Reversible GearWrenches

[D60]

So I know these have been discussed here a lot, but here's what I'm finding recently. I've got the 8 pc SAE set and the 12pc metric set, these are the reversible ones that have a lever you flip to change direction.

But I've now had four wrenches total that stopped working like they should. They'd just lock up and stop ratcheting. You have to flip the lever, and then flip it back, and just when you think all is going well it locks up again. So far my local Napa has been cooperative with warrantying all of them.

But this makes me think that maybe the less expensive, non-reversibles are a better way to go. Has anyone else had this experience?

First to go was my 9/16, right off the bat. Later on the 8mm started acting up. Now, both my 13mm and 1/2" have issues (I was using these on separate projects, and not interchangeably even tho the two sizes are very close to one another). I store them inside, they've never been rained on or exposed to any solvents, and I live in a VERY dry climate.

So long as GearWrench stands behind their product I can't complain too much, but it's still annoying.

[ironpig70]

i have craftsman and i use them daily semi pro mechanic and i find that gung builds up in them just a little squirt of some pb blaster or the like every couple months has kepted mine going strong for the last 5 months

[tkojeep]

We have a set of the offset craftsman ones too and they work awesome. They are easy to switch directions and are built well. We use them all the time. I usually grab them instead of going for a conventional wrench.

~Kirk

http://content.sears.com/data/product_images/009/43375/00943375000-dlv.jpg

[D60]

http://content.sears.com/data/product_images/009/43375/00943375000-dlv.jpg

Nah, wrong style there bud.

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/media/KD-9533.jpg

[tkojeep]

The offset ones are the ones we use the most... We have both sets.

~Kirk

[socalchef]

i had a set of the HF ones like tkojeep posted a picture of. plenty cheaper then his though. they lasted quite awhile, i used them a lot for spring plates, torqueing nuts down tight with them. one finally let go, then a 1/2" not too long ago. cheap enough (under $10 a set on sale i think) to replace once a year or so. i would like a set like the gearwrench's, but i've got duplicates of all the regular wrenches anyways, i've run out of room in my chest.

[Toyota_Jim]

ive got some of the reversable gear wrenches, i had the same problems with them you did. stepped up to snap on ones

[unimogken]

bLowes also carries Gearwrench if you get tired of returning them at Napa.. hehe

[ChiScouter]

Maybe these things have some QC issues. I used my 14mm yesterday and broke 8 bolts off with no problems with the ratcheting mechanism. Shank dia of the bolts was I think a litle bigger than 5/16.

[kyle_22r]

we've got a set at work that were bought in september. only a couple still work, and we didn't even really use them that hard. they tend to seize up and not ratchet.

fawking pieces of shit.

i've got a set of the craftsman ratcheting wrenches(the "heavy duty" combo wrench ones, not the funky stamped ones shown above) that you flip over to reverse. i've been pretty happy with them, other than the fact that they'll freespool if you push on them a certain way.

[ZJim]

I've got some similar to the Craftsman ones pictured above. There's really not a whole lot to go wrong with them.. I like them alot.

[AprilzWarrior]

I use the Mac Tools brand and dont have ANY problems with mine at all.

AW

[jpnjim]

I bought the chrome type Craftsman ratcheting combo wrench, with the forward/rev lever, and they're great.

I've had the stamped steel 'Dogbone' style for years, in Craftsman, Snap-On, Mac, and they were all pretty good, and pretty much all the same (except for the discontinued Craftsman style with plastic strips around them = Junk).

When the GearWrench style came out, I really liked them, TILL I SAW THAT THEY WERE MADE IN CHINA CRAP. :shaking:

When Craftsman finally came out with their own 'Made In USA' versions, I bought them, and really like them.

I haven't tried the more recent non-chrome, non-lever Craftsman ratcheting combo's, but they look bulkier, with a little cheaper looking design/mechanism.

[TexasBlake]

We have a set of the offset craftsman ones too and they work awesome. They are easy to switch directions and are built well. We use them all the time. I usually grab them instead of going for a conventional wrench.

~Kirk

http://content.sears.com/data/product_images/009/43375/00943375000-dlv.jpg

I have those and they rarely work when you need them. They are too bulky to fit in places a standard size closed end wrench will fit in. Since they are square, they also don't really feel good in your hand when you're pulling against them with all your weight.

I used a bunch of the Gear Wrenches you're talking about last night and they're AWESOME. I used the hell out of them. 5 of us were tearing down a blazer at a shop, so it was pretty much "use any tool you can find." I was using those Gear Wrench wrenches taking off bolts and beating the wrench with a hammer cause the bolts were tight. Never broke one, and I beat the shit out of them. I'm gonna buy some next time I go to tool store.

[maddog]

Amazon.com is the place to look. Single search on A-9 gave me several results.(http://store.yahoo.com/tylertool/cr97pcstrera.html

[indulf]

i have had a set of the cheapo HF ratcheting wrenches for about a year now with no issues. they get used more than any other wrench i own, and i have purposefully tried to screw them up with no success. they don't have a lever- you flip it over like the traditional ratcheting wrenches, but they are much thinner. they come in both SAE and metric.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=92555
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=92554

[D60]

Yeah, well I mean these are tough.............I've leaned on them really good sometimes and never seen an issue from that. IIRC the sizes that have "failed" on me were not ones I've really leaned on.

The issue is simply that they lock up during use. Flip the lever to the other direction and back again, and they work for a few more turns. But this game quickly grows old, and the whole point of the ratcheting wrench is to save time. When they start locking up they take nearly as long as a standard wrench.

When they work, I love 'em. I'll keep warrantying the ones that act up for now.

[Jokeman]

I have both the Craftsman chrome box ratchens with the little flipper and the straight gear wrenches that at not reversable. The gearwreches felt cheap in my hard but I bought them to just leave in the truck if I need em. I had to use em a few days ago and I reefed on em pretty damn hard and was surprised they didnt give.

[wheelsup]

So I know these have been discussed here a lot, but here's what I'm finding recently. I've got the 8 pc SAE set and the 12pc metric set, these are the reversible ones that have a lever you flip to change direction.

But I've now had four wrenches total that stopped working like they should. They'd just lock up and stop ratcheting. You have to flip the lever, and then flip it back, and just when you think all is going well it locks up again. So far my local Napa has been cooperative with warrantying all of them.

But this makes me think that maybe the less expensive, non-reversibles are a better way to go. Has anyone else had this experience?

First to go was my 9/16, right off the bat. Later on the 8mm started acting up. Now, both my 13mm and 1/2" have issues (I was using these on separate projects, and not interchangeably even tho the two sizes are very close to one another). I store them inside, they've never been rained on or exposed to any solvents, and I live in a VERY dry climate.

So long as GearWrench stands behind their product I can't complain too much, but it's still annoying.



I use some, but only the extra stubby variety, and i get them fromt he tool trucks.
I would never buy those lever reversible.
to many times I have used mine n places that the lever would bump something and keep reversing it.
A buddy of mine has the lever style, and he bitches about that all the time.

[D60]

I would never buy those lever reversible.
to many times I have used mine n places that the lever would bump something and keep reversing it.

I've never had a problem w the lever being reversed by contact with anything. I prefer the lever style 'cause I always find I back a bolt into something (like a crossmember just the other nite) and the bolt was longer than anticipated. So I've gotta thread the fastener back in and find another approach. The only way to get my wrench back is to flip the lever and thread it back in some.

[3car]

I've never had a problem w the lever being reversed by contact with anything. I prefer the lever style 'cause I always find I back a bolt into something (like a crossmember just the other nite) and the bolt was longer than anticipated. So I've gotta thread the fastener back in and find another approach. The only way to get my wrench back is to flip the lever and thread it back in some.
I have a set of the flex head gearwrenches (non reversing) and a set of matco proswing long ratcheting wrenches, and both work flawless. i dodnt get the reversable ones, because fewer moving parts=more durable design.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/3car/sgrblm10t.jpg

i like these matco double box wrenches because they have the non ratchet end to break the tight bolt loose, then you can switch to the ratchet side to buzz it off.

[glfredrick]

As a Snap On dealer, I generally check the reliability of tools by the amount of warranty work that I have do to. Some are better than others, but I've found that the Snap On and Blue Point branded gear-type wrenches have proven very reliable in the field. I rarely ever warranty one and most of the technicians I call on use them hard all day long. Cost is a tad higher than the bargain stores, but you get what you pay for sometimes...

Cost on a set of standards is about $120 (5/16"- 3/4", 8 pc.) or (13/16" - 1", 4 pcs.) or for metrics $189 (8mm-19mm, 12 pcs.) and $120 (20mm-24mm, 4 pcs.). Also carry the same wrenches in a flex head design (the ratchet head is on a flex swivel similar to a flex head ratchet.

Generally the mechanics say that you want the lever type selectors instead of the flip-over-to-reverse-type wrenches because they can back a bolt back into the hole if you run into clearance issues while removing it. The flip type ones become almost instantly useless if you get up against a frame rail or other obstacle -- sometimes requiring cutting off the wrench or bolt to extract them. Just something to think about before spending the money.

[roundeye]

Amazon.com is the place to look. Single search on A-9 gave me several results.(http://store.yahoo.com/tylertool/cr97pcstrera.html
Any website with store.yahoo.com IMO is risky to purchase from. Since I did that in the past, I have had to cancel a credit card. Now the FBI is looking into how my info has been compromised and store.yahoo.com has come up.
FYI, buy from a reputable company. Anyone can set up a store.yahoo.com in minutes. my.02 cents. I have seen these wrenches at many tool stores.

[ZJim]

You guys do know that most manufacturers of these style ratcheting wrenches say that you shouldn't use them to break loose really stuck fasteners, right? I'll admit to using mine for just such a purpose, but that's just something to keep in mind. Perhaps if you're breaking such ratchets you should get out the breaker bar and sockets! I'd never thought about backing off a bolt and having the damn ratchet get stuck in a bad place.. that would REALLY suck.

[D60]

You guys do know that most manufacturers of these style ratcheting wrenches say that you shouldn't use them to break loose really stuck fasteners, right?

Yep. I have too, but not on the 4 sizes I had start acting up.

[cheaprides]

i have a set of the craftsman polished gear ratchets. i paid 90 bucks for the set (5/16- 3/4) my dad has the snap on version and there are very similar. the craftsman ones are much skinnier and also the lever on the top is much smaller and helps when useing it lever down on a flat spot. compare them side by side and decide what you like, i like my craftsman much better, thats just me.

on a side note snapon now has 1/4 and craftsman does not. i would like 1/4 but im going to hold on for a wile and see if i can make my set match up.

[Munchies]

Been beating the craftsman pro ones, there VERY skinny and polished. TOre down a few cars, built a rig or two, hammered em, etc, and they keep on goin!

[Kartracer55]

Well the craftsmans that were first posted, the thick ones are made by kastar, JUST LIKE SNAP ON! Although snap ons have a beefier ratchet mechanism, and use a metal spacer as opposed to craftsmans plastic one.

I have been skeptical of the gearwrench brand, although, snap on, mac, sk, and a few others are all made in taiwan, becuase thats where the patent for the ratcheting mechanism exists.

One thing that will def kill them is any sort of dirt or sand in there. Its a good idea to clean them by blasting them out with Wd40, Pb blaster, deep foam, or anything liek that.

Jim

[Peter_C]

There are different types of gear wrenchs. There are Blue-Points made for Snap-on. Then there are the "Gear wrench style" of Snap-ons that are branded Snap-on and made by Snap-on.

Snap-on Wrench (http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=hand&item_ID=68064&group_ID=17479&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog)

[glfredrick]

There are different types of gear wrenches. There are Blue-Points made for Snap-on. Then there are the "Gear wrench style" of Snap-ons that are branded Snap-on and made by Snap-on.

Snap-on Wrench (http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=hand&item_ID=68064&group_ID=17479&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog)

You are exactly right... As a S-O dealer, I have multiple types of gear wrenches available on my truck, from the early versions, gears between a sandwich of pressed steel plate, both straight and offset, to "Gear Wrench" (K-D Tools) branded wrenches in the actual "combination wrench style" configuration, to Blue Point branded ratcheting wrenches in several configurations, from combination box to double box-ended, to "flex headed" combination wrenches (have a movable gear head), and then there are the actual Snap On branded ratcheting wrenches, which are also a combination wrench, and made exactly after the pattern of the Snap On SOEX ("flank drive" combination wrench) save for the geared end.

Not one of the wrenches is exactly like the other, it is obvious that most, if not all, are made in different plants and with different designs. The best of the best are the Snap On branded wrenches. They have multiple patented design features, including the Flank Drive system, and they are longer by about 1/3 than any of the other wrenches. They are also pricier, but in this case, I think that you get what you pay for -- the S-O branded wrenches are superior to all the other ones, based on my warranty work and based on seeing them in action day after day.

The only comment that I have about other brands than those listed above (MAC, Matco, Craftsman, etc.) is that the people that are using them generally express a desire to me to trade them up for our stuff... Take that for what you will, it's just what I hear out there on the tool route.

[Whitewater]

I have a set of the Blue Point Metric Combos and they are one of my absolute favorite tools I own. Like someone said earlier I typically don't use the ratcheting end to break bolts loose or to torque em down. Once loose I use the ratcheting end. Haven't had a problem with them yet.

[Kartracer55]

You are exactly right... As a S-O dealer, I have multiple types of gear wrenches available on my truck, from the early versions, gears between a sandwich of pressed steel plate, both straight and offset, to "Gear Wrench" (K-D Tools) branded wrenches in the actual "combination wrench style" configuration, to Blue Point branded ratcheting wrenches in several configurations, from combination box to double box-ended, to "flex headed" combination wrenches (have a movable gear head), and then there are the actual Snap On branded ratcheting wrenches, which are also a combination wrench, and made exactly after the pattern of the Snap On SOEX ("flank drive" combination wrench) save for the geared end.

Not one of the wrenches is exactly like the other, it is obvious that most, if not all, are made in different plants and with different designs. The best of the best are the Snap On branded wrenches. They have multiple patented design features, including the Flank Drive system, and they are longer by about 1/3 than any of the other wrenches. They are also pricier, but in this case, I think that you get what you pay for -- the S-O branded wrenches are superior to all the other ones, based on my warranty work and based on seeing them in action day after day.

The only comment that I have about other brands than those listed above (MAC, Matco, Craftsman, etc.) is that the people that are using them generally express a desire to me to trade them up for our stuff... Take that for what you will, it's just what I hear out there on the tool route.

Im thinkin about picking up a set of those SK G-PRO's, you know, the ones that work on like 7 differnt types of fastners... They are fairly expensive, but still cheaper than snap on... any experience? I cant afford the snap ons

Jim

[cheaprides]

compare them before you buy if you work in tight spaces like everyone else and plan on using the top (lever side toward work) you will be happier with the craftsman ones because of the smaller head and lever.

the snap on ones are longer but the blue points i think are a waste and are made over seas. my dad has a set and they work very well if you have the extra room.

i have both SAE and Metric craftsman full sets

anyone know of 1/4 availability?

[Rallye]

I have not read the other responses, but I have a metric set of the standard GearWrench (brand) ratchet wrenches. I bought them at Sears about 4 years ago - on sale for something like $49.99 - and I got them specifically because they did not have any levers to break (ie, the craftsman sets), and therefore, I really like the simplicity. Their slim design makes it easier to get into hard to reach places.

I use them all the time when building/rebuilding/tearing apart the rally car. They are possibly the most useful hand tool I have ever spent money on.

Mike

[Kartracer55]

compare them before you buy if you work in tight spaces like everyone else and plan on using the top (lever side toward work) you will be happier with the craftsman ones because of the smaller head and lever.

the snap on ones are longer but the blue points i think are a waste and are made over seas. my dad has a set and they work very well if you have the extra room.

i have both SAE and Metric craftsman full sets

anyone know of 1/4 availability?

The snap ons are made overseas too... Id bet the wrench is made here, but the ratcheting portion is made overseas... they just dont mark it. SK does the same thing... I believe MAC and Blackhawk are in the same boat.

Jim

[jpnjim]

Well the craftsmans that were first posted, the thick ones are made by kastar, JUST LIKE SNAP ON! Although snap ons have a beefier ratchet mechanism, and use a metal spacer as opposed to craftsmans plastic one.
Those old Dog bone ones all seem the same to me, so I believe just one company makes them all.
BTW, Craftsman discontinued the plastic wrapped versions a few years ago.
Now their stamped dog bones look exactly the same as the Snap-On, Mac & Matco's I have.

I have been skeptical of the gearwrench brand, although, snap on, mac, sk, and a few others are all made in taiwan, becuase thats where the patent for the ratcheting mechanism exists.

The Craftsman 'gearwrench style' ones are stamped made in the USA.

Are you thinking the mechanism is made in Tawain, and put in a wrench made here?
That would make some sence, though I hope it's not true.
Where did you get the info?

[Kartracer55]

Ive got sources. Lol... If you really Want to know, I frequent a board called mark KW's Inside tools ( I can PM you with the link if you like) Its hard to find it in a search, but it exists. There arnt too many regular posters, but between the guys on there (less than 50) we can tell you ANYTHING youd like to know about tools; whether its What tools Moore Drop forge(later aquired by Danaher as Easco) was making for who, or Who Western Forge is producing stuff for, or what. There are various tool dealers on there, some tool "historians" and avid tool users.

I dont recall exactly who told me, but he said his Mac dealer Informed him that the patent only exists in Taiwan for the mechanism. I m 100% sure of this, because snap on Ratcheting combos arnt made in the USA (not stamped USA anywhere) and thats not like snap on. I think just about EVERY snap on hand tool is made here in the USA, so why would these be any different, and why would the wrenches in the Stanley Family (MAC, Proto, Blackhawk), SK and Snap ons be made overseas if they could prevent it? Im sure the snap on wrenches are still forged here (thier Ratcheting combo wrenches are based of thier standard wrenches) and its just the mechanism is from taiwan, as is the case in the other brands. I think its totally possible that Craftsman is using a taiwanese mechanism in thier ratcheting wrenches... but I cant confirm anything. THier cheaper wrenches that do not reverse are most liekly made here, because they are a pawless design, which would explain why they are a bit sloppier than the other style.

Going back to the dogbones, I believe just about ALL of the major brand dog bone styles are made by kastar. Many hardware stores sell them under the kastart name, and they are identical to the Craftsmans. As for the plastic strip, IM not sure, I havent encountered any metal ones in my sears, and I saw them a few months ago.

Jim

[glfredrick]

About the flat, flip over to use, style wrenches, whether dog-bone or regular wrench styles...

There is one major drawback to them... If you get up against something like a frame rail, you can't reverse the wrench without going through some contortions like slipping the wrench over the threads of the bolt and using something else to turn it back down enough to get the darn thing off of the bolt. Sometimes you end up stuck and you get to use the hot wrench to cut the stuff apart. I've seen it happen a few times and it ain't pretty...

Just my .02 about the "skinny" wrenches without the lever.

About the SK G-Pros, they are probably a good wrench. They're all about the same quality anyway, except for the Snap On branded ones... I've seen a decided difference there, but you're gonna pay for it. The biggest difference isn't in the ratchet end, but the open end. It's just loads better than the cheaper brands -- they all spread open and round off fasteners, even the Blue Point ones. Compared to the S-O Flank Drive, all the other open ends in the world suck. I know, I test them all the time. Just chuck a bolt into your bench vise and try pulling hard with a regular wrench, then try a S-O Flank Drive Plus. You'll get it immediately.

[Kartracer55]

I have been pretty happy with SK wrenches actually... snap on? Close, but no cigar, but a hell of alot more comfortable to use, at least for me, so I dont miss owning a complete set of snap ons.

As for the G-pros, I was jsut wondering how well the g-pro design (the one that accomidates 9 different bolts) holds a bolt without rounding it off. Im questioning whether or not that maycase them to be more likely to round of the bolt.

And as for not being able to back them off... Yeah, I learned the hard way. I had to cut the bolt and use the dremel to get it remotly square so I coult turn it off... what PITA.

Jim