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Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

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Retroman

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Missed the last time they were on sale, hopefully it is a decent quality set but for $32 bucks and some change figured it was worth a shot. 72 tooth

Those that have used them how do you like them?
 
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Mr_B

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

for that price can't go wrong.
i really like roto ratchets, the gearwrench ones are decent enough .
 
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X1 Mike

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

Retroman said:
Missed the last time they were on sale, hopefully it is a decent quality set but for $32 bucks and some change figured it was worth a shot. 72 tooth

Those that have used them how do you like them?
Click to expand...

Is it a secret where you bought them?
 
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2ndGearRubber

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

The 3/8 is nice for domestic transverse v6 spark plugs. Between only being available (at the time) in soft grip, and the high back drag they mostly sit in my box.
 
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Fedwrench

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

they're fine. The 3/8 is on the short side but, i think that makes it handier in some applications :beer:

Cripe distributing on ebay sells the same 1/4 & 3/8 drive set branded Crescent for $24.00 plus shipping.
 
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Matt XYZ

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

Fedwrench said:
they're fine. The 3/8 is on the short side but, i think that makes it handier in some applications :beer:

Cripe distributing on ebay sells the same 1/4 & 3/8 drive set branded Crescent for $24.00 plus shipping.
Click to expand...

I ordered the Crescents from Cripe a few weeks ago. I played with them but haven't used them yet. I'm sure they will be fine for the limited use and abuse I will give them.

Is their any difference between the GWs and Crescents? They appear to be very similar.
 
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lardy1

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

I'm pretty new to the roto-ratchet game. I ran into a Tekton 40% off sale at Meijers one time and bought the 1/4" drive out of curiosity. I really liked it so I bought the 3/8" drive also. I do like the concept. I may eventually tire of the quality of the Tekton's and upgrade but I'm happy for now with them.

I almost bought that Crescent set. I think it's the same as the Tekton and probably a few other rebranders. They weren't priced that much lower than Tekton after the 10% reward points and I have no doubts at all about warranty.
 
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Mr_B

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

Break them in a bit and some red grease and drops of syn atf have them running fairly smooth.
One I use most are toptul 1/4 and 3/8, handle works well for using like driver .
I find them very useful .
 
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Ign

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

My 1/4 Carlyle/Cornwell is probably my favorite due to low backdrag and nice ratcheting action. It just feels good to use. The reversing dial is kinda dumb, though
 
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Retroman

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

Returning them today back drag is horrible. Added some lube but not much better. I guess I will look at some of the other brands mentioned here.
 
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Mr_B

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

Did you add grease, I find red lithium useful in most roto ratchets as lighter lubes don't cushion and smooth the mechanism enough .
Generally some break in time needed too.
What was the COO on your set, I go a set long time back and they not that bad, wonderif manufacture plant changed !
My favourite mid cost ones are toptul, ICON is an option and about only socket ratchets I would buy from current ones in the brand.
The tekton is exactly same as Pitts Pro, laser and many others rebranded from same oem .
Carlyle was okay but the newer ones are QR and not serviceable .
 
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qqzj

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

Just got a 1/4 one from harbor freight yesterday for $8. There are two types of these ratchets, with and without quick release. those without qr, like GW, icon, can be opened to maintain. Those with qr cannot.

Since all these ratchets have soft handles, and they're short, they're not created for torque. This is probably due to the fact the handle is split to house the head. So, those with qr make more sense as they emphasize convenience.

The shortcoming of qr is that in tight spaces, qr might get bumped and socket is gone. But these ratchets have big heads. They should not be used in tight spaces in the first place.

Also the main benefits of the design diminish as they increase in size. It's no longer convenient to turn them using fingers for 1/2 inch ratchets. So I just got the 1/4 one. I somehow find the smaller ones pretty to look at, while the larger ones seem very odd to my eyes.



Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app
 
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Handyandy23

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

Retroman said:
Returning them today back drag is horrible. Added some lube but not much better. I guess I will look at some of the other brands mentioned here.
Click to expand...

I did the same thing. I have the Tekton roto ratchets and thought the back drag was "bad" because it was slightly more than my standard ratchets. So I ordered the GW versions hoping that being able to lube them would solve the issue.

The GW had twice the back drag of the Tektons, and even lubing them didn't help. I tried thinner oil like 3 in 1, and thicker engine assembly lube, nothing helped. So I'm sending mine back as well.

I dribbled some 3 in 1 into the QR button area of the Tektons and that seemed to help them loosen up a bit too. They are still slightly higher back drag than my Tekton regular ratchets, but they are way better than those GW rotos.

If you want to give rotos another shot I would recommend the Tektons.
 
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m6z

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

I just received a Gearwrench 90t. Feels pretty good to me and the head is very low profile.
 
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M635_Guy

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

Retroman said:
Returning them today back drag is horrible. Added some lube but not much better. I guess I will look at some of the other brands mentioned here.
Click to expand...
I have the HF Icon 1/4" and 3/8" - especially love the 1/4"
 
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PiperCub49

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

My 1/4" drive slips and I need to have it warrantied.
 
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Yarpo

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

They're pretty poor quality. I read lots of complaints about them slipping online when I bought mine from sears a few years back. My 1/4" slips too, or did slip, I don't remember as I threw it in an extra drawer and never looked at it again. I also dislike that style of ratchet, so that could be something to do with it, but I remember them being rather poor.
 
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Retroman

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

I think I will try the Icon 1/4" with the 20% off coupon good until the end of the month. With tax will put me at $31.50 which is roughly what the GW combo set cost. I would rather have one good tool than two ****** ones that I would not use. Now I got to see if any local stores have them in stock!!
 
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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

got the 1/4 Carlyle a while back off eBay. Backdrag is horrendous and it's QR so it can't be opened up. Tried various lubes. It sits mostly unused. Too bad, because I like it otherwise.
 
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Bighead38

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

If it’s the set I’m thinking of they are actually my go to ratchets in both drive sizes. So happy that I discovered Roto ratchets a few years ago.
 
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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

toddmorr said:
got the 1/4 Carlyle a while back off eBay. Backdrag is horrendous and it's QR so it can't be opened up. Tried various lubes. It sits mostly unused. Too bad, because I like it otherwise.
Click to expand...

I got the Carlyle first and took it back - I think 1/4" size is the hardest to translate a design to - it seems like a lot show backdrag when sized to that package.

Even the Pittsburg Pro was better than the Carlyle. I didn't like oval-shaped handle, but didn't mind the mechanism. The Icon is way better for handle and mechanism for me.
 
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Retroman

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

Picked up the Icon 1/4" of course there all locked up you so cant try them and find a good or better one from the bunch. First impression is noticeably better than GW so waiting on my Permatex Red lube then will see how she breaks in.
 
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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

Gearwrench is quite good design with mechanism being pivot pawl much like snapon roto head design and are fairly slim .
You can trim the springs in the gearwrench and lube it to have very nice low cost ratchets .
Icon is single sliding pawl heart shape spring design which is simple and reliable, pretty much all the taiwan roto heads use that design .
Icon has 90 tooth, comes greased, switch has more rounded corners than some (toptup quite sharp corners) and moulded handle length bit longer than some so not bad buy with 20% or more discount .

Gearwrench or crescent version at sale price and modified pawl springs and lubed results in great value nice to use ratchets (HF dirt cheap but better design engineering)
 
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cheechi

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

since this was brought back up if I may ask some questions

m6z said:
I just received a Gearwrench 90t. Feels pretty good to me and the head is very low profile.
Click to expand...
what model did you get please?

Retroman said:
Picked up the Icon 1/4" of course there all locked up you so cant try them and find a good or better one from the bunch. First impression is noticeably better than GW so waiting on my Permatex Red lube then will see how she breaks in.
Click to expand...
how did it break in?
 
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Cgw1984

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

cheechi said:
since this was brought back up if I may ask some questions


what model did you get please?


how did it break in?
Click to expand...

Im not the op, sorry. And im not an icon fan. But the 3/8 roto i have from them i like every bit as much as my cornwell 1/4 and 1/2. The plastic on the handle ***** though. If icon would make them in chrome, theyd have a winner
 
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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

qqzj said:
Since all these ratchets have soft handles, and they're short, they're not created for torque. This is probably due to the fact the handle is split to house the head.The Garage Journal mobile app
Click to expand...

I believe the split it the handle actually strengthens it. With torque appllied - one side is strained in compression, the other in extension. The ears of the roto-head are about twice as beefy as the pin/bolt in the fork of breaker bar of equal drive size.

My first roto head was a 3/8" drive SK about 11" overall length - purchase about 1975. Never used cheater bars or step-up adapters, but still abused it IMO. I used it to turn Snap-on 3/8" drive flank drive shallow and deep sockets that topped out at 1" - the SK sockets that it came with topped out at 7/8".

It had finer teeth than my Snap-on pear head of the same period - 42 vs 32 teeth - if memory serves. Both grew legs about the same time I started working for a seismic field crew (and essentially became a gypsy).

My current long-handle 3/8" roto-head is a Pittsburgh extended to 13" overall length using 3/8" brass pipe cushioned with 5/8" heater hose - pictured in https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=455826
 
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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

cheechi said:
How did it break in?
Click to expand...

Speaking for my 1/4" and 3/8" Icon rotos, they're doing great. I wound up getting the Snap On 1/4" roto too, and while it's terrific, I still find myself reaching for the Icon. Probably my most-used ratchet.

I haven't done any lubrication/etc. - seems odd to need to do that to a brand-new tool...

SeisMec said:
I believe the split it the handle actually strengthens it. With torque appllied - one side is strained in compression, the other in extension. The ears of the roto-head are about twice as beefy as the pin/bolt in the fork of breaker bar of equal drive size.
Click to expand...

My understanding was the split was to allow the head to be inserted and retain a single piece handle.

I haven't put a cheater-bar on any of mine, but I have cranked on them and never had an issue at all.
 
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Mr_B

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

WARNING
Gearwrench are cheaping out and screwing the customer yet again

be careful as newer stock of these from gearwrench (identified by having torx screw in middle of selector plate) has gone to the more basic heart spring and single sliding pawl which not great and plenty brand options on those dirt cheap and better spec

The original style gearwrench roto is a great buy for 30buck range 2pc set as if you modify the pawl springs you end up with amazingly usable ratchets with far better head size and pivot pawl ratchet mechanism much like the snapon design .

Good design looks like this >


Bad new design is same mechanism and head bulk as all other taiwan offerings >

3/8 heads on these same bulk as average smallish 1/2" ratchet,
The heartspring on this mechanism type also not so tunable to low back drag as twin pawl coil spring type .
 
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SeisMec

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

M635_Guy said:
My understanding was the split was to allow the head to be inserted and retain a single piece handle.
Click to expand...

The split is absolutely needed to install the head.

Was just expressing my opinion (yeh, I know - just like excrement holes, everybody's got one) that a consequence of the design is a stronger/stiffer handle due to the altered distribution of stress.

I don't have any evidence to backup that opinion - other than never, ever having seen a bent handle on a roto-head. Either the gearing strips or the anvil breaks off.
 
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Mr_B

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

Handyandy23 said:
I did the same thing. I have the Tekton roto ratchets and thought the back drag was "bad" because it was slightly more than my standard ratchets. So I ordered the GW versions hoping that being able to lube them would solve the issue.

The GW had twice the back drag of the Tektons, and even lubing them didn't help. I tried thinner oil like 3 in 1, and thicker engine assembly lube, nothing helped. So I'm sending mine back as well.

I dribbled some 3 in 1 into the QR button area of the Tektons and that seemed to help them loosen up a bit too. They are still slightly higher back drag than my Tekton regular ratchets, but they are way better than those GW rotos.

If you want to give rotos another shot I would recommend the Tektons.
Click to expand...

If you got the original GW design (no torx screw and uses coil spring retain mechanism) they are a great roto ratchet
They use pivot pin pawl mechanism same as snapons and back drag can be tuned to your liking by clipping the pawl coil springs and lubing with likes of atf/red lithium mix or engine assembly lube .
The tekton exactly same as HF Pitts Pro roto ratchets besides the price and handle color lol .
Not being serviceable is a pain and the design also use a more simple single sliding pawl and heart shaped spring .
Non QR versions from likes of toptul, current icon and early model carlye were serviceable and you could also tweak heart spring and lube to improve back drag but the GW can be improved massively and is far better mechanism design which far more involved to manufacture hence why GW recently changed design as they more into the profit margins than the tool engineering .

only ones worth buying is GW or crescent original design or toptul and icon single pawl heart spring mechanism that serviceable .
 
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lardy1

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

It looks like Cripe Distributing still has a few of the Crescent branded ones left.
 
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Mr_B

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Re: Bought the GEARWRENCH 2 Pc. 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet Set - 81223

use to get crescent ones as cheap as 25bucks 2pc set, GW been almost that cheap at times and possibly cheaper at some of the retail close down sales .
if you willing put in about 30 to 60 minutes time open them up and clip springs in stages and test until perfect then do a final lube and assembly you end up with 2 roto ratchets that can't be bettered for under 100bucks .

The new GW roto ratchet is total disgrace and insult to customers intelligence .
Lot of current GW update tools are total downgrade much like craftsman and some other autopart store brands that a constant reduction in quality and manufacture cost once they baited consumers and built up desired image ...
 
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