I hate gearwrench

[IndyGarage]

I may be the only one.

I know there are some here who swear by them.

I bought a set of 6 (edit: correction - the set has 12 wrenches in it) long handle x-beam metric Gearwrenches about 7-8 months ago.

They have a beautiful chrome finish. They feel great in your hand. Actually they feel great to use.

If the #$%@#@$! things only worked.

The very first time I went to use the set, the very first tool I pull out to use - 12mm stopped ratcheting and would just freewheel. Of course 90% of the bolts on that project were 12mm...

The other ones I pulled out worked fine, but it took me 30 minutes of messing with the 12 mm to get it working again. I sprayed it with WD 40 and worked it in and it finally started working.

Because of that crappy experience (I hate fixing tools) I put them on the top shelf and mostly forgot about them. Today I pulled them out again - I've used them maybe 2 other times since.

Darned if I didn't have another bad experience.

I'm working on the floor of the garage trying to get a rusty 9mm bracket loose from my daughters car exhaust - socket on one side, gearwrench on the other - when the stupid gearwrench all the sudden freewheels again. I few choice words were said. I pull it off to see what's up, and instantly recognize that the whole inside drive mechanism as popped out of the wrench. I throw that sucker down and walk back to get a real 9 mm box wrench - steaming with every step.

After finishing the job, and cleaning up, I have to take out the trash and I'm trying to decide whether to drop the gearwrenches into the trash bin, when I decide to look at the wrench and see if it broke or what. When I look at it, I don't think it broke, just came apart. Theres the little "socket" ring, and a tiny little ratchet dog, and a miniscule little coil spring, and then I see this tiny little snap ring, that looks about the diameter of a hair.

I have to go get my magnifying glass and halogen desk lamp to even see how it works. The little spring holds the drive dog into a spline on the outside of the "socket". It drives one direction and ratchets the other. The problem is these parts are tiny - wer'e talking watch spring tiny. It takes me about 30 more minutes of finagling to get the dog and spiring into place then push the dog down while installing the splined socket and then holding it together and wrapping that tiny little snap ring around, without losing it.. Eventually I got it all the way around the socket and it snapped into place. The wrench worked fine after that.

So on two of the half dozen or so times I've used my gearwrenches resulted in 30 minutes or so of repairs to the tools themselves.

I'll give them one more shot, however 3 strikes and they are out of my life.

Does anybody know if other toolmakers make a higher quality version of these tools?

 

[98TJ]

Were you applying too much force/pressure?

I use 6 point wrenches and sockets on rusted/seized bolts and nuts.

The torque and force required there isn't something where I'd select a 12 point ratcheting wrench to break things free.

Heck, I don't even use 12 point sockets to break things like that loose.

 

[archirelic]

Perhaps they're duds. Seek a warranty replacement. The gearwrenches I have, have been absolutely flawless in the tasks I've put them through.

 

[IndyGarage]

Were you applying too much force/pressure?

I use 6 point wrenches and sockets on rusted/seized bolts and nuts.

The torque and force required there isn't something where I'd select a 12 point ratcheting wrench to break things free.

Heck, I don't even use 12 point sockets to break things like that loose.

I wasn't using that much force. Yeah it was a rusty bolt, but not something I would hesitate to use any other tool on. It didn't break my SK socket.

 

[IndyGarage]

Perhaps they're duds. Seek a warranty replacement. The gearwrenches I have, have been absolutely flawless in the tasks I've put them through.

I'm not going to waste my time seeking a warranty - my warranty will be another brand of tool.

 

[dj00140]

any pics of the inside of one of those?

 

[J.A.F.E.]

I'm not a fan either. I think the square drive broaching on the sockets is sloppy as is the broaching on the business end. The wrenches are no better. If I'm going to buy Chinese or Taiwan tools I'll buy them at Harbor Freight.

 

[fivespdcat]

I've got the Craftsman versions (made in USA) and they're actually really nice!

 

[sargentl]

I'm not going to waste my time seeking a warranty - my warranty will be another brand of tool.

I don't ever understand this mentality. Warrantying a tool costs nothing and isn't out of the way if you do it when you also plan to buy something. You can simply get a warranty and then either attempt to use them again or sell the tools you're dissatisfied with and not just throw money away.

 

[Danglerb]

So which brand, that likely has the ratchet mechanism made same place as GearWrench, do you plan to switch to?

 

[IndyGarage]

I don't ever understand this mentality. Warrantying a tool costs nothing and isn't out of the way if you do it when you also plan to buy something. You can simply get a warranty and then either attempt to use them again or sell the tools you're dissatisfied with and not just throw money away.

Time is money. These tools have already wasted 1 hour of my time.

If I take it to warranty, that's another 30 minutes or so, and I'll just have another crappy tool.

If another one breaks, I'll either throw them in the dumpster, or use them for permanent welded on wrenches on one of my machine tools.

 

[Skin]

I'm not a fan either. I think the square drive broaching on the sockets is sloppy as is the broaching on the business end. The wrenches are no better. If I'm going to buy Chinese or Taiwan tools I'll buy them at Harbor Freight.

any proof to back this up or are you just adding fuel to this fire? Cosmetically speaking GW makes arguably some of the nicest sockets available.

Time is money. These tools have already wasted 1 hour of my time.

If I take it to warranty, that's another 30 minutes or so, and I'll just have another crappy tool.

If another one breaks, I'll either throw them in the dumpster, or use them for permanent welded on wrenches on one of my machine tools.

That was your choice to attempt to repair something. Nobody told you to do that. A phone call or a trip to sears would of got your replacement. They're good tools, i have a few sets and have never seen one come apart. In my view you were simply looking for a reason to have a grudge and found it.

9mm ratcheting wrench + rusted bolt = wrong tool for the job. You can blame yourself for that one.

 

[98TJ]

I wasn't using that much force. Yeah it was a rusty bolt, but not something I would hesitate to use any other tool on. It didn't break my SK socket.

That SK doesn't have moving parts, either.

 

[ZRX61]

Perhaps they're duds. Seek a warranty replacement. The gearwrenches I have, have been absolutely flawless in the tasks I've put them through.

LMFAO! Good luck with that!
I have a bunch of GW stuff & I've only had one warranty issue (1/4 drive ratchet). Because of the fiasco of dealing with the idiots at Fastenal for MONTHS trying to get it replaced I stopped buying GW. Haven't bought ANYTHING of theirs since & will NEVER buy another tool from them.

 

[mossyboy6]

Were you the guy that claims he doesn't warranty any tools because it takes too much time and you would just buy a new one?

Sounds to me like you abused a tool.

LMFAO! Good luck with that!
I have a bunch of GW stuff & I've only had one warranty issue (1/4 drive ratchet). Because of the fiasco of dealing with the idiots at Fastenal for MONTHS trying to get it replaced I stopped buying GW. Haven't bought ANYTHING of theirs since & will NEVER buy another tool from them.

Don't blame the tool company for a crappy middle man.

 

[Skin]

LMFAO! Good luck with that!
I have a bunch of GW stuff & I've only had one warranty issue (1/4 drive ratchet). Because of the fiasco of dealing with the idiots at Fastenal for MONTHS trying to get it replaced I stopped buying GW. Haven't bought ANYTHING of theirs since & will NEVER buy another tool from them.

That was their old policy, they will send replacements from a phone call and offer replacements at retail stores that carry their products now [Sears].

 

[njride]

You really shouldn't be using ratcheting wrenches to break bolts free, especially rusty exhaust bolts. I use them after the bolt is broke loose and no problems. I've had my supremely ****** craftsman raised panel ratcheting wrenches for a long time and use them alot and haven't broken one yet. Eventually I'll upgrade to a nicer set with finer teeth. I'd also like to know what the highest quality set avalaible is though, and I don't mean the nicest chroming.

 

[IndyGarage]

If turning a rusty nut with a wrench is abusing a tool, then that tool is not strong enough for me, I do it all the time.

And, BTW I haven't been in a Sears store in awhile. It's connected to the mall, and I avoid that place at all costs.

 

[greasemonkey44]

***** doesnt it?
sometimes the teeth will pop or strip
or the button will pop off
or they start auto reversing when you are trying to work
but i cant do without them; i use my reversible gear wrenches alot....heavily daily
and i havent broken one in a long time; it sounds like you got a bad batch
technically you shouldnt break a bolt free with a ratcheting wrench; but you also shouldnt do it with a ratchet; you should use a breaker bar......but who in thier right mind pisses away that much time?
you got a bad batch man; id toss them and get a new set
craftsman had a reversible ratcheting one made in usa for 50$; im sure there are still some floating around

 

[Skin]

If turning a rusty nut with a wrench is abusing a tool, then that tool is not strong enough for me, I do it all the time.

Not just a wrench, ratcheting box end. You saw how tiny the components are so if you can make a better one do it. Until then breaking heavily corroded fasteners loose with small ratcheting box end wrenches is indeed abuse.

 

[IndyGarage]

Not just a wrench, ratcheting box end. You saw how tiny the components are so if you can make a better one do it. Until then breaking heavily corroded fasteners loose with small ratcheting box end wrenches is indeed abuse.

Sorry, a tool is a tool. If it can't turn a nut, it's a toy.

If I have to guess whether the tool can stand the torque every time I use it, then it's useless to me. I'm not very good at guessing.

By your reasoning you are reinforcing that they are junk.

Furthermore, I didn't break it. It fell apart. Which to me indicates a design flaw, not a strength issue.

And this was the second problem, I was definitely not "abusing" the tool when the tool didn't work right out of the box.

Actually I figured out what was likely wrong with the first one. The 9mm that fell apart was full of nasty black grease , and I'm betting the glob of grease was able to overcome the spring in the first one I had problems with.

 

[blarf]

Sorry, a tool is a tool. If it can't turn a nut, it's a toy.

So if you put a 1/2" to 1/4" adapter on your 1/4" ratchet and broke that while trying to break the bolt loose, that 1/4" ratchet would be a toy? Ok.

 

[WHT]

You really shouldn't be using ratcheting wrenches to break bolts free, especially rusty exhaust bolts. I use them after the bolt is broke loose and no problems. I've had my supremely ****** craftsman raised panel ratcheting wrenches for a long time and use them alot and haven't broken one yet. Eventually I'll upgrade to a nicer set with finer teeth. I'd also like to know what the highest quality set avalaible is though, and I don't mean the nicest chroming.

Armstrong ratcheting wrenches are manufactured to higher specifications than GW. They are made in the USA and are stamped such. The sets I use have a conventional box at one end and a ratcheting box at the other. You break a bolt/nut free with one end and then flip the wrench to remove the fastener.

 

[philw]

Are they Chinese or Taiwanese? They had some quality issues when they moved production to China.

I use a 10mm to break things free all the time. If I feel that the fastener is tight enough where I have to actually use some muscle then I switch to the open end and if that doesn't work then I grab a standard box end wrench. Never had a problem.

 

[countryroad82]

I have several sets of Gearwrenches and have used them for years. My only problem that I have had is sometimes the smaller sizes (12mm and below or 7/16 and below) will lock up tighter than a wedge and it takes a quick rap on the floor to 'fix' them. I have only had to replace a couple of them due to this little issue, but I have a local auto parts store that deals them and I haven't had any issues warrantying them. I will admit to using them to break really rusty bolts loose such as bumper bolts where I can't get my impact. Sounds like you got a bad batch because I swear by them myself and absolutely love the X-beam style because of the force I can put on those babies!!!

 

[Fedwrench]

Armstrong ratcheting wrenches are manufactured to higher specifications than GW. They are made in the USA and are stamped such. The sets I use have a conventional box at one end and a ratcheting box at the other. You break a bolt/nut free with one end and then flip the wrench to remove the fastener.

My favorite type of ratcheting wrench with MATCO stamped on it. Now if they only made a standard length flexhead version.

Where did you buy these defective Gearwrenchs?

The reason why I ask is that, I feel there is a quality difference between the sets you see greatly reduced at Sears and the sets sold by real tool dealers like Tooltopia. All tools will fail at times. As others have pointed out, production location affects quality too. I have most of Gearwrench's line and haven't had any real issues using or abusing them for that matter. I think you got a bad lot. Sorry for you problems but, you really need to let Gearwrench know about your unhappiness.

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

I have a few sets of Gearwrenches (flex head non-reversible & stubby). I have had some of them lock up under heavy load but I've never had one lock up to the point that it couldn't be freed and made usable again.

The only time I've ever seen one come apart was when my Father borrowed my 15/16" flex head and proceeded to use the ratcheting end to backup an impact wrench...

I also have a set of the USA made Armstrong ratcheting wrenches and a few Matco Proswing wrenches, I've never had any issues with either, might be a better quality replacement if you continue to have issues.

 

[kythri]

Armstrong ratcheting wrenches are manufactured to higher specifications than GW.

Are those two sets of specifications actually posted anywhere for review, or is this just assumption because they're made in the USA?

Not calling you out, I'd just like to see the specifications, and see exactly what's different.

 

[kythri]

Also, if ANYONE is truly so fed-up with their GearWrenches that they're seriously going to bin them instead of seeking warranty repair, PM me with your shipping address and the weight of the wrenches. I'll send you a shipping label and $10 that you can spend on your replacements.

It's a better deal than simply throwing them away.

 

[FergusonTO35]

When I was a tech alot of my coworkers had the Matco ratchet wrenches. They used them pretty hard and I don't remember any problems with them. A few guys had no regular combo wrneches at all, just the Matco ratchet wrenches.

 

[DRhodes]

I have had great luck with Gearwrench. I use the tool as intended though and not on rusty fastners. If its rusty I will grab the 6 point wrenches and break them free and then throw the gearwrench on.
I have broke a few in the last couple of years and I simply called Gearwrench and they sent me a new wrench in the mail.
Its tough for me to say that I like them considering Country of Origin but they were the best priced option as the Snap On USA made wrenches are EXPENSIVE.

I personally would call Gearwrench and give them the opportunity to make it right.

 

[DodgeZ]

I'll give you 10 bucks for them. Since you don't like them and all.

 

[Griff93]

Armstrong ratcheting wrenches are manufactured to higher specifications than GW. They are made in the USA and are stamped such. The sets I use have a conventional box at one end and a ratcheting box at the other. You break a bolt/nut free with one end and then flip the wrench to remove the fastener.

I have a few of these and like them better than the gear wrenches I have. I will buy some more. So far the armstrong ratcheting wrenches have been trouble free and I used the 10 and 13 double box daily. I've had problems with the chrome peeling off one of my gear wrench sets. Some of the open ends which I've never even used have done this. It just curls up and sticks in my hands. This is very annoying and while they have warranted them out it still makes me not want to buy anymore. I've also had problems with them locking up under just turning the nut off stuff.

 

[TWX]

I never break loose a tightly-fastened bolt or nut with a ratcheting box wrench. I don't trust the mechanisms to stand up to it. I break the fastener loose with either a regular box or else with a ratcheting tool with a much more solid mechanism, like a conventional ratchet.

I do like my ratcheting combination wrenches, but I like them for when I have to move a fastener a lot after it's broke loose.

 

[woody 73]

Whenever I need to work on any rusted nuts & bolts I grab the old school heavy duty wrenches, now don't get me wrong I like my gearwrench but if i can break a bolt first with the old school wrench ; I then grab the gearwrench and finish the job.

Like I have said in the past it is your money and your time is very valuable, but instead of throwing them away why not give them to a kid in your area that is just starting out and could use some tools.

woody

 

[IndyGarage]

Whenever I need to work on any rusted nuts & bolts I grab the old school heavy duty wrenches, now don't get me wrong I like my gearwrench but if i can break a bolt first with the old school wrench ; I then grab the gearwrench and finish the job.

Like I have said in the past it is your money and your time is very valuable, but instead of throwing them away why not give them to a kid in your area that is just starting out and could use some tools.

woody

There's a good idea - I'm not going to waste time mailing them to somebody, or figuring out who to call and calling them, but I would hand them over to a kid who likes to work on things.

To the person who asked where I got them. Menards I think. I was there and they had these on sale for a pretty good price and I thought I would try them. I didn't think they were seconds or anything like that.


Sounds like a few have had some challenges with Gearwrench but most really like them - which I really thought I would have too. As I said, I got the one that fell apart working again. I'll give the set one more try. Perhaps they'll all work flawlessly now for years to come and I'll be a fan. However any more problems and I'm getting rid of them.

These are not the ones with the reversing lever. I would have rather bought them, but I couldn't find those in the X beam type. I'll take a look at the Wrights.

 

[Jim85IROC]

I abuse my gear wrenches regularly. Even though I know I shouldn't, sometimes I find myself breaking stubborn bolts free with them. That said, I've only had 1 ever "free-wheel" on me, and I got it replaced at Sears. The rest of them put up with far more abuse than they have a right to.

 

[BQuicksilver]

Were you the guy that claims he doesn't warranty any tools because it takes too much time and you would just buy a new one?

Sounds to me like you abused a tool.

He doesn't have the time to make a warranty call but has plenty of free hours to complain about said tool on the internet.

I've abused mine breaking bolts free as well, so I understand not wanting 2 wrenches for the same bolt...but if mine let go I'd accept that I should have expected it. Luckily mine have never once freewheeled.

It's a bit like throwing a bar over a ratchet. We've probably all done it a few times, but we can't really complain when it breaks the tool.

 

[Caleb T]

I don't personally own gearwrench racheting wrenches, but my brother does, and I have used them many times with my lab partners at school. They seem to have worked well when I have used them. I personally have a set of Huskys, and they have served me well for over a year of constant use. I would try to warranty it on your next trip out before giving up on it. Just MHO

 

[csmitty]

I broke things loose with my standard GW set for years and only recently a few stopped working, took the whole set to HD and swapped them all out. However the new ones didnt seem as good as the old. Such as with most tools these days. Gonna take better care of the stubbies I have.