1/4 Drive Socket Set

[biscuit141]

You have to place it in the store at the kiosk.

 

[shoturtle]

How do you do the free shipping thing? I've got an order in my cart right now for about... $250 worth of Gearwrench stuff. Shipping is about $27.

goto sears, or you can call sears.com and since your order is over 99 dollars, they can issue you free shipping.

On little things go to the store for the free shipping if you are not spending over 99 dollars.

 

[concealer404]

Would i still be able to use the MAYDEALS promo? I errrr... added a bunch of things.

I'm just under the $35 off $350 deal right now, but can't find anything else i want. Might have to place three orders for $100 each, $15 off each. :lol

 

[shoturtle]

Yes you can use all the promo if you call them up.

 

[concealer404]

Think they'll catch on if i call three times?

Thanks for the help! Time for more tools!!!!

 

[shoturtle]

bolt outs are useful

 

[shoturtle]

Also it really does not matter how many orders you place. You will most likely get a different person each time you call.

 

[biscuit141]

Would i still be able to use the MAYDEALS promo? I errrr... added a bunch of things.

I'm just under the $35 off $350 deal right now, but can't find anything else i want. Might have to place three orders for $100 each, $15 off each. :lol

Concealer what in the heck are you ordering? You've got the sickness!

 

[concealer404]

Uhhh... everything.

I think i've decided that i need both normal polished metric long pattern wrenches AND the X-Beam set.

 

[cbracer]

I ordered the GW 3/8" set a while back and returned it. Just wasn't happy with the looks of the set and the quality of the ratchets. So I'm not a fan of the GW socket sets. Though they won't rust out like the CM ones.....

 

[biscuit141]

I ordered the GW 3/8" set a while back and returned it. Just wasn't happy with the looks of the set and the quality of the ratchets. So I'm not a fan of the GW socket sets. Though they won't rust out like the CM ones.....

Well I shall see once they arrive. The GW ratchets are spoken very highly of around these forums and I hear good things about the GW sockets and the made in Taiwan/China quality. I am not looking for Snap On quality either, but if they are better than the Cman I will be happy. Concealer just received the Napa branded set and I am pretty sure that is re-branded GW as the ratchets look identical and the sockets sizes are exactly the same. He was very happy with it so here's hoping for the best with the GW set.

 

[shoturtle]

They are prettier not better then the cmans.

 

[biscuit141]

I'm not saying the cmans would not serve me well, but finish quality is still a measure of quality. We shall see.

 

[concealer404]

They are prettier not better then the cmans.

Matter of opinion i suppose... If i have both sets side by side, i know which ones i'm picking up to use when i'm working on a car.

 

[shoturtle]

They both work the same, personal preference.

 

[bcradio]

They both work the same, personal preference.

Don't think this is personal preference... its truth. They do work the same.

There are chrome differences though from EPA's chrome limitations in US.

 

[shoturtle]

The chrome is cosmetic, it is not a functional part of the tool. Some make the chrome look out to more then it is. Craftsman does not chrome the inside of their sockets, I have a set form the early 90's. They did not do it either back then. But it works just the same as the chrome taiwan and chinese sockets. It is not proto or SO or Matco, but they work the same, and have never broken one.

 

[biscuit141]

My GearWrench sets arrived today. I am very happy! The chrome is nice, but I am mostly impressed with the ratchets. They feel much more substantial and the movement feels much tighter. Plus the handles are lighter than the Cman thin profiles which seemed handle-heavy to me. Also, the drive gear doesn't seem to wobble as much. Also, the small 1/4" sockets have a nicely finished hex, versus the Cman which almost appeared round.

1/4" Set

3/8" Set (it's nice getting both ratchets)

the lids pop off nicely (just like I'd hoped) so I can drop the whole tray in my tool box for storage

Both sets & the 1/2" ratchet made in Taiwan

 

[biscuit141]

That's good to see, but I wonder how old they are?

Do they all say "Danaher?"

Danaher's tool division became Apex in 2010, so those sets are at least around two years old. The transition of Gearwrench tools from Taiwan to China was pretty recent, but I don't really know a concrete date.

I wonder if you got a set that was newer stock if it would be China or Taiwan?

Both the socket sets say made for Danaher, no mention of Apex. The 1/2" ratchet says made in taiwan for Apex Tool Group.

 

[concealer404]

How did your lids pop off? Trying to figure out how to do this without damaging them.

 

[kxxr]

Somebody smart finally solved the blow molded box hinge problem. Blow molded boxes aren't going anywhere but it looks like those hinges might still be functional after years of use.

 

[back2class]

How about that, cant say I agree with the logic of buying import over a quality USA made tool because it has a nicer shine. But never underestemate the power of shine and polish here! While I don't think you made the best choice, I will say that it is a nice set and will serve you well.

 

[biscuit141]

How did your lids pop off? Trying to figure out how to do this without damaging them.

My hinges are different from the one you posted but the whole lid slides to the side and the pins pop out.

How about that, cant say I agree with the logic of buying import over a quality USA made tool because it has a nicer shine. But never underestemate the power of shine and polish here! While I don't think you made the best choice, I will say that it is a nice set and will serve you well.

Out of curiosity, what would be your best choice? Believe me I spent a lot of time considering my options and for the price I am happy wih the quality and number of sockets the kit has.

 

[concealer404]

How about that, cant say I agree with the logic of buying import over a quality USA made tool because it has a nicer shine. But never underestemate the power of shine and polish here! While I don't think you made the best choice, I will say that it is a nice set and will serve you well.

Loosely translated: "I don't like it because it's not USA made."

How far off am i?


Sorry charlie, i've got the same set for all intents and purposes, and it blows my Craftsmans out of the water in every conceivable way even before we even start worrying about what they LOOK like.

Because if i must be honest? I actually PREFER the duller chrome of the Craftsman stuff. But i'm not going to put up with an inferior tool just because i like the way it looks.

 

[back2class]

Loosely translated: "I don't like it because it's not USA made."

How far off am i?


Sorry charlie, i've got the same set for all intents and purposes, and it blows my Craftsmans out of the water in every conceivable way even before we even start worrying about what they LOOK like.

Because if i must be honest? I actually PREFER the duller chrome of the Craftsman stuff. But i'm not going to put up with an inferior tool just because i like the way it looks.

Ya read me wrong I am sorry to say but that is what happens when you ASSUME. Makes and a-- out you you & me...LOL. I am not a diehard USA guy and look over my posts will show that. I often recomend imported stuff. I am not picky about finish either. But when you have a high quality USA option of proven design with incredible product support and right there....and go with import for because of how it looks (visualy precived quality and polish) I would have to say I don't think it was the best choice. While I have very few imported tools it is because I am fine buying used tools with cosmetic flaws...what matters is that it does what it was designed to do and do it well. Public forum you know! He got a great set of tools at a good price, but as I said he could have had great set of USA made tools for similar budget with better support and went with the imports on pretty much looks for the most part. While not a ******** USA man, I am steadfast in judging tools on how they get the job done hence my liking proven design and support with a minor preference for supporting USA jobs lower on the list. If the OP paid full retail for the GW set I would have though him an idiot. I think he did well and if I were in the market for a NEW 1/4 set, at the price he paid, it would have been my second choice behind the Craftsman stuff.

 

[mgeoffriau]

Whatever floats your boat.

I'm supremely pleased with the 4 Gearwrench ratchets I snagged from the Sears.com sale.

 

[biscuit141]

Back2class, I know where you're coming from and I like to support made in the USA where I can. I own a lot of Cman tools as well and usually look to sears first when I need to pick up a tool just becuase they are less than 10 minutes from my house and the ease of warranty support. The color of the chrome was not a deciding factor in my decision in the least. It was more the quality of the socket in itself, if that makes sense. The hex was poorly formed in the smallest of sockets in the Cman set, 5/32 for example (which I realize will not be used much), and there was over spray or drips of something on the top and inside of the 1" 3/8 drive socket. While I realize these are for the most part only cosmetic flaws, I did not want to give Cman a free pass just because they were US made. It wouldn't take much effort for them to be sure the finish quality of the sockets coming out of the factory was that much better. Also, I wasn't overly impressed with the thin panel ratchets. The drive end had a good amount of wobble (the GW has noticeable less) and the handles were too heavy for my taste. I am not bashing Cman by any means, I will still buy their tools, I just wasn't happy enough with the sets to keep them and at the end of the day that is what matter most. I know the warranty isn't as easy as Sears, but at least it is the same warranty, however I have yet to break a socket so maybe I will never have to use it.

Concealer, after having looked at the Napa set as much as I did, and now getting the GW, I am convinced that it is the exact same set, just rebranded for Napa. The outer boxes have the same marketing points about the ratchets and the sockets, the ratchets look identical and the set contents are the same except the Napa includes the extra hex and torx bits.