Anyone have a GearWrench set?

[lothos]

Those GearWrench sets are on sale at Sears right now until the 9th. I don't really have any wrenches in my toolbox, and I've had my eyes on these for a while. I'm pretty sure they have the same warranty that the Craftsman tools have.

This is the set I was thinking of picking up: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_0...;sName=Wrenches

It has 8mm to 19mm and both ends are box ends.

Are there ever situations that need an open ended wrench? They have a set that has open ended sides as well, it's a couple bucks more but it's missing the 9mm, 11mm, 16mm and 19mm.

[JimD]

For smaller nuts and bolts (like up to 7/16"), a gear wrench would be convenient.

I have resisted buying any for several reasons. I will not buy a box end wrench (or socket) that is not 6 point.

There is no way a gear wrench could survive the abuse that my some of my 50+ year old hand tools have lived through.

[KHE]

I have a set and like them. They are not for breaking fasteners loose though - you run the risk of damaging them. Once the fastener is loosened, the gear wrenches are very handy.

[BodybyFisher]

I like them a lot, I have a bunch, both Gear Wrench and Craftsmen, they are very handy. Before you buy, test them against other sets, I personally like those that have a fine tooth ratchet, verses a wider ratcheting.

[lothos]

I like them a lot, I have a bunch, both Gear Wrench and Craftsmen, they are very handy. Before you buy, test them against other sets, I personally like those that have a fine tooth ratchet, verses a wider ratcheting.

I think the GearWrench have fine teeth, the box says they only need 5 degrees of swing to work. I imagine the Craftsman are similar, I think the same manufacturer makes both.

Would it be better to get a set that has open-ended sides? I'm not sure if that would be useful or not, are there situations that require an open-ended wrench? There's a tradeoff with the open-ended set, you lose a few wrench sizes and the set is slightly more expensive.

[BodybyFisher]

Well I assume you are buying metric, do you have metric open ended wrenches from another set? If so, go for the box on both ends, that is actually a cool idea, all of mine are box/open. And I think you are correct about the gear wrench it has a find tooth, I have a first gen set from Craftsman and its not as fine. However, as KHE noted, he would not use a gear wrench for serious torque either either direction.

[lothos]

Well I assume you are buying metric, do you have metric open ended wrenches from another set? If so, go for the box on both ends, that is actually a cool idea, all of mine are box/open. And I think you are correct about the gear wrench it has a find tooth, I have a first gen set from Craftsman and its not as fine. However, as KHE noted, he would not use a gear wrench for serious torque either either direction.

I have a little set of generic wrenches, biggest size is a 14mm. So I'm not sure what to go for here

[Ranger]

I have a set of Sears ratcheting box wrenches and I like them when I can use them, but I like those better. I'd buy them.

[cadman1940]

Those GearWrench sets are on sale at Sears right now until the 9th. I don't really have any wrenches in my toolbox, and I've had my eyes on these for a while. I'm pretty sure they have the same warranty that the Craftsman tools have.

This is the set I was thinking of picking up: <a href="http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00944031000P?vName=Tools&cName=Mechanics+Tools&sName=Wrenches" target="_blank">http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_0...;sName=Wrenches</a>

It has 8mm to 19mm and both ends are box ends.

Are there ever situations that need an open ended wrench? They have a set that has open ended sides as well, it's a couple bucks more but it's missing the 9mm, 11mm, 16mm and 19mm.

May I ask is this wrench a box ratchet or is it a one way clutch design? Either way if you do not already have a set of good wrenches may I recomend that you look at buying a set of combination wrenches that way you will have the box e3nd on one end while openend on other. If you feel budget constraints go to your harbour freight store and get a set of their imports they are cheap but will give good service for a DIY er to start with. If you need a set of 1/2 in fractional and possibly metric deep sockets look at their black impact sockets they are really tough I do not know if they are avaliable inmetric but if they are they have a really thin wall and are really strong. I have used them with a 550 ft # torque impact wrench and not broke one yet. Have a great day Eric

[lothos]

Those GearWrench sets are on sale at Sears right now until the 9th. I don't really have any wrenches in my toolbox, and I've had my eyes on these for a while. I'm pretty sure they have the same warranty that the Craftsman tools have.

This is the set I was thinking of picking up: <a href="http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00944031000P?vName=Tools&cName=Mechanics+Tools&sName=Wrenches" target="_blank">http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_0...;sName=Wrenches</a>

It has 8mm to 19mm and both ends are box ends.

Are there ever situations that need an open ended wrench? They have a set that has open ended sides as well, it's a couple bucks more but it's missing the 9mm, 11mm, 16mm and 19mm.

May I ask is this wrench a box ratchet or is it a one way clutch design? Either way if you do not already have a set of good wrenches may I recomend that you look at buying a set of combination wrenches that way you will have the box e3nd on one end while openend on other. If you feel budget constraints go to your harbour freight store and get a set of their imports they are cheap but will give good service for a DIY er to start with. If you need a set of 1/2 in fractional and possibly metric deep sockets look at their black impact sockets they are really tough I do not know if they are avaliable inmetric but if they are they have a really thin wall and are really strong. I have used them with a 550 ft # torque impact wrench and not broke one yet. Have a great day Eric

The one I linked to is a one way, you flip the wrench over to reverse it. I think it's thinner than the other set, the other set with the open ends is reversible with a switch. The set that has open ends is only a couple bucks more, but it's missing the 9mm, 11mm, 16mm and 19mm while the set I linked to has 8mm-19mm. I'm not sure how often those missing sizes are used. I'm torn on which set to get.

[BodybyFisher]

I think the double box from 8 to 19 mm would be a terrific set to have, as I noted I have a couple of box/open sets (metric & SAE)

[lothos]

I opted for this set: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_0...;sName=Wrenches

It's a combination with box end and open end, which I figured would be a good first set. I got the open ended, because like KHE said the ratcheting part isn't for breaking loose fasteners. The guy at the store said that that missing sizes, like 9mm or 11mm, weren't used as often.

Thanks for the recommendations everyone.

[Ranger]

Nice. If I where in the market, that's what I'd buy. Best of all worlds.

[OynxSTS]

I have two sets of these... SAE and Metric.. The Gearwrenches are Craftsman brand and are guaranteed for life.

Mine are engraved Craftsman on one side and Gearwrench on the other.

These are the best thing ever invented, TOTALLY indispensable when working in tight cramped spaces... You know like on a tightly packed FWD V8. I love my set(s)... and I use them all of the time... They are well built and take a lot of abuse... though I wouldn't use the 'ol black pipe extender on them...

Buy them, trust me, you will love them!

[BodybyFisher]

I have two sets of these... SAE and Metric.. The Gearwrenches are Craftsman brand and are guaranteed for life.

Mine are engraved Craftsman on one side and Gearwrench on the other.

These are the best thing ever invented, TOTALLY indispensable when working in tight cramped spaces... You know like on a tightly packed FWD V8. I love my set(s)... and I use them all of the time... They are well built and take a lot of abuse... though I wouldn't use the 'ol black pipe extender on them...

Buy them, trust me, you will love them!

Wow, that is a glowing endorsement, and so true, I have moved away from 'old school' wrenches and tend to use them for nostalgic reasons only (Dad's 40 year old Blackhawk 9/16 box wrench, etc).. But these wrenches are the best. I have my eye on the box/box set...

[lothos]

I have two sets of these... SAE and Metric.. The Gearwrenches are Craftsman brand and are guaranteed for life.

Mine are engraved Craftsman on one side and Gearwrench on the other.

These are the best thing ever invented, TOTALLY indispensable when working in tight cramped spaces... You know like on a tightly packed FWD V8. I love my set(s)... and I use them all of the time... They are well built and take a lot of abuse... though I wouldn't use the 'ol black pipe extender on them...

Buy them, trust me, you will love them!

Wow, that is a glowing endorsement, and so true, I have moved away from 'old school' wrenches and tend to use them for nostalgic reasons only (Dad's 40 year old Blackhawk 9/16 box wrench, etc).. But these wrenches are the best. I have my eye on the box/box set...

That double box-end set I linked to was on sale until today for 48 plus tax. It was on sale for father's day for 30 bucks (half off!) If you don't need it right away I'd wait for a sale like that, the guy at Sears said they go on sale often. He said that the biggest sales are around holidays where guys are expected to get gifts, like fathers day and christmas, and probably thanksgiving as well.

[Patrick7997]

I guess I'm a little late, but I have 2 sets of those, metric and SAE, the kind with a ratcheting box on one end, and the stanard open end on the other...

I love 'em. They WILL get you into a tight spot....

Sometimes, especially on motorcycles, you're going back-to-back with these bolts, so it doesn't hurt to have 2 of every size, anyway.... assuming you already have a full set of traditional wrenches, I used that to justify buying MORE wrenches in sizes I already have, see.... heh heh!

They're great. I wouldn't put the cheater bar on them... and no, they're not 6 point, which generally I try to stay with.... but they are nice. The ratchet action is pretty fine, you can use it with very little movement.... I'm not sure what they claim, but ten degrees is plenty to get good movement...

[Texas Jim]

That double box-end set I linked to was on sale until today for 48 plus tax. It was on sale for father's day for 30 bucks (half off!) If you don't need it right away I'd wait for a sale like that, the guy at Sears said they go on sale often. He said that the biggest sales are around holidays where guys are expected to get gifts, like fathers day and christmas, and probably thanksgiving as well.

lothos,

Don't forget... LABOR DAY is coming real soon.

Sears ALWAYS runs big Labor Day sales.

[lothos]

That double box-end set I linked to was on sale until today for 48 plus tax. It was on sale for father's day for 30 bucks (half off!) If you don't need it right away I'd wait for a sale like that, the guy at Sears said they go on sale often. He said that the biggest sales are around holidays where guys are expected to get gifts, like fathers day and christmas, and probably thanksgiving as well.

lothos,

Don't forget... LABOR DAY is coming real soon.

Sears ALWAYS runs big Labor Day sales.

I'm hopefully going to be doing this before Labor Day! Sears will price match a sales price, if you bring in the receipt within 90 days also. I did that when I bought my floor jack, and they will match the price once within 90 days. I'm hoping they have a 50% off sale on GearWrench and I can get about $15 back.