This post is sponsored by The Home Depot. A couple of months back, we took a look at some long-beam combination wrenches from Husky. As evidenced by the federal deficit, though, bigger isn’t always better, especially when you’re working in cramped quarters. We’ll now take a look at the other end of the spectrum, in the guise of the Husky Stubby Ratcheting Wrenches.
Although they may appear kid-sized, these wrenches are definitely big-boy (or girl) toys. The Husky Stubby ratcheting wrenches are built of a sturdy steel alloy, and their slim design lets them squeeze into cramped spaces that would give a full-sized wrench claustrophobia.
The ratcheting mechanism on the wrenches feels sturdy and operates smoothly, and has a nice, tight 5° arc swing. This means you can use the ratcheting function even when there’s only enough room to twist the fastener a short distance before the handle bangs into something.
Just because a tool is the right size, though, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s any good. When you see and feel the Husky Stubby ratcheting wrenches, you get the immediate impression that these are high-quality tools. They have a good heft to them, and the smooth polished chrome finish looks comparable to that on the Snap-On wrenches I bought many years ago – for a lot more money.
Along with making the wrenches easier to keep clean, that kind of finish really helps with corrosion resistance; my Snap-Ons still look great, while many of my tools without a good chrome finish have rusted over the years. And in an example of attention to detail, the wrenches all have the size marked in four spots: On both sides of each end, making it faster and easier to make sure you’re grabbing the right stubby buddy for the job.
Here’s a complete list of features for the Husky Stubby ratcheting wrenches, and a short video from Husky demonstrating how you probably DON’T want to take care of your tools:
• Set includes ten 12-point ratcheting wrenches – 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 3/4 in. and 10, 11, 13, 14, 15 mm
• Alloy steel construction provides durability and long lasting performance
• Box end provides additional leverage and less likelihood of slipping when used on hard to remove fasteners
• 72-tooth ratcheting box-ends need only a 5° arc swing to turn fastener
• Large hard stamped size markings allow for easy identification
• Full polished chrome finish easily wipes clean of oil and dirt
• Wrenches feature off corner loading to help prevent the rounding of fasteners
• 0° offset box end allows for maximum clearance in tight spaces
• Open-end allows the wrench to be slid into position from the side of the fastener
• Chamfered lead-ins help to provide fast and easy placement onto fasteners
• Stubby beam allows these wrenches access in tight spaces
• Meets or exceeds ANSI standards
• Lifetime Warranty with no questions, no receipt required.
Getting Tight With The Husky Stubby Ratcheting Wrenches
The Husky Stubby Ratcheting Wrenches come in a plastic tray, with a snap-in slot for each wrench, and a lid that flips down over them. After the package is opened for the first time, the wrenches still fit in the slots, but the lid doesn’t stay put very well. The tray would work well to keep the wrenches together in a toolbox drawer, but if you want to hang them up or carry them in the case, make sure you secure the end with a sturdy rubber band.
I put the Husky Stubby Ratcheting Wrenches to work on several small projects around our farm. Both the open end and the ratcheting box end fit the fasteners well, and the little wrenches sure are easy to get into tight quarters.
The ratcheting feature works well, and makes it easy to tighten or loosen fasteners without having to lift the wrench off and reposition it repeatedly. The wrench’s 12 points of contact provide a secure grip, and help increase torque. And with a wrench that’s only 4” long, you need all the torque you can get! To reverse direction, simply flip the wrench over.
Any downside? Since the wrenches are so short, it can be hard to get enough leverage to free up a fastener that’s really stuck. If you can get the wrench on it, and there’s enough room, try tapping the end with a mallet or hammer, using a little block of wood as a spacer if needed. Also, the set has ten of the most common sizes, so there’s a good chance you’ll have the size you need, but there may still be times you’re just SOL (sorta outta luck).
Time To Make Room For A Set Of Husky Stubby Ratcheting Wrenches?
If you plan to have only one set of wrenches, you’ll be better off with a larger set, like the long-beam wrenches we looked at previously, or a standard-sized combination set, in SAE or metric. Unless you’re planning to work exclusively on tiny projects in cramped spaces. Once you have a decent set of full-sized wrenches, though, there’s ALWAYS room for more tools!
A set of more specialized wrenches like the Husky Stubby ratcheting wrenches can make some of your wrenching chores a whole lot easier – and in some cases, may be the only way you’ll even be able to get a wrench into play. At about three bucks apiece, it’s a very budget-friendly way to make sure you’ll have the right tool next time you have a tight space to get into. The Husky Stubby Ratcheting Wrenches are backed by an unbeatable no questions asked, no receipt required lifetime warranty, and the Home Depot’s 90 day return policy gives you a chance to see how many tight spots YOU can get into.
Buy the Husky Stubby Ratcheting Wrenches from the Home Depot for around $30:
I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with Home Fixated in sponsored content. As a part of the sponsorship, Home Fixated is receiving compensation for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are our own words. This post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.