Carlyle or Gearwrench Sockets

[morrillm06]

Hey all,
So I am looking at getting a few new socket sets but cant afford or justify SO, SK ect... I am looking more in the Carlyle or Gearwrench price range. What company offers a more complete set (with fill ins) I know I wont get an 11 mm in a set but do they offer them as singles. and also is there another company im missing in the price range that is comparable or better to these two?

 

[BottomLineReviews]

I'd say Carlyle.

 

[nevercouldfigureitout]

Carlyle sir

 

[nevercouldfigureitout]

Also I like Tekton and Gp a lot, both are really coming on strong with great products. I'd actually pick them above gear wrench an Carlyle right now

 

[hoston23]

Carlyle. easier to exchange for warrenty

 

[M6erfan]

Tekton skips a lot of sizes, I vote Carlyle

 

[Askme42]

I could be wrong but I thought Carlyle was quit a bit higher prices than gearwrenxh.

 

[Brownsfan]

Carlyle is almost as expensive as SK in sets. Gearwrench can be a little cheaper especially on sale. Check out the Napa real deals for decent prices on Armstrong sets. 149 for a 3/8 56PC set. USA made and the 88t ratchet comes with it. 119 for a 50PC 1/4 set.
http://realdeals.napaecatalog.com/app.php?RelId=6.2.3.8

 

[tomwmn]

Might look at Blackhawk (by Proto). Very nice and made in USA.

 

[GeorgeFromPa]

williams the price is right for remarked snapon sockets

 

[Kensgarage]

i'm a 100% Gearwrench guy when it comes to sockets and rails.

 

[rice rocket]

williams the price is right for remarked snapon sockets

Agreed. I'm surprised with the number of people paying high dollar amounts of Asian sockets, when you could get Williams, made in USA for similar money.

I'm guessing it's mostly because they don't spend the marketing dollars that Gearwrench or NAPA (on behalf of Carlyle) do?

 

[rockinacummins]

Carlyle. They look like higher quality than the gear wrench in my opinion

 

[Askme42]

Carlyle is almost as expensive as SK in sets. Gearwrench can be a little cheaper especially on sale. Check out the Napa real deals for decent prices on Armstrong sets. 149 for a 3/8 56PC set. USA made and the 88t ratchet comes with it. 119 for a 50PC 1/4 set.
http://realdeals.napaecatalog.com/app.php?RelId=6.2.3.8

Ok that's what I though. I haven't looked are there any sets on sale for sk days that would bring it into range?

 

[Thax]

Agreed. I'm surprised with the number of people paying high dollar amounts of Asian sockets, when you could get Williams, made in USA for similar money.

I'm guessing it's mostly because they don't spend the marketing dollars that Gearwrench or NAPA (on behalf of Carlyle) do?

I agree with the Williams suggestion. Toolsdelivered.com has fantastic pricing on usa made Williams tools. They indicate on every item if its usa or offshore made. Just another option , if I were choosing between Carlyle and Gearwrench id go Carylyle in a heartbeat.

 

[M6erfan]

+1 on Williams but the OP asked about GW & Carl...

Definitely check out the Williams stuff on Tollsdelivered and if they fit in your budget, that's the way I'd go...

 

[oldldh]

GearWrench would be a good way for you to go...

As in---

GW#80314D 47pc 1/4" Drive 6pt SAE/Metric Socket Set......$ 38.60...

GW#80718 63pc 3/8" Drive 6pt SAE/Metric Socket Set......$ 72.60

GW# 81204F 2pc 1/4" and 3/8"Cushion Grip Flexhead Ratchet Set.......$ 57.92

GW# 81206F 2pc 1/4" and 3/8" Fill polish Ratchet Set........$ 62.01

Change the last letter on the GW# to a "P" if you'd rather have 120 teeth, instead of 84...

$ 231.13!!!

Prices from www.tooldiscounter.com ....

(Just so you know---I own all of the items listed above, except the "Cushion Grip" ratchets...and...all mine are 120 tooth...)

The three photos with the smokes are mine...

 

[justme-]

Why Carlyle....gearwrench can be warrantied through apex direct or any dealer, Napa is a dealer. Carlyle is only available through Napa...if your local Napa shutters you're out of luck and it would seem quality is comparable.

I don't understand wanting to buy china/Taiwan made stuff at that price point tho...hit lowes or Depot and get just as good for less. It's not professional tool level either way.

 

[DirtyWeRX]

GearWrench is not professional tool level? ****, i might be out of a job if anyone finds out

 

[BK13]

GearWrench is not professional tool level? ****, i might be out of a job if anyone finds out

I was thinking the same thing about Carlyle....

 

[Fedwrench]

The issue always comes down to the simple fact that most people here won't accept a Taiwan made tool line regardless of how good it is.

Back to the original question, both Gearwrench and Carlyle offer very complete socket sets and have the entire set contents available as open stock.

You haven't said whether you're looking for metric or SAE and which drive sizes you're after.

Are you looking just for rails of sockets or accessories too?

Gearwrench might have the edge when it comes to sets as they often have but one get one specials going on.
Both brands will serve you well.

 

[cheechi]

Between those two, GW. You can pay more and get nearly if not exactly the same thing if you want.

For my money, Williams USA and Taiwan both (Williams Taiwan is Blue Point rebrands) or Kobalt Taiwan make more sense. I have a mix of all the above and a handful of misc from other brands but the meat of my sockets are in this order Williams, then Kobalt, then GW.

 

[1950mercury]

Between those two, GW. You can pay more and get nearly if not exactly the same thing if you want.

For my money, Williams USA and Taiwan both (Williams Taiwan is Blue Point rebrands) or Kobalt Taiwan make more sense. I have a mix of all the above and a handful of misc from other brands but the meat of my sockets are in this order Williams, then Kobalt, then GW.

A week ago at Lowes all there sockets where china

 

[wttwoa]

Between those two, GW. You can pay more and get nearly if not exactly the same thing if you want.

For my money, Williams USA and Taiwan both (Williams Taiwan is Blue Point rebrands) or Kobalt Taiwan make more sense. I have a mix of all the above and a handful of misc from other brands but the meat of my sockets are in this order Williams, then Kobalt, then GW.

how would williams compare to sk, proto, or blackhawk? im looking to pick up a 3/8th socket set and im unsure on what brand to get. i already had a couple sk pieces and dealt with sk warranty and it was awesome so im kinda leaning towards a sk socket set, but a 49pc socket set is almost double a williams 47pc set. another set i was thinking of is piecing together a craftsman =v= set or professional set

 

[nathanmartin23]

I'd say Carlyle they're pretty good I work a Napa and we sell them all the time


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[uglyjacko]

how would williams compare to sk, proto, or blackhawk? im looking to pick up a 3/8th socket set and im unsure on what brand to get. i already had a couple sk pieces and dealt with sk warranty and it was awesome so im kinda leaning towards a sk socket set, but a 49pc socket set is almost double a williams 47pc set. another set i was thinking of is piecing together a craftsman =v= set or professional set

SK gets my vote for being 100% USA from raw materials to finished goods.

 

[wttwoa]

SK gets my vote for being 100% USA from raw materials to finished goods.

yeah i love how its all usa made, i had thought of getting a set or 2 off of ebay but if something does break i dont want to be a douche and send it in for a replacement

 

[cheechi]

A week ago at Lowes all there sockets where china

Yeah.. Some sets still around here. All singles here still Taiwan, I have filled gaps pretty easily. Still haven't pulled the trigger on the extra $100 or so impacts to fill those gaps.

how would williams compare to sk, proto, or blackhawk?

Equivalent. Depending on the SK you're comparing it to, either 'not as shiny but equivalent' or 'way way better'.

They are the next best thing after the SO & Wright quality points. In fact we're due for another thread soon where someone is going to argue with someone else that they are SO sockets and so on.

 

[Brownsfan]

It's hard to beat Williams USA for the money. Identical to Snap on sockets for 1/4 of the price. Same with SK. If I was starting out again or going to replace my USA CRAFTSMAN it would be SK or Williams USA. Carlyle sockets are great quality but IMHO expensive for Taiwan made sockets. They are almost as much as SK or Williams.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Between the two, would much rather support my friends at NAPA then Advance Auto, so I would go with Carlyle. That being said, I really like my SK and I have an indie auto parts store that stocks SK so if I need something quick or a single socket usually go there. I do have a few Carlye tools and I think they much nicer then GW, although I do have a few sets of their ratcheting wrenches and some other odds and ends That I picked up on sale and they have been fine, but not blown away.

 

[Askme42]

yeah i love how its all usa made, i had thought of getting a set or 2 off of ebay but if something does break i dont want to be a douche and send it in for a replacement

How would sending it in for warranty be being a douche?

 

[wttwoa]

How would sending it in for warranty be being a douche?

i had thought about just buying it used over ebay instead of going though any sort of dealer, just seems kinda wrong to me, but on the other hand they do have a no questions asked warranty