New tools from Taiwan for me

When the new Harbor Freight pro ratchets became available I bought the 1/4" & 3/8" long handle drive models and have been pleasantly surprised to the quality and action. This convinced me to start looking at other tools made in Taiwan and so far I'm impressed. 10 years ago nobody would have been able to convince me that Taiwan could produce quality tools and now I'm changing my mind.
Back in the early 70's I remember my father bringing home a $5 socket set from Clarkins dept store that was made in Japan. He handed it over to me and I proudly went to do some work on my BMX bicycle and remember 1 of the sockets splitting and the ratchet stripping out with the next socket attempt. The lesson here is I don't think anyone is bitching about the quality of tools coming out of Japan today and I can see Taiwan following in their footsteps.
I was anxiously awaiting the release of the new SK ratcheting wrenches and when the photo's recently turned up I have no problem admitting I was very underwhelmed by them. Just to goofy looking and I'm not a fan of the opposing open end. In my eyes open ended wrenches are 1 step above crescent wrenches and my everyday combo wrenches are Wright Grip models. I much prefer a solid box end to bust stuff lose then flip to the ratchet side for fast removal.
I ended up with the GearWrench 85989 17 piece master set metrics on Amazon about $252. I know there have been reports of GearWrench stuff now being made in China and if that would have been the case with these I would have sent them back.




Nice long length.


The nice blow molded case they come in fits great in the Harbor Freight 44.


Next up I had recently purchased the SK 1/4" mid length sockets and they soon became my favorite sockets in 1/4" drive. This sent me looking for 3/8" drive mid length sockets and SK nor Wright tool make these. Again I found a set of GearWrench models on Amazon for about $35 and they look great!


Made in Taiwan again.






Nice rail included as well, I hate the metal clip types that SK sockets come with.


The new GearWrench models go nicely with my Wright & SK stuff.


Next up are the EZ RED WC100 metric Hex Wrench Connectors, about $10 on Amazon. I recently could have used these working on our CNC machine at work.




They come with a nice foam insert to place in your box.


Next is just a small item, it's a driver for turning the carb screws on small Husqvarna 2 stroke engines, about $11 on Amazon.






I hope I'm as happy with all these purchases as I am with my new Harbor Freight Pro ratchets.

Nothing wrong with that stuff.
If a guy who works for GM asks to borrow a 3/4 socket because he lost the one at work. DECLINE. He might screw in 1000 3/4 bolts per shift. Nothing to concern yourself with.

the Gearbox wrenches are awesome, and make sense - whereas most people have Gearwrench or other brand of ratcheting combination wrenches which make no sense!

here is what I mean: (mostly to educate others on here, not you )

a combination wrench was designed long ago to be a time saver for the mechanic, you break the fastener with the box end, then turn it around and quickly loosen with the open end. So far, so good.

Unfortunately, most people buy the classic combination type of gear wrench, ratcheting + open, this leaves the ratcheting end to "break" with, which ends up destroying their gear wrench over time.

the ratcheting end of a gearwrench was meant to replace the open end of the classic combination wrench, NOT the box end, this is why the gearbox wrenches make great sense and the typical gearwrench combination you almost always see, does not.

as 95%+ of a ratcheting wrenches sold are NOT the gearbox ratcheting + box configuration, this tells me that few folks realize this fundamental flaw!

yup you have to pick between the good and the bad but some stuff is great bang for buck. check out tekton.

I agree and think Taiwan is better than China in terms of tool quality.

Great looking stuff right there!

1foxracing said:

Next up I had recently purchased the SK 1/4" mid length sockets and they soon became my favorite sockets in 1/4" drive. This sent me looking for 3/8" drive mid length sockets and SK nor Wright tool make these. Again I found a set of GearWrench models on Amazon for about $35 and they look great!

Click to expand...

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4109524&postcount=35
Sk does make midlength 3/8 drive sockets. They're stupidly named however.



What I really wish for is a locking flex gearbox type ratcheting wrench....

Are those the 120XP gearbox version?

This is the exact set I bought, not 120XP.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002YK9LA4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Those wrench connectors are cool... so cool i just ordered a set...

I just brought a set of those Gearwrench XL zero degree box end wrenches. I got the Metric with SAE promo deal that's running these days, very nice wrenches. I need to get the add on sets for each sometime.

wild cowboy said:

as 95%+ of a ratcheting wrenches sold are NOT the gearbox ratcheting + box configuration, this tells me that few folks realize this fundamental flaw!

Click to expand...

The Gearboxes can be too long at times. Once upon a time a long time ago, before Gearwrench was widespread, MATCO introduced the Proswing wrench. The first models were a standard length double boxed end wrench that had a fine tooth ratcheting boxed end on one side, with a 10 degree offset fixed boxed end on the other side. they remain my favorite ratcheting wrench today. To me they are the perfect ratcheting wrench. Break fasteners loose or final tightening with the fixed end, speed fasteners off or on with the ratcheting end.You can get them under the Armstrong brand.

http://www.armstrongtools.com/wrenc...full-polish-double-box-ratcheting-wrench.html

I wish Gearwrench would release this version and perhaps one with a flex head ratcheting end. Yes, I know they have those 120XP wrenches in this style but, again they're too long at times. I want standard length versions. I think they would sell well.

Thanks OP. I just ordered a metric and SAE set of the EZ RED wrench connectors. I didn't know they made them. They should work great for tight double wrenching situations and for hex drain plugs in areas too tight for a ratchet and hex bit socket to fit. Up until now I have been using stubby L wrenches or else cutting short straight stubs off of L wrenches and then using them along with a box wrench of the same size. Now I can have a nice complete set just for the purpose. $18.61 shipped for both sets is a great price too.

In case anyone else is wondering, the part number for the EZ RED companion SAE set is WC200.

1foxracing -


Those are amazing wrenches. I've used my set for a year or two, and love them. Perfect for belt tensioners. Smart move buying the expansion set. 21 and 22 are not often used, but they're key when you need them.

Nice looking stuff!

I'm pretty happy with my Tiawan Carlyle, GW,and HF stuff...

1foxracing,where did you get the "cougar pro" ratcheting wrenches?

Have you used them yet? How did you like them?

Good buy on the Gearwrenches, that imo is a much smarter buy than the Matco version. And damn you Fredwrench, another tool to add to my dream list.

SuburbanRuss said:

Those wrench connectors are cool... so cool i just ordered a set...

Click to expand...

Those are crmo too. Nice! Most guys don't like to lego though.

I think the chinese gearwrench are the "flower" ring type nowadays (at least). Slightly worse than 12 point but not as bad as spline 12 point. It's the comforting middle ground I suppose for those that like soothing looking tools.

I don't know who comes up with this stuff. How bout f-ing 6 points, can't we do that apex?

I don't understand the open end wrench with the ratcheting box end either. I like these double box with one ratcheting end.

Fedwrench said:

The Gearboxes can be too long at times. Once upon a time a long time ago, before Gearwrench was widespread, MATCO introduced the Proswing wrench. The first models were a standard length double boxed end wrench that had a fine tooth ratcheting boxed end on one side, with a 10 degree offset fixed boxed end on the other side. they remain my favorite ratcheting wrench today. To me they are the perfect ratcheting wrench. Break fasteners loose or final tightening with the fixed end, speed fasteners off or on with the ratcheting end.You can get them under the Armstrong brand.

http://www.armstrongtools.com/wrenc...full-polish-double-box-ratcheting-wrench.html

I wish Gearwrench would release this version and perhaps one with a flex head ratcheting end. Yes, I know they have those 120XP wrenches in this style but, again they're too long at times. I want standard length versions. I think they would sell well.

Click to expand...

Thanks for that link, I had no idea Armstrong made those and now I'll add them to the wish list.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004WBZ6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Is there such a thing as standard box end one end and REVERSIBLE ratcheting end on the other end? Anyone make something like that?
Thing is that I need some offset on the ratcheting end.

By the way I looked through the EX red site and found this kit which I think I like better since you can use with 3 metric sizes. But its moar money.

http://www.ezred.com/product/12-piece-metric-hex-bit-set/

Damn near every socket I have is Gearwrench. Havent broken one yet. They are fantastic and have a great price.

Ive been looking at those wrenches for the longest time. My MAC guy can get a deal on them where they come with a free set of SAE wrenches too. But, Ive been holding out... which is a good thing because they recently started selling these...

http://www.tooltopia.com/kd-tools-8...cse&utm_campaign=sc&scpid=7&scid=scsho8129377

Which Matco sells as well, but for a premium.

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/p...DEGREE-FLEX-RATCHETING-EXTRA-LONG-WRENCH-SET/

Same company makes them but GW havent been able to sell them under their own name until recently.

These days - good, bad or indifferent - if you're a machinist shopping for new machine tools you know Taiwan is pretty good. China, that'll be the lathe on the HF sales floor. And Japan's been in the game since the '70's w Mori Seikis that'll still hold .001 all day long in CNC production use (I know, I ran them) and of course Mazak.

It surprises me people still haven't figured Taiwan can make good tools.

And sorry folks but China can too if forced to do so. Milwaukee's hand tools are proof of that IMO. Specifically the scissors are nice and the "vise-grip" locking clamps are much nicer than Irwin's offerings -- although, yes, I realize using Irwin as the standard sets the bar pretty low.

Crown Imperial said:

By the way I looked through the EX red site and found this kit which I think I like better since you can use with 3 metric sizes. But its moar money.

http://www.ezred.com/product/12-piece-metric-hex-bit-set/

Click to expand...

Damn you guys, that's another add to the list.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C7AZOD4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

WOW. Looks like EZ has someone who actually understands marketing ! I may give them a go on a few pieces.Easy to get online.

I hate this thread. I think I just found ten things to add to the list of things I need.

The $10 set on Amazon isn't even listed on their site anymore. I am guessing the one on the link is the replacement which makes sense. Probably also why you can get the old/discontinued one so cheap.

Ign said:

And sorry folks but China can too if forced to do so. Milwaukee's hand tools are proof of that IMO. Specifically the scissors are nice and the "vise-grip" locking clamps are much nicer than Irwin's offerings -- although, yes, I realize using Irwin as the standard sets the bar pretty low.

Click to expand...

The Milwaukie locking pliers I have (six or so) are all Tiawan...