Gearwrench Updates Itself

[SuitorsGarage]

This was in a link in the first post.

 

[kythri]

Well, derp. I saw the links about the ratchets, but somehow completely overlooked that one. Thank you!

 

[zktk01]

I thought the website was hacked when I first saw the sponsor on the left.

http://www.brakeandfrontend.com/gearwrench-introduces-new-brand-identity-expanded-line-of-tools/

 

[Fedwrench]

It's not just different colors, they've redesigned the screwdriver handle too. Possibly less rubber and more hard plastic. The blade is different too.

 

[cheechi]

They aren't exactly SK, but there aren't any issues with the finish of any GW tool I've ever bought.

I am kind of thinking the length of the 1/4 might outweigh the lack of QR button. Haven't fully decided.

 

[WittHay]

Not liking the new colors.. looks like something cheap they'd sell at Costco.

For me the new colors look okay, remind me of construction yellow/orange equipment. Looks tougher than yellow and black.

Yellow/black to me means DeWalt/Stanley Fatmax construction tools or cheap imported stuff like Titan

 

[turnthewrench]

Yellow/black to me means DeWalt/Stanley Fatmax construction tools or cheap imported stuff like Titan

Yellow and black is a CAT!... I still remember those years when I worked at the dealership. So many cool tools.

 

[PureLeaf]

New colour scheme looks like they're ripping off Beta tools.

Hope the new change doesnt also mean a shift to even more China production. Used to be alot of Taiwan and seems to shift more and more to China.

 

[zktk01]

I would tend to think they would be trying to produce better quality tools, since they have put most of their eggs in that "Gearwrench" basket with the closing of Armstrong, and Allen.

I like the new color scheme.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I would tend to think they would be trying to produce better quality tools, since they have put most of their eggs in that "Gearwrench" basket with the closing of Armstrong, and Allen.

We can only hope.

Over the years, Gearwrench/Apex definitely has gone all over the place in terms of quality and COO with no real rhyme or reason. High quality Taiwan made tools sold at the same time as Chinese sets with the same part number (ratcheting wrenches, torx socket sets), bringing in USA made Armstrong/Matco relabels and then quickly dropping them (torque wrenches, pinless impact sockets), and offering import versions of high quality USA tools (fine tooth mechanism and locking flex design from Armstrong/Matco, and Apex now selling a Chinese pinless impact adapter under the Husky brand).

Definitely seems like they've been going after the Sears/box store crowd at the same time as the tool truck crowd over the years, not sticking with either plan long enough to dig their heels in. Hopefully this will streamline where they want to be in the market.

I'm already not a fan of the new color scheme/logo though.

 

[Ign]

Oh thank god - based upon the title I thought GW had achieved AI and was going the way of SkyNet.

 

[SRSemenza]

New GW 1/4" Dr. XXL ratchet. 9" long.


Seth

 

[c39er]

A friend warrantied three this past week at the local Advance Auto. I know there is one in Seattle. Do they stock Gearwrench at that one?

out...
A little late but I will check out Advance Auto parts... Thanks!

 

[c39er]

Why not just call Gearwrench? If you have to send it back that's easy enough to do.

I did call GW... they told me where to go..they (she) said to try sears.. if not Fastenal..
The easy good ole days of warranty replacements is gone.

 

[6PTsocket]

I just purchased the Gearwrench 84 piece Torx and hex set. I am Very satisfied, so far. It is a pretty comprehensive offering in a blow molded case. It is not for everyone but I like to have it organized like this when I go on the road. From my perspective, the only thing it is missing are SAE long hex ball sockets. It has the Metric ball hex and Torx in long. If all you work on are cars then you wont miss them.

I give it two thumbs up........So far. I have some other Gearwrench tools but never broke anything. Therefore I can't comment on how they handle warrantees. Personally, I would just call them and go from there. Box stores don't want to deal with it unless it is their house brand.

And even then. HD gave me a bad time with a lifetime guaranteed Husky. "That model is discontinued". "You have to take that up with Husky", etc. They finally caved.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[mudflap]

And even then. HD gave me a bad time with a lifetime guaranteed Husky. "That model is discontinued". "You have to take that up with Husky", etc. They finally caved.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Had the same problem at ACE Hardware last week.. An old paint scraper, i bought there 20yrs ago. they said it was discontinued. I remember it saying "lifetime warranty" on the packaging when i bought it.. And the new ones on the shelf are lfetime warranty... i got my moneys worth out of it..and didnt feel like going to battle over a $7.00 tool..so i let it go...ACE isnt a good place to buy anything..everything the have can be found elsewhere for less...now i have even less..of a reason to step foot in one. But i think that is becoming a common practice...change the part number/ receipts with disappearing ink, etc

 

[Mr_B]

A brand that has change logo/colors is not a good thing .
GW original logo and colors fine even if red a bit over done .
All the energy and effort should be in the tool design and getting best oems they can for prices they happy with .
Would imagine lot of design change will be down to oem's used rather than specific design criteria they wanted implemented .

 

[kythri]

A brand that has change logo/colors is not a good thing .

Hasn't virtually EVERY brand that's been around more than 10-ish years done this?

I fail to see how refreshing in this manner is "not a good thing."

 

[Mr_B]

^ Logo style to some style extent but total color change and logo change so not even recognisable as same brand, no .

 

[kythri]

Considering the majority of the stuff is chrome, I don't think a logo change and offset color change is all that big of a deal. Are we going to say that we can't recognize Snap-on because they have 12 different colored hard handles?

Anyways, has the ugly yellow stuff even shown up in the wild yet? There's really not much in the way of examples on the GW website, and pretty much anything that I can see for sale is still red/black.

 

[Mr_B]

Bit different in terms of offering color choice on items as snapon does verses snapon dropping red .
Seems a complete waste of marketing budget/effort to me and certainly doesn't look more pro for the style change, quite the opposite ...
Will mess some people ocd with warranty exchange or if planning extend tool range (anything with grips) and got massive differences. Not into gearwrench much myself but I do hate ugly logos/colors lol .