Gearwrench sockets - Taiwan or China

[tak1313]

So some years ago, I was searching for good DIY sockets and Gearwrench was getting good words, so that's what I got. While doing the search, and just after I got my sets (1/4, 3/8, and 1/2), I was reading that some people were upset because where Gearwrench was manufactured in Taiwan, they were moving manufacturing to China, and many were now getting sockets made in China.

As far as I know, no one stated or showed any ACTUAL differences between the two origins as far as quality, durability, etc.

So fast forward quite a few years (I think at least 5 or 6), like any GJ doobie, I needed to order a new 3/8 inch 10mm socket (long) because I can't find my original one.

Lo and behold, it's made in Taiwan. I can't imagine this is new old stock that's been sitting in a warehouse all these years, so did they move manufacturing back to Taiwan? Note - I ordered from HD's website, but it was actually shipped directly from Apex.

 

[milkovich]

I'm not 100% sure if Apex manufacturers themselves in Taiwan but they have a lot of tools with Taiwan as the Country of Origin. The thing is, they have socket sets with both countries as the COO (and India) so I could easily see them selling a full socket set from either country but according to their list, the open stock sockets are from Taiwan.

 

[AJHD]

I don't know the rhyme or reason, but GW sells tools both made in China and Taiwan.

I've seen and owned both. I don't know of any way to know for sure exactly what you're buying or will receive if you order online (obviously in person you can look on the package)... I would say expect to see China and be happy if it's Taiwan.

You can see reviews on Amazon of people showing pictures of the package that will show a different COO. You can also see it on YT with review and tool haul videos.

I still own a few older spark plug sockets (made in Taiwan) and a ratcheting wrench set (made in China). Otherwise I don't own anything GW anymore and I don't buy GW anymore. In fact, I'm probably going to sell the wrenches.

 

[Steve_P]

The only GW sockets I have are two sets of mid length chrome metric; they're 5+ years old and MiC. Saying that, the quality on the ones I have are as good as any USA, German, Japan, or Taiwan socket.

 

[WhataTool]

The whole deal with gearwrench always wasn't that they are MOVING to china, it's that you'll never know which one you'll get because they are all over the place. Sometimes TW sometimes CN, like this post proves.
Not exactly confidence inspiring if they move around willy nilly to wherever current prices vs tariffs are cheapest.

Bought their tap and die set because it said Taiwan, ordered some replacement taps and a die and those were individually marked China. Turns out only the ratchet and holders are Taiwan.
If I wanted China taps and dies I could have paid 1/3 the price. Gearwrench as a brand, as an expectation, means little anymore.

 

[rancherbill]

So some years ago, I was searching for good DIY sockets and Gearwrench was getting good words, so that's what I got. While doing the search, and just after I got my sets (1/4, 3/8, and 1/2), I was reading that some people were upset because where Gearwrench was manufactured in Taiwan, they were moving manufacturing to China, and many were now getting sockets made in China.

As far as I know, no one stated or showed any ACTUAL differences between the two origins as far as quality, durability, etc.

So fast forward quite a few years (I think at least 5 or 6), like any GJ doobie, I needed to order a new 3/8 inch 10mm socket (long) because I can't find my original one.

Lo and behold, it's made in Taiwan. I can't imagine this is new old stock that's been sitting in a warehouse all these years, so did they move manufacturing back to Taiwan? Note - I ordered from HD's website, but it was actually shipped directly from Apex.

Apex is bigger than a breadbox. Apex Tool Group has over 20 factories globally, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Taiwan, China, and South America. All it takes in a facility that manufactures sockets is to change the Brand name stamp and kabing they are manufacturing that brand.

 

[tak1313]

Apex is bigger than a breadbox. Apex Tool Group has over 20 factories globally, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Taiwan, China, and South America. All it takes in a facility that manufactures sockets is to change the Brand name stamp and kabing they are manufacturing that brand.

I realize that about Apex, but what I was wondering was if they moved the manufacturing of the Gearwench sockets back to Taiwan, as I can't imagine I got a new old stock one all these years after they moved (or supposedly) moved it to China.

 

[tak1313]

The whole deal with gearwrench always wasn't that they are MOVING to china, it's that you'll never know which one you'll get because they are all over the place. Sometimes TW sometimes CN, like this post proves.
Not exactly confidence inspiring if they move around willy nilly to wherever current prices vs tariffs are cheapest.

Bought their tap and die set because it said Taiwan, ordered some replacement taps and a die and those were individually marked China. Turns out only the ratchet and holders are Taiwan.
If I wanted China taps and dies I could have paid 1/3 the price. Gearwrench as a brand, as an expectation, means little anymore.

Ah-ok

 

[Fedwrench]

You need to add Vietnam to your list of where Gearwrench sockets are made.

 

[shibertus]

The Gearwrench sockets I have were made in Vietnam

 

[AJHD]

The whole deal with gearwrench always wasn't that they are MOVING to china, it's that you'll never know which one you'll get because they are all over the place. Sometimes TW sometimes CN, like this post proves. Not exactly confidence inspiring if they move around willy nilly...

That's also my biggest complaint, with any tool brand. I want to know exactly what I'm buying.

I don't appreciate deception or being left to guess what might arrive.

 

[rancherbill]

.......all these years after they moved (or supposedly) moved it to China.

Who knows? Apex is owned by Bain Capital and they are out for the buck - SHAREHOLDER VALUE. I'm sure product lines come and go within different facilities.

 

[rword]

What’s your guys opinion on “product of taiwan, finished in mainland china” ? A pick set I got today said this.