Sunex vs Grey Pneumatic

[Bruins63]

Hi,
I am looking for a complete set of 1/2 impact sockets and I like Grey and sunex. which would you guys recommend? quality wise and easier to warranty if a socket breaks. I want a quality set of impact sockets but dont want to spend snap on money

 

[Cummins_Tech]

I'd say both are very comparable, I have a few of each in 3/4 drive and I have been very hard on them with zero hint of premature wear.

As far as warranty goes, I couldn't tell you, they're cheap enough that if one did kick the bucket, I'd just toss it and order a new one, but I'm confident I'll get my money's worth out of them 1,000 fold before it ever came to that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CJM8515]

I bought the 3/8 master sunex set last year when they had the gift card deal where you spend 100 and get 50 back. My 17mm deep arrived with a chunk actually missing out of it. The sockets somehow were all over the carrying case (they dont snap in but just lay there) so IDK if thats how it happened. I called them, spoke to a lady from the US for sure (she had a thick southern accent but was very nice) and they sent me a socket in 2 days to NJ from wherever they come from. I was happy

 

[bobcatdan]

I have a lot of Sunnex and no GP, basically they come out after I was pretty much done buying sockets. As far impact sockets go, I think Sunnex is the best bang for the buck between size and style offerings and simply being a very good tough product. I have never heard a bad word about GP and if needed, would try. I'd base your decision on which set you like better, price and avalibity of easy purchase.

 

[LXCam]

I have both and I'm don't see any difference in performance. I could care less about warranty since I've yet to break one and if I did, I'd buy another. I'd get whatever has the best price.

 

[Finky198]

Do you want a Red or blue case... pick your poison
They are pretty much the same as far as their reg stuff goes...

I have sunex bc the cases match my others, and the socket are decent too...

 

[ryan20021982]

Don't have anything from GP but I ordered these a few months and am very happy.

View media item 71108

 

[Fedwrench]

Aside from the red or blue box difference, Sunex Impact sockets also have the size stamped into the socket along with the gold size etching. Grey Pneumatic does not have the size stamped.
Otherwise, they are the same in almost every way except for Grey Pneumatic is the only one offering those duo sockets.
Both brands will serve you well

 

[speed bump]

I have both Sunnex and Gray Pneumatic sockets. One of them (I can't remember which) at some point was only laser etched and the other was stamped and laser etched. Otherwise they appear to be very similar.

As far as warranty, I couldn't tell you, unless they flat out broke for no reason I just grab another next time I think of it. If it concerns you buy whatever your local store has or buy from Harbor Freight.

 

[barneyim26]

you can go with either one both are good quality. as said sunex has the stamping which to me is a plus.

i have had sunex sockets and my dad has them as well and never broke one yet in our half drive sets. i use grey at work for our 3/4" and 1' stuff and it works just fine without issues. we also have a set of impact Allen sockets at work that seem to keep going without hesitation.

 

[Wamsutta]

The GP has no countersink on the square drive end; I wonder if Sunnex is the same way.

 

[Codejack]

I'm getting these:

https://www.harborfreight.com/10-pc-12-in-drive-metric-impact-deep-socket-set-67915.html

The Pro line from harbor freight are supposed to be good quality. $32 for each SAE/Metric deep set, $26 for each shallow set, $8 for U-joints and $10 for extensions.

$134 for a complete set, with a warranty as close as your nearest HF.

------------------------------------

Between Sunex and Grey, I would vote Grey.... but I'm not sure how easy either of those are going to be to warranty.

 

[anndel]

Sunex are easier to warranty, just call or email them and no matter where you bought them. GP won't honor warranties if bought from Amazon and other sites. It has to be from an authorized dealer and they have a list on their website.

 

[tonyciambrone]

you could get 1/4 and 3/8 duo-sockets and 1/2 impacts from Sunex. To me, that's the ultimate reasonably priced socket setup.

 

[JohnDeere1]

I just bought a used Sunex 1/2 master set and it came with flip sockets and a bonus Mac flip socket set for $50. Quality and finish is right on par with HF so nothing to brag about but there's no countersink on theSunex and they are very hard to get on the hog ring anvils on my Mg725 impacts which is a bummer. The HF sets are countersinked and I wish I would have gone that route also the stamped sizes on the Sunex are very light and shallow and laser engraved over which also is light. The craftsman evolv are also a fine choice and is easier to read but must keep receipt for warranty.

 

[Mr_B]

I don't like design of sunex or gp impact sockets, no taper for easy fitting on drive and tapered nose on end of smaller sizes is rubbish over ones machined down so proper stepped sizes
other issue is no groove on end so harder pull off tool with slippy hands.
HF pittsburgh pro blow them out of water in terms of design as they taiwan cr-mo and based on the japan style impact sockets which far better style and far more usable, hard argue with HF price and easy warranty either, is one of few extra good buys from HF for this cost range impact sockets . HF also easiest warranty, walk in with busted one and walk out with new.
Has to be Pittsburgh pro range as standard range same crappy design as sunex/GP .

 

[Codejack]

Has to be Pittsburgh pro range as standard range same crappy design as sunex/GP .

Hmmm

Here's the normal Pittsburgh:

Here's the Pittsburgh Pro:

Here's Sunex:

Here's normal GP:

And here's GP Duo:

They are all different, but I definitely do not like the Sunex or Pittsburgh sets. The normal GP are OK, but both the GP Duo and the HF Pro look fantastic.

 

[Mr_B]

^ standard lengths of the others have tapered tips like the cheap HF ones.
HF Pittsburgh Pro in standard and long have stepped diameters which make them thinner thus more usable plus groove and drive taper for easier tool fitting . tapering the tops is cheap way of doing it.

 

[Cummins_Tech]

The thing I HATE about the HF pro is that they skip sizes big time... and don't even sell individual sockets so you can shell out more money to complete the set...how can you leave out 3 sockets... that's just stupid.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mr_B]

HF pro 1/2 set goes 10 to 22 only missing 20mm and includes a 27 .
They do pro deep singles and recall sizes up to around 32mm, no idea why don't do complete range and boxed master sets .
you can get the same cr-mo taiwan japan style sockets in sets from other brands or unbranded and pretty cheap .

 

[TK-421]

Sunex are easier to warranty, just call or email them and no matter where you bought them. GP won't honor warranties if bought from Amazon and other sites. It has to be from an authorized dealer and they have a list on their website.

If you buy them from JB Tool Sales then JB themselves will warranty GP sockets if you buy them from JB, even though JB isn't an authorized dealer. It's why one of the reasons I bought my GP sockets from them.

Though I do wish they had the size stamped on the socket. But, I'm just a shade tree mechanic right now, so I don't expect to ever wear off the writing, so it's not a huge deal to me.

 

[Codejack]

The thing I HATE about the HF pro is that they skip sizes big time... and don't even sell individual sockets so you can shell out more money to complete the set...how can you leave out 3 sockets... that's just stupid.

16mm ~ 5/8"

18mm, 20mm and 23mm are unicorns.

I'm glad to not have to buy 1 unnecessary and 3 uncommon sockets.

 

[Mr_B]

Pitts Pro includes 18mm
you can get same taiwan sockets in 18pc set only skipping after 24mm in nice case (blue normally) for 35-40 bucks, no life warranty but decent cr-mo made sockets. I used a set for almost 3yrs and still going good even after some typical impact socket misuse .

 

[Cummins_Tech]

That's the set I'm talking about, the deep, the one posted above. They leave out the 10mm, who does that?? They dropped the ball on a potentially great set.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mr_B]

The deep Pittsburgh Pro set skips more than that, it's missing the 10mm, 16mm, 18mm, 20mm, 23mm, and anything 25mm+. 16mm and 18mm are getting more and more common in automotive industry and I have used my 20mm and 23mm sockets enough to make them worth having as well. I am never one to skip socket sizes because I always end up needing the missing size for something. The P.Pro SAE set is complete. Maybe they changed the metric set since you purchased yours but it has been the way it is now for at least a couple years because my Pittsburgh Pro deeps were originally missing the same sizes. I filled mine in with Sunex up to 25mm.

I agree that the Pittsburgh Pro are the best overall for the high-value Taiwan made options. The tapering issue on the deep sockets doesn't matter much on the 1/2" drive deeps if you use Sunex fill-ins for the metric Pittsburgh Pro set because the only missing socket from the Pro set that even has a tapered shank is the 10mm. Maybe Powerbuilt or some other Taiwan house brand has a better shaped version of that size.

Also, if it matters the Pittsburgh Pro sets aren't stamped but they are laser marked better than most.

Yeh the deep are only 10pc set while standard 13pc
getting the taiwan 18pc sets is best if want more complete size range.
If find the 18pc taiwan sets stamped japan style they same as HF but stamped size markings also, they about best buy in this price range, HF pro amazing value due to warranty but would be even better if done more size individual sockets or a full master set in metric and standard so could please everyone on size options

 

[Mr_B]

Do you have a link to that set, I can't find it on their site? Are you referring to their shallow 13pc impact socket set? The only Taiwan 1/2" drive metric deep impact set I know of from HF is this set.

https://www.harborfreight.com/10-pc-12-in-drive-metric-impact-deep-socket-set-69287.html

As far as I know their larger sets are all China made Cr-V impact sockets and they are shallow sockets only when 1/2" drive. It would be nice to find a set that allows me to change out some of my Sunex fill-ins with P.Pro deeps instead for very little money, because like others have said I prefer the P.Pro design to Sunex/Grey.

18pc taiwan is not Pitts Pro branded or HF stocked, you have find them elsewhere and they normally japan style stamped or sold under Laser brand .

 

[Mr_B]

That's the set I'm talking about, the deep, the one posted above. They leave out the 10mm, who does that?? They dropped the ball on a potentially great set.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What makes it worse is they don't cover 10mm deep in single pitts pro either.
They should stock whole size range in single and no idea why don't as would make that range a huge winner with wider amount of impact socket purchasers .

 

[Cummins_Tech]

That's why I won't buy them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LXCam]

16mm ~ 5/8"

18mm, 20mm and 23mm are unicorns.

I'm glad to not have to buy 1 unnecessary and 3 uncommon sockets.

Well then don't buy a dodge cause 50% of the bolts are 18mm and now the newer stuff is using 20mm on the camber bolts. In all the years of wrenching I finally got to use my 20mm stuff when doing a air ride install last year.

 

[Cummins_Tech]

16mm ~ 5/8"



18mm, 20mm and 23mm are unicorns.



I'm glad to not have to buy 1 unnecessary and 3 uncommon sockets.

I can point out 4 different fasteners that have an 18mm and 20mm head on my Dodge Ram before I even get to the doors...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LXCam]

HA!!!, beat you by mere seconds.

 

[bcradio]

They are all different, but I definitely do not like the Sunex or Pittsburgh sets. The normal GP are OK, but both the GP Duo and the HF Pro look fantastic.

 

[Codejack]

don't buy a dodge

Well, yea.

Sorry, you said something after this?

 

[mixerfixer]

What about Tekton?

 

[Sine Swept]

I lost a 7mm GP magnetic socket and with shipping hullabaloo it was easier to replace it with a socket from MAC.

 

[7avalon7]

If my choice is Craftsman, Craftsman Evolv, Sunex, GP and GearWrench (only what are sold by Sears since I am buying this with points), what would be the best to buy? From what I am reading, Sunex, GP or GW should be comparable? I just use them to work on my cara, so maybe it does not matter? I probably over-thinking this

I own 1/2inch-metric-deep Craftsman Evolv which are made in Taiwan for several years. It has been great, no complain.

 

[Snakebyt]

i have been using GP 3/8 and 1/2 for about 3 years now, day in day out, Never had a problem, never a breakage, and there have been a few times i have abused them pretty good, for the money GP is hard to beat, and for me, i can get any replacements i need local

 

[Yarpo]

If my choice is Craftsman, Craftsman Evolv, Sunex, GP and GearWrench (only what are sold by Sears since I am buying this with points), what would be the best to buy? From what I am reading, Sunex, GP or GW should be comparable? I just use them to work on my cara, so maybe it does not matter? I probably over-thinking this

I own 1/2inch-metric-deep Craftsman Evolv which are made in Taiwan for several years. It has been great, no complain.

I would rate them all three similar personally. I REALLY REALLY like gearwrench ratchets and sockets. I've never been unhappy with them, but that said GP makes amazing sockets, I've used a bunch of them as fillers at work. That said, Sunnex also makes good stuff but I've not bought a bunch of their tools. Either way for home use, I think all would be fine.

 

[hangfirew8]

I just put a Moog Problem Solver sway bar end link on my Honda. Both nuts were 18mm. Funny thing I used my Sunex 18mm on an Astro Nano to run up those nuts. I forget it was either a 17mm or an 19mm to take off the original Honda. Used Sunex for that, too. I was slightly annoyed because Honda doesn't use 18mm but GM and Chrysler do, big-time.

I don't understand the uninformed speculation to bash Sunex. They are the OEM for truck brand impacts, and have universal acceptance across GJ including many pros. But one person has to show up and push the thicker bulkier HF. Buy whatever you like, but nothing wrong with Sunex.

 

[SK-Mike]

I recently purchased a set of NAPA Carlyle 1/2" METRIC impact set. It has both standard and deep sockets. don't overlook your local napa store.