Gearwrench Sockets

[DieselRiver]

Anybody have any experience with Gearwrench sockets? I use Snap On tools at work, but at home i like to have a set of cheaper tools too. Craftsman has turned to **** since they started getting made in china, HF is way too low quality IMO. I like my Gearwrench wrench set, but ive never seen their sockets in a store so ive never seen them in person, but i like the prices on Amazon for them. A full set of 1/2 impact sockets from 9mm to 35mm is around 180$, and thats really good price. I could get a full set of 1/4, 3/8/ 1/2 ratchets and all deep/shallow sockets for around 300$, not bad at all for just home use. So whats the Gearwrench sockets like?

 

[SleepyNinja]

Gearwrench is all I use at work

 

[DieselRiver]

Gearwrench is all I use at work

So... how are the sockets? Compared to Craftsman, Snap On etc.? And the 120T ratchets?

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

If I didn't have a stigma over Gearwrench being made in China/Taiwan, I would buy it up! I like how complete their line is, and the quality to cost ratio is very good. FWIW, the only Gearwrench tools that I own is their pick set.

 

[DieselRiver]

If I didn't have a stigma over Gearwrench being made in China/Taiwan, I would buy it up! I like how complete their line is, and the quality to cost ratio is very good. FWIW, the only Gearwrench tools that I own is their pick set.

They may be made over seas, but compare them to the china HF garbage, theres a pretty big difference in quality and feel there IMO.

 

[Tinner]

I have GW 1/2" drive at work where I only use them occasionally, also GW 3/8" metrics. I think they're an excellent value. Much nicer than Craftsman, IMO.

The GW 1/2" ratchet crapped out early on, Fastenall warrantied it, the new one has been just fine.

 

[ishiboo]

Anybody have any experience with Gearwrench sockets? I use Snap On tools at work, but at home i like to have a set of cheaper tools too. Craftsman has turned to **** since they started getting made in china, HF is way too low quality IMO. I like my Gearwrench wrench set, but ive never seen their sockets in a store so ive never seen them in person, but i like the prices on Amazon for them. A full set of 1/2 impact sockets from 9mm to 35mm is around 180$, and thats really good price. I could get a full set of 1/4, 3/8/ 1/2 ratchets and all deep/shallow sockets for around 300$, not bad at all for just home use. So whats the Gearwrench sockets like?

You won't like them, or if you do it'll show your own ignorance

GearWrench is China/Taiwan and really nice stuff. However, GearWrench is Apex and Craftsman China tools are Apex-made and almost identical quality. The Chinese Craftsman has a much better fit/finish than the last USA tools did.

HF Pittsburgh Pro are probably comparable is well and not way too low quality at all.

IMO, all 3 are very nice home sets for the money and could be used
professionally as well... Lots of new mechanics are using GW.

 

[DieselRiver]

I have GW 1/2" drive at work where I only use them occasionally, also GW 3/8" metrics. I think they're an excellent value. Much nicer than Craftsman, IMO.

The GW 1/2" ratchet crapped out early on, Fastenall warrantied it, the new one has been just fine.

Nice to hear thanks! . Couldn't help but notice your in WI, whereabouts are you?

 

[ishiboo]

They may be made over seas, but compare them to the china HF garbage, theres a pretty big difference in quality and feel there IMO.

Aren't the recent HF Pittsburgh Pro sockets/ratchets Taiwan? I think they are now inline with the other brands discussed.

 

[firebox40dash5]

You won't like them, or if you do it'll show your own ignorance

GearWrench is China/Taiwan and really nice stuff. However, GearWrench is Apex and Craftsman China tools are Apex-made and almost identical quality. The Chinese Craftsman has a much better fit/finish than the last USA tools did.

HF Pittsburgh Pro are probably comparable is well and not way too low quality at all.

IMO, all 3 are very nice home sets for the money and could be used
professionally as well... Lots of new mechanics are using GW.

I don't have a lot of Chinese Craftsman experience, but from what I've seen the quality ain't even what the last of the American stuff was, which was fair to middlin'. All my Gearwrench stuff thus far has looked (and performed) better than at least the Chinese stuff... though I stay away from the "cheaper" GW sources.

I've had excellent luck out of my flex ratchet wrenches and bit sockets, which are the bulk of my GW collection. I gave their impact sockets a lot of thought but ended up going with hardline Matco. I think the impacts (and quite possibly chromes) are the same as Matco's ADV line.

 

[DieselRiver]

Aren't the recent HF Pittsburgh Pro sockets/ratchets Taiwan? I think they are now inline with the other brands discussed.

A very small amount of their tools are i believe.

 

[SleepyNinja]

So... how are the sockets? Compared to Craftsman, Snap On etc.? And the 120T ratchets?

IMO their sockets are definitely better then Craftsman. For example one of the guys at the shop was using a Craftsman 10mm or 8mm and could not take out a bolt an was asking around for an extractor instead I let him borrow the size he needed in a Gearwrench socket and it took it right out no problem. As for 120xp ratchets I have the full polish set in 1/4", 3/8", 1/2". The 1/2" a little too bulky 3/8" is just the right size, and 1/4" could be a little longer but its the same size as a Craftsman raised panel ratchet.

 

[cheechi]

GearWrench is Apex and Craftsman China tools are Apex-made and almost identical quality.

I strongly disagree with this. China cman sockets are not almost identical quality, there's a big gap stepping up to GW.

Maybe i'm a cheap socket snob, but I would say GW > Kobalt > china cman. Certain ones, ie the universals, are not as pretty but I haven't found any flaw in how they work. I have mid depth & universals now and will be picking up more as I need. A friend of mine has a mix of SO, Mac, & GW. When working with him I have noticed no preference from one over the next.

 

[oldldh]

I've got their 1/4" drive set...

Made in Taiwan...

I'm going to get the 3/8" and 1/2" drive sets this summer...

The sockets appear to be very high quality (nearly truck brand...)...

They are definitely worth the prices charged...

Get them, you won't be disappointed...

 

[jim1987]

Chinese craftsman and gearwrench are not on the same level. The chrome on the GW is much better then CM Chinese and even the last of the USA offerings IMO.

If you have have an advances near by, they sell socket sets and general service kits. Also if.you have Napa near by, check out Carlyle. I know it seems I'm pushing Carlyle a lot but I am very impressed wth their offerings. Although the price leaves a bit to be desired.

HF stuff is better then people let on. If HF is close by, go in and look for "pro" that's made in Taiwan with ANSI on the package. A lot of their hand tools like sockets and stuff is tawain. Their wrenches are india iirc. A guy here that I've read the thread on made his living off of HF tools for a number of years. Lots of options for a fair price and have decent quality.

 

[FriendOfYours]

I have warrantied 4 Gearwrench deep 3/8 sockets just this year, from two different sets. This is not from abuse, I'm just a big guy that likes to use his 15" Matco 3/8 for everything

I have yet to break a HF taiwan socket since I got the sets a couple years ago. I believe they are called high visibility something or other

 

[SleepyNinja]

I have warrantied 4 Gearwrench deep 3/8 sockets just this year, from two different sets. This is not from abuse, I'm just a big guy that likes to use his 15" Matco 3/8 for everything

I have yet to break a HF taiwan socket since I got the sets a couple years ago. I believe they are called high visibility something or other

Which socket and by 15" 3/8 Matco do you mean BFR158T? I'm loving my BFR158T

 

[FriendOfYours]

Two 13mm, 15mm and an 18mm. Yes

 

[Hopalong604]

I bought a 10mm 12mm and 14mm deep sockets from gearwrench a few years back. All of them are severely worn inside and slips all the time. My old craftsman from 10 years ago grips like it was still brand new. I also bought an impact 1/4 swivel adapter and blew up the first time I used it with my 18v dewalt. Meh...

 

[toufue_yang17]

^What are you doing with a 1/4" adapter with an 18v gun? No brainer that it is going to break right there.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

The chrome sockets are excellent quality. I bought a set to replace my ancient rounded off Williams SAEs. They were supposed to be temporary until I had the cash for new Williams, but they have worked out great (1/4"-1" 12pt). Great chrome and great fitment. Not one complaint from me.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Anybody have any experience with Gearwrench sockets? I use Snap On tools at work, but at home i like to have a set of cheaper tools too. Craftsman has turned to **** since they started getting made in china, HF is way too low quality IMO. I like my Gearwrench wrench set, but ive never seen their sockets in a store so ive never seen them in person, but i like the prices on Amazon for them. A full set of 1/2 impact sockets from 9mm to 35mm is around 180$, and thats really good price. I could get a full set of 1/4, 3/8/ 1/2 ratchets and all deep/shallow sockets for around 300$, not bad at all for just home use. So whats the Gearwrench sockets like?

The chinese sockets I have are quite crappy in my opinion. Fit & finish isn't so hot basically. But they were cheap. Are they structurally sound? Don't know. I bought off sizes (larger size) for occasional/emergency use, haven't gotten around to using them.

 

[Aquaticbob]

GearWrench is China/Taiwan and really nice stuff. However, GearWrench is Apex and Craftsman China tools are Apex-made and almost identical quality. The Chinese Craftsman has a much better fit/finish than the last USA tools did.

Apex tool group has changed hands from the danaher group, the group that took craftsman and ran it into the ground. Also, Apex owns armstrong tools, and we all know many people here love armstrong

I personally really like GW. I plan on picking up more of their socket sets in the coming months. I also have to say their hot deals on their website is great for some quick deals.

 

[quattroJoe]

My main sets are US-made Craftsman and Armstrong, pieced together over the last ten years, but I've added a few GW sets for lesser used stuff. I've been very impressed with them, now I'm l looking to pick up their semi-deep sets when I catch a good deal. They will be my go to when all the US-made Craftsman dries up. Get them, you won't be disappointed.

 

[leod]

I like their ratcheting screwdrivers/wrenches.

The sockets i bought started rusting inside without even using them, these are taiwan made so I am not sure if these are hit or miss. The chrome on them are nice though

 

[rtole]

I have chrome 1/4 ,3/8, &1/2 sets. I got them when they were with 60 tooth ratchets. Been fine for me. Some pro use. I only broke 1 13mm. Great for the money.

 

[Zoned Out]

All my 1/2" sockets are Gearwrench and I'm very impressed. I beat the snot out of them and have not seen any break. I've even thrown some on the end of an impact.

 

[Harrison2]

my 1/4" set is great!

 

[signcrafter]

I have been picking up some gearwrench stuff here and there when placing advance auto orders. I picked up a set of metric hex bits, the 1/2" drive big sizes for transmission drain plugs and other stuff this past weekend. Have a set of their 3/8" swivel metric sockets and love them. Use them all the time. I haven't had any issues where I felt like they weren't up to the task. I'm not a pro but do a lot of work for friends and family.

 

[RCStocker]

Gearwrench and Craftsman are both made by the same parent company.
When the Craftsman sockets were made in the US I would say they were much better. With that said Gearwrench sockets seem to be more expensive when I have checked the prices. The Craftsman ratch/werenches are more expensive than the ones but Gearwrench. I have no clue why.

I would not buy Gearwrench scokets or Koblat. I have used ones that belonged to others and did not like them. I would go with good SK sockets. When SK broke out on their own some of the sockets were not as well made and not up to their high standards. It is quite obvious looking at them. The old ones and newer ones are great. The bad ones were only made for several years and they are still better than C-man, Koblat and gearwrench. KD makes sockets as well and they have the same parent company.

I many full sets of Craftsmasn. I have a full line of SK and a full line of every socket in Snap-on. The fit and finish on my Craftsman are nothing like on the Snap-on's but they work just as well. I have used them to build machinery and farm machinery for 60 years without a problem. I have used them in construction with only one breaking with a 3 ft. cheater bar. It was not until I started buying estates and businesses that I owned used Snap-on Sockets. Yes, they are sweet on the hands and they work perfectly but they are not wroth the price. I have a full line of Snappie tools but I have never paid more than 25 cents on the dollar for them. If I had to pay more I would now own them. I keep them in my small machine shop on the farm. I would never beat on the and use them the way I do on equipment. Sockets form Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Spain and the UK all make very good tools. Most of what is coming out of Taiwan is very good now days. It matters not where it is made but how it is made.

Buy your Craftsman tools in large sets and you can get them for $1 each or a little more. They are still the best bang for the buck and they are still backed for life so what is the difference. You can abuse the hell out of them and still get a new one and you can't do that with any other brand.

I know, you are still confused. Don't be. Buy used.

 

[bcradio]

Gearwrench and Craftsman are both made by the same parent company.
When the Craftsman sockets were made in the US I would say they were much better. With that said Gearwrench sockets seem to be more expensive when I have checked the prices. The Craftsman ratch/werenches are more expensive than the ones but Gearwrench. I have no clue why.

I would not buy Gearwrench scokets or Koblat. I have used ones that belonged to others and did not like them. I would go with good SK sockets. When SK broke out on their own some of the sockets were not as well made and not up to their high standards. It is quite obvious looking at them. The old ones and newer ones are great. The bad ones were only made for several years and they are still better than C-man, Koblat and gearwrench. KD makes sockets as well and they have the same parent company.

I many full sets of Craftsmasn. I have a full line of SK and a full line of every socket in Snap-on. The fit and finish on my Craftsman are nothing like on the Snap-on's but they work just as well. I have used them to build machinery and farm machinery for 60 years without a problem. I have used them in construction with only one breaking with a 3 ft. cheater bar. It was not until I started buying estates and businesses that I owned used Snap-on Sockets. Yes, they are sweet on the hands and they work perfectly but they are not wroth the price. I have a full line of Snappie tools but I have never paid more than 25 cents on the dollar for them. If I had to pay more I would now own them. I keep them in my small machine shop on the farm. I would never beat on the and use them the way I do on equipment. Sockets form Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Spain and the UK all make very good tools. Most of what is coming out of Taiwan is very good now days. It matters not where it is made but how it is made.

Buy your Craftsman tools in large sets and you can get them for $1 each or a little more. They are still the best bang for the buck and they are still backed for life so what is the difference. You can abuse the hell out of them and still get a new one and you can't do that with any other brand.

I know, you are still confused. Don't be. Buy used.

That's nothing... I have the Craftsman 300 pc socket set which includes 12pt and 6pt.

 

[ravenzfusion]

I have the 1/4 set of gearwrench sockets. I also have the micro driver sets which include about 10 1/4" sockets as well. The gearwrenches feel solid and i've had no problem. The ratchets are very nice. I plan on getting a 1/2" set sometime soon

 

[jim1987]

[/QUOTE]
Buy your Craftsman tools in large sets and you can get them for $1 each or a little more. They are still the best bang for the buck and they are still backed for life so what is the difference. You can abuse the hell out of them and still get a new one and you can't do that with any other brand.

[/QUOTE]

Umm... no?

You can exchange practically any brand out there for a new one if broke. HF, KB, GW, SO, CW, pretty much any brand that's been around a while has a "lifetime warranty"

And just because it has a lifetime warranty doesn't mean its a good tool. Spending your lifetime warranty things that keep breaking is just bad juju. Especially if it brakes something on you.

 

[quattroJoe]

Umm... no?

You can exchange practically any brand out there for a new one if broke. HF, KB, GW, SO, CW, pretty much any brand that's been around a while has a "lifetime warranty"

And just because it has a lifetime warranty doesn't mean its a good tool. Spending your lifetime warranty things that keep breaking is just bad juju. Especially if it brakes something on you.

^ This. Yes, I expect my tools to have a lifetime warranty, but I also expect to rarely have to make use of the warranty. What good is a tool if I'm constantly running out to get it replaced midway through a project? Or busting my knuckles every other week when another one breaks? Give me a tool that has a lifetime warranty because the manufacturer stands behind the quality of their product, not one that has a lifetime warranty because it's more profitable to skimp on production costs and just replace the ones that break. If lifetime warranty is all that mattered then I suppose we could say that Harbor Freight is equal to Snap On, huh? :what:

 

[Hopalong604]

^What are you doing with a 1/4" adapter with an 18v gun? No brainer that it is going to break right there.

I chose the impact adapter over the non impact adapter so I would expect it to work as advertised.

 

[ekd663]

I chose the impact adapter over the non impact adapter so I would expect it to work as advertised.

It's advertised as meeting AMSE standards, and it probably did an admirable job meeting those standards until the 18v impact ripped it apart.

 

[JBradley500]

It looks like the gearwrench 1/4 socket kit is on sale starting tomorrow at advance auto for 40 bucks.

 

[exmaxima]

Give me a tool that has a lifetime warranty because the manufacturer stands behind the quality of their product, not one that has a lifetime warranty because it's more profitable to skimp on production costs and just replace the ones that break.

Maybe you are forgetting one of the great features of that warranty---abuse!

Say you lost the special socket for removing a locking lug nut, but you need to change the tire. You simply HAMMER a Craftsman socket onto the lug nut and it grips it enough to remove it. The socket may stretch or break, but Sears will give you a new one. Try that with a Snap On and it will not stretch over the lug nut and grab it as it is too strong/hard.

Basically, you need that extra "give" that Craftsman engineers into their sockets

 

[youngridge]

I have alot of gearwrench, they seem like very good quality, ive got a little bit of carlyle, and they have exceed my expectations, very nice line of ratchets, and long pattern wrenches. Most napa stores also warranty gearwrench so its a nice one stop if you break stuff, some of my older napa original has been replaced with carlyle under warranty, it was between that and evercraft, which I have a bit too, but am glad I went with the carlyle. My opinion, ditch the cman, get the gear wrench and carlyle.

 

[AndrewV]

Maybe you are forgetting one of the great features of that warranty---abuse!

Say you lost the special socket for removing a locking lug nut, but you need to change the tire. You simply HAMMER a Craftsman socket onto the lug nut and it grips it enough to remove it. The socket may stretch or break, but Sears will give you a new one. Try that with a Snap On and it will not stretch over the lug nut and grab it as it is too strong/hard.

Basically, you need that extra "give" that Craftsman engineers into their sockets

Lower tensile strength in meterials, and quality metals. Not a designed give in the meterials.
But thats do to costs, of the overall product.

Again a thread asking about quailty to a specific brand, gets into brand wars.
The products from gw are good for the cost as it sits. My 398pc gw set sits in the jeep, and gets used weekly. No product sold is at SO, and Matco quality when sold for what stores sell, there not ment for 3 hrs of strait wrenching on rusted out suspension(ect.) Components, like the hardline truck offerrings.
Btw love what little usa craftsman stuff i have. Im not a brandist, like most.