Tools & Fabrication - Sunex Tools - Snap-on quality, 1/4 the price

Just thought I'd take a sec to share. About a year ago a mechanic buddy of mine turned me on to Sunex. I'd known of them because they've been around a while, but never paid much attention since they don't have a tool truck running in my area.

Over the past year I've been picking up some Sunex products here and there, and I'm pleased to say that some of their stuff is better than my snap on/matco/mac stuff. Their 3/8 and 1/2 swivel sockets are outstanding, and just as strong as the much more expensive competitors. They're so good in fact, that I have sold all my Snap-On impact stuff and made a nice profit even after purchasing the Sunex stuff.

Here's an example. Sunex 3/8 Impact deep well swivel sockets: $91 + shipping
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-6796-sunex-international-3660.aspx
I paid $350 from Snap on for the same set

Sunex Impact Wobble extensions (worth their weight in gold): $22+shipping
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-9487-sunex-international-3504.aspx
$120 from Snap on or Matco

And the list goes on. I've taken a year to put them to the test, and actually TRY to break a socket. So far my attempts have came up short to make a Sunex product fail. So from now on, I'll be ordering from them instead of paying for overpriced Snap-On/Matco products.

Here's their website if you want to search their inventory.
http://www.sunextools.com/

However I order stuff from www.thetoolwarehouse.net because they have great customer service, fast shipping, and cheap price.

Enjoy. :thumb:

Thanks ! Those tools look good and that wobble extension set is priced only a little more than Harbor Freight . The toolwarehouse looks great as well .

Where is their stuff made?

Thanks for the heads up on Sunex. I'll keep a eye out.

Where is their stuff made?

Geoff I'm not sure. I wasn't too concerned w/ it after abusing them for a year and trying to break something but couldn't.

My partner has been turning wrenches for 30yrs, and has probably spent 200-300K w/ Snap on but he also swears by Sunex stuff. I love my wobble deep well sockets. They're every bit as flexible as my old Snap on set, and I've tried to break them. They won't break.

most of it is made in taiwan..some of it is pretty good stuff however. those impact wobble extensions are the same ones as in the freight you can catch them there for cheaper. I have them 3/8 and 1/2. I wouldn't go as far as saying they are better than snapon/mac/matco but it is a lot of tool for the money.

most of it is made in taiwan..some of it is pretty good stuff however. those impact wobble extensions are the same ones as in the freight you can catch them there for cheaper. I have them 3/8 and 1/2. I wouldn't go as far as saying they are better than snapon/mac/matco but it is a lot of tool for the money.

Mainly what I mean by "better" is a much better value. These swivel sockets are just as flexible and just as strong as my Snap on sockets were, for about 30% of the price. That's definitely a better value if you ask me.

And don't kid yourself. Every body is going oversea's nowadays. I know my tool truck guys pretty well and have some pretty good inside info on what tool companies are doing to save money these days.

I have sunex mini rachet and bit set, very nice to get into small retarded areas, I work on school buses which have a million screws in panels and the body. But I wont sell my $$$ snapon mac or matco stuff to buy this, Maybe for my box at home. But hell the money is already spent on the good stuff and was a boatload of money. I do buy a bunch of cornwell tools and seems to be a decent price compared to snapon. But I feel anybodys pain who spends the money on a quility tool, But Hell you can buy a 25+ year mechanic tool box full that wants to get out of the game for a pretty damn fair price, Fair for you not the mechanic lucky if he gets 30cents on the dollar, 30+k in box and tools sells for $4500

Hmmmmmm, i may have to try their impact socket sets...

the reason most of us mechanics use snap-on is due to the fact that say for instance I break a tool right in the middle of a job. well if I had sunex I would have to buy a new set. However with snap-on I pick up the phone call my dealer and he rplaces it at no charge to me.

Sunnex will warranty individual tools/sockets in a set. They are a lifetime warranty tool also. Just with sunnex you have to mail it in, where as snap on will drive over and drop it off.

I use a lot of craftsman because I have a store nearby and they are very easy to warranty. Not the best made tools, especially after 1994, but they are pretty inexpensive with easy warranty access.

I have recently started to buy Allen tools. Most of their tools are made in the USA:D and they have a lifetime warranty, with cheaper than craftsman prices. Not sure how easy they warranty if you do break them.

I have a few of their socket sets. After the new year I'm going to grab a set of swivel sockets.

Mainly what I mean by "better" is a much better value. These swivel sockets are just as flexible and just as strong as my Snap on sockets were, for about 30% of the price. That's definitely a better value if you ask me.

And don't kid yourself. Every body is going oversea's nowadays. I know my tool truck guys pretty well and have some pretty good inside info on what tool companies are doing to save money these days.

I was answering the question as to where the tools are made..not kidding myself lol trust me. I've got plenty of both in my box however mainly what I use constantly is snap on.

Sunex is definately great value wise I would agree. If you look around harbor freight you will see a few of the same products that sunex sells which you can get cheaper(especially with those 20% coups). I believe the sockets and stuff packaged as "earthquake" at harbor freight are the same as sunex. Don't quote me on that I might be wrong though. Bottom line the stuff holds up great for the price

Thanks for the update I have been wanting to buy tools now I am and thanks for the link to www.thetoolwarehouse.net . I'm a member and got a list that i'm gonna order just got a 500 dollar limit and don't know which way to go......

i have some sunex tool here too. i have their air ratchet and has held up better than any other ones i have had so far. think was 75-90 bucks for it new. have been using it daily for last 3 years and will prob buy another one when this one wears out.l

Well spent about 600 bucks I was gonna buy a hood but I really need some tools for my shop that I'm gonna build in the spring .

Sunex is definately great value wise I would agree. If you look around harbor freight you will see a few of the same products that sunex sells which you can get cheaper(especially with those 20% coups). I believe the sockets and stuff packaged as "earthquake" at harbor freight are the same as sunex. Don't quote me on that I might be wrong though. Bottom line the stuff holds up great for the price

I talked to a Sunex rep yesterday and he said absolutely none of their tools are the same as what's sold @ Harbor freight.

I'm enjoying my wobble sockets, and the $200 cash I put back in my pocket after buying them and selling my Snap ons. :D

I found out about sunnex about 5 years ago and since ive only used sunnex. I agree, great price, great tool.

I have sunex mini rachet and bit set, very nice to get into small retarded areas, I work on school buses which have a million screws in panels and the body. But I wont sell my $$$ snapon mac or matco stuff to buy this, Maybe for my box at home. But hell the money is already spent on the good stuff and was a boatload of money. I do buy a bunch of cornwell tools and seems to be a decent price compared to snapon. But I feel anybodys pain who spends the money on a quility tool, But Hell you can buy a 25+ year mechanic tool box full that wants to get out of the game for a pretty damn fair price, Fair for you not the mechanic lucky if he gets 30cents on the dollar, 30+k in box and tools sells for $4500

Your math was way off... That is all. :D

Your math was way off... That is all. :D

Some get lucky some, most dont :engarde: Hope you got lucky:D

Some get lucky some, most dont :engarde: Hope you got lucky:D

No I didn't get lucky. I bought all my tools new from Snap-on November of this year. Just about 24k worth for my own personal garage :)

No I didn't get lucky. I bought all my tools new from Snap-on November of this year. Just about 24k worth for my own personal garage :)

O damn badass, I probly got 15k of snap on in my box at work which is enough for what I work on. then some cornwell,matco,a tinybit of mac, At least you bought a nice quality tool :thumb:

I figured if I make a purchase I try to only do it once. Hahaha. I hate regretting later on.

Also the funny part is I haven't even used my neumatic tools yet. Because I haven't found a compressor that I want.

Thought I'd give this a bump. Just made another good Sunex purchase I'm pretty happy with so far..FYI, Tooltopia sells these even cheaper than tool warehouse.

1/4" Impact Swivels. These things have made removing transmission easier than ever.
http://www.sunextools.com/Content/product_images/1814_large.jpg

I have the 150pc set of the Homo-Depot black chrome; I know that it is apples and oranges compared to the Snap-On and the like, but for a home tool I think they more than suffice, especially when you can go to you HD and replace them no questions asked. I will check these deep swivels out though; they are something even box needs!

On a side note, I'm surprised that we don't have a tool sponsor here; wonder if Tool Topia or Tool Warehouse, or even Sunex themselves would be interested.

DM

Thought I'd give this a bump. Just made another good Sunex purchase I'm pretty happy with so far..FYI, Tooltopia sells these even cheaper than tool warehouse.

1/4" Impact Swivels. These things have made removing transmission easier than ever.


I use my dad's snap on swivel impacts to drop my trans, they're great to have. just looked on the site and that's a great deal, I might have to pick some up.

I have the 150pc set of the Homo-Depot black chrome; I know that it is apples and oranges compared to the Snap-On and the like, but for a home tool I think they more than suffice, especially when you can go to you HD and replace them no questions asked. I will check these deep swivels out though; they are something even box needs!

On a side note, I'm surprised that we don't have a tool sponsor here; wonder if Tool Topia or Tool Warehouse, or even Sunex themselves would be interested.

DM

I've got some 15+ yr old Husky stuff that's virtually unbreakable. Unfortunately, anything manufactured by them in the last 5-6 yrs is absolute junk.

I shot Tool Topia CS department an email about sponsoring here but never heard anything back.

Swivel sockets makes like a lot easier

tools are up and down. Anything at makes your money back at a reasonable price per year point is a good deall. But qaulity wise i just traded in a 30 year old snap-on swivel impact socket for a co worker. 30 years and he finally wore it out. Everything dies at some point. Id rather have the life span than the price point. 30 years of wear and the socket is free form snapon and it a new improved swivel socket. IN the end you get what you pay for on most items

the reason most of us mechanics use snap-on is due to the fact that say for instance I break a tool right in the middle of a job. well if I had sunex I would have to buy a new set. However with snap-on I pick up the phone call my dealer and he rplaces it at no charge to me.

This is the same reason why I use Snap-On and Mac Tools. I just call up my dealer and they replace them, no questions asked. I don't have to go into a store, etc. IMO it is expensive, but you get what you pay for. If I didn't work on cars for a living maybe I'd use Harbor Freight and Sunex tools more. Not to mention as castajc82 said, you can trade in Snap-On tools. I know this is an old thread but I just felt like putting in my .02

Matt

I bought my first set of sunnex impact sockets in 2000, and 11 years later, they still are in great shape, and that is using them almost daily for 11 years now

i guess most of you guys work on automotive? there is absolutely no way i could afford to fill my service truck with snap on tools, and i make pretty decent money. i bend, cut, and manipulate tools whichever way i can to make my job faster/easier. i work on caterpillar equipment, drilling rigs, boats, etc. so i guess thats just my .02. i am gonna check these tools out.

sunnex tools are great at home- but if you use them in a shop enironment their warranty department will get on your nerves. i have snap on, matco, cornwell, sunnex, craftsman, grey pneumatic.... the sunnex and grey pneumatic i was in love with when i bought them last year since it was so much cheaper than my snap on and matco stuff- i broke 2 sunnex 1/4 8mm shallow impact swivels and all of a sudden the set was deemed not covered under their warrenty

I know this is an old thread. I came here because I saw Sunex set advertised and was wondering what people thought of them who used them for a living. I appreciate finding all the down to earth comments ... much more valuable than reading company information or anonymous reviews. Thanks everyone.

I also just wanted to add my two cents regarding the Snap On / Matco / Mac / name your brand debate. I have a lot of Snap On and am always buying more. I buy a lot of used tools in various places, not just off the truck. I have other brands as well but the Snap On are always the ones that feel best in my hand and the ones I use first. I agree they are overpriced but I have literally broken another brand of tools wrench in half and jammed the greasy broken end of it into the tendons of my wrist. Do that a couple times and it isn't the warranty so much as the fact that it WON;T break, not that you can take it back to the store and get another one (Craftsman take note). I have broken a few Snap On tools but I was usually using them way beyond their intended purpose. And they are still cheerfully replaced.

One last thing that I didn't see mentioned is the resale value. On Ebay these days most nice Snap On stuff brings half or better of current list price. If you bought your tools 10 years ago and kept them nice that means you can sell them for a high percentage of what you paid because they have gone up so much. If you buy them used at good prices you can usually sell them for what you paid or more down the road. Pretty much all other brands of tools you are going to take a beating on if you resell. Its a lot of money to put out, but if you can afford it the cost of ownership is very little and you get to use a great tool every day. Just my opinion, it isn't for everyone.

I have some Sunex impact sockets and extensions. They appear to be great quality and reasonably priced just like you said. No complaints so far......

They look a lot like the harbor freight pro series