Sunex vs Tekton vs Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches?

[derosa]

I'm looking to splurge a little this Christmas for the bicycle clinic and was thinking of donating a couple sets of ratcheting wrenches. We currently have 5 sets of wrenches over 4 benches but 2 sets are needed at all benches as it is not uncommon to need 2 of the same sizes regularly particularly on the older bikes we get in. We've also become a volunteer location for the local school so hopefully we'll be needing more tools to fill more hands.
Checking Amazon this weekend finds Sunex and Gearwrench within a buck of each other at 52 and 53 dollars for the 8-19mm 12 piece sets. Tekton at 75, though maybe someone knows of a better deal elsewhere? The potential upside/downside to the sunex is the universal spline, does this really make a difference? Is gearwrench the go to standard at this price point or are they all from the same factory and it makes no difference. Any lower prices elsewhere?

 

[Tellingthem]

If you are look for the regular ratcheting wrenches the 20pc Sets are $50 at sears. Link

Same price at Tractor Supply, Link

 

[jlipsky14]

Are you looking for straight ones or angled reversables?

 

[derosa]

Unfortunately those are useless for me. I've got nothing that uses sae, don't know when bicycles went standard to metric but anything I've ever worked on from the 60s to now has been metric with the exception of some british bikes which is a different issue. For bicycles everything between 8-19 is needed and with the exception of 18 and 16 I've needed doubles of all sizes at one time or another. Hence the sets listed, mostly curious as to any quality differences, can only image finding the tekton cheaper, the others seem their cheapest but who knows.

 

[derosa]

Are you looking for straight ones or angled reversables?

If a 12 piece set of reversible could be bought for even 10-15 more I'd jump on 3 sets and keep one for me.

 

[Ign]

If you can deal w the 7 PC flex heads, you can get them STUPID cheap right now
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=344411

If you're not a SYW member, sign up. They'll probably throw some $$ at you right away.

I think flex head would be great for working on bikes.

I'd avoid the 6 pt Tektons - nothing on a bike is THAT high torque that you're at risk of rounding w a 12pt.

I own the GW, I own the Tektons, I own a Serotta, a Scott Genius 27.5+, a Giant Anthem 29, a Bianchi cross bike and a Park repair stand, so I've got some experience w all the above.

 

[derosa]

If you can deal w the 7 PC flex heads, you can get them STUPID cheap right now
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=344411

If you're not a SYW member, sign up. They'll probably throw some $$ at you right away.

I think flex head would be great for working on bikes.

I'd avoid the 6 pt Tektons - nothing on a bike is THAT high torque that you're at risk of rounding w a 12pt.

I own the GW, I own the Tektons, I own a Serotta, a Scott Genius 27.5+, a Giant Anthem 29, a Bianchi cross bike and a Park repair stand, so I've got some experience w all the above.

Too many missing pieces, fill ins just kill the price and dont make smaller sets worth the cost.

 

[exmaxima1]

If you can get by with 8-pc sets, Advance Auto has the best deal around ($29) for GearWrench reversible ratcheting sets:

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...ric-9543/25984326-P?searchTerm=gearwrench+set

 

[a52-830]

to answer your question, at this level, i think that all three vendors, gearwrench, sunex, and tekton, are about the same.

gw makes some high end stuff (like the "128 tooth" wrench and ratchets), while tekton and sunex seem only do things like "full polish" vs "raised panel" on traditional wrenches.

i tend to settle on the features i want (flex head, long pattern, as examples), and look and see who has what i want at what price points.

while gw might have better quality control, i have found that tekton has superior customer service when compared to apex (who owns gw). when i bought a set of tekton ratcheting wrenches, and one was jammed, i went to their web site, filled out an online form (at 10pm). they both responded to me , and put a replacement in the mail to me, on the next day.

when i called apex (because there was no interface on the web site to interact with them) about a ratchet that arrived with a broken selector, their first question was "where did you buy it?", then they put me on hold for 10 minutes while they talked about whether my brand new ratchet qualified for warranty. they agreed to send me a repair kit. (speaking of that, it has been awhile. i need to call them to find out when i might expect to see it).

i dont own any sunex tools with a ratchet in it (ever notice that sunex doesn't sell socket wrenches?), although i do have a bunch of their standard wrenches, and one tool cart. the tool cart arrived missing a bag of bolts. i went on their web site, and filled out the form. never heard back. spent 10$ on replacement bolts at the local Ace hardware store.

there ya go. were i to offer advice, since i think you are buying three sets, i would buy one of each, and see which ones work better.

as for the tektons, amazon warehouse deals has one for 69 something:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F511TWQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

still 15$ more, but you will be helping us research tool quality along with your generous gift of tools to the bike clinic.

 

[kctyphoon]

You can find the dewalts on sale sometimes for as little as $29 for the 10 piece reversible sets, but on eBay for around $50 a set. Normal price is $99 in the store..

 

[lightning02]

I'd avoid the 6 pt Tektons - nothing on a bike is THAT high torque that you're at risk of rounding w a 12pt.

can a ratcheting wrench even handle enough TQ to strip a bolt before the insides on the ratcheting parts breaks?

iv always used my in the right matter so im not sure.

as for the OP id go with whoever offers the best and easiest warranty exchange. when it comes to ratcheting wrenches thats a big things to take into account. just a matter of time before one lets loose.

 

[a52-830]

BTW, amazon is offering a "sale" of sorts on tekton tools right now. 10$ off 50$ or more.