Regarding Gear Wrenches

[Uncle Buck]

I have already assembled most of the Gearwrench type wrenches I plan on buying so I am not really looking for advice, but rather your opinions.

When I bought mine I studied all of them over and compared the cheap ones to the more expensive versions with the reversing levers and such and try as I might I could not envision a situation I would be using them where the reversing lever feature would offset and justify the added expense for a weekend wrench such as myself.

I have been using them frequently for a couple of years now and I still do not regret not going the added expense for the reversing lever feature type wrenches. Yup, I do have to flip them to reverse directions but it just does not seem that big a deal to me.

( mind you I will acknowledge there will always be that oddball time you will cuss not having that feature but really speaking more on the whole)

So am I the lone cheap bird with this opinion or do others share this thought?

 

[Joe B.]

I have the locking flex ones from Craftsman. They don't reverse and it has not been a problem for me. I like the flex and I like the locking but I can just turn the wrench around it I need to go the other way.

 

[Ign]

It only took me one time under an '86 Ranger to back a stiff (ie uncooperative threads) bolt into a xmember thus trapping my Gearwrench to understand the value of that little lever. Head of bolt was shouldered, so I couldn't just slide the wrench "forward" over the threads.

But if you're talking actual Gearwrench brand, the reversible ones fail often enough that you're glad you didn't pay the money. After warrantying about 4 I gave up and bought SK.

 

[bchee]

If it has the 'capstop' feature I think the reversible lever is probably useful. Don't know if they even make a capstop wrench without a reversing lever.

 

[T56 Impala]

I have both types. Cman with the lever and Gearwrench without. I prefer the non lever style.

 

[Uncle Buck]

If it has the 'capstop' feature I think the reversible lever is probably useful. Don't know if they even make a capstop wrench without a reversing lever.

I don't know what a capstop feature is.

 

[chad pickens]

I have alot of gearwrenches and they are all non reversing. Im happy with them.The only reason I can think to have the ones with the lever is for the offset.

 

[wrenchr]

It is a shoulder that prevents the bolt from going thru I think. For the lever wrenchs

 

[Fedwrench]

I don't know what a capstop feature is.

It's like a little washer on the top edge of the ratcheting end of the wrench. It's designed to keep the wrench from sliding past the hex. The drawback to this is that you can only use the wrench on one side. You can't get a reverse grip because the capstop won't allow the wrench to go over the hex. A very poor design from Gearwrench.

 

[kythri]

First GearWrenches I bought were the offset reversible combos in SAE and Metric, and I absolutely love them.

I now have the flex-heads combos and the stubby combos, also GearWrench brand, and they've all come in super-handy.

When I picked up the flex-heads, I didn't have a specific use in mind for them, just figured they'd eventually come in handy - sure enough, not 3 weeks after I got them, my buddy brought over his Grand Cherokee to swap out the radiator and hoses, and they were the perfect tool to get the stupid fan off of the engine.

As far as the reversibles, I really do think I'd be unhappy if I had the regulars instead. I love these things.

 

[Fedwrench]

My current favorite gearwrench are the extra long zero offset box wrenches. They have excellent reach and leverage. They don't need a reversing lever. I do like the Craftsman and Snap on reversible combination wrenches. I like having the angled box end. Prices aren't that much different now between the reversibles and regular styles now if you shop around. Wrenches should be a question of what feels good in your hand and works for you.

 

[bchee]

It's like a little washer on the top edge of the ratcheting end of the wrench. It's designed to keep the wrench from sliding past the hex. The drawback to this is that you can only use the wrench on one side. You can't get a reverse grip because the capstop won't allow the wrench to go over the hex. A very poor design from Gearwrench.

That feature has bad reviews, like you said.
http://reviews.sears.com/2328/00944004000P/reviews.htm

 

[Stanger]

Love my reversibles.

 

[wilbilt]

It only took me one time under an '86 Ranger to back a stiff (ie uncooperative threads) bolt into a xmember thus trapping my Gearwrench to understand the value of that little lever. Head of bolt was shouldered, so I couldn't just slide the wrench "forward" over the threads.

That's operator error. Don't blame it on the wrench.

The few GearWrenches I have are non-reversible, non-flex.

Stronger that way.

 

[eschoendorff]

I have both types. Cman with the lever and Gearwrench without. I prefer the non lever style.

I have teh same setup. And I prefer the reversibles. Go figure...

Here's one for you. I actually like using my Husky (made over there) reversible wrenches more than my Craftsman pro reversibles...

 

[kythri]

That feature has bad reviews, like you said.
http://reviews.sears.com/2328/00944004000P/reviews.htm

It's also got good reviews.

I can see the benefits of both styles, but I've got to say, on my reversibles, I like it.

 

[PoorOwner]

Hmm, wouldn't the sets that is not reversable (no lever) MUST also be straight?
my reversables have a 10 degree offset or something, can't see how that would work both ways if you have to flip it around.

 

[reversegear]

That's operator error. Don't blame it on the wrench.

The few GearWrenches I have are non-reversible, non-flex.

Stronger that way.

The reversibles are often stronger than the non-reversibles.

PoorOwner, you are right. The offset is only on reversible models, and is usually 13 - 15 degrees.

eschoendorff, is that the 7-Piece Husky set from Home Depot? Those test out real well. How much were they?

 

[nissan_crawler]

I have (and prefer) the non-ratcheting ones. Yes, you have to keep your head out of your **** and make sure you don't get yourself in a bind since you can't reverse it. It's not a big deal to me.

As for strength, etc. I've had the 1/4-1" set for 6 years now, used professionally almost every day (pick them up before my Snap-On ratchets if I can), and I've only had one fail. the 9/16" one started to lock up on me if I really reefed on it to get a bolt loose. I will say this, I have NEVER said "oh, this is tight, I should use a regular wrench first", I just yank on the gearwrench and go.

 

[eschoendorff]

The reversibles are often stronger than the non-reversibles.

PoorOwner, you are right. The offset is only on reversible models, and is usually 13 - 15 degrees.

eschoendorff, is that the 7-Piece Husky set from Home Depot? Those test out real well. How much were they?

They weren't too expensive... I bought them because I couldn't justify the cost of Craftsmans (about $90-100) for wrenches (SAE) that I wouldn't use nearly as often. Boy was I WRONG! I use the Huskys all the time (on my garden tractor and around teh house) and have been very impressed with them...

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...3&productId=100026224&N=10000003+90072+501607

I wish that HD would sell these as singles, not just in sets. i gues I could always get Blackhawks if I wanted singles...

 

[Stuey]

I love my reversibles, but would be willing to try out the zero offset ones if the price is right.

I posted a similar question elsewhere and received mixed responses. I'd really like to try GW's "gearbox" wrenches rather than yet another set of combo wrenches, but the price is too high.

 

[kythri]

As posted elsewhere here on the forum, this Friday/Saturday, all GearWrench sets, 50% off. The price is going to be right on the zero-offset ones.

 

[PoorOwner]

I love my reversibles, but would be willing to try out the zero offset ones if the price is right.

Just get the flex ones.. was on sale for $45 last week.
however they are not as low profile as the regular ones.

 

[beardking]

As posted elsewhere here on the forum, this Friday/Saturday, all GearWrench sets, 50% off. The price is going to be right on the zero-offset ones.

Where is this sale going on at?

 

[DiStOrTiOn]

I've got the craftsman offset reversing ratchet wrenches. These ones: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...|Craftsman^Type+of+Wrench|Ratchet+wrench+sets

I love the things, worth every penny I paid for them, and more. The things are damn near indestructible, and the offset is awesome. Since they're offset, they have the reversing lever, unlike the non-offset version.

 

[kythri]

Where is this sale going on at?

See this thread:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17241

It's going to be Friday and Saturday.