Sk vs Gearwrench

[buckwheat_la]

Sk is on sale at one of the sites I frequent. I have Gearwrench socket sets already but am debating upgrading to the Sk. Is there that big a difference? I have been very happy with the Gearwrench to date but hard to turn up a deal....

 

[RPH]

I have no gearwrench sockets but I do have sk. I have yet to break one through my life. I’m 62 years old. Lost a few but none broken. I have gearwrench wrenches but in comparison to sk wrenches they feel light. Sk are nice tools that work hard for you’re lifetime.

 

[Fedwrench]

I own both brands plus others. I don't think there is a huge advantage to SK over Gearwrench but, that's just my opinion. In fact, I would miss the knurling on the bases of my Gearwrench sockets if I switched to SK who only has two lines to indicate metric.
If it's a great sale and you're expanding, that's a different issue but, i don't see replacing Gearwrench sockets with SK as a leap in performance or capability.

 

[victor252]

How good a deal?

Got a link to the site?

 

[buffalobill]

I'm not impressed with gearwrench, I've broken most of a set of original, reversible, Taiwan made gearwrench metric combo's, and am on my 3rd set of quadboxes that breal when I pull them out...I've only broken sk on couple occasions, but both were being asked to do more than they should (pipe on a 10mm combo, Dewalt impact on a 3/8 14 mm chrome.

 

[cheechi]

Every time there's a flare wrench discussion, the recommendations always come down to SO and SK as everything else will spread on you. As a result, I got SAE & Metric sets of SK. I also have a spinner handle and a 3/8" extension, both misc pickups along the way.

I haven't had any issues from my GW sockets, they aren't my main ones and other than the medium length ones I don't use them that often. You should definitely get the mid length ones though no matter what else you get.

 

[mudflap]

Every time there's a flare wrench discussion, the recommendations always come down to SO and SK as everything else will spread on you. As a result, I got SAE & Metric sets of SK. I also have a spinner handle and a 3/8" extension, both misc pickups along the way.

I haven't had any issues from my GW sockets, they aren't my main ones and other than the medium length ones I don't use them that often. You should definitely get the mid length ones though no matter what else you get.

I work on hydraulic systems alot... and alot of stuff that has the line nuts half rounded already from yrs of servicing... My S-K line wrenches are the one things i can say are worth whatever they want for them...and theres a nice used SAE set on ebay right now for $19,99..including shipping...Thats a steal...

 

[B_Bimmer]

SK makes some good stuff, not the broadest tool line yet, but all very nice. I'd call it an upgrade. I've broken plenty of gearwrench and their shallow sockets seem taller.

 

[buffalobill]

Every time there's a flare wrench discussion, the recommendations always come down to SO and SK as everything else will spread on you. As a result, I got SAE & Metric sets of SK. I also have a spinner handle and a 3/8" extension, both misc pickups along the way.

I haven't had any issues from my GW sockets, they aren't my main ones and other than the medium length ones I don't use them that often. You should definitely get the mid length ones though no matter what else you get.

You can get mid length sk sockets too....buy once, cry once.....

 

[ADSR]

I do not like how loose the gearwrench sockets fit a 3/8's drive head. There's way too much play. Some have less than others, but it's definitely a quality control issue.

 

[buffalobill]

I don't like gearwrench period, they give me all the confidence of using flea market India tools. Plenty of companies make better ratcheting wrenches. The only reason to buy gearwrench is because it's 845, you're at advance auto, you need a tool, and nothing else is around...it's no coincidence that they replaced ampro...

 

[bushmechanic]

Oh, that's actually a tough one...

Either of them will serve you well pretty much anywhere.

Can't bring myself to recall any problems with either, and those two make up the majority of my tools at this point.

 

[HanShotFirst]

If I were a professional mechanic, the Taiwan stuff would be just to get me by. US stuff would be my preference. I will always take SK over Gearwrench because the quality is higher, and SK's customer service is world class.

 

[M6erfan]

Personally if I already had GW sockets and they've served me well I'd stick with them. I agree that you wont see any real day to day upgrade with SK, in sockets.

 

[Mr_B]

seems you got gearwrench already stick with it as no point swapping to SK unless you got major issue with current GR sockets or expanding and find it easier buying full sets or something, the GR taiwan sockets are not that bad and SK not much of a deal if buying sockets you already got and "happy with" ...

 

[Htscheg]

SK all the way in my opinion!

 

[mudflap]

If I were a professional mechanic, the Taiwan stuff would be just to get me by. US stuff would be my preference. I will always take SK over Gearwrench because the quality is higher, and SK's customer service is world class.

..........................................Lol

 

[mowkep]

The US made thing applies.....until I have to work on my POS plastic Chevy...ugh

 

[TNBurban]

Home mechanic here. Manage a fleet of 5 cars plus various small pieces of equipment (mowers, blowers, etc). And help out some family members at times.

I have a lot of Gearwrench. I mean a lot. Never a problem except I bought a 1/2" drive impact socket set and got two 23mm sockets, and zero 22mm sockets. Thought it was funny, I actually had another 22mm socket already so no big deal. But other than that, everything has performed as expected or beyond. Love the GW fine tooth ratchets, flex head ratchets, flex head reversible ratcheting wrenches, and lots of other items.

Also have the SK x-frame set (metric and SAE). It is my go to for anything it fits.

If I won the lottery, I would have a Snap On everything (do they make toilet paper?). If I were rich, I'd get more SK than anything else. If I was comfortable, I'd pick and choose GW and SK, depending on the item. If things were tight, I'd go GW only.

 

[buffalobill]

Go to work on something decades old and rusty, I dunno what you will want afterward, but it won't be gearwench.....

 

[vssjim]

I really like all my SK Tools some from the sixties I bought new and have never had a regret about any of them, that is my first choice in hard line tools to purchase.

 

[Rarified27]

Go to work on something decades old and rusty, I dunno what you will want afterward, but it won't be gearwench.....

I wish you were wrong; I found out the hard way.

Believe it or not, I have china made NAPA sockets and ratchets which performed better than my taiwan made Gearwrench.

 

[buffalobill]

Yep. I thought gearwrench was neat too, they really brought the ratcheting wrench to the forefront, but I've just never had any luck with them.like I said before, they replaced ampro at advance auto, that should be an instant red flag....

Btw, Chinese napa tools? You mean evercraft or fury tools? Their older napa hand tools stuff was all usa or Taiwan AFAIK. I had a truck bag that got stolen a few years ago, all my 3/8 drive sockets, hex and torn sockets, etc, was all napa stuff, it always did the job....

 

[bcradio]

I wish you were wrong; I found out the hard way.

Believe it or not, I have china made NAPA sockets and ratchets which performed better than my taiwan made Gearwrench.

He is wrong... these are the best swivel impact sockets available:

https://www.cpooutlets.com/gearwrench-84936-10-piece-metric-1-2-in--drive-6-point-pinless-impact-universal-socket-set/kdtn84936,default,pd.html?ref=pla&zmam=31282435&zmas=47&zmac=722&zmap=kdtn84936&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3OLM1Kjg1wIVEJl-Ch1iRwiVEAQYASABEgI6GvD_BwE%22

Gearwrench as a brand isn't bad, but some of their tools may not be the best.

 

[ADSR]

He is wrong... these are the best swivel impact sockets available:

https://www.cpooutlets.com/gearwren...MI3OLM1Kjg1wIVEJl-Ch1iRwiVEAQYASABEgI6GvD_BwE

Gearwrench as a brand isn't bad, but some of their tools may not be the best.

Link is missing. are talking about the pinless GW?

 

[buffalobill]

I'm not wrong at all, their warranty service is lousy, too. Im still waiting for my replacement quadbox...The name of the company is based on their ratcheting wrenches, I paid for them, I learned the hard way, gearwrench disintegrates under use. If the masterpiece of the company keeps failing me, why would I buy more?

 

[bcradio]

I'm not wrong at all, their warranty service is lousy, too. Im still waiting for my replacement quadbox...The name of the company is based on their ratcheting wrenches, I paid for them, I learned the hard way, gearwrench disintegrates under use. If the masterpiece of the company keeps failing me, why would I buy more?

Because they make more than just that... aka you are wrong

EDIT: i am just giving you a hard time man. Not meaning anything by it. I know how it is to buy something and be dissapointed after.

 

[buffalobill]

Read my post, then understand why I won't throw away money on a gamble! I'm glad you think their socket design is neat, in my experience, they design neat stuff, then they botch the execution. And that's why I'm right!

 

[bcradio]

Link is missing. are talking about the pinless GW?

Yeah the link shows up in 'edit' mode, but not when it is posted. It's probably my tablet.

 

[Rarified27]

Yep. I thought gearwrench was neat too, they really brought the ratcheting wrench to the forefront, but I've just never had any luck with them.like I said before, they replaced ampro at advance auto, that should be an instant red flag....

Btw, Chinese napa tools? You mean evercraft or fury tools? Their older napa hand tools stuff was all usa or Taiwan AFAIK. I had a truck bag that got stolen a few years ago, all my 3/8 drive sockets, hex and torn sockets, etc, was all napa stuff, it always did the job....

I posted a thread about the sets a have a while ago. One of the commenters was able to prove the Chinese manufacture before I could dig out my own packaging to find it.

Post #10

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=351217

 

[buffalobill]

Huh, that's a new one...either way, better than gearwrench !

 

[iScream]

Apparently I got lucky and I own the magic set of Gearwrench reversibles that don't break easily. I've used mine frequently for a couple years now and haven't had any trouble at all. My 10mm and 13mm in particular have been used heavily and both still work perfectly.

OP, I'm sure SK sockets are higher quality than GW, But I definitely wouldn't replace GW sockets I already owned with SK of the same size and depth. Have you broken any of your GW sockets?

Have you actually used them or are you still in the imagining how you might use them stage? Either way I'm sure there are much better ways to spend your money.

 

[Fly YX]

If you're happy with your old stuff just get the sizes you need and keep your old. I'm not OCD so I have lots of brands of sockets Craftsman, Wright, SK, Masterforce, Martin, Bonney Mac Armstrong Mobarel Sunex Husky Alltrade Kobalt and Pittsburgh Pro

 

[Yarpo]

Apparently I got lucky and I own the magic set of Gearwrench reversibles that don't break easily. I've used mine frequently for a couple years now and haven't had any trouble at all. My 10mm and 13mm in particular have been used heavily and both still work perfectly.

OP, I'm sure SK sockets are higher quality than GW, But I definitely wouldn't replace GW sockets I already owned with SK of the same size and depth. Have you broken any of your GW sockets?

Have you actually used them or are you still in the imagining how you might use them stage? Either way I'm sure there are much better ways to spend your money.

You and me both, I've got TONS of magical gearwrench tools. I love their semi deep sockets, I've used and abused them without issue.

We use GW ratcheting wrenches (reversible and regular) at work and the only one that broke was a 9/16th regular, which I used daily. It finally start skipping after about three years, and I was breaking bolts that hold a 2.5" discharge valve in place with it every other day. Also have a set in my home box, but haven't used them much.

 

[cherrybomb]

I have both,but without a doubt the SK's are head and shoulders above.I'm retired,but I still reward myself with good tools.I have some SK tools I've had 40 years without any issues.I have my Dads even older,no issues.SK has that USA blue collar,get er done attitude.The chrome is fantastic,the mid length sockets are great.They instill a sense of pride and professionalism every time I use mine.Aren't you worth owning good tools?

 

[rhandwor]

I would use SK for the tools you use the most. The gear wrench for occasional use tools.

 

[buckwheat_la]

So I decided to not pull the trigger on the SK tools. The Gearwrench have served me well and I have FULL sets of GRAY and Sunex for my tool box. Really in the end, although the SK may be better, the Gearwrench do everything I need them to for portable work.

 

[bushmechanic]

I'm not wrong at all, their warranty service is lousy, too. Im still waiting for my replacement quadbox...The name of the company is based on their ratcheting wrenches, I paid for them, I learned the hard way, gearwrench disintegrates under use. If the masterpiece of the company keeps failing me, why would I buy more?

What on Earth are you doing to them?

I beat the ever-living snot out of their products without issue.

 

[dngrmse]

From my experience gearwrench is mediocre at best if it the tool has any gears- I bought the 20pc ratcheting set last year- the 3/8 sticks. Bought a small 1/4 in. 20 piece set, The ratchet skips at times. Finally picked up the ratcheting Xbeam kit that was on sale at Napa online last week, and sure enough, one of the wrenches also doesn't feel quite right and tends to stick. Eventually, I'll call them up and ask for replacements.

 

[dr_clyde]

Screw gearwrench. Apex tools has ruined everything they've touched. I will never forgive them for what they've done to great brands such as Jacobs, Armstrong and Allen. They won't get another dollar of mine if I have a choice in the matter.

SK makes fine tools and is committed to quality US manufacturing. I'll happily buy their tools vs an Apex brand.