Over at Sears, their almost predictable Gearwrench 20pc ratcheting wrench deal is back. You get all this, for $50, which according to Sears reflects a 50% discount off the regular price of $100.
Actually, the set is $45 right now, but that’s because Sears is holding a friends and family deal tonight. By the time you see this post, the deal will be back to $50.
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I first became aware of this deal during the 2011 holiday shopping season, but it could have existed before that. Since then, it’s been a doorbuster and a regular holiday item, with $50 being the typical price.
These are non-reversible ratcheting wrenches, which means the wrenches must be flipped over if you want to reverse the ratcheting direction. That’s not a bad thing, but some of us (like myself) prefer reversible wrenches.
I discussed my dislike for zero offset ratcheting wrenches in a previous review of Gearwrench’s X-beam ratcheting wrenches. Gearwrench’s X-beam wrenches are awesome – I just don’t like zero-offset non-ratcheting wrench designs.
If you don’t own any ratcheting wrenches, or are looking for a wrench set for a portable kit, this 20pc set will get you going for a good price.
If shopping for yourself weigh the low price against the benefits and downsides of the zero offset design. If shopping for someone else, you could probably get away with spending about the same or maybe less for an okay ratcheting wrench set from a slightly lesser brand.
Buy Now(via Sears)
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I wouldn’t buy this for myself, unless I was looking for a good bang for the buck set and didn’t care about the zero-offset box end.
For automotive and industrial use, reversible ratcheting wrenches are better (in my opinion) as they help to prevent situations where you can get stuck backing a fastener and the tool into an obstruction.
But for homeowner use, these wrenches should work just fine.
What do you think – hot deal or a pass?
Tom
This really is a nice value. One thing worth noting is that Sears sometimes runs specials on the bigger kit for around $75. The bigger kit generally includes the stubbies, which seem pretty expensive when bought on their own.
Tom
http://www.sears.com/32-piece-combination-ratcheting-wrench-set-with-stubby/p-00939327000P
For $72, I think it’s worth considering. Especially if it helps you meet a Surprise Points threshold.
Hepdog
Thanks for the link!
Been waiting for this sale to come around again – just got the mega kit with the stubbies.
Brandon
I didn’t make this purchase last time it was available, then almost immediately found myself in a situation where they would have been very useful. I’ve been waiting for this deal to come back around ever since. Off to Sears I go…
porphyre
I bought this set on Black Friday in 2011 or 2012. I am not a pro mechanic, but do wrench on a pretty regular basis. A couple times a week, maybe. 10-12-14-19mm get used a lot. 7/16, 1/2, 9/16 also.
I don’t have any complaints. Haven’t broken any of them or had to warranty any either.
RT
Are these the same wrenches that Home Depot has under their Husky line for $50 also?
Mike
Essentially, if not literally. More or less identical.
Michael W.
I bought this set for myself in 2011 on the half-price sale at Christmas time. I do home upkeep, some auto work and electronics. First, I like this set. It’s clean and easy to use. As Stuart says they are zero offset wrenches.
So, secondly, depending on any usage you might have to watch your finger clearances. I learned quickly to watch my finger tips. Since they are quick and easy to use I sometimes just wrench the fastener(s) tight enough, to fix the item(s) and then go back with a better tool to achieve desired torque (with a regular ratchet or offset wrench).
Matt
Bought a set about two years ago and they stay in the back of the drawer and are hardly ever reached for. In my opinion, the wrenches are bulky and the open ends fit very sloppy. The thickness of the wrench makes it difficult to position in tight spots where ratchet wrenches are made to shine. The price was right, but like most things, you get what you pay for.
Jerry
I don’t like zero offset wrenches, and have had multiple failures of the reverse mechanism on the reversing ones. The only style I truly like to use, and have had no problems with, are the non-reversing ones with a locking flex head. Worth the extra money for my uses, but might not be worth it for everyone.
Toolfreak
These are a hot deal at $45, and the larger set with stubbies is even better if you don’t have any ratcheting wrenches at all.
I use the zero-offset stubbies more than all my other ratcheting wrenches combined – and I have them all, except these regular length zero offset, since I have dual-box-end ones instead, that take up less space with fewer wrenches. No need for more open end wrenches.
These REALLY speed up vehicle work when you’re working in a tight spot that a socket and ratchet can’t really get into, or where you can barely get a breaker bar and socket in to break a fastener free, but need leverage to keep spinning it, but can’t use a ratchet or anything if the head of the fastener is going towards a fixed object or surface.
I’d agree some may find the regular flex-head wrenches more useful or better if you only want one set for lots of uses, but these are useful and can handle more of the abuse these wrenches probably see, despite their intended use.
Nick D.
Advance auto parts has been running a deal for the same price for a while. They only had one set left when I bought mine and think it might have been the only set in stock for the promo but you can buy online. If sears isn’t close.
Link