Info on stubby flex wrenches

[dyokum]

I have been looking for a good set of stubby flex ratcheting combination wrenches. There are plenty of ratcheting stubby 's to be found, but few flexes. Gearwrench, Matco, and Craftsman are the few that I have found. The Craftsman set has skips, and the Gearwrenchs are too short for my liking. Matco is now offering Metric and SAE sets, but before I shell out that kind of cash on a set I need some more information. Does anyone have these, or know where/by who these wrenches are manufactured? And are there any other offerings I should consider?

 

[Bjkearns]

Your strict desire for American only will cost you at minimum triple what the Gearwrenches will but go right ahead

 

[Hootbro]

You have very little to no options on USA made affordable stubby flex wrenches.

Nothing wrong with the Gearwrench stuff.

 

[wb2vsj]

http://madeinusaforever.com/totforgu.html

http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/tools.html

It's hard to find what you want. I had to lower my standards on some stuff from USA Made to Taiwanese made.

Countries of manufacturing/origin have been beat to death here earlier - browse back thru the archives and you'll get a ton of info.

 

[toolstools]

Ugh.

 

[dyokum]

Being American-made isn't the be-all end-all, but I have been very pleased with my purchases from Armstrong, SK, and others made here. Not saying every tool made here is great, or that foreign tools are inferior. And as far as Gearwrench.... just personally not for me. I'll admit the Matco's would be a splurge, and that's why I want to know more about them before dropping that kind of cash.

 

[toolstools]

Gearwrench.... just personally not for me.

On a serious note, why?

On the same note, I'd venture to say even HF stubby flex would get er done. Not much torque applied. Not saying to buy them just throwing out there quality name is almost irrelevant on stubby tools.

 

[bcradio]

I have been looking for a good set of stubby flex ratcheting combination wrenches. There are plenty of ratcheting stubby 's to be found, but few flexes. Gearwrench, Matco, and Craftsman are the few that I have found. The Craftsman set has skips, and I will not spend a nickel on Gearwrench. Matco is now offering Metric and SAE sets, but before I shell out that kind of cash on a set I need some more information. Does anyone have these, or know where/by who these wrenches are manufactured? And are there any other offerings I should consider?

Your loss!

 

[DirtRoad]

Ya whats with the whole "anti gearwrench" attitude?

I love all my gearwrench tools and i now have a ton of them.

 

[unslow1]

I've been very happy with my Gearwrench stuff. I have no brand loyalty. I use them over my Snapon and Cresent ratcheting wrenches.

 

[ilovevocs]

I have migrated away from my flex head stubby and have been using a snap on fc72 allot. Kind of a complete departure from what your asking, but none the less its worth considering. The short handle and minimal back drag eliminates the need for the flex head IMHO. I love flex head ratchets, but since I have acquired my fc72, the flex stubs seldom get used.

 

[Farmall450]

Ya whats with the whole "anti gearwrench" attitude?

I love all my gearwrench tools and i now have a ton of them.

I don't have a ton but I like them and that can change!

 

[turk250]

I'm also looking for good flex stubby wrenches. If this was my thread I'd be mad as hell. Someone asked a question. If you're not trying to answer it, why are you talking? Who cares if someone doesn't like something you like.

 

[CWP1616L]

I have been looking for a good set of stubby flex ratcheting combination wrenches.

What are you gonna use them for? I never could think of a reason to use them. Not to mention how ugly they are too.

 

[devoncoolman]

gear wrench is your best bet. on most fronts. price, quality, and availablitiy.

 

[Nanashi]

Gearwrench flex stubby. They are strong, durable and short. They also have the 5 degree motion.

I have a box full of Snap on and blue point. My first wrench set though was a gearwrench flex head set of ratchet wrenches. I still have that set and I love it. It blows the blue point away because its have its width so it fits in places the blue point wont. When you go stubby half and inch isnt likely to make a difference so if you can get shorter with the gearwrench why not.

In all seriousness. Gearwrench makes one awesome flex head ratchet wrench. I love them and plan to keep them in my box. I buy from companies that make great products and I dont support companies that make junk just because their in business in the good old USA. Good companies succeed terrible companies deserve to fail.

 

[Fedwrench]

I don't believe the Matco ones are US made anymore. Most of their ratcheting wrenches have moved away from being Armstrong produced to either Gearwrench clones or Kabo made. Kabo and Gearwench make great ratcheting wrenches though.
The older US made Craftsman stubby ratcheting sets were fairly bulky and not that stubby. I've used a Gearwrench stubby metric flexhead set for several years now. Their compactness has saved me more than a few times and they're very durable.

 

[bob15]

If you're not trying to answer it, why are you talking?

Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately?

 

[Gotmayhem]

I don't believe the Matco ones are US made anymore. Most of their ratcheting wrenches have moved away from being Armstrong produced to either Gearwrench clones or Kabo made. Kabo and Gearwench make great ratcheting wrenches though.

I've been theorizing this myself. I like my Matco dealer but I can't force myself to spend more money for tools that have Matco stamped on them instead of Gearwrench. Honestly, I would probably buy more tools off the trucks if they were completely upfront about whether or not they actually make the tool, or at least the true COO. When I have to start guessing is usually when I walk away.