Sunex vs Grey Pneumatic

[KinzeMech]

I'm looking at some 3/4" impact socket sets. I'm looking at 29 piece sets from grey pneumatic and sunex. Both are CR-MO sockets, ranging from 3/4" to 2-1/2" by 1/16" increments without skipping any sizes. They are within $30 of each other (one is about $400, the other is about $430 at tooltopia), which is close enough that price is irrelevant.


Anyone have anything to say for/against either of these as compared to the other? I don't know that I have a local warranty avenue for either tool line, or that would have been the deciding factor.

At this point, they're such a tie I could make the decision based on which blow molded case I liked better, if it was in a B&M store where I could touch it.

http://www.tooltopia.com/sunex-tools-4696.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/grey-pneumatic-8029.aspx

 

[franzdom]

Sunex usually (always?) does a better job of stamping the sizes, most (all?) of my GP's are just laser etched.

 

[Fedwrench]

What he said. Aside from grey pneumatic coming in a blue box and sunex coming in a red box, the only other difference is that sunex stamps the socket size while Grey pneumatic only uses the gold etched size.
I've always thought the sockets came from the same Taiwan factory.

 

[KinzeMech]

That's good to know.

My favorite set of 1/2" impacts are my pittsburgh pros. I know they're not supposed to be anything special (HF), but they were $30 with coupon, have taken 5 years of daily punishment, and my only complaint is one socket is no longer readable, and a few others have faded severely.

While I don't use my 3/4" often enough that I think I would wear the label off, I'd rather not find out.

 

[Zeroek]

They both are great sockets. I got the GPs though. Could of got the sunex and been just as happy.

 

[JKennedy]

A lot of guys I work with have GP Stuff and they hold up great to some serious abuse! Never used Sunnex though.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I love my Sunnex slim, flip lug nut sockets !

 

[KinzeMech]

I guess I should throw in here, I'm willing to consider other mfr's as well. My requirements:

1) Sizes ranging from at least as small as 7/8, to at least as large as 2-1/2"
2) Sizes in 1/16" increment without skips. I know some of them are rare/never used sizes, but there will be some rare instances of using the "close enough" SAE socket on some metric fasteners (very damn hard to find a 3/4" metric impact socket set with any measure of completeness to it!!). I know it's not textbook proper to do this, but sometimes poor men have poor ways, and I see very little large metric in my line of work, so this is a good enough solution for the time being.
3) CR-MO very strongly preferred over CR-V, but would consider CR-V in the event of substantial savings
4) A reasonably rugged case for it all.

 

[SantaAna12]

This is one that I wish that HF would--in the Pitt Pro--sell a complete set. That with a Proto ratchet and extensions......gtg.

 

[619DioFan]

I have no experience with grey but I do own some sunex impacts. they are very well made IMO.

 

[KinzeMech]

Yeah. The HF sets you mentioned are what I'm currently working from. I'm looking to close up the gaps. I wasn't planning on getting these just yet as I was getting by, but I've stumbled across an opportunity to unload them and recoup most of what I've got in them.

 

[KinzeMech]

I have no experience with grey but I do own some sunex impacts. they are very well made IMO.

I have a sunex set of stubby impact hex sockets, and they have been remarkably handy, and durable. I also have a set of GP air hammer punches, and they have been likewise thoroughly satisfying. I do doubt I could go wrong with either choice.

 

[chipper]

Coin flip!

 

[SantaAna12]

Yeah. The HF sets you mentioned are what I'm currently working from. I'm looking to close up the gaps. I wasn't planning on getting these just yet as I was getting by, but I've stumbled across an opportunity to unload them and recoup most of what I've got in them.

Nice.
How have they worked out for you? I am split between ebay Proto, or filling in the HF set. Have you loaded the HF 3/4 much?

 

[KinzeMech]

Nice.
How have they worked out for you? I am split between ebay Proto, or filling in the HF set. Have you loaded the HF 3/4 much?

They've been great. I've had them for a few years, and they're holding up well. The size markings have taken some wear, but I store them in the original blow molded case which has the size marked there as well. I do use them fairly regularly, and have beat on them pretty hard while using them, but I don't use them every day, so you shouldn't consider my opinion as based on heavy duty usage.

I haul mine around in a service truck, and a case to keep them all together is an absolute must. If it wasn't for that, I'd have no qualms about keeping them, and filling in missing sizes.

 

[SantaAna12]

Heres one that might work for you:

http://store.harryepstein.com/search?q=williams+3/4+socket+box

 

[fearthebeard]

Would defintely go the sunex route. Quality wise they are both outstanding. However, sunex as a company is much more willing to go the extra mile. Gp will not warranty your brokens if it isn't purchased thru an authorized retailer.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I'd go with either set, with a preference towards Sunex. They are rather identical products, with only very minor differences (cases and Sunex stamps the size, too)

I'll be purchasing the big 3/4 set next year for work myself. We have a shop 1" drive set but it's an old and worn out mix of sockets.

 

[jhelrey]

I like GP

 

[bcradio]

Sunex gets my vote

 

[Heavymetalmechanic]

I have individual sockets from both, my MAC driver carries both, never had issues with either. You mention you need them for your field truck, get the sunex for the stamped numbers, they help me on the darker jobs.

Both are solid products.

I have a NRS nylon strap secured in 2 corners of my large socket drawer in my field box. With the sockets organized standing up I just wrap the 3/4" strap around them and pull it tight. They can not bounce high enough in the drawer to get around the strap so they tend to stay where I put them.

Other the keeping them in the case it is the best I have found for securing them, just too heavy.

 

[AndrewV]

Sunex.
Besides 3/8's, all my impacts are sunex. Had hf's, gave them to our new tire tech when i "upgraded." And there worth it.
All the printed lettering has worn offf, so the stamping is the best visable sign. Other than memory.

 

[ImportTuner]

Grey Pneumatic .. excellent quality. The only Sunex set I have is a 1/4" metric set.

 

[benzoni]

Coin flip!

This is what I would do.