Need some info on gearwrench flex 3/8" ratchets

[Kirbot]

I've been trying to find a 3/8" flex head gearwrench ratchet, and it's getting a bit confusing...


Whats the difference between this,
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...t-Gear-Wrench_25984154-P_N3416_T|GRP2078_____
and this?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00150145Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20

One of them is a few inches longer, but why do the heads look different?
Are they both 60 tooth?

 

[CLee0507]

The one from Advance is according to the GearWrench catalog is 81219 45tooth quick release standard ratchet. The other one is 60 tooth low profile ratchet.

 

[Kirbot]

Ah, that makes sense.
I didn't think about one possibly being a quick release.

Does anybody know who has the best price on the 60 tooth version?

 

[CLee0507]

Tooltopia is my new goto place for tools. I think it sales for under $35 there. but with amazon you'll get the free shipping

http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=jSShTYaJKu7YiALSqMH_Ag&ved=0CFAQ8wIwAA#

 

[Kirbot]

Thanks

 

[mrholeshot]

There is a good bit of quality differance between the push buttton and the 60 tooth. The push button isn't a very good ratchet

 

[bchee]

60 tooth Gearwrench

 

[Kirbot]

Don't forget that you can put the Matco 88 kit in the 60 tooth Gearwrench (I think)

Good to know.

How does it feel with the original 60 tooth kit in it?
Is there much side to side, back and forth slop in it?

I've found that some fine tooth ratchet have so much slop in them, that they take no less room to use than a good course tooth ratchet.

 

[CLee0507]

I've got the fixed ones in 3/8" and 1/4" and they are smooth. It is not a sealed head with screws, has a ring in there, but for the most part its solid.

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

I have the 3/8 and the 1/4 combo as well. For the money they are outstanding ratchets. Obviously a clone of matco/ armstrong/ danaher tools. They feel very nice in your hand. the profile of the head is probably one of the slimmest in the industry.

Only drawbacks. Ratchet sometimes auto reverses (this is cured with a light coat of light oil such as 3 in 1 or I have had success with a light LIGHT! brushing of white lithium grease) They can be a little on the fragile side (but dont use the ratchet as a breaker bar and they will serve you well for many years) They are made in china.

I had to jump a few hoops to get a replacement for mine, granted it was completely my fault it broke but there are no rebuild kids available and generally you have to take them in and wait for the replacement.

But other than that they are fantastic ratchets. i love how low profile the head is and the little amount of "ratcheting torque" It takes to get these things to swing. You wont regret this ratchet

Thanks
Sean Scott

 

[sbin]

Have the quick release and it works well, only used a few weeks but have no complaints other than it is not 60 tooth.Didn't know there was a difference until reading this thread.

 

[mrholeshot]

Good to know.

How does it feel with the original 60 tooth kit in it?
Is there much side to side, back and forth slop in it?

I've found that some fine tooth ratchet have so much slop in them, that they take no less room to use than a good course tooth ratchet.

The 60 tooth ratchets have a good soild tight feel as is. The heads are thin which help with tigh clearance. The Push button release are total peices of **** and I don't think Gearwrench builds them anymore (not 100% sure). The problem with the 60 tooth gearwrench is the head is quite wide as well as the lower section of the ratchet. A 36 tooth Williams fits better into a tight hole than the 60 tooth Gearwrench and actually has more swing. here is a photo with a Proto 32, Gearwrench 60 tooth. williams 36 and snap-On 72 tooth dual 80. The Gearwrench head is the largest and has the widest hips at the joint. The Williams is probably the best bang for the buck.

 

[Kirbot]

The 60 tooth ratchets have a good soild tight feel as is. The heads are thin which help with tigh clearance. The Push button release are total peices of **** and I don't think Gearwrench builds them anymore (not 100% sure). The problem with the 60 tooth gearwrench is the head is quite wide as well as the lower section of the ratchet. A 36 tooth Williams fits better into a tight hole than the 60 tooth Gearwrench and actually has more swing. here is a photo with a Proto 32, Gearwrench 60 tooth. williams 36 and snap-On 72 tooth dual 80. The Gearwrench head is the largest and has the widest hips at the joint. The Williams is probably the best bang for the buck.

The Williams and the Proto Spinflex are actually the other two ratchets I've been considering.

The ratchet isn't actually for me, It's for my brother's birthday thats comming up later this month. I already have a Mac/Facom flex ratchet.


How would you rate the Proto vs the Williams?
He already has an older Mac long handle 3/8" hardhandle ratchet of the same head type as the Proto, and he doesn't seem to have any complaints about it.

Price isn't really a deciding factor, I just don't wan't to go much over $50.00

American made is certainly preferred of course, but to be honest, I don't think he really cares that much.

I considered Duralast, and if it was for me, thats probably what I would get, but being a gift, I would rather have a recognizable name behind it.


So, between the Proto, Williams, and Gearwrench, which one would you go with in this case?

 

[mrholeshot]

I would go with the Williams. The Proto in the photo is a poor copy of what the MAC spinflex used to be. Really disappointed in the quality of the spinflex. Was really suprized at the poor quality of Proto. It would stop me from buying another.

 

[Kirbot]

I would go with the Williams. The Proto in the photo is a poor copy of what the MAC spinflex used to be. Really disappointed in the quality of the spinflex. Was really suprized at the poor quality of Proto. It would stop me from buying another.

Really?
I thought the Proto would be just about identical to the older Mac ratchets.
Like Williams and the old 36 tooth Snapon ratchets.

Alright, so I guess it's Williams, or Gearwrench.

Gearwrench- Cheaper, higher tooth count
Williams- smaller head, made in USA, better company to back it up

I'll have to give it some thought!

 

[boro_boy70]

I have the Gearwrench with a 88 tooth Matco kit in it. I would recomend it to anyone, it's a really nice ratchet. I have never ran into a problem with it being to wide. I compared it to my F-80, and at the widest part of the head, the GW is about 1/8" wider. If your working on something that tight, a 1/4" drive would probably be a better choice anyway.

The 88 tooth conversion is really not needed, the 60 tooth is very smooth. One thing to remember with these ratchets is to not over lube them, I use just a couple of drops of oil. Too much lube and they start to auto reverse.

 

[mrholeshot]

If you are working in a tight area the Gearwrench can be awkward even with twice the teeth. Not only is the head wider and larger but where the ratchet swings it would take twice as many teeth to be able to arch. The smaller 36 tooth ratchet would actually be faster and more productive in a tight situation. If it was out in the open not mychh differance. The joints are long and wide on the gearwrench. This could be a problem where space is an issue. Sometimes more teeth isn't the answer.

 

[Kirbot]

Well, as nice as the Willaims looks, I ended up going the gearwrench route after all.

The finer tooth and slightly lower price are nice, but what really sold me on it, was this set.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000V5EGKE/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I ordered it this morning.
It was only about $14 more than just the 3/8" by itself, so I figured it was worth it.

I'll give my brother the 3/8" like I planned, and I'll finally have a 1/4" flex for myself, as I've been wanting one for a while.

I may wish I had gone the USA route with Wiliams, but I know the Gearwrench is a good tool, and I don't think my brother could really care less where it was made anyway.

 

[CD1]

Well, as nice as the Willaims looks, I ended up going the gearwrench route after all.

The finer tooth and slightly lower price are nice, but what really sold me on it, was this set.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000V5EGKE/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I ordered it this morning.
It was only about $14 more than just the 3/8" by itself, so I figured it was worth it.

I'll give my brother the 3/8" like I planned, and I'll finally have a 1/4" flex for myself, as I've been wanting one for a while.

I may wish I had gone the USA route with Wiliams, but I know the Gearwrench is a good tool, and I don't think my brother could really care less where it was made anyway.

Good choice. I've had that combo on my Wish List for awhile now and plan to purchase them soon.

 

[HandyManny]

Just curious, what exactly was poor about the Proto?

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I would get the Armstrong locking ratchet...
I have the Gearwrench one too..
For Serious work I use the Armstrong
I use the Gearwrench for Spark plugs, light stuff...