Gearwrench China QC???

[camd64]

So a couple weeks ago I decided to sell off some of my tools I had from when I did mobile work in order to get a few of my medical bills paid off. Mostly SO and some Craftsman tools I had duplicates of already. I ended up ordering the Gearwrench 81900 long pattern combo wrench set to fill the voids and as a backup set if needed. Gotta say I'm pretty disappointed. Three of them are not even useable and two are bent to the point they barely fit in the slot of the holder. I included a few pics showing the surface drive groove not being perpendicular, a ground down box end, and comparing two 16mm open ends (exact same wrenches).

Anyone else seeing this on current GW tools? I recently picked up a set of mid-length sockets and they look good, not sure if those were Taiwan or China though. All my old GW Taiwan ratcheting wrenches have been great and my newest Dewalt (Taiwan) ratcheting wrenches look and work perfect. Since the Dewalt long pattern non-ratcheting ones are still made in Taiwan I may just go that route instead. Any others to look at?

 

[Fedwrench]

There have been more than a couple of threads about the drop in Quality In PRC made Gearwrench tools. I would consider Carlyle tools from NAPA. Although not as cheap as Gearwrench, they have some decent sales going on. They're quality wrenches made by Kabo in Taiwan.
If you want the best bang for your buck, get the Tekton, Taiwan made full polished wrench sets. Off corner engagement on the boxed end, unmodified open end, nice chrome, good balance.
http://tekton.com/Wrenches/Combination_Wrenches/15-pc-Combination-Wrench-Set-8-22-mm

 

[Brownsfan]

What is really crappy is the Gearwrench wrenches are NOT cheap. For what they cost and the quality you get is ****. You would be better off with a set of Craftsman or Husky wrenches. Same tools much cheaper price. Like Fedwrench said Carlyle tools are some of the nicest quality for the price you can buy. Also look at Tekton. They have some really nice combo wrenches for the money. I have seen some on here say they were damn near perfect.

 

[Ign]

Yep, several threads have mentioned this. I got some hose pliers that twist. GW has really decided to increase their rate of acceptable defects.

 

[bobcatdan]

Pretty much all of my GW is at least 10 years or older. Of that era, they are top notch and easily show import tools can be made to a high standard. Over the years, a couple needed warranty. The first one five or so years ago, is still pretty nice, but was different in stampings, basically less size markings, but overall still OK. This spring I got a new 8 mm. Yes it works fine in fit and ratchet action, but it looks like cheap $1 store ****. The open end is the same as a 9mm so ridiculous lobster claw. It has pretty much turned me off the brand.

 

[McFarmer]

They are trying to copy "Wrightgrip".

 

[gdocktor3]

You should email Gearwrench/Apex and show them the pictures. At the very least they will send you new ones in exchange. Just curious, where did you buy them from?

 

[camd64]

They are trying to copy "Wrightgrip".

Yeah and doing a **** job of it. The whole surface drive they have is directional on the open end (not to mention the ones I checked fit very loose) vs. Dewalt and others that work in either direction.

 

[camd64]

You should email Gearwrench/Apex and show them the pictures. At the very least they will send you new ones in exchange. Just curious, where did you buy them from?

I sent in pics to CPO outlets who I ordered from via Amazon, they had them for $70 shipped. They want me to send back the whole set but I'm concerned the new set would have defects as well. GW I know would replace individuals but I may just look elsewhere like Dewalt or Tekton.

 

[Ign]

It's been said here before but everyone who is at all interested in how these things happen should read Poorly Made in China. It's really an interesting, fast read and explains how disconnected Chinese manufacturing is from the end consumer and "our" values regarding products, profit and QC.

Note I am NOT saying the Chinese are bad or evil, it's NOWHERE CLOSE to that simple. Their entire perspective is just DIFFERENT- VERY DIFFERENT.

Poorly Made in China. It's on Amazon.

 

[Parabellum]

Quantity/Low Cost over Quality.

 

[Finky198]

not to the OP, but in General It amazes me that people Will Bash Craftsman about going to China. Yet will still purchase Gear Wrench without isuue and ride the GW train all the way to China... Is it me or am I not getting something....... double standard anyone.

IDK I never Jumped on the band wangon as I never really liked there stuff from the start, But my though is if the wrenches are that bad to begin with then what happens when the warranty replacement 2 years from now is even Shittier.


From all the chat on the Forum Tekton seems to be the new Front runner in the wrench department.

.

 

[jallyn]

I won't buy any wrench or ratchet made in China for the same reasons you guys have already brought up. Taiwan is much better and clearly the country of origin for best overall value if you're not a pro making money with the tool (then Snap-On).

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I have questioned the quality/stability of the Apex line in general for some time..
My thoughts cast a dim view of their products; especially the last Apex made USA Craftsman that left me unimpressed, and their Armstrong cousin's sockets that share the double detent. Their current USA production lags.. Will offshored Apex products be an improvement? Bunch of different contracts and brand names, but they are all conjoined with Apex.. I will continue to use the ratcheting Gearwrench sets I bought five years ago, but I am lacking any desire to purchase any more.

You have to form your own views. I suggest to base them upon your experience and expectations, and what you actually see. It will help to decline membership in tool fan clubs that often cloud the view.

Gearwrench China quality control?? I'll pass... That is My view.

 

[gdocktor3]

I sent in pics to CPO outlets who I ordered from via Amazon, they had them for $70 shipped. They want me to send back the whole set but I'm concerned the new set would have defects as well. GW I know would replace individuals but I may just look elsewhere like Dewalt or Tekton.

I would still email Apex. Maybe it will land on the proper individuals desk and make them think "hey, we need to figure this out." Maybe add the link to this thread so they can read all the negative feedback this has received. I'd be willing to bet they send you a new set that has been properly put through some QC.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

I would still email Apex. Maybe it will land on the proper individuals desk and make them think "hey, we need to figure this out." Maybe add the link to this thread so they can read all the negative feedback this has received. I'd be willing to bet they send you a new set that has been properly put through some QC.

And word it calmly. Someone is going to read it.

If we see an email like "Darn China yaddah yaddah, 'Merica! Budlight, Comies!"

It might be clicked over pretty quickly.

But if I get one forwarded to me that's like "Hey, I expect more. I buy your brand because it means something, and it's falling short lately. I hope you can turn it around so that I can remain a customer of yours"

That's the sort of thing that has me booking a flight overseas.

 

[zendriver]

I don't blame China. In fact I probably do the same thing.

Certainly when those tools were made in America, they had a quality control department.

If a company contacted me and ordered 100,000 wrenches, but didn't bother to specify and ensure quality standards I know as a businessman I'll make more money, by cutting corners.

I'm a Chinese business, but I learned that trick from America.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[anndel]

It seems like from reading threads regarding GW that they're taking the road Craftsman traveled - to china.

 

[jallyn]

It seems like from reading threads regarding GW that they're taking the road Craftsman traveled - to china.

At least GW still makes some nice ratchets in Taiwan. But all ratcheting wrenches that I know of are now made in China... Just have to check with GW now whereas before it was all good stuff made in Taiwan where the ratcheting wrench was really refined.

 

[Loscaldazar]

They are trying to copy "Wrightgrip".

Don't think they're necessarily trying to copy wrightgrip. If anything, it's a copy of Proto's ASD, and if you assume that they are just trying to make a modified open end, then it's a variation of Snap On flank drive plus (the original in this design).

Not 100% sure, but I think GW may have had modified open end wrenches on their XL ratcheting wrenches before Wright did. The modified open ends on their non ratcheting wrenches were introduced after they were on the XL combo ratcheting wrenches.

At least GW still makes some nice ratchets in Taiwan. But all ratcheting wrenches that I know of are now made in China... Just have to check with GW now whereas before it was all good stuff made in Taiwan where the ratcheting wrench was really refined.

Their 120XP line is still make in Taiwan (ratcheting wrenches and ratchets). Never tried the ratcheting wrenches but many love them.

Also, as a side note, is anyone surprised that Apex is cheapening out yet another tool line? They did it to Armstrong, they did it to Craftsman (they have the contracts to produce for CMAN, and sears probably pushed for this one a bit too, but the USA Craftsman produced by Apex wasn't that great either), they did it to Crescent, they did it the Lufkin, they did it to Nicholson, they did it to Jacobs, they did it to Allen, and they probably did it to a few other brands I can't remember.

Cheapening tool brands and companies is Apex's specialty. I'm surprised Gearwrench has made it this long before being put in the firing line of this forum for their slipping quality and designs....

 

[lightning02]

There have been more than a couple of threads about the drop in Quality In PRC made Gearwrench tools. I would consider Carlyle tools from NAPA. Although not as cheap as Gearwrench, they have some decent sales going on. They're quality wrenches made by Kabo in Taiwan.
If you want the best bang for your buck, get the Tekton, Taiwan made full polished wrench sets. Off corner engagement on the boxed end, unmodified open end, nice chrome, good balance.
http://tekton.com/Wrenches/Combination_Wrenches/15-pc-Combination-Wrench-Set-8-22-mm

I have those wrenches you linked and they look every bit as good as they do in the the picture.

 

[Brownsfan]

I have those wrenches you linked and they look every bit as good as they do in the the picture.

They look a lot like the old Taiwan made Kobalt wrenches. Well before Lowes cheaped out and went to China. Who would have ever thought being produced in Taiwan would be too expensive.

 

[lightning02]

They look a lot like the old Taiwan made Kobalt wrenches. Well before Lowes cheaped out and went to China. Who would have ever thought being produced in Taiwan would be too expensive.

I know the ones your referring to. Unfortunately I don't have any to compare.

 

[Fedwrench]

not to the OP, but in General It amazes me that people Will Bash Craftsman about going to China. Yet will still purchase Gear Wrench without isuue and ride the GW train all the way to China... Is it me or am I not getting something....... double standard anyone.

I think you're missing the fact that Gearwrench was never a US Tool company whereas, Craftsman tools were made in the USA for a very long time, decades and generations long. There have been more than a few threads on the journal bitching about the downward quality of PRC made Gearwrench stuff. Not nearly as many about Craftsman but, there's a love-hate relationship with Sears here. I prefer to ride the Taiwan made Gearwrench train and avoid PRC made Gearwrench. One thing I don't care for though is the fact that KD tools, and the other brands like Allen, Napa, Master Mechanic, that were sourced from the same factories were killed off to pave the way for Gearwrench's expansion from just a line of fine toothed ratcheting wrenches, to a full line of mechanics tools. I think US tool production has been downhill since that happened but, that's just me.

 

[Finky198]

I completely agree, that it's not exactly the same as craftsman, but expecting new gearwrench to stand up to there pass Taiwan is just absurd. And I'm ok with the Taiwan wrench I own the bluepoints...

 

[camd64]

So I sent the set back and just asked for a refund. I plan on looking at a Tekton set and maybe shoot on over to Napa this weekend to look at the Carlyles. I remember reading that the Tektons are not quite as long as the GW long pattern wrenches but having the modified box end is something I do prefer. I also sent an email out to GW/Apex with a link to this thread so we will see if they have any response.

 

[rshimizu12]

I agree the Gearwrench line is expensive in terms of price & quality when compared to other tools. I like the craftsman sockets. The downside now is that you have to pay shipping now that Sears closed most of their stores when you want a specialty tool. Craftsman is available from ACE hardware & NAPA, but they only carry some items. The Craftsman ratchet flex wrenches are nice since they have a lockeing head.