3/8" impact set? Sunex vs craftsman? (long read)

[diesel research]

Stuck at a moral dilemma.

Have a IR2115ti coming by mid next week. Right now only 3/8" impact sockets I have are the metric/sae snap on swivel sets. Not the best swivels out there, but should be sufficient until the pins wear out.

So I am looking into more complete deep/shallow/metric/sae sets with around 42pc.

Almost pulled the trigger on 4 individual sunex sets. Have much experience with sunex and no question they ARE quality and budget friendly.
Sunex 3359, 3650, 3358, and 3652 gives me 42 impact sockets ranging from 7-19mm (13pc) and 5/16-3/4 (8pc) and deep well duplicates.

Total from tooltopia would be $87.75, but in actuality would be just over $100 as I would add some cheap but handy item to apply for free shipping. (extensions or something)

http://www.tooltopia.com/sunex-tools-3359.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/sunex-tools-3650.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/sunex-tools-3358.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/sunex-tools-3652.aspx

Just before pulling the trigger I suddenly felt a slight bit of patriotic COO syndrome. Noticed sears had a similar set for $169. 38 sockets 1/4-3/4 and 10mm-19mm. Forgo 7,8,9mm. Gain 1/4", a 3" extension, a 6" extension, a pinless swivel, and a pin type swivel. Not sure why they include both types, but it is what it is. $169.99

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00983126000P?prdNo=4


They are both "dual marked" except for the pin type swivel.
The craftsman is easier to read so long as the marking lasts.
Sunex=taiwan, craftsman-USA in this case.
Sunex appears to be finished better than cman. This is no surprise as my 7 year old sunex still has better finish than my SO swivels when they were new in bag.
The missing cman sockets are of little consequence to me, I can handle that.
Likewise, the added extra accessories are of little interest to me.
I know the sunex are cro-moly and strong. No clue on the craftsman strength or material?
I know the sunex are a little chubby. Hasn't often been a problem in the past, but none the less valid concern. No clue how the craftsman compare.

My guess is they are both quality? The better dual mark/poorer finish/added accessories are not enough to make up my mind. If I am paying approx double I will need something more. COO is worth a few more dollars as well. Warranty is a little iffy for both, but hoping to never use it. Sunex=lifetime warranty but requires mailing replacements. Sears=lifetime warranty but requires dealing with potential idiots and run around. They won't have it in stock and will require mailing replacement as well.

Only thing I can think of to possibly cover the dollar gap was if the craftsman fit better or was slimmer.

Any experience with either or both?


(I will not entertain suggestions for GP, and could not justify $250 for wright from epsteins)

 

[PreferredMotorsLLC]

I too am looking for decent 3/8 impacts, so I'll be watching this.

 

[bobcatdan]

Sunnex is the way to go with impact sockets. Look at set numbers 3325 and 3358. Compelet sets ranging 5/16 to 1 and 8 to 22mm. both kits have u joints. I have these and work good.

 

[woody 73]

Where I shop for tools the man only sells Grey sockets,so naturally those are the ones I use. I do hear that the sunnex sockets are very good, not sure how you get them warranted,but I imagine it would not be that hard.
If the craftsman sockets fail you could take them back to any sears store for replacement.

 

[diesel research]

Where I shop for tools the man only sells Grey sockets,so naturally those are the ones I use. I do hear that the sunnex sockets are very good, not sure how you get them warranted,but I imagine it would not be that hard.
If the craftsman sockets fail you could take them back to any sears store for replacement.

I was under the impression GP's do not have a warranty except from their one authorized dealer?

If a craftsman fails, I would go to a B&M store only to find out they do not have any open stock or 3/8 sets at all, and then wait for one to be shipped to the store. Well I take that back. If they do have a 3/8 drive socket, it sure isn't on display. Display consists only of the most basic 1/2 drive stuff. Maybe I will have to ask them later.

 

[pipsters]

You're paying $80 to keep Americans employed, seems like a no brainer to me. I just bought the 1/2" Craftsman set, they are definitely high quality. I also have a 10-36mm SK set in the mail on the way, $233 could've bought the Sunex set for $135.

 

[Damian]

If you want to keep American's employed, go into politics and fight for manufacturers to bring jobs back to America.

If you want the best deal for your money, buy Sunex and not Crapsman. 1 man buying a tool set isn't going to save the world, so don't waste your money over Patriotic pride.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I would go with the Craftsman if you are buying the swivels. The pinless design they use is the same as Matco's and, as much as I like Snap-on, I like the pinless design more. For the regular impacts, how many have you had to warranty? Again, I know a lot of guys that use Sunex and Grey but more that use Craftsman and SK (if they are not using a tool truck brand).

As noted above, you will also be helping keep tool production in this country. True, your single purchase will not but 20,000 people thinking and buying will along those lines will. I would hope this country still had some patriotic pride but that is for another thread.

Bull, sorry about letting that last in but I am an American by birth and Southern by the grace of God and proud of it...

 

[pipsters]

If you want to keep American's employed, go into politics and fight for manufacturers to bring jobs back to America.

If you want the best deal for your money, buy Sunex and not Crapsman. 1 man buying a tool set isn't going to save the world, so don't waste your money over Patriotic pride.

I don't view it as wasting my money though. I work for an airline (heavily unionized), when I send money to Taiwan (and then subsequently to China, as most companies there are owned by the Chinese) or to China, Hai Sun over there can't buy a domestic airline ticket. If I buy a US tool there is a small hope that at one point, the workers producing those tools will be buying an airline ticket.

But you're right, me doing that, along with a minority of folks, doing that won't save anything.

 

[hammergodthor]

If you want to keep American's employed, go into politics and fight for manufacturers to bring jobs back to America.

If you want the best deal for your money, buy Sunex and not Crapsman. 1 man buying a tool set isn't going to save the world, so don't waste your money over Patriotic pride.

By that logic, I shouldn't even bother to vote. My one vote can't possibly make a difference.


Point: it all adds up, one at a time.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

I was under the impression GP's do not have a warranty except from their one authorized dealer?

They have tons of dealers...

The warrant info:
http://www.gpsocket.com/index.cfm?event=pageview&contentPieceID=807

My local Napa store is a GP dealer. How to find a dealer in your area:
http://www.gpsocket.com/index.cfm?event=pageview&contentPieceID=806

And you can mail them back...

This is all assuming you will even need to warranty an item. My choice is GP over Sunnex or CM...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60216&highlight=Grey+Pneumatic

 

[bobcatdan]

If you want to buy USA for a fair price, I am assuming since you priced craftsman, buy SK. Find unsold sets from before or wait until march. Support that company so our kids can by SK. I earlier posted a vote for sunnex and I stand behind that, but I bought sunnex as a second set for home. Work box is soild USA: SO, SK, Mac, and Matco.

 

[Hammer1963]

As patriotic as I may be, Grey and Sunex are far better quality than the Craftsman sockets. I have all three and really can't tell the difference in the Grey & Sunex. I've tried to remain as loyal as I can to USA made tools, but it is up to you. USA, does not always mean better quality. Sad but true

 

[pipsters]

I was under the impression GP's do not have a warranty except from their one authorized dealer?

There is only one online authorized dealer, I can't remember what it is, but you can call them and ask which one it is.

 

[comedyman809]

want to keep americans employed, tell the unions to stop having our workers from being overpaid for work that is worth way less than what they make.

 

[Damian]

By that logic, I shouldn't even bother to vote. My one vote can't possibly make a difference.


Point: it all adds up, one at a time.

Buying tools isn't going to affect the overall outcome of our country. Voting does. Orange vs apples.

I'm not saying "dont waste money on American tools!!". I probably should have worded it different. I'm saying that the COO shouldn't ALWAYS be in every tool purchase decision you make. Like it or not, almost everyone is going overseas now so just buy what is the best deal and has the best reputation for quality.

If somebody wants to spend $50-100+ more just because something was made in America and Sunex wasn't, be my guest. I'll pocket my $100 and get an as good/better quality product for less $$.

 

[jkeyser14]

I have craftsman impacts. I've been using them for a year, they're holding up great.

 

[pipsters]

want to keep americans employed, tell the unions to stop having our workers from being overpaid for work that is worth way less than what they make.

Even if union members were paid minimum wage, that is still over 7x more than what folks make in China and Taiwan, not counting the additional taxes employers in the US pay as well as the higher corporate tax rate structure, less/no environmental regulations to comply with, and companies that can pretty much do anything to employees without fear of getting sued. Then factor in how China disregards patents, and reverse engineers our products then sells them back to us for cheap. I for one, do not wish to support that.

 

[pipsters]

Buying tools isn't going to affect the overall outcome of our country. Voting does. Orange vs apples.

I'm not saying "dont waste money on American tools!!". I probably should have worded it different. I'm saying that the COO shouldn't ALWAYS be in every tool purchase decision you make. Like it or not, almost everyone is going overseas now so just buy what is the best deal and has the best reputation for quality.

If somebody wants to spend $50-100+ more just because something was made in America and Sunex wasn't, be my guest. I'll pocket my $100 and get an as good/better quality product for less $$.

I know it was a hard choice for me, I am a cheap *******, I drive a 16 year old car, live out of a lunchbox while gone 4 days, etc. I figure I (hopefully) will only buy these things once, a few hundred dollars extra over the course of my tool buying binge isn't going to break my personal bank.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

i've got craftsman impacts and i've used sunex. i think that you'd be happy with either one. i've also got a set of IR impacts that i bought the same time as my 2115. they are really strong and have been really good sockets. their only downside is their COO. Taiwan. but still good sockets.

 

[Skin]

diesel research, let your budget do the talking. If you can afford the extra money for Cman sockets, buy them and perhaps feel better for doing so. This is exactly what i do. I dont get hung up in mental arguments with myself about quality because there are many quality options out there, imported and domestic, but if i can spend more, i buy American. Especially on impact sockets where you'll probably never break one in your lifetime. Its that simple.

By the way i can help you save more on the Cman set, chances are at 5PM CST today there will be a midnight madness sale which means 10% off tools.

170
-16 = 154.00. (it takes 10% off AFTER the below coupon deductions)

sears5off50 coupon

154
-5 = 149

couponcabin click through link [one at the top]
http://www.couponcabin.com/s/coupons/sears/

149
-5 = $144.00

By the way if you work in low light areas often the large gold laser etching on the Cman impacts actually comes in handy. The Cmans have a much larger font for the stamped sizes as well. The etching on Sunex sockets is much smaller and it would not appear they are stamped any longer.

 

[motoguy]

They have tons of dealers...

The warrant info:
http://www.gpsocket.com/index.cfm?event=pageview&contentPieceID=807

My local Napa store is a GP dealer. How to find a dealer in your area:
http://www.gpsocket.com/index.cfm?event=pageview&contentPieceID=806

And you can mail them back...

This is all assuming you will even need to warranty an item. My choice is GP over Sunnex or CM...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60216&highlight=Grey+Pneumatic

Not according to their warranty page:

http://www.gpsocket.com/index.cfm?event=pageview&contentPieceID=807

This is why I decided against buying GP impacts. Their "warranty" sounded like it would be a PITA, if I ever needed to use it.

"IMPORTANT NOTE: We do ask that you purchase any Grey Pneumatic product from an authorized dealer. Any Grey Pneumatic Product purchased from an UNAUTHORIZED dealer is NOT covered under our warranty.

Please Note: All Sockets for Warranty Consideration must be returned to the place of purchase for replacement. In cases where there is a question regarding warranty, the distributor has the right to return the socket to us for determination before a replacement is issued.

Only authorized distributors are allowed to handle warranty replacements. For a listing of Authorized Distributors in your area, please contact us.

SOCKETS RETURNED DIRECTLY TO US FROM NON-DISTRIBUTORS WILL BE REFUSED. "

 

[diesel research]

You're paying $80 to keep Americans employed

I want to ensure I am rewarding them for doing a quality job, not just for showing up. I have worked in production along with most of my family. I can assure COO alone doesn't ensure superior quality across the board. IF the sockets were better, I may have to choose them. That's what this thread is about.

I would go with the Craftsman if you are buying the swivels. The pinless design they use is the same as Matco's and, as much as I like Snap-on, I like the pinless design more. For the regular impacts, how many have you had to warranty? Again, I know a lot of guys that use Sunex and Grey but more that use Craftsman and SK (if they are not using a tool truck brand).

Never warranted a sunex. Used the 1/2 drive extensively on heavy diesel and offroad. Already have snap on swivels regrettably. Aren't bad, but I could have done better. Hindsight is 20/20.

If you want to buy USA for a fair price, I am assuming since you priced craftsman, buy SK. Find unsold sets from before or wait until march. Support that company so our kids can by SK. I earlier posted a vote for sunnex and I stand behind that, but I bought sunnex as a second set for home. Work box is soild USA: SO, SK, Mac, and Matco.

I am an SK man. Pretty much all my hardline chrome sockets/wrenches are newer SK (facom era), purchased new. I definitely want to see them continue and am waiting to buy more chrome. SK prices have gone hollywood as of late, for the few that are left. The few comparable sets were priced similar to wright and mostly sold by unheard of vendors. Can't gamble with that right now.

As patriotic as I may be, Grey and Sunex are far better quality than the Craftsman sockets. I have all three and really can't tell the difference in the Grey & Sunex. I've tried to remain as loyal as I can to USA made tools, but it is up to you. USA, does not always mean better quality. Sad but true

Duly noted. Never used cman impacts, but simply judging from appearance, I am not all that impressed. If they didn't spend time to make them appear quality, did they take other short cuts on things I cannot see? Maybe not, that's why I am here asking.

I'm not saying "dont waste money on American tools!!". I probably should have worded it different. I'm saying that the COO shouldn't ALWAYS be in every tool purchase decision you make. Like it or not, almost everyone is going overseas now so just buy what is the best deal and has the best reputation for quality.

If somebody wants to spend $50-100+ more just because something was made in America and Sunex wasn't, be my guest. I'll pocket my $100 and get an as good/better quality product for less $$.

It is not the way you are illustrating it. I will not blindly spend more for USA if a tool is inferior, or a lot more for the same quality. I WILL allow a slight monetary difference for the same quality product of 2 different countries. No set amount, but there is some tolerance if the quality can deliver. If this was simply a COO debate, there wouldn't be a debate. Instead it is a quest to find out about potential quality differences or fitment. I know sunex sockets are a little thick/beefy. On a VERY rare occassion, my 1/2 drive sunex stuff didn't fit. (I used them as my go-to sockets for almost everything, even with hand tools) If one brand offered a better profile I would take that into consideration. Same with quality or other features.

Then factor in how China disregards patents, and reverse engineers our products then sells them back to us for cheap. I for one, do not wish to support that.

While I do not support that, this is not a valid concern for this case. I know sunex/gp didn't reverse engineer or disregard patents for impact sockets, or atleast to the best of my knowledge. Furthermore I'm pretty sure sunex has a solid track record for atleast 30 years. That concern is more reserved for HF snapon clones. Different topic, different day.

diesel research, let your budget do the talking. If you can afford the extra money for Cman sockets, buy them and perhaps feel better for doing so. This is exactly what i do. I dont get hung up in mental arguments with myself about quality because there are many quality options out there, imported and domestic, but if i can spend more, i buy American. Especially on impact sockets where you'll probably never break one in your lifetime. Its that simple.

By the way i can help you save more on the Cman set, chances are at 5PM CST today there will be a midnight madness sale which means 10% off tools.

170
-16 = 154.00. (it takes 10% off AFTER the below coupon deductions)

sears5off50 coupon

154
-5 = 149

couponcabin click through link [one at the top]
http://www.couponcabin.com/s/coupons/sears/

149
-5 = $144.00

By the way if you work in low light areas often the large gold laser etching on the Cman impacts actually comes in handy. The Cmans have a much larger font for the stamped sizes as well. The etching on Sunex sockets is much smaller and it would not appear they are stamped any longer.

Budget did the talking. It excluded most of the higher end USA pieces. (armstrong, proto, matco, snap on, SK, wright) I can afford either mentioned option, but do not like wasting dollars. The game is about efficiency. Time, money, ect ect. Quality is also more than just break or don't break. A socket may fit poorly, not have enough clearance, ect ect. Finish also plays a factor as I hate how many of my snap on swivels will flash rust very quickly. Even when regularly oiled. It feels bad to have expensive tools looking like ****. I get it, appearance shouldn't be a factor, tools are just to do a job. Then again, if you buy a new car, you want the paint to stay on and not flake off. Even though it may not affect performance.

Your point about the etching is very valid so long as it is durable. Especially since I work overnight. That is taken into consideration in the first post.

I WAS going to take sears discounts into consideration, but realized I was not up to date on which discounts were available, and they are not consistent, so I held off on judging them by that.

___________________________

So far it seems as far as fit and durability it is a wash. Both seem to have decent reviews. That leaves me with the COO, larger etching, and poorer finish to close the $55 gap after discount.

 

[Skin]

Well if its cosmetics i have to admit every Taiwan tool i've purchased and any i've took notice of on the stock shelves generally are finished to a very high quality often superior to cheaper american counterparts. In terms of wall thickness i'd also would have to give the nod to Sunex for being just a hair slimmer.

I would not discount the advantage that Cman, and even GP, have on markings though. I had thought Sunex were double marked like Cmans but looking at their website it seems they've gone to a itty bitty etching as the only marking. That would be a deal breaker for myself. I hate squinting trying to read a size.

 

[diesel research]

Can someone check their newer sunex to see if it does have dual marking or is etched only? Mine are older, not here right now, and almost positive are dual marked.

If you have cman and sunex in 3/8 drive, is it possible to post comparison photo of same size socket, or even dimensions? None of my sears carry them on the shelf.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Not according to their warranty page...

Thanks, I stand corrected!

 

[poprockcrusher]

I thought sunex made matco/craftsman
I have older sunex impact 3/8 , they kinda **** , can't read the laser etching anymore

 

[motoguy]

Thanks, I stand corrected!

"Selective" honoring of warranty is one of my personal pet peeves. Either the product is warranted, or it isn't. IMO, a company is warranting the performance / durability of the final product, not the distribution chain involved in the purchase. Failing to honor the warranty because of how / where the product is purchased, really ticks me off.

I will not be purchasing GP products due to this issue.

 

[diesel research]

I thought sunex made matco/craftsman
I have older sunex impact 3/8 , they kinda **** , can't read the laser etching anymore

No. Matco/craftsman=USA for now. Sunex=taiwan. Not sure who is doing impact stuff for those 2, but rest assured it is a danaher/apex company. Maybe armstrong.

Interesting note on the laser etch.

 

[pipsters]

Diesel, I understand what your thinking is. I had picked out the Sunex 26 piece 10-36mm deep impact set as my new impact set after all the research I did. I think you will find the Sunex product is excellent. If it makes you feel any better, they do in fact use US presses to make the sockets, so at least they are using some USA made stuff . I did a "practice" call to see about their warranty, the office folks there were extremely nice and courteous.

FWIW my Craftsman impact sockets, bought just a few days ago, are stamped "GK" indicating they are made by Danaher/Kingsley Tools Division according to the list we have on here. No idea what that means, but I don't think that has changed as they have been the OEM on that product for awhile now.

I also agree about the finish, if you spend good money you want them to look good. I completely understand. I don't know what the Sunex sockets look like, but my Craftsman look rather crude. Some of the stamped gold numbers isn't nearly as bright on some sockets as others, the quality control seems to be lacking. I might be bringing the lightly stamped sockets back for replacement. They came heavily oiled, no case, etc. Very industrial looking. I don't care as long as they are quality and last a lifetime...that is why I am buying them . Oh but on my 1/2" set the fit is excellent, very tight, even tighter than the Craftsman chrome sockets. I was impressed. They are thick though.