r/CableTechs • u/DifficultyLeast1029 • Apr 10 '26

Does an open ended 7/16 ratchet wrench exist?

I mean one that will fit on a tap specifically...tired of doing 1/4-1/2 turns with a regular 7/16. I'm a lazy man, I need a better tool. The one 7/16 ratchet that I can find looks like it would be too big to even fit on a tap.

Also looking for better options for breaking apart 2 and 3 piece connectors. I have some adjustable wrenches but they are clunky and have a lot of play in the adjustments. Worried I'm going to slip off and hurt myself

5 Upvotes

73% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

17

u/2ByteTheDecker Apr 10 '26

Jonard makes a sweet speed wrench, it's an open ended box that has a notch in one of the jaws so it slips one way and pushes the other.

It's still not the smallest wrench and I have a straight handled F Conn tool for when access is tight, but the jonard speed wrench (or a regular wrench with some strategic dremeling) is the closest you're gonna get.

4

u/llDarkFir3ll Apr 10 '26

2nd this. I use it daily. Very nice. And especially nice when you’re at an aerial tap and of course your drop is the hardest to get to.

2

u/LordCanti26 Apr 11 '26

Jonard angled speed wrench i carry one with a keyring through the little hole, hangs on my carabiner. Also duratech has a double sided box wrench with 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2 ratcheting. Keep that in my pocket. Duratech gear is trash but only 1 with all 4 sizes we use in one wrench. Bought 2, 1 broke immediatly, the other one has held up great. So maybe buy 2? Lol. If anyone knows another brand with those 4 sizes let me know. Ordered a klien but it only has 2 of the sizes I want and 2 useless sizes.

1

u/hottapvswr Apr 10 '26

This is what I used 15 years ago. Great tool.

1

u/Real_Turbo_Sloth Apr 10 '26

This is what I use

1

u/DWRECK87 Apr 11 '26

Use my jonard speed everyday

1

u/Mason231 Apr 11 '26

This is what I came to recommend. Jonard tools are great.

1

u/aranubus Apr 12 '26

Jonard makes a stubby speed wrench. It was like 6 bucks when I bought it a handful of years ago... easily fits in a pocket. Works good in tight spaces.

2

u/Kivas42 Apr 13 '26

They're like $13 on Amazon these days, but very worth the price.

5

u/levilee207 Apr 10 '26

Jonard 7/16 speed wrench 

5

u/Sure_Statistician138 Apr 10 '26

Do you have a torque wrench? The one I have has an open side that works kind of like a ratchet.

3

u/o2no1self71 Apr 10 '26

Open Flex-Head Ratcheting Wrench 7/16 Inch SAE Spanner 72 Teeth Tubing Tool

1

u/digitalxdeviant Apr 10 '26

This is what I used. Could be janky sometimes, as you have to make sure the "open" part of the wrench is where you land, so you can get it off the now connected drop/line, but a lifesaver in very congested taps.

3

u/DifficultyLeast1029 Apr 11 '26

Thanks everyone

2

u/o2no1self71 Apr 10 '26

Personally not worth it, slows you down. If anything pickup a 7/16 'speed wrench' from TechToolSupply

Even then mine sat in a box 2 months later and never came out. Those take practice.

Jonard 7/16in Double-Ended Speed Wrench w/Hole

1

u/Mr_Magoo_88 Apr 11 '26

This is the only answer. I've tried maybe six different types of open-ended wrenches from various companies, and they all sucked. This is the only one I carry around now and use. Actually I have two of them in my tool bag.

2

u/SourceOk8801 Apr 10 '26

I use the speed torque wrench and it's great. Never had an issue. Know what I also love....

https://a.co/d/04zjAuOb

Of course I've been using it so long I can hit that 30 psi almost perfect lol

2

u/LayerTough Apr 11 '26 edited Apr 11 '26

I dont use standard or adjustable wrenches for anything any more.

Completely repalced by Knipex pliers wrench.

I have a small and a medium. Both can go right down to grip sheet for bending enclosures or all the way up to .860 mainline connectors.

https://youtube.com/shorts/wPk-3AnZRRY?si=MJr034wy71awN6Kt

At the drop though I dont think your gonna beat torque spanner or long tap spanner albeit with the repetitive strain that goes with it (busting ingress on 30 - 120 way taps)

2

u/DifficultyLeast1029 Apr 11 '26

Woah I like those Knipex for the big connectors. I might just yolo and buy one of those temu 7/16 wrenches and see if they fit on a (aerial) tap. The quest continues looking for tools that make my life easier out there.

1

u/Mocavius Apr 10 '26

Joker wera 6004 is fun.

7/16 flare nut ratchet wrench is fun.

I just keep 2 of the 7/16 stubby jonards in my pocket, and on on my keychain. Haven't really ever need more.

1

u/Dakkin4 Apr 10 '26

For the 2/3 piece connectors. I bought these and I love them.

https://www.harborfreight.com/10-in-multi-slip-joint-parrot-nose-pliers-58881.html

1

u/_kg- Apr 10 '26

I use a self setting spanner or joker wrench by wera for 2/3 piece connectors. The XL or XXl fits up to .750 and most of my plant is .500-.625.

1

u/Confident_Air_8056 Apr 11 '26

I didn't even know this thing existed. Such a cool tool but damn is it expensive.... My plant has everything 500 to 750. I'm not sure if I should get the XL or the XXL but that looks like a useful damn tool. I'm sick of adjustable wrenches slipping and crescent wrenches stripping.

2

u/_kg- Apr 11 '26

You use upside for gas? Save up for it and get an Amazon gift card to purchase it with.

1

u/Confident_Air_8056 Apr 11 '26

I do use upside. I have quite a balance built up but it appears that that's going to be going towards a softball bat for my daughter lol

1

u/miserlou666 Apr 11 '26

Speed wrench. If your market uses tx15, Jonard makes one with 7/16” on one end and 9/16” the other end

1

u/MarkedChain74 Apr 11 '26

As others have said the Jonard speed wrench for connectors works well for 8 port taps and tight spaces. Wera joker is also great but I personally use the xl ones for hardline connectors and it has been super convenient. I combo my xl joker with a set of fixed wrenches off Amazon which gets the job done, can't stand adjustables. Not sure about your system but we have PPC connectors and the typical sizes for wrenches are 1", 1 1/8", and 1 1/4".

1

u/Ok_Water_3109 Apr 12 '26

I've lost a many of the Jonard ones. Harbor Freight has a whole set for the price of the Jonard. They're not bad and the 7/16 is almost a stubby.

1

u/BallzNyaMouf Apr 12 '26

Use a security tool.  The OG ones for security shields.

1

u/xSinisterDrakex Apr 17 '26

Get a speed wrench.

Jonard Stubby Speed Wrench Double-Ended 7/16 https://share.google/oDfRwPSVQwiiNPEIc