Craftsman hex bit socket set

[bchee]

I was going to buy this Craftsman hex socket set:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934447000P

but it has 3 out of 4 bad reviews. Does anyone have personal experience with these?

I'm also considering the HF set (9 pieces), which I've looked at in the store. The bits are S2 steel, and I think some have set screws to hold the bit in place. There are 3 larger sizes as well (1/2" drive) and, of course, it's half the price.

Thanks for any input

[oxycodone]

I have the c-man metric set. They're okay... I've never had one of the bits come out of the socket base, nor have I broken one, but they DO wear fast... I really wouldn't recommend them if they're going to get frequent use.

I have some Proto and SK hex sockets that are killer. One of these days I need to pull the trigger on a full set of SK bit sockets.

[billymade]

I get a number of these comeback at Sears and of course we replace them. My question would be, what type of work are you doing with them? If your in a high torque situation, like cylinder heads or other motor parts that require allot of stress, I would say don't buy HF but at the VERY LEAST craftsman! HELL DON"T BUY THE CRAFTSMAN EITHER! For everyday use, I think the craftsman are fine and look for sales, as these are on sale 50% off all the time! You should be fine but allot of failure of these sockets are related to user error (this goes for torx sockets as well, even more so because of the fine points of the star shape); CLEAN OUT the fastener with carb cleaner, a sharp tool (like the small picks) or compressed air. Push your hand on the ratchet head as you push or pull; this makes sure the bit is FULLY SEATED in the fastener. Most of the failures I see, are because the bit isn't fully seated in the fastener. Don't over stress the socket, slow even pressure is the name of the game but many times the metal of the sockets are just TOO SOFT, in many of the affordable brands made today. If YOU MUST buy Chinese sockets like HF; one trick is to buy the IMPACT RATED sockets and they tend to be stronger. Ultimately, all tools break, even SnapOn but make sure you have a warranty to back them up. If you want higher quality and are willing to spend more dough; look to sk, proto, and the higher end SnapOn, Mac or Matco. Allot of times you can find the higher end stuff used at pawn shops for cheap! Good luck!

[cambell]

I have them, they suck. They work but they twist and wear out very fast, I mean from a couple of uses. There was just another post about this and someone suggested, what seemed like, a really nice set for cheap. I'll try to find the post for ya.

[cambell]

Here you go http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/VIM-HMS26.html I do not have these but I would check these out before the craftsman. Maybe someone else can shed some light on if these are any good.

[billymade]

IF you can, try to buy a brand that is LIFETIME warranty and one that you can take back locally and get a replacement. You will break them and you want a place near home you can get a replacement from. Some of the better hardware stores carry SK and NAPA has a line of their own tools too. Good luck, try to step up on quality and find a close by local vendor that will swap out your tools when you break them.

[biggsean]

I actually broke the 10mm bit out of this set just last weekend trying to break a cam gear nut loose from my Subaru. I purchased a set from autozone that had a much thicker base (doesn't have the taper that the Craftsman bit has), and it worked like a charm.

That being said, I think it's a great set if you don't plan on doing anything that involves an excessive amount of torque. I'll be using my cheapo autozone 10mm bit next time i'm working with my cam gears. :)

[bchee]

thanks for the input. Does 'wear out' mean that they get rounded off somehow?

The HF set I was looking at is made in Taiwan. They sell another hex bit set made in China which, of course, is cheaper. The taiwan set is made of S2 steel and I've heard it's supposed to be better steel. I did consider getting the impact set.

In any case, I don't anticipate using them often, but would like them to hold up to moderate torque

[biggsean]

High torque = frequent trips back to Sears for replacements. :bounce:

[oxycodone]

Yep, billymade hit on it earlier - it seems like the metal is too soft.

Most of the fasteners on my Kaws are stainless steel hex-head. It doesn't take much torque before you feel the bit start to move ever-so-slightly in the bolt head... then the bit gets stuck in the bolt, and it has started to round...

The more I think about it I gotta say don't buy the c-man set. I wouldn't trust the HF set, either. Go with Proto, SK, or any of the truck brands...check ebay.

Proto Set (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Proto-allen-socket-set-hex-head-Snapon-USA-nice_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43993QQihZ003QQite mZ130211245064QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW)

SK Set (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SK-7-PIECE-3-8-DRIVE-FRACTIONAL-HEX-BIT-SOCKET-SET_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43993QQihZ004QQitem Z140221669216QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW)

Snap-on (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SNAP-ON-SOCKET-DRIVER-HEX-STANDARD-1-8THRU-3-8-3-8-DR_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43993QQihZ006QQitemZ 160225330284QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW)

[PoorOwner]

I have the craftsman set, the bolt will round out before the bit does, not sure it is a good thing or not.. I would rather have it the other way around. I am usually taking out the plugs to seal oil passage of import cars and they put some kind of sealant to make very hard to take out, heat helps to loosen the sealant and also loosen up the aluminum housing.

[joenero]

This is one thing where I've got to say truck brand for regular use, amazingly though my at home ones I bought were a cheap set of taiwan "Powerbuilts" from kragen and they have yet to fall out or get much wear. I have broken one, and they did replace it, but I think I was overdoing it a bit that time.

[Kevin54]

I have a Crapsman set and two of the sockets has had the hex come loose and pull out. Plus the hex does not seem to be tough enough as the end will round off. But that could also be from the socket head cap screws that we seem to be getting from the land of Chin Ho. Some are tight and some not. For what it is worth you are probably better off getting a set of sockets, a GOOD set of hex wrenches, a little bit of two part epoxy and make your own set. Or two sets of dedicated sockets and make a long set and short set.

[Merkava_4]

Most of failures I see are because the bit isn't fully seated in the fastener.

This is very true. I have the black oxide Allen screws that hold the carburetor on the mower's small engine. After every Winter I have to dig the rust out of the screw heads with a dental pick; that's so I can get the hex bit all the way in and fully seated like you say.

I need to find a set of stainless steel Allen screws go I don't have to do this every year. :spit:

[eschoendorff]

amazingly though my at home ones I bought were a cheap set of taiwan "Powerbuilts" from kragen and they have yet to fall out or get much wear. I have broken one, and they did replace it, but I think I was overdoing it a bit that time.

I have had MUCH fewer problems with my Taiwanese-sourced HF cheap torx/hex bits that I imagined I would have. I bought them years ago before I started to get serious about tools... but they keep on turnin' bolts without complaints!

I have had minimal problems with Craftsman. I have had good luck with OTC stuff too:

http://www.otctools.com/products/detail.php?id=1679

[billymade]

Looks like the OTC are "MADE IN USA"; check it out! http://www.otctools.com/newcatalog/products/195-4.pdf Where have you purchased this brand from? I have seen them on web based stores but not anywhere else (brick and mortar)! Any experiences?

[Uncle Buck]

I have a set of the Craftys and have no complaints, but I am sure SO, Proto, Armstong, SK, Williams, and several others would likely be a better choice for hard daily use.

[ba614]

I have a Crapsman set and two of the sockets has had the hex come loose and pull out. Plus the hex does not seem to be tough enough as the end will round off. But that could also be from the socket head cap screws that we seem to be getting from the land of Chin Ho. Some are tight and some not. For what it is worth you are probably better off getting a set of sockets, a GOOD set of hex wrenches, a little bit of two part epoxy and make your own set. Or two sets of dedicated sockets and make a long set and short set.
:beer:
Good idea!

[Coach James]

I've got the C-man in metric and standard and have had no problems. I bought one set to get the 7mm that did not come with any of my sets of Allen wrenches. I've also got a Powerbuilt from Advance Auto and a NAPA one and both have been fine.

Coach

[MAD]

I picked up the six piece craftsman metric set when they were 50% off a year or so ago and I was suprised how good they were. Even after heavy use including using them on an impact gun they showed little to no wear.

* Your mileage may vary -Sears does not manufacturer their own tools so it is hard to say if a particular product is actually the same or not from year to year or even day to day.

[rsanter]

I have a spare set of the Cman ones (new) as well as a few spares that are napa, proto, and a matco.
let me know if you are interested

bob

[billymade]

Uh, how much for the good stuff; the proto, matco etc. and how many are in each set and what sizes? I could use a professional grade set; I have a bunch of Snap On odds and ends for trade too! :)

[Jay H 237]

I work in the robot and automation plastic injection molding business assembling and servicing this equipment. 99% of our equipment is metric and I have a set of metric Husky hex bits that I bought in 2000 and use everyday. They are still the original bits and have held up with no breakages.

The other 1% of our stuff is sourced here in the USA and has standard fastners. I later bought the Craftsman standard hex bits and they do seem to wear quick and sadly they get used much less than the metric Huskys I have. Other people I work with have the C-mans and have had to replace them often.

The C-mans have the "step" in the bit that appears to be a weakness with them. My Huskys are the same size across the whole bit.

[PoorOwner]

bringing this back up... I just found out something while looking for impact sockets.
Since they are one piece, and made of impact grade material (chromoly) I think it should be the single set to own, use it for both impact or hand applications. I don't see any reason to get the chrome 2 piece ones.

If you don't like HF, replace with your favorite brand
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96224

[eschoendorff]

I work in the robot and automation plastic injection molding business assembling and servicing this equipment. 99% of our equipment is metric and I have a set of metric Husky hex bits that I bought in 2000 and use everyday. They are still the original bits and have held up with no breakages.



Back in 2000, those were probably re-badged Proto bits.


the OTC bit sockets can be found a independent tool distributor stores... that's where I got mine...

[blue302stang]

I have the cornwell full set and has been holding up quite.