I also am on the fence about Chinese gw but my buddy has the double box xl set and ive never seen such long wrenches before! whenever in a tight space and i need a 0 degree long wrench i go straight to his box. anyone know an equivalent that is not a Chinese product
Disappointed in GearWrench
- Thread starter f575gtc
- Start date
The Gearwrench 85988 (Double box XL) are not made in China, mine just showed up after being in shipping limbo for like two weeks for some reason. Very nice, VERY VERY long, made in Taiwan and the fit and finish on mine is solid.
That said, today I needed an offset ratchet wrench to undo some exhaust manifold bolts and had to borrow a coworkers bluepoint. Nice wrench. It got me thinking of what to do in terms of offset/reversible ratcheting wrenches. Taking advice from another thread, I was kinda torn between Gedore (180 dollars 8-19 with a skip at 9 and 11) Carlyle (190 no skips, 8-19) or Blackhawk (180 no skips, 8-19) or Williams, but tbh the Williams writing looks so tacky I kinda wanna avoid that anyways, and their only marginally cheaper. Anyone got insight one way or another? I think Gedore might happen
Check out this Carlyle metric set that's on sale right now. 8mm-19mm, no skips. Smoking deal
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQRWR612M
I have them in SAE. Not quite as impressive as my Snap-ons but nothing is better anywhere near this price. Note that these have the subtle flank drive plus style open end not the pipe wrench teeth the Carlyle non ratcheting combos and the Milwaukee wrenches have.
Thanks for the info
I'm so torn, I know that's a smoking good deal but I'm conflicted about 6 point. But...I just got to thinking they both turn the bolt the same distance, just harder to get on the fastner right? Man my brain is fried today LOL.
I might buy these...and the gedore? Or just buy one and see If I need another I suppose! That ebay link I posted for them earlier in one of these threads is still good, and then I'll buy the 18mm too.
Yeah, they are strange. I dont know that I've seen too many 6pt ratchet wrenches.
Alpine4x4
Well-known member
Thats my only gripe with Carlyle ratcheting wrenches, otherwise I would own their flex and stubby sets. Ratcheting wrenches should be 12pt. If you look on Ebay you can find a set of BluePoint reversible 15* angle 8-19mm for around that same price used. Thats what I have as I wanted 12pt, COO Taiwan.
It seems like you want the Gedore. If that's the case, just get them.
Best of both and add a little more versatility. Going to get these.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQRWLBFL5M
And the gedore set....next ebay coupon!
Should be here this Friday. Same with my Gedore, found a set shipped priority from Amazon UK for 104 dollars. I'm not sure how they are or will be so cheap unless they're used or something.
I remember when GW first came out, was right around the time Kobalt first came out and when i was first building up my first set of tools. They looked and felt great but the flex heads got floppy after only a few uses, the ratcheting mechanism got grit in it and seized, overall close but no cigar. When they expanded the lineup I did buy plenty of sockets, some screwdriver and bit sets, extensions etc. I really like their ratchets.
I think the height of their quality was 2004-2010 give or take for most of their line. The first run of chinese (based on the products I have that are made in china and haven't yet had any issues) tools don't seem as bad as the problems people are reporting here, nor as bad as what I experienced in the 90's. For example the double box end set I have is chinese but they are great.
If I had to do it all again I'd buy the Blue Point ratcheting wrenches from toolsdelivered. Didn't know about them back then.
I think the height of their quality was 2004-2010 give or take for most of their line. The first run of chinese (based on the products I have that are made in china and haven't yet had any issues) tools don't seem as bad as the problems people are reporting here, nor as bad as what I experienced in the 90's. For example the double box end set I have is chinese but they are great.
If I had to do it all again I'd buy the Blue Point ratcheting wrenches from toolsdelivered. Didn't know about them back then.
Rogers954
Well-known member
Ok does anyone on here actually have these cause i want to know how they are after some wrench time, that price is really hard for me to turn away from. I wish the set had one more with a 9-11 combo (might be uncommon but i have both on my truck) but I’m ok with getting this set for that price if they are decent. Got a Napa right up the road from me so warranty shouldn’t be an issue
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It seems like you want the Gedore. If that's the case, just get them.
I think you saw my tool issues in the last thread, but they seem to continue! The last three things I've bought have been wrong lol.
Here's my Gedore wrenches. Not made in Germany and stamped....Carolus, which is fine. Its their parent company right? I'm a little sad they're made in Taiwan tho, but they seem excellent. Have they offshored too, or is this my bad luck continuing?
For what its worth, I paid 103 USD shipped to my door, so I cant complain. To good to pass up. They're also packaged very nice, foam over the top too.
I got mine, and pretty sure I got some used ones, or ones that had been rattling around in their box for the last 5 years, but they're good wrenches. Got to use them today and I was glad to have brought them in instead of returning them
I think you saw my tool issues in the last thread, but they seem to continue! The last three things I've bought have been wrong lol.
Here's my Gedore wrenches. Not made in Germany and stamped....Carolus, which is fine. Its their parent company right? I'm a little sad they're made in Taiwan tho, but they seem excellent. Have they offshored too, or is this my bad luck continuing?
For what its worth, I paid 103 USD shipped to my door, so I cant complain. To good to pass up. They're also packaged very nice, foam over the top too.
I got mine, and pretty sure I got some used ones, or ones that had been rattling around in their box for the last 5 years, but they're good wrenches. Got to use them today and I was glad to have brought them in instead of returning them
Dang! The Gedore wrenches too? The price is right on those but still, I feel like it's a bit misleading.
Very nice for the money. Fit and finish is perfect and everything down to the little details seem right to me, even the tray feels quality. I agree tho, a little misleading. I'm not sure if they're incorrect and I should have received Gedore, or if this is just what they're selling now. Either way I'm happy for the price, going to add an 18mm and see if that comes from Germany or Tawian and I'm set on wrenches now for awhile
Very nice for the money. Fit and finish is perfect and everything down to the little details seem right to me, even the tray feels quality. I agree tho, a little misleading. I'm not sure if they're incorrect and I should have received Gedore, or if this is just what they're selling now. Either way I'm happy for the price, going to add an 18mm and see if that comes from Germany or Tawian and I'm set on wrenches now for awhile
From what I can find, I think Carolus was something like a budget line Gedore sold. Looks like they dropped the name and changed the line to Gedore Red. That amazon page seems a little sloppy calling it Gedore in the title, when it's actually from their Carolus line.
I'd be sending them wrenches back. Caralous is quality wise not on the same page as German Gedore wrenches. Caralous is just budget Taiwan tools. Its dodgy when sellers/brands do this kinda stuff.
Sloppy? eBay and Amazon are full of third party sellers. The definition in this case is not sloppy, it’s fraud. At least the scum that sell Harbor Freight garbage on eBay have the integrity to call it Pittsburgh.
I love deals as much as the next guy but after being burned a few times I mostly buy direct now. When my product isn’t exactly as described I send it back.
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AreYaSerious
Well-known member
The bigger box stores that carry gearwrench carry china made ones, the Taiwan sets are better, and can still be found. I hope Gearwrench keeps it that way.
Damn, that's unfortunate to hear. I kinda figured as much, or at least figured the Taiwan wrenches wouldn't stack up to the German ones. To bad I bought them from AmazonUK, not sure how hard it will be to return them...
"From a tiny "Bergische" forge to an internationally successful company: to this day, the highest quality, consistent customer proximity and intelligent corporate decisions have shaped GEDORE's story. "
On the product description for Gedore 2020.709 Reversible ratchet wrench set. I've never had this poor of luck buying tools before. Looks like amazonUK gives me the options to return them straight through amazon as any return, might do that and get blackhawk....or look for REAL gedore wrenches?
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I can see your side, but I'm hesitant to call it fraud since the screenshot does make reference to Carolus in several places. In my search of European tool brands on Amazon I've run into listings with things like incorrect titles and/or pictures from time to time. Referencing the part number with that manufacturer's catalog is sometimes how I have to figure out what the listing is trying to sell. It's certainly possible the listing was being deceptive, but I sometimes wonder if the person on amazon entering the listing is just being lazy/doesn't know what they are doing.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I think Taiwan pretty much has the fine toothed ratcheting wrench market covered regardless of whose name is stamped on the wrench. 
I think Taiwan pretty much has the fine toothed ratcheting wrench market covered regardless of whose name is stamped on the wrench.
Seems that way and I've never had issue with Taiwan stuff, I also didn't pay much so I might keep them, I cant decide.
Anyone have good links to REAL gedore wrenches? Awhile back I thought I had found some for like 220, but now I'm wondering if those where carolus also
Reversible: Gedore 7UR-012
Flat, non-reversible: Gedore 7R-012
Prices are high in US, but cheaper from amazon.de.
The Carolus wrenches you bought were not a bad price for good quality Taiwan wrenches, and the price is certainly much lower than the comparable Gedore.
Flat, non-reversible: Gedore 7R-012
Prices are high in US, but cheaper from amazon.de.
The Carolus wrenches you bought were not a bad price for good quality Taiwan wrenches, and the price is certainly much lower than the comparable Gedore.
Yeah 103 dollars was really good, even cheaper than say Blackhawk or Carpi, which was two others I was considering. I should have figured as much with them being only 64 euros or something but the price changed and I got them on "sale" and from my limited research was under the impression Carolus was the parent company not the lesser company. Oh well
Didn't we go through this is another thread? I'll see if I can find the links...
We did, I forget which one
It got me thinking tho, they looked exactly the same but the ones you had found came in a metal container i think? I'm off to bed, dont look to hard as I might keep these, but I appreciate it.
Updating this again, since I felt it best to continue here instead of making a whole new thread, finally got a set I'm happy with and paid only 137 dollars for 8-19, no skips! No COO markings on this set tho but I'm sure they're made in Taiwan if I had to guess.
I'm glad I'm returning (or selling/stashing in my home box, since the USPS cant figure out how to return these yet) the Carolus as they're rather average when next to the Blackhawks. The beams are wider which I know is personal preference, but I'm not a fan, but noticeable performance differences, the box ends are rather large in comparison, and the open ends much more lobster clawish. Carolus are overall just "fat" feeling but I do like the selector on the Carolus, a bit larger.
If anyone would like these, I think they'd certainly be very fine to use, I'd sell them for 75+ Shipping. New never used, paid 103 for them and should be able to ship them for probably 10-15
Here's a small comparison
Different offsets
I'm glad I'm returning (or selling/stashing in my home box, since the USPS cant figure out how to return these yet) the Carolus as they're rather average when next to the Blackhawks. The beams are wider which I know is personal preference, but I'm not a fan, but noticeable performance differences, the box ends are rather large in comparison, and the open ends much more lobster clawish. Carolus are overall just "fat" feeling but I do like the selector on the Carolus, a bit larger.
If anyone would like these, I think they'd certainly be very fine to use, I'd sell them for 75+ Shipping. New never used, paid 103 for them and should be able to ship them for probably 10-15
Here's a small comparison
Different offsets
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You have chosen wisely.
Blackhawk Taiwan made ratcheting wrenches were cool before ratcheting wrenches became the rage.
their reversible stubbies are pretty sweet too.
Blackhawk Taiwan made ratcheting wrenches were cool before ratcheting wrenches became the rage.
their reversible stubbies are pretty sweet too.
So I was not expecting this thread to get this crazy...
I figured I would share the outcome of my wrenches.
I went back to Sears, it has probably been 2 weeks now, and I explained to them what was wrong, they were fine with replacing the set but once they noticed they had none in stock ( though the website showed they did) things kind of went down hill for a while.
The guy told me I could return it and buy it again online for the new current price of $80...yeah OK, I got these for free with my Shop your way points. I told them that wasn't happening and they told me I could take a SAE set that day and they would give me a supervisor signed note saying I can come back for the Metric set once they have them in stock, still not OK with that but fine if you must do it that way. I was close to saying "screw it Ill get the one broken wrench warranted" but before I could they agreed to return the set, issue a credit of $80 on a gift card, and order the set for me online straight to my house.
Not sure why that wasn't step one once they noticed they didn't have them in stock but at least this is a satisfactory solution.
The new set arrived, still made in China, still feels like they will break by just looking at them but at least all the wrenches work properly and it was still free.99.
I figured I would share the outcome of my wrenches.
I went back to Sears, it has probably been 2 weeks now, and I explained to them what was wrong, they were fine with replacing the set but once they noticed they had none in stock ( though the website showed they did) things kind of went down hill for a while.
The guy told me I could return it and buy it again online for the new current price of $80...yeah OK, I got these for free with my Shop your way points. I told them that wasn't happening and they told me I could take a SAE set that day and they would give me a supervisor signed note saying I can come back for the Metric set once they have them in stock, still not OK with that but fine if you must do it that way. I was close to saying "screw it Ill get the one broken wrench warranted" but before I could they agreed to return the set, issue a credit of $80 on a gift card, and order the set for me online straight to my house.
Not sure why that wasn't step one once they noticed they didn't have them in stock but at least this is a satisfactory solution.
The new set arrived, still made in China, still feels like they will break by just looking at them but at least all the wrenches work properly and it was still free.99.
You have chosen wisely.
Blackhawk Taiwan made ratcheting wrenches were cool before ratcheting wrenches became the rage.
their reversible stubbies are pretty sweet too.
I feel like I really did, plus the coupon from ebay ******* somthing else up (5 dollars) and my ebay bucks (8 dollars) the price was hard to beat. Plus yah, I'm bringing cool back
I'll check out their stubbies, I think a little more than I wanna spend given how often I use them, but then again well see what my next paycheck looks like, lots of OT, ha.
Hey! Glad you came back to update us, and I didn't mean to take over your thread. I too had been having ratchet wrench woes and decided to keep them here. I would avoid sears for things at this point, its pretty much game over for them but glad you got new wrenches, and like you said free is always fair game!
Any reason you think they'll break at first use? I've got a set in my personal box that was given to me by my uncle when I was hired to his company as a mechanic, and they're fine, haven't broken a single one and I think they where made in China at that point already. Must have been 6 years ago now and they keep trucking.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Blackhawk Extended Length
Those look really nice. Congrats!
Those are pretty! My 5 piece add on to my GW long wrenches (Now 8-25mm, made in Taiwan) showed up today and I have Carlyle double box, flex heads, I don't think I'll be needing anymore extended length wrenches for awhile I hope!
Ps....a ******* 20 instead of a 23.
Thanks! What a journey my last month of tool buying has been lol