Tekron vs. Sunex Impact Sockets

[baugh009]

I am new to this forum, a new "wantabee" farmer (but, unfortunately, very much not new to life).

I am in the market for a 1/2" drive, impact socket set and, shamefully, I am unable to afford an American made set. Looking at Sunex and Tekron.

It is my understanding from their customer service that Sunex is made in Taiwan. I am relatively sure that Tektron is mainland made.

My first (uninformed) inclination is to go with the Taiwanese made set. However, on both Ebay and Amazon the Tekron sets look significantly "beefier."

Any input for this ancient newbie would very much be appreciated.

 

[hancock1701]

I assume you mean "Tekton"? My metric 1/2" drive Deep and Standard Tekton sets (bought a few months ago) were Made in Taiwan. I'm sure they're still made in Taiwan.

Sunex seems to have more complete sets (for example, 10mm to 36mm without skipping). Tekton has bigger size laser etching. Other than those differences that I think matter, both work well and are good value.

Tekton has very good and responsive customer service that I've personally experienced. I've never used Sunex's, but I think theirs should be fine too.

 

[gdocktor3]

I've never used Tekton so can't say anything bad, but have used Sunex and they are excellent. They are sold on Matco and Snap On trucks. My tool dealer stopped carrying SK impact sockets because all he sold were Sunex. Plus, they have a sale right now on a few different impact sets. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=323024

Not sure your budget, but this is a deal. And you can use $25 rebate on this set!
https://jet.com/product/detail/6cae...ZNp5DxCCb6LW5CYsgwAZrCz9bN9ftYBsk0aAvg-8P8HAQ

 

[RedneckWelder]

the Tekron sets look significantly "beefier."

Trust me the Sunexs are very strong. You don't want unnecessarily thick because of clearance issues.

I don't know about the smaller drive Tektons but the large drive ones a tool guy brought by the shop last week listed being made of "chrome moly". I understand at least the older smaller drive ones were chrome vandium.

 

[kd3pc]

I recently purchased (via a posting here on GJ) the 3/8 and 1/2 Sunex impact socket set at a very good price and a visa card rebate - and it has held up well, the "black" coating has scraped off in a few spots on the most used sizes, but the size and beefiness of the sockets is very well done for the price point.

At the price I paid, I am very happy with this set.

I am not familiar with the other set except to assume it is Tekton. A few Tekton tools are made here, the majority are made overseas. Others will chime in with their experiences.

Best of luck

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . . . you missed smokin' deal last year with $100 rebates on Sunnex impacts. The "net" prices on those were incredible.

However, now Sunnex has $25 rebate (see other GJ thread) and curious if that might apply to sets bought from Jet.com ?? Reason is I saw 3/8" drive master set 3342 for $68 which would only be $43 after the $25 rebate.

Besides Tekton and Sunnex . . you should also look at Gray Pneumatic brand of impact sockets. They are affordable and highly regarded.
http://www.gpsocket.com/products/category.phtml/impact_socket_sets/1_2/

 

[gdocktor3]

OP
However, now Sunnex has $25 rebate (see other GJ thread) and curious if that might apply to sets bought from Jet.com ?? Reason is I saw 3/8" drive master set 3342 for $68 which would only be $43 after the $25 rebate.

There are only certain sets that can be discounted. That's why I recommended the 1/2" set of deep mm/sae. It would be less than $70 from Jet. There is nothing stated anywhere on the rebate form about where you can and can't buy from. As long as Jet is a legit company and not an ebay type thing. I've never bought from them.

 

[firworks]

Yeah that deal last summer was out of this world. I don't think I'll need another impact socket for the rest of my life.

I have used Sunex's customer service several times as my rebate got messed up and they fixed it all and were super nice. Their customer service is a little office in Traveler's Rest, SC and when you call you get right to a person. The same person each time. I think it's a pretty small operation.

 

[Greg85mcss]

I just picked up some 3/8 sunex impacts & am impressed. I'm sure tekton are fine but I wanted more sizes than their sets offered. I just checked out the rebate information on their website & it covers a couple 1/2 sets.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[F150tech]

I don't have much experience with the tekton, but as a auto and truck tech I have used the sunex 1/2 inch metric master set for almost 10 years and have never had a problem, never cracked a socket. I also have the 3/8 impacts, 1/2 and 3/8 universals from sunex and have no complaints, great bang for the buck and some of the most complete sets I have seen

 

[baugh009]

I thank you all for your input. Given what has been said, I will look toward Sunex, but with a peep at Gray Pneumatic, first.

Relative to the rebate, as gdocktor3 said, only certain sets are covered. The rebate form lists 31 sets, and the 3342 someone else mentioned is not listed. (I would go cut-and-paste the list; however, I didn't bookmark the URL and, at 0200 hours, I am too tired to search for it.) I fear committing typos if I transcribe the list from my hard copy. However, trusting that you are a forgiving group, here goes:

3041, 3042, 3600, 9727, 3921, 3720, 3007, 9707, 9710, 8509, 8515, SX8200, SX227B, SX278C, SX6215, SX2PK, 5133D, 1874, 5616, 3926, 2824,
4692, 4693, 4638, 8057, 8057BK, 80570, 8057P, 8057G, 8057S, 8057MB.

The rebate form also states that they have to be bought from an "authorized dealer." Going to the search engine to find an dealer in my area, I came-up with none. Also, going to the Sunex site, you have to choose from a "pull-down" menu your status: distributor, or what have you. I can't claim any of those titles.

However, I did find a listed set (5153DD), on Ebay (or, Amazon??), that was (almost) for certain through an authorized dealer. (The seller is a business, and up-front states that the $25.00 rebate was available through them.) There may be more; however, my memory is at least as worn as my body.

Again, thanks to all.

 

[gdocktor3]

I don't know where you read all that, but in the rebate form it doesn't say anything about choosing a particular title. It does say not for resellers. You are a consumer using for personal reasons. You don't need a retailer or distributor in your area. Any distributor online will work. Look at the top of this page from their website. Amazon, summit, tool barn, cpo, etc are all sunex distributors.
http://www.sunextools.com/index.cfm?s=distributors&state=WA
http://www.sunextools.com/rebates/2016_Rebate_Form_Design_120715.pdf

 

[DemoFly]

I bought the 3/8 sunex master set and they are top notch. I'd put them against any tool truck brand.

They aren't a very handsome design, and the 3/8 drive hole isn't chamfered, but they do their job well.

 

[baugh009]

gkocktor3 you are right about looking at the, "...top of the page." Ex-marines and former teachers sometimes have, "Can't see the trees because of the forest" problems. Obviously, Amazon (and, the others), qualify. However, (in small print), the rebate form does say that the purchase must be from an authorized dealer. I am uncertain if all on-line dealers are authorized to sell Sunex. Maybe.

Thanks for the correction.

 

[gdocktor3]

http://www.sunextools.com/rebates/2016_Rebate_Form_Design_120715.pdf
This rebate form that you send in does not say must be from authorized dealer. I'm sure joeyspawn or something like that from eBay would not count, but the list of vendors on top of page are ok.

 

[PSYKO_Inc]

Trust me the Sunexs are very strong. You don't want unnecessarily thick because of clearance issues.

I don't know about the smaller drive Tektons but the large drive ones a tool guy brought by the shop last week listed being made of "chrome moly". I understand at least the older smaller drive ones were chrome vandium.

Sounds like they've made a recent change; all the Tekton sockets I saw on Amazon was shown as Cr-V, whereas the Sunex sockets were Cr-Mo. This was a deciding factor for me and I ended up buying a Sunex set, but it sounds like the gap between the brands is getting tighter. Can't wait to give them a try up against my Snap On and USA Kobalt sockets.

Anyone ever used Sunex wrenches? Sorta thinking about picking up a stubby set.

 

[velillen01]

I actually have both Tekton and Sunex sockets. Both are good sets IMO. I actually use the tekton's more just cause I have them in trays vs the sunex are in cases. The sunex are what I take with me when going to other peoples house to work.

Both have great customer service (in my experience at least). Both offer different sets so pick the one that works best for you.

The tektons feel and looks a bit "rougher" whereas the sunex looks and feel a bit nicer. But performance wise they are the same IMO. The biggest difference if I remember right is Sunex is Cr-Mo and tekton are Cr-V is you care about that stuff

 

[baugh009]

http://www.sunextools.com/rebates/2016_Rebate_Form_Design_120715.pdf
This rebate form that you send in does not say must be from authorized dealer. I'm sure joeyspawn or something like that from eBay would not count, but the list of vendors on top of page are ok.

Again, you are right. I must consider sleeping instead of posting in the wee morning hours. Hopefully, at least, I have gotten the item numbers correct. To be sure, they are listed on the form; the URL for which is below:

http://www.sunextools.com/rebates/2016_Rebate_Form_Design_120715.pdf

The window for purchasing closes on the 31st of this month.

 

[gdocktor3]

Read my first two posts. Answers all your questions.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=323024

 

[Soslow]

I have two sunex impact socket sets and have nothing but good to say about them.

 

[oldldh]

Anyone ever used Sunex wrenches? Sorta thinking about picking up a stubby set.

Amazon has the SAE 11 piece Sunex stubby set on sale for $ 19.99...

I bought the set in February...

"Primed" in two days later...

OOPS!!!...

15/16" Wrench has been "Wrench-napped"/is missing/is gone...

Sent Amazon an email asking for a replacement...with the item #...

Sent me an email back saying "don't send the set back, dispose of it any way you like, another replacement set is on the way"...

Two days later, it appears...

Nice wrenches for the price...I'm buying the Metric set, next...

 

[geartow]

I have both the metric and sae stubby sets and for the little use the get they are doing well even when lent out and beat on with a hammer. I took away and kid had to tell shop manager why he could no longer do the job. Also have the sunex s wrenches and obstatrion wrenches most have never been used but the 5/8 ob wrench has been and has held up very well.

As for the sockets I own both my sunex are my 6 point sockets my 12 points are tekton , both are holding up fine lots of 12 points showing up on newer trucks.

 

[bcradio]

I bought the 3/8 sunex master set and they are top notch. I'd put them against any tool truck brand.

They aren't a very handsome design, and the 3/8 drive hole isn't chamfered, but they do their job well.

Maybe you got factory seconds because my sets look outstanding.

I have yet to find a defect in all of the 4 master sets I bought during their big promo. I also think the finish looks amazing.

 

[gdocktor3]

Here's a pic of the satin and polished sunex wrenches I have. The polished set have v jaw. They're both really well made. I used the 22mm polished wrench yesterday to get an o2 sensor out and even though I couldn't get it, I was cranking on it, hitting with hammer, breaker bar through the box end and the wrench didn't bend, break nor did it slip off. I'm very impressed.

It doesn't bother me, but the polished wrenches are longer than the satin wrenches which are larger in size.

 

[bob15]

I am new to this forum, a new "wantabee" farmer (but, unfortunately, very much not new to life).

I am in the market for a 1/2" drive, impact socket set and, shamefully, I am unable to afford an American made set.

Any input for this ancient newbie would very much be appreciated.

Not sure what your limit is, but have you looked on ebay and c-list for used, USA impact sets?

 

[gdocktor3]

OP what's the story? Did you pull the trigger on anything?

 

[DemoFly]

Maybe you got factory seconds because my sets look outstanding.

I have yet to find a defect in all of the 4 master sets I bought during their big promo. I also think the finish looks amazing.

Mine have absolutely no defects, as well! The coating on mine is also superb. What I meant is that the design, such as the logo, size markings, etc. is a no-frills design. It's a small laser etching, and a small stamping and that's it.

The 3/8 drive hole doesn't have a chamfer by design. It's flat with no recess that would make inserting the drive into the socket easier. I assume this makes them less expensive to produce.

 

[jn50308401]

I bought the Sunex 3/8 impact swivels in metric and used them for the first time a weekend back. I was very impressed with their performance, fit on fasteners etc.. Going forward I will be looking for more Sunex.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[SuitorsGarage]

I bought the tekton impact sockets. Use them often at work and never had an issue. Even if I did have an issue with them they have proven themselves for low dollar sockets and I couldn't complain. I planned on replacing any broken sockets with higher quality when the time came but haven't broken any yet. My air wrench is 800 ft/lbs and if that doesn't work then a breaker bar with a pipe gets used.
I work on trains and those cheap sockets really surprised me.

I also have the sunnex stubby wrenches. Fit and finish is great for $20 a set.

 

[baugh009]

Not sure what your limit is, but have you looked on ebay and c-list for used, USA impact sets?

I did go to Ebay, and my pocketbook wishes that I hadn't. Had a few too many beers, and over-bought: Two sets of Matco impacts in trays: One metric short, and one SAE long. Have ordered the their complements from Tekron and Sunex, respectively. Now, all that remains is to get my tired old **** outside and work on my equally old and tired Farmall tractor!!

Thanks, everyone, for your responses.