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Gearwrench non-ratchet box wrenches ****!

K

kartracer55

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Well yesterday I was extremely pissed off at the quality, or lack there of, of gear box's box end wrenches.

I was in a tight spot and needed a bit socket, but a ratchet wouldn't fit. So, I slipped a 10mm gear wrench over the shank of the CRAFTSMAN bit, fit it in and proceeded to try and loosen the bolt and CRACK! I split the gear box wrenches NON-RATCHETING ring end right open, right down the broach, and bent the other side of the ring end open. You couldn't even tell I had a wrench on the craftsman bit. I put my bosses MAC long box end wrench on in the same way and loosened it just fine.

Several weeks ago, I broke a 14mm gearbox non-ratcheting ring end and it resembled this one after the break, however I was definitely using some force with that one, but afterall, isn't that what they are for?

Bottom line, if your going to make a LONG box end wrench, make sure it can actually handle the torque that is going to be applied to it. They would be great if they made the box ends stronger on them. Really good idea, but a FAIL on GW/Danaher's part. For $130+ for the set, I was expecting something a little better. Feels like We're paying for the name, not the quality and its a shame because the design is great.

Jim
 
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Ray-CA

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I don't use the "gear" end of those to break anything loose. I'll break them free or final tighten with the open end. Use the ratchet end to get close.

Ray
 
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K

kartracer55

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Ray-CA said:
I don't use the "gear" end of those to break anything loose. I'll break them free or final tighten with the open end. Use the ratchet end to get close.

Ray
Click to expand...

No, these are the long double box wrenches, where one end ratchets, and the other end is a traditional, non-ratcheting box end wrench. I broke the non-ratcheting box ends...
 
F

Fedwrench

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http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/KD-85988.html

Are those the wrenches you're talking about? The extra long models with a fixed boxed end on one side and a ratcheting end on the other?

Were your made in Taiwan or the PRC?

Gearwrench's quality is slipping. I'm sorry for your loss. I really like that design of wrench but, the only other people that make them is Matco and I think it's the same imported wrench just, rebadged and three times more expensive. I worry about the fixed boxed end cracking everytime I use them. I've been lucky so far. Call the Gearwrench customer service number and they'll send you replacements if they're in stock. They won't be made any better but, you have new wrenches to break.:wtf:
 
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nissan_crawler

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First off, I've broken a raised panel Craftsman, a C-Pro, a popular mechanics, and a snap-on doing the exact same thing...so it's hard to blame gear wrench quality.

Second, on EVERY one, after I broke the wrench, it came right out with a second wrench. The shock loosened it.

Oh, this was all on p.o.s. hong kong louis stanley bit sockets from walmart, which didn't get so much as a scratch.

Was there a defect with yours? Maybe. However, I've had all sorts of brands do the exact same thing.

Also, consider the torque the typical fastener with a 10mm head is meant to take. The wrenches are designed for that. Depending on the fastener, you can be putting a much bigger load on the wrench than it was ever designed for when using a bit socket.
 
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kartracer55

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nissan_crawler said:
First off, I've broken a raised panel Craftsman, a C-Pro, a popular mechanics, and a snap-on doing the exact same thing...so it's hard to blame gear wrench quality.

Second, on EVERY one, after I broke the wrench, it came right out with a second wrench. The shock loosened it.

Oh, this was all on p.o.s. hong kong louis stanley bit sockets from walmart, which didn't get so much as a scratch.

Was there a defect with yours? Maybe. However, I've had all sorts of brands do the exact same thing.

Also, consider the torque the typical fastener with a 10mm head is meant to take. The wrenches are designed for that. Depending on the fastener, you can be putting a much bigger load on the wrench than it was ever designed for when using a bit socket.
Click to expand...

I know what your saying, but on the same note, I have never had a problem with either snap on or MAC wrenches of others that I have used in the past. I could understand the 10 breaking, Ill give you that. But to break 2 wrenches in less than a month's time is pretty ridiculous. I have been using all kinds of brands of wrenches for a few years now and have never encountered this problem before.

Also, I was honestly expecting to break the Mac 10mm as well, because it took a bit of work to break it free. I have never broken the box end of a wrench like that before doing the same thing. I have stripped like 2 raised panel craftsman's over time though.

The 14mm, however, was used on a nut as it was intended to be. I'm not a super strong guy and Im not really big. The wrench should not have broken, but maybe it was a bad run of wrenches? Regardless, with a 12 point head, that bolt should have stripped before breaking the wrench.


Fedwrench, Yes. Those. Made in Taiwain IIRC, and I can't see the new chinese ones being BETTER quality. 1 thing drives moves like that, and its cost cutting. Is it possible gear wrench is going the way of Homedepot? Sell high quality items, then when the name is established push **** onto the customers who assume its the same high quality stuff?

Regardless, for the 130 or 140, It shouldn't happen twice in like a month, especially with how infrequently I use them. When you REALLY think about it, gear wrench would do well to thicken up the box ends, use better steel or heat treat better.
 
G

GearWrench Brand

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The GearBox fixed box end is designed to be more of an access tool than a regular box end wrench. We designed it to have a zero degree offset and a thin box wall for tight spaces.

We evaluated thicker designs that could withstand more torque, but our customer research valued access over torque for this design. A thicker box end simply won't fit in a tight recessed fastener situation.

We already use a high-grade steel alloy, so a material change won't help out much here.

If we want it stronger, we have to beef it up. For those that use GearBox today, would you be willing to have a beefier box end?


Thanks,
Steve
 
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F

Fedwrench

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GearWrench Brand said:
Guys -

The GearBox fixed box end is an access tool. We specifically designed it to have a zero degree offset and a thin wall for tight spaces. Thicker designs that could withstand more torque were evaluated, but our customers value access over torque for this wrench. A thicker box end simply won't fit in a recessed fastener situation.

That said, it's guaranteed for life. We'll exchange it for a new one.

Thanks,
Steve
Click to expand...

Horsepucky!!!
I don't know of any professional tech that would sacrifice torque and strength for access in a long zero offset wrench.
I want better and stronger steel not necessarily thicker steel. I agree that I use these wrenches to reach fasteners buried deeply in an engine compartment like on motor mounts, steering racks, etc. However, these bolts are usually fairly tight. I don't want the fixed end to go snap as it fails loosening a bolt. I appreciate your lifetime warranty and the ease with which you guys have sent me replacement tools. However, in this case I would rather have a better quality wrench that won't fail as easily, than a lifetime of failed wrenches. I know you guys can do better. I want you to do better. By the way, when are you coming out with a flex head version of the Gearbox wrenches?
 
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Merkava_4

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kartracer55 said:
My boss is giving it to the "independant mobile dealer" for me this week.
Click to expand...

I'm not calling you a liar; I'm just saying a picture would go a long ways towards adding credibility to your claims. I would've had multiple pictures from every possible angle if it was my thread.
 
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K

kartracer55

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lol merk, i have nothing to prove. Im coming back thursday night, depending on when the jobber shows up friday, ill grab a pic. If he gets there before I go in, then you might be outta luck
 
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wantedabiggergarage

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Fedwrench said:
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/KD-85988.html

Are those the wrenches you're talking about? The extra long models with a fixed boxed end on one side and a ratcheting end on the other?

Were your made in Taiwan or the PRC?

Gearwrench's quality is slipping. I'm sorry for your loss. I really like that design of wrench but, the only other people that make them is Matco and I think it's the same imported wrench just, rebadged and three times more expensive. I worry about the fixed boxed end cracking everytime I use them. I've been lucky so far. Call the Gearwrench customer service number and they'll send you replacements if they're in stock. They won't be made any better but, you have new wrenches to break.:wtf:
Click to expand...

Armstrong makes/sells them (what I have). Those are marked as USA made.
 
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GearWrench Brand

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I apologize if I came across as disingenuous in my first post.

Currently, we use a high-grade steel alloy - we aren't cutting any corners there.

To make the box end stronger, the most viable option is to beef it up into more a standard box end from its current thin design.

For those that use GearBox today, would you be willing to trade to a thicker box end?

Thanks for your feedback....

Steve



Fedwrench said:
Horsepucky!!!
I don't know of any professional tech that would sacrifice torque and strength for access in a long zero offset wrench.
I want better and stronger steel not necessarily thicker steel. I agree that I use these wrenches to reach fasteners buried deeply in an engine compartment like on motor mounts, steering racks, etc. However, these bolts are usually fairly tight. I don't want the fixed end to go snap as it fails loosening a bolt. I appreciate your lifetime warranty and the ease with which you guys have sent me replacement tools. However, in this case I would rather have a better quality wrench that won't fail as easily, than a lifetime of failed wrenches. I know you guys can do better. I want you to do better. By the way, when are you coming out with a flex head version of the Gearbox wrenches?
Click to expand...
 
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Monte

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How thick is the material of the broken box at the thinnest spot and what`s the outer diameter ??
 
F

Fedwrench

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GearWrench Brand said:
For those that use GearBox today, would you be willing to trade to a thicker box end?

Thanks for your feedback....

Steve
Click to expand...

Yes, I would opt for a slightly thicker fixed boxed end. How much strength could you get for 1/32 of an inch? Where I use these wrenchs there is space around the fastener which enables me to use the Gearwrench end of the wrench to speed the fastener off once loosened. I use the Gearbox for reach and its length for torque.:thumbup:
 
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Bo Heck

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supposedly strength, there is more metal absent in a 12 pt design than a six point
 
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seth_man

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i dont see how you can break these wrenches so easy, ive been using my gear box wrenches everyday to take off brake calipers and ive even used the 12mm and a pipe to break loose ford drive shaft bolts when my shops compressor was down. ive had them over a year and never broke one. IMO the wrenches are perfect the way they are, however i would not mind if gearwrench made a 6pt gear box set also.
 
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Rickster

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Fedwrench said:
My metric ones are at work. The 9/16 Gearbox wrench #85958 measures at 12 and 1/16 inches long.
Click to expand...

My 9/16 Armstrong is 9 1/8 from tip to tip. Ratcheting and std box end. Got them off ebay for a reasonable price.
 
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Bo Heck

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Stuey said:
The primary benefit of 6pt over 12pt is the increased tool-fastener contact area. 12pt tools can possibly round-off fasteners under certain conditions.
Click to expand...

I was talking with respect to this thread which is mainly concerned with the strength of the wrench. I thought the contact area was a given.
 
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Stuey

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Bo Heck said:
I was talking with respect to this thread which is mainly concerned with the strength of the wrench. I thought the contact area was a given.
Click to expand...
Ah, gotcha.

Still, a 6pt wrench of the same design as mentioned above could have failed in the same exact manner. According to Kartracer, the failure occured in the broach. At that spot, a 6pt wrench would not have been any thicker, and the extra metal on either side of that spot might not have made any difference.

I don't think that extra bulk on the inside (i.e. 6pt vs 12pt) of the box would be as advantageous as distributing extra bulk on the outside to make the box end uniformly thicker.
 
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