3/8 Impact Best Deal?

[CJM8515]

Sold most of my stuff away due to financial reasons and Im rebuilding. These tools would mostly be used at home, I dont work in the shop often since Im on the road for our AAA division. I had matco before, but Im not paying the tool truck prices this time around for basically home use tools.

Looking on amazon I came across the following ATD, GW and Sunex

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OUUGNC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003MWQOU8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MVB9Y8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Really like GW stuff as I have a few things from them already, never used ATD and have some sunex stuff already. Clearly GW is the most $ and then the sunex and then ATD but it comes with a 6" extension and 21mm socket.. But is that worth the 30 over the sunex imho..no.

In the end Im leaning mostly towards the sunex. Thoughts?

 

[c.schulz]

Ive had really good luck with sunex impact sockets from short long and swivle.

Chris

 

[CJM8515]

Thanks for the advice c.schulz. I think Im going to go with sunex unless someone has some bad to say about them.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Between the sets you listed, I'd go for GW or Sunex (I don't have experience with ATD impacts).

Matco sells the Gearwrench impacts under their "ADV" Taiwan line.

Now bring on the multitudes of posts for "Just buy a Harbor Freight set"

 

[Harrison2]

genius from toolsource

 

[BajaBound]

I say sunex.

 

[BK13]

Man, my reading comprehension *****. I thought you were asking about the tool, not the sockets...

 

[pfhWJ]

+2 for Sunex incredible value for the dollar. was looking at the IR sets but reviews say the walls are a bit thin.

 

[davesnothere]

sunex.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

If you go with the Sunex set, you can get some great extensions through Cripe. I have both, and they have taken all the abuse I can throw at them so far (Kobalt USA, Made by Williams/Snap-On)

6" Extension $3
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kobalt-3-8-...80096042?pt=US_Hand_Tools&hash=item4cf81bf42a

3" Extension $2.50
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kobalt-3-8-...42655196?pt=US_Hand_Tools&hash=item3a676329dc

Anytime buying from Cripe you just have to request a total amount and the shipping cost goes WAY down.

EDIT:

+2 for Sunex incredible value for the dollar. was looking at the IR sets but reviews say the walls are a bit thin.

I can attest that the IR sets are killer. I have the giant case with all the 1/2" & 3/8" drive sockets, and they have held up awesome to daily use in a truck shop. Don't rule them out. My ONLY complaint is the few missing sizes, that I filled in with Armstrong and Williams loose sockets.

 

[bcradio]

Sunex for sure... Great sockets that will last a lifetime

 

[jmscollinsiii]

Another for the Sunex.

 

[CJM8515]

Alright, seems sunex is the winner here. Thanks for the info about the extensions and such as well.

 

[smogtech]

I use sunex in a dealership environment for the past 4 years. No problem. I only cracked a deep 19mm because I was using it on a 3/8 impact wrench removing and installing wheels for 3 years at Honda daily. Lasted a long time for something it really wasn't suppose to be doing.

 

[akhappy]

I have the Sunex 42 piece set you have linked.....you can't beat it for 80$

 

[fhemm20]

I have the Sunex 42 piece set you have linked.....you can't beat it for 80$

I have the same set, they hold up and very well, have not broken one yet.

I also have a the 1/2" deepwell SAE master set from Gp, as well as a few individual Gp sockets. If you ask me, I'd say they are the same socket. To me they feel identical and have the same style print, the Gp sockets have the same part numbers on them with an additional digit. You would be safe with either brand.

 

[rice rocket]

+2 for Sunex incredible value for the dollar. was looking at the IR sets but reviews say the walls are a bit thin.

I have Sunex, IR, and also Williams (made in USA)...and also HF from 10 years ago.

The IR sets are a bit thin, but sometimes that's good. I haven't cracked one yet.

The Sunex and Williams look pretty similar.

I cracked all the useful sizes in the HF kit (17, 19, 21). I've heard they've gotten much better recently though.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Sold most of my stuff away due to financial reasons and Im rebuilding. These tools would mostly be used at home, I dont work in the shop often since Im on the road for our AAA division. I had matco before, but Im not paying the tool truck prices this time around for basically home use tools.

Looking on amazon I came across the following ATD, GW and Sunex

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OUUGNC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003MWQOU8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MVB9Y8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Really like GW stuff as I have a few things from them already, never used ATD and have some sunex stuff already. Clearly GW is the most $ and then the sunex and then ATD but it comes with a 6" extension and 21mm socket.. But is that worth the 30 over the sunex imho..no.

In the end Im leaning mostly towards the sunex. Thoughts?

Whatever is crmo if you only use impact. But based on what you probably do on the road even crmo isn't necessary. Check to see if the sunex set is crmo, the gearwrench set (listed) is. But then again you're buying stuff without a retail warranty. ATD is all rebranded probably the same mfg as harbor freight regular pittsburgh or possibly craftsman evolv but I don't think either has a kit that big. I use the craftsman evolv impacts they aren't bad at all but they're cr-v and no frills.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I think Im going to go with sunex unless someone has some bad to say about them.

I don't think anyone does. Just go for the Sunex set.

 

[andrehoban]

I'll choose Sunex stuff. Strong high quality chrome moly steel sockets, strong impact sockets in a high-quality, well crafted, and has well designed storage case

 

[MattPersman]

Only bad I have heard is about the sunex extensions like they fail one way or another, sockets are good though I have some, good stuff.

 

[ClimberD]

My sunex 1/2" drive metric impact set of short and long sockets has been flawless so far.
My wobble 1/2" impact extensions have been fine too, but I have not beat them up at the limit. With my Aircat 1/2" impact, everything always zips off easily and quietly.

I don't like the sunex Allen head impact set as much. Appears cheaper, but I have no good basis for impact Allen comparison. They have worked so far, but they make me a bit nervous.

 

[CJM8515]

Yea Im gonna pull the gun on some sunex ones as soon as I get my taxes back. They arent a necessity but one of those things Id very much like to have again. I had tool truck ones last time, but other than the name on them I honestly dont see a real difference.

 

[ijroorda]

For what it's worth, I have the ATD set and I'm impressed with them for the price; the walls are probably a little thicker than the tool truck brands, but they seem to be good quality and fit well. You definitely can't go wrong with Sunex though.