Gearwrench vs Sunex impact sockets

[macs_rock]

Hi all - I bought a Milwaukee 2767 Impact Wrench recently and I need to get some impact sockets for it. I've narrowed it down to a couple sets that have all the sizes I'll need, but I don't know whether I need deep or regular, or whether I should get Sunex or Gearwrench. I imagine I'll get both deep and regular at some point, but for the time being I can only afford one.

Gearwrench Deep Socket: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UM68OVY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Sunex Regular Socket: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MW9UW8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Sunex Deep Socket: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MW2CGO/?tag=atomicindus08-20


Are the Sunex significantly better than the Gearwrench? I won't be using these professionally by any means, just to do maintenance and such on my own cars and occasionally helping out a friend. I'd consider getting a Harbor Freight set, but they don't have sizes for axle nuts, and buying those individually plus the HF set puts me right in the ball park of these complete sets, only without as many size options. I also know Gray's Pneumatic is highly recommended, but that's also a little out of my price range at the moment, and I have some projects I need to do sooner rather than later.

 

[CarsonConcepts]

If you are looking at a metric set, the Sunex 2569 set on Amazon is $126. It's a very complete set with shallow and deep up to 30mm, extensions, and a universal. I've used it for the past couple years with no complaints.

https://www.amazon.com/Sunex-2568-2-Inch-Standard-6-Point/dp/B00MPQ8784?th=1&psc=1

 

[chrisnazzy]

All of my impact sockets are Sunex and we buy Sunex for our tire crew at work. Pretty tough to beat quality vs. cost. They are also laser engraved and stamped and made of chrome molybdenum. Stay away from any impact socket made of chrome vanadium. Last thing you want if an impact socket ever does fail is for it to shatter. CR-MO doesn't shatter, it will crack first.

Also you can get a nice shallow and deep Sunex socket set that runs 9-30mm skipping only 25, 28 & 29 with extensions for $126 on Amazon. Set number is 2569. I have this set and an axle nut socket set for anything larger.

BTW...Amazon in all their wisdom has the descriptions mixed up between the similar SAE set.

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[Tonyuk]

I have a large set from tekton that im happy with, but also have plenty of no-name deep impacts from ebay and they're all fine and fit pretty much the same. Don't spend too much on basic impact sockets.

 

[6PTsocket]

I have a large set from tekton that im happy with, but also have plenty of no-name deep impacts from ebay and they're all fine and fit pretty much the same. Don't spend too much on basic impact sockets.

I believe the Tekton impacts are chrome vanadium. That was a concern when I looked at them, for the reason mentioned above. Shatter failures can't be that comnon or nobody would risk selling them but I would rather be safe than sorry. HF uses CrVa for their cheaper impacts. All the quality brands stick with Cr Moly.

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[Mr_B]

Yep tekton impacts are not great in material or design features, can get same cr-v impacts unbranded for less than half the cost and they better design features .
older gearwrench use to be nice cr-mo and design but they changed design as different manufacturer these days so be careful when ordering online as lot of images still the show old style taiwan.
any taiwan cr-mo unbranded set will do you, brands like nutmaster and japan style do some of best midrange impacts .
I'm not totally against cr-v impacts either as while everyone says they dangerous I used some over 30 years and never seen total shattering when fail .
For light home user get what ever best cost to your size and design feature requirements . always look locally too for clearance deals etc .

 

[Voi]

Acme is having a sale on Sunex sockets. The code was on their home page the other day and I think the sale was for at least a week.

If the code isn't on their home page post back and I'll see if I still have the email.

 

[IMStuner]

Hands down Sunex!


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[IMStuner]

Hands down Sunex!


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[Tonyuk]

I believe the Tekton impacts are chrome vanadium. That was a concern when I looked at them, for the reason mentioned above. Shatter failures can't be that comnon or nobody would risk selling them but I would rather be safe than sorry. HF uses CrVa for their cheaper impacts. All the quality brands stick with Cr Moly.

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Yep they're CR-V, im sure my oldest set of impacts are also CR-V and a few sets are CR-MO, in all honesty i cant tell the difference between them other than the labelling on them, i've never had a socket shatter on an impact wrench in either material.

 

[Steve_P]

I've broken at least one HF Cr-V impact socket- it just cracked thru, didn't grenade. FWIW.

back to the question, my newer stuff is SK and Sunex, no issues with either.

 

[Dud]

I own the Gearwrench 84935N set. They appear to be well made and are HEAVY.

 

[lilscorpion]

Yep they're CR-V, im sure my oldest set of impacts are also CR-V and a few sets are CR-MO, in all honesty i cant tell the difference between them other than the labelling on them, i've never had a socket shatter on an impact wrench in either material.

Some C-V sets are thick walled. Many of my first impact sets were C-V all purchased at Harbor Freight. Earlier sets like I️ had were thick wall sockets (like really thick) and they held up fine for me for more than 15 or so years. Some metric sets I️ purchased a few years later were thinner wall which I️ had the opposite luck with. I’ve had about half of them come apart in use but none failed in a way where injury was the result (luck).

I’ve since replaced all of my HF stuff with Sunex. Never had an issue and they get used heavily for a home shop guy. Gearwrench doesn’t have the variety Sunex has so I️ never went there.


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[Voi]

The Acme sale ends 12-31 & the promotional code is SOCKETTOME ...

 

[Mr_B]

Yep they're CR-V, im sure my oldest set of impacts are also CR-V and a few sets are CR-MO, in all honesty i cant tell the difference between them other than the labelling on them, i've never had a socket shatter on an impact wrench in either material.

cr-v been used for decades in impacts without issue, I can go back 55yrs on some impacts from my fathers tools and they still good today.
Most important thing with impacts is the hardnening process and that needs be more perfect for cr-v alloy over cr-mo which naturally little more soft.
Most of the talk about exploding cr-v is from thin chrome abuse and they explode as heat treatment differs as want them harder .

cr-mo don't mean much on budget imports as several grades and actual heat treatment perfection the big key . Nutmaster stuff is good and the same oem does some of mac stuff . I got Japan style cr-v impacts too in 3/8 and half and then been used daily for almost 10yrs not one issue and they wear good .

 

[Ign]

I grabbed the Sunex 2646 awhile back and really like it. Mostly I like the clear markings on the sockets, comprehensive sizing and the case - I cut the lid off and just laid it in my drawer.

I personally don't have much need for standard depth 1/2" drive, at least not on my impact. I do have them in chrome and use those on hand tools. I do also use the chrome on my impact if I must, realizing it's not best practice.

 

[2000-cvpi]

I have the sunex 3/8 metric master set and they have held up to my ham fisted diy needs. They are great sockets so much so I am getting the metric 1/2 set for Christmas. Still have to wait for santa to open them on Christmas morning.

 

[Tenex]

I have Sunex 3580 and 2646 and they've been great.

 

[BK13]

My SAE impacts are Sunex, my metric are GW and Carlyle (3/8” drive). I can’t say one’s better than the other. The GW have more of a satin finish where the Sunex are matte. I will say that any future impact sockets will likely be Sunex or GP unless I get the pinless universals from GW... it just seems like Sunex have more complete sets, not that I’ll be using a 3/8” drive 1” socket any time soon....


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[Tallpilot]

Vanadium VS molybdenum isn't the whole picture. Either alloy can be produced to various hardnesses to prevent shattering. Vanadium impacts do need to be made thicker so sometimes access is an issue but don't be afraid of impact rated CrV, it won't shatter.

Sunex is the best price/quality ratio though. Grey Pneumatic if you want to treat yourself.

 

[Tenex]

it just seems like Sunex have more complete sets, not that I’ll be using a 3/8” drive 1” socket any time soon....

You'll think that until you need to pull the lugs off of a Cat skid loader and all you have in the field is a 3/8" impact wrench.

 

[Ktmrider83]

That gearwrench set is a killer value

 

[fordgasm]

Sunex IMO.

 

[JohnDeere1]

I own both but I love my Sunex 1/2 deep impact socket set its the master set with sae and metric as well as lug nut flip sockets all have held up great I also own Snap on,Mac,Cornwell,matco and Wright impact sockets and the best are the sunex and Wright all the others are too soft and mushroom at the square end I also have grey pneumatic swivel impact sockets in 1/2 they are great tool

 

[Finky198]

Sunex user here as well with no complaints...

3/8” sae/met master set 3342
3/8” shallow swivels sae 3654 met 3657
1/2” metric master set 2669

 

[macs_rock]

I ended up purchasing Sunex set 2646, 1/2 inch deep metric from 10mm to 36mm. I need a 35mm socket for the axle nuts on my car, and it seems like a nice set. I'll probably order other Sunex sets if I need to in the future.

 

[lilscorpion]

You'll think that until you need to pull the lugs off of a Cat skid loader and all you have in the field is a 3/8" impact wrench.

If that ever happens to me, I’ll be trying to steal the wheels off of the Cat Skid Loader that I️ found sitting in a field somewhere. Not having the socket for my 3/8 impact would be Karma punching me in the junk.

 

[BK13]

If that ever happens to me, I’ll be trying to steal the wheels off of the Cat Skid Loader that I️ found sitting in a field somewhere. Not having the socket for my 3/8 impact would be Karma punching me in the junk.

You put that way more eloquently than I could. I was just going to say that as a land surveyor the chances of me working on a skid steer are pretty slim. Kudos for using the phrase “karma punching me in the junk”.


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[Sugarfryz]

I really like my sunex sockets. I see no difference compared to my Snap on sockets

 

[ladrones]

I just picked up a 3/4 drive metric impact set from Sunex via Acme tools.
It’s a pretty nice set and you get a good number of pieces for the price.



Here it is next to a CAT on left and a Williams on right.


Not a bad set for <200 with the sale.


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[BDT/NWMN]

I ended up purchasing Sunex set 2646, 1/2 inch deep metric from 10mm to 36mm. I need a 35mm socket for the axle nuts on my car, and it seems like a nice set. I'll probably order other Sunex sets if I need to in the future.

I believe that You will be well satisfied with Your choice.
That is a nice set without skipped sizes.