Socket set advice

[coppermouse]

I would like suggestions on my next socket set purchase.
I want to get a 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 set both metric and SAE.
Good quality sockets a good molded case with a compartment for extra extensions etc.. that wont let them roll around and mix up when I carry them (that was the problem with my old Craftsman set, it had a tray that went inside the case and they would always come loose).
And nice ratchets that have a fine ratchet ( the standard Craftsman is too coarse for me).
I am looking at a Allen 19222.
Any input would be appreciated!

[autoace]

Well, seems you already have Craftsman, they are a good bang for the buck. I would recommend Cornwell master sets, but they are pricey. What's the price range? Allen are not bad, they are Danaher, try to stick with the USA Allen stuff. If you don't care about origin, Gearwrench makes some cased socket sets, and very good fine tooth ratchets. I'm not a big Asian tool fan, but the Gearwrench brand is very good. Some other members will probably post the Toptul option, they look to be of good quality, available in cases, fine tooth ratchets,etc....... Do some homework, and price comparison. Toptul is available here through wrenhandtools, he gives discounts to members. Good luck.:thumbup:

[krusty the clown]

s-k has sets packaged in blow molded cases as well................

[coppermouse]

I have not been able to locate SK with all 3 sizes in one box

[krusty the clown]

I have not been able to locate SK with all 3 sizes in one box


you may be limited on options with that requirement

[autoace]

you may be limited on options with that requirement

Yeah! The more you say, seems like Craftsman may be your best bet. They make those big set cases.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00933260000P

I would just get a good portable tool box and make my own socket set on rails,etc...Then you could pick different brands, and play around a bit, with good versatility.

[jerk_chicken]

Buy Armstrong, then buy a toolbox.

[coppermouse]

Yea, I thought about doing that, I don't want one of those big drawer things, too big to lug around. I really want the molded case with a spot for each piece, do they sell them without the sockets

[krusty the clown]

Yea, I thought about doing that, I don't want one of those big drawer things, too big to lug around. I really want the molded case with a spot for each piece, do they sell them without the sockets


i know snap on does but you could get a whole set of GW'S for what the box cost:spit:

[rodm1]

get a gun case

[Leonard 95]

Here are some 1/4 set, this is a steal for this price, usually priced around 200.

http://www.amazon.com/Pneumatic-9748-Fractional-Metric-Impact/dp/B000KSPC6Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1233783644&sr=8-2

[Tlag]

Go with rails and a regular tool box. The blow molds get bulky fast if you have a lot of sockets. Blow molds always end up with tools that don't fit, or empty space. You can cut the rails to fit the sets.

[PowderKeg]

...with all 3 sizes in one box
...I don't want one of those big drawer things, too big to lug around. I really want the molded case with a spot for each piece, do they sell them without the sockets

No offense intended, but this sorta sounds like a case of having the cake and eating it too. IF you want reasonably complete regular depth socket sets in all three drive sizes SAE and Metric, that's gonna add up to alot of sockets, which take up alotta room. Then throw in a decent selection of extensions, breakers, ratchets, etc., and allow a little room for extra additions down the road..... Well, you're gonna be blowin' out the hinges and latches on any reasonable sized blow-mold case in short order. And what about room for deepwells, specialty sockets, other accessories....

Now if you don't care about relatively complete sets, are willing to settle for mostly one socket hex size of whatever drive size it happens to be in, very limited drive tools and accessories, have little room for extras with no intentions to add much else anyway, and it'll spend most of its life sitting in the corner or the trunk, then a blow-mold one-case-fits-all set may be satisfactory. Personally, I've never been thrilled by those kinds of sets. Better to get a decent metal box with a tray, cut and jam in some plastic dividers if you want to separate some drive accessories, and put the sockets on rails (removing unused clips so you can see when a socket is missing). Or at least separate large blow-cases for each drive size, big enough to stick additional stuff in down the road.

When I was carting my tools back 'n forth to the pole yard, I had one metal box for 1/4 and 3/8 drive stuff, another for 1/2 and 3/4 (a danged heavy box that one), a third for wrenches, and a fourth for "the rest". Blow-molds may look nice and orderly at first, but IMHO longevity under regular use isn't very good and expansion room is almost non-existent.

[Merkava_4]

Yeah.... I don't think I'd want 2 or 3 different drive sizes in one single blow molded case; it makes it too easy to pick up a 1/4 drive socket and try to put it on a 3/8 drive extension; I'd want a separate case for each drive size.

[riley.m]

dont be too hasty in your purchase if wait a while and read these posts,i guarantee that you will end up making a better choice about what you buy.these guys know what they talking about.

[Merkava_4]

I am looking at a Allen 19222.
Any input would be appreciated!

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51P6A6300ZL._SS500_.jpg

It don't look too terribly bad, but where are those extensions supposed to go? I don't see a place for them. That's another problem with some of these socket sets in a case is that they don't give you enough different sizes of extensions.

[Tlag]

I have two blow molded cases for Craftsman. One is a 9-33876 with a 9-33875 tray. Its for a 140 pc Mechanics Tool set that you can have for $15 plus shipping.

I also have a smaller one, can't find a number on the case, but the tray is 33820. Also available for 15 plus shipping.

Both Made in the USA!:thumbup:

I tried to find some links, but they must be out of production. If you realy want them, I'll take a picture.

I out grew them and switched to metal boxes, using rails for sockets.

[wrenchr]

I have a standard and metric snap on 22pc sets in the blow molded cases for 3/8 drive and the 44pc 1/4 set. These sets cover most stuff I come across!!

[Tlag]

Both were MADE IN USA!!!

[wrenchr]

My snap on sets are USA!!!

[91FE]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51P6A6300ZL._SS500_.jpg

It don't look too terribly bad, but where are those extensions supposed to go? I don't see a place for them. That's another problem with some of these socket sets in a case is that they don't give you enough different sizes of extensions.

You stick your finger in the hole under the lid and that cover pops off.

[PowderKeg]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51P6A6300ZL._SS500_.jpg

It don't look too terribly bad, but where are those extensions supposed to go? I don't see a place for them. That's another problem with some of these socket sets in a case is that they don't give you enough different sizes of extensions.

Those ratchets look like the ultra-crappy basic round heads that are loathed by anyone unfortunate enough to pick them up. Extension selection is the absolute minimum, and it looks like they bounce around in the storage section (right along with the replacement higher quality ratchets that might not fit in the existing crap-ratchet cutouts). 1/4" socket selection looks good, 3/8" fair to good (there are more deepwells than regulars), 1/2" almost a joke.

Not trying to rain on anyone's parade - Allen quality is right on par with Craftsman (as they're almost certainly both coming off the same production lines) and a worthwhile brand that will give good service. Well, everything except those craptastic ratchets, they suck no matter whose name is engraved on them. :spit:

Does look nice and orderly though - at least until you start jamming in all the missing and extra tools to fill out the sets/cover more range. Of course then the additional tools won't be bouncing around the over-stuffed storage section - not until the top pops off while opening the case and a cascade of loose tools hits the ground running....

[Merkava_4]

Yeah.... I don't think I'd like that compartment in the lid; that means you'd have to leave it open all the time as you work and in doing so, would take up a lot of space.

I hate to say it, but the nicest laid out blow molded case socket set are by snap-on; they just seem to have the right selection of tools in each case.

[jerk_chicken]

I had that exact case as a Craftsman set of that exact configuration in 97. The box came apart at those lame hinges after about a year and it was a constant struggle to carry it. Several times I was carrying it and it separated at the hinges, spilling my parts all over.

[autoace]

I would realy consider the small box with rails etc.....Something like the box below.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00965398000P?vName=Tools&cName=Garage+%26+Tool+Storage&sName=Handboxes+%26+Portables

Then you can pick and chose brands, put on rails, add long extensions etc......

The box I linked is a good little portable, It will hold plenty, and it's not too big.

[zuspiel]

I have one of those Cman boxes and use it for screws, rivets, etc. It's decent but I wouldn't want to have to open and close the drawers all the time. Don't think it would hold up. It's pretty light when empty, though...

[posaune]

I have an older one with three drawers instead of four. I used it for five or six years as my primary box and it held up perfectly well. It is now sitting on a rollaway holding multimeters and such.

My biggest problem with it is that it was *really* heavy when full of tools. It started to get too hard to lift out of the trunk of the car. I can't imagine it with another drawer.

The other issue is that it has the same locking style as so many non-portable boxes. That is fine as long as the box is kept right side up. If it tips and you get something lodged in the back or the bottom, it can be a pain.

Overall though, I wouldn't think twice about using it again if I needed portability.