New Gearwrench Flex Spline Wrenches

Fedwrench · Aug 23, 2014

Has anyone seen these yet? I was surfing evil bay and came across these. They're roughly half of what Matco sells their Kabo made version for. I find it odd that gearwrench was listed as Armstrong and they're calling them 120XP ratcheting wrenches. I wonder if they've changed the ratcheting action to 90 tooth. I can't see twin pawls being used in a ratcheting wrench. naturally, I couldn't find them on toolweb or gearwrench.com :dunno:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GEARWRENCH-...ViewItem&hash=item3a95fe905c&pt=US_Hand_Tools

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GEARWRENCH-...ViewItem&hash=item3a95fe9d5e&pt=US_Hand_Tools

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GEARWRENCH-...ViewItem&hash=item3ce6dbbab0&pt=US_Hand_Tools

Farmall450 · Aug 23, 2014

I feel the title/description is misleading, unless of course they are really 120 tooth dual pual design.

Squ1d · Aug 23, 2014

Hefty price tag IMO

MattPersman · Aug 24, 2014

Damn those look nice for the $ anyone that has any of the Matco knows how expensive they are.

Skin · Aug 24, 2014

Does look like a legitimate new product.

http://www.toolsource.com/gearbox-flex-spline-120xp-ratcheting-wrench-metric-19mm-p-150903.html

Farmall450 said:
I feel the title/description is misleading, unless of course they are really 120 tooth dual pual design.

From the looks of the wrenches they have 120XP actually etched on them. They might not be 120 tooth but they must have dual pawls if they're calling it "120XP design".

This news will make some people happy. GW was asked years ago to offer a product like this.

Buckgnarly · Aug 24, 2014

I wish they would go double flex (two sizes per), less tools to buy and store.

splicer64 · Aug 24, 2014

Does it strike anyone as odd that they are not mentioned on their website? I'm sure these are much like similar ones that are quite long, does anyone feel like the length takes slightly away from there functionality? That being said the swiveling head adds to it...go figure. I've been looking at this type wrench for quite a while and had the Matco's in my hand but never pulled the trigger. Any thoughts about this type wrench vs. the standard length without swiveling ratchet end...? Thx

stage20 · Aug 24, 2014

i have some standard double box ratcheting that armstrong makes for matco. does armstrong make the flex for matco? could be near the same quality for a 1/3 of the price.

shockwave · Aug 24, 2014

Not bad at all I would like to see these next to my matco set

Mech33 · Aug 24, 2014

I ordered a set of the spline XL box wrenches, so I'll post what I think of them when they arrive.

kythri · Aug 24, 2014

Do they make these in 12pt, instead of that stupid Spline nonsense?

jim1987 · Aug 24, 2014

Ah ok. There was a thing on their Facebook where they was getting ready to release something big.

rmsg0040 · Aug 24, 2014

http://www.vehicleservicepros.com/p...versal-spline-ratcheting-wrenches-coming-soon

Skin · Aug 24, 2014

Squ1d said:
Hefty price tag IMO

Only thing comparable to this is the Matco set which are the only wrenches of their type available in the US. Retail on that set is nearly $450. Even during promo's for student discounts the best price they hit is around $200 so ~$235 street price for the GW set looks pretty damn good. I'll just be curious if the box end got fatter due to having stacked pawls and i'd also be concerned about how much torque they can handle since the pawls taking the pressure are going to be thinner than a standard design. You do break these wrenches if you use them often.

stage20 said:
i have some standard double box ratcheting that armstrong makes for matco. does armstrong make the flex for matco? could be near the same quality for a 1/3 of the price.

Armstrong doesn't make any wrenches for GW. Armstrong is primarily US made. GW wrenches are all manufactured in Taiwan and China.

Buckgnarly said:
I wish they would go double flex (two sizes per), less tools to buy and store.

Does it strike anyone as odd that they are not mentioned on their website? I'm sure these are much like similar ones that are quite long, does anyone feel like the length takes slightly away from there functionality?

They're killing two birds with one stone. Not only is the leverage with a flex ratcheting box end handy but the fixed end is nice to have also and removes the need for a separate "High Performance" double box set. I have the Matco's and they're absolutely time savers and in some cases invaluable. They also double as a pretty decent tensioner tool.

kythri said:
Do they make these in 12pt, instead of that stupid Spline nonsense?

The spline drive box end works really well. Never had a problem with it except for them digging into corroded fasteners too well so I have to knock the bolts out of them occasionally.

rmsg0040 · Aug 24, 2014

Same, I already have the matco version, 10 pc 10-19mm

It will be interesting to see what sizes are offered from gearwrench in their 8-19mm set, obviously they skipped 2 sizes

I don't think there will be much difference between 5 degrees and 3 degrees in the real world

Skin · Aug 24, 2014

rmsg0040 said:
It will be interesting to see what sizes are offered from gearwrench in their 8-19mm set, obviously they skipped 2 sizes

I'd guess 11 and 9 are omitted.

rmsg0040 said:
I don't think there will be much difference between 5 degrees and 3 degrees in the real world

Yes and no, I've found that the wrenches are so long swing arc does begin to matter more. The biggest thing would be back drag/backlash before the gear engages, whether its worse or better.

Buckgnarly · Aug 24, 2014

Skin said:
They're killing two birds with one stone. Not only is the leverage with a flex ratcheting box end handy but the fixed end is nice to have also and removes the need for a separate "High Performance" double box set. I have the Matco's and they're absolutely time savers and in some cases invaluable. They also double as a pretty decent tensioner tool.

.

I should have added I already have a long fixed end in the Gearwrench double box XL. I have no need for another long fixed end.

Skin · Aug 24, 2014

Buckgnarly said:
I should have added I already have a long fixed end in the Gearwrench double box XL. I have no need for another long fixed end.

Maybe not but its one less wrench set in your cart. The extended fixed box end is nice for breaking a recessed fastener free then flip the wrench around and ratchet it off as opposed to needing two sets of wrenches to do the same thing.

Fedwrench · Aug 24, 2014

I think these new spline wrenches will sell. I would like to see how the double pawl design feels and if it increases the thickness of the boxed end by much.

However, I've said for years that what Gearwrench really needs to make is one of these flex head ratcheting boxed end by a zero offset fixed boxed end wrench in standard or long length not, ** Long but, that's just me. :dunno:

92integra · Aug 24, 2014

I agree it would be nice to see these wrenchs in a regular non xl size

Supe · Aug 24, 2014

kythri said:
Do they make these in 12pt, instead of that stupid Spline nonsense?

What's nonsense about splines? Please espline.

MattPersman · Aug 25, 2014

The splines have been great from the Matco version anyways. Not all 12 point are created equal, sure snap on 12 point is good but cheaper ones, well it's a 50/50 whether it's gonna slip or not

kythri · Aug 25, 2014

Supe said:
What's nonsense about splines? Please espline.

Right tool for the right job.

I don't have anything with spline fasteners.

If I'm working on stuff with hex fasteners, I don't want magic universals, I want 12pt.

If they work for other folks, that's fantastic, but they're not for me.

I love my Gearbox XL wrenches, and a flex-head version of them would be sweet - just don't want to have to buy spline to get it.

Mohawk Dave · Aug 25, 2014

I posted this over on this thread as well, http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=259870 , but maybe it should be here as well???

Great. I want to get the SAE. So, now that GW is working with ALLIANCE, does that mean we will get any discounts?

I did not see them on the vendor list....

Skin · Aug 25, 2014

kythri said:
Right tool for the right job.

I don't have anything with spline fasteners.

If I'm working on stuff with hex fasteners, I don't want magic universals, I want 12pt.

If they work for other folks, that's fantastic, but they're not for me.

I love my Gearbox XL wrenches, and a flex-head version of them would be sweet - just don't want to have to buy spline to get it.

I agree with you but these aren't like the cheap spline tools that were one size fits three different fastener sizes, these are actually sized for their respective hex bolt sizes. They don't fit loose and the contact areas are often even better than a 12pt.

shockwave · Aug 25, 2014

Now I just wish someone will make these in 21Mmm up until 27

RedneckWelder · Aug 25, 2014

I agree with you but these aren't like the cheap spline tools that were one size fits three different fastener sizes, these are actually sized for their respective hex bolt sizes

This.

I've used the better spline drive tools, and they are a world of difference better than the universal **** seen in the big box stores.

We use the extra long spline drive double flex box end wrenches from ATD/Mountain/EZ Reds etc and they are pretty good wrenches and very useful

rmsg0040 · Aug 25, 2014

ATD/mountain/ezred/matco/sk g pro all made by kabo in terms of the spline drive ratcheting wrenches

quality spline drive wrenches will not affect the bolt/fastener

I was using my matco spline wrenches this past weekend alternating between my 6 point sockets and there were no issues at all

shockwave · Aug 25, 2014

Does anyone know if kabo is part of apex tool group? As a lot of there manfacterering has been shifted to gearwrench brand and the quality of gearwrench has gone down significantly in the past 3 years

For example my set of reversible ratcheting wrench have sizes etched on open end and my replacement 8mm has bad sizing and no more etched and too fat compared to my others

I am only saying this as I don't want gearwench to take over kabo design (brass insert)and bring quality down

dede2897234 · Aug 25, 2014

shockwave said:
Now I just wish someone will make these in 21Mmm up until 27

shockwave,

Proto currently manufactures combination, reversible, ratcheting, spline wrenches (non-flex) in sizes 21, 22, 24, and 27mm. Here is the Proto product page: LINK. Both Zoro and MSC Direct stock these wrenches.

Dave

Skin · Aug 25, 2014

shockwave said:
Does anyone know if kabo is part of apex tool group? As a lot of there manfacterering has been shifted to gearwrench brand and the quality of gearwrench has gone down significantly in the past 3 years

For example my set of reversible ratcheting wrench have sizes etched on open end and my replacement 8mm has bad sizing and no more etched and too fat compared to my others

I am only saying this as I don't want gearwench to take over kabo design (brass insert)and bring quality down

Hi-Five is Gearwrench. Kabo is a separate company.

shockwave · Aug 25, 2014

I always overlook proto since not easily attainable from trucks outside of mac

raboyto2 · Aug 25, 2014

Buckgnarly said:
I wish they would go double flex (two sizes per), less tools to buy and store.

There are these (link below). They are also spline (be it a positive or negative) They are not flat like the gear wrench though, but maybe what you are looking for. I find this style more useful.

Metric : $277 in the paper catalog, not sure why so much on the website.

https://www.acklandsgrainger.com/AG...roductDetailDisplay.do?item_code=WSWRBSK5XLMS

SAE : $240 in the paper catalog. Note only 4 wrenches

https://www.acklandsgrainger.com/AG...ProductDetailDisplay.do?item_code=WSWRBSK4XLS

doan · Aug 25, 2014

Fedwrench said:
Has anyone seen these yet? I was surfing evil bay and came across these. They're roughly half of what Matco sells their Kabo made version for. I find it odd that gearwrench was listed as Armstrong and they're calling them 120XP ratcheting wrenches. I wonder if they've changed the ratcheting action to 90 tooth. I can't see twin pawls being used in a ratcheting wrench. naturally, I couldn't find them on toolweb or gearwrench.com

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GEARWRENCH-...ViewItem&hash=item3a95fe905c&pt=US_Hand_Tools

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GEARWRENCH-...ViewItem&hash=item3a95fe9d5e&pt=US_Hand_Tools

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GEARWRENCH-...ViewItem&hash=item3ce6dbbab0&pt=US_Hand_Tools

what is the advantage of spline drive vs. normal 12 point??

Fcvapor05 · Aug 26, 2014

doan said:
what is the advantage of spline drive vs. normal 12 point??

Gearwrench can sell you 4 sets of wrenches instead of 2...

Seriously, I don't know why you would ever buy spline drive anything in sets. I've worked on a LOT of stuff, from planes to cars to heavy equipment to trains. True spline-drive fasteners are exceedingly rare. They use them on some extreme high torque applications like landing gear and certain parts of jet engines. Unless that's what you're working on, save your money. Spline drive wrenches aren't an improvement on 12 point wrenches if you're working on 6 or 12 point fasteners.

Mech33 · Aug 26, 2014

Fcvapor05 said:
Gearwrench can sell you 4 sets of wrenches instead of 2...

Seriously, I don't know why you would ever buy spline drive anything in sets. I've worked on a LOT of stuff, from planes to cars to heavy equipment to trains. True spline-drive fasteners are exceedingly rare. They use them on some extreme high torque applications like landing gear and certain parts of jet engines. Unless that's what you're working on, save your money. Spline drive wrenches aren't an improvement on 12 point wrenches if you're working on 6 or 12 point fasteners.

In this case, I think the advantage with these sets is the 120XP tooth count, reduced head diameter, and the new shape of the open end to better grip bolts without rounding.

It's unfortunate that the XL dual box end wrenches are just a 10-pack set instead of 12-pack, but on the flip side they are flex head on one end. Overall, looks like an upgrade!

Now they need a stubby flex wrench on this set (mainly for the 120XP)...

Conway · Aug 26, 2014

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GEARWRENCH-...1571231248&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr

Might pick this set up

stage20 · Aug 26, 2014

Westwards aren't bad quality from grainger. I have a set of metric gearwrench s shaped ratchet wrenches and my sae westward set looks and feels identical other than red anodized reversing levers. Both are taiwan.

Fcvapor05 · Aug 26, 2014

Mech33 said:
In this case, I think the advantage with these sets is the 120XP tooth count, reduced head diameter, and the new shape of the open end to better grip bolts without rounding.

It's unfortunate that the XL dual box end wrenches are just a 10-pack set instead of 12-pack, but on the flip side they are flex head on one end. Overall, looks like an upgrade!

Now they need a stubby flex wrench on this set (mainly for the 120XP)...

The question asked was 'spline vs 12 pt.', not 'are these cool wrenches'.

Mech33 · Aug 27, 2014

Conway said:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GEARWRENCH-...1571231248&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr

Might pick this set up

Not a fan of the flex head version?

New Gearwrench Flex Spline Wrenches

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