Truthfully, I'm in no hurry right now. I got my cheap HF tools for now. Interested to hear about how your Tekton stuff is. Might be worth waiting fro their new socket sets.
GearWrench Ratchet/Sockets
- Thread starter CC268
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Truthfully, I'm in no hurry right now. I got my cheap HF tools for now. Interested to hear about how your Tekton stuff is. Might be worth waiting fro their new socket sets.
I don't use them often, but I'd rather have them than not have them. That's why I like these GW ratchet/socket kits so much. They come with everything.
That said, sounds like Tekton might have some good stuff coming out too.
Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
I've had a few GW sets I used a lot.
The first thing to go is the latch, then the lid hinge. Cases are not covered by lifetime guar, or as far as I can tell available separately.
72 socket pickup is a stupid game.
The first thing to go is the latch, then the lid hinge. Cases are not covered by lifetime guar, or as far as I can tell available separately.
72 socket pickup is a stupid game.
I’m confused by your last sentence. Can you elaborate on what your talking about?
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I think he is trying to say that the plastic cases ****, the latches break, and when you pick it up, the case pops open and sockets go every which way. The first thing I did when I got my sets of Gearwrench sockets that I keep in my Jeep is ditch the case and put the sockets on rails.
SilverBulletZ06
Well-known member
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- Jan 8, 2017
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I have 120xp GW stuff that I started my toolbox with. While I haven't done anything super important with them yet, the small jobs i have pulled them out for have gone smothly. My 3/8 came in a little coarse, I think the selector was stuck in the middle and during shipping it got jostled, but worked itself out fine. I don't use high end tools and don't notice that the backdrag is anything more then any other ratchet I have ever used. For $107 and free shipping I would not hesitate to buy it again.
I have a small few Tekton pieces that have worked well too. Lots of guys on Reddit and here approve of them.
I have a small few Tekton pieces that have worked well too. Lots of guys on Reddit and here approve of them.
vaultdweller
Active member
Honestly for a budget starter set, I’d look at Duralast at autozone. Ratchets are Snappy clones, and owning both, the duralast stuff still compares nicely especially price wise vs GW. Current duralast ratchets are 90 tooth. Might not be 120, but for the money I’d be ok with the fewer teeth.
I never have used the 84T GW but I do have the four piece flex set of the 120xp's. I'm not a huge fan of the 17" 1/2 flex head but the rest I have no problems with. The 1/2 head is huge compared to other 1/2 drive ratchets. I use a a very thin layer of Super Lube and back drag is fairly low.
The 120xp's aren't my go to ratchets but they work just fine. They're not perfect but for the price I think they're a great buy.
The 120xp's aren't my go to ratchets but they work just fine. They're not perfect but for the price I think they're a great buy.
Oh lol...I wouldn’t be keeping it in the original case. It would be going in my tool drawers.
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I'll let you know when I get mine. I'm a ratchet hoarder so I have many to compare them to. In the meantime check out these threads if you have not already.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=399647
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=380192
Mr Ratchet
Well-known member
I too prefer the 84's over the 120's and I've used them side be side a few times. With that said the 120's are still a nice ratchet. In addition to a couple of 84's, I also have ratchets from Armstrong, Kolbalt (Vortex), Matco, and Snap on. The 84's don't give up anything to the others other than their handle configurations (stubby & bent). The Armstrong Maxx and Matco will interchange guts with the 84's.
I'd get out a play with a few different ones to see which YOU like the best. Not everyone likes the same thing and the reason there are so many choices.
I'd get out a play with a few different ones to see which YOU like the best. Not everyone likes the same thing and the reason there are so many choices.
Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
exactly.
The ones I use most are my pass through set, and I have never seen a rail for those.
TwoInch
Well-known member
You should be able to stop at advance auto and compare the 84t with the 120 in person. I believe my local AA has them IIRC..
Personally, I prefer the 84t over the 120xp line. I have used all three. I have the original 72t ratchets in all three drive sizes (and one 3/8s 84t) and they operate just about the same as the 84-88t ratchets in regards to backdrag and the slimness of the ratchet head.
The 120xp is just chunkier dimensionally in the head, and ill gladly take the one degree or so swing advantage to not fight with the backdrag spinning a fastener back and forth instead of removing it. Hell, id take an old 36t ratchet that had very little backdrag over the significant backdrag of the dual pawl design. And grease does not help them.
Is take the kit with the standard plus the shorty ratchet for sure. And I have bought a number of loose sockets and a few sets recently for yet another kit, and every single socket was taiwan. Nothing china
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Personally, I prefer the 84t over the 120xp line. I have used all three. I have the original 72t ratchets in all three drive sizes (and one 3/8s 84t) and they operate just about the same as the 84-88t ratchets in regards to backdrag and the slimness of the ratchet head.
The 120xp is just chunkier dimensionally in the head, and ill gladly take the one degree or so swing advantage to not fight with the backdrag spinning a fastener back and forth instead of removing it. Hell, id take an old 36t ratchet that had very little backdrag over the significant backdrag of the dual pawl design. And grease does not help them.
Is take the kit with the standard plus the shorty ratchet for sure. And I have bought a number of loose sockets and a few sets recently for yet another kit, and every single socket was taiwan. Nothing china
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oldldh
Well-known member
I got the four piece 120 flex head from Santa...Really like them...
The next Christmas, I got ALL the Tekton 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch ratchets...72 tooth...Strong...Quick release...10 ratchets for $ 113.00...Not too shabby...
The 84 tooth GearWrench are on my list...
If I'm a very good boy, maybe, just maybe...
(Opinion --- The GearWrench 120 Flex four piece ratchet set is worth the "about" $100.00 they get for them...The tiny teeth come in handy...)
The Tekton four piece Low Profile, four piece Swivel Head, 18" 3/8 drive, and 24" 1/2 drive, are all worth the price...
You won't go wrong with any of them...
All mine came from Taiwan...
Got all of them for about $ 210.00...
Got all my sockets from GearWrench...Full 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" Metric and SAE combined sets...The sets were only sockets, no ratchets included...Much better price that way...Can't beat the sockets, or the price...
And...Tekton has a new 90 tooth set (very small beads) available with or without quick release...Amazon's price for the three pieces is $ 66.00...Worth it...
The next Christmas, I got ALL the Tekton 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch ratchets...72 tooth...Strong...Quick release...10 ratchets for $ 113.00...Not too shabby...
The 84 tooth GearWrench are on my list...
If I'm a very good boy, maybe, just maybe...
(Opinion --- The GearWrench 120 Flex four piece ratchet set is worth the "about" $100.00 they get for them...The tiny teeth come in handy...)
The Tekton four piece Low Profile, four piece Swivel Head, 18" 3/8 drive, and 24" 1/2 drive, are all worth the price...
You won't go wrong with any of them...
All mine came from Taiwan...
Got all of them for about $ 210.00...
Got all my sockets from GearWrench...Full 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" Metric and SAE combined sets...The sets were only sockets, no ratchets included...Much better price that way...Can't beat the sockets, or the price...
And...Tekton has a new 90 tooth set (very small beads) available with or without quick release...Amazon's price for the three pieces is $ 66.00...Worth it...
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TwoInch
Well-known member
As far as quality, you can't go wrong especially if you aren't full time industrial or auto/diesel.
For the money, they are smoking sockets and ratchets. And they won't give you that "what brand are these" feeling or looks from people. They are regarded as very decent tools at a good price.
While tekton is stepping up their game and does supply some very decent tools, imo, other than on this tool board, they still have air of "cheap" about them. Maybe a step up from HF. Just a couple years ago they were the cheapest dollar bin stuff around, and they have gotten better. Gearwrench started at "great tools" all along, and has slowly lowered quality a bit, mostly in wrenches, bit still well worth the money spent especially on sale.
That's my .02
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For the money, they are smoking sockets and ratchets. And they won't give you that "what brand are these" feeling or looks from people. They are regarded as very decent tools at a good price.
While tekton is stepping up their game and does supply some very decent tools, imo, other than on this tool board, they still have air of "cheap" about them. Maybe a step up from HF. Just a couple years ago they were the cheapest dollar bin stuff around, and they have gotten better. Gearwrench started at "great tools" all along, and has slowly lowered quality a bit, mostly in wrenches, bit still well worth the money spent especially on sale.
That's my .02
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Thanks for all the help guys. I think I will likely order the GearWrench 84T set.
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I'm planning to check out the 84T and 120T versions at an Advance Auto today.
I agree. A really great set. Its part of my road box/travel job set and Im pretty happy.
mudflap
Well-known member
If they still have them let us know..AA dumped GW in favor of their new house brand. But maybe they havnt made the switch over yet..?
Oh really? Well dang maybe I won't bother then
I dont know
If you not needing blow moulded cases why you buying in sets ?
maybe better buying sockets on rails of design you like and adding ratchets, extensions to compliment your needs . hand pick items from whom does best at you price range .
maybe better buying sockets on rails of design you like and adding ratchets, extensions to compliment your needs . hand pick items from whom does best at you price range .
Because the sets save me hundreds of dollars. ToolDiscounter has both 1/4” and 3/8” sets for $103. That’s a no brainer.
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By the way I stopped in Advance Auto and handled the 84T and 120XP ratchets. I thought the 120 was incredibly nice. Not sure what people mean by high backdrag? Felt buttery smooth to me.
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It's okay as long as covering exactly what you want .
can't go far wrong for those prices but other options exist and more so if no rush.
GW always on sale and they kick out the socket rail sets for silly money too, plenty options on ratchets too.
I have 120 and 84 ratchets and 84 way smoother and reliable .
Tekton 90tooth looks interesting ratchets, I be inclined wait and see the new sockets they introduce .
Yea I'm not necessarily in a rush. The GW sets give me standard & deep sockets (both SAE & metric), which is awesome. For the price it is really hard to beat. I think I need to stop typing on here and just go with something haha!
I was going to suggest that very thing..
Seriously, I've had the 84 tooth sets for about 2 years now and couldn't be happier. I'd call myself an "advanced" DIYer.
Vehicle repairs, tractor and power equipment mainly. Never had a stubby ratchet before, now I can't believe how often I find myself reaching for it. The cases were actually a big selling point for me. Rounded these sets out with my old 1/2 Craftsman set from the 80's, HF impacts and Milwaukee cordless impact wrench. 
I was going to suggest that very thing..
Seriously, I've had the 84 tooth sets for about 2 years now and couldn't be happier. I'd call myself an "advanced" DIYer.
Haha no kidding...I think I will likely pull the trigger on the 84T set. Hopefully that is the last time I say that!
plus with gearwrench set is ratchets are worth having versus many sets at the price. for 100bucks it a lot of chrome good or bad .
I use older gw sockets and some ratchets professionally in mobile tools and they hold up well, it was one of best cheaper sockets on market in early days, not so good now but still pretty good for sale prices .
I use older gw sockets and some ratchets professionally in mobile tools and they hold up well, it was one of best cheaper sockets on market in early days, not so good now but still pretty good for sale prices .
Hard to tell about backdrag without actually turning a fastener. But nobody is suggesting the 120s are junk; just that they aren’t really an upgrade to their predecessor.
TwoInch
Well-known member
All my local AAs have their normal stock of gearwrench stuff. its not marked down or anything. Just sitting there dusty as always. Site is still showing everything GW as if a couple days ago.
Is say its very likely your local AAs will have their normal GW stuff. You can always call and ask...
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TwoInch
Well-known member
The 120s are very smooth.. the clicks are very small. But...
Backdrag is how much effort it takes to make the mechanism turn, or click. They are 60t with two matching offset pawls. Lots of movement going on inside compared to a 84t gear with a single pawl.
They are both great ratchets. You just gain very little swing, but get more drag and a larger ratchet head. In the real world, the smaller head and lighter back drag are noticeable while using, the minute gain in swing not really noticeable at all.
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Backdrag is how much effort it takes to make the mechanism turn, or click. They are 60t with two matching offset pawls. Lots of movement going on inside compared to a 84t gear with a single pawl.
They are both great ratchets. You just gain very little swing, but get more drag and a larger ratchet head. In the real world, the smaller head and lighter back drag are noticeable while using, the minute gain in swing not really noticeable at all.
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Thank you sir! I decided to go with the 84T ratchet/socket sets!
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TwoInch
Well-known member
They will last a life time. Enjoy them. I use them Most days at some point, and I never feel like I med better ratchets.
In my opinion they are by far the best all around ratchets in the price range, and even better than a lot that cost a bit more.
Good luck and use and abuse 'em.
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In my opinion they are by far the best all around ratchets in the price range, and even better than a lot that cost a bit more.
Good luck and use and abuse 'em.
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