Looks like the users typed in the quote box and somehow screwed up the quotes... If it continues happening please let me know, but I think this was just a typo of sorts.
Tekton vs Sunex vs other
- Thread starter TheMadMech
- Start date
Looks like the users typed in the quote box and somehow screwed up the quotes... If it continues happening please let me know, but I think this was just a typo of sorts.
Final test of quoting just to make sure.
The only Sunex sockets I have are a set of square impact pipe plug ones. These have sharp square corners (stress risers) and very thin walls at the corners. I think the design is poor and I broke the only one I used the first time. Warranty was painless though.
no it was/is forum error as same fault on various quoted replies on page 3 or 4
Post 50 is where it broke, then the malformed XML kept getting copied in subsequent quotes.
One of many funny posts was #75 where I quoted M6erfan and when I posted it shows that I quoted myself when it was his post I quoted. You test seamed to work normal but us regular members are getting mumbo jumbo. Thanks for promptly taking a look at the issue. Colin
Looks like same set from a US vendor:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/35pcs-1-2-...871&pg=2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851
^^^Made in China.
Still looking for those inexpensive, good quality, made in Taiwan sets, avail in the U.S., with the features everyone talks about, but no-one can point to...
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Handyandy23
Well-known member
Agreed, seems kind of silly that so many posters are touting "Japan style" (whatever the heck that is) made in Taiwan impact sockets and seem to have very specific details in their heads about pricing and features, but can't post a simple link to them.
I can get a set of Tekton 1/2" metric deep impact sockets on Amazon for $62 CAD. Sunex for the equivalent set is $97. There is a set from "Casoman" for $55 that is made in China, and a couple other mystery sets that are Made in China and in the mid-$50 range.
Are you really going to go with some Made in China no-name brand over Tekton made in Taiwan with full lifetime warranty over the difference of less than $10? Seems counter intuitive to me.
Also FWIW I think impact sockets are built so heavy that there's little advantage to be found in any of them. Most of the mine are Mastercraft Maximum that have a lot of use on them, some wallowing in the drive, but have never broken one. I have a set of Tekton in 3/8" drive that work well. I have a couple Sunex to fill in for ones I lost that also seem to be fine. All in all I've never broken a single impact socket. So I don't think this whole discussion needs to boil down to rocket science. Buy Tekton or Sunex or whatever halfways-decent Taiwan-or-better brand you want because you're unlikely to have issues.
Totally agree. The only drawback on the Tekton sockets for me is that they aren't roll stamped... but a few minutes with a dremel would take care of that.
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I don't know about Japan style and have no qualms against Sunex Impacts, but I stand by my belief that Tekton's are incredibly basic. I'm personally using mostly GP but own a set of HFs and they're really nice too. I think Tekton does many tools well, and Impact sockets aren't one of them (yet) and as you note impact sockets are pretty beefy so warranty on an impact socket is whatever, most will rattle away for years. Here's a bunch of sockets that are "nicer" than Tektons in one way or another.
https://www.harborfreight.com/13-pc-12-in-drive-metric-impact-socket-set-67902.html
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UM68JVO/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TGFPPG4/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KS6JJM6/?tag=atomicindus08-20
**** even Husky impacts look decent
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1...6qse1YN7ridwe8poiKhoCVRUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
In this day and age almost everything available US if want .
look for japan style or laser on amazon or ebay .
They won't be us shipped and shipping about 20-25bucks when I done 2 sets on amazon that tool dealer didn't have.
I have independent tool dealer who does them under japan style branding in blue moulded box sets, he does quite a bit toptul and premier tools and all from taiwan oems . Some of premier items is same tool/same oem as facom usag
As for that DONGTE china set, I probably take that over tekton for home use scenario, design nice and usable enough and wait for a ebay coupon and they a value try .
Tekton do some okay stuff but impacts not great for the price unless a potential of life warranty important to you .
look for japan style or laser on amazon or ebay .
They won't be us shipped and shipping about 20-25bucks when I done 2 sets on amazon that tool dealer didn't have.
I have independent tool dealer who does them under japan style branding in blue moulded box sets, he does quite a bit toptul and premier tools and all from taiwan oems . Some of premier items is same tool/same oem as facom usag
As for that DONGTE china set, I probably take that over tekton for home use scenario, design nice and usable enough and wait for a ebay coupon and they a value try .
Tekton do some okay stuff but impacts not great for the price unless a potential of life warranty important to you .
That's kind of the problem with these threads. Everyone gives an opinion but few have actually used the tools they are suggesting. They go on looks...
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I've used if not own something from most listed beside gp and dongte .
If you got features you like then looks play a role, how well they work takes some time in use, tekton hold up okay but tapered nose and no shouldered bodies catch you out many times on space and after using sockets with ring grooves and drive end shouldering which when handling/pulling sockets off drive anvil many times in a day becomes a huge ergonomic advantage you look for these features you find useful. all peoples priorities are different, many won't buy online or fussy over life warranty . I'm happy buy online from japan and europe and not concerned on life warranty on basic hand tools that cost effective self warranty .
If you got features you like then looks play a role, how well they work takes some time in use, tekton hold up okay but tapered nose and no shouldered bodies catch you out many times on space and after using sockets with ring grooves and drive end shouldering which when handling/pulling sockets off drive anvil many times in a day becomes a huge ergonomic advantage you look for these features you find useful. all peoples priorities are different, many won't buy online or fussy over life warranty . I'm happy buy online from japan and europe and not concerned on life warranty on basic hand tools that cost effective self warranty .
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kythri
Well-known member
No, you made the claim, you supply links.
I own or owned impact sockets from every company mentioned, Tekton, Sunex, GP, Pittsburgh Pro, GearWrench, Genius Tools, Craftsman and Craftsman Evolve and have used Snap On and SK at work while working under various mechanics. Irregardless, you don't have to own a socket to know if it has features of importance to you, same way you don't need to own a car to read the brochure and determine if it has better features than its competitor
I've successfully used (from L to R) Tekton, Proto, Armstrong, Snap on, Craftsman USA, Wright, Truecraft (Japan), SK and Pittsburgh (Plus a few others). Most don't have the features being discussed here (including SO) and yet I've managed to get the job done.
That's just my experience from actual use... but feel free to go with your photo analysis method.
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That's just my experience from actual use... but feel free to go with your photo analysis method.
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Empty Pockets
Well-known member
I have a 1/4" set of Sunex magnetic impact sockets (#1818). While not my "go to" 1/4" set, they come in handy when I am likely to drop a fastener. I'm well pleased with them.
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Uh, are you confused or being disingenuous? Or both? Nobody said Tekton sockets wouldn't get the job done. I've used them too with little complaint.
Yet just because they get the job done doesn't mean they're good. Just because the boots on my feet can keep water off of them, if they're uncomfortable and cause blisters and the leather falls apart after a month, it makes them ****** boots, right? Yet if the definition of boot is "a fitted covering (as of leather or rubber) for the foot that usually reaches above the ankle" and it keeps ones feet dry, by your definition they've got the "job" done and are a great product. I'm sure you'd line up to buy these ****** boots if we continue on with your reasoning.
On to being disingenuous...you're aware most manufacturers wouldn't neck down those sockets due to most of them being large, right? Is that why you picked them? Snap On, Wright, and SK all neck down their sockets. I don't know my socket history but I'm assuming yours are old are you picked sizes that are not necked down purposely. Think they call that arguing in bad faith
https://shop.snapon.com/product/311IMYA
https://shop.snapon.com/product/315SIMMYA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00279RDOI/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRB84/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Better question, lets say a guy here needs another set of impact sockets. Why should said guy buy Tektons impact sockets when there are equivalents that are at least stamped and necked down, for similar price? Do you think companies are adding "features" to their sockets for fun, or because there's actually reasons and logic behind them? You see the logic in stamping them because you yourself wished that your Tekton where stamped (which btw every other socket in your image managed to do) so why not push someone to a socket that has more and better "features"?
Lisamelting
Well-known member
I have impact sockets from both Tekton and Sunex. I use them both every day, have never broken one and I would suggest purchasing based on price and availability.
Lisamelting
Well-known member
What's a Japanese style socket?
jimmyin3D
Banned
I would skip the Tekton Impact sockets. They still use Cr-V for their sockets while every other manufacturer uses Cr-Mo. Tekton does use Cr-Mo but only in their 3/4in and 1in drive sockets. I ended up returning the set I got because of how clunky and oversized there sockets were, the HF Pittsburgh Pro are a much better alternative(the only drawback to the HF is they skip sizes)
Sunex supplies a huge variety of Impact sockets and even supplies Matco’s ADV line. They make strong thin walled sockets for a very affordable price. And warranty is great. But like everyone has said, there are a couple of different manufacturers that make similar quality and price to them including Gearwrench and GP.
Sunex supplies a huge variety of Impact sockets and even supplies Matco’s ADV line. They make strong thin walled sockets for a very affordable price. And warranty is great. But like everyone has said, there are a couple of different manufacturers that make similar quality and price to them including Gearwrench and GP.
Here's a Japanese Ko-ken socket...
They are necked down (or shouldered) with the ring and pin hole at the base. Typically euro and Japan sockets have these features, vs. the 'straight wall' American style sockets.
Snap-on 17mm...
German 17mm Hazet socket...
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Uh, are you confused or being disingenuous? Or both? Nobody said Tekton sockets wouldn't get the job done. I've used them too with little complaint.
Yet just because they get the job done doesn't mean they're good. Just because the boots on my feet can keep water off of them, if they're uncomfortable and cause blisters and the leather falls apart after a month, it makes them ****** boots, right? Yet if the definition of boot is "a fitted covering (as of leather or rubber) for the foot that usually reaches above the ankle" and it keeps ones feet dry, by your definition they've got the "job" done and are a great product. I'm sure you'd line up to buy these ****** boots if we continue on with your reasoning.
On to being disingenuous...you're aware most manufacturers wouldn't neck down those sockets due to most of them being large, right? Is that why you picked them? Snap On, Wright, and SK all neck down their sockets. I don't know my socket history but I'm assuming yours are old are you picked sizes that are not necked down purposely. Think they call that arguing in bad faith
https://shop.snapon.com/product/311IMYA
https://shop.snapon.com/product/315SIMMYA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00279RDOI/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRB84/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Better question, lets say a guy here needs another set of impact sockets. Why should said guy buy Tektons impact sockets when there are equivalents that are at least stamped and necked down, for similar price? Do you think companies are adding "features" to their sockets for fun, or because there's actually reasons and logic behind them? You see the logic in stamping them because you yourself wished that your Tekton where stamped (which btw every other socket in your image managed to do) so why not push someone to a socket that has more and better "features"?
Not confused at all. The OP said he was looking for a cheaper alternative for additional locations. If he were looking for his primary set of tools my suggestions might be different.
Not trying to argue in bad faith either. My picture was to illustrate that I actually have first hand knowledge of the sockets I'm speaking to. I picked random sized sockets out of my drawer. The Proto, Craftsman and Pittsburgh all have tapered necks. The SK 3/8 semi-deep and Pittsburgh Pro are necked down. Never had a single clearance issue with any. And yes most are old with years of service to their credit.
Pittsburgh Pro (not originally pictured) are not stamped along with the Tekton... but I found a simple solution.
My SO sockets don't have a retainer ring groove or a beveled drive end... features that were discussed before.
Some have shallow broaching and some deeper, some have thin walls and some have thick, and on and on. These are preferences. What I find good you may find bad.
My post was for the benefit of the OP, not you. You can ignore everything I say and purchase the superior Chinese eBay sockets... it won't hurt my feelings.
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KBigg
Well-known member
I dont think you can go wrong with either sunnex or tekton. All of my standard impact sockets have been tekton for years now and I have gotten every penny's worth plus tax out of them with zero issues other than the etching wore off the 13mm and 15mm. I would recommend them any day. I cant speak for sunnex standard impacts but the swivels have been holding up great as have the astro set I just got.
Most of the funnel sockets are quite small and pretty useless anyway. I can't envision any circumstance where I would choose a 8mm 1/2" impact for a m5 bolt unless I intended to break it off.
Maybe if I were to buy only impact sockets.
WittHay
Well-known member
I have never seen a Tekton or Sunex impact so I have no idea how they compare to a dozen other brands that are more readily available around here.
For industrial type use, the heavier a 1/2 drive impact the better. 3/4 drive sockets are quite similar among brands. 1/2 drive there is a big difference.
The industrial standard is a Snap-on, Proto, Gray type impact. Heavier walled and longer than the import brand type 1/2 drive impacts.
A Japan style impact like these Westwards have a O-ring groove, heavy walled CRV construction, usually longer than the equivalent CM type. The finish is a lot better than the import CM types that rust easy.
The first 2 pictures are Japanese style industrial Westward CRV impact sockets and the last is a thinner walled Jet CM impacts good for basic automotive use.
Westward
Jet
For industrial type use, the heavier a 1/2 drive impact the better. 3/4 drive sockets are quite similar among brands. 1/2 drive there is a big difference.
The industrial standard is a Snap-on, Proto, Gray type impact. Heavier walled and longer than the import brand type 1/2 drive impacts.
A Japan style impact like these Westwards have a O-ring groove, heavy walled CRV construction, usually longer than the equivalent CM type. The finish is a lot better than the import CM types that rust easy.
The first 2 pictures are Japanese style industrial Westward CRV impact sockets and the last is a thinner walled Jet CM impacts good for basic automotive use.
Westward
Jet
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WittHay
Well-known member
Regarding Japanese style impact sockets, the only brand I have every seen was Westward imported by Acklands-Grainger and sold through Acklands and local parts and industrial places.
Years ago the Westwards were rebranded Kokens and later they were Taiwan made. Acklands in the last couple of years has shut down retail outlets and has standardized their tools more with its American parent company Grainger.
The Japanese style Westward impacts are no longer available. If somebody know of a similar brand that is available in Canada I would buy some replacements for missing sockets. Mac has a Expert brand that is similar style but not sure the length and how heavy walled they are
Years ago the Westwards were rebranded Kokens and later they were Taiwan made. Acklands in the last couple of years has shut down retail outlets and has standardized their tools more with its American parent company Grainger.
The Japanese style Westward impacts are no longer available. If somebody know of a similar brand that is available in Canada I would buy some replacements for missing sockets. Mac has a Expert brand that is similar style but not sure the length and how heavy walled they are
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Handyandy23
Well-known member
I have mostly Mastercraft Maximum (Canadian Tire house brand) and Tekton impacts, but also a few Kobalt and Sunex to fill in some gaps / missing sockets. So figured I'd take a few pictures for comparison to try and see what these "features" are that people are talking about.
First picture shows Mastercraft - Kobalt - Sunex - Tekton left to right, the Sunex and Tekton are 3/8" drive and the other two are 1/2" drive. All have laser etched sizes on them. I have also oriented them for the picture squared up to their drives, so how they sit on a socket rail. Note that the Tekton and Kobalt sockets the size etching is pretty much perfectly straight on. I can attest the whole Tekton set has all of the etching and size markings perfectly centered around the drive so all the sizes are pointing out on the rail. The Kobalt has a small amount of variation, but nothing gross.
I also only have a few of those so can't come to a solid conclusion.
The Mastercraft is a little off-center but still very visible. Throughout the sets the etching 'walks' off-center here and there, but none are horrible. I can see them all on the rail, the etching is large, and even with significant use only a couple are worn to a point that it makes it more difficult to read.
The Sunex is the most disappointing by far. The laser etching is way off-center from the drive end and the size is almost illegible on a socket rail. The etching is also microscopic compared to the other three brands. Not impressed at all.
View media item 95212
On the plus side, the Sunex is the only one of the four that has the sizing stamped on it. Again though, like the laser etching, it's very small. I'm not sure why the sizing has to be so small on them - you have to think it's not that much more effort to make them a normal size. I'm also still young-ish and have decent eyes, and I feel like half the people I know over 50 would need reading glasses to see these markings.
Kobalt has some kind of product number stamped into it but not the size, which seems like kind of a waste as well. If you're already stamping numbers you'd think they could have added a couple more digits. The processing is already there.
View media item 95215
Looking next at the business end of the sockets, all four have off-corner engagement as a "standard feature". All four have tapers to help guide the socket onto the bolt head. The Sunex has an advantage here in thickness as it's noticeably a bit thinner, and the Mastercraft is noticeably a bit thicker.
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Finally, the drive ends - and sorry for the picture being flipped. Now the Mastercraft is on the right and Tekton on the left. You can see three of the four look very similar. They have a tapered lead-in to the drive, and off-corner engagement. The Mastercraft is getting a bit wallowed, but it has also been much more heavily used.
The Sunex is the biggest disappointment with no lead-in / taper whatsoever. In fact, the edges of the drive are kind of rough and raised, like the machining process to make the hole was done from the inside-out, and left raised edges around the drive that weren't ground smooth or cleaned up. This is the only Sunex impact socket I have currently, but I can say it's a real PITA to get onto the anvil in comparison with all the others. The lack of taper and raised edges require you to put the gun pointing up on a table or in between your legs and you to visually line it up to install. It also has the hardest corners of all the drives, so little relief in terms of binding on the corners during install.
View media item 95213
Also of note, all four have pin release holes. The Tekton is marked CR-V, the Sunex is marked CR-MO, and the other two are unmarked, but I assume they are CR-V by the looks of them. People can argue the supposed merits of CR-MO but the difference in material between them is pretty negligible to me, and like I said in an earlier post, I've never broken one from any of these brands.
Not included in the pictures, but both the Mastercraft and Tekton are tapered on the smallest sizes. I don't have any Sunex that would require it, but from pictures it looks like they are necked down.
So I'm curious to hear from some of the Sunex fans, like Yarpo, why they think they are such good value? I bought this single 21mm 3/8" drive Sunex to give them a try since everyone seems to talk so positively about them, but so far I don't see it. The drive end is so crude it almost looks home made. The etching is so far off-center I can't even read it in my tray, and both the etching and stamping is microscopic. The only positive I can give them is they are thinner, but that's never been a big concern for me with impacts. I can't say I can ever remember trying to stick one of those fat Mastercraft sockets into a hole that was slightly too small to the point the Sunex would have fit. And the tapered sockets are such small sizes I don't know if I've ever used them more than a couple times. And if clearance on a particular bolt is such an issue, I'd probably just slap a chrome socket on it and cross my fingers.
Overall I'm happiest with the Tekton's out of the group I think, although the Mastercraft's have been great and don't owe me anything at this point. Tekton were the least expensive, the laser etching is dead on every one, and they have a nice blend of having OK size and all the 'normal' features like off-corner engagement and lead-ins at both ends.
First picture shows Mastercraft - Kobalt - Sunex - Tekton left to right, the Sunex and Tekton are 3/8" drive and the other two are 1/2" drive. All have laser etched sizes on them. I have also oriented them for the picture squared up to their drives, so how they sit on a socket rail. Note that the Tekton and Kobalt sockets the size etching is pretty much perfectly straight on. I can attest the whole Tekton set has all of the etching and size markings perfectly centered around the drive so all the sizes are pointing out on the rail. The Kobalt has a small amount of variation, but nothing gross.
I also only have a few of those so can't come to a solid conclusion.
The Mastercraft is a little off-center but still very visible. Throughout the sets the etching 'walks' off-center here and there, but none are horrible. I can see them all on the rail, the etching is large, and even with significant use only a couple are worn to a point that it makes it more difficult to read.
The Sunex is the most disappointing by far. The laser etching is way off-center from the drive end and the size is almost illegible on a socket rail. The etching is also microscopic compared to the other three brands. Not impressed at all.
View media item 95212
On the plus side, the Sunex is the only one of the four that has the sizing stamped on it. Again though, like the laser etching, it's very small. I'm not sure why the sizing has to be so small on them - you have to think it's not that much more effort to make them a normal size. I'm also still young-ish and have decent eyes, and I feel like half the people I know over 50 would need reading glasses to see these markings.
Kobalt has some kind of product number stamped into it but not the size, which seems like kind of a waste as well. If you're already stamping numbers you'd think they could have added a couple more digits. The processing is already there.
View media item 95215
Looking next at the business end of the sockets, all four have off-corner engagement as a "standard feature". All four have tapers to help guide the socket onto the bolt head. The Sunex has an advantage here in thickness as it's noticeably a bit thinner, and the Mastercraft is noticeably a bit thicker.
View media item 95214
Finally, the drive ends - and sorry for the picture being flipped. Now the Mastercraft is on the right and Tekton on the left. You can see three of the four look very similar. They have a tapered lead-in to the drive, and off-corner engagement. The Mastercraft is getting a bit wallowed, but it has also been much more heavily used.
The Sunex is the biggest disappointment with no lead-in / taper whatsoever. In fact, the edges of the drive are kind of rough and raised, like the machining process to make the hole was done from the inside-out, and left raised edges around the drive that weren't ground smooth or cleaned up. This is the only Sunex impact socket I have currently, but I can say it's a real PITA to get onto the anvil in comparison with all the others. The lack of taper and raised edges require you to put the gun pointing up on a table or in between your legs and you to visually line it up to install. It also has the hardest corners of all the drives, so little relief in terms of binding on the corners during install.
View media item 95213
Also of note, all four have pin release holes. The Tekton is marked CR-V, the Sunex is marked CR-MO, and the other two are unmarked, but I assume they are CR-V by the looks of them. People can argue the supposed merits of CR-MO but the difference in material between them is pretty negligible to me, and like I said in an earlier post, I've never broken one from any of these brands.
Not included in the pictures, but both the Mastercraft and Tekton are tapered on the smallest sizes. I don't have any Sunex that would require it, but from pictures it looks like they are necked down.
So I'm curious to hear from some of the Sunex fans, like Yarpo, why they think they are such good value? I bought this single 21mm 3/8" drive Sunex to give them a try since everyone seems to talk so positively about them, but so far I don't see it. The drive end is so crude it almost looks home made. The etching is so far off-center I can't even read it in my tray, and both the etching and stamping is microscopic. The only positive I can give them is they are thinner, but that's never been a big concern for me with impacts. I can't say I can ever remember trying to stick one of those fat Mastercraft sockets into a hole that was slightly too small to the point the Sunex would have fit. And the tapered sockets are such small sizes I don't know if I've ever used them more than a couple times. And if clearance on a particular bolt is such an issue, I'd probably just slap a chrome socket on it and cross my fingers.
Overall I'm happiest with the Tekton's out of the group I think, although the Mastercraft's have been great and don't owe me anything at this point. Tekton were the least expensive, the laser etching is dead on every one, and they have a nice blend of having OK size and all the 'normal' features like off-corner engagement and lead-ins at both ends.
Here's a link to some King Tony branded illusive 'made in Taiwan' impact sockets with good design features.
Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/323123756691
I don't care what anyone buys as far as tools go, its just funny how some will defend a bad choice with such passion. I thought tool discussion would be better received as we can all learn and improve our tool choice options. If you haven't broken a sunnex socket in x amount of years that's great, but the same could basically be said about any tool on earth. Don't get upset if your happy with what you have, life is too short. We are talking about little pieces of metal.
Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/323123756691
I don't care what anyone buys as far as tools go, its just funny how some will defend a bad choice with such passion. I thought tool discussion would be better received as we can all learn and improve our tool choice options. If you haven't broken a sunnex socket in x amount of years that's great, but the same could basically be said about any tool on earth. Don't get upset if your happy with what you have, life is too short. We are talking about little pieces of metal.
They're allusive in the U.S. Again, you post a link to something that doesn't ship to the U.S.
No-one is disagreeing that those type of sockets are more easily available in other parts of the world...
Nice looking sockets though
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I bought my Sunex 2646 deep metric set about 4 years ago. They actually have zero features I look for in a socket, but I got them for less than $100 and they work fine. I don't use 1/2" impacts very often and actually use them more as seal drivers than for removing fasteners. If at the time I could have found a full deep socket set in that price range with all the features I wanted I would have been all over them.
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Handyandy23
Well-known member
I have no desire to "defend a bad choice" because I'm perfectly happy with my sockets, and will likely never need to buy full sets of impact sockets again. The ones I do own are cheap and they work, so I chalk them up as good value.
However you've said a few times now that there are better sockets with better design features out there for cheaper, but have failed to really go into detail on what those "better" features are, or provide cheaper options that are better.
That eBay link you posted, let's just ignore for now that they don't ship to North America. The price is $116 USD, and they look like a nice quality set. But then this Sunex set below is $71 USD on Amazon, ships free in a day, and is basically the same array of sockets (27 pcs vs 26 pcs):
https://www.amazon.com/Sunex-2645-26-Piece-10mm-36mm-Storage/dp/B002MW9UW8/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3A9CAOXYR17TM&keywords=1%2F2+metric+impact+socket+set&qid=1564585296&s=gateway&sprefix=1%2F2+metric+im%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-4
What features do those King Tony's have that makes them worth $45 more to me than the Sunex set that is much easier to get?
You can also get a Tekton set like the one below that is quite a bit smaller, but covers every 'standard' size up to 32mm for $32 USD:
https://www.tekton.com/1-2-inch-drive-6-point-impact-socket-sets
I fail to see the great value in these King Tony's that you're touting. Maybe in Australia the Sunex are more money, and this is more a regional thing? Not sure, but I see zero reason to buy 'no name' Taiwan sockets that cost more than Sunex or Tekton, who in turn actually provide some warranty / after sales CS.
And to be clear, I'm not just trying to pump Sunex or Tekton or any particular brand - could be even local store brands. But there are a lot of options out there that are cheaper than the examples of "best value" sockets you've found so far.
It's almost silly at this point. The elusive perfect Taiwan impact socket that are being given away at next to nothing obviously doesn't exist.
You guys posting EBay AUS listings are located on the USA. How did you get your sockets? Lol
The obvious simple solution would be to post a pic of your sockets and a link to purchase them but no one can do that so let's ignore it and move on.
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You guys posting EBay AUS listings are located on the USA. How did you get your sockets? Lol
The obvious simple solution would be to post a pic of your sockets and a link to purchase them but no one can do that so let's ignore it and move on.
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
kythri
Well-known member
My response, as a current Sunex user (previous impact collection was all over the place, but a mostly a mix of Craftsman (Armstrong), Stanley, HF (Earthquake and Pittsburgh/Pittsburgh Pro, with a couple of one-offs here and there)).
For me, I don't give a rat's *** about laser etching. It's a surface treatment that wears off. Chuck up a socket, wrap it in steel wool, and run your gun. Congrats, you just erased your socket markings.
One of the key reasons why I chose Sunex when I decided to "upgrade" my impacts.
I've got ****** eyesight, and I really don't have a problem reading these.
And, again, apparently, they're one of the few manufacturers of affordable impacts that stamp their sockets, instead of relying on easy-wear laser etching ****.
I don't know what to say, other than, this really isn't an issue for me, or anyone that has ever used my shop and tools.
Honestly, given my experisnce with these sockets, this just seems like a prissy complaint about appearance, and more along the lines of looking for an issue, than an actual, credible issue.
So, when I made my purchase decision, cost was a factor. This is why bigger name brands weren't considered.
As already mentioned, stamping on the sockets was a huge driver. That eliminates a lot of contenders.
Other elimination criteria was brand status (i.e. house brand, or open market brand?) and general US availability.
For me, this eliminates brands like Mastercraft, Craftsman, Husky, etc.
Availability is also another consideration - both online and local. This is part of what eliminates the (idiotically branded) Toptul, amongst others. When only a couple three entities distribute a brand, that's not really wide availability.
Further, I wanted CrMo sockets, not CrV. Understand, I've owned a number of CrV impacts, and they never failed to do what there were supposed to do, they never broke. I passed down my mishmash collection to my dad, who continues to use them in his shop without issue. My opinion is CrMo is "better" and while I could probably have lived the rest of my life never having an issue with CrV, I wanted CrMo.
Finally, there's overall quality, which can be judged both from both direct use experience, and user reviews.
Really, my choices came down to Sunex or Grey Pneumatic, and Grey got eliminated - partly because I couldn't confirm they were stamped or not, but their warranty is ******. Grey plays the "only authorized dealers" game, and they're not cost competitive from most of those authorized dealers.
Sunex has a ton of stocking dealers, including entities near me. Amazon directly stocks most of what Sunex carries, instead of only sketchy 3rd-party sellers.
For me, I don't give a rat's *** about laser etching. It's a surface treatment that wears off. Chuck up a socket, wrap it in steel wool, and run your gun. Congrats, you just erased your socket markings.
One of the key reasons why I chose Sunex when I decided to "upgrade" my impacts.
I've got ****** eyesight, and I really don't have a problem reading these.
And, again, apparently, they're one of the few manufacturers of affordable impacts that stamp their sockets, instead of relying on easy-wear laser etching ****.
I don't know what to say, other than, this really isn't an issue for me, or anyone that has ever used my shop and tools.
Honestly, given my experisnce with these sockets, this just seems like a prissy complaint about appearance, and more along the lines of looking for an issue, than an actual, credible issue.
So, when I made my purchase decision, cost was a factor. This is why bigger name brands weren't considered.
As already mentioned, stamping on the sockets was a huge driver. That eliminates a lot of contenders.
Other elimination criteria was brand status (i.e. house brand, or open market brand?) and general US availability.
For me, this eliminates brands like Mastercraft, Craftsman, Husky, etc.
Availability is also another consideration - both online and local. This is part of what eliminates the (idiotically branded) Toptul, amongst others. When only a couple three entities distribute a brand, that's not really wide availability.
Further, I wanted CrMo sockets, not CrV. Understand, I've owned a number of CrV impacts, and they never failed to do what there were supposed to do, they never broke. I passed down my mishmash collection to my dad, who continues to use them in his shop without issue. My opinion is CrMo is "better" and while I could probably have lived the rest of my life never having an issue with CrV, I wanted CrMo.
Finally, there's overall quality, which can be judged both from both direct use experience, and user reviews.
Really, my choices came down to Sunex or Grey Pneumatic, and Grey got eliminated - partly because I couldn't confirm they were stamped or not, but their warranty is ******. Grey plays the "only authorized dealers" game, and they're not cost competitive from most of those authorized dealers.
Sunex has a ton of stocking dealers, including entities near me. Amazon directly stocks most of what Sunex carries, instead of only sketchy 3rd-party sellers.
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Handyandy23
Well-known member
Fair enough, and don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Sunex is junk, but they're not my favorites. Actually my next set of impacts I buy might just end up being Sunex, because they are one of the only value brands that makes mid-length impacts.
Just to address a couple things though:
- sure the laser etching can wear off eventually, and sure you could use steel wool and a drill to grind it off if you wanted to . . . but I haven't had any issues with laser etched sockets yet. That Mastercraft set is like 15 years old and pretty heavily used, and I can still read all of the etching on them. It is a concern of mine, though, when I put the sockets on my Olsa tray and can't even read the size because it's rotated 45 degrees from the drive end.
- I can understand the desire to have stamped sizes, but it's not something that's a deal breaker for me, since like I said I've never had an issue with the etching. I wouldn't be so bothered if either the etching or stamping was larger, but the fact that both on the Sunex read like an eye test is annoying to me.
- I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on the lead-in at the drive end. For me it's not a cosmetic issue at all. It's not a major annoyance, but in a competitive marketplace it's annoying enough that I would choose something else if it had all the other features the same. The fact that every other socket I have, even the cheapest ones, have this lead-in, tells me that it's a feature other people appreciate too. Not sure why Sunex omitted it, other than saving on machining costs.
Overall I don't fault anyone for buying Sunex, but I also don't necessarily see what advantages they have over a number of other value-priced options. The noticeable advantages they do have (stamped sizes, CR-MO) are at the bottom of my list of desires, so I guess that's why I'm lower on them than some. But as I said I will probably be buying those mid length impacts at some point because that is a unique offering, I'll give them that.
KBigg
Well-known member
Cheaper sockets that do the exact same job as expensive sockets = “bad choice”... Logic.