Quad Box Ratcheting Wrench
By Sean O'Hara
We’ve seen a number of cool products from GearWrench this year, including some truly slick and innovative magnetic oil drain plug removers. Now GearWrench has announced the Quad Box Ratcheting Wrench system: a single tool with four reversible ratcheting box ends in 4 different sequential sizes.
For a wrench, the Quad Box is stuffed full of features. It boasts a 5-degree ratcheting mechanism – like other GearWrench ratcheting tools – so even in cramped areas the ratchet teeth will catch and provide movement. The four box end collars protrude out only slightly from both top and bottom on each end of the wrench, which makes for a slim profile. Each size has its own dedicated reversing lever recessed into the hardened, forged beam for easy control.
Each set (metric or SAE) consists of two wrenches, which gives you a range of eight sizes: 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, ½ (on the SAE smaller wrench), 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4 (on the larger SAE wrench). Metric sizes are 8, 10, 12, 13MM (on the smaller wrench), and 16, 17, 18, 19MM (on the larger).
If you’re like us, you’re probably saying, “Wait a sec. Where’s the 15mm?” Easily one of the most commonly used sizes in the metric set, the 15mm is MIA in the Quad Box line. That’s more than a small hiccup. On the other hand, the SAE set seems to offer a good range of sizes.
We couldn’t find pricing or availability for the Quad Box Ratcheting Wrench yet, but we’ll keep you informed as soon as we find out more.
Quad Box Ratcheting Wrench [GearWrench]
From reader comments: Yihao Zhang of GearWrench left a comment to indicate that the QuadBox will be available shortly at Sears and NAPA for $24.99 to $29.99 for two wrenches (8 sizes). A number of readers also commented that they haven’t had near as great a use for the 15mm as we have recently. Mr. Zhang backed this up indicating that the eight sizes selected for the initial QuadBox set were selected via a popularity study using Danaher’s — GearWrench’s parent company that manufactures/has manufactured tools for a wide variety of brands including Craftsman — sales numbers.
August 4th, 2006 at 5:29 pm
I’ve never used a 15mm. My garage is dominated by asian toys. Would I have use for my surplus 15’s if it has a more asian flair?
August 4th, 2006 at 5:30 pm
Oops, that should read:
“Would I have use for my surplus 15’s if it had a more European flair. “
August 5th, 2006 at 11:10 am
Wow, I’m pretty surprised. We’ve used the mess out of the 15 on Hondas and Toyotas in the past, and it’s in decent rotation on a 944 that’s in the garage right now. Incredibly, it’s pretty common on the Yukon in the Project Garage as well.
August 8th, 2006 at 2:13 am
Hmmm. Most of my work has been on a parade pre-1995 Toyotas and has included engine swaps, 22R timing chain replacements, EFI work, clutch jobs, and more brake jobs than I care to think about. I find almost everything is either 8, 10, 12, 14, or 19mm. I did have an old rotary Mazda pickup that was rather fond of 17mm bolts, but all my 15mm wrenches and sockets are looking shiny as new.
August 9th, 2006 at 12:36 pm
Chuck:
I work for GearWrench, based in Sparks, Maryland. Thank you very much for the review of GearWrench QuadBox, the only product that combines the speed of a ratcheting wrench with the conveinence of multiple sizes.
There is no doubt that 15mm is used in many places. As we were trying to include 8 sizes in 2 wrenches, we had to select the 8 most popular sizes which did not include 15mm.
We definitely appreciate your thoughts on Quadbox. The product will be available shortly at Sears and NAPA with a suggested retail price of $24.99 or $29.99 for two wrenches (8 sizes) and accessories.
Thanks again for your interest in the product.
August 9th, 2006 at 2:51 pm
I’ve used 15mm at three fittings on a bicycle: pedals, track nuts, and crank bolt. But this wrench won’t work at the first and last of those (needs open-ended and a thin-walled wrench, respectively).
September 16th, 2006 at 9:22 am
Seems to me, then, that there should be an A/B set with the eight most popular sizes, and an X/Y/Z set with twelve in a range. Personally, under the hood of a 1990 3.1-liter GM V6, the 13mm socket was practically the only tool I needed. Everything in there that could be 13mm was. And the rest was 10mm.
Bicycles usually have their own specialized tools anyway, don’t they? I don’t think it’s fair to compare *any* general-purpose tool to a bicycle tool.
December 31st, 2006 at 1:32 pm
Interesting. Danaher makes Craftsman too, and it’s 16mm that’s usually hardest to find at Sears. One size fits all tools like this turn out to be pretty limited, application wise. This tool looks cool, but there will be clearance problems with the heads extending out on either side. You’d be money ahead to get a set of standard issue, traditional ratcheting combos. They’ll get used every day while this thing gathers dust in the bottom of the toolbox.
February 8th, 2007 at 5:50 am
This new wrench is one of the stupidest and most thoughtless designs I’ve ever seen, you’ve actually managed to defeat the purpose of the original “ratcheting boxsocket” type wrench by having two sizes on one end of the wrench, lets say you have three 19mm nuts on a threaded shaft, how do you reach the nut in the middle with this wrench ? you couldn’t have talked to any mechanics when you designed this one.
March 3rd, 2007 at 1:05 am
PLease send me your 15mm wrenches! I use it all the time repairing geman autos - please include a 21mm while you are at it!
September 20th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
I see Jeff’s point, however, we’re not all shop mechanics. I deliver boats. Fixes are down and dirty with whatever can be brought on board. I can’t carry every tool that might be needed (that’s not our job) so these find a useful place for me.
March 23rd, 2008 at 6:32 am
I would have liked to see an 8,10,12,14 wrench (all even numbers). That would have been perfect for the glovebox of my Subaru. Fans of the 13mm size could just top of their Quadbox with a 13mm wrench. Or Gearwrench could make a 9,11,13,15 (all odd numbers) wrench.
I think the 8,10,12,14 Quadbox would be so useful it could be sold by itself.