Which ratchet should I get? Standard? No wait – flex-head and a stubby. Do I have a breaker bar?
Okay, I have a 3″ extension, what other sizes do I need? What about wobble extensions – should I get them in the same size?
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I really wish I had a locking extension.
I should stop using my 1/2″ breaker bar with 3/8″ sockets.
Where did my socket size adapters go?
This Gearwrench 3/8″ 18pc ratchet and drive tool accessory set looks to be very comprehensive, and puts all these questions to rest.
Sure, you could probably add even more to it, such as a swivel ratchet, bit holding socket, T-handle, or other such tools and accessories. But still… wow this is a lot.
You get 4 different ratchets – 84T for a fine-tooth 4.3° swing arc, a breaker bar, and extensions in standard, wobble, and locking varieties, plus a universal (swivel) bar and several size adapters.
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This monster of a 3/8″ ratchet and drive tool set, SKU 81254, is now on sale for $100.14.
Here’s everything you get:
- (4) Ratchets
- Standard
- Long Handle
- Stubby
- Long Handle Flex Head
- (1) Breaker Bar
- (5) Extensions
- (3) Wobble Extensions
- (2) Locking Extensions
- (1) Universal Joint
- (2) Adapters
This seems to be a really good price.
Sale Price: $100.14
Update 5/10/21: Thank you to Paul for the tip – this set is now on sale for $100!!
Original post: 11/9/20
Price Checking
- 3/8″ 4pc extension set: $24.03
- 3/8″ 3″ locking extension: $13.29
- 3/8″ 4pc wobble extension set: $25.83
- 3/8″ 6″ wobble: $13.41
- 3/8″ 4pc adapter set: $18.04
- 3/8″ 12″ breaker bar: $24.79
- 3/8″ long handle ratchet: $22.36
*Prices as of the date of the last update, 5/10/21.
I am not able to easily price-out the value of this set, but to me it looks like a decent bargain at its regular price and a really good at the new $100 sale price.
Other Gearwrench dealers have this set at $125 and up at the moment.
Normally, you get the best pricing when you buy ratchets as part of a 2-size or 3-size set. Here, you get 4 ratchets plus a breaker bar, and it looks like you save quite a bit when you buy them as part of this 18pc 3/8″ drive tool set.
I’m not a completist, but I’ve been meaning to plug holes in my hand tool and accessory set. If I were building a tool set from scratch again today, this set would likely be on my shortlist. I’d likely add to it a little bit, but I like the assortment they give you for the money.
Thoughts?
Jared
From the obvious design similarity, I assume Gearwrench, or the factory they use in Taiwan, is also responsible for these Mastercraft locking extensions available in Canada:
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-locking-extension-bar-set-9-pc-0581225p.html
I have a set of them in 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2 sizes, but I don’t think that particular combo is available anymore.
I managed to break a long 3/8 extension from my set – but it was entirely my fault trying to use it on my impact gun on a tricky fastener. I bring it up just to note the red plastic ring in the middle of the locking collar is a functional part of the locking mechanism (so if you spin it at high speed in a very confined area and the plastic hits something – goodbye locking function :P). Otherwise I really like those extensions. I use them a lot.
Stuart
Apex Tool Group, Gearwrench’s parent company, makes a lot of tools for a lot of brands, and thus you’re definitely going to run into similarities.
Some tools are retailer-exclusives, though, and so you have to look carefully.
Shawn
One thing I would note goes on sale for around $80 periodically. I bought this earlier this year around the summer and it was shipped with the newer 90T ratchets. YMMV but that’s a great price for the 84T ratchets, let alone the new ones.
Teji
That exact set is available on Amazon Canada for CAD122 which is just under USD95 so I would not really call the american version of it a great deal.
https://www.amazon.ca/GearWrench-81254-Piece-Drive-Tool/dp/B07HKCXRC8
And while we are talking ratchets, you’ve not mentioned Sata tools (basically rebadged Gearwrench) 120XP ratchet set for $67
https://www.amazon.com/SATA-3-Piece-Ratchet-Teardrop-Full-Polished/dp/B07V1ZRZ29
Paul O
Sorry to bump an old post! But these are actually on sale right on amazon for 100 shipped.
Received mine and was pleasantly surprised to see that they included the newer 90 tooth ratchets and the stubby was actually a flex head ratchet as opposed to the one that’s pictured. Solid deal for everything you get.
Flotsam
I think this represents a good value and is a nice assortment
MM
I think that some of the tools in the set are redundant. The long handle flex ratchet makes the the long handle standard redundant. The adjustable locking extensions seem redundant with such a good selection of normal ones .
If I had a choice I’d drop the adjustable extensions and the long straight ratchet. In their place I’d put a sliding T-handle, a ratchet spinner, and a speed handle.
That said I think it’s a great set for a good price. I really like that it has the very short extensions; those are often missing from sets and are surprisingly handy problem solvers. The adapters are another nice feature I often see missing from sets. If I didn’t already have all of this stuff in my tool box I’d certainly pick up a set.
Stuart
Perhaps, but the way I see it, this set includes the tools I need and tools I might want or that might come in handy in the future, with everything costing barely more than the bare necessity components.
Locking extensions can be useful with size adapters where frequent changes might take a little longer if the adapter pulls off instead of just the 1/4″ socket, or when working in spaces where a dropped socket would mean a very bad day. But what if you preferred quicker changes? I have a mix of extensions and only one locking extension, but have been meaning to get more.
As for the long ratchet, there could be space constraints. I bought a flex-head ratchet and often use it when I need more reach, but the head length can get in the way at times.
I ordered a set myself at this price, rationalizing that I wasn’t paying for all of the 18 pieces, and so it’s okay if not all of the tools or drive accessories will see equal use.
MM
First off, whoops, I didn’t realize those were locking extensions, I thought they were the telescopic ones that you can adjust length on. That’s on me. The only locking extensions I have used have been Craftsman. I liked the fact that they don’t have any extra thickness to them, the lock is just a tiny little slide near the drive end of the extension, but on the other hand they were weaker than normal extensions and I have broken two in the past, though Sears replaced them for free both times. With any luck these are stronger, though they have the disadvantage of the larger locking collar.
But I totally agree with your last comment there. I don’t think the set is perfect but like you said it doesn’t matter, it’s still a great deal. And as I posted before I’d certainly buy one if I didn’t already have that stuff. It’s not a perfect set but it’s damn good.
Stuart
Whoops, I also missed that you said adjustable extensions. We see what we want to see!
No, it’s not perfect – I agree that a sliding T-handle could be useful too, but it seems to be a good “one set fits all” type of assortment – especially for the price.
(I ordered a set for ToolGuyd purposes and to potentially complement or upgrade parts of my shop kit.)
Dave P
I’ve never seen a time that a sliding T handle was better than a ratchet or a breaker bar. Many times on 3/4 and 1″ drive sets they include a T handle and skip the ratchet to save money, which I understand, but the T handle sure isn’t something I’d ever want if a ratchet was laying around.
Stuart
I’ve used Wera’s with an extension, possibly after a reader suggested it at one time, and it was useful as a spinner. The Wera extensions have a rotating sleeve that makes them very good spinners.
Argie
The flex head they show in the picture of the guy working on the headlight is the locking one and in the pic of the set they show the non locking one.
That’s annoying.
Stuart
Great catch!!
It’s possible that this image is for the 1/2″ set, which does look to include a locking flex-head ratchet.
Nathan
If you just needed a full compliement of new ratchets – it’s a decent buy. If on the other hand you just needed one ratchet or some of the accessories – buy something else.
Personally there are a number of other extensions I would look to. ALso those locking extensions are good – and also duplicated by many. Note sure whose design that was originally but there are others.
I don’t like the ratchets if only because the flex head isn’t locking and none of them are quick release. which is something I nearly have to have these days.
I will however say – as far as general purpose decent quality items Gearwrench is pretty good. I would however cross shop Tekton for some of those things.
Dave the tool
Great looking set and I am in for one for my toolbox! Duplicates many I already have from various companies but will be nice to have the same trusted brand name for majority of my 3/8” drive tools!
Nathan
Oh side note someone mentioned a spining T handle. for years I lusted after one to put with my other bits. I have a 3/8 drive speed handle that came with my socket set – years ago it wa a common aviation tool kit item. as you would use a speed handle with a bit adapter and a tri wing or offset cruciform to remove stubborn panel screws.
today though – I’d grab my impact driver every time. So point here. I used my speed handle a good bit back in the day because it was novel and I liked it. i’ve taken a number in valve covers and intake manifolds off with it. again it’s handy and it is a reasonable extension too. Spinning T handle would be like that but with the higher torque ability.
Yep – and if I had one in the box today – it would still gather dust as I reach for my impact driver with 3.8 adapter. A few months ago I was replacing heads on a ford coyote motor. know what I used more than my ratchet – my impact driver with adapter. Not putting parts back on – some got run down with impact driver on lowest setting (love those speed settings) the rest was put down by hand. My point here – in today’s world of decent capability cordless power tools they are just faster.
Craig A
I bought this since it was a good deal. After spending an increasing amount of time recently searching for the 3/8″ rachets I already own (mostly Craftsman), I now have no idea where any of them are. Gearwrench’s increased focus on qualiy and customer service made this deal a no brainer. I still have plans to pick up a Proto US-made 90t rachet later this summer, but these Gearwrench rachets will fill an immediate void and I won’t cry when one falls into the abyss of my garage…
MichaelT
A year plus later, but this set is $69 at amazon for prime day deals