Snap on vs Gearwrench screwdrivers

[ToolGlutton]

I do not have the exact same versions of the Snap on vs Gearwrench screwdrivers. What I have are one Snap on hard handle ratcheting screwdriver and one Gearwrench soft handle ratcheting screwdriver.

I like the Snap on most for its smaller handle, being able to be opened and greased. However, the snap on shank looks really cheap. Made in China or India? Anyway, it is terrible. This is true especially for the knurled area.

I like the Gearwrench most for its shiny and good quality shank, nice ratcheting mechanism. I hate the Gearwrench in that there is no way I can open it and grease the ratcheting gear, and the handle is huge.

As to price, the Snap on one is $58. The Gearwrench is $17.99. BTW, the Gearwrench also comes with one ratcheting T-handle (which is really fabulous), three extra shanks, and one set of SAE and one set of metric 1/4 sockets (the sockets feel like Snap on sockets, although I'm not sure how good they hold up).


http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr56/Toolglutton/screwdrivers.jpg

[billymade]

The Gearwrench guys on here; said that the Gearwrench ratcheting screwdrivers, are actually based on the Snap-On design and manufactured under license! I thought there was a design similarity and amazingly they admitted it! :)

[Vulturej]

I have the Gearwrench and the SO 5 position Softgrip ratcheting screwdrivers, there very close in design. If anything I would say the SO has a little smoother ratcheting feel to it.

[ToolGlutton]

The Gearwrench is very smooth too. At least much smoother than the Craftsman.

I'm very disappointed by the cheap looking Snap on shank. :mad:


I have the Gearwrench and the SO 5 position Softgrip ratcheting screwdrivers, there very close in design. If anything I would say the SO has a little smoother ratcheting feel to it.

[Fedwrench]

I actually prefer the stubby Gearwrench version. The full size handle is a little too large for me. You're right it, was hard to beat the sale Sears had on the combination Geardriver sets around the holidays. Defeinitely a great value.:thumbup:

[MAD]

I have the same Snap-on screwdriver(hard handle, fixed shaft) and Gearwrench set. The Gearwrench set is a great value for the price, especially if you got the $17 half price deal. The handle on the Gearwrench driver seems a bit too big for me as well and the T-handle does not fit my grip very ergonomically. Still, for the money it is a nice set.

The Snap-on handle feels great to me. The selector on the Snap-on also operates in a very intuitive way. You turn the selector in the direction you want to rotate the fastener. On the G.W. and most others, you turn the selector the opposite direction. After doing a lot of dash work this past winter( heater core, ignition sw, air blend doors, stereo) I have really come to appreciate the extra strong magnet on the Snap-on driver. The magnets on other ratcheting screwdrivers I own hold the bits in place fine but the Snap-on driver magnet was super strong and really excelled at starting screws one handed. This really made a difference jammed under the dash on a brisk zero degree day.

Actually my favorite ratcheting screwdriver (except for the tip magnet) is my SK stubby. I will probably pick up a Snap-on shaft for it soon. Here is the thread I started about the SK.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22499&showall=1

[bmxr4life87]

i have the gear wrench set and the snap on shafts will work i have a few that i use in the gear wrench handles, i couldnt feel enough of a difference between the two to justify the difference in $$$

[oldtools]

Maybe the Snap On is just a rebadge Gearwrench.

[J.A.F.E.]

I have both and my experience is quite opposite. Quite frankley don't care much for the GearWrench the handle is way too big and the shanks too long. I also think they feel cheap and was actually disappointed in the purchase.

If you want to get rid of the SO PM me.

[Thedroid]

I have two complete Snap-On sets, one at work and one at home. I absolutely love them. They were spendy,but top notch quality, clean up nice, strong magnet, excellent flexibility, and the bits are great. I love the hex bits, they are very handy, and very strong strong. My buddy has the gearwrench, and I don't think that it's on the same level. Homeowner level yes, Industrial level no. Shanks look great to me. They don't need the chrome to make them look nice, they are nice.

[HandyManny]

Gearwrench is really capturing a good share of the tool user market. Seen lots of their tools in use in quite a few repair shops lately. Even hear that some of the tool trucks are selling them along side their own brands. Beware Mac and Snap-On.:shocking:

[Zeroek]

I'm hoping to grab one of those ratcheting Gearwrench screwdrivers. I haven't got a ratcheting one yet and I've had to slow down on tool truck stuff. Budget isn't so great.

[peterbilr98]

i will stay with my snapon has worked great for years .

[nightrain00]

I have both and If I had bought the Gearwrench first I never would have bought the Snap on. I'll be the first to admit the Snap on is slightly better quality but for the price of the one Snap on you could buy 3 of the Gearwrench and still have some money left over. I have the set with the T handle and bits and sockets and it's very handy to take the whole thing with you to whatever your working on. The slight Quality difference does not justify the price difference.

[Thedroid]

I'll stay with the Snap-On also. I try to buy American made tools whenever possible. Yes I know not all of SO's products are made here, and I do feel a little ripped off when I buy those products. Tools, boots, and leather products for me are a buy american when at all possible. I don't own any of GW's products, and I don't plan on it anytime soon. They might be great, but that's just me. I was pissed when I saw Taiwan on my Blue Point ratcheting combo wrenches, great product, but if I could do it again, I would have bought the ones with USA stamped on them.

[fatfillup]

Owned the SO for 15 years or so and love it. Others must also, just try to buy one off ebay or at an auction. They go for big money. Haven't tried the GW, might be a good bet for home.

[ToolGlutton]

I agree with you on everything here except that the extra longer magnet on the Snap on shaft is actually clearly weaker when compared to the Gearwrench. I just did an experiment.

I have the same Snap-on screwdriver(hard handle, fixed shaft) and Gearwrench set. The Gearwrench set is a great value for the price, especially if you got the $17 half price deal. The handle on the Gearwrench driver seems a bit too big for me as well and the T-handle does not fit my grip very ergonomically. Still, for the money it is a nice set.

The Snap-on handle feels great to me. The selector on the Snap-on also operates in a very intuitive way. You turn the selector in the direction you want to rotate the fastener. On the G.W. and most others, you turn the selector the opposite direction. After doing a lot of dash work this past winter( heater core, ignition sw, air blend doors, stereo) I have really come to appreciate the extra strong magnet on the Snap-on driver. The magnets on other ratcheting screwdrivers I own hold the bits in place fine but the Snap-on driver magnet was super strong and really excelled at starting screws one handed. This really made a difference jammed under the dash on a brisk zero degree day.

Actually my favorite ratcheting screwdriver (except for the tip magnet) is my SK stubby. I will probably pick up a Snap-on shaft for it soon. Here is the thread I started about the SK.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22499&showall=1

[cruiser808]

I agree with you on everything here except that the extra longer magnet on the Snap on shaft is actually clearly weaker when compared to the Gearwrench. I just did an experiment.

Could you please share with the class Mr. Glutton? :beer:

[jerk_chicken]

I don't have the number handy, but has anyone used the CM ratchetless ratcheting screwdriver? I bought mine in 2006 or so and brought it over with me to Germany. Love this tool and use it often.

It feels like they have a sprag mech in there and the low friction on reversing allows one to ratchet pretty much from the beginning of driving a screw in, when only the tip is slightly embedded.

[MAD]

I agree with you on everything here except that the extra longer magnet on the Snap on shaft is actually clearly weaker when compared to the Gearwrench. I just did an experiment.

With my Snap-on SSDMR48 and my similar Bahco branded screwdriver, I was able to pick screws out of the cardboard box I was tossing them in with the tip of the bit. Screws do not fall off the tip when starting them one handed. The magnet on my Gearwrench and SK screwdrivers are not strong enough to do either. Just to be sure, I just checked them again with the same bit. I can only speak for the examples I own. Your results may vary.

As I said before, the Gearwrench set is nice. If I liked the handles more, the Snap-on would be a tough sell.

I am still really digging the SK stubby. I just need to get a better shaft or two for it.

[speed bump]

If I buy a ratcheting screwdriver I guess it will be a gearwrench as I love big handles on screwdrivers and the SO handles I have tried were to small.

[Thedroid]

The soft grip SO handle is plenty big, not small by any standard. I think it has more meat than the GW