1/2 GRAY Ratchet update

[wrenchr]

Well tonight when I got home from work UPS had dropped off my rebuild kit for my 6298LB Gray ratchet.
With the help from some of our Canadian members I was able to get in contact with Gray customer service, which was quite pleasant to deal with!!
I'm a huge fan of gray's!!:thumbup:
Proto shold take lesson's from Gray!!:beer:

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk173/wrenchr/100_1194.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk173/wrenchr/100_1193.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk173/wrenchr/100_1192.jpg

[64merc]

Darn it, you're making me more and more jealous of you every time you post about those Gray ratchets. Very nice little collection you got there sir. Glad to hear about the good service.

BTW, I got my rebuild kit from Danaher yesterday as well. I have a hell of a time with that damn KD ratchet for some reason, but I finally got it. I think I was just tired or something.

[billymade]

Those heads look almost identical to the old Snap-On ratchets; many of an earlier era ratchets seemed similar. Would be interesting to know who designed these in the very beginning; so many companies adopted those head designs....

[eschoendorff]

Those heads look almost identical to the old Snap-On ratchets; many of an earlier era ratchets seemed similar. Would be interesting to know what designed these in the very beginning; so many companies adopted those head designs....

I was thinking the exact same thing!


BTW, nice to hear that Gray still stands behind its products.... :beer:

[wrenchr]

Yah I'm realy pleased with Gray!!!!

[dxdexter]

Glad to hear of your experience. Just about half my tools are Gray and they make an outstanding product.

Heres another example of how they stand behind their product. Back in the mid 80's Gray had a problem with peeling chrome on their GRAY CANADA SERIES (professional line). I didn't find this out until 2005 when I brought in a metric wrench to see if there was anything that could be done. They replaced all my wrenches from 19 to 30mm and gave me a $300 credit for my SAE (3/8 to 1 1/4") wrenches towards a tool box (I had already replaced the SAE set with SO). The wrenches were over 20 years old and not all were peeling. The Gray rep even came to my home personally.

BTW the $300 credit was for a wrench set that were valued at $160 back in 1982 which were given to me as a gift from the Chevrolet dealership I was job training with.

[Jared]

i just got my 3/8 ratchet warrantied today aswell, always nice when people stand behin there products.

[lbgradwell]

Glad to hear of your experience. Just about half my tools are Gray and they make an outstanding product.

Heres another example of how they stand behind their product. Back in the mid 80's Gray had a problem with peeling chrome on their GRAY CANADA SERIES (professional line). I didn't find this out until 2005 when I brought in a metric wrench to see if there was anything that could be done. They replaced all my wrenches from 19 to 30mm and gave me a $300 credit for my SAE (3/8 to 1 1/4") wrenches towards a tool box (I had already replaced the SAE set with SO). The wrenches were over 20 years old and not all were peeling. The Gray rep even came to my home personally.

BTW the $300 credit was for a wrench set that were valued at $160 back in 1982 which were given to me as a gift from the Chevrolet dealership I was job training with.

Wow. That's just fantastic & quite an endorsement for a very fine product!

Kudos to Gray!!!!:bowdown:

[billymade]

Was there a historical linkage between Snapon/Gray at one point? I was looking at their catalog online, the designs look like they haven't changed that much (same head/handle designs) and also interesting is the 3/4" drive ratchets they have. Again, they look like the Snap-On ratchets too! http://www.graytools.com/catalogue/3-4%20Drive%20Sockets%20&%20Attachments.pdf

http://i3.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/f5/51/938e_1.JPG
http://i23.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/f8/31/3ffd_3.JPG

[wrenchr]

I would say there is a connection there!!! At the very least influence, I'm not saying who is influenced by who either!! It is not for me to guess, I like both companies!!

[Uncle Buck]

Are you sure a SO gut kit wouldn't work in a Gray?

[wrenchr]

Are you sure a SO gut kit wouldn't work in a Gray?

I had some spare's and they would not work. I'm sure there are some that would work but those are $10.00 a pop and I do not know which one would work.

[dxdexter]

Was there a historical linkage between Snapon/Gray at one point? I was looking at their catalog online, the designs look like they haven't changed that much (same head/handle designs) and also interesting is the 3/4" drive ratchets they have. Again, they look like the Snap-On ratchets too! http://www.graytools.com/catalogue/3-4%20Drive%20Sockets%20&%20Attachments.pdf

http://i3.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/f5/51/938e_1.JPG
http://i23.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/f8/31/3ffd_3.JPG

The historical link is with The Bonney Tool and Forge Company. They were partners from 1930 to 1961 and there is a strong resemblance in each of their products including some numbering.

[billymade]

So, did Bonney makes tools for Snapon as well as Gray?

[dxdexter]

So, did Bonney makes tools for Snapon as well as Gray?

I'm not sure. The GRAY ratchets are similar, but I never considered them to be identical to SO in any respect. Just a reasonable facsimile.

[64merc]

So the head is removable on those big 3/4" drive ratchets? Can you buy different length handles for it?

[wrenchr]

Yes you can.

[eschoendorff]

I've always wondered if Gray and Snap On were shower buddies. Never thought about the Gray/Bonney thing though... but I guess it makes sense, in retrospect.