GearWrench Screwdrivers

[eschoendorff]

I couldn't wait for Advance Auto to come to town.

These screwdrivers are sweet!! They're a Tri-Lobe design, but they're a mild Tri-Lobe; meaning, they're almost round; which makes them easy to spin in your finger tips fast! They're very sticky, giving you excellent grip, and they're VERY comfortable.

They look like reverse-engineered Wittes....

 

[Merkava_4]

They look like reverse-engineered Wittes....

I've got two Cornwell Wittes and the shanks look dang near identical.

 

[autoace]

I couldn't wait for Advance Auto to come to town.

These screwdrivers are sweet!! They're a Tri-Lobe design, but they're a mild Tri-Lobe; meaning, they're almost round; which makes them easy to spin in your finger tips fast! They're very sticky, giving you excellent grip, and they're VERY comfortable.

I can't believe you did that, your old posts are turning in their grave.

 

[Stuey]

Looks pretty good!

I'm liking how many of the newer GW products come with pretty durable trays.

 

[Fedwrench]

At least Merkava won't have to worry about getting any part of his body stuck in the handle hole since there aren't any on the Gearwrench Screwdrivers Nice photos!!!
They're not bad screwdrivers but as I posted earlier, the Gearwrench markings disappear quickly when exposed to chemicals and the blades are a little lightweight. Your results may vary. I still can't believe the diehard Snap on Merkava has been won over by Gearwrench.

 

[Stuey]

I still can't believe the diehard Snap on Merkava has been won over by Gearwrench.

Products from the two brands are not mutually exclusive.

Many people like the NY Giants, many people like the NY Jets. I hate them both. =)

 

[chrisexv6]

Products from the two brands are not mutually exclusive.

Many people like the NY Giants, many people like the NY Jets. I hate them both. =)

Thats it!! I refuse to look at any more of your deals threads.

Well, maybe I can get over it.

GO GMEN!!!

-Chris

 

[autoace]

How about a future thead; about how they hold up. Alot of guys that use them say they are weak. Since I sold my SO hard handles, I'm looking for new screwdrivers. I'm looking for some USA ones I like, But Witte may win out.

 

[Fedwrench]

I'm looking for new screwdrivers. I'm looking for some USA ones I like, But Witte may win out.

Unfortunately, there isn't really a US made screwdriver that I like today. The Wittes are outstanding as are Wiha and Wera brands. I have pried, pounded, scraped, and done other things one shouldn't do with a screwdriver without any real damage to the screwdrivers. I would recommend picking up a #2 phillips and something close to 1/4 inch blade like 6.5mm from Wiha, Wera, or Witte and testing them out. Your investment will be low compared with some brands and you won't be disappointed. The Felos are nice too if you can get past the squishy soft grip. I like the Wiha softfinish heavy duty models. They have hex shaped blades for easy fingertip spinning and you can use a wrench for added torque. Your results may vary.

 

[autoace]

Unfortunately, there isn't really a US made screwdriver that I like today. The Wittes are outstanding as are Wiha and Wera brands. I have pried, pounded, scraped, and done other things one shouldn't do with a screwdriver without any real damage to the screwdrivers. I would recommend picking up a #2 phillips and something close to 1/4 inch blade like 6.5mm from Wiha, Wera, or Witte and testing them out. Your investment will be low compared with some brands and you won't be disappointed. The Felos are nice too if you can get past the squishy soft grip. I like the Wiha softfinish heavy duty models. They have hex shaped blades for easy fingertip spinning and you can use a wrench for added torque. Your results may vary.

Cornwell sells Witte, I don't like the "sandpaper" like stuff on the grips, but besides that, they look great. I like traditional hard handles, if SO didn't stop making them, I probably would have kept them. They were well worn anyhow, and SO doesn't have them for replacement so... CM ones are weak, I don't particularly like SK stuff. Thanks for the input.

 

[Merkava_4]

Cornwell sells Witte, I don't like the "sandpaper" like stuff on the grips, but besides that, they look great.

You can get the Wittes through Matco without the "sandpaper" and without the hole.

 

[wrenchr]

You can get the Wittes through Matco without the "sandpaper" and without the hole.

You can get the Wittes through Matco without the "sandpaper" and witte out the hole.

Fixed now

 

[Fedwrench]

You can get the Wittes through Matco without the "sandpaper" and without the hole.

Only until the driver's stock is depleted. Matco isn't selling those screwdrivers anymore. They replaced the non flocking material Wittes with a Taiwan made Matco branded screwdriver set. Unfortunately, those lower priced Matco Wittes prices have gone up on Ebay.

 

[Merkava_4]

They replaced the non flocking material Wittes with a Taiwan made Matco branded screwdriver set.

Are these them?

 

[autoace]

Matco won't be able to warranty those then. I don't want to buy Witte, and get a Taiwan tool if replacement is needed. Like MAC, and some Cornwell, Matco won't quit until all their stuff is just a import re-label it seems.

Who knows, the way things are going, I won't have a choice but to buy Gearwrench. I'm not going to pay a truck tool price for re-labeled Gearwrench, at that point, I'll have to jump on the Merk wagon and dream about what truck tools USED to be.

 

[Fedwrench]

Are these them?

Those would be them. I think they're a poor substitute for the Wittes they replaced but, that's just me. I missed out on getting some neon green Wittes before I realized they wren't going to sell them any more. Oh well, maybe I'll stumble into some another day.

 

[Merkava_4]

$127.30
http://matcotools.com/Catalog/toolcatalog.jsp?cattype=T&cat=2533&page=3

$40.43

http://www.roctools.com/product_info.php?cPath=667&products_id=3136

$52.28

http://store.eldoradotoolsales.com/kd-80051.html

 

[Fedwrench]

Notice in your pictures of the Gearwrench and the new less expensive Matco set, how similiar the blades are. Usually the hex bolster is alot larger than the blade but on both brands, the hex bolster is only slightly larger. It could just be me though.

 

[64merc]

Those would be them. I think they're a poor substitute for the Wittes they replaced but, that's just me. I missed out on getting some neon green Wittes before I realized they wren't going to sell them any more. Oh well, maybe I'll stumble into some another day.

I sold a new set not to long ago in the classifieds section. You should have bought them.

Hey, where did you hear that they weren't going to sell the rebadged Wittes anymore? They are still on their website.

I ran into a set of those made in Taiwan Matco screwdrivers the other day at a pawn shop. They seemed to be pretty good quality, and IIRC I would say the shanks/tips felt and looked very similar to GW. I should have bought them since they were only about $30 but I didn't. I didn't really like the feel of the handles, plus they would be a little difficult to warranty.

 

[Fedwrench]

Hey, where did you here that they weren't going to sell the rebadged Wittes anymore? They are still on their website.

I couldn't find any on ebay or on Matco's website to link. I'm not talking about the current Top Torque II screwdrivers (the ones with the trilobal handles with the flocking material and a hole in the handle).Those are still available. The model I'm talking about was available in orange, green and maroon. They had solid trilobal hard handles without the bolster hole or flocking material or soft material. They had the same blades as the current models, just different handles. Anyway, the dealers in my area ran out and can't get them anymore.

 

[Merkava_4]

Anyway, the dealers in my area ran out and can't get them anymore.

The question is ... does Witte still make them?

 

[Fedwrench]

I don't think they do. I can't find them on Chad's toolbox or anglo american's sites.

 

[64merc]

I couldn't find any on ebay or on Matco's website to link. I'm not talking about the current Top Torque II screwdrivers (the ones with the trilobal handles with the flocking material and a hole in the handle).Those are still available. The model I'm talking about was available in orange, green and maroon. They had solid trilobal hard handles without the bolster hole or flocking material or soft material. They had the same blades as the current models, just different handles. Anyway, the dealers in my area ran out and can't get them anymore.

Oh, sorry, I was thinking of the Top Torque II screwdrivers. I see now why you are unhappy about the newer Taiwan made screwdrivers.

 

[Merkava_4]

Comparing GearWrench to Witte:

I was playing around with the GearWrench screwdrivers tonight and immediately discovered that they're magnetic!! Yeah....when you hold the tip over a screw, it'll pick it right up - freaking cool!!

And I was comparing them to a couple of Witts I have. The blades on the Wittes are excellent and the overall balance is superb, but the handles aren't all that great. In comparison to the GearWrench handles, the Wittes ****! The main problem I have with Witte handle is the large elongated hole through the handle; I HATE IT!!

The handle on the GearWrench screwdriver feels like a well fitting vajayjay - ooooh soooo good.

 

[Fedwrench]

If a Gearwrench screwdriver handle reminds you of any part of a woman's anatomy, you're either hanging out with the wrong women or lack experience with the female form.
You must suffering from breathing your tool polish fumes if you honestly believe the Gearwrench screwdriver is superior to a Witte. My how your opinions of Chinese made tools have changed.

 

[krusty the clown]

My how your opinions of Chinese made tools have changed.

and all it took was a couple of free pliers

 

[Merkava_4]

You must suffering from breathing your tool polish fumes if you honestly believe the Gearwrench screwdriver is superior to a Witte.

I never said the GearWrench was superior to the Witte, but it's an excellent screwdriver and WAY more comfortable.

and all it took was a couple of free pliers

They sent me free pliers alright, but those pliers are sweet!!

 

[autoace]

Maybe they will send him a mail order bride next. Then we won't here about tools feeling like a woman.LOL I always did wonder why all the cheaper screwdrivers were magnetic, but the top line ones never were.

 

[Merkava_4]

I always did wonder why all the cheaper screwdrivers were magnetic, but the top line ones never were.

My Snap-on, Cornwell, and MAC wrenches are all magnetic too.

 

[tbgallant]

Ok, so these GW drivers sound great but I just can't get over the 'soft handle'. I work on junk .. so it is rusty, greasy, and just all around dirty. My hands/work gloves/face/etc get greasy.

All of these soft handle screwdrivers get gunky/dirty and never really come clean. So I want hard handle.

Does ANYBODY make good screwdrivers in the GearWrench price point (and quality?) with hard handles?

SK was mentioned, but does anybody have them?

Thanks guys

Tim

 

[Jononon]

Are Wiha Classics available on your side of the pond ? They're traditional hard handles, and a 5 piece Philips and Slotted set is ~$40 (at today's (painful) exchange rate.)

I favour Wiha MicroFinish, but it seems as though the Classics would suit people who liked the old Snap-on design

 

[eschoendorff]

I wouldn't want to be working near vehicle electronics with a magnetic screwdriver....

 

[Merkava_4]

Does ANYBODY make good screwdrivers in the GearWrench price point (and quality?) with hard handles?

They are hard handles....they just have a thin film of rubber type material for grip - and boy are they grippy.

 

[helgrind]

...got a gearwrench driver (stubby ratcheting handle) that came with a set of wrenches. mechanism feels great, i've only used it lightly at work for a few things... kind of like a spare? I'd like to get the t handle but can't justify spending for ANOTHER screwdriver set... i've got a million as it is. anybody care to trade? the things in great condition!

 

[Stuey]

...got a gearwrench driver (stubby ratcheting handle) that came with a set of wrenches. mechanism feels great, i've only used it lightly at work for a few things... kind of like a spare? I'd like to get the t handle but can't justify spending for ANOTHER screwdriver set... i've got a million as it is. anybody care to trade? the things in great condition!

You can buy the t handle part online via Sears.com. Occasionally, when they have 50% off ratcheting wrench sales, the driver kit that includes the t handle drops to ~$17.50. I keep putting that off. Sooner or later, I'm going to have to get a set to see what the commotion is about!