Ratcheting Combination Wrench Sets

[Next]

I know this subject gets brought up a lot, and yes I have searched....BUT most the information is dated.

I want a quality set of ratcheting wrenches that doesn't skip sizes in Metric and SAE. If it does skip sizes I want the ability to buy the skipped sizes.

Some say GearWrench has dropped in quality since the move to China, some do not.

There is also people like DeWalt in the picture now.

With that said, should I stick with GearWrench or look at other sets like DeWalt, HF, or whoever.

Possibly BluPoint or Williams used?

 

[Fedwrench]

Not all of Gearwrench production moved to the PRC. Don't buy at Sears or other Big Box type stores and you'll probably get Taiwan made Gearwrench.

However, it sounds like you may be on a budget. Consider Blackhawk ratcheting wrenches. they're not as cheap as Gearwrench but, you might be able to find a deal if you shop around.

 

[1950mercury]

Snap on.......

 

[toolaholic]

If you can find them the old sk g pro are nice. I also bought 4 of the new sk X frame wrenches which are quite nice. The X frames have very fine teeth and are very beefy strong wrenches.

 

[Bdgjr215]

I just picked up the dewalts in metric and standard for 29.99 a set .i used a couple of the sae's so far.they feel pretty good to me so far.I went back the other day and bought a second set that I'm gonna give to my dad for his birthday on the 15th. Sears outlet by the
Way

 

[Sycan]

Something changed with gear wrench, I bought a set of the originals over 10 years ago which I still have. Two years ago I caught a sale at sears and added stubbys, metrics, and another set of SAE for my service truck, somewhere the quality went down. To be fair the ratchet end still seems fine, but the open end is
quite interesting on some, especially smaller sizes.

Bottom 5/16 is from the original set over 10 years ago, top two are newer. Its also not like one flaw, all open ends seem wierdly shaped and proportioned .

 

[CatSplat]

Have to say I really like my set of Proto spline-drive ratcheting combos. Nice reversible ratcheting ends, no lobster-claw on the open end and they've stood up to all the reefing I can give them.

 

[tarbellb]

Gearwrench also makes a Spline Drive series that are killer. They can be found pretty cheap these days.

I really like mine, and there are few other members here that swear by them.

Check CPO and Ebay for good deals.

 

[ryan20021982]

I am not going to pick a brand but if you do decide on gearwrench I posted a good deal if you shop at advance auto.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=319093

 

[IUEC Medic]

Have to say I really like my set of Proto spline-drive ratcheting combos. Nice reversible ratcheting ends, no lobster-claw on the open end and they've stood up to all the reefing I can give them.

X2.

I bought myself the 20 piece reversible SAE set plus an additional non-reversing 15/16. It's the black set that's made in Taiwan. Black Friday 30% off from Zoro, the set was $350 + tax. I've been very impressed with it, and my wrenches are used daily in heavy industrial work.

The big wrenches are things of beauty. Most people don't see 1 1/2 reversible ratcheting wrenches.

 

[TK-421]

I picked up Gearwrench's 32 piece set from Northern Tool back when it was on sale for $75, and used a coupon where I got $25 off if I spent $100, so that was nice getting $25 of free stuff for buying what I wanted. It has 20 regular wrenches and 12 stubby wrenches. I filled out the rest of the set, SAE 1/4-1 and Metric 6-22, and I don't have any complaints.

I haven't used them very much at all, but I bought them on recommendation of my uncle, who used to be in the auto body world and he likes them a lot.

 

[CatSplat]

The big wrenches are things of beauty. Most people don't see 1 1/2 reversible ratcheting wrenches.

I will probably never find a use for the 1 1/2", but man is it ever an impressive wrench to have laying around.

 

[Rossco]

Gear wrench ratchets are pretty good.

I got an old Signet Flex head set and they are top draw. Both ends are smaller than the current CT equivalent.

 

[Monkey Milk]

I have armstrong and really like them, if I had another choice it would be proto.

 

[BFHtime]

Us made craftsman professional, or snap-on.
It may be craftsman industrial, but is US made. They have the best box end, while snap-on has the best open end.

 

[jerseykat1]

I have been eye balling this set here. it's new from GearWrench 120xp (120 teeth).. Not really a priority right now since i already have a full set of ratcheting wrenches. But when my budget allows they will be getting upgraded to these.

 

[Sanny81]

I just picked up the dewalts in metric and standard for 29.99 a set .i used a couple of the sae's so far.they feel pretty good to me so far.I went back the other day and bought a second set that I'm gonna give to my dad for his birthday on the 15th. Sears outlet by the
Way

I have the SAE of these and also paid $29.99 for them at Sears. For that price they are really good wrenches. If the metric ever drops that low again I'm grabbing them.

 

[Bdgjr215]

I have the SAE of these and also paid $29.99 for them at Sears. For that price they are really good wrenches. If the metric ever drops that low again I'm grabbing them.

I bought the metric and the standard set for 29.99 a set.the store i went to had both.

 

[AA/FC]

Something changed with gear wrench, I bought a set of the originals over 10 years ago which I still have. Two years ago I caught a sale at sears and added stubbys, metrics, and another set of SAE for my service truck, somewhere the quality went down. To be fair the ratchet end still seems fine, but the open end is
quite interesting on some, especially smaller sizes.

Bottom 5/16 is from the original set over 10 years ago, top two are newer. Its also not like one flaw, all open ends seem wierdly shaped and proportioned .

Those are generally referred to as "lobster claw" wrenches. The Sears Craftsman wrenches from China are notorious for this.

Your quality difference is probably due to manufacturing being moved from Taiwan to China. The Taiwan-made GW stuff is (was) generally higher quality than the Chinese versions of GW tools.

 

[rednotch]

I just picked up the dewalts in metric and standard for 29.99 a set .i used a couple of the sae's so far.they feel pretty good to me so far.I went back the other day and bought a second set that I'm gonna give to my dad for his birthday on the 15th. Sears outlet by the
Way

Hard to beat these wrenches. a nice step up vs the basic gearwrench but your limited to 10-19mm in the reversible set. Blackhawk would be prefect fillers but there a lot more money.

 

[Banshee365]

Dare I say SK X-Frame?

 

[Next]

Difference between GearWrench at NAPA than say at Sears or Advanced Auto?