kythri
Well-known member
Stuff breaks. If it's got a warranty, replace it. Done.
I hate gearwrench
- Thread starter IndyGarage
- Start date
toolmaker1
Well-known member
+1 ^^ you got a dud. Take it to any sears, advance auto, ace or damn near any auto parts or hardware store the next time you go and get a new one and move on. Since these wrenches came out years ago they have been used professionally busting loose fasteners and backing up impacts daily. Everybody makes a bad batch occasionally. Life goes on.
OP
IndyGarage
Well-known member
No, I got TWO DUDS - in the same package - which is why I posted it here.
And I haven't used several of the other wrenches in the package at all yet.
And no, I've already been through why I won't bother to take them in for warranty: First, there's nothing to warranty, I got the freewheeling one to work and put the one that fell apart back together; and Second, I don't warranty $10 tools - I don't want another tool that's going to break.
OP
IndyGarage
Well-known member
OK, confirmed - the front of the package, and all their advertising praises how strong they are and how you can "break bolts loose" with the extra leverage.
And on the back of the package, in fine print they say they are not intended to free frozen fasteners.
Why do they say this?
Is this a CYA statement to cover them for warranty? If they really don't want you to use it to loosen bolts then why don't they put this on the front of the package.
How do you know a fastener is frozen before you try to turn it? Of course if a fastener doesn't turn, you get a beefier tool. In my case the fastener wasn't frozen, it turned fairly easily with another wrench.
I don't want a tool I have to baby. Mechanical work is hard. It's dirty. Bolts are rusty. At least some portion of everything I fix is hard to get apart. Sometimes I have to drill on it or hammer on it or cut it apart, and somehow get it back together. That's the challenging, frustrating and rewarding part of what I do.
If they want to sell them to folks assembling brand new components in a clean room that's fine, but I don't think that's their intention, and I don't think that's a very big market. It would be interesting to hear from someone in the company explaining this.
I think there is a difference between breaking loose a bolt that is correctly torqued with some rust and the a "frozen" fastner where the bolt threads and the nut are heavily corroded with a high probability that they have fused into one piece of ****. We all see these types of fastneneres requiring differenet approaches to remove them. I own the gearwrench ratcheting wrenches in flex and rigid types. I have never had a problem with them, I use them to break loose fasteners but not on fasteners I think will be frozen. Mine are the made in China version. On a frozen fastener I prefer an impact socket or if these won't fit I use my Mac 6 point combination wrenches and I will also use heat whenever possible.
The problem with the packaging is the words are trying to address two situations without being specific. The manufacturer would be better identifying the maximum torque that should be applied - which would actually be different for each size wrench. After all the maximum torque for a fastener of a given size and grade is pretty much a known value. It would be very informative if manufacturer's specified this because we could do some more realistic comparisons between manufacturer's Remember of course you can easily make a 1/2in socket to take 1500ftlb of torque it just would have very thick walls.
I think the o/p got a bad batch, frustrating and annoying but it happens.
The problem with the packaging is the words are trying to address two situations without being specific. The manufacturer would be better identifying the maximum torque that should be applied - which would actually be different for each size wrench. After all the maximum torque for a fastener of a given size and grade is pretty much a known value. It would be very informative if manufacturer's specified this because we could do some more realistic comparisons between manufacturer's Remember of course you can easily make a 1/2in socket to take 1500ftlb of torque it just would have very thick walls.
I think the o/p got a bad batch, frustrating and annoying but it happens.
98TJ
Well-known member
[sarcasm]You! With the logic, astute powers of observation, and reading comprehension - get that out of here! This is a rant thread! There's no room for your type of nonsense here. [/sarcasm]
This.
And yet the guy who consistently got flare nut wrenches from Snap-On that were broached off-center posted here and worked with SO to get the problem resolved.
You're spending more time whining about how you're going to throw them out than you would if you'd just mail the damn things back for a replacement. That's what's annoying. Well that and misusing a tool, and then calling it junk as a result.
FWIW, I own exactly two pieces of GearWrench equipment: a stubby 16mm (Made in Taiwan) and a 16mm reversible (PRC). Both work, and both appear to be broached on-center.
OP
IndyGarage
Well-known member
I didn't misuse the tool - can you get that through your thick head? The tool fell apart.
I would have let this thread go long ago, if idiots didn't keep attacking me for reporting that I had two brand new tools from a batch of 12 fail - and keep jumping to conclusions about what I did to make it fail - all completely wrong.
I would have let this thread go long ago, if idiots didn't keep attacking me for reporting that I had two brand new tools from a batch of 12 fail - and keep jumping to conclusions about what I did to make it fail - all completely wrong.
Basskiller
Well-known member
gets popcorn 
True Value has them on sale, grab them cheap while you can!
Thanks, I ordered two sets.
Concise and wise.
ChrisF250
Well-known member
Here you go bass killer
Why use more moving parts than you have to? Should have used a regular combo wrench
Why use more moving parts than you have to? Should have used a regular combo wrench
Thanks, I ordered two sets.
That's great! Saw them on my way to get the Stanley screwdriver 10 piece set for $5.99.
ibedayank
Well-known member
hummm wonder what he will say when his snapon ratchets fail...oh wait they never break right...
mossyboy6
Well-known member
You are the one that told us what you did to make it fail.
IndyGarage said:
From your description it sounds like misuse.
1984Datsun
Well-known member
Oh yes they do. I've witnessed someone break one like a twig. I broke a Craftsman like a twig as well. Both had ~3 ft cheater bars on them when there were broken, and were 1/2" drive.
Never broke or seen someone break a Craftsman or Snap-On through normal no cheater bar use.
WRX/Z28
Well-known member
I think the biggest point here is, I'll use these to break a bolt free, and if one breaks, I won't be here to complain about it, i'll be at sears swapping it. 
rnracerr833
Member
I work at Napa, and since I started this past January, I have replaced atleast 5-10 GearWrenches for customers. And most of them aren't that old when I warranty them either. I personally am not a GearWrench person, just and old fashion wrench will work for me lol.
rnracerr833
Member
I work at Napa, and since this past January, I have replaced atleast 5-10 GearWrenches. And most of them are not that old when I replace them. I personally am not a GearWrench person, I'm more of a regular simple wrench guy myself lol
rnracerr833
Member
Woops posted twice...
kythri
Well-known member
I work at Napa, and since this past January, I have replaced atleast 5-10 GearWrenches. And most of them are not that old when I replace them. I personally am not a GearWrench person, I'm more of a regular simple wrench guy myself lol
Just out of curiosity, what are you gauging their age by?
MrSnicks
Well-known member
ZRX61
Well-known member
I've said this before....
All you people claiming that GW has a warranty: They don't, or at least they don't have one that's any ******** use at all. It took me MONTHS to replace the 1/4in ratchet that crapped out on me because GW use Fastenal to warranty items around here.
Haven't bought any GW since. Absolutely will NOT buy others until they get their warranty issues sorted out & stop using Fuckemal..
All you people claiming that GW has a warranty: They don't, or at least they don't have one that's any ******** use at all. It took me MONTHS to replace the 1/4in ratchet that crapped out on me because GW use Fastenal to warranty items around here.
Haven't bought any GW since. Absolutely will NOT buy others until they get their warranty issues sorted out & stop using Fuckemal..
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kythri
Well-known member
I'm sorry you've had issues, but multiple people have posted that your information is outdated and is an anomaly - I'm one of those people.
You can warranty replace GW at any stocking GW dealer. You can also call GW on the phone and they'll ship you a replacement.
I've had zero issues with any warranty replacement from GW, the 2-3 times I've had to warranty anything. Your mileage obviously has varied, but your experience is by no means the common response from GW, and given the past experience I've had with their telephone support people, I'm shocked that you've such an experience.
Ign
Well-known member
Wow! First, thank you IndyGarage for starting this thread. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who feels that GW quality is poor.
Yep, that's been my complaint with the reversibles for years.
Indy, I understand why you're not seeking warranty. I did warranty several times, but they kept doing the same thing. My Napa got tired of seeing me and told me I should regularly spray the wrenches with lube, which would fix my problem (no). I simply demoted my GW's to my truck bag, which might get used once per year.
Regarding using a reversible wrench beyond its intended use, I've used a cheater on my SK's more times than I should admit. I always understand if it breaks it's my faullt, but they've held up with no failures. I never used a cheater on the GW's - they didn't last long enough for me to come across a situation which might have required more leverage.
Yep, that's been my complaint with the reversibles for years.
Indy, I understand why you're not seeking warranty. I did warranty several times, but they kept doing the same thing. My Napa got tired of seeing me and told me I should regularly spray the wrenches with lube, which would fix my problem (no). I simply demoted my GW's to my truck bag, which might get used once per year.
Regarding using a reversible wrench beyond its intended use, I've used a cheater on my SK's more times than I should admit. I always understand if it breaks it's my faullt, but they've held up with no failures. I never used a cheater on the GW's - they didn't last long enough for me to come across a situation which might have required more leverage.
rnracerr833
Member
Well, I out of all of those I have replaced, 1 was one of the early good Made in Taiwan wrenches. I believe it was an 18mm. But all of the others are the newer crappy quality Made in China wrenches.
3 at 8
Well-known member
How can you tell COO?? I no longer have the packaging and the wrenches don't seem to say.
ZRX61
Well-known member
The local dealer is Fastenal. If GW are still using that company then nothing has changed.
Lt CHEG
Well-known member
Do you have a Sears nearby? Sears will replace Gearwrench wrenches under warranty. I only have one or two Gearwrench wrenches that I've picked up here and there, but I did have to replace a 9/16" reversible along with a couple of Craftsman screwdrivers. The Gearwrench was handled just like the Craftsman tools that I was replacing. They didn't even have to do a separate process for the Gearwrench and Craftsman.
kythri
Well-known member
http://www.gearwrench.com/wheretobuy/
There's also a link to find independent dealers by plugging in your ZIP code. GW doesn't "use" Fastenal, Fastenal is simply a dealer of GW products.
Where you at in SoCal? From your location tag, perhaps Lancaster/Palmdale/Edwards AFB area?
There's a number of Sears, Lowe's, NAPA stores around there. There's OSH's a bit farther out.
All of those places carry open stock, I believe, and should be able to handle warranty issues.
There's also a link to find independent dealers by plugging in your ZIP code. GW doesn't "use" Fastenal, Fastenal is simply a dealer of GW products.
Where you at in SoCal? From your location tag, perhaps Lancaster/Palmdale/Edwards AFB area?
There's a number of Sears, Lowe's, NAPA stores around there. There's OSH's a bit farther out.
All of those places carry open stock, I believe, and should be able to handle warranty issues.
I know this thread is dead, but I feel compelled to respond to some of your (IndyGarage's) posts anyway.
BLUF: I believe your tools were flawed from the manufacturer, and your reaction to recieving a defective tool lacked sound logic, and consideration to the members of the forum where you decided to express your dissatisfaction with your experience.
I believe you purchased a product with manufacturing defects (i.e. the 1st wrench that was sticky), but were also utilizing your tool near the limit of what is reasonably considered it's intended purpose, this partly due to a not-unreasonable misunderstanding on your part of what the intended purpose of this tool is, and that's where I'll start:
You start a thread here with this:
You purchase your first set of 12 tools from a company that has thousands of different SKUs listed in their catalogue. From the GW website: "...More than 70 million GearWrench products have been "Professionally Tested" throughout the world....", yet because of a couple of minor flaws in performance with 2 of them, you conclude that you "Hate GearWrench" and that the entire product line from this brand is "trash", "toys", "junk". This is superbly illogical.
Now I say "minor" because you were independently able to restore functionality of your tools without manufacturer servicing or replacement. And because of your attitude toward utilizing your manufacturer's warranty services, coupled with your lack of awareness of the mfr's recommended use at the time of failure, it has never been verified that there were/are any major defects in the materials or workmanship. I'm gonna get more into that in a second, but let's start with this quote:
You clearly DID state that the WHOLE line *****...when you made the title of this thread I HATE GEARWRENCH and not I hate MY GearWrenches, etc. The entire reason you logged onto this website and began typing was to release your frustration at the brand, so everyone on GJ would know just how much you HATE GearWrench. While you are ABSOLUTELY entitled to your own sentiments however unfounded they may be, this is the reason why the tone of your thread is so inconsiderate to many of the members of this forum: there are plenty here who believe GearWrench is a quality company producing good-valued products that are worthy of significant investments of their hard-earned living, who have had satisfactory experiences with the products/services, and who are willing to spend their time and effort sharing suggestions and experiences with you so that yours may improve. Yet based off your experience with 2 wrenches, you are going to conclusively claim that GearWrench products have no useful purpose besides keeping your garbage can from blowing over in the wind. Then, when one of the forum members offers you a reasonable explanation, practical advice, and shares his experience with the product:
How can anyone that knows what a tool is hold a position such as this? For one, don't you realize that when you purchase a tool that offers a warranty, you paid for it? If you truely believed your tools are disposable, it would make much more sense to purchase tools where the price of this committment to quality and customer satisfaction is not built in to the tool, such as a tool that doesn't have a warranty. Second thing is, do you honestly believe there is any amount of money you can spend on a tool that is 100% guaranteed to be free from defects in materials or workmanship??? The most expensive tools produced using the highest grade materials and most stringent manufacturing processes usually come with the most inclusive warranty services, because inspite of the most technologically advanced manufacturing processes in history, there still remains the possibility of a defect. Talk to a few pros and you will find dozens of cases of sub-specification products reaching the workbench, which is why they have the warranty. There is no cost effective way to ensure that every single item leaving the plant is built to the level of quality that you paid the premium price for. The warranty is the company's good-faith committment to you that you will ultimately recieve the level of quality and satisfaction in which you purchased...even in the rare event that is not achieved from day one. An extensive warranty is a sign of superior quality. The company is demonstrating their confidence in their product to the extent that they believe most of their products will perform the first time and all the time. The point of purchasing a superior (more expensive) product with a superior warranty is that you probably will never need to use it. You have given the company no opportunity whatsoever to attempt to resolve your grievances, not even so much as making them aware of your issue.
Did you know that GearWrench, K-D, Kobalt (lowes), Matco, and Armstrong are all owned by Danaher Corporation? Much of the engineering and patents are shared between the brands, but you'll pay a premium price for the Matco & Armstrong stuff that's made here in the U.S. I suggest you do that...go get yourself a set of Armstrong or Snap-On ratcheting wrenches (or any type of wrenches) so you can see what the gold-line pricing difference really is between say Armstrong and your GearWrenches. Then you'll have that warm-fuzzy that your tools will be around long after the nuclear war...and in the RARE event you run into a quality-control issue again after paying the premium price, see if you feel like giving the warranty department a call or throwing that $400 set of wrenches in the garbage and getting back on here to tell us how much they ****. And I'm not being sarcastic, it's not Craftsman U.S.A (also often made in Danaher factories)...you will absolutely notice a difference in the feel, fit and finish of an Armstrong or Snap-On U.S.A-made set compared to the lower lines. You'll have to ask yourself at that point if the triple-chrome plated, perfectly finished, tight-fitting, smooth-clicking Armstrong wrench was really worth the extra $300 bucks to be able to torque away worry-free on that rusty exhaust bolt, or if it really would have been that much trouble stop by the dreaded mall or mail out a small envelope and get yourself another "chinese knockoff" virtually hassle free.
BLUF: I believe your tools were flawed from the manufacturer, and your reaction to recieving a defective tool lacked sound logic, and consideration to the members of the forum where you decided to express your dissatisfaction with your experience.
I believe you purchased a product with manufacturing defects (i.e. the 1st wrench that was sticky), but were also utilizing your tool near the limit of what is reasonably considered it's intended purpose, this partly due to a not-unreasonable misunderstanding on your part of what the intended purpose of this tool is, and that's where I'll start:
As you are more than well aware now, the GearWrench is NOT your SK socket or any other tool (screwdriver vs. pry bar). As per the manufacturer, "The GearWrench is a precision tool and is not intended to free frozen fasteners.", but you weren't aware of this until posting on the forum. Had you seen this on the packaging prior to purchasing/using you might have chosen a different tool for that particular job, had different expectations in general of what you might reasonably do with this tool, or maybe chosen not to buy at all. However, the substandard performance/failure was probably moreso due to manufacturing flaw than misuse. Paying hard earned money for a defective anything is frustrating and inconvenient to anyone. Here is why I take exception to your reaction:
You start a thread here with this:
You purchase your first set of 12 tools from a company that has thousands of different SKUs listed in their catalogue. From the GW website: "...More than 70 million GearWrench products have been "Professionally Tested" throughout the world....", yet because of a couple of minor flaws in performance with 2 of them, you conclude that you "Hate GearWrench" and that the entire product line from this brand is "trash", "toys", "junk". This is superbly illogical.
Now I say "minor" because you were independently able to restore functionality of your tools without manufacturer servicing or replacement. And because of your attitude toward utilizing your manufacturer's warranty services, coupled with your lack of awareness of the mfr's recommended use at the time of failure, it has never been verified that there were/are any major defects in the materials or workmanship. I'm gonna get more into that in a second, but let's start with this quote:
You clearly DID state that the WHOLE line *****...when you made the title of this thread I HATE GEARWRENCH and not I hate MY GearWrenches, etc. The entire reason you logged onto this website and began typing was to release your frustration at the brand, so everyone on GJ would know just how much you HATE GearWrench. While you are ABSOLUTELY entitled to your own sentiments however unfounded they may be, this is the reason why the tone of your thread is so inconsiderate to many of the members of this forum: there are plenty here who believe GearWrench is a quality company producing good-valued products that are worthy of significant investments of their hard-earned living, who have had satisfactory experiences with the products/services, and who are willing to spend their time and effort sharing suggestions and experiences with you so that yours may improve. Yet based off your experience with 2 wrenches, you are going to conclusively claim that GearWrench products have no useful purpose besides keeping your garbage can from blowing over in the wind. Then, when one of the forum members offers you a reasonable explanation, practical advice, and shares his experience with the product:
You hold to your derrogatory purpose and post:archirelic said:
How can anyone that knows what a tool is hold a position such as this? For one, don't you realize that when you purchase a tool that offers a warranty, you paid for it? If you truely believed your tools are disposable, it would make much more sense to purchase tools where the price of this committment to quality and customer satisfaction is not built in to the tool, such as a tool that doesn't have a warranty. Second thing is, do you honestly believe there is any amount of money you can spend on a tool that is 100% guaranteed to be free from defects in materials or workmanship??? The most expensive tools produced using the highest grade materials and most stringent manufacturing processes usually come with the most inclusive warranty services, because inspite of the most technologically advanced manufacturing processes in history, there still remains the possibility of a defect. Talk to a few pros and you will find dozens of cases of sub-specification products reaching the workbench, which is why they have the warranty. There is no cost effective way to ensure that every single item leaving the plant is built to the level of quality that you paid the premium price for. The warranty is the company's good-faith committment to you that you will ultimately recieve the level of quality and satisfaction in which you purchased...even in the rare event that is not achieved from day one. An extensive warranty is a sign of superior quality. The company is demonstrating their confidence in their product to the extent that they believe most of their products will perform the first time and all the time. The point of purchasing a superior (more expensive) product with a superior warranty is that you probably will never need to use it. You have given the company no opportunity whatsoever to attempt to resolve your grievances, not even so much as making them aware of your issue.
Did you know that GearWrench, K-D, Kobalt (lowes), Matco, and Armstrong are all owned by Danaher Corporation? Much of the engineering and patents are shared between the brands, but you'll pay a premium price for the Matco & Armstrong stuff that's made here in the U.S. I suggest you do that...go get yourself a set of Armstrong or Snap-On ratcheting wrenches (or any type of wrenches) so you can see what the gold-line pricing difference really is between say Armstrong and your GearWrenches. Then you'll have that warm-fuzzy that your tools will be around long after the nuclear war...and in the RARE event you run into a quality-control issue again after paying the premium price, see if you feel like giving the warranty department a call or throwing that $400 set of wrenches in the garbage and getting back on here to tell us how much they ****. And I'm not being sarcastic, it's not Craftsman U.S.A (also often made in Danaher factories)...you will absolutely notice a difference in the feel, fit and finish of an Armstrong or Snap-On U.S.A-made set compared to the lower lines. You'll have to ask yourself at that point if the triple-chrome plated, perfectly finished, tight-fitting, smooth-clicking Armstrong wrench was really worth the extra $300 bucks to be able to torque away worry-free on that rusty exhaust bolt, or if it really would have been that much trouble stop by the dreaded mall or mail out a small envelope and get yourself another "chinese knockoff" virtually hassle free.
I don't like Gearwrench either, but I also don't break fasteners free with a ratcheting wrench no matter the company. It's not displayed prominently on the box because they don't expect you to put a ton of force on a micro plastic gear mechanism and expect it to hold up, and if you think it should you'll be in a rude surprise regardless of manufacturer.
I thought I'd post up the Gear Wrench warrantee info for anyone wondering. I've got the reversible C-mans and have had good luck. I assume they're GW made. However, I just purchased X Beams and Flex Heads from the Sears deal but didn't do so until I checked the warrantee.
Hate is a pretty strong word, but since we're using it here, I hate folks that abuse their tools, and especially folks that then have the audacity to blame it on the tool itself.
My new neighbor works down at the local family-run garage. I've seen him do things to his vehicles, boats, tractors, atv's and snowmobiles that you wouldn't expect to see in your favorite third-world country. His technique mostly consists of beating on stuff with large hammers. He's always bitchin' about how this or that tool is utter junk, when the real problem is that it's in the hands of a complete dolt.
Not that I ever would let anyone work on my stuff, but I wouldn't take my truck to their garage if my life depended on it. He also serves on the town rescue squad, so you won't see me getting gravely ill in town anytime soon!
My new neighbor works down at the local family-run garage. I've seen him do things to his vehicles, boats, tractors, atv's and snowmobiles that you wouldn't expect to see in your favorite third-world country. His technique mostly consists of beating on stuff with large hammers. He's always bitchin' about how this or that tool is utter junk, when the real problem is that it's in the hands of a complete dolt.
Not that I ever would let anyone work on my stuff, but I wouldn't take my truck to their garage if my life depended on it. He also serves on the town rescue squad, so you won't see me getting gravely ill in town anytime soon!
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I worked with a carpenter that would always say, "A poor craftsman blames his tools." whenever a guy like that would complain.
slipjointed
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 31, 2011
- Messages
- 665
I hate when companies such as Danaher take an affordable, successful, well-liked, high quality tool... and then due to greed, repeatedly cheapen it to the point where even Harbor Freight would think twice about hanging it on their shelves.
Additionally, I hate it when these worthless paperweights break, and then the users are blamed for the breakage based upon the reputation of a tool that no longer exists.
Danaher took an already profitable, successful tool, and in an attempt to squeeze blood out of a turnip and get .0001% more profit for their shareholders, turned it into complete garbage. That's the kind of thing that I hate.
Please keep in mind that I agree with the statement of yours I quoted. I'm just trying to make a point here, really.
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