New 8 mm gearwrench

[bobcatdan]

Compared to an old one. Last time I bought a gearwrench set is when the flex heads came out so at least 10 years if not longer ago. My 8mm reveseable locked up the other day and I just got it warranty. I have to say they beefed up the open end a little bit on the new one.

 

[plinker]

Must be the new and improved, super heavy duty upgraded model. I have a 1/2 Gearwrench like that.

 

[bobcatdan]

I'm not really whining like some threads of this type. For as little as I use the open end of a gearwrench, I will probably never notice. It was just looking at, I was like holy ****. Then when I compared to my 8mm flex head, wow. The "vintage" of the bulk of my gearwrenches is very high quality. Easily the best Asian import wrenches I have ever seen. I would put them on par with USA fit and finish. If it gives me 10 years of service like the last one, I have nothing to really complain about.

 

[Strouty]

I wish gearwrench would just get with the program and make them ratcheting only with a nice handle. The open ends sucked back when the wrenches were still worth buying.

 

[OutsideMachinist]

The new gearwrench china stuff is the same as husky,hf, kobalt etc. Whether they should even make it in open end is debateable. Some people never use an open end. I do on a daily basis. I work on equipment that a box end is not possible to use for various reasons often.

If you are always working within a short walk to your toolbox it isn't an issue. I have to carry a significant amount of tools a long distance from my box. But to keep the spirit of the op, yes new gearwrench stuff isnt all that impressive whatsoever. Anything they make really. Not saying it isn't worth buying, just understand what you are buying.

 

[T45]

That's awful, and that picture makes me cringe.

You can also seemingly tell the alloy is poor quality by looking at the stampings, which have a nicer and more crisp edge to them in the vintage version.

For those saying 'well just use a ring end' you essentially have the same problems. The lower quality alloy requires more material, which means you lose the ability to access certain fasteners. Which means needing more tools.

That extra duplication is expensive and annoying.

 

[ADSR]

That's aweful, and that picture makes me cringe

This.

 

[bobcatdan]

That's aweful, and that picture makes me cringe.

You can also seemingly tell the alloy is poor quality by looking at the stampings, which have a nicer and more crisp edge to them in the vintage version.

For those saying 'well just use a ring end' you essentially have the same problems. The lower quality alloy requires more material, which means you lose the ability to access certain fasteners. Which means needing more tools.

That extra duplication is expensive and annoying.

While it's not an equal comparison for the box end. The older one pictured is a flex head while the new one is reveseable. The new one is ever so slightly bigger. Like said, not being the same model I don't think it's a fair comparison.

 

[WhiffySpark]

There's also different teirs IMO. The stuff at advance and Sears isn't the same as the sets sold in the trash IMO

I really want the flexhead reversible but haven't pulled the trigger

 

[Wamsutta]

That wrench is hideous.

I mean no offense at all to the wrench owner.

 

[Skin]

That's aweful, and that picture makes me cringe.

You can also seemingly tell the alloy is poor quality by looking at the stampings, which have a nicer and more crisp edge to them in the vintage version.

For those saying 'well just use a ring end' you essentially have the same problems. The lower quality alloy requires more material, which means you lose the ability to access certain fasteners. Which means needing more tools.

That extra duplication is expensive and annoying.

I have both new and old. While the open ends have turned into a bit of a joke the ratcheting box ends are negligibly larger, if at all. Some of the higher end GW stuff actually has shrunk box ends, pretty much the smallest made by anyone. They've revised the patents a few times over the years refining it.

Its also worth noting that the old GW sets were pricey, around $80 for a 10pc set. Now you can buy a 20pc set for $50. Not too surprising quality was sacrificed. If you purchase something like their 120xp products you'd find the old GW quality still exists.

 

[PelicanPines]

I'm suddenly ill. I hope none of the ones in my future have the dreaded lobster disease.

 

[shockwave]

I have this same issue have to replace my lost 8mm that a coworker lost all replacement I recieved from advance auto were the same and the size was missing on the open end off all new ones

 

[bczygan]

It MUST be better.

Look at all the extra metal you're getting!

And for FREE!

 

[1982fxr]

holy lobster claw batman!

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

And people are still recommending GW rat wrenches... those dewalt reversibles are looking better and better.

 

[6MocoA]

Holy cow, thats raunchy. I cant believe the difference.

 

[bwringer]

Crikey, what is it with the Chinese tool factories and lobster claws? And they can't even get the damn opening in the center.

And yes, it does make a difference. I've encountered many spots on motorcycles where lobster claws won't fit and the open ends on normal upstanding 'murkin wrenches will fit fine.

 

[arz71]

I have this same issue have to replace my lost 8mm that a coworker lost all replacement I recieved from advance auto were the same and the size was missing on the open end off all new ones

Must be the same 'fine china' outfit makin them...

 

[Jim Diesel]

I have nothing against GW. In fact i use them daily, but that lobster claw is hideous hahah.

 

[monkeyspanners]

Makes me wonder if the use the same size head from the next size up and broach it smaller. I mainly use 8mm on electrical stuff so clearance could be an issue with the newer version, not keen tbh.

 

[bobcatdan]

Makes me wonder if the use the same size head from the next size up and broach it smaller. I mainly use 8mm on electrical stuff so clearance could be an issue with the newer version, not keen tbh.

I compared the new 8 mm to the 9mm in the matching set today when I got to work. The open end is the exact same outer dimensions as the 9mm. Overall lenght, the 8mm is shorter then the 10-12 year old 9mm, but who knows what length a brand new 9mm is.

 

[Ign]

The new gearwrench china stuff is the same as husky,hf, kobalt etc. Whether they should even make it in open end is debateable. Some people never use an open end. I do on a daily basis. I work on equipment that a box end is not possible to use for various reasons often.

If you are always working within a short walk to your toolbox it isn't an issue. I have to carry a significant amount of tools a long distance from my box. But to keep the spirit of the op, yes new gearwrench stuff isnt all that impressive whatsoever. Anything they make really. Not saying it isn't worth buying, just understand what you are buying.

This. I'm not sure they're a single bit better than HF these days.

 

[thegroundpounder99]

This. I'm not sure they're a single bit better than HF these days.

I'm not either, I've tried some of their recent offerings and I'm not impressed.

 

[anndel]

Compared to an old one. Last time I bought a gearwrench set is when the flex heads came out so at least 10 years if not longer ago. My 8mm reveseable locked up the other day and I just got it warranty. I have to say they beefed up the open end a little bit on the new one.

I don't know about the new one but I like the old sleek looking open end wrench better. That's just me.

No offense to the owner or anyone but the new GW with the huge lobster claw looks retarded.

 

[1950mercury]

That's apex for you....they **** up every tool company they buy.....max profits and garbage tools

 

[1950mercury]

Apex

 

[DirtyWeRX]

That's apex for you....they **** up every tool company they buy.....max profits and garbage tools

Im starting to feel that way. I had to replace a GW 12mm deep socket that ive had for a few years recently. I went to the same store I got my old set from. Its a little lighter and the knurling around the bottom isnt has...... defined?

Carlyle seems to be okay still and my Armstrong ratchets are great... tho I believe those are still US made

 

[jt777]

Bit too much matieral there for my liking

 

[MikeF2316]

I don't know why but I have a sudden craving for lobster.

I have metric and SAE reversible gearwrench sets that are China made for the main sets and Taiwan made for all the fill-in sizes. All my wrenches look to be about dead in the middle of the OPs in terms of size. I wish all mine looked like the one on the left.

I have the urge to melt some butter.