Ratchet Purchase Options

[Jeeper]

Help me decide. Want to buy a couple of ratchets and thinking of two options here.

First Opton: Armstrong
Buy 1 12-994 1/2 locking flex head + 11-994 3/8 Locking Flex Head

+

Second Option: Gear wrench
Buy a set of flex head

Plus a set of roto heads

Both options are around $140. Obviously you get more with the gearwrench option, but the armstrong are US made and I like the idea of locking flex head. What are your thoughts?

 

[tonydanzah]

gearwrench roto or armstrong locking

 

[Teken]

Best value is definitely the Gearwrench . . . This is coming from a die hard Armstrong fan too!

 

[jerryW]

Personally I'd buy the Armstrongs.

But that's just me.


jerry

 

[Skin]

locking flexheads are fantastic, what i'd go for personally and i'm a big GW fan. If they're going to be your go-to ratchets though i'd factor in the length of the Locking Flexies. They're longgg ratchets. If you're looking for your first ratchets or complete replacements then i'd probably lean toward the GW set.

 

[BWright]

Go for the Armstrongs!

But then again I am a little biased.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

Between the two I would go Armstrong but I have to be honest and say I am not a GearWrench, fan.

 

[Mike 47]

Regardless of which brand, roto head ratchets are really handy.

 

[tw33k2514]

No doubt the Armstrong ratchets are gorgeous, but the value that the GearWrench ratchets offer is hard to ignore.

 

[t100]

in some way, it depends on how you use them.

if your work requires using brute force on some stubborn nuts and bolts, go with Armstrong. I personally have put 450ftlb on mine, it didn't sweat a bit.

for mid to light duty works, the Gearwrench flex head set can get more **** done for you.

my 0.02

 

[Fedwrench]

Both of the Armstrongs pictured and the Gearwrench flex heads have the same 60 tooth ratcheting mechanism down to the color of the o ring sealing it. To be honest, I have never used the locking flexhead feature found on my Matco ratchets which is the same as on the Armstrongs. I'm not sure how the Gearwrench and Armstrongs compare to each other in overall length. Armstrong handles are quite comfortable. The Gearwrench ratchets are reasonably priced largely because they're imported. I'm not sure how to warranty Armstrong tools but, Gearwrench customer service is only a phone call away. I don't have the 1/2 drive Gearwrench flexhead but, I do have the other three pictured along with the roto heads. I don't have the Armstrong flex heads as I have Matcos. I do have the Armstrong Maxx 60 tooth regular ratchets. All of them serve me well. The roto ratchets are nice but, I prefer regular flex head ratchets. I'm not sure what you work on but, I use the hell out of my 1/4 and 3/8 ratchets compared to my 1/2 drive ratchet. I would recommend the Gearwrench 81216 flex head ratchet set. It has a 3/8 and 1/4 flex heads. You could add the 1/2 drive model and still be cheaper.
http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-81216.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-81306.aspx

If you go to tooltopia.com, you can get the 1/4 and 3/8 flex head set for $42.81 and 1/2 flex head for $39.23. Three good flex heads for just over $82 plus shipping. I think I'd take that route.

 

[RLRRLRLL]

id say the gearwrench would be the most bang for the buck. but if u have money and plan on getting more, the armstrongs wouldent be bad.

 

[BWright]

I would have to agree with the above comments. I have owned all the ratchets you are thinking about buying. The only real difference between the armstrongs and the gearwrenches is COO, and obviously the price point. The gearwrench ratchets are approximately 1/2" shorter than the comparable armstrong. If you are looking for the best bang for your buck and don't care about COO then go gearwrench. As for the roto heads I own those as well and have had no problems with them either. They are handy as heck when you need them.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

I have that GearWrench flex head set and it's really hard to beat. The ratchets are excellent and super smooth. As for the roto-head ratchets, I wouldn't waste my money on them. To me they are too "gimicky" and not worth buying no matter who makes them.

 

[Stick Figure]

As for the roto-head ratchets, I wouldn't waste my money on them. To me they are too "gimicky" and not worth buying no matter who makes them.

I thought that way as well until i got the gearwrench versions free w/ a wrench purchase. They are very handy just for the fact that you can break the fastener loose and then go vertical and spin the nut/bolt out like a nut driver. The only down side i have found is that they do seem to flex a bit because of the split they have. It took a stubborn fastener to figure this out of course, but it can happen.

That said my order of purchase would be:

Armstrong locking flex head (love my matco version)
Gearwrench roto head
The other Gearwrench don't really even interest me, since i'm not a fan of that style of flex head.

 

[Jeeper]

I have several other ratchets, all standard fixed head. Main reason for this purchase is I want to some flex heads. Just trying to decide if the locking head is worth the extra cost. Any opinions?

Also the longer handles would be nice. Guess I am leaning towards the armstong. I will eventually pick up the 1/4" so i have the whole set. As for COO, i try to get US if I can, but if not I am not too worried.

 

[Mickey O]

Armstrong!

 

[bsaint]

The flex head with the bent handle is a sanity saver. I have a snapon one I use for way more projects on a car than I can think of. Next on my list is half moons....

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

Go with the Armstrong one..
I have a Gearwrench 3/8 flex and Armstrong locking flex,
They are almost the same,
So I would choose the Armstrong, Its 2 ratchets in one... unlock, and lock....
real handy....
I might get the 1/2 11-994...

 

[hischj]

I have the gearwrench set and would buy them again in a heartbeat. Plus the gearwrenches are ball detent so they hold there place very well.

 

[lipadj46]

Have you considered the williams USA ratchets? I got a 1/2, 3/8, and 1/4" all flexheads for $130 shipped from ebay. Here is a bad pic, supposedly they are the same as older snap on ratchets:

 

[arkangel06]

Armstong!!

 

[Jeeper]

Got the armstrongs in the mail today. The 1/2" drive is huge. It's larger than my 18" Craftsman breaker bar. I like the 60 tooth action and the handle is good and comfortable.

 

[48548]

I just sold a brand new shipped to your door, Snap on 1/2 SLX80 for 140.... 24inches and locking head dual 80.

 

[moparmuscle88]

id personally lean towards the gearwrench since it is more stuff, and i havent had a problem with the one gearwrnch ratchet i have, its identical to my snap on f80 3/8 drive ratchet, and i had it on a frozen 15/16 corssmember bolt with a cheater bar and it didnt strip the gears or nothing it held up fine, so since that i havent been afraid to buy more gearwrench stuff as backups

secondly, the roto ratchets ar junk even the snap on model is ****, it has flex to it which i would imagine it would eventually snap or get even looser over time