Tool Review : Gearwrench 120XP Flex Head Ratchets

woodstockva · May 6, 2014

Hey Everybody

I just uploaded a fairly long review of the Gearwrench 120XP Flex Head Ratchets.

I wanted to not only show exactly how they differed from standard ratchets, but I also decided to open one up to show you what was inside, and how they are constructed. You will get to see exactly how the "dual pawl" mechanism works, and will get to see how the 120XP ratchet compares with swing arc VS a sk, craftsman, and matco ratchets.

Here is a link to the video, I hope you enjoy it!

Here they are @ Trident --> http://www.trident-supply.com/GearWrench_4_Piece_Full_Polish_Mixed_Ratchet_p/329-81230p.htm

Woodstockva

jim1987 · May 7, 2014

Was you paid for that?

woodstockva · May 7, 2014

jim1987 said:
Was you paid for that?

I wish! hahaha

I wanted to give a shout out to Trident & Garage Journal for helping me decide to get a set of the 120XPs.

And, I figured I should do an in-depth video since there is basically nothing online other than sales ads for them. At least now people can see how they work.

Thanks for watching!

ADSR · May 7, 2014

Great review!

oldldh · May 7, 2014

The GearWrench 81230P set is available from---

www.tooldiscounter.com

---for $ 102.82 + freight...

(To my house it totals $ 116.15/incl freight)

bareass172 · May 7, 2014

Nice video. The one thing I would add that I didn't hear you mention is that a ratchet like this actually means you're doing more work with each swing. This isn't as big a deal for other high tooth count ratchets, but having used very low tooth count ratchets in the past I can appreciate that catching the next tooth sooner means that my swing is moving the fastener further. I realize this is a minor difference, but over the course of a lot of fasteners it adds up.

I currently have the GW 84 tooth rats and really want the 120's but I just can't bring myself to pull the trigger. I have a bunch of dual 80's and other options, that's why - it's a "want" more than a "need".

1950mercury · May 7, 2014

Hows the back drag compared to the dual 80's. Thats the most important thing to me

ADSR · May 7, 2014

oldldh said:
The GearWrench 81230P set is available from---

www.tooldiscounter.com

---for $ 102.82 + freight...

(To my house it totals $ 116.15/incl freight)

I'm sure mike will match it, if not beat it. Folks at trident take damn good care of customers.

ADSR · May 7, 2014

1950mercury said:
Hows the back drag compared to the dual 80's. Thats the most important thing to me

I'd like to know as well. I bought all 4 for less than the price of one dual 80. Been very happy with the xp120s and not planing to buy a dual 80 any time soon.

Kracin · May 7, 2014

1950mercury said:
Hows the back drag compared to the dual 80's. Thats the most important thing to me

i'm surprised that he didn't put the sockets in a vice, and then use a protractor on the handles of the ratchets to show the difference in throw between them also... not to mention the back drag as well. i hate pulling a ratchet off of a bolt thinking i can turn it by hand but the damn thing is still so tight because the racthets drag was too hard.

MatcoDave · May 7, 2014

I must argue (lol) in all fairness to matco. You've used an outdated matco ratchet that has since been updated twice. You're using an old 36 tooth matco. We've upgraded to a 60 tooth and currently to an 88 tooth which has only a 4 degree swing.

rtole · May 7, 2014

I have some of these and some dual 80s The back drag is less on the snap on. When the going gets tight I still grab the dual 80. That said, I still use mt 120xp rats everyday. They are very nice, I wont get rid of them. Cant say the same about a round head sk.......nice, but not not enough.

woodstockva · May 7, 2014

MatcoDave said:
I must argue (lol) in all fairness to matco. You've used an outdated matco ratchet that has since been updated twice. You're using an old 36 tooth matco. We've upgraded to a 60 tooth and currently to an 88 tooth which has only a 4 degree swing.

It was merely to show the swing arc. That Matco ratchet is my FAVORITE tool of all time btw....if my garage was burning down & I could save one item, it would be that ratchet.

Unfortunately I dont have the tool budget to buy all of the competitors current versions of tools when making videos

Thanks for watching!

cheechi · May 7, 2014

comparing the F80 to the equivalent 120xp (too lazy to find the model #) they both start to engage a bolt around the same time, give or take a thread/revolution. Neither seem to grab quite as quickly as some of my older ratchets but apples to apples, these are about the same.

wvrailroader · May 7, 2014

rtole said:
I have some of these and some dual 80s The back drag is less on the snap on. When the going gets tight I still grab the dual 80. That said, I still use mt 120xp rats everyday. They are very nice, I wont get rid of them. Cant say the same about a round head sk.......nice, but not not enough.

I would have to disagree. I have several brand new 120XP ratchets and they all have less back drag than my new Snap On FK80. I have been way more impressed with the 120XP's than the Snap On.

Bigblue&Goldie · May 7, 2014

Good video.....a little long though.

These ratchets are a bargain if you dont care about country of origin.

Loscaldazar · May 7, 2014

wvrailroader said:
I would have to disagree. I have several brand new 120XP ratchets and they all have less back drag than my new Snap On FK80. I have been way more impressed with the 120XP's than the Snap On.

Same. When the 120XPs are lubed too, there is next to no backdrag. I can't even feel the teeth engage on my 1/4 120XP that has superlube in it (and no, it's not slipping at all, I've took off lugs nut @66 ft-lbs with it lubed up).

ADSR · May 7, 2014

Loscaldazar said:
Same. When the 120XPs are lubed too, there is next to no backdrag. I can't even feel the teeth engage on my 1/4 120XP that has superlube in it (and no, it's not slipping at all, I've took off lugs nut @66 ft-lbs with it lubed up).

Which Superlube do you use? dry film or regular?

oak_park · May 7, 2014

Nice review. I'm not trying to be critical, but 20 minutes is way too long.

Probably could have skipped turning the sockets on both the 1/2 and 3/8ths drives. A little too much repetition about the low swing arc and tight spaces too. But based on your video, I'll probably pick one up.

organ · May 7, 2014

woodstockva said:
I wish! hahaha

I wanted to give a shout out to Trident & Garage Journal for helping me decide to get a set of the 120XPs.

And, I figured I should do an in-depth video since there is basically nothing online other than sales ads for them. At least now people can see how they work.

Thanks for watching!

Yes! Thank you for making this video.

woodstockva · May 7, 2014

Bigblue&Goldie said:
Good video.....a little long though.

These ratchets are a bargain if you dont care about country of origin.

Thanks! I agree it was pretty long....I just wanted to do an in-depth review, and thought if I only went over the 1/2" size, then people would complain that I didnt show the other sizes.

oak_park said:
Nice review. I'm not trying to be critical, but 20 minutes is way too long.

Probably could have skipped turning the sockets on both the 1/2 and 3/8ths drives. A little too much repetition about the low swing arc and tight spaces too. But based on your video, I'll probably pick one up.

Thanks! Once again, I do agree.....20 minutes is definitely a bit long, but like I said I wanted to be very thorough. Typically, most people would make it to the "internals" of the ratchet & stop watching....so for those who actually wanted to see everything they can continue to watch the 3/8" comparison. I will say that these review videos do get a lot of views, and normally someone who is actually on the fence about buying something (and investing $100+ bucks), they wouldnt mind making sure they are buying a quality item. I didnt want to cut it off after I opened the ratchet up.

organ said:
Yes! Thank you for making this video.

No problem! Thanks for watching! (and hopefully subscribing!)

Bigblue&Goldie · May 7, 2014

I forgot to say thanks......

Reviews like this are what I look for when making a purchase. I do a lot of reading, but when it comes down to it I'm a visual guy and need something to look at.

ADSR · May 7, 2014

Bigblue&Goldie said:
I forgot to say thanks......

Reviews like this are what I look for when making a purchase. I do a lot of reading, but when it comes down to it I'm a visual guy and need something to look at.

This^

If i didn't already own the 4pc set, this review would make me buy one. :drool:

cadavjo · May 7, 2014

LORDDiESEL said:
This^

If i didn't already own the 4pc set, this review would make me buy one.

I've been on the fence about these, and am now ordering them because of this review

carterbeauford · May 7, 2014

I've really wailed on my non-ratcheting 1/2" 120XP and can attest to them being strong as well as awesome to use.

organ · May 7, 2014

woodstockva said:
Thanks! I agree it was pretty long....I just wanted to do an in-depth review, and thought if I only went over the 1/2" size, then people would complain that I didnt show the other sizes.

Thanks! Once again, I do agree.....20 minutes is definitely a bit long, but like I said I wanted to be very thorough. Typically, most people would make it to the "internals" of the ratchet & stop watching....so for those who actually wanted to see everything they can continue to watch the 3/8" comparison. I will say that these review videos do get a lot of views, and normally someone who is actually on the fence about buying something (and investing $100+ bucks), they wouldnt mind making sure they are buying a quality item. I didnt want to cut it off after I opened the ratchet up.

No problem! Thanks for watching! (and hopefully subscribing!)

Subscribed!

jethro29 · May 7, 2014

thank you for taking the time to make the video and do the comparison.i appreciate all of your work.

cadavjo · May 7, 2014

carterbeauford said:
I've really wailed on my non-ratcheting 1/2" 120XP and can attest to them being strong as well as awesome to use.

Your ratchet doesn't ratchet, but it's awesome to use? Wait...what?

carterbeauford · May 7, 2014

cadavjo said:
Your ratchet doesn't ratchet, but it's awesome to use? Wait...what?

long day... non flex.

AdamLym · May 7, 2014

Thanks for the review :thumbup:

85FourEyedGT · May 7, 2014

Good video, looks like a great ratchet, Ill have to pick one up. Try to keep in mind that most people who watch these vids are already pretty well versed in tools etc, no need to cover the most minute details

si_jeff · May 7, 2014

Thanks for the review!

abvw · May 7, 2014

I have the 60, 84 and 120 teeth versions and they were the bee's knees of cheap ratchets. I liked the fact that they're very easy to maintain. I can clean and relube them in less than 30 second, blindfolded.

But...

-My Dual80s comfort grip fit my hands better. (gripping and yanking on skinny handles all day make my finger joints and tendons/ligaments around my elbow/forearm sore, one reason I avoid chrome handles)
-They all performed roughly the same despite the difference in tooth count. The back drag is inferior to the Dual80.
-The 3/8" long handled flex 120XP have very poor balance. Thank goodness they engineered a detent system in the flex mechanism.
-Sometimes the width of the flex mechanism gets in the swing arc clearance.
-The ratcheting mechanism gets dry and gritty very quickly (requires weekly maintenance in professional settings)
-Under high torque application, sometimes the GW binds up and auto reverses during back drag.
-Sometimes it auto reverses when you swing too quickly
-I've manage to trap a 1/4" once, couldn't even get a screwdriver to flip the "flush" lever. End up cutting the bolt with air chisel to save the ratchet.

Despite all those flaws and nuances, I'd bet they're impressive for someone who stepped up from a set ratchet or 36 tooth round head.

Bigblue&Goldie · May 8, 2014

abvw said:
I have the 60, 84 and 120 teeth versions and they were the bee's knees of cheap ratchets. I liked the fact that they're very easy to maintain. I can clean and relube them in less than 30 second, blindfolded.

But...

-My Dual80s comfort grip fit my hands better. (gripping and yanking on skinny handles all day make my finger joints and tendons/ligaments around my elbow/forearm sore, one reason I avoid chrome handles)
-They all performed roughly the same despite the difference in tooth count. The back drag is inferior to the Dual80.
-The 3/8" long handled flex 120XP have very poor balance. Thank goodness they engineered a detent system in the flex mechanism.
-Sometimes the width of the flex mechanism gets in the swing arc clearance.
-The ratcheting mechanism gets dry and gritty very quickly (requires weekly maintenance in professional settings)
-Under high torque application, sometimes the GW binds up and auto reverses during back drag.
-Sometimes it auto reverses when you swing too quickly
-I've manage to trap a 1/4" once, couldn't even get a screwdriver to flip the "flush" lever. End up cutting the bolt with air chisel to save the ratchet.

Despite all those flaws and nuances, I'd bet they're impressive for someone who stepped up from a set ratchet or 36 tooth round head.

.......and reviews like this are why I went Dual 80 over the 120xp.

Thanks to both parties for actually trying to convey facts in a review.

cadavjo · May 8, 2014

120XP Flex Set is on Amazon for $120.44, free shipping. Only 2 left.

Loscaldazar · May 8, 2014

abvw said:
I have the 60, 84 and 120 teeth versions and they were the bee's knees of cheap ratchets. I liked the fact that they're very easy to maintain. I can clean and relube them in less than 30 second, blindfolded.

But...

-My Dual80s comfort grip fit my hands better. (gripping and yanking on skinny handles all day make my finger joints and tendons/ligaments around my elbow/forearm sore, one reason I avoid chrome handles)
-They all performed roughly the same despite the difference in tooth count. The back drag is inferior to the Dual80.
-The 3/8" long handled flex 120XP have very poor balance. Thank goodness they engineered a detent system in the flex mechanism.
-Sometimes the width of the flex mechanism gets in the swing arc clearance.
-The ratcheting mechanism gets dry and gritty very quickly (requires weekly maintenance in professional settings)
-Under high torque application, sometimes the GW binds up and auto reverses during back drag.
-Sometimes it auto reverses when you swing too quickly
-I've manage to trap a 1/4" once, couldn't even get a screwdriver to flip the "flush" lever. End up cutting the bolt with air chisel to save the ratchet.

Despite all those flaws and nuances, I'd bet they're impressive for someone who stepped up from a set ratchet or 36 tooth round head.

Is it the 120XPs that are auto reversing, or the 84T ones? The 84's are known to do so (often they have a mismatched pawl or something else like that). Never heard a single case of a 120XP failing or auto reversing on this board before.

If it is the 120XPs, I'd warranty them. Not even cheap HF ratchets self reverse when you are swinging quickly.

ADSR · May 8, 2014

Loscaldazar said:
Is it the 120XPs that are auto reversing, or the 84T ones? The 84's are known to do so (often they have a mismatched pawl or something else like that). Never heard a single case of a 120XP failing or auto reversing on this board before.

If it is the 120XPs, I'd warranty them. Not even cheap HF ratchets self reverse when you are swinging quickly.

I've never any of my 4pc set do this. And they're all i use and beat the hell out of.

rtole · May 8, 2014

wvrailroader said:
I would have to disagree. I have several brand new 120XP ratchets and they all have less back drag than my new Snap On FK80. I have been way more impressed with the 120XP's than the Snap On.

I have had better results with the snap on. I do love the 120s though. They are my second fav ratchet of time. They get used first. When I do chevy blower motor resistors that are on top of the box, I can hardly get my fat hand in there. The snap on does it........gearwrench......not quite. I also use superlube on my ratchets, the aerosol for the fine tooth stuff. The grease for the lower tooth count stuff. They all get cleaned and lubed about once a month. I have a bunch of gw stuff, and I do love it......just would not give up my dual 80s. I also notice these come apart when the socket is stuck on a fastener. I pull the ratchet at an angle, and the gw ratchets come apart......the snap ring lets go and parts fly. This happens to me on all snap ring ratchets though. Snap on being screwed together does not have this issue.

sk farmer · May 8, 2014

i have not seen these issues either but i guess it could happen.

seems to me not every dual 80 has been perfect either.....

ADSR · May 8, 2014

lol, I'm going to buy a dual 80 to see what the fuss is all about.

Hmmm.....woodstockva, your next review should be...Dual 80 vs. xp120

Tool Review : Gearwrench 120XP Flex Head Ratchets

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