hamburglar
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2008
- Messages
- 523
For you GearWrench people, $18 seems pretty cheap to me.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015014NQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015014NQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
A GearWrench heads up.
- Thread starter hamburglar
- Start date
Merkava_4
Banned
That looks like a good deal. It even has a MATCO style rail and clips.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Merkava_4
Banned
Uh... you feelin' okay???? You do know that those are NOT made in USA, right????
Don't forget I've been bought out by GearWrench; I be co-rupted.
Stuey
Well-known member
12 pt =( boo.
Hmm, here's another steeply discounted set:
13 pc 1/4" drive 12pt Deep socket set for $16 and change
Hmm, here's another steeply discounted set:
13 pc 1/4" drive 12pt Deep socket set for $16 and change
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bowlofturtle
Well-known member
too bad the 6points are like 30$ some...
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NICEV2/?tag=atomicindus08-20
i dont have a good set of 1/4in sockets.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NICEV2/?tag=atomicindus08-20
i dont have a good set of 1/4in sockets.
ToolGlutton
Banned
Why not this USA made one? 6 pt and Easy-to-read $19.99.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934562000P
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934562000P
billymade
Well-known member
Has anyone used Gearwrench sockets? I wonder if they are any good under real world usage?
JayL
Well-known member
I'm tempted to get a set. These are the only missing sockets in my 1/4 drive metric area. I've got GW 6 points standard and deep, 12 points standard plus vortex sockets. Hmmm I wonder if it will really be that useful. Price is not bad too...
Stuey
Well-known member
Their finish is actually a bit better and more consistent than Cman. To be, that suggests tighter quality control.
joshboogie
Well-known member
I've used my 3/8's set to break loose some rusted tailgate bolts when I was fixing the release handle on my Hardbody. I think that was a 12mm 12point. I also used them to break loose some seat bolts in a 99 Tahoe. The ones where GM put black tar on the threads. I think it was a 15mm maybe a 17mm. They seemed to work just fine for me. Didn't slip or anything. That's the only real think I've used them for.
olds88
Well-known member
Danaher, need I say more
HAHA!
.....Never really been impressed by Matco/KD/Gearwrench stuff...... OK the Gearwrench accessory belt tensioner set is great but that's pretty much it.
After work yesterday I saw my SO dealer by my Dad's business, I went on the truck looking for my Dad and the SO dealer was fixing a MATCO tool for someone!
IDK I just don't like using non- Snap-on stuff. SK, and Craftsman Pro wrenches are fine, but I can't stand using any non-SO ratchets, sockets, or screwdrivers! SK ratchets **** to reverse, you never know which way to turn the knob, and the knob is hard to deal with, with greasy hands, and Craftsman are just too rough around the edges, literally! My boss has some MATCO flare nut wrenches.. they work fine but I just don't like how they look and feel.
I wish I liked MATCO stuff better, the dealer here is a really nice guy!
Guess it's what your used to?
I wonder how GearWrench can sell tools so cheap and still make a profit ... Snap On can't ...
joshboogie
Well-known member
Because SO is making a huge profit. Don't be fooled.
I don't know the answer to that, but there may come a day when the market becomes saturated with cheap tools, and then nobody will make a profit.
olds88
Well-known member
Simple: GearWrench is made in Taiwan
Snap-on is top-quality stuff made in USA, and you pay for it.
of course, one wonders, what mechanic can afford, and is willing to pay for this set: http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...6&group_ID=522&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
JayL
Well-known member
How about volume of sales?
Merkava_4
Banned
Add up all the costs to be a manufacturer in the U.S. and then subtract all of that to make tools in China.
olds88
Well-known member
I need a 1/4 metric deep set...... I probably should buy this http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934562000P but this ******* is going to spend 10x more and buy this http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...9&group_ID=139&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
Even if I did get the Craftsman set, a week later I'll be on the Snap-on truck buying the $200 set!
Even if I did get the Craftsman set, a week later I'll be on the Snap-on truck buying the $200 set!
bowlofturtle
Well-known member
but that fancy tray is worth 150$
olds88
Well-known member
I'm going to make him throw in a metal rail with enough 1/4 inch clips for this set..... yes I know there are better solutions these days involving plastic and magnets but I'm old school like that, and I have limited space in my box!
Stuey
Well-known member
I don't think you guys understand - it's Amazon which sets the price really low, not GW.
Heck, you'll sometimes find USA products at a huge markdown as well, it takes luck and perseverance.
Heck, you'll sometimes find USA products at a huge markdown as well, it takes luck and perseverance.
FWIW, I've lately been beating the **** out of a 6pt GW socket set putting childrens' play equipment together (I dimly recollect using my tools on cars ). I've treated them as disposable, using breaker bars on 1/4" sockets and so on, and I can see no evidence that they're any weaker than any other quality manufacturer.
I took 'before' pics. I'll post them with the 'after' if there's any appreciable damage, although I don't really anticipate that.
I've said it before and I'll say it again - knock yourself out asserting that GW tools are the death of the American economy, but the idea that they're merely cheap **** doesn't hold up to scrutiny.
Then add an absolutely immense mark-up. It's not cheaper to make tools in Germany or France than it is in the US, quite the reverse, yet their manufacturers attain standards that are a match to Snap-on at lower prices in their home market.
Edited to add:
Case in point -
The equivalent in Facom 440 wrenches is $695.
). I've treated them as disposable, using breaker bars on 1/4" sockets and so on, and I can see no evidence that they're any weaker than any other quality manufacturer.I took 'before' pics. I'll post them with the 'after' if there's any appreciable damage, although I don't really anticipate that.
I've said it before and I'll say it again - knock yourself out asserting that GW tools are the death of the American economy, but the idea that they're merely cheap **** doesn't hold up to scrutiny.
Then add an absolutely immense mark-up. It's not cheaper to make tools in Germany or France than it is in the US, quite the reverse, yet their manufacturers attain standards that are a match to Snap-on at lower prices in their home market.
Edited to add:
Case in point -
The equivalent in Facom 440 wrenches is $695.
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Buy the 44pc snap on set and get it over with!!
olds88
Well-known member
I would buy Craftsman over GearWrench any day, the quality is better, and if everyone did, it would send a message to Danaher that Americans don't want their Made for Danaher in China tools they pawn off on us............ and from the consensus on this messageboard, everyone is buying. DON'T BE FOOLED. Just because the chrome is as shiny as Snap-on or S-K, doesn't make it as good.......... for anyone!
joshboogie
Well-known member
In the last 3 days I have used my 3/8's GW set to change the shocks on my truck, do a brake job, and remove a dash from a truck along with the sub framing. They work just as well as my C-man stuff. Oh and I used one of mu flex head ratchets to turn the torsion bars down as well. Again worked like a charm.
Honestly I can't see how C-man is of any better quality that GW when the sockets share the EXACT same design. I'm broken plenty of C-man sockets and a few ratchets. I'm sure one day I will break some of my GW stuff as well. It all come down to preference and what you can afford and thanks to Bush I can't afford Snap-On.
Honestly I can't see how C-man is of any better quality that GW when the sockets share the EXACT same design. I'm broken plenty of C-man sockets and a few ratchets. I'm sure one day I will break some of my GW stuff as well. It all come down to preference and what you can afford and thanks to Bush I can't afford Snap-On.
Gear Wrench stuff are the same tools re-labeled for Matco's Silver Eagle line, they are comparable in quality to Snap-on's Blue Point series. Danaher is the Mother company that has moved some manufacturing over seas like everyone else is doing unfortunately, see my thread in the Harbor Freight post. Gear Wrench are good tools for the money and most have a lifetime warranty, I have Cornwell and Snap-on ratchet wrenches that are hiddenly imported and don't see a big difference between the brands except for how much I paid
A.A.
A.A.
You're comparing tools you say you would never use on the basis of quality. Worthless.
Dragging every GW topic into a (pretty ill-informed) political debate is rapidly degrading the quality of General Tool Discussion.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
Amen. The way I've used my gearwrenches, if anybody should have broken them, I should have. In 6 years I've had a 9/16" lock up solid, that's it. I don't believe for one second their products are inferior to Craftsman. I've had cheaper pipes on them.
Stuey
Well-known member
The problem we have with you and these frequent rants is that you don't indicate whether or not you have ever used the tools in question. Have you used GW's ratcheting wrenches? Have you used their X-beams? Or message to Danaher already is loud and clear, and it's that we like the Gearwrench brand and many lines of products, because they are usually of top-notch quality regardless of their country of origin.
Few of us really give a damn about whether it is as shiny as SO or SK, we care about whether it functions well, whether it holds up to abuse, and whether the tools are built of high quality.
You need to get off your high horse soapbox, realize that we opt for GW because they offer the best tool for the job for most non-pros, and even many pros, and that as long as Danaher maintains the quality of the line, we'll continue to drool over their products.
That said, I share most of your sentiment, that US-made is often a better indication of quality than an Asian import. BUT that has been learned from using poor quality tools. I buy US when I can because it often results in a better product. In this case, buying GW results in a better product when compared to the other similar products in an affordable price range.
All you spew is rhetoric, seemingly without any hands-on experience with GW tools. Stop turning any thread about GW into a rant about how you hate their tools and how you disagree with everyone's liking of them.
I mean, seriously. You think that you're right and that ALL of us are wrong? In the group of GW fans, there are folks that are much more knowledgeable and skilled than you and I, and they prefer GW over other brands of ratcheting wrenches. I think that it's time that you realized that it's more probable that you are wrong, and the consensus is right.
i am currently in a manufacturer training and am purchasing all new tools
to be honest with you, i like GEARWRENCH a lot.
i recently bought gearwrench XL locking flex ratcheting wrenches (8mm-19mm) from matco.com with the student discount for $120
i love them
i am surrounded by snap on all day; i learned one thing with them- they are very good- but there are tools out there just as good quality.
dont look too much into where the tools are made:
i use to own an importing company and will tell u a secret-
this is the problem i ran into running my business. example:
it costs $5 for the metal to make a ratchet. when you add to it all the employe wages, taxes, shipping to customer area, utilities, etc it will cost $15 to make that ratchet- lets say the company makes 100% profit- they sell for $30
now if they go oversees where $5 for metal same as before- this time when u add all the extra wages, etc... it will be total $10 to make ratchet.
the shipping will be the prime expense but will still be lower total price
metal and quality still the same
also, only b/c it was made in US doesn't mean anything; if you go after the theory US is better, than most can agree Hazet is better because they are made in Germany who is known to have superior workmanship
I also got an e-torx ratcheting wrench set from gearwrench since BMW is full of torx
and i just got the quadbox from gearwrench- great so far
4 sizes ratcheting on 1 wrench
works very very good
1st post.- hope i didnt offend anyone
to be honest with you, i like GEARWRENCH a lot.
i recently bought gearwrench XL locking flex ratcheting wrenches (8mm-19mm) from matco.com with the student discount for $120
i love them
i am surrounded by snap on all day; i learned one thing with them- they are very good- but there are tools out there just as good quality.
dont look too much into where the tools are made:
i use to own an importing company and will tell u a secret-
this is the problem i ran into running my business. example:
it costs $5 for the metal to make a ratchet. when you add to it all the employe wages, taxes, shipping to customer area, utilities, etc it will cost $15 to make that ratchet- lets say the company makes 100% profit- they sell for $30
now if they go oversees where $5 for metal same as before- this time when u add all the extra wages, etc... it will be total $10 to make ratchet.
the shipping will be the prime expense but will still be lower total price
metal and quality still the same
also, only b/c it was made in US doesn't mean anything; if you go after the theory US is better, than most can agree Hazet is better because they are made in Germany who is known to have superior workmanship
I also got an e-torx ratcheting wrench set from gearwrench since BMW is full of torx
and i just got the quadbox from gearwrench- great so far
4 sizes ratcheting on 1 wrench
works very very good
1st post.- hope i didnt offend anyone
I've got half a dozen sets or so of GearWrench wrench sets and they are pretty nice! I think they compare favorably to some US made brands are better than others. It would be nice to always buy US stuff but this seems to be one case of where the import stuff has some the stuff made here beat in quality. A couple of weeks ago I picked up a metric and sae set of their flex head flare nut wrench sets. I haven't had a chance to actually use them yet but they look great and they will sure make it easier to get to some fittings in tight quarters.
Stuey
Well-known member
There are HUGE differences between metals, and there is huge differences in quality control and manufacturing tolerances that differentiate between high quality tools and lower quality ones.
Saying that "$5 for metal" can be the same is like saying oak from a specialty lumber yard is the same as oak from home depot, or that a dresser from ikea is the same as a dresser from a master carpenter.
I'm not trying to be too critical - your post actually has many good points, but I need to point out that the differences between various quality tools depends on factors independent of wages and human oversight.
Bondhus actually has a nice breakdown regarding the science and engineering behind their tool steel. Granted it's provided mostly as a sales ploy, but it's interesting nonetheless. LINK
Saying that "$5 for metal" can be the same is like saying oak from a specialty lumber yard is the same as oak from home depot, or that a dresser from ikea is the same as a dresser from a master carpenter.
I'm not trying to be too critical - your post actually has many good points, but I need to point out that the differences between various quality tools depends on factors independent of wages and human oversight.
Bondhus actually has a nice breakdown regarding the science and engineering behind their tool steel. Granted it's provided mostly as a sales ploy, but it's interesting nonetheless. LINK
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I bought a set of 1/4 inch drive deep e torx the fit and finish is as good as some SK I purchased off of ebay. I'm retired at this time but do some small jobs and my own work. Snap on is so high I avoid them unless I can't buy some thing else. I found I can buy Matco for 1/2 the price of Snap-on used. I used to buy a lot of Mac but they are almost all foreign at this time. I wanter some extra deep 1/4 inch E torx and purchased Vim a US brand cheaper than Mac.
krusty the clown
Member Emeritus
i believe vim is imported as well
I buy used Snapon, and for most tools I think it is still the "standard" others are measured against. Some Hazet and Stahlwille tools are I think better quality, best described as a difference in hardness vs toughness, where Snapon chooses a harder steel that wears longer, but isn't as tough with impact shock.
Most of my tools NEVER see abuse, so generally I don't worry about it and buy Sears or Harbor Freight due to the price and easy warranty.
Most of my tools NEVER see abuse, so generally I don't worry about it and buy Sears or Harbor Freight due to the price and easy warranty.
DiStOrTiOn
Well-known member
I will never purchase any gearwrench product. I'm not saying this because I think they are an inferior tool, I've used them, and they're quite nice. I don't happen to agree with where they are made. That said, the only thing I have used is the ratcheting wrenches, but they are the flagship product, so I can only assume the rest of the line is up to that standard. I've felt the ratchets in store, didn't like the rubber grip, that's a personal feel matter. So, I'll agree that the tools are decent quality, but I won't buy, because of the country of origin.
reversegear
Well-known member
Hazet has a pretty nice reversible ratchet wrench. Guess who makes it...
Hi, Everybody. A new member here. Sorry to revive an old thread, but I am interested in purchasing a HAZET torque wrench for mountain bike applications (possibly in the range of 2 - 25 N - m , and I insist on the origin of the tool, so "Made in Germany" is obligatory for the price tag on their products). I have been told that HAZET produce all of their torque wrenches in Germany, so I find your post somewhat contaradictory to what I know. I might just as easily be wrong, since ratchet wrench is not the same as torque wrench, but still. Would you like to elaborate on the subject? Thank You.
P.S. The other options for me are GEDORE and STAHLWILLE, although the price of the latter is quite steep, but at least I know for a fact, that their respective products are prodiced in Germany.
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