Comparing GearWrench sockets to other brands (PICS)

SMKS · Jul 14, 2010

I just bought a set of 1/2 drive GearWrench sockets off ebay. For $23 I got a 13 piece, shallow 6-point set. In fact, here's a link. GearWrench sockets.

I have a lot of mixed sockets from other brands, so I decided to compare a few to the GearWrench sockets. The GearWrench sockets are brand new, so it will be tough to compare the chrome quality.

Here we have left to right:
Proto Professional, Blackhawk USA, GearWrench, Williams USA, Craftsman which is about 12 years old.

Left to right:
Wright, Craftsman, Husky USA, GearWrench.

Kev442 · Jul 14, 2010

I'm a six point guy, so the Gearwrench looks good. That Williams 12 point is what I want in sockets too, a nice thin socket without the big ring of metal at the top. In that the Gearwrench falls flat, it looks like it needs 1/8" before it even contacts the bolt.

Merkava_4 · Jul 14, 2010

That GearWrench has a really deep chamfer - Very ****.

Hiball · Jul 14, 2010

Merkava_4 said:
That GearWrench has a really deep chamfer; very ****.

You are so Weird Dude... LOL .. BTW i never asked any of you CA guys, But do any of you know where Calistoga CA Is? My Great Uncle has a Bar there and im gonna be out there next year to do some Sturgeon fishing. So I have access to a Bar, Fishing... Sounds like a Good time if anyone is interested. Maybe we could Kidnap Merk and force him to watch us run his tools over a grinding wheel. :bounce:

TheGrooveking · Jul 14, 2010

Hiball said:
Maybe we could Kidnap Merk and force him to watch us run his tools over a grinding wheel.

When I was 19 I working at a company and buying Matco tools. Well another maintenance guy and I got into an argument, so later in the day I am walking up to the maintenance shop and I see thru the windows in the double doors to maintenance a bunch of sparks flying. So I think someone is grinding something, but as soon as I open the door I see that same guy kneeling down with my impact wrench in his hand with my Matco 3/4" impact socket on it and he is revving the impact to full speed, then lowers it to the floor sending sparks all over the place. I looked down and asked is that mine? He smirked and said yep" and proceeded to do it again :shocking:

I then kicked him square in the side with my size 13 steel toe boot as hard as I could :thumbup:

He rolled on the floor for about 5 minutes and later the boss sent him to the clinic/hospital to find out he had two broken ribs.

To his credit he never ratted me out.

TheGrooveking

george4 · Jul 14, 2010

Hiball said:
BTW i never asked any of you CA guys, But do any of you know where Calistoga CA Is? My Great Uncle has a Bar there and im gonna be out there next year to do some Sturgeon fishing. So I have access to a Bar, Fishing... .

I live a few miles away, it is at the North end of Napa Valley, great wine country, northern California. Calistoga is, well known for its geysers and mud baths. What is the name of the bar, I have probably been in it. Sturgeon fishing in the north bay (nearest to Napa) is slow but they catch a few.

Hiball · Jul 14, 2010

george4 said:
I live a few miles away, it is at the North end of Napa Valley, great wine country, northern California. Calistoga is, well known for its geysers and mud baths. What is the name of the bar, I have probably been in it. Sturgeon fishing in the north bay (nearest to Napa) is slow but they catch a few.

I believe there are only like 2 bars in the town, His bar name is Suzies and its been there forever. Im not sure what bay i was in 7 years ago, We hooked some nice sturgeon but they where either to big or to small.

boybacon · Jul 14, 2010

Merkava_4 said:
That GearWrench has a really deep chamfer - Very ****.

I work a lot with shallow alloy caps and fasteners, and let me tell ya', deep chamfers are NOT my friend. I take my sockets to a machine shop and have that chamfer removed. I have a wonderful Armstrong 6 point 26mm socket that I had machined and in the end it cost me around $30.00 for that socket, but NOBODY makes a socket without a chamfer, so I'm pretty much stuck having my sockets in certain sizes modified like that.

Indy_500 · Jul 14, 2010

boybacon said:
I work a lot with shallow alloy caps and fasteners, and let me tell ya', deep chamfers are NOT my friend. I take my sockets to a machine shop and have that chamfer removed. I have a wonderful Armstrong 6 point 26mm socket that I had machined and in the end it cost me around $30.00 for that socket, but NOBODY makes a socket without a chamfer, so I'm pretty much stuck having my sockets in certain sizes modified like that.

Or you could take a bench grinder to it :bounce:

iandh · Jul 14, 2010

boybacon said:
I work a lot with shallow alloy caps and fasteners, and let me tell ya', deep chamfers are NOT my friend. I take my sockets to a machine shop and have that chamfer removed. I have a wonderful Armstrong 6 point 26mm socket that I had machined and in the end it cost me around $30.00 for that socket, but NOBODY makes a socket without a chamfer, so I'm pretty much stuck having my sockets in certain sizes modified like that.

Next time you need a socket machined LMK... I'll do it for five bucks on my lathe.

superautobacs · Jul 14, 2010

When I look for new sockets, I stay far away from deep chamfered sockets. That Gearwrench socket looks to be grossly chamfered.

Fedwrench · Jul 15, 2010

I'm not being picky but, you really need to compare 6 point to other 6 point sockets to get a real comparison. :beer:

Stick Figure · Jul 15, 2010

iandh said:
Next time you need a socket machined LMK... I'll do it for five bucks on my lathe.

thats what i was thinking. if you really have that many sockets in need, even a small bench top lathe would be good enough to cut down sockets. you should be able to make one up pretty reasonable.

maybe i'll make a mid sized set of craftsmen sockets with the next set i get.

Comparing GearWrench sockets to other brands (PICS)

SMKS

Well-known member

Kev442

Well-known member

Merkava_4

Banned

Hiball

Well-known member

TheGrooveking

Well-known member

george4

Well-known member

Hiball

Well-known member

boybacon

Well-known member

Indy_500

Well-known member

iandh

Banned

superautobacs

Well-known member

Fedwrench

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Stick Figure

Well-known member