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Ratchet Spanners & Gear Spanners NZ

Ratchet spanners, also called gear spanners, for tight spots where you cannot complete a full swing, from $21 single sizes to full ratchet spanner sets at $526. Fixed and flexi-head, metric and imperial. Faster than a plain spanner and slimmer than a socket and ratchet. For standard sets see spanner sets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a ratchet spanner used for?
Turning a nut in a spot where you cannot swing a normal spanner or get a socket on. The ring end ratchets, so you keep the spanner on the nut and work it back and forth in a few degrees of arc. Engine bays, brake lines, machinery guards and plumbing behind a bench are where they earn their keep.
Ratchet spanner or gear spanner, is there a difference?
No, same tool. Gear spanner, gear wrench and ratcheting wrench all describe a combination spanner with a ratcheting ring end. The Powerbuilt range here is sold as reversible gear spanners, with a lever to switch direction without flipping the tool.
Fixed head or flexi head?
Fixed head is stronger and slimmer, and fine for most work. A flexi head pivots so you can reach over an obstruction or come in at an angle, which is handy on manifolds and under dashboards. Most mechanics own a fixed set and buy flexi heads in the two or three sizes they fight with most, usually 10, 13 and 14mm.
Can I use a ratchet spanner to crack a tight bolt?
Use the open end or a normal ring spanner to break it loose, then switch to the ratchet end to spin it out. The ratchet mechanism has fine teeth and is not designed for the shock of a seized fastener. Treated that way a good set lasts a lifetime.
Which sizes do I need?
8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 17 and 19mm cover most vehicles and machinery, which is why the 7 piece sets at $130 to $209 stop there. The 13 piece set adds 11, 15, 16, 18 and the big sizes. Singles from $21 let you add 24 or 25mm only if you need them.
Do you have imperial ratchet spanners?
The sets here are metric. For American vehicles and older machinery, imperial sizes are available in the standard ring and open end spanners, and the 4 in 1 reversible set covers two sizes per end to cut down what you carry.

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