Gear wrench set help!

[MrDeerHunter]

Help me out here guys. I amLooking at putting together a complete set of tools. I have a few odds and ends sockets nothing of any great value. A good portion of my sockets are companions that I bought in high school when I was poor. I know snap on is the best. Sk makes great tools. I would rather spend my money on woodworking tools, but I tend to wrench on my toys a little more than I would like and want to put together a decent set. I am thinking about going with gearwrench due to price and warranty. I want to put together a set that has full 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 together in standard and metric 6 pt, 12 pt, deep and shallow and probably mid too ( I have a few sk mids that I really like)
Tell me the best way to put it together the set or talk me into some other brand. I don't want to put together random sockets from eBay partially because I have been burnt a couple times and the snap ons I can't get warrantied on because I am not the original purchaser and the local truck guy isn't interested in the warranty.
Any help would be appreciated and I am up for another brand if someone can give me some comparables.

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[Mgdoug3]

Advance Auto is currently having a 50% off sell on GW sockets. I bought a 14 piece 3/8 metric deep well for $16 and change after tax. They look decent to me and would buy more but I already have enough sockets at the moment.

 

[realunlucky]

Tekton makes a good set with awesome warranty.

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[Zewnten]

Gear wrench warranty is none existent except if where you purchased the tool will replace it. But they are decent tools for the money so buy them from whom ever is cheaper. If you are really worried about warranty I'd look at other brands.

 

[Mr_B]

snapon is not the best ...
gearwrench sockets are pretty decent with nice design features and with the AA 50% offer a great buy.
Best way is buying what each brand does well and making most of good offers .
Don't be inclined buy big sets and don't get hung up on warranty over socketry that like couple bucks a piece .
gearwrench 84T ratchets are quite good for lower cost but napa carlyle ratchets and sockets are pro usable and easy lifetime warranty currently. Toptul do some nice stuff and member on here was having a stock sale.

 

[Yarpo]

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=KDT80550P

https://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.c...3Pc-Dr-6-Point-Metric-Socket-Set-P219713.aspx

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009PJPKCA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Every time I link that first set, I feel like I should buy it but I already have sooo many tools. Pretty large coverage as far as sockets go, and at 103 dollars, with the 120T ratchets and extensions its a great buy. You could also look to buy all the sockets from advanced auto with the discount going on, but I still don't think you'd come out ahead with that. Id buy my swivels from advanced if you wanted to stay GW. Very cheap with the discount. For 1/2 sockets I dunno what to tell ya, the third link above is the best I could find and while I really like GW tools for the money I can't help but feel its a little high.

There's also this set, a little less complete, but covers all three drive sizes.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...etric-83001d/25984232-P?searchTerm=gearwrench

Gear wrench warranty is none existent except through gearwrench only where you purchase the tool will replace it. But they are decent tools for the money so buy them from whom ever is cheaper. If you are really worried about warranty I'd look at other brands.

They warranty them at fastenal, sears, advanced auto and of course through GW themselves.

 

[Mr_B]

Gear wrench warranty is none existent except through gearwrench only where you purchase the tool will replace it. But they are decent tools for the money so buy them from whom ever is cheaper. If you are really worried about warranty I'd look at other brands.

Not true, gearwrench warranty not as bad as many suggest .
Tekton warranty good but sockets and ratchets are bland spec/design for the price . extensions not a bad buy and warranty more useful on them.
Warranty on sockets that cost 2 to 5bucks a piece simply not worth it, you more likely loose them or abuse them whichnot covered thus self warranty far more cost efficient and obviously less hassle as you in charge ...

 

[Mr_B]

I would buy just gearwrench sockets, maybe extensions if steal deal and get williams or napa carlyle ratchets . The sets at 103 bucks is pretty good, I don't like 120xp ratchet but a t that price I be happy enough.

 

[Yarpo]

I would buy just gearwrench sockets, maybe extensions if steal deal and get williams or napa carlyle ratchets . The sets at 103 bucks is pretty good, I don't like 120xp ratchet but a t that price I be happy enough.

Agreed, at 103 dollars its fine, but I'm also more a fan of the 84T than 120 like you, but at that price maybe we're being picky

but good thinking, I'd do this for myself personally

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQ8992345

and then buy all the gearwrench sockets your heart desires from Advanced auto, swivels and mid lengths too, and they also have the gearwrench extensions in trays, boom you'll be loaded up!

 

[MrDeerHunter]

Alright you guys have come up with some great options for me on gearwrench. I am sitting here thinking would I be better off slowly piecing together a 6 point or 12 point SK set. Realistically I already have most of the sockets I am buying I just want something better. I got to thinking about my 1/2 set and I typically use my HF impacts on that set. I utilize standard and metric both a lot. I have an old Farmall tractor and a 95 Japanese mini truck. SK gets love on here quite a bit. I have probably 20 random sockets and a swivel head 3/8 SK ratchet and a regular 3/8 ratchet that are my go to 3/8 ratchets. Do you think the extra money for the SK would be worth it.

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[Mgdoug3]

If you wrench a lot, maybe. If you only wrench occasionally, no. One thing for sure, I like my SK ratchets over the GW 120xp flex set I have. Nothing wrong with the 120xp mechanisms but the joints have a little more play than I like. The SK ratchets just seem solid and the DT upgrades make them with low arc swings. Next SK ratchet will be a 40170.

 

[MrDeerHunter]

Dt upgrade?

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[WWheeler]

If you want a 'complete' socket set Craftsman (made in China these days) is still a good buy (wouldn't say that about their ratchets and many other craftsman tools, but I digress). Pretty hard to beat actually. Their prices fluctuate a lot but if you watch them the 176pc and 299pc socket-only sets can be had for well under $1 per socket, and if you are a 'Shop Your Way' member when combined with SYW points or 'FREECASH' you can easily knock quite a bit off that.

Edit:
Just for example, right now the 176pc set is $149, and I currently have $11 in SYW points and there's apparently another $10 in FREECASH available. Put it in my cart and with our local tax it comes to 141.59, and if I hadn't just cashed in $30 in SYW points last week I'd have been able to get that for ~$19 less. That's a crazy good deal. About 6 months ago I bought the 299pc set was on sale and wound up paying about $220 for it. I've been really happy with it so far.



About 6 months ago I bought the 299pc set when it was on sale and wound up paying about $220 when all was said and done for it. I've been really happy with them so far. Most of what is pictured below is that set along with a few additions like metric/sae sets of swivels, Gearwrench midlengths, crowsfeet, and some ratchets.

 

[PJNJ]

I have Gearwrench, SK and Cman (USA early 2000's) socket sets that I bought new (plus used sockets in various brands). They all work well and turn nuts and bolts. The Cman have the worst finish, GW is better and the SK is better again. I favor the SK over the rest but they are more expensive. If you can afford it, I would recommend SK. But, in the end, only you can decide what is best for you (and your wallet) and what you want to buy.

 

[Wamsutta]

The best bang for the buck is TOPTUL.

 

[WWheeler]

I have Gearwrench, SK and Cman (USA early 2000's) socket sets that I bought new (plus used sockets in various brands). They all work well and turn nuts and bolts. The Cman have the worst finish, GW is better and the SK is better again. I favor the SK over the rest but they are more expensive. If you can afford it, I would recommend SK. But, in the end, only you can decide what is best for you (and your wallet) and what you want to buy.

That's not been my experience. At all.

Example: Craftsman USA 1990s era full broached deep socket on the left and Gearwrench 2013-ish deep socket on the right.

The best bang for the buck is TOPTUL.

You can get a 'complete' set (like the OP wants) of Toptul for under $1 per socket? I've never seen Toptul priced anywhere near that, not even from our resident GJ dealer (recently giving it up). How hard is it to warranty a Toptul socket?

 

[tym]

That's not been my experience. At all.

Example: Craftsman USA 1990s era full broached deep socket on the left and Gearwrench 2013-ish deep socket on the right.

How can the thing on the right even be called a deep socket?

 

[WWheeler]

How can the thing on the right even be called a deep socket?

Shallow-broached deep sockets are pretty much the norm these days. Newer Craftsmans are shallow-broached too, though their finish is likewise not worse than the GW is. I think even some truck brands are shallow broached, though I don't own any. Sometimes it's an advantage and sometimes it's not.

Personally I do MUCH prefer a full broached deep socket.

 

[Professional Tool User]

It really depends on how much money you want to burn. If this is just for home use, anything that costs more than Gearwrench is overkill. As for Gearwrench itself, I find it to be overpriced. It's too expensive for hit and miss Made in China stuff. My Made in Taiwan 1/4 drive Tekton set is pretty well finished and doesn't have size skips, though I would want to go with another brand for the ratchet. They also have other sets with no size skips.

 

[Wamsutta]

You can get a 'complete' set (like the OP wants) of Toptul for under $1 per socket? I've never seen Toptul priced anywhere near that, not even from our resident GJ dealer (recently giving it up). How hard is it to warranty a Toptul socket?

I mean when they're both at regular price. When GearWrench goes back to regular price, Toptul is at least half the price of GearWrench per socket.

Warranty Toptul? Send a picture to Mike Wren of the broken tool and he mails you out a replacement. Sometimes he doesn't even ask for a picture if your story sounds good.

 

[Mr_B]

Toptul socket range not that good in what easily available, nice stuff though but certainly not a buck a socket .
I'd say gearwrench taiwan sockets while at 50% off on rail sets and buy decent ratchets and extensions to compliment them (ratchet and extension warranty useful while sockets not important .
Gearwrench sockets pretty easy live with at that price and decent design at this price range .
If want better then look at carlyle, sk, koken, premier, nutmaster sockets . I wouldn't touch the modern china craftsman sets . Even the current taiwan gearwrench not as good as was, old selling points like full length stepped shouldering been reduced so about half length and they don't step base of lager size sockets, depth of broaching also reduced and while I realize can have full and shallow deep socket broaching, less machining = less manufacture costing .
Plenty good sockets out there, usa, german, japanese and taiwan, some of best design taiwan sockets at the low prices of like 2 to 4 bucks a piece is found under more off brands, most peoples biggest mistake is making warranty a number one concern which for sockets is simply not needed, they almost consumable and far more cost & replacement efficient to self warranty and buy based on design preference you like and sensible price .

 

[PJNJ]

That's not been my experience. At all.

Example: Craftsman USA 1990s era full broached deep socket on the left and Gearwrench 2013-ish deep socket on the right.

You can get a 'complete' set (like the OP wants) of Toptul for under $1 per socket? I've never seen Toptul priced anywhere near that, not even from our resident GJ dealer (recently giving it up). How hard is it to warranty a Toptul socket?

Ok. But it is not my experience. At all.

 

[Zewnten]

I called all the local distributors of gearwrench in my area they said they had to be purchased from their store (which is OK but what if I move and have a receipt of the purchase) This was Fastenal, grainger, napa and even then the warranty only covered the life time of the tool which apex estimated to be 1 year, now maybe I had an exception in my dealings with gearwrench, I don't know. I do know that if warranty is a concern I cannot recmomend gearwrench.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

agree that Snap-on is NOT the best. I don't even know if Gedore (German) is the best, but most of us have a limited budget.
What brands are most popular with heavy equipment mechanics? I think that would be a good place to start.

 

[Mgdoug3]

Dt upgrade?

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It's a dual prawl mechanism that replaces the original so "doubles" the tooth count. For 3/8 drive it makes the ratchet feel like 80 tooth instead of 40. I like them a lot. They come in 3 sizes, DT120 (1/4"), DT80 (3/8) and DT100 (1/2).

 

[Farmall450]

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=KDT80550P

https://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.c...3Pc-Dr-6-Point-Metric-Socket-Set-P219713.aspx

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009PJPKCA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Every time I link that first set, I feel like I should buy it but I already have sooo many tools. Pretty large coverage as far as sockets go, and at 103 dollars, with the 120T ratchets and extensions its a great buy. You could also look to buy all the sockets from advanced auto with the discount going on, but I still don't think you'd come out ahead with that. Id buy my swivels from advanced if you wanted to stay GW. Very cheap with the discount. For 1/2 sockets I dunno what to tell ya, the third link above is the best I could find and while I really like GW tools for the money I can't help but feel its a little high.

There's also this set, a little less complete, but covers all three drive sizes.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...etric-83001d/25984232-P?searchTerm=gearwrench




They warranty them at fastenal, sears, advanced auto and of course through GW themselves.

Plus Menards and Farm & Fleet, if you have them nearby.