impact socket selection
- Thread starter TAftw
- Start date
JeepsAreBuilt
Well-known member
You mean GP ? I have a 1/4" impact set, and I like them. My matco(where has he been ?) dealer will warranty GP sockets. One thing is that the sockets are laser etched only, and the markings will rub off.
plinker
Well-known member
I have Napa 1/2 drive impact sockets (made by Sunex) they are Taiwan and seem to be holding up good.
MechanicNamedJohn
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Long ago I had Sunex 3/8 and 1/4 impact sockets, got them off the Matco truck. Does Matco no longer sell Sunex? Oh, they were pretty good sockets too.
wreckercologist
Well-known member
Sunex is not U.S. made to my knowledge, but I've heard no negative comments about them. I can say make sure you buy sockets that have the sizes stamped on them. Those lazered or painted (whatever it is) sockets are damned hard to read after a while.
I've got a GP extra deep 13mm 1/2" drive I bought off the Matco truck. It seems to be of good quality.
I've got a GP extra deep 13mm 1/2" drive I bought off the Matco truck. It seems to be of good quality.
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RbrtAWhyt
Well-known member
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have thought for years that both the Grey Pneumatic and Sunex impact sockets came out of the same factory in Taiwan. The only differences being that Sunex comes in a red box and Grey Pneumatic comes in a blue box. Aside from packaging, Sunex has two size markings on each socket, one is stamped into the socket, the other is gold lettering. Both are small. Grey Pneumatic only has small gold lettering. Both brands will serve you well. I am always amazed at the abuse Grey Pneumatic sockets will take. Shop around for the best price and make sure you include Ebay as there's a dealer that has (or use to have) cheap prices on Grey Pneumatic sets.
bmxr4life87
Well-known member
My gp sets are pretty tough I've only broken one socket and it was my most common used one. They make some very tough torx sets as well. On the other hand I do believe napa pro impact sockets to be relabel sunnex and they are very strong as well. Don't think you could go wrong with either as we have a good selection of both at the shop I have found a larger selection of gp local but that was just my personal reason
TheGrooveking
Well-known member
From what limited time I have spent with either brand the Sunex were not as well finished as the Grey Pneumatic, both are solid.
TheGrooveking
TheGrooveking
mrholeshot
MEMBER EMERITUS
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I have Snap-On impacts and have never broken one (have worn a few out) but I've see the Sunex Sockets hold up as well. A friend of mine bought some sunex impact and impact swivels from the Snap-On dealer back about 20 years ago. He's still using the same ones. He a working technician
mrholeshot
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Stay away from the HF Impacts. They are JUNK
tonydanzah
Well-known member
ha, according to your last thread you should only be buying tool truck tools
I sell some special order tools through O'reilly Auto parts. I have one customer who has broken several sockets in the Grey Pneumatic swivel impact sets. I think I have warrantied out about 7 sets for him now. If you are looking for swivels, I'd say look elsewhere. That being said I have sold more than a couple other Grey sets with no warranty issues, but no impact swivels. I have a set of Sunex 1/2 deep impact that I bought from a pawn shop and have had no problems with them at all.
-Dane
-Dane
woody 73
Well-known member
Funny but I have all brands of impacts,Mac,Snap-on,GP and HF. I use them alot and I have no complaints to speak of. I like the HF I wonder what has happened to mrholeshot's sockets? I have never had any go bad in all these years.
mtkst19
Well-known member
i got the sunex master metric set that runs from like 10-30 mm in deep and shallow. bought it off the mac truck for under 150 iirc. has held up w/o issue for 4 yrs now.
how many of them you have broken? just curious.
Chadro
Well-known member
Agreed, All I've ever used is IR sockets and have never had a problem.
Spookrider
Well-known member
C-Man has treated me well for three years in the Shop Biz.
kythri
Well-known member
OP: Do a search on "impact sockets" and read the other thread on the first page before deciding not to buy HF-sold sockets.
A *LOT* of people around here have said a lot of good things about them.
SpiderGearsMan
Banned
sunex are pretty low cost
the HF impacts don't last at all
the HF impacts don't last at all
SpiderGearsMan
Banned
think craftsman are sunex too
they are very thick compared to snappy
tonydanzah
Well-known member
chevytrucks91
Member
i hear good things about grey pneumatic. i was actually looking into buying a set myself. my mac guy has them. im not sure about sunex but i know grey has the lifetime warrenty
ha, according to your last thread you should only be buying tool truck tools
Not necessarily. This is one of those times where I simply DON'T have the money for truck brands. I need these sockets fairly quickly, otherwise I'd save up some money and buy some used truck brands. It's the Price vs. Quality argument I made in the last thread.
Overall, I think I'm going to get the Sunex ones, as I am very tight on cash for this project. I want them to last more or less 2 years, as by that time I'll have a Snappy student discount. If I ever get some off the truck, these Sunex ones will be my backups or go into the offroading box for my Jeep.
They GP's seem to have a better fit and finish, but since they're both made in Taiwan and fairly close in quality/durability, I'm gonna have to go with Sunex.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The craftsman are made by Armstrong and they have fat walls.
If you want thin walls, get the Grey Pneumatics
On a different note, it's good to see you post again.dsmnickk90
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Maybe the new imported Craftsman. The USA made Craftsman are the same as Armstrong and are awesome sockets. The pinless universal are the only ones I'd spend my money on as well