Dan sent us a heads-up about Husky’s new universal spline ratcheting wrench. I was already heading off to Home Depot that day, so I made a point to check it out. This Husky 48-in-1 “ratcheting rotary socket wrench” is essentially a universal dog bone wrench similar in design to Black & Decker’s new ratcheting ReadyWrench.
Compared to the B&D ratcheting ReadyWrench, Husky’s offering is a bit chunkier and I wasn’t thrilled with the way it felt. It’s not just me – Ben from over at Toolmonger REALLY doesn’t like this new wrench. He calls it the worst damn wrench idea in a while, and recommends it as a gift for people you really dislike.
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The large end of the wrench really is quite big – here’s a closeup of it with my thumbnail in there for scale. Black & Decker’s version is not a tiny tool, but it’s better balanced and it seems to be better designed.
Husky 48 in 1 Dog Bone Wrench via Home Depot
Jason
Honestly, I’d have to say don’t knock it till you try it. I got this wrench as a gift from my son on my birthday and have kept it as a fix-all in my trunk the last month or so. I got stuck out in the woods with boat problems and a flat trailer tire last weekend (fishing trip from hell) and this tool kept me from having to walk several hours in the Florida heat to find help. It took care of several different bolt sizes and I also don’t have to worry about digging around for and/or losing different sized sockets as inevitably happens. Can’t say I can complain one bit about having this as my go-to emergency wrench.
Ed. Note: It has come to light that “Jason” may be a shill for Home Depot, Husky or one of their agents. As such, please DISREGARD this post until our investigation is complete. We currently believe that the review left by “Jason” is FAKE.
Luke
I picked up one of these last week thinking it was a good idea. Much like communism, it’s only good in theory.
The thing is way too big for most of the work I tend to do requiring a socket or wrench. It’s a nice idea to tie everything together in one tool, but making it too big to fit into areas I would not call small is a deal breaker. They get an B+ for effort, but a D for execution.
I returned it 5 days after purchase.
Frank
Honestly, I’d have to say don’t knock it till you try it. I got this wrench as a gift from my son on my birthday and have kept it as a fix-all in my trunk the last month or so. I got stuck out in the woods with boat problems and a flat trailer tire last weekend (fishing trip from hell) and this tool kept me from having to walk several hours in the Florida heat to find help. It took care of several different bolt sizes and I also don’t have to worry about digging around for and/or losing different sized sockets as inevitably happens. Can’t say I can complain one bit about having this as my go-to emergency wrench.
Ed. Note: See above note.
rusty
Stuey better put a shill comment on “Frank” as well.
Stuart
I don’t think Frank’s a shill, just an antagonistic.
John
Honestly, I’d have to say don’t knock it till you try it. I got this wrench as a gift from my son on my birthday and have kept it as a fix-all in my trunk the last month or so. I got stuck out in the woods with boat problems and a flat trailer tire last weekend (fishing trip from hell) and this tool kept me from having to walk several hours in the Florida heat to find help. It took care of several different bolt sizes and I also don’t have to worry about digging around for and/or losing different sized sockets as inevitably happens. Can’t say I can complain one bit about having this as my go-to emergency wrench.
Ed. Note: See Above Note
George
Honestly, I’d have to say don’t knock it till you try it. I got this wrench as a gift from my son on my birthday and have kept it as a fix-all in my trunk the last month or so. I got stuck out in the woods with boat problems and a flat trailer tire last weekend (fishing trip from hell) and this tool kept me from having to walk several hours in the Florida heat to find help. It took care of several different bolt sizes and I also don’t have to worry about digging around for and/or losing different sized sockets as inevitably happens. Can’t say I’m not yanking your chain
doctor don
My wife got me one of these at Home Depot last week for Christmas. My only concerns are (1) that its design may mean it cannot stand up to a large torque, although it can ‘fit’ a large number (6) of different heads, and (2) that it cannot fit nuts and bolts that require extensions. By making the metal fit all those head types, it is thinner than a single socket. We shall see how it stands up to use. Unlike a standard dog-bone wrench, this wrench has to be turned perpendicular to the axis of the bolts. It cannot be used in a screwdriver fashion. The largest socket end is not large enough to use on the nuts on the top end of my rear shock absorbers. This would be nice if it did since I have to use an Allen wrench to hold the shaft stationary while turning the 15/16-inch nut.
Steve
Well i got one as a gift for christmas and i think it will be usefull as i own a american vehicle and often times this will be very functional in its service and repair because you know dealing with changing sockets or numerous wrenches while laying on you back beneth a vehicle, can be some times more time consuming then desirable espically if you drop the socket and ends up rolling under you ! all though it is rather large but that just proves that the lifetime guarantee is going to be less frequently replaced because of its strength
noal smith
it was a good tool till the pines brock & the springes went every where then you have a tool that bites.
Keith burley
I bought this wrench at home depot, last Christmas , and found it very helpful for any external nut, or bolt. I knew I would not use it for close tolerance work, but found it very practical for external nut and bolt combinations.
Warren
I received mine as a Christmas gift and couldn’t be happier. It is not meant to be a high torque wrench, just a convenient, easy to carry handyman’s tool. Mine is in my home fix-it bucket and saves space and time when I’m doing things in the house or yard. If I need stronger or smaller tools I have plenty of those in my garage. The biggest thing is knowing what you need for the job at hand.