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GEARWRENCH 1/4" Drive 72 Tooth Quick Release Locking Flex Slim Head Ratchet, 12" - 81030 ($23.30 w/ Free Prime Ship) $23.30
$23.30
$43.99
According to the 🐫, 2 pennies off lowest Amazon price ever since 2019.
About this item
o Extra-Long Handle For Maximum Access (note the extra length is for *access* as opposed to leverage)
o 9 Position Locking Flex-Head for Maximum Access
o Full Polish Chrome Handle
o Slim Line Head Design – 0.73" Wide, 0.49" Thick for Excellent Access
o ¼" Dr. Ratchet/ Bit Driver Head, Ratchet Adapter Meets or Exceeds all ASME Specifications
o Flush Mounted Forward/Reverse Lever
o Fine 72 Tooth Mech with 5° Swing Arc
https://www.amazon.com/GEARWRENCH...B0
About this item
o Extra-Long Handle For Maximum Access (note the extra length is for *access* as opposed to leverage)
o 9 Position Locking Flex-Head for Maximum Access
o Full Polish Chrome Handle
o Slim Line Head Design – 0.73" Wide, 0.49" Thick for Excellent Access
o ¼" Dr. Ratchet/ Bit Driver Head, Ratchet Adapter Meets or Exceeds all ASME Specifications
o Flush Mounted Forward/Reverse Lever
o Fine 72 Tooth Mech with 5° Swing Arc
https://www.amazon.com/GEARWRENCH...B0
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31 Comments
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Do you actually have this set and can verify opinion? If you don't have it, did you, or the OP order one from this 'deal?'
I am thinking that 30pc bit set is no different than most other bit sets and does not match the shaft on the 1/4" drive adapter. Otherwise, that bit set would absolutely be proprietary and required... and expensive.
If I am correct (I preface with I don't have this and just guessing) and the head has a spring wire like a magnetic bit holder, many of the box store brands [amazon.com], but certainly not all straight shank bits from even the same manufacture ( does [amazon.com] and does not [amazon.com]) come with those little indents that the wire ring inside most magnetic bit holders gently grab. The mistake some will make just once is to use a locking bit [amazon.com] in a bit holder with a wire ring... such as this tool may have. And if I am correct, any pressure on the bit (not a socket) will simply shove it on through the hole. But if proprietary bits like the 1/4" adapter shank has, I am out.
Meanwhile, this is sold to the average consumer and if it comes with a 12" extended handle, they are going to use it. In a pinch, I might use it past capability when nothing else will fit/work... that granted, would be a rarity. I have always been able to connect extensions, universals and/or flex sockets, crows foot, etc., to reach most anything, with whatever available arc swing that may be less than the 5 degrees that this has in a confined space.
It is simply another tool that most will seldom, if ever use. But, if deep pockets, it is shiny.
Even an average consumer needs to use their head. This is a tiny head 1/4" hex drive wrench, some might even call it a microdriver. It is clearly not made for large amounts of torque. It is way too small for that, regardless of what length it is. If they made it strong enough to handle the max amount of torque that you could apply at 12", the head would be too big for what this tool is intended for. If you are afraid that you can't adequately control yourself, then I suggest the 6" one.
I also have the long pattern locking-flex pass-thru 3/8" and love it for the access it gives me to bolts deep down in the engine compartment, but I know better than to use it full boar on too large, corroded, or really high torqued fasteners.
And sure, you can often cobble together some other way to get there, but tools like this just provide another option, an option that is often better and more efficient.
Then don't purchase? I like to keep niche tools on hand for the "oh crap" moments. A long handle ratchet is something that might be the exact thing I need.
I have this and it's the wrench I use most of the time
https://www.harborfreig
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This is a small tool, the head isn't even 3/4" across, it is clearly not intended for higher torque applications - but people overtorque it anyways and then complain because they broke it.
This is a small tool, the head isn't even 3/4" across, it is clearly not intended for higher torque applications - but people overtorque it anyways and then complain because they broke it.
There are other factors in the bad reviews such as the pivot being too loose but workable when new but getting worse with usage also. I have a ratchet like that now. Some 3/8" ratchet I picked up through the years and the damn head is so full of slop it's a pain to use as you have to hold the head with your thumb or finger positioning it. Don't know why I keep it in my toolbox? Probably because experience tells me the week I throw it away is the same week I wished I hadn't!…lol
The other thing many negative reviews state is the removable bit itself comes out. We all have had "those nuts" drop out of our hands and disappear into the same black abyss that socks disappear to in the dryer! I probably would purchase this if it had the standard 1/4" drive and like you stated be carefull in the torque district.
Here's a coupon for $5 off if you'd like to get one.
Here's a coupon for $5 off if you'd like to get one.
Attachment 11666380
Thank you for the kind response and repped....
They are still ok, but their main selling point used to be that Apex used Taiwan factories for the Gearwrench line and you could get a decent amount of their stuff through Advance Auto (for in person exchanges). Now, most of (if not all) GW production has shifted to China. I am *not* a "made in china == automatically bad" kind of guy, but QC has reportedly dipped. AA also no longer really stocks GW, they have shifted to their house brand.
At that point, HF lines become more competitive on a price/performance scale, especially for a niche ratchet like this. (For primary ratchets, even an amateur should likely invest in something like SKs, since buy once cry once).
I actually think Tekton is the better over all value/price/performance brand right now. They also seem a bit more focused on designing and selling products people might actual need (and catering to students/new pros/etc) rather than coming up with random new modifications of existing tools just to make a buck, but that's just my opinion.
For instance, Tekton does not sell a 1/4" 12" flex head ratchet like this.
They are still ok, but their main selling point used to be that Apex used Taiwan factories for the Gearwrench line and you could get a decent amount of their stuff through Advance Auto (for in person exchanges). Now, most of (if not all) GW production has shifted to China. I am *not* a "made in china == automatically bad" kind of guy, but QC has reportedly dipped. AA also no longer really stocks GW, they have shifted to their house brand.
At that point, HF lines become more competitive on a price/performance scale, especially for a niche ratchet like this. (For primary ratchets, even an amateur should likely invest in something like SKs, since buy once cry once).
I actually think Tekton is the better over all value/price/performance brand right now. They also seem a bit more focused on designing and selling products people might actual need (and catering to students/new pros/etc) rather than coming up with random new modifications of existing tools just to make a buck, but that's just my opinion.
For instance, Tekton does not sell a 1/4" 12" flex head ratchet like this.
Some gearwrench stuff still is decent i would say, but the dip in quality is no doubt noticeable not sure on this specific rachet style but their older models are awesome still have about 4 broke one due to abuse on my part other than that they are still going strong .
Harbor freight is probably the most competitive brand on the market right about now price to quality is great imo and warranty is great to.
I like tekton and own a few 1/4 stuff I fell it's decent but not particularly good when it came to sockets (impact) I went with sunex I was pleasantly surprised with the quality 5 years with no issues so far I own a bunch of snap on chromes I've broken about 8 of them if any company has their quality go down it's snap on fyi.
For tools that I want and actually use i would suggest "lisle" decent quality,price great value
But still mi point stands if you break this rachet it's probably not the rachets fault friendo.
They are still ok, but their main selling point used to be that Apex used Taiwan factories for the Gearwrench line and you could get a decent amount of their stuff through Advance Auto (for in person exchanges). Now, most of (if not all) GW production has shifted to China. I am *not* a "made in china == automatically bad" kind of guy, but QC has reportedly dipped. AA also no longer really stocks GW, they have shifted to their house brand.
At that point, HF lines become more competitive on a price/performance scale, especially for a niche ratchet like this. (For primary ratchets, even an amateur should likely invest in something like SKs, since buy once cry once).
I actually think Tekton is the better over all value/price/performance brand right now. They also seem a bit more focused on designing and selling products people might actual need (and catering to students/new pros/etc) rather than coming up with random new modifications of existing tools just to make a buck, but that's just my opinion.
For instance, Tekton does not sell a 1/4" 12" flex head ratchet like this.
I believe all of Gearwrench's ratchets are made in Taiwan... and this one is definitely made in Taiwan. Yes, some of their stuff comes from China, but the ratchets and their chrome sockets are all made in Taiwan.
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