Sunex vs Grey Pneumatic

[catron44]

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.

Gearwrench if you have an advance auto nearby since they would be the easiest to warranty and if the warranty is any concern to you. My Napa also sell sunex so that could work too.

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[Fender1325]

I own a GP 1/2" deep socket set. No issues. Built well, the ratchet it came with is ridiculously beefy.

 

[7avalon7]

Thank you for the feedback. My choice is Craftsman, Craftsman Evolv, Sunex, GP and GearWrench because I am buying this with points. Not that I do not like Napa, or HF Pro, but I have points to spend at Sears so the cost is cheaper

 

[wkndwarrior29]

Gearwrench if you have an advance auto nearby since they would be the easiest to warranty and if the warranty is any concern to you. My Napa also sell sunex so that could work too.

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I recently broke a sunex hex impact socket and the warranty was pretty painless, I just emailed a picture and they mailed me a replacement. If you have enough to get by if one breaks, I'd rather wait a few weeks for one to be mailed than have to drive to the store for a replacement...

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[catron44]

Thank you for the feedback. My choice is Craftsman, Craftsman Evolv, Sunex, GP and GearWrench because I am buying this with points. Not that I do not like Napa, or HF Pro, but I have points to spend at Sears so the cost is cheaper

I just realized, my response may not have been clear. I was suggesting advance and Napa because even if you bought at Sears, you can warranty at the other 2 for some of the brands you were looking at. And that is only if warranty is a factor. Others have already commented that dealimg direct with sunex worked well too. I dont have any experience with that so i cant comment.

I have personally shied away from sears lately because I'm not confident they will be around if I need to warranty any of my craftsman stuff in the future.

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[wkndwarrior29]

I have personally shied away from sears lately because I'm not confident they will be around if I need to warranty any of my craftsman stuff in the future.

That's a fair perspective. I've accumulated a small collection of craftsman items to warranty next time I am near a sears - considering they closed the 3 closest ones. It used to be very convenient if I needed something replaced immediately when it was 10 minutes away... it' also challenging using points if I don't have the requisite $49 order for free shipping anymore.

To get back to the thread - two years ago when the big mail in rebates were available I bought the 3/8 and 1/2 sunex impact sets in metric and standard. The only issue I have had with the them, using them occasionally as a weekend warrior, is that the sockets don't seem to fit tightly on the extensions 100% of the time. I don't have any experience with grey pneumatic.

 

[hangfirew8]

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

First of all, rank CrMo over CrVa, and complete sets over skips. Dual marked over just stamped or printed and consider ease of warranty. That should help you sort them out.

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

Sears is the only company I know of that sells Taiwan as their lower line (Evolv) and PRC as their higher line (Craftsman), at least as far as impact sockets go.

 

[7avalon7]

I have personally shied away from sears lately because I'm not confident they will be around if I need to warranty any of my craftsman stuff in the future.

Same here. I am not confident Sears will be around for warranty. Only reason I buy stuffs from them is because they give out free points, and not all of their items are Craftsman.

First of all, rank CrMo over CrVa, and complete sets over skips. Dual marked over just stamped or printed and consider ease of warranty. That should help you sort them out.

Sears is the only company I know of that sells Taiwan as their lower line (Evolv) and PRC as their higher line (Craftsman), at least as far as impact sockets go.

Thank you @hangfirew8 and others!

Yeah I noticed that the other day how Evolv impacts are made in Taiwan but the Craftsman are PRC. I got mine when it was on sale a few years go, like $10 IIRC for the whole set! Too bad Evolv impacts are not available in 3/8 size or I would go this route.

 

[shockwave]

Since is more readily available than grey pneumatic also look at tekton but sunex would be best

 

[Honda guy]

I don't know about Sunex, but I've been real happy with my GP sockets. I'm a motorcycle tech, so the 1/2" drives don't see a lot of use, but the 3/8 drive set gets a workout. I have GP and SnapOn , and the GP actually holds up better than SO. Plus, the GP have slightly thinner walls than SO.

I've been using them about 5 years, and haven't had to get one warrantied yet. A friend of mine sells GP, and he says the warranty is hassle free, although you have to send in the broken socket.

 

[johndeereman]

I have a ton of both Sunex and Grey Pneumatic in the shop and on the service truck, no issues with either.

 

[Yarpo]

First of all, rank CrMo over CrVa, and complete sets over skips. Dual marked over just stamped or printed and consider ease of warranty. That should help you sort them out.

This.

I know the craftsman evolve is probably not Cr-Mo but the rest should be, next I'd also look for a complete set as hangfire recommended. I have HF impacts, Gearwrench impacts and GP impacts, all three are awesome. I have no complaints with any. The HF actually get used the most, but I like them all equally. If I had free points, I would flip a coin or find the most complete set between GP and Gearwrench, but tons of people like sunnex also. You can't go wrong with any of the three imo.

 

[kb1982]

I am waiting for the Sunex 1/2 SAE and metric mastersets to arrive shortly. This thread may have helped influence my decision.

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[idahochevy]

I have both the deep 1/2 drive metric set (10mm-36mm) and the deep 1/2 drive standard (5/16-1-1/2) GP sets. I am a diesel technician and have used both sets for around 10 years. The only socket I have broken is the 36mm and it has had the **** worked out of it. I ended up buying both 3/8 drive deep socket sets too since my luck was so good with the 1/2 sets.

I don't have any sunnex sockets so I can't really speak for their quality. I would definitely recommend the GP sockets though.

On another note, Caterpillar equipment uses bolts with 18mm heads a lot also.

 

[Bluejoe]

What countries are Sunex , GP, Napa Carlyle and gear wrenches made.

 

[Kaane]

What countries are Sunex , GP, Napa Carlyle and gear wrenches made.

Taiwan for all.

 

[Mr_B]

I don't like sunex or gp.
sunex has no parallel full neck down design on sockets so they hard fit into tight areas on some sizes with the deeps, no chamfer on drive end also makes them a **** to get on the hog ring at times.
gp better design but markings poor .
Gearwrench impacts are better as have parallel full neck down design, chamfers on drive square and laser plus stamped markings of which both good to read.
HF impacts real nice if done more sizes but no stamped markings pain as soon polish off the laser etchings on hard worked sockets, japan style my favourite lower cost cr-mo sockets & gearwrench (older taiwan) when buy a set and get another drive size set free .

 

[creativecars]

I don't have a dog in this fight, but I already had a HF set of 1/2 deep impacts with all the skips. Then I found this Stanley set that contains: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22 and 24.
So between them I have $18 for the Stanley and $20 for the HF $38 total.
Now 10mm to 19mm, 21, 22, 24, 27, 30 and 32. A 16 pc set and 8 extras.
It works for me.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NIKA4U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Mr_B]

genius tools do nice design cr-mo taiwan impacts, almost forgot about them.
got be careful with gearwrench as some not same design so check that if buying online if you fussy on design features .

 

[1320]

Rather than make a new thread, I figured I'd add on to this one.

Recently, I talked to a friend that just bought some Grey Pneumatic sockets and he says that they now have the size stamped into them as well as laser etched. Has anybody else purchased any GP sockets lately that can confirm this?

Maybe I'll call GP and find out...

 

[GrantCee]

I bought a couple of sets this summer; stamped and etched.

 

[1320]

I bought a couple of sets this summer; stamped and etched.

Glad to hear it, thanks.

I think they may have also shortened the shoulder on some of their deep sockets (like Snap-on) and changed the tapered nose to a shouldered nose for access on the shallow sockets.

Its hard to tell from photos on retailer websites and GP's website, as they're probably older.

 

[1320]

I spoke to a guy at Grey Pneumatic just now and he said that their sockets from this point on will have stamped sizes on them, but it is a rolling change and older stock may still exist at many retailers.

I asked about the tapered vs shouldered nose on the shallow sockets and he said that some sockets, like the magnetic ones were shouldered for access and other ones remained tapered.

He said the photos on GP's website are current.

 

[GrantCee]

I bought metric and SAE sets, and they were tapered.

BTW, each socket has 3 size markings: two etched, 180 degrees apart, and the stamped number in the middle.

 

[gtlaw]

I recently got 1/2 deep SAE that are stamped.

 

[Professional Tool User]

If you care about warranty, go with Harbor Freight or Tekton. GP is supposed to be a pain to warranty if you don't buy it from an authorized dealer. For sunex, I do not have any idea how convenient the warranty process is in practice.

 

[buckwheat_la]

If you care about warranty, go with Harbor Freight or Tekton. GP is supposed to be a pain to warranty if you don't buy it from an authorized dealer. For sunex, I do not have any idea how convenient the warranty process is in practice.

A fellow garage journal compatriot turned me on to the fact Princess auto is done by Sunex actually

 

[metaleltr]

16mm ~ 5/8"

18mm, 20mm and 23mm are unicorns.

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

18mm is hardly a unicorn. They are all over the suspension of GM and Chrysler cars and trucks.