Would you recommend gearwrench?

[mikeselky85]

Most of my tools are snap-on and a few craftsman sockets, but everything i have is slowly getting traded for snap-on tools. I have all flank drive plus wrenches and an sad set of snappy 0 degree ratchiting wrenches. I woul like to start building my ratcheting wrenches and I was thinking gearwrench. My snap-on sells and waranties gearwrench... I'm just not sure of the quality, but most others in my shop have gearwrench as their set.

Just looking for some opinions on quality, I know they are not USA.

 

[MoToys]

I think you will find most people will agree they are a great value and a good tool.
I use them for my jeep on all those 18-22mm fasteners.

 

[HandyManny]

Considering that they are now being sold on the Snap-On tool trucks.....I'd say that more than proves they are worthy.

 

[Ford12508]

I have an 18" Gearwrench nut rounder(Adjustable wrench) and it is really nice, especially for being all of $24 shipped to my house.

 

[dsaabm]

I have abused my gearwrench 3/8 and 1/4 set for the last two years. Only issue I had was the 1/4 ratchet started to self reverse. All sockets and 3/8 ratchet have been perfect, great chrome, strong, not one issue with them.

 

[Grogan14]

I bought a couple of small sets when Advance Auto was unloading them cheap recently. One of the extensions had the chrome coming off when I opened it. Could be just a fluke though, I guess.

 

[mikeselky85]

I was thinking of getting the full ratcheting wrench metric set, I think it's like 16 wrenches, since I don't need much saw at work

 

[mrholeshot]

I have to get in on this topic. I think Gearwrench makes some great tools BUT the warranty is pure ****. They will warranty a tool if you buy it from an authorized retailer which is a short list. Here's the thing with that. Most of those retailers don't sell or carry the really cool tools Gearwrench makes. If you buy brand new tools off a power tool seller off ebay or a place like Cripe Dist your warrranty is null and void and their customer service rep will give you the short nice nasty your fucked warranty. Until they fix the warranty issues I would limit my gearwrench purchaces to what you can have warrantied at your local Sears, Lowes, Adavance or Fastenel (Fastenel doesn't want to do anything for you unless you have a receipt in your hand and you bought it at that exact store). It's a real shame beause is some of the really cool stuff can only be found on Ebay. I wouldn't mind owning a Gearwrench 3/4 drive set. Try finding that at your local authorized dealer. How are dealers on Ebay getting them.

Gearwrench (apex) has a problem that really needs repair. Until then I will hold off buying anymore gearwrench. My personal experiance with Gearwrench tools have been great but my experiance with the warranty have been really bad. They fix that end and I would highly recommend them. Until then I say stay away. All tools break no matter how good they are. If you can't get it replaced it's either parts or scrap metal.

In all fairness I did get a message from the gearwrench rep today and he might be resolving my personal issue with Gearwrench. If they resolve my issue with my sons tools that he bought new then I may give them another shot. I will have to have assurance from gearwrench that any tool I buy that bears the Gearwrench brand and I purchaced new no matter what retailer will be warrantied I'll buy like a mad man. No warranty/no deal

 

[mikeselky85]

my snappy guy warranties them no matter what, he sells them and he will give you a new one if he has it on his truck. havnt seen any prolems with warranties on gearwrench at my shop yet.

 

[Stuey]

I've had no major issues with Gearwrench - decent quality, good value.

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

I think most Gearwrench tools are pretty decent. I've had a few problems with some of my flex head non-reversible gear wrenches locking up and my 1/2" drive 60 tooth ratchet has also been a little temperamental, other than those two issues they're pretty nice tools. I have never had to warranty anything though so I cannot comment on that aspect of the brand.

 

[tw33k2514]

I love all my GearWrench stuff. mrholeshot is right about the warranty though. I would not let that stop me from buying their stuff though. It is so cheap, that I can live with a crappy warranty.

 

[ZRX61]

Great tools, absolutely lousey warranty procedure that involves Fastenal. 3 ******** months to get a 1/4in ratchet replaced. Haven't bought another GW tool since then & won't until they get rid of the Fastenal connection.

 

[HandyManny]

Great tools, absolutely lousey warranty procedure that involves Fastenal. 3 ******** months to get a 1/4in ratchet replaced. Haven't bought another GW tool since then & won't until they get rid of the Fastenal connection.

Fastenal *****. I hate dealing with them. They need to start hring people who actually know something about tools and hardware. They currently don't have the right people for the job there.

 

[sasquach]

I have to get in on this topic. I think Gearwrench makes some great tools BUT the warranty is pure ****. They will warranty a tool if you buy it from an authorized retailer which is a short list. Here's the thing with that. Most of those retailers don't sell or carry the really cool tools Gearwrench makes. If you buy brand new tools off a power tool seller off ebay or a place like Cripe Dist your warrranty is null and void and their customer service rep will give you the short nice nasty your fucked warranty. Until they fix the warranty issues I would limit my gearwrench purchaces to what you can have warrantied at your local Sears, Lowes, Adavance or Fastenel (Fastenel doesn't want to do anything for you unless you have a receipt in your hand and you bought it at that exact store). It's a real shame beause is some of the really cool stuff can only be found on Ebay. I wouldn't mind owning a Gearwrench 3/4 drive set. Try finding that at your local authorized dealer. How are dealers on Ebay getting them.

Gearwrench (apex) has a problem that really needs repair. Until then I will hold off buying anymore gearwrench. My personal experiance with Gearwrench tools have been great but my experiance with the warranty have been really bad. They fix that end and I would highly recommend them. Until then I say stay away. All tools break no matter how good they are. If you can't get it replaced it's either parts or scrap metal.

In all fairness I did get a message from the gearwrench rep today and he might be resolving my personal issue with Gearwrench. If they resolve my issue with my sons tools that he bought new then I may give them another shot. I will have to have assurance from gearwrench that any tool I buy that bears the Gearwrench brand and I purchaced new no matter what retailer will be warrantied I'll buy like a mad man. No warranty/no deal

I never have had a problem with warrenty . I break it take it to sears and they give me a new one

 

[trents99]

I found a 15/16 wrench on the interstate, beat all to hell with the ratchet mechanism completely gone. Took it to Lowe's and they don't carry them up to that size. Guy goes to the desk and calls the Gearwrench 800 number and after a minute he hands me the phone. Lady asked me for my name and address and I had a new one a week later.

Yeah it's inconvenient but I had no hassle in getting it replaced.

 

[JeremyManning]

I have to get in on this topic. I think Gearwrench makes some great tools BUT the warranty is pure ****. They will warranty a tool if you buy it from an authorized retailer which is a short list. Here's the thing with that. Most of those retailers don't sell or carry the really cool tools Gearwrench makes. If you buy brand new tools off a power tool seller off ebay or a place like Cripe Dist your warrranty is null and void and their customer service rep will give you the short nice nasty your fucked warranty. Until they fix the warranty issues I would limit my gearwrench purchaces to what you can have warrantied at your local Sears, Lowes, Adavance or Fastenel (Fastenel doesn't want to do anything for you unless you have a receipt in your hand and you bought it at that exact store). It's a real shame beause is some of the really cool stuff can only be found on Ebay. I wouldn't mind owning a Gearwrench 3/4 drive set. Try finding that at your local authorized dealer. How are dealers on Ebay getting them.

Gearwrench (apex) has a problem that really needs repair. Until then I will hold off buying anymore gearwrench. My personal experiance with Gearwrench tools have been great but my experiance with the warranty have been really bad. They fix that end and I would highly recommend them. Until then I say stay away. All tools break no matter how good they are. If you can't get it replaced it's either parts or scrap metal.

In all fairness I did get a message from the gearwrench rep today and he might be resolving my personal issue with Gearwrench. If they resolve my issue with my sons tools that he bought new then I may give them another shot. I will have to have assurance from gearwrench that any tool I buy that bears the Gearwrench brand and I purchaced new no matter what retailer will be warrantied I'll buy like a mad man. No warranty/no deal

I have never had a problem with the warranty department, we use a lot of larger gearwrenchs 1" and up for water main repairs and buy them from an autoparts retailer, we have only had one break and I called the customer service # and they sent me a new one, it may have helped that I took a picture and emailed but they were great to deal with. A lot of the auto parts suppliers can also special order items that they don't stock in the stores.

 

[mrholeshot]

I never have had a problem with warrenty . I break it take it to sears and they give me a new one

I don't have a problem when it's a tool I buy at Sears and they have it in stock. My probelm came when they asked me where I purchaced a ratchet. I told them I bought new them from CCVTools in an Ebay store. When I buy a tool from a dealer who sells New Gearwrench I shouldn't have to lie about where I bought them. As soon as I told them I bought them from an ebay dealer I was told these tools had no warranty. If I buy the new it shouldn't make a flying **** where I bought them. These dealers have to be buying gearwrech from somewhere. They sure as hell don't buy it at Sears or advance and resell them for less on ebay. There are many tools You can't find local and the only place to find them is on ebay stores. You have to buy from one of their short list of authorized dealers in order to get the warranty. If you buy through Amazon you are covered. If you buy from a dealer that sells on Amazon you have no warranty. I'm hoping they get this issue resolved. If all these ebay dealers are selling stolen tools Apex has a serious security problem because new Gearwrech tool hit ebay before anyplace else.

 

[Skin]

I don't have a problem when it's a tool I buy at Sears and they have it in stock. My probelm came when they asked me where I purchaced a ratchet. I told them I bought new them from CCVTools in an Ebay store. When I buy a tool from a dealer who sells New Gearwrench I shouldn't have to lie about where I bought them. As soon as I told them I bought them from an ebay dealer I was told these tools had no warranty. If I buy the new it shouldn't make a flying **** where I bought them. These dealers have to be buying gearwrech from somewhere. They sure as hell don't buy it at Sears or advance and resell them for less on ebay. There are many tools You can't find local and the only place to find them is on ebay stores. You have to buy from one of their short list of authorized dealers in order to get the warranty. If you buy through Amazon you are covered. If you buy from a dealer that sells on Amazon you have no warranty. I'm hoping they get this issue resolved. If all these ebay dealers are selling stolen tools Apex has a serious security problem because new Gearwrech tool hit ebay before anyplace else.

I'm sorry but i find your rant ludicrous. Many people buy tools second hand and lie about warranty because for the most part companies wont cover otherwise. Go call SO and tell them you bought some tools on ebay and see what they say. Your sights are fixated on GW only because of your one experience when in reality anyone can have a bad experience with just about any company. Basically welcome to the party of getting some bad customer service and surprise surprise GW is no exception.

 

[shampoop]

Damn, ***** to hear about the warranty ********. I wanted the locking flex head ones and NO stores sell them. I had to buy them online.

 

[blown94conv]

I have been very happy with my gearwrench wrenches. I wasn't as impressed with the 1/4 drive impact socket set I got, but for $80 for everything I got I really shouldn't complain.

 

[5-0stank]

I'm sorry but i find your rant ludicrous. Many people buy tools second hand and lie about warranty because for the most part companies wont cover otherwise. Go call SO and tell them you bought some tools on ebay and see what they say. Your sights are fixated on GW only because of your one experience when in reality anyone can have a bad experience with just about any company. Basically welcome to the party of getting some bad customer service and surprise surprise GW is no exception.

Pretty sure snap-on doesn't care where you bought it...

Just give it to the tool truck, and ta-da, a new tool in your hand!

 

[mrholeshot]

I'm sorry but i find your rant ludicrous. Many people buy tools second hand and lie about warranty because for the most part companies wont cover otherwise. Go call SO and tell them you bought some tools on ebay and see what they say. Your sights are fixated on GW only because of your one experience when in reality anyone can have a bad experience with just about any company. Basically welcome to the party of getting some bad customer service and surprise surprise GW is no exception.

I answered the OP's question. Whats Ludicrous is the way Gearwrench has yet to resolve it. I've never had Snap-On ask me where I bought my tools. I bought the tools NEW. Yeah I had a bad experiance with Customer service. They have had several chance to make it right and even the Customer relation rep that comes on this forum "gearwrench Brand" admits there is a probelm. He has stated publicly and privatly they will take care of the problem. This is from about two months ago

Posted by Gearwrench Brand

"mrholeshot, I am very sorry about your customer service experience with us. We, like all tool companies do direct our warranty to our authorized distributors, as they are those that are closest to you, and should be able to take care of you the best. This includes the franchised trucks that sell our product, NAPA, Fastenal, among many others - including online warehouses. When they service your warranty as they should as a distributor, we cover their costs, no questions asked. You also brought up an excellent point about the warranty statement on our website. That needs to be expanded to cover all of the ways that GearWrench product can be bought/warrantied.

We want to make this right, and I will send you a PM and we can connect one-on-one. But, I wanted to state publically that GearWrench does stand behind our product, we do offer a lifetime warranty, and despite your unfortunate experience, we want to serve you, the customer, the best way we can. "

I'm still waiting. When a tool company that I have spoken so highly of in the past and purchaced so much from for myself and my sons screws me over I don't take it and let it slide. To many people just accept getting fucked and accept thats just the way it is. I come from a time when people kept their word and a warranty was worth something besides a hook to get you sucked in. If you are happy with tool companies ******* you over spread your cheeks and hold on. I'm just not that way. Also note that through all this Ive been through with Gearwrench I've never said a bad word about the tools themselves. When and if the day comes that they make things right I'll be the first person to post up and tell it. Until then any time the question is asked I'll be on it like stink on ****.

 

[Fedwrench]

I would recommend most Gearwrench tools. I liked it a lot more when the Gearwrench tools were made in taiwan instead of the PRC but, it is what it is.
Gearwrench's wrenches both ratcheting and fixed can be a great value depending on where you shop. Their chrome and impact sockets are strong, nicely finished, and clearly marked. I like their ratchet with a crisp 60 tooth action, thin heads, and slightly longer length for leverage. I don't care for their pliers, and I feel their softgrip screwdrivers are a little light in the steel despite being comfortable. I outfiited my work tool cart with mostly Gearwrench tools as an experiment in durability. Over a year into the project, everything is holding up nicely. Shop around though as there is a wide range of prices for the same item. Oh, and stay away from those Lowes and Craftsmn Gearwrench reversible ratcheting wrenches with that dammed capstop feature. It prevents you from using a reverse grip or the wrench from the top. I feel it ruins the wrench but, that's just me.

 

[mikeselky85]

Sounds like alot of people do like the gearwrench. Now i just gotta try a set, or possibly blue point.

 

[toolman1967]

I have been using them for a few years now. Gotta say , I love them!

 

[bentwrench54]

i have a gearwrench 3/8 socket set that is in my road box. i broke the ratchet some years ago, but the sockets work well for road repairs. paid $25 at lowes like 8 years ago.

i have the sae gearwrenches that came with the socket set, 5/16 - 9/16. i've built shelving with this tool kit, built a car, etc.

i also have the metric 5 piece set (10,12,13,14,15mm) and use the shenanigans out of them every day.

i've had to warranty the 13 and 15 wrenches so. zero issues whatsoever.

 

[treasureseeker]

I got the 10 to 17mm Gearwrench reversible ratcheting wrench set today for $41 at Lowes. They are well made but one wrench had peeling chrome which I exchanged. Lowes had them marked down to $51 and $10 off with the internet coupon.

 

[Skin]

Pretty sure snap-on doesn't care where you bought it...

They do. They even go so far to wipe auctions off ebay that make claims of "Lifetime Warranty" or if people check the box "Yes" next to warranty. This is also in their terms of sale.

Snap-on warrants to Customers who purchase Product from authorized Snap-on distribution channels for use in their profession that Snap-on® brand Products and Blue-Point® brand Products will be free from defects in workmanship and materials for a duration described in each Product's warranty code.

This warranty only extends to the original Customer and cannot be transferred or assigned.

http://www1.snapon.com/display/termsofsale.nws

Like i said its a very common policy.

I'm still waiting. When a tool company that I have spoken so highly of in the past and purchaced so much from for myself and my sons screws me over I don't take it and let it slide. To many people just accept getting fucked and accept thats just the way it is. I come from a time when people kept their word and a warranty was worth something besides a hook to get you sucked in. If you are happy with tool companies ******* you over spread your cheeks and hold on. I'm just not that way. Also note that through all this Ive been through with Gearwrench I've never said a bad word about the tools themselves. When and if the day comes that they make things right I'll be the first person to post up and tell it. Until then any time the question is asked I'll be on it like stink on ****.

I'm only commenting to your complaint that they declined to warranty a product that wasnt sold by one of their "Authorized" distributors and saying that its an extremely common practice. I'm not trying to defend any unfulfilled promises an individual rep made to you. If i buy a brand new Snap-On (or Matco, or Stanley, or Sunex, or GP etc etc..) whatever off ebay and they've got a problem and IF a rep asked where i got it and i said ebay they'd be perfectly in the right to tell me to go screw.

 

[leod]

retail price, no
with big discounts, yes

 

[Rudyjr]

Great tools, absolutely lousey warranty procedure that involves Fastenal. 3 ******** months to get a 1/4in ratchet replaced. Haven't bought another GW tool since then & won't until they get rid of the Fastenal connection.

This is a Fastenal problem not a Gearwrench problem in my opinion. Fastenal in our area just plain ***** no matter how big of a customer you are. So I would imagine they would really **** on returns if you were some average Joe off the street. Some of the bs they pulled with us caused us to totally drop them as one of our vendors to do business with.

 

[amolaver]

while i commiserate with mrholeshot on his (lack of) customer service experience, gearwrench, IMO, has a real value proposition that no one else touches. the tools are generally of excellent quality and have been very tough in my experience. their prices (when purchased through tooltopia/dskatools/toolsource/amazon) are 1/2 to 1/8 the trucks for similar items. my flex head stubby combo wrenches were literally run over by a dually and haven't missed a beat. many of my tools see service in dirty and sandy race paddocks and i haven't had one fail yet.

no doubt, something will fail and i hope i have a better experience getting them warrantied, but (again, IMO), there isn't any brand that covers such a breadth of hard line tools that consistently delivers as good or better quality for $.

gearwrench has their own version of 'flank drive plus' called 'surface drive plus'; SO's FD and FD+ used to be a big advantage, but all the 'good' brands now have something similar.

as far as ratcheting wrenches go, i don't think ANY brand delivers better functionality money notwithstanding. you may not like them because they are imported, but that doesn't change the quality of the tools.

for impact sockets, there are a number of options (GP/Sunex/Genius and GW and probably others) that all seem to be high quality and at reasonable prices (way, way cheaper than the trucks).

GW ratchets have been tough and reliable for me as well at about 1/3 - 1/4 the price of SO. is the action as fine as a dual80? not to me, but it doesn't justify the price difference. the craftsman premium ratchets are 1/2 or less the dual80 price and i like them a lot and they feel just as precise. i do wish they had comfort grip versions of them, but i'll use the GW when i want the soft grip (or buy the craftsman premiums if they release comfort grips).

hell, even the flare nut wrenches that everyone says you 'have' to buy SO, the GW haven't rounded a fastener on me yet. i do wish their set included 8mm as that is a common brake bleeder size for me, but those wrenches are pretty beefy and very strong.

ahm

 

[saturdaymechanic]

So far, I love my GW ratcheting wrenches, flex head ratchets and the full polish 3/8 and 1/2 60 tooth ratchets. They are tough, smooth and get the job done. Haven't had to warranty anything, but they are on the newer side.

I also have a 3/8 breaker bar and a magnetic swivel spark plug socket. These haven't used yet...

For the price and quality, GW is a good bet.

 

[ZRX61]

This is a Fastenal problem not a Gearwrench problem in my opinion. Fastenal in our area just plain ***** no matter how big of a customer you are. So I would imagine they would really **** on returns if you were some average Joe off the street. Some of the bs they pulled with us caused us to totally drop them as one of our vendors to do business with.

It is absolutely a Fastenal problem, but GW choose Fastenal to do waranty replacement for them so someone at GW needs to pull their head out of their *** & dump the Fastenal deal if they want to continue to sell tools.
Sears will only warranty GW tools that they carry.. & Sears has a lousey selection of GW tools. I went there first, was told "we can't warranty that ratchet as we don't carry that particular type"... & that's what lead to the 3 month *********** with Fastenal.

 

[route246]

Isn't GW just an upscale, off-shored Danaher brand? I believe it is cleverly placed between domestic truck brands and the off-shore brands and probably one of the soon-to-be many brands that are attempting to reposition the mind-set of the professional tool user.

So far, I love my GW ratcheting wrenches, flex head ratchets and the full polish 3/8 and 1/2 60 tooth ratchets. They are tough, smooth and get the job done. Haven't had to warranty anything, but they are on the newer side.

I also have a 3/8 breaker bar and a magnetic swivel spark plug socket. These haven't used yet...

For the price and quality, GW is a good bet.

 

[mrholeshot]

This is a Fastenal problem not a Gearwrench problem in my opinion. Fastenal in our area just plain ***** no matter how big of a customer you are. So I would imagine they would really **** on returns if you were some average Joe off the street. Some of the bs they pulled with us caused us to totally drop them as one of our vendors to do business with.

Fastenel is where Gearwrench directs you to go for warranty. That shithole is a nightmare within itself. They just want you to give up, throw your hands up and say **** it. Companies factor in that most people will just throw in the towel and just buy another of that companies wrench. I'm not that guy

 

[mrholeshot]

Isn't GW just an upscale, off-shored Danaher brand? I believe it is cleverly placed between domestic truck brands and the off-shore brands and probably one of the soon-to-be many brands that are attempting to reposition the mind-set of the professional tool user.

Some of their stuff is better than some truck brand tools. Ive never had a problem with the quality of the tools. If they had a good warranty and I was just starting out I'd own a box full of Gearwrench tools. The only problem with buying them off a tool truck is you are paying about 25% over list price. I buy mine when I can get them at a deal. Despite them being a great tool they are still imported. The warranty (or lack of) stops me from buying anymore.

 

[route246]

Regarding Fastenal, do a little reading of their corporate structure.
Basically, a big company that puts cost-cutting and profits ahead of customer service. They are focused on their stock price and not their brand. This is very common with publicly traded companies.

 

[thrifty bill]

retail price, no
with big discounts, yes

+1 Exactly. When I bought the ten ratcheting wrenches from True Value for $29.99, to me it was a no brainer. And I just bought four more for $9.99. I mean, we are talking $2.50 a wrench. Now if they were higher priced, I might keep looking. Used them today rehabbing a bicycle, very handy where I couldn't get a regular ratchet to fit (back side of brake calipers, between the frame and the caliper).

As far as warranty, I guess I have been lucky, but I have only warranted one tool in the last 30 years.

All my SO stuff was bought used, so I guess I am SOL on that warranty as well.

+1 I am not a Pro. So breaking tools just hasn't been an issue for me. If I was a Pro, the warranty would probably be a lot more important.

Do a price check sometime on ratcheting wrenches vs SO. OK, I freely admit that GW is not SO. But for the cost of one wrench, I got a ten piece set.

Lets see, 10 piece SO set is $294. http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=19837&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[route246]

I'm not a pro and I do not concern myself with the warranty return policy specifically because I am not a pro. I feel for me that the warranty is there to check the quality and it wouldn't be there if the product was junk. This means that if I were to be a pro who uses the tool until it breaks or wears out and I would have to make a claim, the company would find it beneficial both in terms of good will and cost of replacement to make a better product. Very good products have very strong warranties. One makes the other. Very poor products have very poor warranties, too. Again, one makes the other. A company can confidently offer stellar, bullet-proof, no-questions-asked warranties because they know their product is of high quality and very few warranty claims will be opened. That's the logic I use.

I have very little SO and I have no access to a truck. But, I am very confident that if I needed to make a claim that the claim process would be pretty easy and straight-forward with a phone call to SO so I have no worries. I also know that the chances of my few SO tools requiring a warranty claim is basically non-existent given the duty cycle they are under so it's purely peace of mind that I've paid for.

Some of their stuff is better than some truck brand tools. Ive never had a problem with the quality of the tools. If they had a good warranty and I was just starting out I'd own a box full of Gearwrench tools. The only problem with buying them off a tool truck is you are paying about 25% over list price. I buy mine when I can get them at a deal. Despite them being a great tool they are still imported. The warranty (or lack of) stops me from buying anymore.