Amazon has GEARWRENCH 1/4" Drive 72-Tooth Quick Release Locking Flex Slim Head Ratchet (81030) on sale for $22.01. Shipping is free w/ Prime or on $35+ orders.
Thanks to Community Member grazzhoppa for sharing this deal.
Note: Usually ships within 3 to 5 days.
About this product:
72-tooth ratchet turns fasteners with a 5° swing arc
Multi-functional adaptor head converts between bit driver and 1/4" drive ratchet
Locking flex head has 9 positions for maximum access
Slim line head design - 0.73" wide, 0.49" thick for improved access
Flush-mounted forward/reverse lever
Bright, full polish chrome finish easily wipes clean and resists corrosion
Extra long 12" handle for maximum access
Meets or exceeds ASME specifications
Editor's Notes & Price Research
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Our research indicates that this deal is $13.49 less (38% savings) than the next best available price from a reputable merchant with prices starting from $35.50 at the time of this posting.
Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon based on over 1495 customer reviews.
Please see the original post for additional details and/or view the Wiki and forum comments for further helpful discussion if available.
This is a 1/4" drive ratchet with an unusually long handle for the tiny drive size. And a locking flex head.
Gearwrench brand, model number 81030 .
$22.01: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078Z3FNX7 .
Looks like it was only cheaper 5 years ago in 2019. It has been around $25 for a few months prior to the price dropping to $22.
Model: GEARWRENCH 1/4 in. Drive 72-Tooth Quick Release Locking Flex Slim Head Ratchet
Deal History
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Sale Price does not include sale prices at Amazon unless a deal was posted by a community member.
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"Getting sockets off is a pain in the butt. The center comes out. It is not a "push-to-release". It is a mess with it until you get the three parts apart and hope you do not lose the small driver bit that holds the socket.
I've tried using it once so far. Spent more time looking for the bit that holds the socket when it fell that I did using the ratchet.
Conceivably other hex bits could be used with this ratchet… if the driver has a shoulder to hold it's place on the ratchet; however, none of my very extensive collection of driver bits has a shoulder… most have round shanks that make them incompatible with this ratchet.
I thought I was buying a ratchet but it turned out to be a type of ratchet where the but comes out the ratchet as your switching out various sockets. I was not happy of this product and got another ratchet so I will be sending this Gearwrench tool back and hopefully get my money back."
don't like this one. as the guy above points out, all true. also you don't need or want a long arm on a 1/4 ratchet. get this one for $24, it's much more useful
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Arcticat
01-29-2024 at 03:22 PM.
Not a regular ratchet head...
"Getting sockets off is a pain in the butt. The center comes out. It is not a "push-to-release". It is a mess with it until you get the three parts apart and hope you do not lose the small driver bit that holds the socket.
I've tried using it once so far. Spent more time looking for the bit that holds the socket when it fell that I did using the ratchet.
Conceivably other hex bits could be used with this ratchet… if the driver has a shoulder to hold it's place on the ratchet; however, none of my very extensive collection of driver bits has a shoulder… most have round shanks that make them incompatible with this ratchet.
I thought I was buying a ratchet but it turned out to be a type of ratchet where the but comes out the ratchet as your switching out various sockets. I was not happy of this product and got another ratchet so I will be sending this Gearwrench tool back and hopefully get my money back."
don't like this one. as the guy above points out, all true. also you don't need or want a long arm on a 1/4 ratchet. get this one for $24, it's much more useful
don't like this one. as the guy above points out, all true. also you don't need or want a long arm on a 1/4 ratchet. get this one for $24, it's much more useful
Yes- you will eventually need this specialty tool. For me it was changing spark plugs on a Subaru boxer H6-
without this tool…10 hour job
with this tool… 2 hour job
This tool fits any hex bit. It's a cheap insurance policy against the small spaces that you will encounter, whether it be assembling ikea furniture or working in tiny spaces in an engine bay. I use this far more often that I thought I would.
It's obviously not a typical ratchet, it you use it as such it will break. That being said, it's surprisingly well built and I have put substantial torque through it without issue. Taiwan apex stuff is great (gearwrench / SATA). It's not knipex, but at 1/4th the cost it's an amazing substitute!
This ratchet is great for reaching small fasteners in tight spots deep down in the engine bay or under the dash.
No, it is not a regular 1/4" ratchet head. It's a compact bit driver with a socket adapter. The really small head is an advantage for those really tight spots.
Yes, it's long and you could break bolts or strip the ratchet head if you aren't torque savvy. But its length is to provide extra reach, not for more torque. Use it intelligently and this is an advantage, not a problem.
The long handle is more of a reach thing, than heavy torque. With the flex head, kinda the whole purpose. To break out only when you need to reach that one PITA bolt hidden way up there.
I was able to use this tool with a stubby screw driver which had a hex shaft. Gave me additional torque in a space where i could really get a grip on the screw driver handle.
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"Getting sockets off is a pain in the butt. The center comes out. It is not a "push-to-release". It is a mess with it until you get the three parts apart and hope you do not lose the small driver bit that holds the socket.
I've tried using it once so far. Spent more time looking for the bit that holds the socket when it fell that I did using the ratchet.
Conceivably other hex bits could be used with this ratchet… if the driver has a shoulder to hold it's place on the ratchet; however, none of my very extensive collection of driver bits has a shoulder… most have round shanks that make them incompatible with this ratchet.
I thought I was buying a ratchet but it turned out to be a type of ratchet where the but comes out the ratchet as your switching out various sockets. I was not happy of this product and got another ratchet so I will be sending this Gearwrench tool back and hopefully get my money back."
https://www.amazon.com/GEARWRENCH...i0
https://slickdeals.net/share/iphone_app/fp/735076
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Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Scoreracing
https://slickdeals.net/share/iphone_app/fp/735076
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Arcticat
"Getting sockets off is a pain in the butt. The center comes out. It is not a "push-to-release". It is a mess with it until you get the three parts apart and hope you do not lose the small driver bit that holds the socket.
I've tried using it once so far. Spent more time looking for the bit that holds the socket when it fell that I did using the ratchet.
Conceivably other hex bits could be used with this ratchet… if the driver has a shoulder to hold it's place on the ratchet; however, none of my very extensive collection of driver bits has a shoulder… most have round shanks that make them incompatible with this ratchet.
I thought I was buying a ratchet but it turned out to be a type of ratchet where the but comes out the ratchet as your switching out various sockets. I was not happy of this product and got another ratchet so I will be sending this Gearwrench tool back and hopefully get my money back."
https://www.amazon.com/GEARWRENCH...i0
https://www.amazon.com/GEARWRENCH...i0
Plus the one you linked has almost double the teeth which is useful in tight spaces.
You could alternatively get the whole set for ~$103
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BTEXPDK
without this tool…10 hour job
with this tool… 2 hour job
This tool fits any hex bit. It's a cheap insurance policy against the small spaces that you will encounter, whether it be assembling ikea furniture or working in tiny spaces in an engine bay. I use this far more often that I thought I would.
It's obviously not a typical ratchet, it you use it as such it will break. That being said, it's surprisingly well built and I have put substantial torque through it without issue. Taiwan apex stuff is great (gearwrench / SATA). It's not knipex, but at 1/4th the cost it's an amazing substitute!
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
No, it is not a regular 1/4" ratchet head. It's a compact bit driver with a socket adapter. The really small head is an advantage for those really tight spots.
Yes, it's long and you could break bolts or strip the ratchet head if you aren't torque savvy. But its length is to provide extra reach, not for more torque. Use it intelligently and this is an advantage, not a problem.