Tekton vs Gearwrench socket set?

[Fedwrench]

That's going to be a mistake. The best thing about tekton is no skip and comprehensive coverage. This set doesn't offer that.

Perhaps when he turns 16 he might have a need for the larger sizes. However, a great thing about Tekton is that they offer their whole range of sockets individually as open stock.

 

[bubinga]

Do you mean Kobalt? That's a Lowes brand, not HD.

But I think you mean Husky at HD. That set is still $99 @ HD.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Mechanics-Tool-Set-270-Piece-H270MTS/309161789

That said, the tools aside, I will say that I too bought the Gearwrench set for 99$. I wanted more chrome sockets and more SAE sockets.
I also put everything on organizers, so I don't care about the case.

But Gearwrench customer service/warranty can be a pain. Tekton is much easier. The blow molded cases from Tekton are much better too, or at least with their older sets they were.

Just my two cents.

Husky, yes, that's what it was.

 

[Ton ton]

Tekton.

 

[2Busy]

I like the idea of the Tekton myself. It’s a good quality, complete set of 3/8ths that he will use a long, long time. Plenty of utility in that for a young kid, no need for the 1/4 sockets yet. He will add a lot of tools in the years to come but 40 years from now his 3/8ths sockets will be “the ones my dad gave me”.

 

[General Geoff]

Tekton is today what Craftsman was 20-30 years ago. Good stuff, great availability, great no-questions-asked warranty.

 

[finn]

Too late now, but I would have bought the Gearwrench set and put the $50 I saved towards supporting tools like screwdrivers or pliers to round out his tool inventory.

No matter how responsible he is, he’s only nine, and will lose fifteen percent of those tools by the time he leaves the house.

 

[demarpaint]

After a recent warranty experience, replacing a socket I'd go with Tekton w/o hesitation. I own tools from both companies and Tekton CS is excellent, and their tools are a great value for the money.

 

[haveissues]

I wish you could buy 3/8 sets without rails from tekton. I know what is going to happen-I'm going to feel bad about throwing them out so they will kick around for a few years until I get tired of looking at them and throwing them out anyway.

 

[bubinga]

After a recent warranty experience, replacing a socket I'd go with Tekton w/o hesitation. I own tools from both companies and Tekton CS is excellent, and their tools are a great value for the money.

Are you talking about a recent experience with gear wrench?
Yes I'm waiting over a month for a 10 mm extra long double box ratcheting wrench.
First they told me like January 11th now they're telling me the end of January. Awful warranty replacement.

 

[demarpaint]

Are you talking about a recent experience with gear wrench?
Yes I'm waiting over a month for a 10 mm extra long double box ratcheting wrench.
First they told me like January 11th now they're telling me the end of January. Awful warranty replacement.

I was referring to Tekton CS, which was fantastic.

 

[bubinga]

I was referring to Tekton CS, which was fantastic.

Oh okay I got you I thought you meant a bad experience ( with gear wrench)
My experience with gear wrench warranty is less than ideal
I'm glad I don't need these professionally anymore.
Yes, tekton customer service has been excellent to me.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I like the GW 84T or 90T ratchets better than the Tekton ratchets. I like the Tekton sockets better than the GW. I'd go with the Tekton set and then later add a longer handle locking flex head from GW.

 

[Robinson1]

I always recommend the Williams 50666 set.

Similiar to Blue Point
Nice chrome
Compact case
SAE & Metric
No skips
Includes a 6 inch extension
And a pretty nice ratchet

Ive been using mine for years

Prices are all over the board. But average around $130.

 

[Kent_B]

Do you shop at Costco? They have a big DeWalt set (with wrenches) for $100, and a smaller socket set for $30.

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Our local Meijer stores used to have a Tekton isle. From years of playing with their tools, I think Tekton is over priced by 50% for its quality.

My local Meijer store has dispensed with Tekton in favor of Stanley junk. I'm sad.

 

[Under_Pressure]

My local Meijer store has dispensed with Tekton in favor of Stanley junk. I'm sad.

Interesting, I figured those would be long term partners given the connections they share. Both are Grand Rapids companies, and I have to figure the families/executives of both organizations run in the same circles. Heck, Peter Meijer even replaced Justin Amash (whose family owns MIT/Tekton) in the same congressional seat. Maybe Tekton's apparent move upmarket priced them out of a discount chain like Meijer.

 

[vssjim]

Wrote off Gearwrench years ago. Bought a flex head ratcheting wrench set, 10mm was defective/locked up. Tried soaking it, etc, no luck.

Called them, they wouldn't send another without me paying to ship the defective one back. I ended up buying a single wrench for the price that shipping would've been, and never bought another tool from them.

Tekton, on the other hand, will warranty with pictures emailed to them, without wanting the broken tool back.

Tekton's rewards program is nice too.

So I will support Tekton.

Those days have been over for a long time GearWrench and TEKTON both have the photo email deal for warranty and more companies are going to that all the time

 

[bubinga]

Those days have been over for a long time GearWrench and TEKTON both have the photo email deal for warranty and more companies are going to that all the time

I've been waiting for over a month for a warranty on a XL double box ratcheting 10mm wrench.
Yes, the accepted a picture, but like I said, I'm glad I don't need it for work.

 

[lardy1]

Off I go down the warranty rabbit trail. Although I don't care for Gearwrench (in general), my only warranty experience with them was stellar. One phone call. No pictures. I explained the problem I had with a ratchet and within a week a new one arrived. Not a rebuild kit. A 1/2" drive, locking flex ratchet.

Not that I disbelieve those that report poor warranty from them. Rather, to share an opposing experience.

 

[bubinga]

Off I go down the warranty rabbit trail. Although I don't care for Gearwrench (in general), my only warranty experience with them was stellar. One phone call. No pictures. I explained the problem I had with a ratchet and within a week a new one arrived. Not a rebuild kit. A 1/2" drive, locking flex ratchet.

Not that I disbelieve those that report poor warranty from them. Rather, to share an opposing experience.

how long ago was this?

 

[lardy1]

Around two years ago. I remember that the virus was in our lives because returning them to a store was part of my thinking process.

 

[59_burst]

Plenty of Gearwrench stuff and been generally happy with it, but I do break their bit sockets fairly regularly and warranty lately is about a 2 week process. Tekton has been very quick, usually a few days till the package arrives with the part.

Had these Tekton sockets for about a year and use them several times a week, often on my M12 Impact. So far all holding up well. I'm using Sunex for my 1/2" Impact and Grey Pneumatic for 3/8"

Side by side my impression is the Tekton is now slightly nicer- chrome is smoother and brighter, engraving very crisp and priced really fairly.

 

[GeoBruin]

Plenty of Gearwrench stuff and been generally happy with it, but I do break their bit sockets fairly regularly and warranty lately is about a 2 week process. Tekton has been very quick, usually a few days till the package arrives with the part.

Had these Tekton sockets for about a year and use them several times a week, often on my M12 Impact. So far all holding up well. I'm using Sunex for my 1/2" Impact and Grey Pneumatic for 3/8"

Side by side my impression is the Tekton is now slightly nicer- chrome is smoother and brighter, engraving very crisp and priced really fairly.

Quick aside... where are those socket holders from?

 

[AirMech#406]

Quick aside... where are those socket holders from?

Those are Hansen rails. Hands down the best way to organize sockets IMO. You can buy a set from harbor freight for pretty cheap.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Those days have been over for a long time GearWrench and TEKTON both have the photo email deal for warranty and more companies are going to that all the time

I still have some GW stuff, good to know, thanks.

 

[vssjim]

https://www.gearwrench.com/warranty-replacement-form there is a line to upload a receipt but I have never done that and it still goes through no problem but i do send a photo

 

[Mgdoug3]

I had to warranty a GW 10mm ratchet wrench the first time I ever used it. I called customer service and the person I talked to wanted me to mail it in. I finally convinced them that if I had to mail it on my dime I might as well just go buy a replacement. She eventually just sent me a wrench.

Another time though on a 120xp ratchet the snap ring was loose and spinning inside the housing. Didn't really affect the ratchet but it was bothering me. I told the guy I just needed the snap ring and he said he couldn't do that but will send an entire rebuild kit instead.

I think warranty experiences with GW depends on who you talk to.

 

[Steve_P]

Tekton is great quality for the $, I think 99% of us agree on that. But what I really love is that if I lose a 10 mm socket today, I can order one for a few $ on their site, free shipping, and if it's in stock it will be at my house in ~3 days. I haven't needed to do this, but this is great IMO.

 

[seber]

I haven't used either but I avoid China made tools (Gearwrench) for the same reason I avoid India. They are capable of good products but seldom do it.