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Gearwrench or Wiha Screwdriver Set?

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mr2autoxr

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I can get the 20 pc Master Screwdriver set from Gearwrench for $110.92 or I can get the Wiha 40pc set on Amazon for $121.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000T9UI4K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Am I stupid to go with the Gearwrench? Are these two brands pretty comparable quality and warranty wise? I know with Gearwrench I can take it to my local Fastenal for warranty, but what about Wiha?

Thanks,
Mike
 
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norry

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Out of my mind... Be back soon!
Where are the Gearwrench screwdrivers made? With the Wiha set you get twice as many screwdrivers for the same price, and they're made in Germany (I checked with Wiha themselves about this specific set) then assembled together into sets here in the States. So unless the Gearwrench ones are made in USA, I think it's an easy choice...
 
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mr2autoxr

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Thanks guys,
Pretty much thought I should go with Wiha over the Gearwrench as I get twice as many for the same price.

Just didn't know if anyone had anything bad to say about either one.
 
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Jokeman

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I grabbed a 6 pc gearwrench screw driver set the other day at Advanced for my travel bag. Right off the bat I had to use one as a pry bar and punch to get the old carbides off my snowmobile. They seem to be pretty good. I was impressed with the quality for the price of them.
 
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tw33k2514

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Seems like a no brainer to me. Get the Wiha. You get way more selection, and a well made driver at that.

That is not to say that the Gearwrench are bad...just not as good a value as the Wiha.
 
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Stuey

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Get the Wiha - I'm a HUGE fan of those handles. Posted about it a long time ago via TG. Back then, the price was $120. A $20 increase isn't too bad.

I saw go for the Wihas. PLUS if you get them from Amazon and you're not satisfied, send them back and get the Gearwrench instead.
 
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GearWrench Brand

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Mike -

We put a lot of R&D into our design - I truly believe you'll like it better.

PM me your address and I'll send you a sample for you to test out before you buy.

Thanks -

Steve

beautyshot.jpg
 
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Big Bad Jon

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I am a big fan of the Wiha set, but I will play devils advocate right now. Do you really need 40 screwdrivers? Are there going to be (honestly) more than maybe six that you use on a daily basis? With those six that you use everyday; Are you going to be pissed when you have to jump through international hoops to get them replaced when they break?

I think that the Wiha set is awesome set. I also think that having a quality set that can be easily exchanged when they fail is equally important. Given the two choices, I would probably buy the Gearwrench drivers. And then ask for the Wiha set for Christmas!
 
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Stuey

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There's a long thread about Gearwrench screwdrivers here: GJ thread LINKY

By the time Merkava posted pics and description of the drivers, it was generally concluded that the GW drivers are impressive.
 
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Monte

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The Gearwrenchs have a magnetic tip which can be sometimes impractical especially if you do metalworking...

tzredf3.jpg
 
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mr2autoxr

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I just got the free GearWrench screwdriver from Steve yesterday!:bounce:
THANKS!

Overall I do really like it. Nice firm grip, not too soft and the overall weight is lighter than I'm used to. I like that.

I haven't used it yet, but tonight I hope to try it out more. Looks to be a quality tool though.
:beer:
 
6

66HertzClone

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Big Bad Jon said:
I am a big fan of the Wiha set, but I will play devils advocate right now. Do you really need 40 screwdrivers? Are there going to be (honestly) more than maybe six that you use on a daily basis? With those six that you use everyday
Click to expand...


That set includes Torx drivers and a 1/4 bit driver in addition to the screwdrivers. Some of the smaller drivers are the tiny precision drivers as well.
 
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autoace

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GearWrench Brand said:
Mike -

We put a lot of R&D into our design - I truly believe you'll like it better.

PM me your address and I'll send you a sample for you to test out before you buy.

Thanks -

Steve

beautyshot.jpg
Click to expand...

I bought a torx driver set, and screwdriver set, at Advanced auto, about a year ago. My Snap-on torx drivers were worn, and I had no SO dealer. Cornwell offered no torx drivers, only tamper proof type.

I bought the gearwrench ones, and have to say, thus far, the torx drivers are the toughest I have ever had, no warranty yet, and they get used everyday. The taiwan Gearwrench stuff seems better. I have some double x GW pliers, and they are from China, they have some clear defects on the handle grips, and overall quality, although they work ok. Hope GW comes to USA, or at least depends on taiwan more in the future.

The GW drivers have become my favorite, the magnetic tips on the torx drivers are great for recessed body fasteners.

Gearwrench has become one of my staple tool companies, even though i am not happy about the China thing, too bad free samples were wasted on my buddy Merk.lol

My Cornwell guy sells, and warranty GW products, especially the ratchet wrenches, GW has the best selection of ratcheting wrenches bar none.

:thumbup: for GW screwdrivers. They are as good as any, from my experience.
 
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autoace

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^^^^^^^^^^^
The handles are nice and comfortable, a hard grip really, under the rubber. They have held up well, a little WD40 every two months, and the handle rubber looks new again. Much better than SO soft grips, or even the instincts.
 
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GM_tc

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i bought a 12 piece gearwrench set off tooltopia.com for $48 they work great they also have a 7 pc torx set for $27 so u could come out cheaper
 
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Joe H

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I am leaning towards the gearwrench set. I may just order a couple of screwdrivers from them and see how I like them.
 
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Monte

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Joe H said:
I'm torn between the GW, Wiha, and toptul screwdrivers. I need a good set and I have no clue which set I want.
Click to expand...

I wouldn`t buy the Toptul they don`t have a license for making Torx tools (if you`re also looking for Torx)...
 
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Monte

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66HertzClone said:
That's interesting, I have a set or Tamper Proof Torx made by Toptul, they make a tamper proof but not the regular style.
Click to expand...

That`s why they call them "star" tools and not "torx". Interestingly there are only 3 Taiwan manufacturers and only 2 from China who have a license but several dozens of companies offering Torx tools. List: Torx licensees


I would buy the Wiha drivers....
why ? Not only because I`m from germany :) but also:

- They make screwdrivers since 1947
- They`re a family run business
- "Made in Germany"
- high quality steel from germany is used
- They are licensee for all types of drives (i.e. "Torx", "Torx-Plus", "XZN" etc.) that means you can expect 100% quality and fitment since the manufacturing gages of the licensor are only sold to licensees of the product.
Companies who sell "Star" or "triple square" drivers or bits obviously are not licensees so the quality is questionable.



Katalog-1955_medium.jpg
 
6

66HertzClone

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Monte said:
That`s why they call them "star" tools and not "torx". Interestingly there are only 3 Taiwan manufacturers and only 2 from China who have a license but several dozens of companies offering Torx tools. List: Torx licensees


I would buy the Wiha drivers....
why ? Not only because I`m from germany :) but also:

- They make screwdrivers since 1947
- They`re a family run business
- "Made in Germany"
- high quality steel from germany is used
- They are licensee for all types of drives (i.e. "Torx", "Torx-Plus", "XZN" etc.) that means you can expect 100% quality and fitment since the manufacturing gages of the licensor are only sold to licensees of the product.
Companies who sell "Star" or "triple square" drivers or bits obviously are not licensees so the quality is questionable.



Katalog-1955_medium.jpg
Click to expand...

I have the Wiha set and I am totally satisfied with it, I added the Toptul tamper proof drivers to my collection recently. I didn't have any tamper proof drivers, don't see me coming across many of them given what I do with my tools, and the price was reasonable.
 
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BQuicksilver

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I can't say I've used the GW screwdrivers, but I did buy a set of WIHA just with the intent of doing electrical. Over time I've found that I'm using them for everything. They're comfortable and grip fasteners better than any screwdriver I've used to date (including my snap-ons). I'm amazed at how well they bite, and the comfort of the grip is just a nice bonus. I plan to buy more WIHA.
 
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Fedwrench

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I would recommend buying a small set or a 1/4 flat tip and a P2 of each brand and testing them for yourself. Wiha always runs half off sales on at least one type of their screwdrivers monthly. I have both brands. I've never had to warranty a Wiha product so, I don't how that would go but, I try to buy tools that are durable so the warranty service isn't a factor. Gearwrench warranty service is a 1-800 phone call away unless you have a local dealer. As for the Gearwrench screwdrivers, they are well balanced and comfortable but, seem a little light in the steel for the blades. The rubber on the handle gets hard after being exposed to brake clean, atf or other automotive chemicals. The Gearwrench Brand markings will also disappear quickly. The roundish trilobal handle fits well in my hands.
Wiha screwdrivers are well made, comfortable, and durable. It's up to you which ones you like the most. I recommend you not be a piece counter, look at the sizes in each set and figure out which sizes you would actually use the most, and which set gives the most usable sizes. A whole bunch of narrow bladed flat tips may not do much for you.
 
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Joe H

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Newport News, VA
Fedwrench said:
I got the new toolwarehouse catalog in today's mail. In it they have the Gearwrench 20 piece screwdriver set for $87.25 (the link is cheaper) plus, you a free three piece adjustable wrench set.:thumbup:

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-2650-k-d-tools-80066.aspx
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up. I think I will go with that deal as I could use some adjustable wrenches as well. Worst comes to worst If I don't like the screwdrivers I can always sell them.
 
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