[oldred]

I just tried the new "twisted" combo wrenches from Craftsman (the open end is at 90 deg. to the box end), I think other brands have them also, and maybe it's just me but I was really disappointed with them. This has nothing to do with who makes them and the set I was going to buy was Craftsman but something just don't feel right to me, probably just from using the old style for so many years and I am probably just being stubborn but I just don't think I could ever get to like them. What do you guys think, will they replace the old fashioned type of wrench? After all I guess they do make sense but I had to pass on them, maybe later on?

[OneMoreTime]

I think like any of that sort of thing beauty is in the eye of the beholder..but I am the guy who bought the Gear wrench set and found it the most used set in the shop..I have conventional ratchets and sockets as well..

Sam

[powerrodsmike]

I saw them and thought that they were just the product of some marketing department guys thinking that different is better.

To me, they look like a stupid design, with one end being 90* from the other they'd hit things when you were swinging the wrench...even in open places. What is the supposed benefit to them..a bigger area, parpendicular to the force to push on? Are they thinking of mechanics with tender palms?

Later, mikey

[302 Z28]

I tried them and found out just what Mikey was talking about, flawed design IMHO. I also have a set of Gearwrench wrenches...the chrome is flaking off those.

Vince

[oldred]

Well that makes me feel better I was afraid this was just me being set in my ways and afraid of change, somehow they just felt clumsy to me. The Gear wrench I really like but not the first design I got, that was the one with the ratchet end lying flat to the handle. Since there was no switching mechanism I guess they had to be flat so they could be turned over for reverse but that meant the wrench had to lay flat against whatever was being worked on. Not surprisingly that type didn't last long and now the set I have is the flex type and I would probably shoot someone for tying to take them from me!

[Irelands child]

Just for the sake of something different, I tried one of those 90* wrenches in my hand at the local Sears - they not only don't feel right they look strange. I'm too old to change now

I have a set of Gearwrenches - they get used a lot for odds and ends. So far, two have crapped out, the 9/16 and the 5/8 plus the 1/2 is starting to be a problem by changing direction which means "Watch Out Knuckles, Blood is About to Flow".

Guess what, Sears wont replace them under warranty but expect you to save the receipt PLUS send the wrench back to their manufacturer (it says that on the package). Soooooo, off to Lowes. They'll replace 'em but only as a turn over to change direction version - which is OK too, and probably stronger.

They don't replace my Snap-on, S-K or even the clunk regular Crapsman but supplement them. They sure are handy though.

Dave W