Gift Tool Set - Craftsman (and which set?) or Other?

[ElectroPulse]

Hello all,

Looking to put together a starting-from-scratch tool set for my brother for Christmas this year. This will be aimed to give him a solid core of primarily sockets to build his tool collection around for a lifetime of use. One of the top priorities in selection of a set is ease of warrantying the tools WITHOUT need of proof of purchase.

The reason I'm starting this early is because of the Craftsman pricing due to the seemingly-imminent closure of Sears. I'd like to put this question up in order to make a decision of which way I want to go soon. I'd ignored Craftsman in the past due to Sears going downhill, but now that Lowe's is taking them on my attention has been drawn to them (particularly given the current pricing).

I've been eyeing the Craftsman 450 piece tool set for $200. Seems to be a great deal. However, the range of sockets is somewhat lacking - only a handful of 1/2" 12-point chrome sockets (would be looking for a full range of preferably 6-point, with ideally both 6-point and 12-point 1/2" sockets).

Another option is the 308-piece Craftsman socket set at $310. Pricier, lower piece count, but has the most complete range of sockets I've been able to find. This'd bump my price range up, and I'd likely go ahead and get a ratchet (probably would find some quality, smooth-ratcheting ones so may not go Craftsman for those) and a wrench set (would probably use the $50 points on those) to go along with it, but would be fine with that as it's a one-off purchase that should last him a lifetime.

Are there any other decent Craftsman sets in this price range?

I've also been looking elsewhere - Gearwrench and Sunex for example. Unfortunately Sunex doesn't have the type of set I'm looking for, and Gearwrench's answers to my warranty questions were unsatisfactory regarding warranty (Q:"Do I need to keep the proof of purchase around for years, or can I just warranty it?" A:"It'd be a good idea to keep it around." Q:"Is the warranty transferable?" A:"No."... That, along with the fact that they can't answer the question of "what are your axle nut sockets made of?" means I have a none-too-great outlook of what future interactions with Gearwrench could be like). That, and part of me would like to get him a set that can easily be warrantied in-person locally - nothing beats being able to replace a tool whenever you need to (I've done it a couple times during weekend projects), so Kobalt or Husky are on the tab as well.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[zendriver]

Gift Tool Set - Craftsman or Other?

My thoughts?

I wish I had a brother that would buy me a $300 gift.

It sounds like you're shopping for a gift for yourself.

Since he doesn't have any tools just Buy a nice set of something and let him figure out what he wants to do with the rest of his life.

You are a good brother.

P.s what is he getting you?

It's awkward to "over gift" someone even when the intentions are good

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gungatim]

i'd look at a Husky or Kobalt set before i'd get someone a crappy Chinese Craftsman set. HD often has a pretty complete set in a steel 4-drawer tool box that goes on sale for well under $200. I bought one for a truck box, pretty complete set, all 3 drive sizes, wrenches, etc.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-M...PIPHorizontal2_rr-_-203541462-_-206038441-_-N

 

[mike93lx]

If he doesn't already have the tools and isn't a teenager, he probably doesn't need some elaborate set. Sounds like the perfect application for harbor freight's $160 set. If you still want to spend the same, buy that plus a rhino drill and impact set. Way more useful to the average guy than a nice mechanic's set

 

[Shelbylex]

Look into TEKTON. The quality is better, has great warranty (just read experience with it on the board...)

 

[WWheeler]

Based on your criteria of wanting to give him a complete set that he would be able to warranty w/o a receipt your initial choice of Craftsman is as good of one as any. I'd get him one of the 400-500 pc sets that come in it's own case or box and call it done. No one else offers kits like that in that price range w/ a lifetime no-receipt needed guarantee.

Sears may be circling the drain but betting on when they finally go under is a losing one. People have been wrongly predicting it's imminent demise year after year for how long now? In this current climate it's not hard to see how HF or Apex or anyone else whose products predominantly come from outside the US could wind up getting washed out as a casualty of an escalating trade war well before Lampert finally milks the last cent out of Sears. At least he did manage to hand off the Craftsman line to Stanley before he does so your brother will have some hope of being able to warranty a broke tool a decade or more from now, at least as much as you would from any other diy-level brand.

You could also get him a 300pc HF set or comparable ones by Dewalt or Kobalt or .... But TBH the Craftsman name still has more gift-power with Joe 'Merica than those others, whether they are or aren't the better quality tool.

Then again, I'm just thinking within a working-middle class budget. If you really want to be the best brother ever and have the cash and really want to give a gift of an ultimate tool set that he'll be able to warranty without a receipt then, by all means, you should get him one of these:

https://store.snapon.com/US-Set-2-Complete-U-S-Set-2-P630530.aspx
https://store.snapon.com/US-Set-3-Complete-U-S-Set-3-P641772.aspx
https://store.snapon.com/US-Set-4-Complete-U-S-Set-4-P641698.aspx
https://store.snapon.com/US-Set-5-Complete-US-Set-5-P641842.aspx
https://store.snapon.com/US-Set-6-Complete-US-Set-6-P641844.aspx

BEST. BROTHER. EVER.

 

[Professional Tool User]

I would go with Tekton. All it takes to get something warrantied is an email with a picture of the broken tool. They have socket sets that have no size skips and their sockets are Madein Taiwan.

 

[ReignCKD]

My Suggestion, I have all of the below and am very happy with the quality of everything, sorry I can't post links yet:

Metric and Imperial Wrenches in a roll: $104
Search in Google:
Metric: TEKTON Combination Wrench Set with Roll-up Storage Pouch, Metric, 8 mm - 22 mm, 15-Piece | WRN03393
Imperial: TEKTON Combination Wrench Set with Roll-up Storage Pouch, Inch, 1/4-Inch - 1-Inch, 15-Piece | WRN03293

Tekton 3/8 Socket set: $44
Search in google:
TEKTON 3/8-Inch Drive Socket Set, Inch/Metric, 6-Point, 5/16-Inch - 3/4-Inch, 8 mm - 19 mm, 45-Piece | 13101

Tekton Metric and Imperial ½ Impact Sockets: $52
Search in Google:
Metric: TEKTON 1/2-Inch Drive Shallow Impact Socket Set, Metric, Cr-V, 6-Point, 11 mm - 32 mm, 14-Sockets | 4817
Imperial: TEKTON 1/2-Inch Drive Shallow Impact Socket Set, Inch, Cr-V, 6-Point, 3/8-Inch - 1-1/4-Inch, 14-Sockets | 4816

Flex Head Ratchet set, Gearwrench: $113
Search in google:
GearWrench 81230P 120XP Full Polish Flex Teardrop Ratchet Set, 4-Piece

 

[mike93lx]

I don't think you'll be able to walk into lowes to warranty an individual socket. Probably will have to mail away for one.

 

[Gmonkee]

Skip the warranty bit and get him a set in the blow molded case of a trustworthy brand. CM to Stanley they all serve well in weekend warrior duty.

Just get the set that covers his needs without flooding him in stuff he won't need. You will know that set when you see it. You know him and we do not.

 

[turnthewrench 2.0]

TEKTON
TEKTON
...
TEKTON

 

[gdpolk]

I'd do this:

• A small and BASIC Craftsman mechanics set - he is primarily going to want SAE/Metric 3/8" drive sockets and some combination wrenches...occasionally a 1/4" or 1/2" drive socket is needed but 3/8" drive tools can do a ton of typical work around a home or for basic car maintenance - focus on getting one with as few filler pieces as possible like screwdriver bits
• a hickory handled claw hammer
• a Harbor Freight dead blow
• Pliers - I like Channelock and Knipex but would gift Channelock - get slip joint, needle-nose, and a larger arc joint...the rest he can buy as he needs them
• tape measure
• crescent wrench
• level
• a basic screwdriver set - I like Williams hard handles but there's plenty of decent ones...don't do Craftsman as their drivers are pretty soft and flimsy

With the above in a small, portable toolbox he should be able to do 95% of anything that will pop up that he is qualified to do which doesn't require an extensive collection of tools or specialty tools. As his needs change/progress he can add to the starter set you've given him.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

i'd look at a Husky or Kobalt set before i'd get someone a crappy Chinese Craftsman set. HD often has a pretty complete set in a steel 4-drawer tool box that goes on sale for well under $200. I bought one for a truck box, pretty complete set, all 3 drive sizes, wrenches, etc.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-M...PIPHorizontal2_rr-_-203541462-_-206038441-_-N

You like the crappy Chinese Husky and crappy Chinese Kobolt that come out of the same Chinese factory better than the crappy Chinese Craftsman? Interesting that people have a pecking order for cheap Chinese tools.

 

[ssdave]

Craftsman will probably do as well as any for what you're intending, and his probable needs.

I would use a different objective myself other than "easy of warranty without a receipt".

I design my tool purchases around "don't need to warranty, because quality is sufficient to not need it".

If i was gifting someone who has no tools a socket set, I'd buy a quality set with sockets, a ratchet, and some extensions. In metric if they work on cars, in SAE also if for general and household use too.

I'd much rather get a quality Proto or SK or even Carlyle set with 50 pieces than a 300 piece Craftsman set worth the same amount. More isn't always better. For instance, if you buy a quality set, you don't need 6 points; the 12 will do just fine. If you go cheap, then the 6 point has a strength advantage.

 

[ssdave]

I have about 550 sockets in my main box drawer. If I was to pick out what I see as a decent set for most use, I'd pick out less than 150:

1/4" drive SO regular and deep in SAE and Metric. Mostly 6 point. about 45 pieces.

3/8" drive Proto regular and deep in SAE and Metric. All 12 point. about 50 pieces.

1/2" drive Proto regular in SAE and Metric, all 12 point. About 35 pieces.

A full set of Torx bit sockets in Snap-on. A full set of SAE and metric hex sockets in Proto. About 25 pieces.

That adds up to 155 pieces if I count right. That's a lot of capability, I bet I've covered 99% of what I routinely use in my box. Add a standard and flex 1/4" ratchet, same in 3/8", and a long pattern ratchet in 1/2", along with an 18" 1/2" breaker and a 12" 3/8" breaker, and 5 extensions in each size and I'd be well set to take on almost anything.

6 point sockets, deep sockets, swivel sockets, etc above the basics above are nice to have and occasionally useful, but I'd bet they're necessary less than 1% of the time. Nice to have, but not necessary.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

https://www.sears.com/craftsman-376...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=5&blockNo=5&blockType=G5

$229.99 272 sockets and 56 wrenches -

Make sure to join the SYW and get your $50 in points

Cost for the set is $179 after SYW and you can go buy the wife a new comforter or toaster or something with the $50 SYW, or you can use the $50 to buy him the 84t ratchets.

Craftsman will continue to exist without Sears..

 

[zktk01]

If he doesn't have any tools. I would get a basic set of chanellock pliers instead of so many sockets. https://www.channellock.com/product/tool-roll-53/

I would bet you could buy all the craftsman USA sockets on the classifieds section for $1 a piece or less in bulk. build him a few sets that way and you know he would have a good start.

 

[6PTsocket]

What Sears is selling is sourced from the same places that they have been getting their ever deteriorating quality stuff. The stuff sold elsewhere is from Stanley Black & Decker. There are actually two Craftsman lines for the time being. There have been promises to honor the Sears Craftsman warranty but results from Ace have been spotty. I don't know about Lowes but I would not bet on them, either. At present SB&D is also importing tools for their Craftsman line but promising to have US product in the near future. If warranty is a concern I would avoid Craftsman from Sears. They don't have enough stock to cover it now and I would not want to be running to Ace and Lowes for service in the future. Sears will probably be gone in a few months.

Hello all,

Looking to put together a starting-from-scratch tool set for my brother for Christmas this year. This will be aimed to give him a solid core of primarily sockets to build his tool collection around for a lifetime of use. One of the top priorities in selection of a set is ease of warrantying the tools WITHOUT need of proof of purchase.

The reason I'm starting this early is because of the Craftsman pricing due to the seemingly-imminent closure of Sears. I'd like to put this question up in order to make a decision of which way I want to go soon. I'd ignored Craftsman in the past due to Sears going downhill, but now that Lowe's is taking them on my attention has been drawn to them (particularly given the current pricing).

I've been eyeing the Craftsman 450 piece tool set for $200. Seems to be a great deal. However, the range of sockets is somewhat lacking - only a handful of 1/2" 12-point chrome sockets (would be looking for a full range of preferably 6-point, with ideally both 6-point and 12-point 1/2" sockets).

Another option is the 308-piece Craftsman socket set at $310. Pricier, lower piece count, but has the most complete range of sockets I've been able to find. This'd bump my price range up, and I'd likely go ahead and get a ratchet (probably would find some quality, smooth-ratcheting ones so may not go Craftsman for those) and a wrench set (would probably use the $50 points on those) to go along with it, but would be fine with that as it's a one-off purchase that should last him a lifetime.

Are there any other decent Craftsman sets in this price range?

I've also been looking elsewhere - Gearwrench and Sunex for example. Unfortunately Sunex doesn't have the type of set I'm looking for, and Gearwrench's answers to my warranty questions were unsatisfactory regarding warranty (Q:"Do I need to keep the proof of purchase around for years, or can I just warranty it?" A:"It'd be a good idea to keep it around." Q:"Is the warranty transferable?" A:"No."... That, along with the fact that they can't answer the question of "what are your axle nut sockets made of?" means I have a none-too-great outlook of what future interactions with Gearwrench could be like). That, and part of me would like to get him a set that can easily be warrantied in-person locally - nothing beats being able to replace a tool whenever you need to (I've done it a couple times during weekend projects), so Kobalt or Husky are on the tab as well.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[AmishFury]

I don't think you'll be able to walk into lowes to warranty an individual socket. Probably will have to mail away for one.

you can... but from what i've heard the "hassle free" guarantee isn't always hassle free and some people have had to either work their way up the employee totem pole, try a different lowes, or come back a different day

also open stock doesn't include some items from sets... for example 3/8" drive deep sockets in open stock IIRC are all 12pt while 6pt can be found in the sets



as far as ease of warranty... if you're looking for walk-in/walk-out warranty your best long term option is husky and kobalt

craftsman is up in the air on how likely a local sears will stay open, open stock at my local ace hardware is ok for some things but if you need to warranty a bit socket they can order it in, nobody knows if lowes will start carrying CM open stock in the future

if you don't mind waiting on warranty items tekton has a very easy warranty process

 

[sberry]

Get the big Sears set. There may pieces not used but they don't cost much and there is a lot of "just" in case for the occasional need there that are cheap enough there isn't a lot of parked money.
Don't worry about warranty and auto parts carry singles as needed when needed. Buy additional stuff as it comes up or for pieces not good enough etc.

 

[gungatim]

You like the crappy Chinese Husky and crappy Chinese Kobolt that come out of the same Chinese factory better than the crappy Chinese Craftsman? Interesting that people have a pecking order for cheap Chinese tools.

I have all 3, and without a doubt the Chinese Husky and Kobalt are much better quality than Chinese Craftsman. i'm not a craftsman basher, but I replaced my every day set of cman with Husky and sold off much off my cman stuff. RP wrenches ****, their crappy chrome and 12 point sockets now ****. I like the craftsman pro full polish wrenches, but they compare to the regular Husky's. and ratchets are no comparison...

there is definitely a pecking order...the other cheap tool brands (including HF, Stanley, dewalt, etc.) have all done a better job with their Chinese suppliers than Sears, which is really too bad. but now that Sears is no longer in every mall with easy replacement--about all it really ever had going for it anyway--the choices for the average weekend warrior are overwhelmingly better these days.

it aint the '70's anymore...

 

[Parrothead]

Now is where I point out that the Husky sockets are the same as the Matco Silver Eagle. There’s a pic on GJ showing the double stamping.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

I have all 3, and without a doubt the Chinese Husky and Kobalt are much better quality than Chinese Craftsman. i'm not a craftsman basher, but I replaced my every day set of cman with Husky and sold off much off my cman stuff. RP wrenches ****, their crappy chrome and 12 point sockets now ****. I like the craftsman pro full polish wrenches, but they compare to the regular Husky's. and ratchets are no comparison...

there is definitely a pecking order...the other cheap tool brands (including HF, Stanley, dewalt, etc.) have all done a better job with their Chinese suppliers than Sears, which is really too bad. but now that Sears is no longer in every mall with easy replacement--about all it really ever had going for it anyway--the choices for the average weekend warrior are overwhelmingly better these days.

it aint the '70's anymore...

Amy tool coming out of an Apex factory at the same tier and pricing level will consists of the EXACT same manufacturing process, quality controls and materials. Why is this extremely simple concept so hard for people to understand.


You are right, it ain't the 70's anymore. Chinese manufacturing is completely modern, China has a larger middle class than America and China hold most of the worlds state of the art manufacturing facilities.

 

[bpjr]

The Craftsman set (or any other offshore brand) will do fine for home brew dyi stuff. I would buy based on how many parts you like in a set and price. Needing to use the warranty is a long shot and the cost of buying another part is cheap even if there isn't a warranty. I wouldn't use warranty as a selection factor unless spending big bucks for Snap On tools.

 

[gungatim]

Amy tool coming out of an Apex factory at the same tier and pricing level will consists of the EXACT same manufacturing process, quality controls and materials. Why is this extremely simple concept so hard for people to understand.


You are right, it ain't the 70's anymore. Chinese manufacturing is completely modern, China has a larger middle class than America and China hold most of the worlds state of the art manufacturing facilities.

Not true at all. Chinese mfgr's will build to whatever quality controls, materials the buyer specifies. I have worked extensively with many Taiwanese and Chinese manufacturers over the years. I guarantee you there are multiple quality levels of output depending on what you want to spend. we spent more to get 100% inspection. most don't. you can spec better tooling, your own tooling, and you can even buy the steel yourself and do a *OP setup where you sell transfer the material, you own it, you get back the FG, and pay for their value add.

it's how it's done, and I don't expect everyone to understand as it is NOT a simple concept at all. anyone who's been in the business of outsourcing knows exactly what I am talking about...

 

[ssdave]

Not true at all. Chinese mfgr's will build to whatever quality controls, materials the buyer specifies. I have worked extensively with many Taiwanese and Chinese manufacturers over the years. I guarantee you there are multiple quality levels of output depending on what you want to spend. we spent more to get 100% inspection. most don't. you can spec better tooling, your own tooling, and you can even buy the steel yourself and do a *OP setup where you sell transfer the material, you own it, you get back the FG, and pay for their value add.

it's how it's done, and I don't expect everyone to understand as it is NOT a simple concept at all. anyone who's been in the business of outsourcing knows exactly what I am talking about...

It's been the same for years, in the US before off shore production. Sears spec'd a level of performance and finish for their goods. I've for years heard "Kenmore is made by Maytag, it's the same thing". Yes, made by maytag (or whirpool, or whomever). No, not the same. Sears specified different motors, different bearings (sleeve vs ball, etc) different seals, different controls, different finishes. All to meet a certain price. Sears did the same with their tools. And, changed suppliers over the years to get a lower cost or different performance level. Many other companies do the same with their house brand stuff; go to a major supplier and spec a certain level of quality or performance they want to buy. The product may come out of the same factory, may even look the same, but be a different quality than the manufacturing companies own brand.

Your statement about quality control is particularly important with Chinese goods. If you're willing to accept goods as is with no warranty or merchantability assurance, you can get them incredibly cheap. But, have to accept a 5, 10, or even 50% failure rate as an offsetting factor to that cheaper cost. I'm almost convinced sometimes the lower tier goods come off of the failed QC inspections from a company like yours that insists on 100% QC inspection.

My son told me that in electronic components, you can buy them untested in China for 5 to 10% of the tested rate and QC/test them yourself, and sometimes the failure rate exceeds 50%. There's businesses that do nothing but do burn in and qc testing of components, and then resell with a guarantee to companies that don't want to bother with their own QC.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Not true at all. Chinese mfgr's will build to whatever quality controls, materials the buyer specifies. I have worked extensively with many Taiwanese and Chinese manufacturers over the years. I guarantee you there are multiple quality levels of output depending on what you want to spend. we spent more to get 100% inspection. most don't. you can spec better tooling, your own tooling, and you can even buy the steel yourself and do a *OP setup where you sell transfer the material, you own it, you get back the FG, and pay for their value add.

it's how it's done, and I don't expect everyone to understand as it is NOT a simple concept at all. anyone who's been in the business of outsourcing knows exactly what I am talking about...

Apex is the manufacturer, not some random Taiwanese or Chinese factory.

There are standard grades of tool steel used for each tool type. This is based on over 100 years of knowledge and little room for variation.

No factory has a "reduced quality check" option.

So please explain with your "knowledge" where EXACTLY is there room for variation? Please explain how you know the DIFFERENCE in the tool steel alloy between any socket for any brand that comes out of an Apex factory.

If it is the same alloy and same mold/dies running though the same line in the same factory with the same workers, the only difference is in the branding.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

It's been the same for years, in the US before off shore production. Sears spec'd a level of performance and finish for their goods. I've for years heard "Kenmore is made by Maytag, it's the same thing". Yes, made by maytag (or whirpool, or whomever). No, not the same. Sears specified different motors, different bearings (sleeve vs ball, etc) different seals, different controls, different finishes. All to meet a certain price. Sears did the same with their tools. And, changed suppliers over the years to get a lower cost or different performance level. Many other companies do the same with their house brand stuff; go to a major supplier and spec a certain level of quality or performance they want to buy. The product may come out of the same factory, may even look the same, but be a different quality than the manufacturing companies own brand.

Your statement about quality control is particularly important with Chinese goods. If you're willing to accept goods as is with no warranty or merchantability assurance, you can get them incredibly cheap. But, have to accept a 5, 10, or even 50% failure rate as an offsetting factor to that cheaper cost. I'm almost convinced sometimes the lower tier goods come off of the failed QC inspections from a company like yours that insists on 100% QC inspection.

My son told me that in electronic components, you can buy them untested in China for 5 to 10% of the tested rate and QC/test them yourself, and sometimes the failure rate exceeds 50%. There's businesses that do nothing but do burn in and qc testing of components, and then resell with a guarantee to companies that don't want to bother with their own QC.

None of this is relevant to a socket or wrench or any hard line tool that all use standardized tool steel alloys, standardized sizes and have little to no moving parts.

 

[ssdave]

None of this is relevant to a socket or wrench or any hard line tool that all use standardized tool steel alloys, standardized sizes and have little to no moving parts.

True, if they really use standardized steel, and the same forging machines, dies and procedures. I think that is highly speculative. It may be true for Apex, if they have standardized as you speculate. I have to say I don't know, your speculation may be true.

It may also be true that they buy different grades of steel for different production runs, and may use a different number of forging or broaching steps, different heat during forging, different heat treatment, different finish procedure, different chrome plating, different tolerance on broaching tool wear, different criteria for quality control rejection, or even different quality control procedures or sampling intervals. There's a lot of variables that come into play that can affect the cost, and the quality of a manufactured item that outwardly is very similar to another item.

When it comes down to saving pennies or fractions of pennies on an item that is multiplied by hundreds of thousands of items produced, companies often go to extreme lengths to save fractions of a cent, because multiplied out by the whole contract, it affects the bottom line.

Now, you may be right, and Apex just provides the exact same procedures, materials, and quality control no matter what brand they make the tool for. I really doubt that is true, but it is possible.

 

[gungatim]

Apex is the manufacturer, not some random Taiwanese or Chinese factory.

There are standard grades of tool steel used for each tool type. This is based on over 100 years of knowledge and little room for variation.

No factory has a "reduced quality check" option.

So please explain with your "knowledge" where EXACTLY is there room for variation? Please explain how you know the DIFFERENCE in the tool steel alloy between any socket for any brand that comes out of an Apex factory.

If it is the same alloy and same mold/dies running though the same line in the same factory with the same workers, the only difference is in the branding.

you've clearly never worked with Asian factories, nor outsourced anything. there are standard grades of steel, alloys, etc. sure, but there is ALWAYS variation, and there are also optional grades. same with chrome plating, same with broaching, it goes on and on.

I've stood on factory floors watching a press run a part for one customer, then switch steel to run the exact same part for another customer using same dies and then either go to one finishing line or another, with specific customer centric QA checks.

I've also been the one physically purchasing the steel and shipping direct to the mfgr. to ensure I was getting the exact material spec'd as it is customary in Asia to "improve" processes without the customer's knowledge or acceptance.

anyone who has worked in the industry knows EXACTLY what I am talking about. otherwise you're just a babbling brook...

 

[WWheeler]

I have no idea whatever differences between the manufacturing processes between Apex-made Craftsman and Apex owned Gearwrench sockets may or may not exist. I've worked in US manfacturing for years but I know next to nothing about what is customary in manufacturing in China. What I have heard hasn't generally been good.

That said, I have a complete set of 1980s-90s USA Craftsman sockets and a new complete set of their China Craftsman sockets. I also have a few sets of todays China-made Gearwrench in mid-length sae & metric, and 1/4"dr 12pt metric because Craftsman doesn't make mids any more (I have USA sets) and AFAIK never did metric 12pt 1/4" though they always have sae.

There looks to be some differences in tooling and finish between the new sets of Craftsman and Gearwrench. There's even differences between the standard and deep Craftsmans from the same 299pc set. The inside finish is satin-like on the deep, shiny on the std-length, deep has a single detent, std-length has a dual detent. As far as the differences I don't see anything to make me think any or all of them could or couldn't have been made in the same or different facilities.

That said, I bought them to use and they all work just the same. They all fit on a ratchet and the size fastener they are supposed to. They all get the job done. I haven't broken any and I've no complaints about any.

The pics below are all relatively new China-made Craftsman deep and st-length 13/16 and between them a China-made Gearwrench 13/16.