Gear wrench tools?

[signcrafter]

Are gear wrench tools halfway decent? I've been trying to find some fillers at advance auto and my local store has them in stock so was thinking about picking up some things I don't have like the 3/8" flex socket set, the E torx socket set, wobble extensions, and other things I don't have yet. The prices are a little high but not to bad after the discounts. Just don't want to overpay for the stuff if it's not worth it. The 10 pc etorx set would be about 25 bucks. Not a great deal but not bad if they are worth it.

 

[Stuey]

Yes.

 

[383novamike]

I can only speak for the wrenches.Yes they are great.One thing is a MUST though,you have to keep them clean after use.I have had a couple jam up from neglecting to keep them clean.

 

[unslow1]

I like them. Especially the ratcheting hand wrenches.

 

[joedodge]

Yep got a couple sets of wrenches and sockets I use daily professionaly. I like them better than craftsman personally. For the ones that get stuck soak the head in parts cleaner over night then kroil or another penetrating oil the next day works like a charm

 

[carterbeauford]

they are IMO one of the best value in tools in terms of price/performance/quality. Tooltopia.com has good prices on Gearwrench. I've read mixed reviews on their pliers and screwdrivers but the wrenches, sockets, ratchets and ratcheting tap and die sets are great.

ignore the idiots that say the Taiwanese can't make a wrench.

 

[got2boostit2]

Pretty good, I've used them for several years and the last three on a daily basis. They are good IMHO. I have a reversible set of metric wrenches I dont use much that will be for sale.

 

[jmm]

I don't have any experience with anything but their bread and butter product, but if they're any indicator, the rest of the line ought to be pretty good.

 

[thightower]

I have a set of thier combo ratchet wrenches, up to 1". I would compare them to the quality of snap on.

 

[signcrafter]

Thanks for all the advice. Think I'm going to pick up some of the oddball stuff I don't have yet like the e torx set and the wobble extensions and the 3/8 universal sockets. I have a decent selection of gearwrench ratchet wrenches and have most of the main sockets in older craftsman or snap on.

 

[Fedwrench]

Overall, very good tools for the money if you shop around. I've tried their 1/4 drive chrome swivel sockets and found they had a lot play in the two halves. when you say wobble extensions, are you speking of pure wobbles or the wobble plus type that when pushed in, they're a regular extension and left out a bit, they wobble? They usually wobble when you want straight and vice versa.
Check ebay for better deals than advance.

http://www.cripedistributing.com/gearwrench-80582-10pc-external-torx-sockets-1-4-3-8-1-2-ro.html

 

[robe5000]

I have a few sockets, pliers, 1 3/8 60 tooth ratchet and their ratchet wrenches
all have been preforming beyond expectations, Ill continue to buy more of their products as i need them, my new brand of tools for sure, the best quality tool for the price i have yet to find

 

[CWP1616L]

ignore the idiots that say the Taiwanese can't make a wrench.

Hey! I heard that.

 

[mrjaw14]

you guys think they would be ok for flare nut wrenches? I need a set of SAE and MM, but can't afford SO or matco. Was thinking about SK or gearwrench

 

[rider9195]

you guys think they would be ok for flare nut wrenches? I need a set of SAE and MM, but can't afford SO or matco. Was thinking about SK or gearwrench

Go with SK

 

[Buckaroo5]

I recently bought a set of Gearwrench reversible, ratcheting combo wrenches from Advance Auto. The 8mm was periodically sticking. I took them back and got another set and two of those were sticking as well - the action was not smooth right out of the box. I returned those and am done with Gearwrench. I really wanted to like them.....went and bought a set of Craftsman non-reversible ratcheting combo wrenches instead and am happy with the performance so far.

 

[RCStocker]

I have 10 different sets and I have never had a problems with any of them. I really like them. I got mine years ago when they were much cheaper. I use them for something every week and they are like new. Great bang for the buck.

 

[Hotrod Addiction]

I love all of my gear wrench tools. My gear wrench ratchet is one of my favorites.

 

[sensei_]

ignore the idiots that say the Taiwanese can't make a wrench.

many said japanese couldnt make a car/motorbike. now almost every man and his dog owns a japanese car/motorbike of some sort.

 

[saturdaymechanic]

I really like the reversibles and the flex heads wrenches. For my DIY use they are great.

The ratcheting screwdriver works well.

 

[the1nonlyjl]

I honestly think 20 pc gw ratcheting wrench set is a better deal compared to reversible ones. They dont differ from one to other that much... just the lever switch on reversible which is an icing on the cake and also they are made in china... I don't bother using switch... my thumb is too big for it and eventually it will wear out. This is not some thumb wrestling contest going on in the garage. 20 pc is taiwanese made and I am happy with them.

 

[DoubleA]

Everything I've got from them has worked great.

Serp belt tool.
Bolt grip set.
Ratchets 60t 3/8.
Ratcheting wrenches. Stubby,reversible,double box

 

[signcrafter]

I ended up picking up the etorx set for 25 bucks. Not a smoking deal but pretty decent and it was something I needed to buy anyway since I didn't have a set yet. The next order will be the 3/8" flex sockets since I don't have a set of them yet, they will be about the same price. Not to bad for decent tools locally.

The etorx bits look really nice. Think it's a 10 pc set in all three drive sizes. I haven't used it yet but they look like they will work just fine. They also come on a plastic rail which is kind of nice.

 

[t4runner]

Check out Sears they are having some great sales on tools I picked up an 8 pc gearwrench [metric] for 39 dollars and 5% off if you have a Sears card

 

[dirtmister16]

they have great stuff. love em. i just got a set in for the holidays im sending to my friend, they are the taiwans, which is good cuz i know they will be a nice set for him.

hes lucky, a few of us got together and bought him a metric and standard set all together. i had to buy mine on sale and seperate.

 

[signcrafter]

Check out Sears they are having some great sales on tools I picked up an 8 pc gearwrench [metric] for 39 dollars and 5% off if you have a Sears card

The reason I started this thread was because of the discount codes at advance. Whenever I need something, in this case it was a gallon of coolant I add stuff to the cart to get to a discount code. I paid 35 bucks for a gallon of dexcool and the set of etorx. It's kind of a cheap way to add to my tool collection whenever I need a part. I've built up a decent supply of fluids and other shop supplies like antiseize, brake cleaner, etc. So now I try and add other things like tools. Kind of a way to sneak things past the wifey!

 

[chris142]

I have a metric gear wrench set. I could have sworn they are chinese. They work fine

 

[nanofrog]

Kind of a way to sneak things past the wifey!

Nice!

 

[signcrafter]

Nice!

Yep, great woman and we don't keep a lot of secrets but for some reason if I told her "I can add this 40 dollar set of tools and only pay 20 bucks more" she just doesn't understand. So I just add it and keep don't say anything, just tell her I picked up some fluids for the car. I'm sure she does the same thing with makeup and clothes and doesn't say anything. I know victorias secret has all sorts of buy 2 get one free sales so that's like the same thing.

 

[t4runner]

The set I just got was made in Taiwan. However the set didnt have an 11 and 16 mm I bought those separate and they were made in China they also had a letter L on the wrench that the Taiwan ones didnt have

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Seems to be a mix of china and taiwan nowadays. I have both and can't tell the difference performance wise.

 

[nanofrog]

I'm sure she does the same thing with makeup and clothes and doesn't say anything. I know victorias secret has all sorts of buy 2 get one free sales so that's like the same thing.

You make out on such things, so win-win.

 

[the1nonlyjl]

Seems to be a mix of china and taiwan nowadays. I have both and can't tell the difference performance wise.

Oh okay... I had chinese stuff especially the wrenches from h.f... got busted in half while I was trying to work on in the tight areas of my motorcycle. More to that the chrome got nicked off. It cant do severely industrial work like taiwan can. Taiwan has extra layers surfaced on the metal and the feel of it is another thing you could tell.

 

[Conductor562]

I've got the ratcheting combo's in Metric and SAE (Standard length and Stubby) that I bought several years ago when they hadn't been out long. Being a COO guy I hate the fact that they're Asian but they're so good I can't justify replacing them or getting rid of them. I'll eventually get the new Proto's, but I've been very satisfied with the Gearwrenches.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Oh okay... I had chinese stuff especially the wrenches from h.f... got busted in half while I was trying to work on in the tight areas of my motorcycle. More to that the chrome got nicked off. It cant do severely industrial work like taiwan can. Taiwan has extra layers surfaced on the metal and the feel of it is another thing you could tell.

My thinking on stuff like this, it's all about what QC/specifications a manufacturer demands. Of course too, there are/will be growing pains with stuff out of China. I would think a country that can make and conduct manned space flight, should be able to make a wrench


I remember back in the 1960s, Japanese cars were not well regarded. Much different opinion these days about those cars

 

[MrSnicks]

How do you definitively tell a Chinese Gearwrench item from a Taiwanese Gearwrench item?

Patrick

 

[Chadwilliam1]

how are the vortex sets with the locking flex ratchet? I am trying to figure out if the vortex will be usefully over a ratchet wrench.

 

[Holt]

How do you definitively tell a Chinese Gearwrench item from a Taiwanese Gearwrench item?

Patrick

I may be wrong but I think the Chinese versions have a L stamped on them. Also the open end is a little more lobster claw like the new craftsman raised panel wrenches.

 

[twiggles]

How do you definitively tell a Chinese Gearwrench item from a Taiwanese Gearwrench item?

Patrick

The box my wrenches came in said "Made in Taiwan". The tools themselves didn't have any markings IIRC.

 

[saturdaymechanic]

I have the reversible and flex sets in metric. Both sets were made in Taiwain. They are missing some (the 11, 16 and 19 reversible, 11 in the flex) but I picked them up at great prices ($40 for each).

No complaints with them, they work well. I really like their ratcheting screwdriver set I picked up at Sears.