Proper use of geared wrenches?

[posaune]

I bought a brand new set of Blackhawk ratchet wrenchs off EBay, used the the 1/2 one 2 or 3 times before it broke. Not to impressed when I went to loosen a soft 5/16 bolt and the wrench just spun. The reversing lever has no feel and the socket just spins in either direction. Have to send it back but that isn't a very good sign for the quality of their tools.

My Blackhawk ones seem to be just as good as the Gearwrenches. Maybe you got a defective one.

Then again, I probably don't use them as much as the GWs since my Blackhawks are in less used sizes...

I have had a couple GWs that were locked up in one direction when they were new. After a few minutes of screwing around with them they freed up and I haven't had a problem since. I'm assuming that they just had something in them from manufacturing.

 

[walrus]

I have had a couple GWs that were locked up in one direction when they were new. After a few minutes of screwing around with them they freed up and I haven't had a problem since. I'm assuming that they just had something in them from manufacturing.

I have some gear wrenches also, mine do the same thing, a smack on the side of the head makes it come around.

 

[reversegear]

I bought a brand new set of Blackhawk ratchet wrenchs off EBay, used the the 1/2 one 2 or 3 times before it broke. Not to impressed when I went to loosen a soft 5/16 bolt and the wrench just spun. The reversing lever has no feel and the socket just spins in either direction. Have to send it back but that isn't a very good sign for the quality of their tools.

Probably abused by previous owner. Blackhawk reversible models are very good.