Sonic tools?

[amlv20]

Anyone heard of them? They are now the offical tool suppliers of my favorite racing series (IMSA) all the articles I've read say it's an European company just expanding into the U.S. I've never heard of this brand.ive heard and own other euro brands like facom,beta,baco,sp,and hazet but I've never come across anything sonic tools in my tool buying searches.is this a rebrand of an exsisting brand?just curious.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/sonic-tools-named-official-hand-tool-supplier-by-imsa/

 

[87slosohc]

They have some interesting foam trays, first time hearing of them though.

http://www.sonic-tools.com.tw

 

[Olafur]

I sometimes work for a shop that has several Sonic toolboxes/sets.
I suspect most of the Sonic line is made in Taiwan some of their wrenches are very similar to Toptul wrenches, so I assume made by Rotar in Taiwan. But there are some German made tools in between, like NWS pliers.

 

[Jeeper]

Funny you ask this question. I was watching the IMSA today at the Austin Circuit of the Americas and walked through the pits before the race. Sonic had a big display in the garage/pit area. I stopped to look and they asked if I had ever heard of them and I have not. Surprising since I have been on this site for a while now. Usually all tools brands have been discussed at one time or another.

Managed to pick up a catalog of theirs.

Couple of interesting things:
- They said they manufactured tools in Germany and taiwan although there wasn't a country of mfg on their socket.
- I stepped into the truck and they actually had NWS pliers on the wall
- Their rep said their warranty is they will mail you the part in 24 hours so no waiting on tool truck or store returns.
- Said they were pushing into the US market
- Didn't see any SAE tools. Didn't look really hard but it was all metric.

 

[Jeeper]

Here are 2 pictures. One of their tent setup and the other is a shot of the catalogs.

 

[BK13]

They have some interesting foam trays, first time hearing of them though.

http://www.sonic-tools.com.tw

Website doesn't render acceptably on my admittedly ancient iPad.

 

[neophyte]

Website doesn't render acceptably on my admittedly ancient iPad.

Ditto.

 

[Tooslow]

USA site is now active: http://www.sonictoolsusa.com/

 

[LXCam]

So I noticed on their home page they had some plastic chisels (scrapers). Browsing the catalog they sell one 1" for 6.99. I just bought a set of 4 from Woot that look identical to this for 8.99. Also their interior panel tools look absolutely identical to Gear Wrench offerings. I wonder if they make their own stuff of have it private labeled?.

 

[Olafur]

I doubt they they make a single tool. At least that was my understanding from buddies that paid them a visit few years ago.

 

[LXCam]

I doubt they they make a single tool. At least that was my understanding from buddies that paid them a visit few years ago.

I think you're right. I've seen those boxes before but can't remember where exactly and several of their other tools look awfully familiar.

 

[dutchgray]

Never heard of them over here.

 

[shoggoth80]

So...can you get a Sonic Screwdriver?

 

[Peetje GTI]

I have some Sonic stuff. It's decent quality. Some sockets and this screwdriver set, in a foam inlay:

Pretty happy with them so far Have a search for Sonic Equipment.

 

[Olafur]

Since we all like pictures I shot few of Sonic tool set that has been in professional use for approx 2-3 years. This belongs a guy specializing in farm tractors, supplied by the shop.

IMO Sonic puts together well organized sets, with nice balance of access and ease of use and usage of space.
Enjoy:


Top drawer:


#2


#3


#4


#5


#6


#7

 

[racecar]

All rebranded items for the states. IMSA pits just got a little more fun.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I really like the foam drawer inserts

 

[Rubiman14]

They had a pretty nice booth setup at PRI. I was bored and started flipping through the drawers on the display. This particular box was setup for Mercedes Techs (their largest account). The sales guy said their plant and HQ was in Germany. He claimed they made most of their tools...take that for what it's worth. I do know that all the pliers in the drawer were NWS. I use a bunch of snap ring pliers at work and inquired about buying these in bulk. He stated that they own them, and could make me a killer deal. My badge was scanned so I'm sure I'll be getting spam mail shortly. If I get bored at work one day I might make it a point to do some more digging.

 

[Bighead38]

I really like that box setup.

 

[sleepy127]

They need to be more vocal in my opinion on why they are worth the premium price.

 

[hancock1701]

I actually know about Sonic Tools from the HumbleMechanic's review. It's pretty interesting that they sell the the whole tool cart, with tools and foam and everything.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

 

[Fedwrench]

I actually know about Sonic Tools from the HumbleMechanic's review. It's pretty interesting that they sell the the whole tool cart, with tools and foam and everything.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

As Taiwan made copies of European tool designs, it's pretty common to sell those foam modules of tools in a cart, The one on the Humble mechanic is one of their smaller sets. Hopefully the humble mechanic will use and abuse the tools working on his GTI project. I don't want his you tube videos to become infomercials though. Sonic tools had a booth at the recent SEMA show right next to Knipex. Some of the SONIC tools resemble Toptul, like their extensions with the hex shaped top around the female square drive. I wonder who makes SONIC Tools?

 

[montanafordman]

I have some King Tony Impact sockets that look identical to the ones in that cart. I bought them to fill in the missing sizes on my Harbor Freight Pittsburg Pro set that was made in Taiwan that has a very similar shape on the square drive end. They certainly look like serviceable tools - and got some real use shown in the previous photos. There is bound to be some extra cost in the cart and foam cutouts. If someone needed a complete all around set I could see how that is a tempting buy. Nice presentation and a great way to keep track of everything when tool control is necessary for economics (shop tools) or safety (not leaving a wrench or socket someplace where it shouldn't be).

 

[geartow]

Was at watkins glen race track yesterday for work unlimited acess and the imsa race teams do in fact have sonic tools in there carts also craftsmans ,snapon and mac was seen.

 

[cbracer]

I believe the Sonic tools are almost entirely made in Taiwan. They seem beefy enough to be plenty strong, and the foam trays are great. They are strong average tools.

 

[kgorman]

http://motorsports.nbcsports.com/20...cconnell-on-busy-first-year-since-u-s-launch/

 

[pendragon1998]

I'm a doctor and I really like their screwdrivers.

 

[Loekaaz]

Hi all,

Sorry for digging up an old thread but I would like to clarify some (mis)concerns about the Brand SONIC EQUIPMENT, as I used to work for them in their HQ.

SONIC is actually a Dutch (The Netherlands - Europe) company derived from the main importership of the Taiwanese tool brand GEFORCE.
GEFORCE f*cked up with them and then the son of the owner and a buddy of him started their own brand called SONIC EQUIPMENT using their connections with Taiwan.

So yes: The first generation of tools were indeed mainly Taiwanese (like many). But later on, as they expanded their market share (very smartly by becoming main suppliers for several Car manufacturers and tool stores), they sourced out more and more production to European and overseas production sites. Yet, main production takes place in Taiwan and China (under strict supervision on quality).

The NWS Germany part was actually a smart move as the 1 gen. Chinese made pliers were quite weak. So, by using their market share again) they implemented NWS produced pliers in their line-up. Because; why try to beat your competitors when they can become your allies?

The tool boxes are all designed in-house by the CEO's of the company. They are actually the best on the market as I did a quick comparison with the so called "benchmark" of Snap-On. which are (imho) too old fashioned and out-dated.

I'll add more info later

 

[Tallpilot]

They need to be more vocal in my opinion on why they are worth the premium price.

I agree, I love the foam trays and organization but at the end of the day they are just rebranded tools and probably not worth the premium.

 

[Loekaaz]

Believe me guys, nowadays even premium brands like Snap-On, Gedore, Stahlwille, etc source out (a great portion of) their production to countries like Taiwan and China. All manufacturers do is give the production sites a product design with quality standards and that's all. Most of the brands come from the same factory but with different quality standards. They are not necessarily re-branded items.

But a pro-tip: Stay away from their jacks and non-NWS pliers. Also, all the plastic molding case tool sets are your typical Harbor Freight Chinese made stuff. So also not worth spending a premium over.
The rest (especially the trolleys and foam trays) are really good quality. I dare to say (again) that the trolleys are the best on the market currently.

This is my S13 Trolley




Also another reason why they are the best in market:

http://www.dumpert.nl/mediabase/7071291/8355a1ae/gereedschapskist_voor_het_weekend.html

 

[E430Driver]

Any update on the Sonic stuff? Been a couple years now, how are they holding up in the "Real" world? Sockets, wrenches that sort of thing. Buddy has them in his workplace for the mechanics and mentioned them.

 

[Fedwrench]

I'm not that impressed with the things I have.

I would rather have Toptul but, that's another story.

The items I have are durable but, aren't really my favorites aside from their extensions with the knurling on the shaft and the hex shaped female square drive area. I do like the tools' satin finish. I don't care for their 45 tooth quick release ratchets. They're too head heavy, and the action is more clunky than crisp.

Although i have been severely tempted to buy one of their loaded carts on sale, I've managed to resist temptation so far. I think that sonic has one of the better preloaded foam inlay tool plans but, the problem is that aside from the Corvette racing set, their size selections are geared more towards the european car market and by that, i mean cars that are european but, no around the USA like renault, vauxhall, skoda,etc..

The other downside to Sonic is their online prices. When compared to say NAPA's Carlyle (another Taiwan made brand) on sale. Carlyle has a wider range of sizes in most tools geared towards the vehicles found here. If i could only get the satin finish on Carlyle tools. OEM brand hardline sockets are similar to Sonic's and have the satin finish

I wish Sonic well and visit their site often. I'll continue to buy more of their products when they have things on sale or clearance.

 

[Snakebyt]

their foam inserts look really nice