Gearwrench ratchets

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Hey guys. Figured I'd post about my newest tool buy. I ordered a set of 4 gear wrench ratchets. A 1/2, 1/4, 3/8 and 3/8 stubby. All flex heads. 60t. I ordered them two weeks ago and I guess the company ran out of them, so they had to order directly from gearwrench, then send out to me. I should be getting them tomorrow, but of course I'll be at work using my old craftsman ones! Does anybody use any of these ratchets? How do they hold up? I've used Matco, Cornwell and snap on flex heads and really like the Cornwell ones.

 

[concealer404]

I like them... i can't speak to their longevity yet, only had mine for about a week at this point.

HUGE improvement over the Craftsman RPs that were my go-to ratchets before.

 

[powertrip]

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=148979&highlight=gearwrench

 

[Hootbro]

Hey guys. Figured I'd post about my newest tool buy. I ordered a set of 4 gear wrench ratchets. A 1/2, 1/4, 3/8 and 3/8 stubby. All flex heads. 60t. I ordered them two weeks ago and I guess the company ran out of them, so they had to order directly from gearwrench, then send out to me. I should be getting them tomorrow, but of course I'll be at work using my old craftsman ones! Does anybody use any of these ratchets? How do they hold up? I've used Matco, Cornwell and snap on flex heads and really like the Cornwell ones.

Just as an FYI, about everybody that sells new GearWrench does not stock the stuff normally and has it drop shipped from APEX anyways.

I have ordered numerous GearWrench stuff from HD, SEAR and Amazon to only have it all dropped ship from APEX.

 

[plinker]

I've got the 1/4 & 3/8 in both flex head and regular. Pretty decent overall, no issue's yet. The "feel" of the mechansiam is very similar to my S-K's, so I like that

 

[drew03cmc]

I love my 3/8 and 1/4dr ratchets. They are strong and the gears are interchangeable with the 88T Matcos.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Got em today after work. They're sweet! Can't wait to use em tomorrow. Bye bye crapsman ratchets.

 

[bimmerZ5]

Got em today after work. They're sweet! Can't wait to use em tomorrow. Bye bye crapsman ratchets.

congrats! i like my gearwrench stuff too... they are definitely a step up from my older craftsman stuff, even the old craftsman pro stuff.

 

[drew03cmc]

The GW stuff is great.

 

[vfr-rider]

I've got a 3/8 cushion grip, 3/8 std, and 3/8 stubby. They are a solid product!

 

[mgeoffriau]

They are on super sale at Sears.com right now...$10-12 per ratchet. I snagged a 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", and a 3/8" stubby for about $60 shipped today.

 

[JASTECH]

$60 ?, I hate good deals you post, keeps getting into my wallet. Wonder if they will take moths instead from my wallet?

 

[concealer404]

$60 ?, I hate good deals you post, keeps getting into my wallet. Wonder if they will take moths instead from my wallet?

Yeah, i definitely ran into the whole "stop i can't afford to save anymore" situation with these...

 

[quattrojon]

Yeah, i definitely ran into the whole "stop i can't afford to save anymore" situation with these...

That is a nice collection you have.

 

[BiggEvans]

I stumbled on this post while bored at work (weekend graveyard shift at hotel) and I am glad that I did. I ordered 4 ratchets and saved 175 bucks. I'm just starting out in the diesel mechanic field and needed more ratchets. I already have the ratcheting wrenches from gearwrench and they are holding up well so far. I hope that these hold up just as well.

 

[cascivic]

I got my 1/4 inch a few weeks back I love it. Now I'm deciding on a roto ratchet don't know if I should get a 1/2 fr leverage or a 3/8 first. Thinking of gear wrench but I like the genius ones with the snap on style handle?

 

[powertrip]

I got my 1/4 inch a few weeks back I love it. Now I'm deciding on a roto ratchet don't know if I should get a 1/2 fr leverage or a 3/8 first. Thinking of gear wrench but I like the genius ones with the snap on style handle?

Lowes has the kobalt with the chrome handle. Probably identical to genius

 

[cascivic]

Lowes has the kobalt with the chrome handle. Probably identical to genius

sorry i meant the genius with the "hard handle"

 

[powertrip]

I went with a taiwan made HF version and Cman pro handles. Really like them and they are for home use along with 30 or so other ratchets.

 

[cascivic]

yeah i like those is that something you can do in a vise or it has to be lathed down

 

[bimmerZ5]

Lowes has the kobalt with the chrome handle. Probably identical to genius

the kobalt ratchets feel nice and have 72 teeth that are really smooth, but dang, their heads are super thick! almost double of the thin profile cman or these gearwrench! the kobalt also look suspiciously similar to the HFT 72 teeth ratchets also made in Taiwan...

 

[RRmech]

I picked up a new GW 1/4" ratchet 'on-the-cheap' a month back.
So far, so good.........................................

Steve

 

[powertrip]

The handle has to be lathed down smaller than the most narrow point of the handle. Then drill out the handle and press fit. It takes some time and the right tools. I used a hand press not a vise. It was a tight fit.

 

[Bill R.]

Thanks for the info, I just ordered 190.00 worth of them. The super sale is kind of still on. I had to go through every page on the listings to find each discounted item though and the 15.00 off coupon code for may worked also.

 

[Bullet_101]

I have 3 GW ratchets, flex heads and the 1/4 and 3/8 have the rubber grip but the 1/2 doesn't. I bought them just about 2 years ago and use them exclusively at work. They're amazing. I've had guys barrow them off me who owned snap on ratchets because of the smaller profile head. I did the 88 tooth kit swap on the 3/8 and it made it just that much better. I haven't done it to the other 2 ratchets because I just keep forgetting to order them as there are no matco trucks where I live.

 

[biscuit141]

Thanks for the info, I just ordered 190.00 worth of them. The super sale is kind of still on. I had to go through every page on the listings to find each discounted item though and the 15.00 off coupon code for may worked also.

What is the May coupon code you speak of?

 

[drew03cmc]

I cannot wait to order me a 1/2Dr to go with my 1/4 and 3/8. Thanks for fueling the fire.

 

[bimmerZ5]

Thanks for the info, I just ordered 190.00 worth of them. The super sale is kind of still on. I had to go through every page on the listings to find each discounted item though and the 15.00 off coupon code for may worked also.

What is the May coupon code you speak of?

Uh... you guys just need to go over to slickdeals and read this thread:

http://slickdeals.net/f/4300558-Gearwrench-hand-tools-madness-sale-50-80-Sears-com-online-only?

all the sale items are being posted there for Gearwrench stuff, along with coupon codes, and free shipping deals (which have since expired), etc.

 

[Bill R.]

Uh... you guys just need to go over to slickdeals and read this thread:

http://slickdeals.net/f/4300558-Gearwrench-hand-tools-madness-sale-50-80-Sears-com-online-only?

all the sale items are being posted there for Gearwrench stuff, along with coupon codes, and free shipping deals (which have since expired), etc.

Thanks for the link, there went another 150

 

[Eric Hawkins]

Thanks for the link, there went another 150

I had to promise myself to never view that thread again, lol

 

[Fedwrench]

I wonder if they're blowing out these ratchets to make room for the new 84 tooth models coming from Gearwrench.

 

[vfr-rider]

I wonder if they're blowing out these ratchets to make room for the new 84 tooth models coming from Gearwrench.

Nice!

84 Tooth Ratchet (84T Ratchet)
The new 84T Ratchet from GearWrench sets a new industry standard for strength, speed and access. The low-profile head provides access in tight spaces while a bright chrome finish increases visibility and makes clean up easy. The 84T 3/8” Ratchet is rated at 190 percent of the ASME specification for strength (3,400 in-lbs) and features a ratchet arc of just 4.3 degrees, making it perfect for use in applications with minimal clearance. The new 84T Ratchet is also available in several handle configurations to meet a variety of needs including offset, long, stubby and locking flex, and comes in a variety of drive sizes including 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch in combo and mixed tool sets.

 

[biscuit141]

Well that doesn't help us out much since we all just bought 60 tooth versions! I wonder if rebuild kits will be available for the 84t conversion? Also for those of you who did the Marco 88t upgrade, how much do the kits run?

 

[Skin]

Well that doesn't help us out much since we all just bought 60 tooth versions! I wonder if rebuild kits will be available for the 84t conversion? Also for those of you who did the Marco 88t upgrade, how much do the kits run?

around $20 if i remember correctly. Honestly save your money.

 

[biscuit141]

around $20 if i remember correctly. Honestly save your money.

Not worth it? Or are the 60t versions that good?

 

[shoturtle]

It is really a waste of money to go to the 88t. As you really will not notice a difference. And you are just putting in more money into the tool, and it will not be warranty if the gears strip out.

 

[Skin]

I really like the Matco 88s, but i wouldnt throw away a perfectly functioning 60 tooth gear for them. They both need a break in period to smooth out a bit and in the end you're talking about less than 2 degrees difference in swing to when the 88 will click vs the 60. Its negligible.

 

[shoturtle]

craftsman 84T and the Gearwrench 84t are the same inners I believe just a different handle.

Nice!

84 Tooth Ratchet (84T Ratchet)
The new 84T Ratchet from GearWrench sets a new industry standard for strength, speed and access. The low-profile head provides access in tight spaces while a bright chrome finish increases visibility and makes clean up easy. The 84T 3/8” Ratchet is rated at 190 percent of the ASME specification for strength (3,400 in-lbs) and features a ratchet arc of just 4.3 degrees, making it perfect for use in applications with minimal clearance. The new 84T Ratchet is also available in several handle configurations to meet a variety of needs including offset, long, stubby and locking flex, and comes in a variety of drive sizes including 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch in combo and mixed tool sets.

 

[Bill R.]

I really like the Matco 88s, but i wouldnt throw away a perfectly functioning 60 tooth gear for them. They both need a break in period to smooth out a bit and in the end you're talking about less than 2 degrees difference in swing to when the 88 will click vs the 60. Its negligible.

I use my converted 88 tooth long flex head teardrop gearwrench everyday, its become my first choice among my other ratchets, I can definitely feel the difference in 60 teeth and 88 on the long handle. If i break the 88 tooth gearkit, i still have the original 60 tooth to put back in. At 20.00 from the matco truck i'm more than happy with my choice. When you put the new kit in if cleaned properly and the included marvel mystery oil used, the action feels very smooth with very little drag.

 

[Bill R.]

Well that doesn't help us out much since we all just bought 60 tooth versions! I wonder if rebuild kits will be available for the 84t conversion? Also for those of you who did the Marco 88t upgrade, how much do the kits run?

From the local matco guy mine was 17.49 and 1.59 tax, total 19.08. Thats the 3/8 kit, i haven't bought a 1/4 yet, thought i would leave my 1/2 flex head at 60 tooth.