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GearWrench 4pc 120XP Flex-Head Ratchet Set $99.99 @Amazon.com

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Loscaldazar

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Feb 23, 2013
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2,385
rice rocket said:
How do the 80T Matco guts compare? Or the 60T Armstrong guts?
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The 88T Matco guts (which is also the same guts as the non flex armstrongs)?

I have no numbers on strength, but the reliability of them 88T guts has been great! The 60 tooth models also have great reliability (I assume their strength is similar to the 120XPs, as the 120XPs only have one pawl engaged at a time). It just seems to be these 84T models that Gearwrench/Apex (or whatever they call themselves now) has been unable to consistently ship out working ones. The 84T guts are also used in the Craftsman Premium ratchets, which also have a fair amount of reviews saying they locked up. That leads me to think there is a design issue with the 84T ratchets as the gearwrench are made in Taiwan, and the CMAN Premiums in the US.

Now, not every 84T is going to lock up and fail, but there seems to be a strange amount of failures of them when compared to even cheapy ratchets from HF. Also worth noting that if they work for the first 30 minutes or so you use them, you've got a good one. The 84T failures tend to happen immediately out of the box either when spinning it by hand, or the first time put on a fastener. Tolerances probably aren't tight enough on them so some can lock up.
 
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seanh303

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Joined
Dec 1, 2011
Messages
247
Loscaldazar said:
For those wondering on the 120 v 84 ratchets....

The 84T ratchets are actually rated as stronger (190% of ASME torque vs. the 120's 180%). However, the 84T models are known to not be as reliable- they may have a greater strength, but they jam more frequently, lock up, etc (in fact, I've only seen one or two complaints about 120XP's failing/jamming, where as there are several very long threads dedicated to the 84T jamming up and plenty of reviews floating on the internet about it). The 84T head is also slightly slimmer.

180% vs 190% of ASME torque works out to be very little difference in real life, and I'll take the more reliable and better designed 120XP over the 84T models.
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The 120XP's haven't been out for very long, so naturally there will be a lot more feedback on the interwebs (good and bad) about the 84T's. It's possible the 120XP is more reliable and it's possible it's not. Time will tell. After this thread we'll see quite a bit of feedback on them here I think :thumbup:
 
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thachman

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May 11, 2014
Messages
137
Finally timed it right and got em for 80-Save15-13 in points. With tax, I was at 58 bucks out the door. Woohoo!
 
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Slowbaru

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Feb 15, 2014
Messages
14
Good news, mine has shipped a couple weeks earlier than expected and will arrive on Wednesday
 
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WheelsNT

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Joined
May 8, 2008
Messages
77
So the Amazon deal now says "ships in 1-3 months". What does that mean, really?
 
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woodstockva

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Apr 28, 2012
Messages
894
Location
USA
WheelsNT said:
So the Amazon deal now says "ships in 1-3 months". What does that mean, really?
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It means they are not in-stock, and they dont have a confirmed delivery date. Typically this means 1-2 weeks. Once they are back-in-stock, the price will shoot up.

Buy now, and cancel if it takes too long.....Amazon does NOT charge or per-authorize/place a hold on your card until the item is ready to ship.
 
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el_chupo_

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Joined
Feb 7, 2012
Messages
171
Location
DFW, TX
Loscaldazar said:
The 88T Matco guts (which is also the same guts as the non flex armstrongs)?

I have no numbers on strength, but the reliability of them 88T guts has been great! The 60 tooth models also have great reliability (I assume their strength is similar to the 120XPs, as the 120XPs only have one pawl engaged at a time). It just seems to be these 84T models that Gearwrench/Apex (or whatever they call themselves now) has been unable to consistently ship out working ones. The 84T guts are also used in the Craftsman Premium ratchets, which also have a fair amount of reviews saying they locked up. That leads me to think there is a design issue with the 84T ratchets as the gearwrench are made in Taiwan, and the CMAN Premiums in the US.

Now, not every 84T is going to lock up and fail, but there seems to be a strange amount of failures of them when compared to even cheapy ratchets from HF. Also worth noting that if they work for the first 30 minutes or so you use them, you've got a good one. The 84T failures tend to happen immediately out of the box either when spinning it by hand, or the first time put on a fastener. Tolerances probably aren't tight enough on them so some can lock up.
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I just received the 84t set today, and the longer 84t isnt working properly. May just return them for the 120xp set at this point. The stubby 3/8 and the other 2 seem to be fine.
 
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ADSR

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Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Messages
10,713
el_chupo_ said:
I just received the 84t set today, and the longer 84t isnt working properly. May just return them for the 120xp set at this point. The stubby 3/8 and the other 2 seem to be fine.
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Take it apart and lube it.
 
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ADSR

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Jan 12, 2013
Messages
10,713
el_chupo_ said:
What type of lubrication? Should I spray it out with something like WD40, then put in a heavier grease, a light oil, etc?
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I use ATF for 60+ tooth count. If you see anything in there, yes, clean it out.

Others on here suggest ultra slick engine assembly lube, but i've never used it.
 
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Alexbn921

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Aug 22, 2013
Messages
579
Location
East Bay Nor Cal
Got mine today. They seem pretty smooth with a fair amount of back drag. My USA craftsman low profiles have better crome even after 12+ years. Glad I got them, the 3/8 stubby is going to come in handy.
 
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zed50

Member
Joined
May 4, 2014
Messages
8
I recieved this set yesterday but NOT from amazon. If you've recently receieved this set, please could you let me know if the ratchets were a little beat up? All four of mine had very slight mechanical damagae such as tiny dings and scratches. They were still in the foam and in the sealed plastic but i'm a bit worried they are refurbished.
 
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ADSR

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10,713
zed50 said:
I recieved this set yesterday but NOT from amazon. If you've recently receieved this set, please could you let me know if the ratchets were a little beat up? All four of mine had very slight mechanical damagae such as tiny dings and scratches. They were still in the foam and in the sealed plastic but i'm a bit worried they are refurbished.
Click to expand...

That's how they come from the factory. If you do a search on here, you'll see it's the norm from GW.
 
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xjfish

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Feb 22, 2014
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1,296
atnfromatl said:
Just bought a set. Been eyeing this for a while now. It was either this whole set or one Snap On 3/8 Dual 80 flex ratchet. Couldn't pass it up. Won't receive until July though.

Thanks OP for the heads up!
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+ You saved yourself about $40. ;)
 
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zed50

Member
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May 4, 2014
Messages
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thanks for the feedback. the production line must end with a big bucket that they all fall into!
 
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el_chupo_

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Feb 7, 2012
Messages
171
Location
DFW, TX
goodinblack said:
So are these refurbished or just made screwd up?
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Are what made "screwed up"? :dunno:

Are you referring to the 84t ratchets that have some issues, the 120xp that have not had any reported problems like the 84t, or the finish being a little dinged?
 
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ahab

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Feb 14, 2014
Messages
117
Location
Austin Texas Suburbs
The Amazon Prime price is no longer the default one that comes up. Goes straight to the $117 from JB Tool Sales.

I got my order in last night. I could use them today... I've got a stubborn exhaust stud that is wedged between the manifold, frame, and cab of my truck. :rant:
 
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LB-1911

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Sep 24, 2011
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el_chupo_

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Feb 7, 2012
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171
Location
DFW, TX
ahab said:
The Amazon Prime price is no longer the default one that comes up. Goes straight to the $117 from JB Tool Sales.

I got my order in last night. I could use them today... I've got a stubborn exhaust stud that is wedged between the manifold, frame, and cab of my truck. :rant:
Click to expand...

Just clicked the link in post 1, still showing $99.99 from Amazon for me.
 
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goodinblack

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May 10, 2014
Messages
112
I need to relax?

I asked a simple question.

By screwed up I meant the dings on the finished.
 
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pixeldzn

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Nov 24, 2010
Messages
15
I ordered last night and the estimate was July 24, but it looks like they have 7 in stock now.
 
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pixeldzn

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Nov 24, 2010
Messages
15
I just got a nice update email from amazon stating my ratchets will ship now rather than in July.
 
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ADSR

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Jan 12, 2013
Messages
10,713
LOL, i've seen lots of orders, but no damn pictures!

Post up the ratchet ****!
 
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duganrm

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Aug 24, 2013
Messages
55
ordered on the 9th and just got a text saying that it was delivered today. Should be in the mailbox when I get home.

It spent the last couple days lost in the mail somewhere in LA. Should have been delivered on the 18th.
 
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