skirk55
Active member
I was looking at Gearwrench Flex Set Ratchets. Has anyone used them? If so what do you think of them? Will they hold up to everyday use?
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Gearwrench Ratchets
- Thread starter skirk55
- Start date
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I use them everyday and prefer them over my F80s. I like the 60 tooth action and thin head. I picked mine up at a Sears half off sale and have been using them hard ever since. Your experience may vary.
This week I looked at the Snap On and Matco for Flex Ratchets 1/4" and 3/8" and the price was way out of line. I looked at Gearwrench and I did not feel any difference for the price. I am a Lawn Mower Tech and I work with rotary mowers and snow blowers. The Snap On 1/4" ratchet is my most used of all. I like the soft grip and the flex.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NI93G6/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Try to find this set cheaper or wait for Sears 1/2 off sale and try these ratchets out to see if you like them. I personally don't care for the new Snap on T72 series ratchets. I think they bind. I broke a selector switch. I'm disappointed in them. You may not like the Gearwrench but, I do. Unfortunately, you can't really tell if you're going to like a tool until you use it awhile. Looking at catalogs and pictures online only give you part of the tool's true performance.
Try to find this set cheaper or wait for Sears 1/2 off sale and try these ratchets out to see if you like them. I personally don't care for the new Snap on T72 series ratchets. I think they bind. I broke a selector switch. I'm disappointed in them. You may not like the Gearwrench but, I do. Unfortunately, you can't really tell if you're going to like a tool until you use it awhile. Looking at catalogs and pictures online only give you part of the tool's true performance.
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billymade
Well-known member
You can save money on the pro tools (no need to buy them off the truck!); buying them used at fleas, pawn shops and ebay. Maybe buy a couple different brands, try them out and see what you like; sell off the rest.... you shouldn't have any problem selling your cast offs here or on ebay. 
I don't own this set, but it has good reviews on Amazon. It's over $100 right now, but I've seen it as low as $80 something. I only have 1 gearwrench 3/8 ratchet - very good feel and thin head.
http://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-81...dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
http://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-81...dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
Attachments
At $80 you can break those up and make some money on them!!
lauver
Well-known member
I own the 4-piece flex set and it's the best $100 I ever spent. Very comfortable, flexible (but not floppy), smooth, and durable. I don't even use my other ratchets any more except in rare instances. If you can pick them up on sale for $80, all the better.
Thank you everyone. This is hard to look at something in a store and try to decide if it is a good move or a bad move. Today I asked my Snap On rep if he would take two 3/8" impact guns in on a trade for a 1/4" impact gun and he told me no! I will not purchase anything from him ever. Sears is about two miles from our shop. This weekend I will be shopping for Gearwrench tools.
billymade
Well-known member
skirk55, put your impacts on ebay and use the money towards the 1/4" impact? Snapon stuff generally brings good money on ebay! I wonder if the economy is putting the brakes on truck guys being willing to take trade ins; while in the past they would have been more willing to do so? Seems like this 1/4" impact from ingersoll rand is getting favorable reviews right now: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014DDHAW/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Here's a thread with excellent picts and videos that may help you. The OP got the 4 piece set for $85 shipped. Note that that price is rare, but is available if you are patient.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22051
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22051
I was looking at those the other day, at Advanced Auto Parts. I only need a new stubby flex head, but for the price, all four wouldn't be much more than one truck tool ratchet.
They feel very much like the current Armstrong ratchets available. Fit, feel, and quality looked top shelf, no BS...really better than any Craftsman ratchet, and smoother than my old regular SO ratchets, even without the lube in them yet.
Merkava_4
Banned
Make sure you all check to make sure the plastic handles are installed within the correct orientation; I noticed some of the GW ratchets at Sears had the plastic handles installed upside down.
I hope Gearwrench keeps there tool line with quality and not do what Kobalt did. Kobalt made good tools for one year then they got cheap. I do not like craftsman because I had a hard time returning three tools. My Napa tools are ok but the store hours are not good for me to stop and pick up something. Snap on man we have at work is a thief in a van. S0o I am looking for a tool company I can use at my job every day and not pay $250 for a ratchet.