Merkava_4
Banned
Any of you peeps have any? I'm curious about them. 
GearWrench Screwdrivers
- Thread starter Merkava_4
- Start date
Stuey
Well-known member
Nope. I'd opt for Wiha or Wera before GW, just from a $$ perspective.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have a combination set. The handles are comfortable. The blades are ok but, I haven't beat on them much as they aren't that thick. The brand name disappears quickly when exposed to chemicals. The soft grip portion of the handle stays dirty as with other soft grip tools.
MAD
Well-known member
I got this this ratcheting set recently.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00944013000P?vName=Tools
The ratcheting action is very nice. The standard handle feels nice in my hand but seems longer than it needs to be. The T-handle does not feel good to me (ergonomically) but that may just be a personal preference. Everything in the kit seems well made, but I have not used them for any real work yet so I can't comment on how the bits fit or last. I like the case and I usually ditch plastic molded cases as soon as I open them.
I only paid $17.50 so I can't complain. A stubby handle and short shaft instead of the T-handle would have made a more it a more useful kit though
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00944013000P?vName=Tools
The ratcheting action is very nice. The standard handle feels nice in my hand but seems longer than it needs to be. The T-handle does not feel good to me (ergonomically) but that may just be a personal preference. Everything in the kit seems well made, but I have not used them for any real work yet so I can't comment on how the bits fit or last. I like the case and I usually ditch plastic molded cases as soon as I open them.
I only paid $17.50 so I can't complain. A stubby handle and short shaft instead of the T-handle would have made a more it a more useful kit though
hamburglar
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2008
- Messages
- 523
Interesting, I didn't know they made regular screwdrivers. That strikes me as a product that's cheap enough (plus it isn't like you need 100 different sizes) that you buy whatever you think is the absolute best brand. There's no point in saving money.
cruiser808
Well-known member
thank you Wrenchr - In a previous post of mine, I tried to get agreement on the absolute best hard handle screwdrivers with the following criteria:
1) premium brand (open to anyone);
2) hard handle:
3) bolster.
I said I'd listen to proponents of soft handles if the handles could stand the test of time.
In the end, only three choices came up with no softies recommended to me:
1) Snap-on on ebay with crazy stupid prices (no way for me);
2) Williams (old Snap-on) which is outstanding, but delivery is questionable;
3) Old school Mac which is still available, but you're on your own to find a reasonable deal.
In the end, I'll probably just buy the Mac's and be done with it if I can get the 8-pack for less than $100.
hamburglar
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2008
- Messages
- 523
No doubt all of the ones mentioned before are fine.
I think that SK makes bolsters + hard handle if you like forest green.
Felo maybe? I think they make a series with harder material handles that are 'ergo' shaped.
I think that SK makes bolsters + hard handle if you like forest green.
Felo maybe? I think they make a series with harder material handles that are 'ergo' shaped.
cruiser808
Well-known member
Thanks Hamburglar - hadn't thought of SK. they will definitely get a look see.
I have the master set of ratchet screwdrivers from them and they are great, the interchangable shank is nice, I wish it was snap on but for the money I am willing to look the other way. As for quality it isn't snap on, but I have about 25 snap on screwdrivers and 3 snap on ratchet models, 2 green handles with the bits in them and one red t-handle, and I like the snap on better, but like I said for the money they work great and I haven't used them much, but as time goes on I think I will find them just as nice as the snap on and of course have to use my apex bits, but I will use the ones it came with when I don't have an apex bit to use. I say try one and see what you think, not all of us can always afford snap on all the time, and I think it is nice to find alternatives when possible, and you won't be out much.
Attachments
My mac are hard handles and my snapon on are soft grip.
spencerian
Well-known member
I use this one...
It was clearanced out to $9.
For the screwdriver part, I have bought shanks from Snap On.
The ratcheting action of the handle is top notch!
It was clearanced out to $9.
For the screwdriver part, I have bought shanks from Snap On.
The ratcheting action of the handle is top notch!
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Yeah, they do look like a variation of the Witte design. Honestly, I haven't been disappointed with any of my GearWrench stuff. If I were in the market and the price was right, I'd give them a look.
billymade
Well-known member
The gearwrench guys said the ratcheting screwdrivers were the Snapon design being made under license and they made the Craftsman one too!
Coach James
Well-known member
For me, this is still a tool where I have to watch my dollars. A 6 piece Snappy set is ~$90-$100, while I can get a 8 piece set of C-man for $10-$15. I won't dispute that the Snappys are better etc., but spending nearly $100 for screwdrivers is something I couldn't justify with the other money obligations we have.
I had to do a lot of thinking to justify, in my mind, spending $25 on 4 insulated screwdrivers.
Coach
I stopped in at Advance Auto Parts today and had a look at their screwdrivers. Call me crazy, but the shanks have the look and feel of Witte's, or maybe some other German brand. I was really tempted to buy a #2 and test it out just for kicks.
Has anyone used the Gearwrench screwdrivers since the last post of this thread
Has anyone used the Gearwrench screwdrivers since the last post of this thread
Any of you peeps have any? I'm curious about them.
I've got a set of their ratcheting action ones... with the T handle and standard length. Fairly close in size/design to the newer comfort grip S/O units but certainly not as heavily built. The rubber grip is a little "sticky" for my tastes. I accidently set one in some wood shavings while working on something and the handle was covered in grit for weeks even after I wiped it off, etc. Otherwise.. the ratchet action is smooth... the bits seem to be a decent quality and the shaft is pretty solid. For the $$ they are certainly worth it. My biggest complaint is really just the material is too sticky for my tastes.
Wow, those handles do sound a little sticky. I'm not sure why, but I haven't picked up one of those sets yet. Maybe for Christmas
Have you had a chance to try out any GW brand regular (non ratcheting) screwdrivers?
Stuey
Well-known member
I'm STILL on the fence about these, especially since I never saw them in person.
As much as I assume that these screwdrivers would stand up to GW's top-notch quality standards, I cannot get over the pricing. During this last 30% off GW sale, I almost bought a #2 Phillips to try out, but it was $7 after discount. Yes it's very cheap relative to Snap-On and other truck brands, but it's not too far from Craftsman Pro, and several German brands' offerings.
Maybe if nobody else buys them, I'll be the guinea pig.
As much as I assume that these screwdrivers would stand up to GW's top-notch quality standards, I cannot get over the pricing. During this last 30% off GW sale, I almost bought a #2 Phillips to try out, but it was $7 after discount. Yes it's very cheap relative to Snap-On and other truck brands, but it's not too far from Craftsman Pro, and several German brands' offerings.
Maybe if nobody else buys them, I'll be the guinea pig.
Believe me, I know what you mean. Advance is selling the #2x4" for $6.99 but I still couldn't do it. The steel feels very lightweight just like the Witte stuff I have handled, and the tip looks very precise.
I asked the guy about warranty on GW stuff and he said they would do exchanges no problem. I don't know if they would be as lenient as Sears when it comes to exchanging screwdrivers though.
kartracer23
Well-known member
I bought the set when they had it on sale @ Amazon. I like it. The speed area is nice and the gripper tips are nice as well. I cammed out a few screws with them (whoops! guess that was the wrong size!), and it didn't even touch the black oxide coating.
I think it was this set:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UGYFSM/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I don't have a lot to compare them to - my other sets are the standard CMan and an old set of Stanleys, but the GearWrench are definitely nicer than either of those.
Edit: Just realized that Amazon tells me it was the set I bought. $48 including shipping, so $4.80 per screwdriver.
I think it was this set:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UGYFSM/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I don't have a lot to compare them to - my other sets are the standard CMan and an old set of Stanleys, but the GearWrench are definitely nicer than either of those.
Edit: Just realized that Amazon tells me it was the set I bought.
$48 including shipping, so $4.80 per screwdriver.
Last edited:
gotmud13613
Well-known member
I bought a couple at advance auto to try out,a #2 phillps and 1/4" flat so far I am very impressed with them. They sure dont snap like my Snappy's did
Handles are kinda tri-lobe design, handles do collect the dirt though but the grip is great.
Handles are kinda tri-lobe design, handles do collect the dirt though but the grip is great.
Wow, those handles do sound a little sticky. I'm not sure why, but I haven't picked up one of those sets yet. Maybe for Christmas
Have you had a chance to try out any GW brand regular (non ratcheting) screwdrivers?
No chance to try the standard type drivers... but I saw some tonight at a local Advance while grabbing some oil. The shafts look to be a decent quality but looks can be deceiving. Very much like the Matco Witte blades. The handles don't do much for me. Same sticky rubber. No thanks. I'll keep my S/O hard handles and my Facom's thank you very much.
Stuey
Well-known member
NOT FOR ME IT WON'T!
Chinese
Taiwanese
What would happen if the "today" you met the "past" you? I bet the younger you would slap the present-day you silly!!
And yes, I did spend five minutes just now hunting down your old comments, because they stuck in my mind since from when I was still very new to the forum. =P Glad to see that you've come around to the "quality is quality no matter where it's from" side.
Well, it was eating me up inside so I stopped by another Advance this evening and bought a #2 phillips to test out. I fooled around with it briefly around the house before dinner. I removed and reinstalled every screw I could locate in order to test it out. I also drove in and removed about five 3" deck screws,
After performing this little test I have to say that the tip held up pretty darn good. I won't say that I'm super impressed but it only shows a small sign of wear. The handle is good quality but it feels a little small to me, and I prefer a more pronounced tri-lobe feel. It just feels too round, if that makes sense.
Overall I am impressed, since they held up well for being made overseas. It certainly held up better than some USA screwdrivers I have used. The handle is not my favorite, but I can live with it. I would buy more GW screwdrivers if the price was right. I am more than happy to add this #2 to my arsenal.
After performing this little test I have to say that the tip held up pretty darn good. I won't say that I'm super impressed but it only shows a small sign of wear. The handle is good quality but it feels a little small to me, and I prefer a more pronounced tri-lobe feel. It just feels too round, if that makes sense.
Overall I am impressed, since they held up well for being made overseas. It certainly held up better than some USA screwdrivers I have used. The handle is not my favorite, but I can live with it. I would buy more GW screwdrivers if the price was right. I am more than happy to add this #2 to my arsenal.
Stuey
Well-known member
Gifts? Do tell!
I don't recall you showing us any photos of your GW acquisitions.
I don't recall you showing us any photos of your GW acquisitions.
i love gearwrench
i hate their screwdrivers
they just dont feel right, they feel cheap
i got a set from sk which i love
some people love the snap ones
i heard a lot of good things about the wiha, only i opted for the sk because of the ease of warranty
gearwrench- specialty is wrenches
i actually like their plier set (which i have)
but their screwdrivers no-
i hate their screwdrivers
they just dont feel right, they feel cheap
i got a set from sk which i love
some people love the snap ones
i heard a lot of good things about the wiha, only i opted for the sk because of the ease of warranty
gearwrench- specialty is wrenches
i actually like their plier set (which i have)
but their screwdrivers no-
Stuey
Well-known member
Oh yea, I remember that thread. doh!
You sold out! Your old posts were an inspiration. Once those sit next to your, SO ones,etc.. You'll come around again, I did.
Not sold out .... bought out!!
At least it's Gearwrench, and not Pittsburgh! I may have to get some of those long double box, Pro Swing wrenches sometime. Nobody else makes those.
nightrain00
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2008
- Messages
- 134
re: Coach James if you ever used a Snap-on hard handle you would throw out all your Craftsman screwdrivers and never look back IMHO. I have 2 of the ratcheting sets from Gearwrench one at work one at home. No it's no Snap-on but for the price it's close enough. Definetly one of the best purchases I've made in quite a while.
RbrtAWhyt
Well-known member
I have this set of torx drivers:
http://www.gearwrench.com/catalog/screwdrivers_nutdrivers/non-ratcheting/torx/
I really like them. The handles are comfortable and the tips seem to be holding up well...
http://www.gearwrench.com/catalog/screwdrivers_nutdrivers/non-ratcheting/torx/
I really like them. The handles are comfortable and the tips seem to be holding up well...
Set - #80050 (above)
Phillips - #1 (above)
Phillips - #2 (above)
Straight Slot - 1/8" Width Blade (above)
Straight Slot - 1/4" Width Blade (above)
Straight Slot - 5/16" Width Blade (above)
Straight Slot - 1/8" Width Blade (above)
Straight Slot - 1/4" Width (above)
Straight Slot - 5/16" Width (above)
Straight Slot - 5/16" Width (above)
I couldn't wait for Advance Auto to come to town.
These screwdrivers are sweet!! They're a Tri-Lobe design, but they're a mild Tri-Lobe; meaning, they're almost round; which makes them easy to spin in your finger tips fast! They're very sticky, giving you excellent grip, and they're VERY comfortable.
These screwdrivers are sweet!! They're a Tri-Lobe design, but they're a mild Tri-Lobe; meaning, they're almost round; which makes them easy to spin in your finger tips fast! They're very sticky, giving you excellent grip, and they're VERY comfortable.
Last edited: