I came across this Gearwrench special edition mechanics tool set, and it warranted a closer look.
This Geawrench 115pc set, model 88001, is on sale right now for $99, or less if you can manage a coupon. With Acme Tool’s July 4th 10% promo, it’s just a little over $89.
Gearwrench advertises that this is “a great set for either the DIYer who wants quality tools in an organized portable box or for the professional who wants a tool set to bring to different jobs.”
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This Gearwrench mechanics tool set comes with 1/4″ and 3/8″ ratchets, 6pt sockets in inch sizes from 5/32″ to 3/4″ and metric sizes from 4mm to 19mm.
By my count, it comes with 78 sockets, 30 screwdriver bits, 2 ratchets, 2 extensions, 2 adapters, and a 1/4″ hex bit screwdriver handle.
Here’s the list of socket sizes:
1/4″ Shallow Inch Sockets: 5/32″, 3/16″, 7/32″, 1/4″, 9/32″, 5/16″, 11/32″, 3/8″, 7/16″, 1/2″
1/4″ Shallow Metric Sockets: 4mm, 5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm
1/4″ Deep Inch Sockets: 3/16″, 7/32″, 1/4″, 9/32″, 5/16″, 11/32″, 3/8″, 7/16″, 1/2″
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1/4″ Deep Metric Sockets: 5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm
3/8″ Shallow Inch Sockets: 1/4″, 5/16″, 3/8″, 7/16″, 1/2″, 9/16″, 5/8″, 11/16″, 3/4″
3/8″ Shallow Metric Sockets: 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 16mm, 17mm, 18mm, 19mm
3/8″ Deep Inch Sockets: 3/8″, 7/16″, 1/2″, 9/16″, 5/8″, 11/16″
3/8″ Deep Metric Sockets: 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 16mm, 17mm, 18mm, 19mm
3/8″ Spark Plug Sockets: 5/8″, 13/16″
Gearwrench’s socket list only has 77 sizes, but I counted 78 in the images. 78 plus 30 bits and 7 drive tools and accessories adds up to the 115pc part count.
The ratchets both have 72-tooth gearing for a 5° minimal swing arc, and the sockets are said to have engraved markings for easy identification.
Price: $99, less with coupon
Is this a Good Deal?
Acme Tools and Home Depot are both listing this as a new product. I can’t tell what’s special or “limited edition” about this set – is it just the Stewart-Haas Racing sticker on the tool case?
7 drive tools and 78 sockets for $99 makes this seem like a decent “special buy.” Is it? Let’s look at some other options before getting into it.
Dewalt Alternatives
Amazon has this Dewalt 108pc 1/4″ and 3/8″ mechanics tool set for just under $70.
There’s also this 142pc set that’s currently $103.
Husky Alternative
If you don’t mind the case – I didn’t like it – Husky has their 270pc mechanics tool set at its $99 promo price again.
You get 117 sockets, 7 combination wrenches, 3 extensions, and “142 more tools.”
This is a 1/4″, 3/8″, and 1/2″ tool set whereas the others above only come with 1/4″ and 3/8″ ratchets and sockets.
Another Gearwrench Option
The closest-in-price Gearwrench mechanics tool set I could find is this 57pc 3/8″ set, which is priced at $109 and change at Amazon.
This makes the 115pc seem like a fair buy.
The ratchets are a bit different, though. This set comes with 90T ratchets whereas the 115pc set comes with 72T ratchets.
Come to think of it, the ratchets in the 115pc set don’t have Gearwrench’s typical handle shape; those ratchets look a bit like Crescent’s, such as this 3/8″ 72 tooth ratchet at Amazon.
Shown here are Crescent’s 3/8″ 72T ratchet (top) and a close-up cropped image of the Gearwrench 3/8″ and 1/4″ 72T ratchets included in the 115pc set. Interesting.
One More Gearwrench Option
While this Gearwrench 68pc set isn’t advertised as a Stewart-Haas Racing limited edition, it looks to be a better buy.
It comes with 90T 3/8″ and 1/4″ ratchets, 4 extensions, and 62 sockets – a mix of 12pt (shallow) and 6pt (deep).
The product description advertises this as having 90 tooth ratchets, but also mentions 84 tooth gearing and a 4.3° swing arc. Either way, the price seems compelling – $58.48 at the time of this posting.
For less than $60, this looks to be a decent 1/4″ and 3/8″ socket set, and there are no fillers such as insert bits.
Thoughts and Hesitations About the Gearwrench 115pc Set
This set is a lot less expensive than any Gearwrench set I’ve seen with similar part counts.
Why?
To start, you get more fillers. Most Gearwrench mechanics tool sets have different drive tools and accessories, but only a few look to have 1/4″ hex screwdriver insert bits. “Fillers” are a fact of life when shopping for consumer mechanics tool sets and “special buys.”
The ratchets have 72 tooth gearing compared to the 90T ratchets included in what looks to be most of Gearwrench’s other current mechanics tool sets.
They look nearly identical to Crescent ratchets, which makes sense as Crescent and Gearwrench are both Apex Tool Group brands. (Apex Tool Group is a Bain Capital company.)
The special/limited edition part is unusual, but not really for the mechanics tool industry. I just wish Gearwrench was clear about how this is a special set.
I also noticed the part where Gearwrench advertises this as “a great set for either the DIYer who wants quality tools…”
DIYer? Since when does Gearwrench market to DIYers? In my opinion, Gearwrench often seems positioned as the value-priced pro option.
This set looks to be a good buy, but I’m not sure it’s what I’d buy. I think that Husky would be my high value pick, Dewalt my mid-quality pick, and the smaller but regular line Gearwrench sets would be my pick for better ratchets and less fillers.
Oh there are plenty more options out there, such as Tekton and Milwaukee, but I wanted to limit my focus on like-priced or category alternative options.
The Gearwrench 115pc set looks to have all 6pt sockets – a plus in my book. It doesn’t come with as many drive accessories as I’d prefer.
Kobalt has a 257pc set for $99 at Lowe’s right now, and Craftsman has a 230pc set for $129. I tend to consider Gearwrench a step above, but perhaps not in the case of their 115pc tool set.
Does the Gearwrench set come with a relabeled Crescent ratchet? If that’s the case, what about the sockets?
On Home Depot’s Q&A section, here’s what someone said about the limited edition 179pc set, which also has a Steward-Haas Racing sticker on the case:
Why are these not the normal GW sockets pictured in the marketing photos? These sockets are very cheap and have none of the features of the normal GW sockets.
A Gearwrench rep replied to them:
The only change for these sockets is the identification ring at the bottom of the socket. They still feature a full polish chrome finish, Hard stamped markings, Chamfered openings, and an off-corner loading design.
The customer then said:
Thanks for the response GW, but it is simply not true of the “only difference” being the stamping. Any socket will have the other features you mentioned. These are deep broach, supposed to be shallow, deceptive.
To that, Gearwrench simply replied:
We are sorry you are disappointed with this set.
The “these sockets are very cheap and have none of the features of the normal GW sockets” part concerns me a little. The ratchets are similar – more closely resembling Crescent-branded ratchets than Gearwrench’s typical ones. It’s possible for the Crescent and limited edition sets’ Gearwrench ratchets to be built to Gearwrench’s typical standards.
So if this customer’s observations are true, does it mean you’re not getting Gearwrench’s typical ratchets or their typical sockets? Is that what makes these limited edition tool sets?
When I started writing this post, I saw the Gearwrench set as a very good bargain. Frankly, after taking a closer look, I’m not sure what to think.
This 115pc Gearwrench tool set could be a very good deal, but I feel enough hesitation where I’d sooner go with a different Gearwrench set or even a competing option.
Joe E.
GearWrench quality has significantly slipped in recent years. Apex could have had one hell of a tool brand, but they decided to take the opposite route and cheapen their products. I see a hardware store’s cheap tool bin set when I look at this. Don’t think I’d give more than $20 for it, and honestly I’d rather have my $20.
MM
You wrote : “This set is a lot less expensive than any Gearwrench set I’ve seen with similar part counts.”
I suspect that should have read more expensive?
Stuart
No?
115pc for $99 gives you a higher parts count for less money than other Gearwrench sets.
76pc for $126 at Amazon
110pc for $135 after coupon at Amazon
57pc for $112 at Amazon
But then there are sets like this one – 51pc for $46 at Amazon that skew things. That set looks to be unusually low priced (perhaps an algorithm price drop).
That 111pc set also doesn’t come with 30x screwdriver bit inserts.
MM
I figured you were talking value rather than raw numbers. Clearly this set does well in terms of parts-count-per-dollar, but as you elaborated on just after making that statement, this kit has a lot of small hex bits in it to pad the count, the ratchet tooth count isn’t as high, they might be cutting corners on the sockets (according to the HD Q&A), and so on.
MFC
Did you see the DeWalt 20v rivet gun? What was interesting is it showed a charger I’d never seen and oil resistant pouch batteries. The description at dewalt just said “Charger” included, not which one…
Stuart
Yes – news post is coming out later today.
They oil-resistant PowerStack came out last year – https://toolguyd.com/dewalt-powerstack-battery-compact-oil-resistant-dcbp034g/ .
The charger appears to be DCB1102 , which I’m not vary familiar with aside from it looking new. 2A charging rate, 12V Max, 20V Max, FlexVolt compatible.
Nathan
Gearwrench does market to DIY and they use to sell in Advance Auto and other places like that. I would say they try to do both really. Value minded Pro options for hard to find or minor use items (look up either “automotive sensor kit”) and DIY and “prosumer” options for other hand tools.
I agree with the hD comments it does look like their other main line product so ? All their new stuff is the new 90 tooth with the new handle setup.
I didn’t get a good look at the other bits but I would pick something else and often I try to avoid any special options items. usually the fillers aren’t great and I’d rather have the money used on better item.
Personally for a socket kit – in the 3/8 range if working on a car I like to see 8mm to 19mm for 3/8 drive – no skips other than maybe 11 mm. and deep and shallow.
1/4 drive I like to see 4-12. and while I like to see the 5.5 and I’ve not needed the 4.5 some include. that 5.5 is a very specific use case. I’m particular I suspect.
Stuart
Meeting DIYers’ needs isn’t the same as marketing towards DIYers.
Plenty of DIYers buy Milwaukee tools, but have you ever seen the company advertising their products with DIYers explicitly mentioned?
IronWood
I have a bunch of Gearwrench socket sets and 120 tooth ratchets that I got during some BOGO madness at ToolDiscounter years ago. I’ve been very happy with them for the price, and the 120xp ratchets are excellent. That said, I won’t be getting any more. Quality seems to be declining and this special seems deceptive for the reasons you note. Those don’t look like the quality GW ratchets I’m familiar with, which makes me think the sockets are rebranded, which makes me not trust the brand. Price is low, but I don’t think it’s a good deal. The last chrome socket sets I’ve gotten have all been Tekton, which are very good and an exceptional value. I think Tekton is turning into what GW could have become if they didn’t go down the typical Apex cheap-out route.
Ryan Guldbrandsen
To me it would seem like the Craftsman 121 piece gun metal chrome set would be a better buy @$129. 120t ratchets and all. The 150 piece set, is a norm at 50% off during black Friday until January. Well all of the gunmetal stuff normal hits 50% off every year.
Harry
I don’t think it’s a good deal because it looks like a rebadged Crescent set marketed as Gearwrench. Gearwrench is widely known for putting some nice knurling on the base of their metric chrome sockets. If you take a close look at the sockets, there doesn’t appear to be any knurling. Those ratchets are not normal Gearwrench ratchets either. I think Apex took pieces from its other brands slapped the Gearwrench name on it in an effort to enhance profits. Crescent mechanics tools are usually cheaper than their Gearwrench counterparts. The contents probably came out of the SATA factory in the PRC.
Joe H
I live in Minnesota and anything with 12 point sockets is basically worthless and I avoid them. Some cars do use 12 point for some bolts but it’s best just to grab a small set of 12 points for the very rare occasions one would run into them. I have some just in case but none of my vehicles have had them for anything but I generally I avoid new cars and anything European like the plague.
Paul Harden
The GW 68 piece set is up to $70 at Home Depot
MrChow
I like how the sockets are standing up in this box. I hate the more typical way they’re held in there by. I