Metric combination wrenches - Carlyle or Sunex?

[Tynee]

I’m trying to settle on one of these sets:

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQCWL1219M

https://www.tylertool.com/sunex-991...nation-wrench-set/snxn9917mpr,default,pd.html

Any ody got any first-hand experience with both? I like all the Carlyle stuff I’ve bought lately. I only have Sunex in some rarely used impact sockets. Seems like the Sunex are a lot of wrenches for the price, though...

Any input?

 

[plinker]

Carlyle would be the better wrenches.

I have some Sunex wrenches and they are ok, but I would not want to use them except as a back up or junkyard set (what mine are for). They may have improved since I got them a few years ago. Most of my impact socket are Sunex FWIW, no issues.

Channellock wrenches would be decent from reports posted here. They look pretty good too. Gearwrench is another option, being decent for the price.

 

[PelicanPines]

My open angle wrenches and about 1/2 of my impacts are Sunex… feels well in the hand.

If I could do my combinations again... Carlyle would certainly be on the top of the list. My combination set is SK & RP Craftsman. My box wrenches are Williams... would never want another brand there.

 

[Tom White]

I really think that anymore you might have to work to find actual "bad" wrenches. So, my advice is buy whatever fits your hand and your wallet the best. Both are important.

 

[ocloc24]

I have a few sets of sunex wrenches and while they're functional, they all have chrome peel. It's pretty irritating. Their sockets are great but wrenches not so much

 

[Mr_B]

out of the 2 I take the carlyle or channellock version of same wrenches .
carlyle not bad when on deal price .
carlyle/channellock look to be infar taiwan the sunex are chinese, no idea how good they are as never had them in hand but have seen the packaging .

 

[geartow]

I have both carlyle and sunex , if i were buying more personally i would choose these https://www.homedepot.com/p/TEKTON-8-22-mm-Combination-Wrench-Set-15-Piece-18792/205730842?cm_mmc=Shopping%7CG%7CBase%7CD25T%7C25-1_HAND+TOOLS%7CNA%7CPLA%7c71700000034127224%7c58700003933021546%7c92700031755124841&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2MX56ZiY3gIVk47ICh0SXQC4EAQYASABEgLTKfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CMGE-pCZmN4CFcMIDAod-dcL0g

 

[rijndael]

Channellock wrenches would be decent from reports posted here.

Be careful, the cheaper Channellocks are made in India. The ones made in India are NOT the nonslip version.
https://i.postimg.cc/0QcbXZw3/IMG-3801.jpg

 

[Tallpilot]

Carlyle if you want non slip open end; Tekton if you don’t. I would avoid made in China Sunex. Made in Taiwan Channelock is fine if you are in a hurry and Carlyle aren’t on sale. They really aren’t the best value at list prices.

 

[Ji m]

Sunex wrenches are decent,
not great, but OK if the price is good.

I wouldn't go out of my way to buy more,
I used them to fill in some gaps in a Matco RC set of Combination Wrenches till I got replacements,
you can usually find the Sunex wrenches pretty cheap one at a time.

For full sets in this price range, I'd rather Tektons myself.

 

[Fedwrench]

given those two choices, I would choose Carlyle. I own the Carlyle long pattern anti slip and they have served me well.

Also, on the Sunex set their open end doesn't have teeth, just the V Throat. Sunex only has teeth on their ratcheting wrench open ends.

What else have you considered? How did you narrow your selection down to those two brands?

Some other observations:
The channellock version of the Carlyle wrench is made in Taiwan. They share the same wrench blank but, the channellock version isn't as nicely finished as the Carlyle version.

Have you considered Dewalt Long Patterns? although the Dewalt anti slip open end seems to be going away.

If you don' want a long pattern wrench, there's always the Milwaukee version again with the same anti slip open end as found on Carlyle.

There are plenty of choices available

I forgot to add, i would hold off buying anything until black friday offers are known or if anyone posts discount codes from the SEMA/AAPEX shows.

 

[Tonyuk]

If you don't mind them being a bit shorter than most the facom 440 series are excellent.

Mac sell a set called precision torque that are the same, only a bit longer and with a grip in the open end. About double the price though.

 

[Wamsutta]

We're supposed to choose between the NAPA set and the Sunex set. Mentioning any other brands would be considered off topic and impolite.

 

[1foxracing]

I only own 1 Sunex (36mm) so I'll show it above my 36mm Carlyle.
Keep in mind above 32mm Carlyle does not list these as long pattern and also above 32mm they do not offer the anti-slip design.
Even not being a "long pattern" you can see it's longer then the Sunex.

The rest of my Carlyle metric wrenches.

 

[Zewnten]

Carlyle quality control can be lacking, missing chrome on the set I bought. Lack of support from my local Napa decided me against them. I took Fed wrenches suggestion and bought the long pattern Gearwrench set, not the greatest but for the price.

 

[PhysicsDude]

I bought a single Sunnex wrench for like $5 on Amazon to keep on my trailer. I was surprised at the fit and finish of it. The V-groove and non-slip ridges on the mouth of the wrench might be gimmicks, but I sure like them.

Of course the quality and durability is probably just average for a Taiwan product, but like you said, I think they're still pretty good for the money.

 

[Tonyuk]

Do Milwaukee not sell the same set are carlyle for cheaper?

 

[Tynee]

What else have you considered? How did you narrow your selection down to those two brands?

That’s a good question. I narrowed down to these because I like the Carlyle sockets and ratchets I’ve bought lately, and I like the size range of their set. I like the non-slip open end, think the feel of these wrenches, the chrome, etc is a really nice product. They feel almost as good as my SO and SK in my hands. I opened it up to the Sunex because of the even larger size range, thinking they were Taiwan COO like the Carlyle. I fogured the V-throat on the Sunex might accomplish the same as the teeth through deeper engagement on the fastener. I’ll need to investigate if they are Chinese. That’s a big difference.

Picked up some Channellock at a local hardware store, and didnt care for them. Not sure if CL has a couple different products in this category? I typically like their stuff.

We're supposed to choose between the NAPA set and the Sunex set. Mentioning any other brands would be considered off topic and impolite.

Like Snap-On?��. I’d love to just pick up the biggest $450+ set of SO metrics, but I can’t justify the cost. I have the SAE equivalents, and generally think of yhem as the best tool in my box, but the cost drives me away.

Do Milwaukee not sell the same set are carlyle for cheaper?

Not sure, I’ll have to look at them, along with the Dewalt and a couple others mentioned above.

Thanks for all the feedback. Like Fedwrench said, I won’t do anything before Black friday, i’m just figuring out what I want to zero in on and watch prices.