Ya'll like the plain old combination Gearwrench?

[243]

I was given a SAE combination Gearwrench set years ago and then bought a complimentary Metric set. I was a little disappointed when I realized they are MIC but continue to use them on a regular basis. I have yet to break one and find myself grabbing a Gearwrench more often than my raised panel Craftmans.

I bought a set of four off CL, 13/16", 7/8", 15/16" and 1" for 50.00 bucks and they arrived today.

Saturday I stopped by Sear's to look around at what they had and specifically the flex head, locking Gearwrench and the locking mechanism seemed a little questionable.

I did like the concept and they certainly seem useful but the simplicity of the plain old Gearwrench works well for me. I have found very few cases were the lack of offset was an issue.

How about the rest of you?

 

[mrholeshot]

I like them better than all the rest of my gearwrench. Simple, strong and flat. I can flip the wrench faster than flipping that little lever. They are still the first ones I grab

 

[sevnd3z28]

I really like my non-flex Gearwrenches as opposed to the flex heads that I have. The flex is more of a pain in the *** than a convenience as far as I am concerned. I should have stayed with the standard style when I bought my metric set but I am a sucker for "new & improved"!

 

[fourfeathers]

I use the XL version, but certainly like the regular ole GW too.

 

[Brad54]

Never had a situation where a flex-head Gear Wrench would have done me any good. And with a '57 Chevy drag car, a '61 Corvair and Suburban, a '73 Duster resto project, a '54 Buick and all the other **** I do, you'd think the situation would have presented itself at least ONCE!

They're the first wrenches I grab.

I'll tell you what option I do have for them that has come in handy a few times: a socket adapter. They're spinner adapters that set in (I THINK) the 9/16, 1/2 and 7/16 wrenches to mount 1/4-, 3/8- and 1/2-inch sockets, giving a thin, low-profile ratchet head. Haven't used them a lot over the years, but have used them a couple times when I've thought about it... enough to keep them around.
-Brad

 

[Kev442]

I use my flexheads and regular GW about equally. The ability to flex to any angle is saving my knuckles from a lot of barking them on stuff. I do seem to get less leverage on the initial breaking of the bolt loose as they do try to wiggle a bit, hence using the regulars too.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

I usually grab my reversable GW first. I would like to have complete metric/SAE sets of full polish non-ratcheting GW wrenches...

 

[bonneyman]

I have a set of the original Gear Wrenches in SAE, probably been 11 or 12 years now. Work'em everyday - haven't bent, broke, or stripped out one yet. Knock on wood.

 

[blown94conv]

I love mine, use them all the time. I usually grab a gearwrench first, unless it a high stress load bolt. Then I might start it with a regular wrench and switch once I broke the fastener loose.

 

[Danglerb]

I mostly use the flex heads, almost never the non flex unless I need a stubby.

First choice is a socket on a power tool, if it will work.