gw or sk

[goldie lox]

looking at getting another socket set. the ones i use now are sk. i came across this one and the price is good but not sure about the sockets. i like the wrenches. if i was a wrench turner everyday i wouldnt be looking at these but being a home mechanic they fit. think i should just go with the sk or go for the better price

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GearWrench-...696366?hash=item3a9a1d056e:g:sGUAAOxyi-ZTbjSw

 

[Ohmthis]

If the SK set you have now isn't worn out, then I see no reason to get another set. The GW are good quality, but I bet not near as nice as the SK's. what are you wanting/needing exactly?

 

[Yarpo]

You can usually find that GW set for ~100 dollars on a few different websites I believe?

 

[Tenex]

I have an SK 1/4" set for my toolbox and a Gearwrench 1/4" set for on the go. Both have served me well. The quality difference between either is negligible. I bought the SK set because GJ has made me a COO snob and the Gearwrench set is for getting dirty and I wouldn't cry too hard if it were stolen.

 

[T45]

those gw sets listed for 135 go down to around 100-110, check the hot deals forum if you haven't already...unbeatable at that price...

as to your strategy, i agree with the above poster to consider why you are buying new tools...unless you need duplicates for another location, or you have pre-flank drive era SKs...the normal chrome sockets only wear out after years of heavy use...not just sitting around (unless some other problem like corrosion etc)...

but yea if you need those tools gw for the price is probably 1/3 cost of SK

the other consideration, however, is how far you can spend $135 if that is your budget....and you can buy some nice tools with that money...just sockets not extensions or rathcets, probably get new proto (mm+SAE in one drive size like 3/8) and used snap-on...

So ask yourself do you need all 4 sets in the gearwrench box or are you just after 1-2 railse of bare sockets and are buying sets just because....that how they are sold

good luck either way

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I have 5 or 6 different gearwrench sets, and had a 100% failure rate on plastic cases, usually with the latch coming apart first. I've played 72 socket pickup way too many times

 

[gdocktor3]

Gearwrench for the win, especially at $106 or whatever the sale price is.

 

[bob15]

Go with the SK and skip the import stuff. You have no problems with the SK you use now, so why change?

 

[Fedwrench]

I own both and can tell that you won't find a nicer finished socket inside and out than Gearwrench. In 1/4 drive, Gearwrench sockets are slightly taller than US made sockets but, it seems that way with all of the Taiwan made 1/4 drive sockets I own. The two Gearwrench sets linked are also very complete.

Now, SK is the home team favorite being 100% US Made. Both brands will serve you well.

 

[crf450x]

Tool discounter has that same deal for 103. I've always been a snap on/sk man but I just got a gearwrench 1/2 set yesterday. I haven't used them yet but they look and feel just as nice as my snap on sockets. I hate to say it but the ratchet that came with the set feels smoother than my dual 80 ratchets...

 

[JohnDeere1]

SK for beauty and to have a family heirloom or GW for price but still good quality I'd go SK.
Life's too short to pinch pennies on something you will use forever and help your family with and why not treat yourself every now and then I chose snap on and sk.

 

[rustbucket5]

one other reason to upgrade is fit. i bought el cheapo PA sockets ($20 for a socket rail cant be beat) but ive noticed that the tolerances vary greatly and can result in frustration and partial rounding. from what ive found the GW seems to be a good deal, i already have a few sockets and i like them a lot. i have no experience with SK

 

[MushCreek]

I have an old (1970's) SK 1/4" drive set, and recently bought a GW 1/4" set. The GW ratchet is so smooth and well-made compared to the SK. I'm sure more recent SK ratchets are much better- or I hope so.

 

[4x4gearhead]

I have an old (1970's) SK 1/4" drive set, and recently bought a GW 1/4" set. The GW ratchet is so smooth and well-made compared to the SK. I'm sure more recent SK ratchets are much better- or I hope so.

By now it's generally hard for 1970's ratchets to hold a candle to modern day offerings as far as smoothness. But I will say that I have had much better luck with sk ratchets holding up vs fine tooth gear wrench pear heads. There was one gw ratchet that I had 3 or so years ago that had to be returned 3 times I believe before I got one that held up in a everyday setting. Meanwhile snap on and sk ratchets I had made it through the days, and still do. I like a lot of gw stuff but I haven't been sold on their ratchets. I would go with sk personally. I don't mind spending a little more on some tools that don't make me want to throw them in the woods when I need them

 

[bob15]

I have an old (1970's) SK 1/4" drive set, and recently bought a GW 1/4" set. The GW ratchet is so smooth and well-made compared to the SK. I'm sure more recent SK ratchets are much better- or I hope so.

You cannot really fairly compare a 40+ year old tool set to a new one. What do you think the GW set will look like in 40 years, if it makes it that long?

 

[earlthegoat2]

The company bought my tools at one of my jobs. I tried to buy the best I could with the budget they gave me so I bought all the GW 1/4, 3/8' and 1/2 drive cased sets, the combo wrenches and ratchet wrenches and then mixed and matched for the rest of the tools. Sunex impacts, Pratt Read drivers, Channellock pliers, etc. All higher quality but still what I would call hobbyist or light industrial tools.

At the time, I had no experience with GW sockets but had their non ratcheting combination wrench set at home and was pleased. I used those sockets and ratchets pretty hard in a heavy equipment repair setting for three years and they appear to be ready to hold up just as long as the old Craftsmans I have which my parents bought me after HS graduation.

I will say SK or Snappy are better than GW. GW represents a great value these days though. I have always been a fan of so called Industrial hand tools like Proto and Armstrong. I thought the industrial tools represented a good compromise between extreme expense of truck brands and lower quality and usability with homeowner and hobbyist brands. Now I think GW is good for a hobbyist, it has a place in the industrial world and is used regularly by pros.

I'm a fanboy of GW....for better or worse. (For the work I do)

 

[rockinacummins]

I vote SK. I'm not a fan of gearwrench.

 

[cherrybomb]

Gear Wrench is a good brand.I have a SK socket set and a set from my Dad after he passed,My Dad's 3/8 set in a steel box is bullet proof.It has reinforced my trust in the U.S.A tools.IMO life is to short to save pennies on tools for the average home mechanic.My vote goes to SK.

 

[6PTsocket]

I own both and can tell that you won't find a nicer finished socket inside and out than Gearwrench. In 1/4 drive, Gearwrench sockets are slightly taller than US made sockets but, it seems that way with all of the Taiwan made 1/4 drive sockets I own. The two Gearwrench sets linked are also very complete.

Now, SK is the home team favorite being 100% US Made. Both brands will serve you well. [emoji481]

I just bought a couple of Tekton sockets. The fit and finish is FLAWLESS. If I am going Taiwan that is the place to go. Their prices are the best.I can only speak from what I have read online but customer service from Gearwrench might be iffy. Tekton is well known for great customer service, as is SK. I have an assortment of old SK:, metric wrenches, 1/4" and 3/8" sockets and several ratchet handles. Their stuff is great, I like that they are USA made but for home use I know I can get the job done with complete satisfaction for a whole lot less. I just can't see spending so much more for a prestige label and supporting a US company. If I did it for a living I could see it as a business expense and maybe they do wear better. I have a lot of old JH Williams (pre SnapOn) and that stuff is great, especially the ratchet handles. Round head but very small, a lot smaller than my SK.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[The Fall]

SK. Great quality at a palatable price point. And I like where they're made! Bite the bullet once and you've got'em for life. They're nice sockets.

Gearwrench stuff is nice, though. Although I buy some stuff off the truck occasionally, I've never purchased sockets from them (just too much money for me) and I'd go with GW (the Mac guys sells a lot of GW) after SK. Either the SK or GW set will do you well. If price is an issue (and when is it not?) -- I use Craftsman USA sockets regularly at the garage, and they work just fine. Occasionally, I'll find the G2 sets for as low as $14 (postage paid) on ebay (3/8" drive).

 

[M6erfan]

I vote SK.

I've used GW in the past, pre-China, and even back then I wasn't overly impressed. IMO, their ratchets are bulky and heavy and the ratcheting wrenches several locked up on me. It was several years ago, maybe GW is better now. Still, I'd go with SK if I could swing the price difference.

 

[dngrmse]

I have both- Id go with SK. my 1/4 in. GW ratchet locked up on me yesterday, wasn't abusing it or anything. I doubt that would happen with the SK.

 

[the intimidator]

I use alot of gearwrench tools never really had a problem with any of them including a 3/4" drive chrome set that I regularly run on a 1" gun via a reducer the few most used show some wear but its heavy use even my wrenches from them have not had a issue with

All my tools get worked beyond what they were designed for alot of things I have in snap on but their high wear and my dealers good. My only thing with gearwrench is smaller sockets and wrenches dont cut it on rusty or stuck fasteners. Anything smaller then 1/2 and 14mm I have in snap on its just not worth my time and agravation to go threw rounded heads in the smaller sizes.

I hope that helps some coming from a guy who does heavey equipment and farm repairs 6 days a week

Edit never used a gearwrench ratchet so no comments their about quality