Gearwrench 1/2” Socket Set Finish

[_Riddle]

Just got my 1/2” Gearwrench socket set that I ordered from Tooldiscounter.com and I have to say the finish on the set isn’t as nice as I expected. Lots of scuffs, dings, and scratches. There’s also a good bit of freckling on some of the sockets, but most of that is on the inside walls. Not a big deal considering the price point, but I will say the finish on my 1/4” Tekton is much nicer. I’ve read that Gearwrench quality has declined over recent years so we’ll see how this set holds up. The chrome on the inside of the sockets is the only thing that concerns me, it looks like it’s starting to flake off.

The main reason I purchased this set over a Tekton set is because of the knurling on the metric sockets, and the deep sockets are only partially broached. So far I like the 120xp ratchet that came with the set. How has the finish been on your Gearwrench socket set?

 

[buckwheat_la]

My Gearwrench was all flawless. I would love to check out the Tekton stuff but the rep still hasn't answered me back

 

[Yarpo]

Flawless on all my stuff, or good enough that I've never thought twice about it.

Pics?

 

[Tallpilot]

My most recent purchase was a 12pt set. They were good enough. Was your set made in Taiwan?

 

[Craftfab]

I recently got a 1/4 and 3/8 Gearwrench set (both 120xp ratchets included, and made in Taiwan) and will say the bright chrome is inconsistent, some sockets are fully covered inside and out, some are just outside but not on bottom. Others a mix. Most of mine have scratches as well from (I assume) rotating in the case during transit. I am keeping mine and using them to see how they do. As long as they don't rust/corrode, I will be happy, especially given the price. It was not worth it to me to pay the high shipping to exchange them in hopes of a better set next time.

 

[Mr_B]

the best days of GW gone unfortunately, cutting costs any way they can and design and finish not what it was few years ago ...

 

[Rabid Badger]

The finish on the recent GearWrench stuff I've seen has been on par with Harbor Freight, or worse.

 

[RoundedNut]

Gearwrench used to be a Taiwanese company and then Apex, an American company bought it. I wouldn't be surprised if typical American corporate greed reduces the quality.

 

[ItsNemo]

Sure you didn't get used/returned stuff?

 

[WWheeler]

Craftsman Deep socket (China - full broach) on the left and a Gearwrench deep socket (China - shallow broach) on the right.

 

[AreYaSerious]

My 3/8 and 1/4 sets are pretty nice.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Though made in Taiwan cross the board is generally more consistent than Made in China, Made in Taiwan does not automatically mean the quality of the finish is guaranteed. Just go to Harbor Freight and I bet a handful of those Pittsburgh Pro chrome sockets are poorly polished/finished. I accidentally ended up with a bad set because I didn't do a visual inspection. I bet Apex tool group is cutting some corners given the Bain capital connection. Comparing the Gearwrench I see in store to my Tekton 1/4 dr set, I can definitely say the Tekton chrome finish shined beautifully when I first opened the case. The chrome finish on the Gearwrench on the other hand doesn't seem to be that much better than Harbor Freight. Not that it matters to people who actually use their tools as long as the steel is decent and the tolerances are within spec.

 

[Wamsutta]

All my GearWrench sockets are flawless as far as finish goes but they all have the retention detents in the wrong spot.

 

[CR888]

GW tools are so cheap does perfect finish on the inside of the socket really matter? Sadly they have gone downhill, I'll only buy there Taiwan product that's usually NOS. I don't have super high tool standards but Chinese tools don't enter my toolbox, the line must be drawn somewhere.

 

[WWheeler]

All my GearWrench sockets are flawless as far as finish goes but they all have the retention detents in the wrong spot.

You keep saying that does not make it true.

They are in the perfect spot. The detents are the same as deep as your Snap-on's. I've shown that to you in posts before but you still don't want to believe it.

The GW's and a lot of other brands now have a deeper bowl-shaped taper on the drive-end which I'm pretty sure is to allow for them to work better with a wobble-end extension (ex: snap-on's wobble-plus), and they indeed do work better with a wobble-end extension like that. You can get at a fastener at even more of an angle.

In any case the detent is still in the same place. Pretty sure that's an ANSI standard.

 

[Tonyuk]

They have a warranty i'm sure?

Use them til they break then get new ones.

 

[_Riddle]

GW tools are so cheap does perfect finish on the inside of the socket really matter? Sadly they have gone downhill, I'll only buy there Taiwan product that's usually NOS. I don't have super high tool standards but Chinese tools don't enter my toolbox, the line must be drawn somewhere.

It's not the perfect finish I worry about. A few scratches from moving around during shipping is fine, but the freckling looks like the part was not fully cleaned properly before the finish was applied. I'm most worried about a defective finish and the chrome flaking off. We'll see how it holds up during use, but my Tekton sockets are heads and shoulders nicer when it comes to finish.

 

[CR888]

At least the GW sockets have some pro features unlike many others in that price range. Probably a good idea to purchase from a location where you can see them in your hand prior to purchase. Whether you like Tekton or not they appear to offer consistency with their tools, not many surprises.

 

[Mr_B]

Is a shame gearwrench got to stage you really need see your item before purchase, older sockets I have from them and 84T ratchets superb for the cost and finish as good as tools 3x the price .
for US oem and carlyle about best design/quality/ease of purchase to cost .
absolute jewellery finish not important but flaking finish can be a disaster .

 

[Wamsutta]

You keep saying that does not make it true.

They are in the perfect spot. The detents are the same as deep as your Snap-on's. I've shown that to you in posts before but you still don't want to believe it.

The GW's and a lot of other brands now have a deeper bowl-shaped taper on the drive-end which I'm pretty sure is to allow for them to work better with a wobble-end extension (ex: snap-on's wobble-plus), and they indeed do work better with a wobble-end extension like that. You can get at a fastener at even more of an angle.

In any case the detent is still in the same place. Pretty sure that's an ANSI standard.

The sockets don't stop when they're supposed to. They're supposed to stop at the same time that they engage the detent ball, but they keep going. By the time they finally stop, they're halfway passed the detent ball.

 

[WWheeler]

The sockets don't stop when they're supposed to. They're supposed to stop at the same time that they engage the detent ball, but they keep going. By the time they finally stop, they're halfway passed the detent ball.

That's by design. It's a feature, not a defect. It's what lets them work better with a wobble end extension and still work just fine with non-wobbles. It quite literally does not make any working difference whatsoever if your non-wobble is able to push past the detent a millimeter or two when you push on it. It still turns the socket and the fastener exactly the same, BUT if you have a wobble end it lets you get on the fastener from a little more angle.

 

[97nismo]

I have to agree with WWheeler....

 

[WWheeler]

I'd venture it's also an advantage to have the ability to push just a hair past the detent with a non-wobble end extension just because if you need to it can allow you to get into exactly that much of a tighter spot. It affords you a sliver of extra range. Sometimes it's just that millimeter that prevents you from getting the ratchet and socket in there.

 

[Wamsutta]

That's by design. It's a feature, not a defect. It's what lets them work better with a wobble end extension and still work just fine with non-wobbles. It quite literally does not make any working difference whatsoever if your non-wobble is able to push past the detent a millimeter or two when you push on it. It still turns the socket and the fastener exactly the same, BUT if you have a wobble end it lets you get on the fastener from a little more angle.

That's a feature I can't stand. I would never pay any serious money for that feature. Even the two sets of 1/4 drive GearWrench sockets that I got for $20 from CarQuest ... I'm questioning my better judgement on that. That's $20 I could have spent towards some sockets that stop when they're supposed to.

 

[97nismo]

Maybe you should worry about other stuff in life....just saying

 

[Wamsutta]

Maybe you should worry about other stuff in life....just saying

I'm not worried about it. I'm just done buying Asian import sockets that have the detents in the wrong spot no matter how cheap they are.

 

[97nismo]

Touché...

 

[gtlaw]

I'm the maniac that started the Craftsman double detent rage but I can't see any real problem with the gearwrench detent stopping shallow.

 

[WWheeler]

I'm the maniac that started the Craftsman double detent rage but I don't have a problem with the gearwrench detent stopping shallow.

That's the thing though. It doesn't stop shallow. Put it on a ratchet and the detent is in the exact same place.

Newer sockets of lots of brands (It wouldn't surprise me if Snap-on, MAC, etc aren't doing this also) are putting a deeper bowl indentation around the square drive opening so that a wobble end extension works better. That's all. The detent/indentation is still in the exact same place from the bottom. Above I linked to a previous thread where I compared an older Snap-on socket to a Gearwrench and the detents are in the same place on both

 

[Lisamelting]

All my GearWrench sockets are flawless as far as finish goes but they all have the retention detents in the wrong spot.

I have to admit that I LMFAO every time I read about the detent hole location. Personally, it doesn't matter to me as long as the socket stays put.

 

[gtlaw]

I agree with you it's just that I never thought it was a problem that was worth analysis. They are the only sockets I have that will stop short of the ratchet cover plate. If the additional wobble is an intentional feature I never seen it highlighted anywhere.

 

[Wamsutta]

That's the thing though. It doesn't stop shallow. Put it on a ratchet and the detent is in the exact same place.

Newer sockets of lots of brands (It wouldn't surprise me if Snap-on, MAC, etc aren't doing this also) are putting a deeper bowl indentation around the square drive opening so that a wobble end extension works better. That's all. The detent/indentation is still in the exact same place from the bottom. Above I linked to a previous thread where I compared an older Snap-on socket to a Gearwrench and the detents are in the same place on both

I think you and me are talking about two different things. You're talking about the depth of the detent while I'm talking about the placement of the detent when measured a distance from the square drive end. In either case, when I place a socket onto an extension, I want the socket to be rock solid still; like if it was welded on there. Every American made socket I've ever tried was rock solid. Every Chinese or Taiwanese socket I've ever tried had the placement of the detent too far up towards the square drive end.

 

[CR888]

I often get a T-handle, whatever length extension I need & a ratchet adapter to form a heavy duty custom ratcheting T. I won't use GW sockets when doing this as the socket is no solidly up against the extension, you push down on a fastener and it clicks and moves a 1/4" out of the detent. I hate it! I have other quality Taiwan sockets and German Sockets that don't do this and have a much better 'feel' when using them. I like my GW ratchets, there great but the sockets I won't buy anymore which is a shame cause they are cheap and have a few pro features.

 

[WWheeler]

I think you and me are talking about two different things. You're talking about the depth of the detent while I'm talking about the placement of the detent when measured a distance from the square drive end. In either case, when I place a socket onto an extension, I want the socket to be rock solid still; like if it was welded on there. Every American made socket I've ever tried was rock solid. Every Chinese or Taiwanese socket I've ever tried had the placement of the detent too far up towards the square drive end.

I'm talking about the placement of the detent when measured a distance from the square drive end. I even measured that distance for you by measuring the portion of the same extension when seated in each's detent. The GW detent is ~0.2mm shallower than the Snap-on, which is the thickness of 2 avg hairs which is nothing. Same as a Snap-on socket.

Hmmm, measuring the depth of the indention away from the 'top' of the socket per the description in the OP is a bit tricky to do.

I took short extension and measured its exposed length with a GearWrench 9/16 semi-deep (80368S) seated squarely on the extension's ball-detent and did the same with a Snap-on 9/16 semi-deep (FSS181). They both measure almost identical to one another. As best I can tell the difference between them in the depth of the indention from the top is ~0.2mm which is negligible. I repeated these measurements several times and the variation was at least that.



I did notice though, that the Gearwrench will push further on completely past the spring-ball detent which seems to be the complaint whereas the Snap-on will only push a tiny bit past center and if you let go the socket will move back to again center itself on the ball. This looks to be due to the fact that the GearWrench has a noticeably deeper bowl-taper (don't know exactly what to call it) that lets the round portion of the extension to go deeper into the socket.

^ That deeper bowl-shaped indentation on the bottom of the socket is what lets the ball of a regular extension to go further in to push just slightly past the detent and is also what lets the socket swivel slightly more on a wobble end extension and allows it to seat more firmly on the square shoulders part of a wobble-plus type extension when using it in a fixed position. Shown in the background of that second image is a regular extension (note the rounded shoulders) and a wobble-plus style that has both a wobble end and square shoulders to allows a socket on the end to swivel or pushed further in, fixed. That deeper bowl better accommodates both functions.

 

[Wamsutta]

I did notice though, that the Gearwrench will push further on completely past the spring-ball detent which seems to be the complaint whereas the Snap-on will only push a tiny bit past center and if you let go the socket will move back to again center itself on the ball.

That's exactly it right there! What you said in blue is the main issue. What you said in red is referring to the GearWrench.

 

[WWheeler]

Yep, and like a broken record now, that is by design. It's an improvement. A pretty big one. It's not the depth of the detent that's different though that allows that. It's the depth of that bowl-shaped indentation on the bottom.

I can only guess that you don't have or use wobble end or wobble plus extensions. I'm completely the other way. I almost never grab an old-school extension any more. There's just no good reason to. Wobble-plus made all my regular extensions obsolete.

 

[Wamsutta]

Your suspicions are correct; I don't use wobble extensions, only regular extensions. If I need something with an angle deflection, I'll grab a flex socket.

And on a semi-related topic, I don't know how guys get by without spin handles. I'm constantly using either a spin handle or a nut driver until the fastener gets snug. I don't like turning fasteners with my bare fingers if I don't have to.