Gear Wrench Sockets

[Jeremy77]

Just got a free $10 in points and applied to these. With the free shipping, I got the set shipped for $23.50. I have a 10 piece set of metric/SAE GW ratcheting wrenches at home and I use a set of 7/8 reversible ratcheting wrenches at work almost daily. I'm not a huge fan of most import tools but have found GearWrench wrenches to be of very good quality and a reliable addition to my box both at home and work. I've never used their ratchets or sockets but felt that I'd give them a shot considering my experience with their wrenches. At just a little over $20, I feel that I couldnt really go wrong. Anyone here got anything good, bad or in between to say about the sockets? I'm hoping that they are Taiwan made (like my wrenches) as opposed to Chinese. Thanks GJ crew.

 

[MLB0611]

I use GW 1/4 in semi deep chrome used daily. No issues with them.

 

[displacementreplacement]

I have the 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 sets and haven't broken one yet. The are finnished nicer than my friends armstrong set.

 

[oldldh]

I have 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2"...

All from Taiwan...

SAE and Metric...

Santa got them for me last Christmas...

Love them...

And the price is right...the 1/2" drive Metric 37 pc set is $ 85.95 at www.tooldiscounter.com ...

A little more money, but 27 more sockets, and a blow molded tray...

 

[Jeremy77]

Thanks guys, I assumed that they would be of good quality and your posts reassured me. Any one offhand know the COO on them?

 

[trboxman]

All of my GW stuff is COO Taiwan.

 

[JBradley500]

I have a bunch of GW stuff, and aside from the newest wrenches, everything is Taiwan. The new combo and ratcheting wrenches are Chinese.

 

[Jeremy77]

Thanks trboxman, I thought that most of their tools were Tiawanese. Most major tool forgers there are ISO 9001 certified from what I have read. I have several Kobalt wrenches and quite a few sockets, all made in Tiawan, and haven't had any issues with them.

 

[SASORacing]

I think and other people have said that they are tapered too much. GW says its to guide the socket on the bolt easier. But its tapered too much than needed. It seems like it would reduce surface contact by .25 - .5 mm or less. It could make the difference between it rounding or popping off the bolt.

 

[Kirbot]

About 1/2 or so of my sockets are Gearwrench.
All made in Taiwan, all finished nicely. Never broken one.

Advance auto has the best deal on the metric sizes because of their 40% coupons.

 

[WoodShopDisaster]

I sold off my snap on sockets, for financial reasons of course, and restocked my sockets with kobalt and gearwrench. I have GW in 3/8 and 1/2 6pt chrome, and tp torx. Never had an issue with a job I needed to get done, they do exactly what they were made to do. GW is on the blue and green rails, kobalt on the red rails which I got from HD.

 

[1950mercury]

All the new stock at advanced is all china. I bought the 1/4 socket kit with sae and mm short and deep etc about a year ago and had to go to 3 different stores to find old Taiwan stock.I like them but they are all 6pt I don't like 12 point unless I have to use them

 

[nicksnothereman]

Just got a free $10 in points and applied to these. With the free shipping, I got the set shipped for $23.50. I have a 10 piece set of metric/SAE GW ratcheting wrenches at home and I use a set of 7/8 reversible ratcheting wrenches at work almost daily. I'm not a huge fan of most import tools but have found GearWrench wrenches to be of very good quality and a reliable addition to my box both at home and work. I've never used their ratchets or sockets but felt that I'd give them a shot considering my experience with their wrenches. At just a little over $20, I feel that I couldnt really go wrong. Anyone here got anything good, bad or in between to say about the sockets? I'm hoping that they are Taiwan made (like my wrenches) as opposed to Chinese. Thanks GJ crew.

Man...it's 20 bucks no big deal even if it's china just watch the torque if you want them to last.

I have gearwrench china sockets (individual sold) that I bought on a whim. They don't look so hot and I can't admit to ever actually using them so I can't give an opinion on them. Probably the same as any other apex china socket; just um not something you pay a premium for when you can get a set of taiwan sockets from harbor freight for around 10 bucks.

 

[brook41]

I just picked up sets of Metric 1/4 and 3/8 6 pt st and deep and 3/8 6pt flex at Advanced Auto. 50 pcs in all for $72 including tax. All Taiwan and look to be identical except for knurling location, to Carlyle at 3x the price on sale. The 10 pc 3/8 flex cost only $25, a bargain compared to other prices online. I'm still looking for a 1/4 flex set at a reasonable price !

 

[Kirbot]

when you can get a set of taiwan sockets from harbor freight for around 10 bucks.

Quality wise.... Harborfreight sockets are great. But all the 3/8 shallow are 12 point, and the 1/2" sets only go to 19mm.
The selection really *****.

Besides, Gearwrench is only a few dollars more.
($15 for a 14 piece 3/8" shallow metric set, on one of the best rails you can buy)

 

[jsharpphoto]

I have a set of 1/4 metric and sae that came with the ratcheting screwdriver/nut driver set. They are Taiwanese-made. The fit and finish is much nicer than my USA-made craftsman stuff, sad to say.

 

[brook41]

I considered HF as well,but I needed all 6pt and flex. Carlyle was my first choice since I own a set already. They are pricey and as far as I can tell made by Gearwrench. For me as a home user, they are the best bang for your buck IMHO.

 

[LordPsychon]

All the new stock at advanced is all china. I bought the 1/4 socket kit with sae and mm short and deep etc about a year ago and had to go to 3 different stores to find old Taiwan stock.I like them but they are all 6pt I don't like 12 point unless I have to use them

Yeah, I noticed that too. Granted their Chinese items aren't quite as bad as say Husky or HF but still, not up to their usual standards. Just bought a 19mm ratcheting wrench there made in China and while it definitely doesn't ****, it does not look as nice as the 15mm Taiwanese from a few years back.

 

[malykaii]

Does it really matter if it's from Taiwan or China? GW sets a standard and the manufacturer or subcontractor meets it. The tools are just fine and I buy a ton from them.

 

[LordPsychon]

Does it really matter if it's from Taiwan or China? GW sets a standard and the manufacturer or subcontractor meets it. The tools are just fine and I buy a ton from them.

In truth, it probably doesn't but there is a large amount of anti-Chinese sentiment regarding tools in the US. Some of the Chinese tools I own are as good as the US stuff but others pale in comparison. The problem tends to be that the Chinese factories may not be as well regulated so sometimes more production errors slip into the tools so one batch may be A-OK and the other may be junk.

 

[1950mercury]

Does it really matter if it's from Taiwan or China? GW sets a standard and the manufacturer or subcontractor meets it. The tools are just fine and I buy a ton from them.

Well gearwrench must have lowered there" standards" for the China made. If you compare the ratcheting wrenches the China have a lobster claw.

 

[NotSwedishChef]

I picked up a few GW socket sets recently (midlength 1/4") and have no complaints....I'm going to pick up some others to finish my socket drawer.....

people frag Tekton and GW and I rarely have an issue with either companies sockets/ ratchets..etc. If you're prone to breaking sockets.....yeah, I could see how it would be a PIA to warranty but more casual use (DIY, etc.) seems like a smart choice.

 

[fasteddie313]

Environmental impact of severe pollution from chinese factories...
You guys forgot that one..

 

[Loscaldazar]

Does it really matter if it's from Taiwan or China? GW sets a standard and the manufacturer or subcontractor meets it. The tools are just fine and I buy a ton from them.

Yes, there are many issues.

Slave Labor
Pollution
Patent/Design Stealing
Substitution of lower grade materials on subsequent batches
So many other things

http://qualityinspection.org/risks-and-frustrations/

Taiwan on the other hand has things like worker's rights, good wages, general respect of patents, etc. They also are much friendlier to us than China is...

 

[LordPsychon]

Yes, there are many issues.

Slave Labor
Pollution
Patent/Design Stealing
Substitution of lower grade materials on subsequent batches
So many other things

http://qualityinspection.org/risks-and-frustrations/

Taiwan on the other hand has things like worker's rights, good wages, general respect of patents, etc. They also are much friendlier to us than China is...

For the most part that's true but that "general respect for patents" is truly a generality. No slave labor - check. No pollution - no check but reduced from China. No substitution of lower grade materials on subsequent batches - check though they will change from year to year depending on supplies.

 

[Jeremy77]

My industry as a whole (semi conductor grade silicon) has been damaged by China dumping sub par product on the market cheap, with the sole intent of driving prices low and harming U.S. production. Same with many other industries such as steel. Their governments actions threaten my likelyhood. That's why I prefer to avoid their goods.

 

[Jeremy77]

Livelyhood*. Also, it may not be slave labor but my job is attempted to be done in China by teenaged kids who work 16-18 hours a day and live in a company/government owned dorm on site, food, utilities, rent taken from their pay. No benefits to speak of and the waste that a U.S. manufacturer has to responsibly dispose of is instead dumped in what used to be agricultural fields. I know this all to be fact at one facility and not simply hearsay. These facilities are built and started up haphazardly with the single goal of producing as much product as cheaply and quickly as possible with no regards to safety, training of operators/ maintenance. Usually within a year or two they are shut down, however their purpose of creating a glut of substandard product to try and force the doors closed on U.S. Plants has been accomplished. Look up the Hoku Silicon plant in Pocatello Idaho if you're interested in what China is doing to U.S. manufacturing.

 

[Jeremy77]

The sockets came today. Gotta say that my first impression is a good one. haven't used them yet but I like the look and feel and finish on them. I think I'll look for the 20mm-26mm and finish the set out. Thanks for all the input from you guys.

 

[Jeremy77]

From Taiwan as well. Was glad to see that!

 

[johndeereman]

I run 1/4'', 3/8'' and some 1/2'' impact gearwrench sockets and so far no issues also have 120 tooth ratchets and have great luck.

 

[metaldad]

gearwrench............ is made by apex. as is armstrong, wiss, lufkin, crescent, xcelite, diamond, utica, allen, plumb, masterforce, k-d,nicholson, and a dozen others, with factories here and across the big pond.