What GearWrench Isn't Telling You About it's NEW Tools MUST Watch!

Must Watch to see what GearWrench isn't Telling you about its NEW Tools 90T ratchets compared to the 84T ratchets they are phasing out. Which is Better?

Today we tested the 3/8" Drive 90-Tooth Teardrop Ratchet 8" 81211T vs the older 84-tooth 81211F. Amazingly they are really similar with little differences and they performed very similarly in the strength test.

GEARWRENCH® is proud to roll out its new line of 90-tooth ratchets bolstering one of its signature product categories in the process.
These tools were unveiled at the SEMA Show this past November which I attended and stated the 90-tooth ratchet line is stronger and provides better access, all while being more comfortable on the hands of professional mechanics who turn them countless times a day.
As it turns out it would appear that the 90T is very comparable to the 84T in terms of strength and the new line of ratchets provides a 4-degree swing arc for greater access in tight spaces compared to the previous 4.5 so it's not really that large of a difference.
The 120XP from Gearwrench provides a 3-degree swing arc.

I still believe that Gearwrench wproduced a nice engineered, high-strength pawl extremely similar to that of the 84T and it does provide increased durability and continues to exceed ASME torque performance requirements.
For those who prefer a chrome handle, the full polish versions are easy to clean and ergonomic to be easier on the hands. For those who prefer it, the solvent-resistant cushion grip is comfortable but tough enough to handle shop life.
I actually prefer ratchet handles for the different season's Hot vs COLD!

Available now are 13 individual standard and Flex Head ratchets to go with six sets. Seven are full polished chrome and six will feature the cushion grip, and all except the 3/8-inch stubby flex head ratchet are available in ¼-inch, 3/8-inch, and ½-inch drives.
Here is a full look at the lineup and sets that are available today:

Part# Drive Size Style Handle Finish Head Width Head Thickness Overall Length Weight
81011T 1/4" Tear Drop Standard Full Polish 0.98 0.35 5.13 0.27
81028T 1/4" Tear Drop Long Handle Full Polish 0.98 0.35 6.87 0.32
81007T 1/4" Tear Drop Standard Cushion Grip 0.98 0.35 6.88 0.32
81029T 1/4" Tear Drop Long Handle Cushion Grip 0.98 0.35 8.26 0.34
81015T 1/4" Tear Drop Locking Flex Full Polish 0.98 0.35 6.97 0.33
81012T 1/4" Tear Drop Flex Full Polish 0.98 0.35 6.97 0.33
81016T 1/4" Tear Drop Locking Flex Cushion Grip 0.98 0.35 8.23 0.33
81009T 1/4" Tear Drop Flex Cushion Grip 0.98 0.35 8.26 0.39
81211T 3/8" Tear Drop Standard Full Polish 1.25 0.47 8.39 0.7
81264T 3/8" Tear Drop Long Handle Full Polish 1.25 0.47 11 0.81
81209T 3/8" Tear Drop Stubby Full Polish 1.25 0.47 4.72 0.41
81220T 3/8" Compact Standard Full Polish 1 0.43 8.4 0.51
81228T 3/8" Compact Stubby Full Polish 1 0.43 4.7 0.32
81208T 3/8" Tear Drop Standard Cushion Grip 1.25 0.47 9.4 0.64
81265T 3/8" Tear Drop Long Handle Cushion Grip 1.25 0.47 13 0.77
81266T 3/8" Tear Drop Locking Flex Full Polish 1.25 0.47 11.47 0.93
81215T 3/8" Tear Drop Flex Full Polish 1.25 0.47 11.4 0.85
81212T 3/8" Tear Drop Stubby Flex Full Polish 1.25 0.47 5 0.52
81267T 3/8" Tear Drop Locking Flex Cushion Grip 1.25 0.47 13.63 0.93
81210T 3/8" Tear Drop Flex Cushion Grip 1.25 0.47 13.38 0.85
81213T 3/8" Tear Drop Off-Set Flex Cushion Grip 1.25 0.47 12.26 0.99
81304T 1/2" Tear Drop Standard Full Polish 1.72 0.64 11 1.65
81360T 1/2" Tear Drop Long Handle Full Polish 1.72 0.64 15 1.97
81303T 1/2" Tear Drop Standard Cushion Grip 1.72 0.64 11.8 1.3
81361T 1/2" Tear Drop Long Handle Cushion Grip 1.72 0.64 16.5 1.75
81362T 1/2" Tear Drop Locking Flex Full Polish 1.72 0.64 16.93 2.3
81363T 1/2" Tear Drop Locking Flex Full Polish 1.72 0.64 24 2.79
81306T 1/2" Tear Drop Flex Full Polish 1.72 0.64 16.98 2.05
81371T 1/2" Tear Drop Locking Flex Cushion Grip 1.72 0.64 17 1.96
81372T 1/2" Tear Drop Locking Flex Cushion Grip 1.72 0.64 24 2.44
81370T 1/2" Tear Drop Flex Cushion Grip 1.72 0.64 17 2.07

Part# Drive Size Description Handle Style
81206T 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" 3 Pc 90T Ratchet Set Full Polish
81207T 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" 3 Pc 90T Ratchet Set Cushion Grip
81216T 1/4", 3/8" 2 Pc 90T Flex-Head Ratchet Set Full Polish
81230T 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" 4 Pc 90T Flex-Head Ratchet Set Full Polish
81204T 1/4", 3/8" 2 Pc 90T Flex-Head Ratchet Set Cushion Grip
81203T 1/4", 3/8" 3 Pc 90T Mixed Ratchet Set Cushion Grip
81274T 1/4", 3/8" 2 Pc 90T Locking Flex Head Set Full Polish
81276T 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" 3 Pc 90T Locking Flex-Head Ratchet Set Full Polish
81275T 1/4", 3/8" 2 Pc 90T Locking Flex-Head Ratchet Set Cushion Grip
81298T 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" 3 Pc 90T Locking Flex-Head Ratchet Set Cushion Grip
81268T 1/4", 3/8", 2 Pc 90T Long Handle Ratchet Set Full Polish
81229T 3/8" 3 Pc 90T Ratchet Spark Plug Set Cushion Grip
81253T 3/8" 2 Pc 90T Compact Head Ratchet Set Full Polish

[nitroustommy]

270 pounds is impressive but we should be comparing the slop in the gear drive not the failure point.
Isn't the whole point of having more teeth is to take out the slop and have less of a swing arc?

[jimhaines]

I am happy with all the Gearwrench tools I have, they work and hold up well and are a good value and yea I use them every day at work.

[rcud]

I have breaker bars for anything I can't turn with the ratchet directly. The smoothness, feel and back drag are much better criteria for a ratchet imo.

[a.k.]

I have noticed that I use sockets and wrenches organized in a plastic case the most. I really a socket organizer not a monster size rolling tool chest.
My favorite ratchets over the years since 1975. Favorite childhood ratchet a Great Neck 3/8" ratchet and socket set for my bicycle repairs. Purchased Stanley ratchets instead of Craftsman in the 1990's. I like the Metrinch sockets and wrenches. The plastic case hinges eventually snapped. Favorites 2014 forward. Milwaukee, Icon, Craftsman V Series. I purchased Kobalt socket set on sale and clearance.

[MidwestToolReview]

Great vid. I’d suggest explaining what is occurring as it relates to the failure mode. You testing the UTS of the steels used for the anvil. I have yet to see a failure caused by a loss of grip between the gear and pawl. The failures you depict are the direct result of ductile failures, also known as plastic deformation. The combination of excessive energy/force being applied at slowed rate, resulting in the propagation of a fracture that leads to material separation. This is only an assumption, as I’ve not seen the test specimens. I’d love to perform a fracture analysis on some of your specimens; possibly even looking at some FTIR to determine the materials used by some of the manufacturers.

[kingsporttoolreview]

A couple of weeks ago I was on the GearWrench website and I seen that the price of their new 90T 3/8 Flex Head (locking) with the new orange comfort grip was $101.00 . . . . surprisingly it is just $24 less than a Mac Tools Max Axis 90. . . . . If GearWrench keeps going up with those prices, they might as well become a tool truck brand (oh, wait a minute, they're already doing that too)

[emilyhofland]

I have their ratchets, ratchet/wrenches, and long line wrenches.
My 8 and 9 mm's are slightly bent. And that is pretty common with them.
But everything performs great.
I have their 1/2in sockets too. They're thick and strong. I've used them to rip off locking lug nuts, and they don't seem to mind at all.
Other sockets don't survive being hammered onto a lug nut.

[chriswebb]

Gearwrench is no fool, just add 6 teeth on the gear and put a little yellow stripe on the handle, bam $10 more for the same dam ratchet.

[GPRaitsakas]

I bought a set of 3 ratchets 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 in the Canadian Tire Maximum line, they resemble what you have. They were on sale $50 CDN.

[loganperazzo]

I’d like to see the SK LP90 put to the test

[richb]

I have been happy with GearWrench tools since they came out with the first ratcheting wrenches. While their warranty has been inconsistent over the years, and haven’t had to warranty that much and their ratchet rebuild kits aren’t too expensive. The other big bonus is that they go on sale often enough that I have been able to set build GearWrench tools at a price competitive to cheaper brands and sometimes at a per tool pricing near HF.

[rmoore]

Would you consider testing the Nepros 90 tooth ratchet (NBR390)? Many on GJ consider Nepros to exceed Snap-on in quality. It would be interesting to see where it lands in pure strength. Thanks for doing these tests. Can't wait to see the German ratchets soon.

[xephael]

If anyone else was wondering on a different video / torque meter setup... The 120XP got about 239ft lbs before failing.

[tkskagen]

I originally fell "in love" with GEARWRENCH back in 2004 when my tools where stolen from my truck.

The "Pass-through" Ratchet Set was AWESOME! Only downfall was that the Pawls never really held onto the socket very well... Great for Tie Rods and All-Thread!

[seaneatskitties]

Fairly new to your channel, love your videos man thank you

[Combo]

I just bought an 84 tooth 1/2" version. I love my 120xp 3/8" like the one you have there.

[johnlong]

Working down in crammed engine bays, the level of back drag on a ratchet is just as important as ultimate strength. Let's get a super sensitive inch/lb meter such as that used for setting up differentials and do some real testing. When you get to fish something such as the power steering pump out Buick that is buried deep in the engine bay, you'll get where I'm coming from. That said, ultimate strength only tells me half the story.

[rayrainer]

I bought the Gearwrench 106 set with the 90T but I am not sure I like the plastic cushioned handles, even though they look nice. It seems those type of handles end up getting dirty and often fall apart after years of use. I got it at HomeDepot and I am thinking of taking it back.

[fourwheelerjock]

So which is better. The 90 tooth or the 120xp tooth ratchets?

[JustinDowDIYcentralhighway]

Radical Way of Showing the strength of a tool without breaking it. 🍻😎🤙