GearWrench ratchets - 90T or 120XP?
- Thread starter james9100
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roc_on_the_rocks
Well-known member
Is there a potential trade-off in durability?
Supposedly the 120 is stronger since it’s dual 60T pawls, on the other hand the 90T (single pawl) is less teeth and less parts overall.
According to Project Farms testing on ⅜” ratchets the 90T failed at 286.2 ft lbs and the 120XP at 295.8 ft lbs.
BullsArmor
Member
I’ve used both — the 90T is slimmer and easier in tight spots, but the 120XP has that super smooth 3° swing which is great for precision. I’d lean 120XP unless you’re often working in really cramped spaces.
I would go with the 120XP if you can swing the price. The pro-series XP versions tend to have thicker handles, beefier internals and are just more durable. They also usually have better tooth count, so ratcheting would be smoother.
If you're tight with money or using the ratchet occasionally, the 90T is still solid. But if it is gonna see heavy shop work, beat-on jobs, go XP.
90t here. i have a drawer full of matco 88 and armstrong 60 and 88 click ratchets as well as comparable gearwrench models. 60, 90, 120 and even an older 60 tooth converted to 88 with a matco rebuild. i even have some husky ratchets with 100? maybe.
the 120s are my least favorite. thicker, larger heads and more backdrag. the project farm fail test? pretty insignificant difference that may or may not show in real world use.
i just plain old love my armstrong ratchets. i have an nos 11-992, standard handle 3/8 with 88 clicks on my desk.
edit 9/19......
i assume the op and others know that matco, armstrong, gearwrench, husky and others are virtually identical in the single pawl 60,88, 90 etc. models. different levels of finish but matching gears and pawls can be swapped around.
the dual pawl parts such as the 120s do not interchange with singles.
the 120s are my least favorite. thicker, larger heads and more backdrag. the project farm fail test? pretty insignificant difference that may or may not show in real world use.
i just plain old love my armstrong ratchets. i have an nos 11-992, standard handle 3/8 with 88 clicks on my desk.
edit 9/19......
i assume the op and others know that matco, armstrong, gearwrench, husky and others are virtually identical in the single pawl 60,88, 90 etc. models. different levels of finish but matching gears and pawls can be swapped around.
the dual pawl parts such as the 120s do not interchange with singles.
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The 90T set is on sale on amazon for $100 right now (reg $130) 120XP is $150 so regular price is not that much different. I can afford the 120 no prob, that said I do not use them that often, I’m just a DIY mechanic.
an additional thought. if one really thinks the 120's are better or worth the extra cost i won't argue. to me they are not. i do think however that if the design was that much better, stronger and the like you would see it in matco ratchets.
NHtoolguy
Well-known member
I have long-handled 120XP ratchets in both 3/8 inch and 1/2 inch drives and I really like them. The only potential drawback might be the thick heads, but I haven't encountered a clearance issue in any work I've done.
Next
Well-known member
So are the 90T the same as the MATCO?
No. But the gear and paws do interchange between the GW 90T and the 88.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You need to be clear about which 120XP design you're talking about. Red or orange? The first gen 120XP (red as in red/black comfort grip handle colors) was fairly thick headed for a Gearwrench ratchet and not that smooth. Now the second gen 120XP are completely different. Orange lettering, orange/black comfort grip handles, orange stripe on all metal handle, have much compact ratchet heads in both thickness & width. The current 120XP also feature push button locks on some flex head models and are available in longer lengths than the originals.
Lastly, the current 120XP uses a screw retained gear plate instead of a snap ring/thin metal gear cover used on the 90 tooth version. The 90 tooth ratchet has a different shaped gear cover the previous 60 & 84 toothed version and that's not going to fit a Matco ratchet as they still use the v shaped gear cover. I think both the current Gearwrench 120XP ratchet or the 90 tooth ratchet will serve you well. It comes down to other ratchet features like which locking flex head design do you prefer or how long of a ratchet do you want.
Lastly, the current 120XP uses a screw retained gear plate instead of a snap ring/thin metal gear cover used on the 90 tooth version. The 90 tooth ratchet has a different shaped gear cover the previous 60 & 84 toothed version and that's not going to fit a Matco ratchet as they still use the v shaped gear cover. I think both the current Gearwrench 120XP ratchet or the 90 tooth ratchet will serve you well. It comes down to other ratchet features like which locking flex head design do you prefer or how long of a ratchet do you want.
IndyGarage
Well-known member
I've had the 90T Flex heads at my shop for a couple of years. I've used them hard. Plus a 120T extra long 1/2 inch fixed head. They all work fine.
I recently bought another set of the GW 120T flex heads for my home shop - obviously I liked the brand. They work fine too. I can't say anything bad about any of them. The only ratchet I will pick up ahead of one of the GW's is my extra long 3/8 flex head Snap on. Snap on feels slightly better, but honestly I don't think it's a whole lot of difference, especially considering price.
I recently bought another set of the GW 120T flex heads for my home shop - obviously I liked the brand. They work fine too. I can't say anything bad about any of them. The only ratchet I will pick up ahead of one of the GW's is my extra long 3/8 flex head Snap on. Snap on feels slightly better, but honestly I don't think it's a whole lot of difference, especially considering price.
I have a ton of different ratchets and have done a bunch of comparison videos... Honestly, some of my least favorite are gearwrench. I've tried their older versions, 90T, and 120T. It's not that they are 'bad' per se, just that the ergo's and balance seem off on them for me and that there are better options at the price point...
I keep wanting to like them, trying them again, or trying a different version, and coming to the same conclusion. Others like them, so YMMV.
If you decide anyway on the Gearwrench 90T and just want fixed head versions, look at the Quinn 90T sealed head ratchets. They are identical (or nearly identical) to the GW90T. Only the sealed heads, not the other Quinn ratchets.
eg:
I keep wanting to like them, trying them again, or trying a different version, and coming to the same conclusion. Others like them, so YMMV.
If you decide anyway on the Gearwrench 90T and just want fixed head versions, look at the Quinn 90T sealed head ratchets. They are identical (or nearly identical) to the GW90T. Only the sealed heads, not the other Quinn ratchets.
eg:
What is wrong with the ergonomics and balance of the GW 90T ratchets? Tell me actual comparison numbers to other brands. I'm not watching videos.
The GW 90T have about the thinnest heads available, along w the Matco 88, and the GW are nearly identical to the Matco 88. And you can buy rebuild kits for the 90T for little $. So what's not to like? Besides it has GW stamped on it?
to answer his question, just a bunch of noise. i think he clearly does not like the gearwrench or matco and that is fine but at least get your terms right and compare apples to apples. first of all, the ratchets compared all over the board as far as lengths and styles. at least get the terms right. quit calling the flex heads swivel heads and of course a bent handle flex head will not feel the same and balance like a shorter flex because it is a specialized tool generally used for spark plug work.
Lol... Pick them all up for your self and see which YOU like better. Thats what I did.
How a ratchet feels in your hand and when you're working with it isn't about "comparison numbers". Buy and use whatever YOU like best.
For me, there are a wide a variety of ratchets I really like, including some expensive ratchets (Snap-On, Koken), mid priced (Icon, KTC, some Capri...) and budget ratchets (Astro, some Pittsburg for example). And ratchets I like less for a variety of reasons (Gearwrench, Nepros, Matco, etc.), If I dislike your 'favorite' ratchet, I won't be offended if you continue to use and love it...
I have several Gearwrench ratchets that aren't bent handle spark plug style as well, my conclusions weren't based on that spark plug style ratchet alone, it's just the one I had handy with a flex head on it. My disappointment with gearwrench ratchets I promise you isn't because of the bent handle or the "GW" logo. I think GW ratcheting wrenches are great and have used them for years, for example.
But if you want some ergonomic specifics on what I dislike about GW, , here is one: The heads are to big and heavy, and the handles don't do a good job counterbalancing the heavy heads making them feel clumsy *to me*. Pick up the Ko-Ken or Snap-On. Feels right, balance is right, grip is right. Then pick up a Gearwrench or Nepros. Balance point is much closer to the head. If you like that 'head heavy' style of ratchet, go for it. I do not.
As for 'terms', yup, unscripted/unedited, and I might incorrectly call a flex a swivel occasionally or forget to enunciate the "kuh" in "kuh-nip-ex". Thats the way it goes...
How a ratchet feels in your hand and when you're working with it isn't about "comparison numbers". Buy and use whatever YOU like best.
For me, there are a wide a variety of ratchets I really like, including some expensive ratchets (Snap-On, Koken), mid priced (Icon, KTC, some Capri...) and budget ratchets (Astro, some Pittsburg for example). And ratchets I like less for a variety of reasons (Gearwrench, Nepros, Matco, etc.), If I dislike your 'favorite' ratchet, I won't be offended if you continue to use and love it...
I have several Gearwrench ratchets that aren't bent handle spark plug style as well, my conclusions weren't based on that spark plug style ratchet alone, it's just the one I had handy with a flex head on it. My disappointment with gearwrench ratchets I promise you isn't because of the bent handle or the "GW" logo. I think GW ratcheting wrenches are great and have used them for years, for example.
But if you want some ergonomic specifics on what I dislike about GW, , here is one: The heads are to big and heavy, and the handles don't do a good job counterbalancing the heavy heads making them feel clumsy *to me*. Pick up the Ko-Ken or Snap-On. Feels right, balance is right, grip is right. Then pick up a Gearwrench or Nepros. Balance point is much closer to the head. If you like that 'head heavy' style of ratchet, go for it. I do not.
As for 'terms', yup, unscripted/unedited, and I might incorrectly call a flex a swivel occasionally or forget to enunciate the "kuh" in "kuh-nip-ex". Thats the way it goes...
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51dueller
Well-known member
A ratchet by itself can't do any work without a socket which will make the head heavier, making any "balance" redundant.
Are you going to tell me the Koken 3/4 drive ratchet is balanced?
Are you going to tell me the Koken 3/4 drive ratchet is balanced?
Talk about "all over the board" comparisons? A 3/4" industrial ratchet? We were talking about 3/8" flex heads, super frequent use, often with compact, light sockets. But yeah, you put that big 800mm handle on that Koken 3/4" and my guess is it has better balance than most.
actually no, the op was not asking about flex heads or roto heads.
the op clearly said he was set on gearwrench and the poll has choices for 90t or 120xp. not snap-on, koken, icon or any other brand for that matter. the op also never stated he wanted to use compact or light sockets. for all we know he may prefer mid depth, deep or more commonly use bit socket
conversation is ok but the only answer the op needed or wanted is if he should choose 90 or 120. anything else is giving him advice he didn't ask for and probably doesn't want.
IndyGarage
Well-known member
Honestly, I don't get your idea of "balance". The balance point is going to be entirely dependent on the length of the ratchet.
Personally I think all of the better ones are so much better than we had 25 years ago, that you could live nicely with any of them.