Gearwrench Roto Ratchets

[panknuckshovel]

You can get both the 3/8 and 1/4 for $38 after code TRT25 at Advance Auto. Store pickup is available or free shipping after $75 spent.

1/4 #81224
3/9 #81225

 

[logixjock]

I got both from Amazon last week for $37.44 total shipped.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EYTBVWO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HDSSJKU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Not sure how much I'll use them, but they were just too cool not to have. Yeah I know.. It's a sickness.....

 

[unslow1]

They clearanced them out last month at most Advance Auto stores for less than that. I'm actually disappointed in mine. I like the one I got at Menard's better. The Gearwrench doesn't have a quick release. Some may prefer without. They seem to be pretty similar in several brands.

 

[logixjock]

Oh, guess I should have checked the part numbers to see what you were actually talking about before I posted.

 

[Strouty]

For a little more you can buy them branded as KD tools, the part number is the same when you search except for KDT at the front. That is pretty funny, they are the same thing, but one is 50% more from the same retailer. They even show the same picture.

 

[unslow1]

I did notice while I was in AAP today that most of their Autocraft flashlights were on the clearance rack. I picked up their imitation Maglite AC873 for $7.55.

 

[Tripp2012]

8pc gearwrench reversible sets are back on sale as well 50% off.

 

[panknuckshovel]

8pc gearwrench reversible sets are back on sale as well 50% off.

Yes, and sears will match the price so if you have any coupons or codes you can get them for less.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Only qty of 0 is available for this item(3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet, Part No: 81225)

Got this for each of them. Too bad, I've really been wanting a set, and missed out when they were going on sale regularly a couple of years back.

 

[wrh3]

I have not been impressed with mine, I have had the 1/4" replaced 3 times.......

 

[Ign]

I don't mean to hijack but the Tekton rotos seem very similar. Found only one thread about them here in search which kinda surprises me because I've seen the Tekton long handle ratchets get some love. According to the thread they are Taiwan, not China, and the main difference from GW appears to a QR head. Both on Amazon right now would be $40.87, although they've been shifting the price of the 1/4" a bit (I ordered a 1/4" this morning from warehouse deals for $14.20 and the new ones were $20.**. After my order they've dropped the new ones to $17.67):

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A50NB2Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20

And 3/8" is $23.20:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A50NB1K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

But by far the best deal is the 3pc set for $60:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BRL5AK6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'm not saying these are comparable to GW, but what little info I could find on the forum suggests they may be.

 

[Boredmechanic]

Thats a pretty good deal

 

[flying eyeball]

I believe the tektons are the same as HFand HF has been clearing them out for less than $10 a pop.

 

[Ign]

I believe the tektons are the same as HFand HF has been clearing them out for less than $10 a pop.

Interesting. Are the HF's Taiwan? I didn't realize they offered a roto head, but I've not looked.

 

[panknuckshovel]

HF has the swivel head #96782. There are some posts here that state it has been discontinued but who knows. Much like everything at HF COO bounces between China and Taiwan so it is a TOTAL **** shoot.

 

[warmpancakes]

or you could stop being a Communist and spend your money on Merican tools

 

[Ign]

or you could stop being a Communist and spend your money on Merican tools

Excellent tech Senator McCarthy but I have it on good authority (don't ask where, it matters not) that you've been practicing witchcraft so we shall be burning you at the stake.

Is there a true amUHreekan roto head offering?

 

[Zrexxer]

Is there a true amUHreekan roto head offering?

Since you asked, yes, there sure as hell is... the one that all the asian toolmakers blatantly copied...

 

[panknuckshovel]

Excellent tech Senator McCarthy but I have it on good authority (don't ask where, it matters not) that you've been practicing witchcraft so we shall be burning you at the stake.

Is there a true amUHreekan roto head offering?

SK NOS #43875 is still available all over the web. They also have a new one coming out.

 

[cheechi]

Having owned GW, HF, and Kobalt, and using the Husky a few times, I can tell you that I'm not really impressed with any of these. The HF ones have a quick release which is nice, but that is the only difference. The button (it's just a steel ball) gets pretty stiff. Unlike the rest that have a screw at the center to take it apart, I can't really lube this one to see how good it could be. Best I could do is roll the ball around with some 3-in-1 and that seemed to bring up some black **** but didn't do a whole lot of good on its own.

The GW and Husky ones are basically identical. The Kobalt one I have is several years old, it's the most sturdy of all of them and really the least problematic of them but still isn't really great. The main issue that I have with all of them is the selector doesn't like to stay selected, sometimes even in mid swing.

Having owned one for such a long time, it's a ratchet type that my brain says is necessary. I have struggled with them from time to time because they really are the best for a few tricky spots. That being said, not sure I would say it's worth the SO price. Maybe one of the brands better than GW but not a truck brand, but I just don't see the value in the SO one.

 

[Ign]

Exactly. I'm not a pro mechanic and this is just an occasional use, get me out of a bind type of deal. No way I can pay Snap-On (although kudos to GJ for making this what is essentially a HF vs Snappy thread yet again), and the only SK's I found in a brief search were $80 at AAP (so factor in codes for a decent discount) -- and I'm sure they're out there cheaper if I searched harder.

And if my Tekton fails ("it won't work when you need it" cry the anti-Communists) somehow I'm sure I can find another way to access that elusive fastener, be it flex, indexing, extensions or deeps. For me this is more a tool of convenience than necessity, and I've somehow survived all this time without one; if I find I LOVE the concept in practice perhaps I'll eventually invest in better.

 

[pettybird]

the SO FHNF100 3/8" is amazing. As for 'worth the price' I get it since it's like $150-160 off the truck. I think I paid $109-119 on a sale. That said unless I'm doing something that requires a shorter lever for clearance I grab this one every time. I can knock the directional wheel into reverse if I'm choked up on it but it hasn't skipped yet.

The 1/4 (I wrote about this in another thread) is a hit-and-miss affair...both my and my coworker's were unable to be fixed so that they didn't skip. We both got new ones from the truck and they have both been perfect.

 

[pettybird]

I wouldn't call this a SO vs HF thread, either...another coworker has the Matcos and I bought the 1/4 GW for my travel box. I think that if more people knew about how cool the design is they'd use them a lot more. They're what you'd think a flex head ratchet SHOULD have been, and the ability to turn it into a nutdriver in an instant is way cool for running down longer bolts.

 

[monomach]

HF has the swivel head #96782. There are some posts here that state it has been discontinued but who knows. Much like everything at HF COO bounces between China and Taiwan so it is a TOTAL **** shoot.

I have never, ever, ever, ever seen a Chinese roto ratchet at HF. I'm 99.9999% sure no one has.

And it's a lot better than the Gearwrench, imo. I returned the Gearwrench rotos I had after a week.

 

[cbracer]

I ordered and returned the Texton one. Found the ratcheting gear to be too hard / loud.

 

[Ign]

I ordered and returned the Texton one. Found the ratcheting gear to be too hard / loud.

Arrived today & that was my conclusion as well. I figured it was from a GJ member. It's going back, I hope they don't put it in warehouse deals again. I've got the Tekton 3/8" coming (new) from another seller, will see if it's got a ton of back drag as well.

 

[stage20]

I wouldn't call this a SO vs HF thread, either...another coworker has the Matcos and I bought the 1/4 GW for my travel box. I think that if more people knew about how cool the design is they'd use them a lot more. They're what you'd think a flex head ratchet SHOULD have been, and the ability to turn it into a nutdriver in an instant is way cool for running down longer bolts.

I use my flex like a nutdriver to run down bolts as well. I still avent bit on a roto. If I do it will be the cornwells. Higher than the rest but they are 100 tooth and very smooth.

 

[pettybird]

the 3/8 SO is 100 tooth...I think Cornwell is the only truck brand to have a 1/2 as well.

You really will like the concept no matter how much you pay.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

the 3/8 SO is 100 tooth...I think Cornwell is the only truck brand to have a 1/2 as well.

The Cornwell, MAC and Carlyle ratchets are all from the same Taiwan manufacturer.

1/4" Drive Roto Ratchet - Carlyle CHTR14S100, Cornwell CTGTSHHR, MAC MR100SPA (100 tooth)

3/8" Drive Roto Ratchet - Carlyle CHTR38S100, Cornwell CTGJSHHR, MAC XR100SPA (100 tooth)

1/2" Drive Roto Ratchet - Carlyle CHTR12S100, Cornwell CTGSSHHR, MAC VR100SPA (100 tooth)

 

[pettybird]

ha forgot to check the truck tool compatibility thread...

 

[stage20]

My hf had them on clearance for 9 bucks and have been out forever. Got a big shipment in and hey are back at reg price. 17 or 19.99