Gearwrench w/lever = junk

[SteveH-CO]

I have a set of Gearwrench combination metric wrenches I bought years ago. They have the knuckle offset and the small lever to change direction, unlike the current gearwrench wrenches that are flat and must be flipped over.

These miserable 'lever style' wrenches annoy me to no end. The 'lever' flips to the opposite direction about every second swing of the wrench. Almost every wrench in the set does this and I avoid using them. Most of the wrenches in the set lasted maybe a year before suffering this fate.

Should I mail them in for warranty? Throw them away? Arc-weld them into 'regular' wrenches? They aren't broken, per se, so I'm not sure what Gearwrench will say. Is there a 'field fix' like packing them full of grease?

Steve

 

[_Riddle]

I've read a lot of similar reviews for these which is why I went with the non-reversible from Tekton, though sometimes I do need a wrench with offset.

 

[WWheeler]

FWIW it's not a current, new or old thing. The zero offset and reversible (and flex and locking flex, and stubby and stubby flex) are all different versions that are still available.

I LUV my reversible (and my flex, locking flex, and stubby flex) GearWrench ratcheting wrenches. Use them every day.

What I don't ever use is the zero offset flip to reverse ratcheting wrenches. I've had sets of metric and SAE sets for many years and most have never been used even once. Didn't take long to figure out they were a waste of money for me. I still have them but I'm not sure why. They just take up precious space in my box. When up against something there's not enough room to get your fingers around them. If you make the mistake of ratcheting up against something they get stuck and you may not be able to get it off without breaking out a cutoff or torch. There is nothing they can do that a flex or locking flex ratcheting wrench can't, but a hell of a lot that they can't do that a flex or locking flex can.

If your selector is flipping on you then I'd try to warranty them, but if they are all doing that for you then that's really strange. I've turned well over a thousand or more fasteners with most if not all of my reversible GearWrench ratcheting wrenches and never had that happen (yet). I don't use the ratcheting ends to break stuff free though unless it's like ~15 ft lbs.

GearWrench ratcheting wrenches have a lifetime warranty "when used for it's intended purpose" and specifically warn they are "not intended to free frozen fasteners"

 

[71goldss]

FWIW it's not a current, new or old thing. The zero offset and reversible (and flex and locking flex, and stubby and stubby flex) are all different versions that are still available.

I LUV my reversible (and my flex, locking flex, and stubby flex) GearWrench ratcheting wrenches. Use them every day.

What I don't ever use is the zero offset flip to reverse ratcheting wrenches. I've had sets of metric and SAE sets for many years and most have never been used even once. Didn't take long to figure out they were a waste of money for me. I still have them but I'm not sure why. They just take up precious space in my box. When up against something there's not enough room to get your fingers around them. If you make the mistake of ratcheting up against something they get stuck and you may not be able to get it off without breaking out a cutoff or torch. There is nothing they can do that a flex or locking flex ratcheting wrench can't, but a hell of a lot that they can't do that a flex or locking flex can.

If your selector is flipping on you then I'd try to warranty them, but if they are all doing that for you then that's really strange. I've turned well over a thousand or more fasteners with most if not all of my reversible GearWrench ratcheting wrenches and never had that happen (yet). I don't use the ratcheting ends to break stuff free though unless it's like ~15 ft lbs.

GearWrench ratcheting wrenches have a lifetime warranty "when used for it's intended purpose" and specifically warn they are "not intended to free frozen fasteners"

+1

I own both kinds also and never use the zero offsets either. Too much chance of getting them trapped on a fastener with no way to remove. The zero offsets do have their place, but probably not often enough for them to keep taking up room in my wrench drawer!

 

[Sevenhills1952]

Over the years with everything I've had best experience calling manufacturer. I'm thinking if you call Gearwrench explaining problem they may exchange them for the other style, mail yours in.

Sent from my SM-S320VL using Tapatalk

 

[d.mcfarland]

I use the flex head version (newer style) and they hold up to anything a standard combination wrench should be able to do. The non offset are useful in some situations but I don't use mine often. I have the reversible set as well but only use it when necessary. The flex are my go to.

If you're having trouble then call Gearwrench. Worst they can say is no.

 

[Mr_B]

I love reversible ratchet wrenches but probably because they not gearwrench .
I got facom and a carolus gedore (infar made) sets and they all perfectly faultless in daily use and ones I use the most .
Call Gearwrench and try sort it .

 

[Fedwrench]

Hey, did you happen to buy those at Sears back in the day during a holiday sale for like $25-$40?

The reason why I ask is that Gearwrench has probably sold tens of thousands of reversible ratcheting wrenches that aren't ****.

However, the ones sold awhile at Sears came with the cap stop feature and we're not the same quality as the ones without the cap stop sold at non big box tool vendors.

Have you tried soaking the ratcheting boxed ends in ATF overnight?

You could always try warranty replacement

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I never liked the reversible ones, and my straight ones have freed hundreds of tough fasteners.

 

[rijndael]

The ones recently cleared out at NAPA for $10 / set behaved similarly.

 

[Mr_B]

Buy decent ones and reversible most useful .

 

[Tallpilot]

The ones recently cleared out at NAPA for $10 / set behaved similarly.

You'd think a set of 6 wrenches for $10 would be high quality.

 

[CR888]

Gearwrench tools like ratcheting combo wrenches are purchased first for their extremely cheap price & second for the nice chrome job & third for the questionable warranty. Quality isn't much of an issue because people say, 'for the price, I ain't complainin'. Good combo wrenches are something everyone needs, quality should be the first priority when buying a set & be prepared to pay a little for it. I'd give the set to a kid & buy something else.

 

[M6erfan]

DBE flex reversible ratcheting on one end, and fixed box on the other? Do they exist?

 

[drtyler]

Tone RMA400L ?

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/aw/d/B0...4OPGLS00J7&psc=1#immersive-view_1541035885998

DBE flex reversible ratcheting on one end, and fixed box on the other? Do they exist?

 

[WWheeler]

14,465 ￥ and 3,596 ￥ shipping

Oh wait, that's like ~ $125 + $30. Not too bad. Frickin exchange rates.
Is there not a US seller for these?

 

[M6erfan]

Tone RMA400L ?

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/aw/d/B0...4OPGLS00J7&psc=1#immersive-view_1541035885998

Interesting, thanks

 

[Wamsutta]

Here's one option:

 

[Rarified27]

A GW socket set I had did the same thing with both ratchets, so I sold it. It was infuriating to use them, particularly considering the sockets and ratchets were physically outstanding, but reversing on me nearly every time I used it was insanity.

 

[Tallpilot]

Tone RMA400L ?

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/aw/d/B0...4OPGLS00J7&psc=1#immersive-view_1541035885998

That is very interesting and they are 12 point not friggin spline. Of course they only come in JIS sizes.

 

[Tonyuk]

Buy a better quality set, i've used facom for years, best out there imo;

I've never had any that reversed themselves during use however, even the cheaper brands. I would warranty them.

 

[4xdog]

I use these almost every day -- I'm happy to have two sets, one in basement and the other in garage. Maybe I've had an unintended reversal of the switch a few times, but I can't remember -- in practical sense it's not a problem. I'd say get a warranty or different set of wrenches.

 

[WWheeler]

I use these almost every day -- I'm happy to have two sets, one in basement and the other in garage. Maybe I've had an unintended reversal of the switch a few times, but I can't remember -- in practical sense it's not a problem. I'd say get a warranty or different set of wrenches.

If your Craftsman reversible ratcheting wrenches say USA on them like in that photo then were they made by Armstrong? Good luck finding anything like that now. These days Craftsman ratcheting wrenches, at least the ones available through Sears, are GearWrench rebadges. No idea if Stanley has come out with any yet.

 

[AreYaSerious]

Probably Chinese made and not Taiwan made.

I would look into Tekton, or Capri they're both good quality.

 

[WWheeler]

Probably Chinese made Taiwan and not Taiwan made.

What is "Chinese made Taiwan"?

FWIW all Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches are made in China now. All of my GW ratcheting wrenches, pictured below right after they were bought a few years ago, were made in China. Used daily by me, family and/or employees. We've had zero problems with any of them.

 

[drtyler]

8, 13, & 19 mm also available, but no 15, 16, or 18 mm.

RMA-08L
RMA-13L
RMA-19L

That is very interesting and they are 12 point not friggin spline. Of course they only come in JIS sizes.

 

[mobiledynamics]

I don't use them that much but the Craftsman Made in Usa - isn't it just the same. Made by Dahaner but same PRC ratcheting mechanism ?

 

[71goldss]

Made in the USA isn’t a guarantee that you will never have an issue. I own ten sets of Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches (different types), and two sets of Craftsman Industrial USA ratcheting wrenches that I picked up during the Sears Outlet clearance a few years ago. I have had zero issues with the Gearwrench, but had to have a 7/16” Craftsman replaced because it locked up. Fortunately the Grainger’s near me still sold Craftsman Industrial at the time, and replaced it since Sears didn’t do warranty replacements for Craftsman Industrial.

 

[SteveH-CO]

Thanks for all your comments and for Gearwrench's phone number. I did buy a set of zero-offset (non-lever type) and use those all the time. They are annoying, but better than my 'auto-reversing' set.

I tend to suffer along with inconvenient tools, rather than buying better ones, but perhaps I should get a quality set with an offset and levers and relegate the lesser ones to a junkyard box.

 

[Mr_B]

Phone gearwrench first and moan, try get them swapped out .
the reversible ratchet wrench is one of those tools best not cheaping out on.
the taiwan infar and kabo are decent and can be found at steal prices .
capri sets good way go.
facom purchased via europe amazon can be fairly good price .
facom one of my favourite for affordable decent quality/design ratchet wrench sets .

 

[SteveH-CO]

UPDATE:

I called Apex tools and got a nice, sympathetic customer service rep. She said they would warrant it and could send me an RMA #, and I would pay one-way shipping. She claimed it was a $30 wrench (according to their computer system). She also asked if I could return it to the place I bought it, but that was 15 years ago - not likely.

While on the phone, I found the very wrench for $5.50 on Amazon as an 'add on'.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002NYDJY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Clearly the way to fly, and she agreed - given postal rates. She said that reports of the ratchet levers flipping (like mine) are not endemic and she said that I may have just worn out the wrench. I disagree slightly with that, but don't really care. I can throw money at this problem (little money) and fix it. I will maybe put the old one in my 'junkyard tool kit' for junkyard runs.

 

[amolaver]

I never liked the reversible ones, and my straight ones have freed hundreds of tough fasteners.

Have to agree - I use non-reversible exclusively (mostly flex head) and, knock on wood, never broken one. The

I do have about a dozen gw ratchets as well and one of them does the auto reverse annoyance. I've probably r/r'd a few bajillion (estimating) fasteners with it, and since shipping cost for rma would probably be same or more than just replacing it... Annoying, but anything with moving parts wears out..

ahm

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Those restricting their ratchet wrenches to light duty only may be surprised at the ultimate fail point, Thanks Hydraulic press Channel.

 

[WWheeler]

Interesting. I'd be more interested to know at what point the ratcheting mechanism fails, and compare that to other ratcheting wrenches, to do it's thing than when the wrench actually snaps off. That would be much more useful info.

 

[driftpin]

I never liked the reversible ones, and my straight ones have freed hundreds of tough fasteners.

Mine are OK in use, I have the flip-over to reverse style, an older set of SAE & metric I bought at Sears one holiday when they went on-sale. I don't use them a lot, but they have never given me a problem.

The ones recently cleared out at NAPA for $10 / set behaved similarly.

I bought the SAE and the metric sets at NAPA awhile ago, and one of the Garage Journal members helped me to get the SAE set I couldn't locate locally. They have never failed in my ownership.

 

[Spacey_G]

Interesting. I'd be more interested to know at what point the ratcheting mechanism fails, and compare that to other ratcheting wrenches, to do it's thing than when the wrench actually snaps off. That would be much more useful info.

I think the point was that if you just keep pushing harder and harder, the beam will break before the mechanism does.

But that probably won't happen in real-world use anyway. What would be more interesting is seeing what fails after a large number of cycles at some high but still realistic force.

 

[Yarpo]

Phone gearwrench first and moan, try get them swapped out .
the reversible ratchet wrench is one of those tools best not cheaping out on.
the taiwan infar and kabo are decent and can be found at steal prices .
capri sets good way go.
facom purchased via europe amazon can be fairly good price .
facom one of my favourite for affordable decent quality/design ratchet wrench sets .

Wow those carpi ones are pretty good looking. Any idea who's making those? Capri themselves? I dont have an issue with my gearwrench ones but might be moving a set to work and I'll need replacements at home. Otherwise got a link to the facom ones?

 

[WWheeler]

I think the point was that if you just keep pushing harder and harder, the beam will break before the mechanism does.

But that probably won't happen in real-world use anyway. What would be more interesting is seeing what fails after a large number of cycles at some high but still realistic force.

Yeah but when he let off the first time he said the ratcheting mechanism was already no longer functioning, long before the wrench actually broke. It might not have slipped yet, but it aint going to ratchet any more long before you pull hard enough to bend the wrench, much less break it.

I'm with you that it wasn't really useful info from his test. But knowing how much force the wrench can stand before the ratcheting mechanism stops working as it should would actually be good to know. I'd like to see that test done across many different sizes of wrenches from many different brands.

 

[Spacey_G]

True, the mechanism fails before the beam does, it just doesn't fail by flying apart. It would be good to know at what force that happens for different brands.

 

[oldwino]

Bought a set of the lever style Gear Wrenches in an emergency. Had to change the starter on the tractor and I own VERY FEW metric tools and these looked ok for a one shot use. Think I’ve used twice in the 5-6 years I’ve had them.