Gearwrench is coming out with a whole slew of new low-profile ratchets with 84-tooth gearing. The new models are said to be upgrades from their current 60-tooth ratchets, with the new tooth count providing a 4.3° return swing angle vs. 6°. A Gearwrench rep also makes mention of a 25% increase in strength. This sounds good to us, although we’ve already found Gearwrench ratchets to be quite strong and durable.
We wonder if these new ratchets will be built with the same mechanism as the Craftsman premium ratchets we tested last year. Possibly not, otherwise why take so long to come out with the Gearwrench redesigns?
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This also possibly explains the recent fire-sale Sears seems to have had on Gearwrench ratchets, offering huge discounts of 70% and up. If the new ratchets are upgrades, it makes sense that Apex Tool Group/Gearwrench would want to clear out old stock in a hurry.
Also on the way to market are new ratcheting line wrenches and crowfoot wrenches.
http://youtu.be/nhPQ8-YaIjQ
Dave R.
I’ve played with those ratchet line wrenches, awesome idea.
Jaxx
Wonder if they will be able to make the ratcheting crows foot wrench in 12pt though?
Stuart
Since the crowfoot ratcheting design is based on Gearwrench’s open end wrench ratcheting mechanism, that seems unlikely.
Jerrick
“That’s right!”
Harry
Gearwrench displayed all of those “new ” tools at SEMA last November. It seems like it’s taking forever to launch them. Now will these tools be PRC or Taiwan made Gearwrench?
The 84 tooth demo ratchet they had a sema looked just like a 60 tooth version. Same stamped steel/snap ring gear cover, same shape handle, etc. I really don’t see the fuss over going to 84 teeth. It’s not a giant leap from 60 teeth in performance. Let’s hope Gearwrench’s 84 tooth action doesn’t suffer the same lock up issues as the 84 tooth Craftsman Premium versions did. A bit of good news is that all of Gerarwrench’s ratchets will be offered in 84 tooth. Stubby to long flex in all drive sizes. I think I’ll wait for the sears introductory half off sale to pick a couple up.
Richard
april or may, 2012… {tap tap tap}
Reed Felton
Beware of GearWrench ratchet arc claims. These are nominal ratchet arc claims not actual ratchet arc achieved. On their 72 tooth boxend wrenches they claim “as little as 5 degree ratcheting arc” In real world testing this nets out at about 12 degrees. Add the slop from the interface between the wrench and the nut and you are in the vicinity of 16 degrees. They are nice wrenches but have excessive backlash between the gear and the pawl. To see a head to head comparison between Gearwrench and some new ratchet technology see this YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyGzrGofJyQ
Allen
Interesting, good luck with your product. Made in USA ?
GEOD998
I my experience ya just cant use these fine toothed ratchets for everyday jobs without the “tap-tap” syndrome setting in.I don’t see that changing with this 84T generation.But,in a tight spot these are priceless. I still cant believe how well my original gear wrenches have held up.I bought the regular gearwrench set, a gear ratchet set,and a NAPA flex head gearwrench set all on sale very cheap.I figured they were cheap and came in a small quiet case-great to throw in the trunk-“just incase” . Never expected to actually use them for semi-hard core wrenching(I own a heavy equipment and trucking biz) . Now, its been more years than I want to think about…and they’re still in my top center drawer. Truly a pleasant surprise. I don’t know about you folks,but,that sure doesn’t happen for me very often these days. Sure hope the hits keep on comin from gearwrench.
Jim Stewart
This is Jim Stewart, brand manager for GearWrench. Thanks everyone for your feedback. The benefit of the GearWrench 84 Tooth Ratchet is that it greatly improves access. As for availability, we are converting all 60 Tooth Ratchets to the new 84 Tooth Ratchet. It’s happening in phases so you won’t see the new ratchet in all locations at one time. Please join us on our Facebook page (Facebook.com/gearwrench) to get the latest news on GearWrench.
Reed Felton
Hi Jim,
Glad to see the major tool companies are tuned in to these forums. Did you look at this 3 minute YouTube video? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyGzrGofJyQ
Full disclosure here, I am the designer of the patent pending technology in the video and have submitted it to Apex through the invention portal. There are 2 wrench demos, an OERW and a boxend wrench. The boxend shows how the GearWrench compares to the new technology I am offering. Am I guilty of shameless promotion? Yes. Will it be worth your time to look at? Yes. I would welcome your assessment. Thanks!
AussieDan
I’m still trying to figure out why Danaher are bothering with the 84-tooth setup when they have an 88-tooth mechanism in their Matco wrenches that would transplant directly into the Gearwrench line…guessing marketing had something to do with that one.
Jesse G
you can call it marketing, but understand you need to cover both ends of your market.
if you put the same mechanism in your professional and DIY line, nobody will buy the professional line.
and if professionals buy the DIY line, you will lose money on every single professional sale, because they’re paying the same amount as the homeowners but putting them up to 100x the abuse, which means multiple warrantied replacements per sale on a tool with already laser slim profit margins.
and you can’t compensate by charging more, or you lose your entire DIY market to the other companies in a highly competitive market.
thus, you have to have two separate tool lines for two separate markets.
pete
Hello I’m a backyard mechanic and i like to collect tools that maybe one day i might use or learn how to used. i never heard of gear wrench before but i seen a few ratchet set at a local flea market. i pick one up and it feels damn good long handle chrome polish and has a heavy feel. Looks heavy duty and it looks like its unbreakable i bought 2 pieces for a very good price and yet have to put them thru a test hope i don’t get disappointed.