Disappointed in GearWrench

[f575gtc]

Just picked up a 7 piece metric ratcheting flex head set from Sears today to have as a backup for a set I bought maybe 8 years ago and the 10 mm is already broken in the box.

The ratchets are now made in China, I think my original set was Taiwan. I haven't even opened them but now I have to drive 30 min back to the nearest Sears to exchange these so I am not too happy about it.

The ratcheting mechanism spins freely in both directions on the 10mm the only redeeming quality is I got them for free with Shop your way points.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

you can warranty from local auto parts store who sells them or ace hardware.

 

[CR888]

Yeah it seems to be a shame the direction GW is heading. Taiwan seemed to he able to produce them a consistent product that was made to a good standard. I won't buy GW now unless I know its Taiwan produced. How's the slop in the working ratcheting wrenches? Is is a 5° swing arc with 25°'s of slop?

 

[PugetDude]

I have a 1/2 Gearwrench Ratcheting Tap Handle that broke the first time I tried to use it. Bought it on closeout from Cripe, local ACE went out of business, so no hope on warranty. First, and probably last Gearwrench experience...

 

[f575gtc]

GearWrench will warranty their stuff that way? my original GearWrench 14mm will randomly seize but Im sure if I replace it now it will be made in China, these ratchets are noticeably cheaper in quality

 

[El_Guapo]

I haven't had very good luck with Gearwrench as a whole, but I've noticed they've really headed downhill recently. Sad to see.

 

[Wamsutta]

If you can find the kind with the brass set screw, those are made better.

 

[ZRX61]

I had one of the 1/4in drive ratchets **** out. Took months to get the goddamn thing warrantied. That was over 7 years ago. Haven't bought any of their tools since.

 

[Wamsutta]

I don't care for their tools but their socket rails are spectacular.

 

[jd_1138]

I haven't had very good luck with Gearwrench as a whole, but I've noticed they've really headed downhill recently. Sad to see.

Racing to the bottom is never a good idea.

 

[jd_1138]

I don't care for their tools but their socket rails are spectacular.

Those look awesome.

 

[visionguru]

GearWrench will warranty their stuff that way? my original GearWrench 14mm will randomly seize but Im sure if I replace it now it will be made in China, these ratchets are noticeably cheaper in quality

Much cheaper in price too!

When GearWrench first came out, I loved them so much that I bought 1 by 1 from Sears. $15+ a piece. Now, for the amount of money for one, you buy a set.

A few years ago, because they became so cheap, I couldn't help buying a set. I compared with my old one: it's noticeably thinner, flimsier, and SHORTER. On the wrenches, it has the SAME PART number. I returned those.

I guess the problem is not "made in China", rather it's the cheap specification, probably due to competition.

 

[bonneyman]

Well that *****!

I have a mid 90's set of GW's - just love 'em. if the newer ones are Chinese and crappy then I guess I'll have to start watching out for old ones at the pawn shops/estate sales.

 

[Jtels85]

I’m actually in the market, trying to decide what set of metric flex head ratcheting wrenches to buy. Gearwrench was first on my list, now dead last after reading this post. Thanks for the heads up! Hopefully Gearwrench will take notice.

Think I’ll go with a non Apex brand this time.

 

[Alpine4x4]

I’m actually in the market, trying to decide what set of metric flex head ratcheting wrenches to buy. Gearwrench was first on my list, now dead last after reading this post. Thanks for the heads up! Hopefully Gearwrench will take notice.

Think I’ll go with a non Apex brand this time.

Williams

 

[Fedwrench]

I don't care for their tools but their socket rails are spectacular.

Hey MERK, are the detent balls in the right position on those Gearwrench rail pegs?

 

[Fedwrench]

I’m actually in the market, trying to decide what set of metric flex head ratcheting wrenches to buy. Gearwrench was first on my list, now dead last after reading this post. Thanks for the heads up! Hopefully Gearwrench will take notice.

Think I’ll go with a non Apex brand this time.

Capri Tools recently released 100 tooth flex head ratcheting wrenches with an anti slip open end. Made in Taiwan.

https://capritools.com/wrenches/flex-head-wrench/

 

[Cfendrick]

you can warranty from local auto parts store who sells them or ace hardware.

Advanced Auto Parts in my area is cutting way back on the GearWrench and don’t seem to do the swap like they used too and look up if you purchased from them and direct you to the GearWrench website or phone 1-866-907-9716 otherwise.

Another vendor quit swapping GearWrench onsite per Corporate and am now forced to either let them pay the shipping cost for the weekly GearWrench warranty items or call GearWrench directly and pay to have it shipped to them for review and replacement at their discretion and then ship back a replacement.


My son was still excited when his new GearWrench tools showed up this year. Haven’t had a single issue with them. They can still be warrantied if needed, just not fantasticly simple as other companies or as quickly.

 

[Yarpo]

I think their ratchet wrenches have been made in China for awhile now, I haven't needed a new set, but I was looking at Capri instead, will keep my GW pair at home.

I don't care for their tools but their socket rails are spectacular.

They're excellent rails, I keep buying more of them from Cripe for dirt cheap. Got some in route currently

Capri Tools recently released 100 tooth flex head ratcheting wrenches with an anti slip open end. Made in Taiwan.

https://capritools.com/wrenches/flex-head-wrench/

All I see is a 7 piece set for metric flex unfortunately

 

[d.mcfarland]

I’m actually in the market, trying to decide what set of metric flex head ratcheting wrenches to buy. Gearwrench was first on my list, now dead last after reading this post. Thanks for the heads up! Hopefully Gearwrench will take notice.

Think I’ll go with a non Apex brand this time.

Please do what you wish. Just know that your logic is terrible. Many of us beat the **** out of our Gearwrench and it does just fine. Due to quantity, a bad story or 2 is bound to happen.

 

[Seanny]

Williams

I’ve been pretty happy with the Tekton stuff I’ve purchased lately

 

[PugetDude]

I’ve been pretty happy with the Tekton stuff I’ve purchased lately

Same here; pretty impressed with Tekton; especially at the price point.

 

[Parrothead]

I’m actually in the market, trying to decide what set of metric flex head ratcheting wrenches to buy. Gearwrench was first on my list, now dead last after reading this post. Thanks for the heads up! Hopefully Gearwrench will take notice.

Think I’ll go with a non Apex brand this time.

Tekton - Made in Taiwan

 

[Yarpo]

Aren't the only Tekton Ratcheting wrenches 6 point? If that's a feature people want for their ratcheting wrenches they're solid, but I know 6 point ratcheting wrenches are at the bottom of my list personally.

 

[M6erfan]

Tekton - Made in Taiwan

And?

 

[george4]

I had a bad run beginning some years ago with Gearwrench. Non function out of the box with marginal warranty made me give up on them long ago. There are some early threads on the problems.

 

[Jtels85]

Please do what you wish. Just know that your logic is terrible. Many of us beat the **** out of our Gearwrench and it does just fine. Due to quantity, a bad story or 2 is bound to happen.

You make a valid point, I just don’t want to waste my money.

How does everyone feel about SK X-Frame ratcheting wrenches? I noticed they come in 6 point rather than 12. Is that a big deal?

 

[Fedwrench]

You make a valid point, I just don’t want to waste my money.

How does everyone feel about SK X-Frame ratcheting wrenches? I noticed they come in 6 point rather than 12. Is that a big deal?

To me it's not a factor because the X Frames engages every 1.7 degrees which is probably the finest ratcheting angle on the market.

The Tektons are nice too. However, the ratcheting boxed end on the Tekton's can be slightly larger than other brands. I own both and both serve me well.

I would like to see other versions of the x frame come out though.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I'm confused...how did you determine it was broken if you haven't taken it out of the box yet?

 

[bobcatdan]

I don't have a lot of GW other than several sets of ratcheting wrenches. Mainly because I had my other hand tools bought before they expanded from just ratcheting wrenches. The wrenches I bought close to 29 years ago for being import, are on par with my USA wrenches. Over the years as ones have broke, each replacement has shown a drop in quality. The last one, an 8mm had such a lobster claw, it's open end was bigger than the 20 year old 9mm. I have pretty much downgraded my GW in lower tool sets and have bought either snap on or blackhawk ratching wrenches in their place.

 

[zktk01]

I like the socket rails too.
I don't have alot of gearwrench I did buy a set of semi deep sockets they seem nice so far.
and I saw this 1/4 drive pass through set looked decent so I picked it up waiting on it to be shipped.

Mostly though I would agree to buy Williams USA best bang for the buck.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NIAKJU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Jtels85]

To me it's not a factor because the X Frames engages every 1.7 degrees which is probably the finest ratcheting angle on the market.

The Tektons are nice too. However, the ratcheting boxed end on the Tekton's can be slightly larger than other brands. I own both and both serve me well.

I would like to see other versions of the x frame come out though.

Thanks for the information on the X-Frame’s. Those are now on the top of my list. I also considered finding NOS USA Craftsman’s, but for what I’d spend, I can get something better.

 

[Yarpo]

I don't have a lot of GW other than several sets of ratcheting wrenches. Mainly because I had my other hand tools bought before they expanded from just ratcheting wrenches. The wrenches I bought close to 29 years ago for being import, are on par with my USA wrenches. Over the years as ones have broke, each replacement has shown a drop in quality. The last one, an 8mm had such a lobster claw, it's open end was bigger than the 20 year old 9mm. I have pretty much downgraded my GW in lower tool sets and have bought either snap on or blackhawk ratching wrenches in their place.

Who makes those blackhawk wrenches? Reviews on amazon say not made in the US, but damn they look nice

 

[Fedwrench]

Who makes those blackhawk wrenches? Reviews on amazon say not made in the US, but damn they look nice

The Blackhawk ratcheting wrenches are very nice even though their beam is a little on the thin side. They're made in Taiwan probably in the same factories making dewalt mechanics tools.

 

[f575gtc]

I'm confused...how did you determine it was broken if you haven't taken it out of the box yet?

https://www.sears.com/gearwrench-7-...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

I guess that's not a box? I haven't cut out the wrenches yet which I won't be doing.

 

[El_Guapo]

My Blackhawk ratcheting were all marked Taiwan. I've only ever had issues with one, and it was just full of dust/dirt.

 

[bobcatdan]

Who makes those blackhawk wrenches? Reviews on amazon say not made in the US, but damn they look nice

They are import, but fit and finish is very nice. Blackhawk has offered ratcheting wrenches almost as long as GW has so I'd say its possible without knowing for sure that Stanley may have their own Tawian factory. While I like my tools USA, if you can make a damn good tool in Asia without the cheap tool tells, it works and you sell it for a good price, I'll bite.

 

[f575gtc]

I just noticed something...

I ordered this

https://www.sears.com/gearwrench-7-pc-metric-full-polish-ratcheting-flex/p-00944006000P

They gave me this

https://www.sears.com/gearwrench-7-pc-metric-full-polish-ratcheting/p-SPM9476684317?rrec=true

I wonder if one is built better than the other and is I will have a hard time exchanging them now

 

[Yarpo]

The Blackhawk ratcheting wrenches are very nice even though their beam is a little on the thin side. They're made in Taiwan probably in the same factories making dewalt mechanics tools.

My Blackhawk ratcheting were all marked Taiwan. I've only ever had issues with one, and it was just full of dust/dirt.

They are import, but fit and finish is very nice. Blackhawk has offered ratcheting wrenches almost as long as GW has so I'd say its possible without knowing for sure that Stanley may have their own Tawian factory. While I like my tools USA, if you can make a damn good tool in Asia without the cheap tool tells, it works and you sell it for a good price, I'll bite.

Eh, they look nice but not sure I wanna pay that for import wrenches. Ive been searching for the perfect Ratcheting wrench for awhile. I love my Gearwrench ones, they've served me well but need a second pair now.

I guess its all import at the end of the day because I unfortunately dont want to pay snap on or cornwell prices Was hoping those blackhawks where usa made. The search continues!

 

[Wamsutta]

I guess its all import at the end of the day because I unfortunately dont want to pay snap on or cornwell prices Was hoping those blackhawks where usa made. The search continues!

I think Snap-on is the only USA ratcheting wrench out there at the moment. I got my eye on an 18mm non reversing with the smooth open end. I like the simplicity and zero offset.