Are Matco wrenches rebranded gearwrench?

[thecody59]

Can anyone tell me if these Matco extra long flex ratcheting wrenches are the same as the cheaper Gearwrench 120xp flex ratcheting wrenches? I know my Gearwrench pinless sockets are the exact same as the Matco ones at a 1/3 of the price. I know Matco pretty much just rebrands other tools now so that is why I am wondering. I don't care about what name is on the tool if I am paying a lot less then the one with the Matco name on it.

 

[Wamsutta]

If they're both the same length and both spline drive, they're the same wrench. Matco doesn't make any of their own tools.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Well, they may probably technically and still barely be more Armstrong than GW.

There is a difference between the Armstrong and Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches. In practical use as well as COO. Armstrong is no more though so who knows if what you would buy today is still Armstrong based or if they have moved on to another manufacturer and/or COO.

The Armstrong ratcheting wrenches truly were things of beauty.

 

[thecody59]

I think the Matco wrenches are all made in taiwan now. I think the gearwrench ones are made in taiwan as well.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Well, they may probably technically and still barely be more Armstrong than GW.

There is a difference between the Armstrong and Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches. In practical use as well as COO. Armstrong is no more though so who knows if what you would buy today is still Armstrong based or if they have moved on to another manufacturer and/or COO.

The Armstrong ratcheting wrenches truly were things of beauty.

Matco ratcheting wrenches have been taiwan (not USA armstrong) for a few years now. Regardless, the 72T ratcheting wrenches were the same ratcheting design, just made in different countries.

 

[anndel]

I think the Matco wrenches are all made in taiwan now. I think the gearwrench ones are made in taiwan as well.

The last set I saw at my local NAPA store, the GearWrench ratcheting wrench with double box ends were made in china.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Thanks for the clarification and yes they are the same ratcheting design but not the same wrench. Armys were a bit beefier and wider where you put pressure. At least that was the main difference with the combination ratcheting wrenches. They were longer too. But nonetheless it does appear that the current Matco line is in fact more closely related to the current Gearwrench offerings.

 

[thecody59]

Matco ratcheting wrenches have been taiwan (not USA armstrong) for a few years now. Regardless, the 72T ratcheting wrenches were the same ratcheting design, just made in different countries.

The old ones were made in the USA but they didn't have the flex head. I just got a smaller Matco USA made set that don't offer the flex head. The new ones with the flex head are made in Taiwan.

 

[thecody59]

The last set I saw at my local NAPA store, the GearWrench ratcheting wrench with double box ends were made in china.

Some of their wrenches are made in China and some are made in Taiwan. I just read a review on these and the person says they say made in Taiwan on the package.

 

[thecody59]

Thanks for the clarification and yes they are the same ratcheting design but not the same wrench. Armys were a bit beefier and wider where you put pressure. At least that was the main difference with the combination ratcheting wrenches. They were longer too. But nonetheless it does appear that the current Matco line is in fact more closely related to the current Gearwrench offerings.

They never made these type of wrenches in the USA. Your thinking of the ones with the non flex head. The new ones with the flex head as far as I am aware were never made in the USA. Since both lines are made in Taiwan and look almost identical I think they are the same wrench.

 

[visionguru]

Some of their wrenches are made in China and some are made in Taiwan. I just read a review on these and the person says they say made in Taiwan on the package.

I went to Menards a few days ago. As far as I can tell, almost ALL the Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches are made in China now, not like a few years ago. Looks like Gearwrench moved their factory there or something. It makes no sense for one company (or group) to make the same thing at two different locations.

 

[thecody59]

Well the set I am looking to buy is on tool discounter so is most likely old stock. If they did move this set over to china I am guessing a lot of these on the market are still Taiwan.

 

[rjvjeepster]

My most recent Gearwrench stuff (past year) has been China. Set of SAE and Metric racheting combos, non racheting metric wrench set, wobble extensions, metric flare nut wrench set.

 

[Fedwrench]

They never made these type of wrenches in the USA. Your thinking of the ones with the non flex head. The new ones with the flex head as far as I am aware were never made in the USA. Since both lines are made in Taiwan and look almost identical I think they are the same wrench.

I can't post pictures because, the wrenches are at work. However, They are not the same wrench. The Matco extra long flex head spline boxed wrenches are made by Kabo in Taiwan. Some key differences off the top of my head is the beam thickness. The MATCO is thinner and more knife edge. Secondly, on the fixed end, the MATCO boxed end protrudes from the beam whereas, on the gearwrench it's a zero offset boxed end as thick as the beam.

They are not exactly the same. However, I feel they serve the same purpose and are pretty much the same style and offer the same capabilities. I own both but, if I was looking for this style of wrench today, I wouldn't hesitate to grab the Gearwrench version. The MATCO version is crazy expensive new off of the truck. I personally feel the Gearwrench is more comfortable to use.

 

[thecody59]

I will call gearwrench tomorrow and see where they are made currently. I will also call tool discounter and see what their set says. There is a Matco set and my local pawn shop right now and I got them down to $225 plus around $16 in tax. The tool discounter gearwrench set will be $150 plus tax.

 

[thecody59]

I can't post pictures because, the wrenches are at work. However, They are not the same wrench. The Matco extra long flex head spline boxed wrenches are made by Kabo in Taiwan. Some key differences off the top of my head is the beam thickness. The MATCO is thinner and more knife edge. Secondly, on the fixed end, the MATCO boxed end protrudes from the beam whereas, on the gearwrench it's a zero offset boxed end as thick as the beam.

They are not exactly the same. However, I feel they serve the same purpose and are pretty much the same style and offer the same capabilities. I own both but, if I was looking for this style of wrench today, I wouldn't hesitate to grab the Gearwrench version. The MATCO version is crazy expensive new off of the truck. I personally feel the Gearwrench is more comfortable to use.

So if you had to choose would you buy the Matco set I can get for $240 or would you go with the gearwrench set for around $160?

 

[Fedwrench]

So if you had to choose would you buy the Matco set I can get for $240 or would you go with the gearwrench set for around $160?

I would get the Gearwrench set.

 

[rjvjeepster]

x2.

Gearwrench would likely be easier to warranty (if the Matco driver would get ****** if you didn't buy from him).

 

[Spacey_G]

FWIW I bought a set of the Gearwrench 120XP double box from Amazon about a week ago and they were made in Taiwan, not China. I suppose it was either old stock or they're still making them in Taiwan.

 

[Loscaldazar]

The 120XP ratcheting wrenches are still Taiwan, as well as a few other select lines of ratcheting wrenches.

The ratcheting wrench sets that gearwrench turns out for Sears, Menards, and other large retailers are generally China. Only the nicer/top of the line ratcheting wrenches are made in Taiwan anymore.

 

[thecody59]

That's good that they are still made in Taiwan and not in China. If they were made in China now I would buy the Matco set. I want to the Matco set to match my shorter non flex set but spending another $80 isn't worth it. The Matco set has been sitting at the pawn shop for over 4 months and I have been slowly been getting them down from $300. I am going to wait a little bit longer to see if I can get the set for $200. Anymore then $200 i would just buy the gearwrench set.

 

[derosa]

I bought the matco double box 15mm for use in the bicycle clinic, kind of a splurge purchase as the matco truck was nearby. The ratchet on it is not as good a quality as the gearwrench at all from this admittedly small sample. I was using a set of gearwrench xl and only using the ratchet end, when I got a set of xl X-beam I passed the old ones off to another person there and used those last summer but wanted to build a set of ratchet wrenches that could stay there full time, most were cheap but the matco. Except it is also the only one of the wrenches that locks up from tightening or loosening an axle nut. It's a bicycle so its not like they require a lot of force, the gearwrench XL have to be close to 20 years old now and were from when I started in a bike shop and wanted a nicer set then the usual shop ****. Never had a single one lock up and that 15 has had a lot of use, the X-beam hasn't either. I'd love a set of SK or to even try out a snap-on equivalent but the matco *****.

 

[thecody59]

My friend Max owns the matco ones and he uses them all the time. He really likes his matco set.

 

[T45]

...the gearwrench XL have to be close to 20 years old now ...

No offense, but Gearwrench was better quality when it first came out.

 

[confidence]

i agree they were better in the past. I got a set many many years ago. I just had to warranty one of my wrenches.
The chrome and the rollmarks on the new one don't seem as nice as the originals.

 

[derosa]

No offense, but Gearwrench was better quality when it first came out.

True but the XL x-beam are only 2 years old, christman of 2015 and the 15mm has yet to lock up on me.

 

[shockwave]

If I had my choice I personally like the matco version better they seem to have tighter tolerance on box end for the spline drive

Cornwell and matco and Carlyle (napa) use Kabo made ratcheting wrenches (brass fitting on end) and matco does use gearwrench rebranding on some of there wrenches too

I personally would look at monster for there deep offset spline sets are awesome since they offer 7 piece set 8-25mm

 

[thecody59]

If I had my choice I personally like the matco version better they seem to have tighter tolerance on box end for the spline drive

Cornwell and matco and Carlyle (napa) use Kabo made ratcheting wrenches (brass fitting on end) and matco does use gearwrench rebranding on some of there wrenches too

I personally would look at monster for there deep offset spline sets are awesome since they offer 7 piece set 8-25mm

Are you talking about the EZ red wrenches?

 

[Wamsutta]

No offense, but Gearwrench was better quality when it first came out.

You mean when they were their own company before Baine Capital took over?

 

[Fedwrench]

You mean when they were their own company before Baine Capital took over?

No, when they were a part of KD tools.

 

[T45]

You mean when they were their own company before Baine Capital took over?

Its pretty common for a new company with a breakthrough product to make it good so people buy it. Once the market is established, the quality is 'cut' to increase profits at the expense of the customer.

This is not only true in miami vice episodes.

 

[JohnDeere1]

I found a single matco 16mm wrench at a flea and it's my first and couldn't believe how nice it was. It's a combo wrench and don't know how old but the chrome was perfect and I compared it to my snap on wrench and the broaching looked almost identical and chrome looked close and they were the exact same length, beam thickness only difference is my snap ons are fdp and the matco looked like it had something to help grip on the open end not teeth more like ridges. Not saying matco is snap on lmao but not gear wrench and it doesn't match my Armstrong wrenches or craftsman at all they look like someone else they are very nice I'd give my snap on set up anyday. My snap on set is a 1988 set still looks like today's but slightly better chrome and feel things have gone south due to safety regs,

 

[Hammer1963]

NO! Research fellows. Real manufacturing research not popular conjecture

 

[pontoon]

Old thread but thought I’d chime in with my findings. Matco’s wrenches in this style are not the same as GW. The Matco is finished nicer and has a better fitment on the 14mm size where GW is noticeably sloppier. I don’t have the other sizes of Matco. The rest of my wrenches are GW due to price. I’m not paying $550 for the Matco made in Taiwan wrench set. Price being equal I would take Matco hands down. I’d actually pay more for the Matco. I don’t think the Matco set is worth more than 2.5x the cost of the GW set though.

I ended up with a Matco 14 and GW other sizes for $270 (the single Matco wrench was $70 shipped, yes). Sadly that was the best value option for me and I’m happy enough with this arrangement since the 14mm was my biggest gripe. Would sure be nice if Icon or another seller would put out the Kabo set at a lower price.

 

[ToolG]

Old thread but thought I’d chime in with my findings. Matco’s wrenches in this style are not the same as GW. The Matco is finished nicer and has a better fitment on the 14mm size where GW is noticeably sloppier. I don’t have the other sizes of Matco. The rest of my wrenches are GW due to price. I’m not paying $550 for the Matco made in Taiwan wrench set. Price being equal I would take Matco hands down. I’d actually pay more for the Matco. I don’t think the Matco set is worth more than 2.5x the cost of the GW set though.

I ended up with a Matco 14 and GW other sizes for $270 (the single Matco wrench was $70 shipped, yes). Sadly that was the best value option for me and I’m happy enough with this arrangement since the 14mm was my biggest gripe. Would sure be nice if Icon or another seller would put out the Kabo set at a lower price.

Here you go I sometimes see the mountain set on sale for like 140ish but I here this company actually warentees and has a phone number

 

[qqzj]

Why not harbor freight?

 

[sk farmer]

real matco wrenches were made by bonney.......

 

[Rtw5150]

I think the Matco wrenches are all made in taiwan now. I think the gearwrench ones are made in taiwan as well.

China

 

[darkzero]

China

Kabo Taiwan