everybodys got there brand my question is as far as fit finish and all sizes no skipping who has em all snap on armstrong williams or gearwrench and is all of these made by same company im looking for the cadillac of ratcheting wrenchs ,,
another ratcheting wrench thread
- Thread starter oldno3fan
- Start date
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
As to who makes what? That can be confusing at times to answer.
First off, Williams ratcheting wrenches are either Williams or Blue point branded but, they are the same.
Gearwrench is Gearwrench plus Allen and some Matco branded ratcheting wrenches.
Matco is probably the most confusing. The US made Matco proswing wrenches are made in Armstrong (Danaher factories).
Those extra long zero offset, fixed boxed end on one side, ratcheting boxed end on the other, branded matco are actually Gearwrench Gearbox wrenches.
(there was an early set that is US made that only went from 10-15mm. those aren't gearwrench clones.)
Those Matco XXlong ratcheting wrenches with a fixed boxed end on one side and a flexhead ratcheting end on the other, are made by Kabo in Taiwan.
As for selection, depending on desired style, matco has a good selection of sizes. However, Gearwrench probably has the largest selection of shapes and sizes overall.
As for which ones are the best? That's entirely up to the user.
First off, Williams ratcheting wrenches are either Williams or Blue point branded but, they are the same.
Gearwrench is Gearwrench plus Allen and some Matco branded ratcheting wrenches.
Matco is probably the most confusing. The US made Matco proswing wrenches are made in Armstrong (Danaher factories).
Those extra long zero offset, fixed boxed end on one side, ratcheting boxed end on the other, branded matco are actually Gearwrench Gearbox wrenches.
(there was an early set that is US made that only went from 10-15mm. those aren't gearwrench clones.)
Those Matco XXlong ratcheting wrenches with a fixed boxed end on one side and a flexhead ratcheting end on the other, are made by Kabo in Taiwan.
As for selection, depending on desired style, matco has a good selection of sizes. However, Gearwrench probably has the largest selection of shapes and sizes overall.
As for which ones are the best? That's entirely up to the user.
I think all of the modern style ratcheting mechanisms are the same, can't guess if its same factory or licensed or what, but I do know some "feel" worse than others. About the only difference that matters to me is the drag in the ratcheting direction. Too much drag and I have to fish another hand in to keep the fastener from just going back and forth.
GearWrench so far seems satisfactory to me, Husky wasn't, and I felt no special difference with other brands.
Skipping sizes seems to be in all of the cheaper sets.
GearWrench so far seems satisfactory to me, Husky wasn't, and I felt no special difference with other brands.
Skipping sizes seems to be in all of the cheaper sets.
Seanbev24
Well-known member
For regular ratcheting combination wrenches, the Snap-On flank drive plus set is my favorite. Since my non-ratcheting combo wrenches are flank drive with the normal open ends, I love having the FD+ in the ratcheting set. They're long, ratcheting action is smooth, and I haven't had to warranty one yet. Yes they're expensive, but I use them all day every day so price didn't matter much to me.
I had the Blue Point set before, and even those felt better than any Gearwrench I've used.
I had the Blue Point set before, and even those felt better than any Gearwrench I've used.
rt dak
Well-known member
I'm happy with my SK locking flex. Not sure if they still offer them though after the SK re-hash. I'm pretty sure the same wrenches were also re-branded as Blackhawk, which are still available.
when it come to ratcheting wrenches i make it easy on myself. gearwrench. then i know i have a good solid reliable wrench that is also reasonably priced. no question asked. plus there are about 12 stores around town that will warrenty one if it does break.
bgott
Well-known member
Before I went back to fixing cars I bought a bunch of Gear Wrench ratcheting wrenches just to have them. I've started to rotate them back to home use, most of them are too tight so it's a fight to use them when removing fairly loose fasteners in hard to reach places. I can't get a finger on 'em to keep 'em ratcheting. I've also had to break 'em loose on a fastener chucked up in the vise before using them. I've been oiling the piss out of them and they still tighten up. I bought a used set of Blue Point and they have the nicest action I've felt in a ratcheting wrench. I've only broken one GW and that was the reversing lever.
I have gearwrench and SK G-Pro. Have used Snap on and Bluepoint. The SK are my favorite reasonably priced pieces. The Snap on and Blue point units are great also but seem overpriced. Gear wrench are a bit notchy feeling and lack refinement imo but strong and cheap. Mastercraft gear wrenches are gearwrench brand and dirt cheap when on sale.
I just ordered two sets of EZ red xxl flex gear wrenches which are supposed to be the same as the SK XXL ( which I could no longer find anywhere.)
I am trying to snag a deal on the large SK locking flex head set before they are all gone.
Anyone know who else besides EZ Red sells the same SK G-Pro units ? EZ Red has a limited selection.
I just ordered two sets of EZ red xxl flex gear wrenches which are supposed to be the same as the SK XXL ( which I could no longer find anywhere.)
I am trying to snag a deal on the large SK locking flex head set before they are all gone.
Anyone know who else besides EZ Red sells the same SK G-Pro units ? EZ Red has a limited selection.