the jaws tightly on the bolt or nut, similar to the mechanism used on locking pliers. I have one of those, and it works to clamp the jaws securely, but takes an extra step to tighten/loosen the jaws. On the bright side, they can be used like a standard adjustable wrench if you don’t need the jaws that tight. However, if you REALLY want a tight, non-slip grip, go with the Knipex adjustable pliers wrench. Grabs tight, doesn’t slip, and also works with a ratcheting action.
Joel
Hey guys, hello from Australia, love the site. I just bought the large and small edition of the latest Stanley fat max extreme ratcheting adjustable wrenches. They are completely useless! The ratcheting mechanism is a new vertical design in the sliding blade. In store it looks terrific and I have been impressed with Fatmax extreme products before, but the way the mechanism is designed when you actually put the wrench on the bolt, one of the touching sides has only a very small area of contact and slips off really easily. Its design also only allows it to work on hex bolts you can no longer clamp it to something flat and use it as a lever/handle. I know some people will see it in store and have to give it a try, it does look fantastic, but I promise you a very bitter aftertaste. Hope I’ve been able to help.
Stuart
Thanks for the feedback! That’s disappointing that the new wrenches don’t really engage fasteners well. A review sample arrived the other day, but I haven’t had the chance to test it out yet.
jesse
Was this ever available in the US?
Stuart
Maybe? I have a retail-packaged test sample sitting in a test bench drawer.