Gearwrenches (was:Alden Wrenches)

[Keith Lawyer]

Yep, but that's only an 8pc set.  Sears sells a lot of their stuff, and
some of the Craftsman ones (the reversibles) are I believe re-badged
Danaher/KD/Gearwrench, but they never sell sets that are comprehensive
as GearWrench direct.

Try this place, they've got it all:
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/

As for the reversibles being larger......maybe (not true on Craftsman
ones tho as the Craftsman non-reversibles are huge and sloppy), but I've
had enough times when I've backed a fastener off only to find I've
backed the head into an obstruction and still can't get the fastener or
my wrench off.  With the reversibles, you flip a lever and turn it back
in until you can get your wrench back, then find a different approach. 
With the non-reversibles, I dunno what you'd do.........still look for a
different approach while letting your wrench remain captive I suppose.

I think the best of both worlds would be to have both types, and I also
want their stubby set.  But best, most effective bang for the buck I
believe is the lever-reversible ones.  They're durable too IME as I've
put loads on them I thought would break the pawls, but no complaints. 
I've spoken with professional mechanics who report the same results
(note the Matco Gearwrenches are just Gearwrench with Matco etched on
them).

And yes, I'm sure they figure the reversibles won't take the load that
might be common for sizes above 19mm/ 3/4"

Keith L

>>> SJ <syljay at optonline.net> 02/16/05 12:38PM >>>

> From: "Keith Lawyer" <LawyerKG at co.laplata.co.us>
> Subject: Gearwrenches (was:Alden Wrenches)
>
> Gearwrenches are cool, but I'll only buy the reversible ones (ie flip
a
> lever, not turn it over) and only the most comprehensive sets they
sell
> as Mr Murphy is always there to make sure you don't have the size
you
> need.  I've got the 11pc metric from 8mm to 19mm, approx $120
retail,
> and the 8 pc SAE set from 5/16 to 3/4" which is around $70ish
retail.
***** Are these the wrenches you are talking about?
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00944004000



>
> The reversible ones are only made up to 19mm or 3/4", above that you
> have to go with the flip-em-over (technical term) ones.
****http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TO

OL&pid=00944002000
I would think the flip-em-over wrenches would be more robust since the
ratchet mechanism does not need provisions for working in both
directions.
The absence of reversible types on the larger sizes would indicate the
correctness of my assumption. Comments?