Gear Wrenches......good , bad or must have?

[77Mini]

I am pretty well set up for wrenches but am wondering if its worth adding a set of gear wrenches to the wrench drawers. I currently have (for both SAE and Metric) 2 full sets of combination wrenches, I smaller set (6-7 piece), stubby wrenches and a few sets of flare nut wrenches. I am tempted to take the smaller sets out of my wrench drawers and buy a set of gear wrenches to take their place.

I am looking at 7 piece reversible sets in both SAE and Metric. I have heard a few bad things about the non-reversible ones.

Likely Mastercraft Maximum 7 piece sets as they are on sale right now

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/m...everse-combination-set-7-pc-0588574p.html#srp

I have these but never use them....

Do you guys find that these are a worth while addition to your toolbox? I have never really seen a need for them but am starting to think they may come in handy.

So......should I buy them?....and why?

 

[BLUE72CAMARO]

I have sets of reversible craftsman professional ratchet wrenches from when they came out 12-13 years ago at home and at work and they are my go to wrenches for darn near everything.

 

[jshillin]

I actually prefer the non-reversible gearwrenches. I've had a set of Gearwrench brand for a long time and they still work great. I also have a few sets of reversibles from different brands, bluepoint, gearwrench, etc, but I don't grab them often.

Almost forgot to add. YES, they are a must have that can get you out of a jam much faster than a regular combination wrench.

 

[77Mini]

Would you say the set up to 3/4" should be sufficient?

 

[ratdoggy]

You can't have too many wrenches...This is Garage Journal after all
BTW I use them a lot...

 

[ratdoggy]

Would you say the set up to 3/4" should be sufficient?

Probably..Get metric ones too

 

[77Mini]

Probably..Get metric ones too

I am looking ta a 7 piece SAE and 7 piece metric

 

[Hpozzuoli]

My garage recently caught on fire. The fire and smoke produce such caustic vapors everything rusts and corrodes almost instantly. I noticed my better quality stuff like snap on and sk cleaned up well. My gear wrench stuff didn’t do so well. It is all corroded and pitted. This stuff was inside my box during the fire. Basically anything of lesser quality really showed what it was made out of.

Everything pictured was in fire inside of box.

 

[Ign]

Mini, please tell me you're just doing a Christmas season prank.

Is this the new topic of the week?

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=376577

Also I'm looking for a good shop vac, does anyone have any recommendations? I also need a tap & die set, thoughts? Can someone recommend drill bits that will never dull?

 

[Empty Pockets]

I have Gearwrench branded ratcheting combination wrenches. They are a must have, after breaking the fastener loose with a breaker bar or ratchet, they are my go to wrenches.

Besides, here on GJ, you can't have too many tools

 

[L5wolvesf]

My g/f got me a set (SAE & Metric) of combo Gear Wrenches as a gift years ago - like the ones pictured. First set of ratcheting wrenches I ever had. They became my go to.

 

[bbrins]

I'm not a professional mechanic, but I haven't really found an absolute need for them yet. There have maybe been a handful of times where they would have made things easier, but I have always found a way to do without. I have had sets of various makes of ratcheting combination wrenches in my shopping cart over the years, but I can never seem to pull the trigger, I can always seem to find some other tool that I want or need more, so they have not been a priority in my tool purchasing. I have been wanting a full set of stubby wrenches though, maybe I'll try and get those in ratcheting, if I can find something decent that is reversible.

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[Siding Pro]

I find they are useful if you are trying to undo a long U-bolt or something like that, where there are too many threads to get a socket on. Are they absolutely necessary? No. However a lot of tools are there to make life easier.

 

[erty67]

I have the 20pc Husky set that Home Depot sells for $50. I love them. I bought last year after the holiday for $25/set. I would have paid $50. Great set for DYIers. Now might be the time to get a deal this year.

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[RAS61]

I find they are useful if you are trying to undo a long U-bolt or something like that, where there are too many threads to get a socket on. Are they absolutely necessary? No. However a lot of tools are there to make life easier.

These seem like they'd be nice to have, and I've also thought about getting some, but as Siding Pro said, do they really do anything a ratchet and socket doesn't do 99% on the time. My biggest hesitation is not the cost or how much they'd be used, but do I have room for them in my wrench drawer? Maybe replace existing open/box wrenches with these?

 

[Bronson]

I have the Gearwrench branded sets in SAE and Metric.
I mainly work on motorcycles, both metric and SAE.
The Gearwrenches are a time saver for me.

 

[Gmonkee]

I had ratcheting wrenches and used them for anything. Key sizes started wearing and had to be replaced, moving parts do wear after all

Loved them, seen they have finite life in heavy use. Replacement wrenches had no moving parts. I still have all of those in perfect usable condition.

I have noticed others with minimalist tendency prefer the old basics. Stuff that one man just won't wear out in a career. Some of mine I am the 2nd owner and still solid tools.

 

[eyeball]

I have these but never use them....

You don’t use the ratcheting wrenches you own. Why would you add a second set?


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[kythri]

Because those older style riveted ones ****?

I've got a TON of GearWrench in various different styles. While I could certainly operate without them, they're a fantastic addition to my toolset, and I would certainly miss them.

 

[littleponderosa]

kythri, how could ya say such a thing? Those wrenches were mainstays in my Fathers garage. My bro's and I liked them because of breakage, they were nearly the only new tools we saw.
Bill

 

[48Connor]

I love ratcheting wrenches. I use my flex had ratcheting wrenches probably 90% of the time.

I have four different sets of Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches in my metric drawer alone. Really like them.

 

[L.Cheapo]

GearWrench gets a lot of love on this site, but none from me. I have metric and SAE sets from when they were Taiwan made. I've only used them a few times over the years, and every time I do, I get a handful of sharp chrome flakes. The 15mm always locks up. These are the nonreversible type. No, I'm not trading them in for some modern Chinese made ones. At least the open end is quasi-useful if I need two open ends the same size for something. In my experience--import junk.

 

[bobcatdan]

I do not care for the newer gearwrench. Compared to my older sets, the new ones are just cheap looking and feeling. The 18 and 9 mm are orgnial to the set. The 19 was replaced a few years ago. The 8 was replaced this summer. Admire the lobster claw.

 

[B_Bimmer]

I have broken every set I have actually used regularly. I now have some non reversible zero offset ones just because there are times when nothing else will fit, I use them sparingly and they can handle that. I never use the open end anymore because after using good wrenches you notice spread a bunch more. Overall, junk.

 

[jacob_coulter]

I think GearWrench ratcheting wrenches are a bargain and would recommend them. I've gotten them in the past with like half off. If you can find them on sale like that, its a no brainer.

I like GearWrench's whole line.

 

[KSB]

I use them all the time in the smaller sizes, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 8mm and 10mm. Those are the only ones I have in my box as I found myself only using them in those sizes.

I have the flex head blue point versions in my box but rarely take them out.

Go to wrenches for 1/4 to 3/8 bolts. Anything bigger is ratchet or regular combo wrench.


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[M6erfan]

I have some ratcheting wrenches, not GW, and I dont use them a whole lot. I guess it depends on what you're working on but in the general auto maintenance I do along with motorcycle restorations, I find that they're not hugely useful. So, IMHO they're not good or bad and definitely not a "must have". Nice if you need them I guess, a luxury at worst.

BTW, I had GW ratcheting wrenches many years ago and I got tired of them locking up. I got rid of them and never looked back...

 

[DGersic]

I am pretty well set up for wrenches but am wondering if its worth adding a set of gear wrenches to the wrench drawers. I currently have (for both SAE and Metric) 2 full sets of combination wrenches, I smaller set (6-7 piece), stubby wrenches and a few sets of flare nut wrenches. I am tempted to take the smaller sets out of my wrench drawers and buy a set of gear wrenches to take their place.

I am looking at 7 piece reversible sets in both SAE and Metric. I have heard a few bad things about the non-reversible ones.

Likely Mastercraft Maximum 7 piece sets as they are on sale right now

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/m...everse-combination-set-7-pc-0588574p.html#srp

I have these but never use them....

Do you guys find that these are a worth while addition to your toolbox? I have never really seen a need for them but am starting to think they may come in handy.

So......should I buy them?....and why?

I have and like the GW non reversable, no offset wrenches. Good for dealing with bolts and nuts with very little clearance and not much room to swing a wrench.

I have one of those offset double ended wrenches in your 2nd pic. Absolutely indispensable. It’s perfect for the bolts that hold a pinball machine backbox to the lower cabinet body.





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[PhysicsDude]

I use my ratcheting wrenches all the time. I think they're a worthwhile addition to anyone's toolbox that made the effort to register on GarageJournal.com

Its also worth noting that the ratcheting mechanism in them is VERY stout, more stout than an average 1/2" ratchet. Unless you're hitting the wrench with a hammer, a fastener head will sheer off before a ratcheting wrench will break. So ratcheting wrenches are better for high torque applications than ratchets, as long as its at such a position that you can get the wrench on flat.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I'ts like the difference between a ratchet and a breaker bar.

 

[Ji m]

I like them and use them frequently.

The flex style have been the most convenient for me to use,
but the reversable & non-reversable types have their place too.

Choice is always good,
so if you have the room I think you'd want straight & flex ratchet wrenches,
plus non-ratchet wrenches in stubby, regular and long patterns.

oh, and crows feet, line wrenches, S-shaped wrenches, C-shaped wrenches.....

 

[M_George]

I was in the same situation as you with full sets of combination wrenches. I found a 7 piece set of GW on clearance for $20 at ACE and love them. They are great for getting into tight spaces. Go for it, they will make life a lot easier.

 

[RAS61]

I like them and use them frequently.

The flex style have been the most convenient for me to use,
but the reversable & non-reversable types have their place too.

Choice is always good,
so if you have the room I think you'd want straight & flex ratchet wrenches,
plus non-ratchet wrenches in stubby, regular and long patterns.

oh, and crows feet, line wrenches, S-shaped wrenches, C-shaped wrenches.....

...and of course a second tool chest to hold everything!

 

[buckwheat_la]

OP, if you keep a eye on Canadian Tire you well find the complete sets go on sale (metric and sae) often. And sometimes come with bonus stubby wrenches too.

 

[B_Bimmer]

Its also worth noting that the ratcheting mechanism in them is VERY stout, more stout than an average 1/2" ratchet. Unless you're hitting the wrench with a hammer, a fastener head will sheer off before a ratcheting wrench will break. So ratcheting wrenches are better for high torque applications than ratchets, as long as its at such a position that you can get the wrench on flat.

I have never broken a bolt with a gearwrench. I have broken the ratcheting mechanism on at least twenty of them over the years, usually resulting in them locking up. I have never used anything other than my bare hands on them. You are so wrong it's laughable.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Its also worth noting that the ratcheting mechanism in them is VERY stout, more stout than an average 1/2" ratchet. Unless you're hitting the wrench with a hammer, a fastener head will sheer off before a ratcheting wrench will break. So ratcheting wrenches are better for high torque applications than ratchets, as long as its at such a position that you can get the wrench on flat.

I'm going to need some empirical data on this. I find it very hard to believe a typical GearWrench ratcheting wrench is stronger and better suited to breaking bolts loose than my 1/2" Dual 80 ratchets are. I could be wrong, but owning both, I don't believe it.

 

[M_George]

Never tried breaking loose a tight bolt with mine. They don't look like they can handle a lot of torque. I usually get it started with one of my Williams long handle wrenches or a breaker bar.

 

[ssdave]

I had a set of gearwrench I bought at Ace years ago. They kept locking up or the retaining ring on the turning part would come out. After a few warranty replacements, I just sold them off and gave up. Not been impressed with any gearwrench since then, although I've tried a few of their things I got in tool lots used.

I recently bought Proto USA spline reversible ratcheting wrenches. Looking forward to trying them out.

I mostly prefer solid wrenches to ratcheting, but ratcheting ones have their place. Nice to have, but not must-haves.

 

[Bessy]

Hold off if you are going to buy the Maximums, and splurge on the 30pc set rather than the 7pc. The 7pc set is ok, but when the 30pc comes on sale for like 99-149 a couple times a year, it's worth it to wait if you can. It's just plain too expensive to buy them piece by piece to fill the gaps, since the singles never go on sale and are exorbitantly priced.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I've had GW combo non reversing in std and metric for quite a few years. Never any problems with them but, then again I don't use them to break free fasteners. I use them when I can as it speeds things up. Not a must have, more of a want especially if you had used them before.