Inexspensive3 12pt sockets

[dink]

Basically I am curious on the advice on this.....I want to get some inexspensive 12pt sockets to use and also to be my lend out sockets to people so I dont have to worry about my SK's and Facoms

But I DONT want to go

Craftsmen
ANY big box brand

Kinda leaning towards

Allen

Any other suggestions??
Preferably American made

[ImportTuner]

Basically I am curious on the advice on this.....I want to get some inexspensive 12pt sockets to use and also to be my lend out sockets to people so I dont have to worry about my SK's and Facoms

But I DONT want to go

Craftsmen
ANY big box brand

Kinda leaning towards

Allen

Any other suggestions??
Preferably American made
Why not Craftsman? They are American made for now and they are quite reasonable in price ..? :)

[dink]

Had them.....ya know....try something different

[Deafautotech]

ummm, which sae or metric?

[Deafautotech]

i would said what about stanley but it is made in tawian.....

[kartracer55]

Id probably guess that the ALLEN's will be almost identical to the Craftmans, but whatever. My biggest problem with allen is that I dont know of any local walk in stores/trucks where I can get the stuff warrantied.

I just got a new (warranty) 12pt socket from the Snap On guy today... sure is purdy haha

[dink]

i would said what about stanley but it is made in tawian.....


Defently no....the only exception is Proto

[Charles (in GA)]

Allen is owned by Danaher Corp, who also owns Matco, Armstrong, and Gearwrench, and they manufacture the Craftsman line for Sears. The one Allen socket I have strongly resembles my newer Craftsman sockets, so its a toss up.

Why do you want a set of "loan" sockets. Quite simply, I don't loan tools. I have one neighbor who is quite reputable and if he needs something (and he hasn't in several years) he is welcome to what I have. Beyond that, I don't have it to loan.

Charles

[-lecroix-]

Good luck finding that with those requirements. :wtf:

[dink]

Id probably guess that the ALLEN's will be almost identical to the Craftmans, but whatever. My biggest problem with allen is that I dont know of any local walk in stores/trucks where I can get the stuff warrantied.

I just got a new (warranty) 12pt socket from the Snap On guy today... sure is purdy haha


I have seen alot of Do It Best Stores carry Allen....check those

And I said inexspensive and Snapon doesnt constitute inexspensive

[Deafautotech]

allen tools are good and i saw more lines of allen in menards. but in my work that techs do have what they need tools to do the living but they just borrow my tools that are bigger like 1 1/2, 36mm, or 46mm, else. i am only tech in my work who had all sockets that i can do most of works in dealership..... same with wrenches too..... i am have too many tools....

[eschoendorff]

Allen is owned by Danaher Corp, who also owns Matco, Armstrong, and Gearwrench, and they manufacture the Craftsman line for Sears. The one Allen socket I have strongly resembles my newer Craftsman sockets, so its a toss up.

Why do you want a set of "loan" sockets. Quite simply, I don't loan tools. I have one neighbor who is quite reputable and if he needs something (and he hasn't in several years) he is welcome to what I have. Beyond that, I don't have it to loan.

Charles
What Charles said. Seriously, just go buy Craftsmans. :thumbup:

[the intimidator]

isn't allen owend by the danaher corp who is owend by stanley? or do I have something mixed up but wallmart carries allen tools and they are all made in china crap from what I have seen.

DINK abought the only decent tool stanley put's out,

The mastercraft maximum line at canadian tire is nice stuff made by stanely. I just picked up a 36mm socket yesterday for 10.50$ it is polished chrome looks nice and all the other stuff I have from them have held up great so far try finding a 36mm socket for that price from any of the big company's snapon wants near 60$ for a impact socket non chrome because they don't make one that big in 1/2" dr.

[-lecroix-]

Seriously, just go buy Craftsmans. :thumbup:

For real.:thumbup:

[eschoendorff]

isn't allen owend by the danaher corp who is owend by stanley? or do I have something mixed up but wallmart carries allen tools and they are all made in china crap from what I have seen.

DINK abought the only decent tool stanley put's out,

The mastercraft maximum line at canadian tire is nice stuff made by stanely. I just picked up a 36mm socket yesterday for 10.50$ it is polished chrome looks nice and all the other stuff I have from them have held up great so far try finding a 36mm socket for that price from any of the big company's snapon wants near 60$ for a impact socket non chrome because they don't make one that big in 1/2" dr.
To my knowledge, NONE of teh Allen stuff is made in China. Allen is like Craftsman Pro. I really dig their ratchets. Nice knurling and everything. Oh, and Stanley does not own or control Danaher. Not yet (probably not ever).

[kartracer55]

I PM'ed you an AWESOME deal on some. Jump on those... Especially the last link

[dink]

I never said I was totally sold on Allen.....I might look at Martin and Williams and see what they have to offer....possibly Armstrong too

[Coach James]

I've got some wrenches and sockets that are Allen brand and they are real good quality. The wrenches fit better than my Craftsman raised panel ones.

And Allen is owned by Danaher and is USA made. Our True Value sells Allen, but they are not inexpensive. For inexpensive American made tools, Craftsman is almost impossible to beat.

I agree with the others, I don't loan tools. The couple guys I would trust with my stuff never ask to borrow it as they hate to loan their stuff out as well.

However, if I was going to buy a set to loan out, I would get one of these.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=975

After breaking their hand using that stuff, they'll never ask to borrow your tools again.

Coach

[Deafautotech]

i know wholesale tools sell lot of S-K hand tools but problem is they sell individual not set.... but i rather buy craftsman socket set or i have idea is go to pawn store and ask employee if they have craftsman sockets because my local pawn store have ton of 12pts sockets from craftsman as it is old model.

[kartracer55]

I've got some wrenches and sockets that are Allen brand and they are real good quality. The wrenches fit better than my Craftsman raised panel ones.

And Allen is owned by Danaher and is USA made. Our True Value sells Allen, but they are not inexpensive. For inexpensive American made tools, Craftsman is almost impossible to beat.

I agree with the others, I don't loan tools. The couple guys I would trust with my stuff never ask to borrow it as they hate to loan their stuff out as well.

However, if I was going to buy a set to loan out, I would get one of these.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=975

After breaking their hand using that stuff, they'll never ask to borrow your tools again.

Coach

Good call.

I generally dont loan out any general hand tools myself either

I usually loan tools out to other guys with tons of tools. Its usually because they broke thiers and cant get it warrantied or something like that. It can come back and save your ass one day, when you are in the same situation.

We do it with other shops all the time

[Deafautotech]

me too as most of techs ask me to loan my sockets and other tools in my work but they will help me if i need like noise problem or extra hand to do work like bring transmission from bench to transmission jack....

[kartracer55]

me too as most of techs ask me to loan my sockets and other tools in my work but they will help me if i need like noise problem or extra hand to do work like bring transmission from bench to transmission jack....


No, but I mean we actually loan and borrow tools from other shops. We are friendly with all the shops in a 1 block radius or so. They all send us thier inspections and alignments, which means alot of buisness for us. We have an excellent tire machine that WILL NOT damage rim's what so ever, so we also get alot of thier high end wheel/tire work. We loan them tools, They loan us tools. It goes both ways. We compete, but there is plenty of buisness to go around, and friends are alot better than enemies in this buisness

Jim

[wantedabiggergarage]

isn't allen owend by the danaher corp who is owend by stanley? or do I have something mixed up but wallmart carries allen tools and they are all made in china crap from what I have seen.

DINK abought the only decent tool stanley put's out,

The mastercraft maximum line at canadian tire is nice stuff made by stanely. I just picked up a 36mm socket yesterday for 10.50$ it is polished chrome looks nice and all the other stuff I have from them have held up great so far try finding a 36mm socket for that price from any of the big company's snapon wants near 60$ for a impact socket non chrome because they don't make one that big in 1/2" dr.


I have a feeling your getting Danaher and Stanley crossed because your :canadian: .
Danaher is the USA Craftsman supplier, and Stanley is the Craftsman Canada supplier. Stanley is Danahers biggest competitor in the low end stuff (don't think that's the case in the industrial lines).

[eschoendorff]

I never said I was totally sold on Allen.....I might look at Martin and Williams and see what they have to offer....possibly Armstrong too
But now you are not talking "inexpensive" anymore.:headscrat

[wilbilt]

I was going to suggest Armstrong as well, but they are more expensive than others.

I just bought some Craftsman sockets and wrenches for my daughter to keep in the trunk of her car.

If they get lost or stolen, I won't lose any sleep over it.

[wilbilt]

Regarding the Armstrong, if you look at the sockets in this auction, I think you will notice they look a lot like Craftsman. Pretty much identical, actually.

ebay link (http://cgi.ebay.com/Group-of-21-Brand-New-Armstrong-Sockets_W0QQitemZ130077076447QQihZ003QQcategoryZ20 773QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

[MAD]

You are just not going to find a better socket set for the money than the Craftsman. If for some reason the Craftsman stuff is not interesting enough for your tool collection, by all means buy something else. Variety is the spice of life And its your money.

Just to clarify the Danaher thing a little more:

Danaher is the OEM supplier for most Craftsman sockets and wrenches in the U.S.A. Other Craftsman hand tool suppliers include Western Forge, Pratt-Read, Wilde Tool, and many others including Facom (remote hose clamp pliers, discontinued professional fixed socket head wrenches) and SK.

Danaher tool group includes Armstrong, Allen, Matco, K-D, and others.

Craftsman is not part of Danaher tool group. Danaher supplies sockets and wrenches to Sears. A whole lot of them.

[chad s]

I've got some wrenches and sockets that are Allen brand and they are real good quality. The wrenches fit better than my Craftsman raised panel ones.

And Allen is owned by Danaher and is USA made. Our True Value sells Allen, but they are not inexpensive. For inexpensive American made tools, Craftsman is almost impossible to beat.

I agree with the others, I don't loan tools. The couple guys I would trust with my stuff never ask to borrow it as they hate to loan their stuff out as well.

However, if I was going to buy a set to loan out, I would get one of these.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=975

After breaking their hand using that stuff, they'll never ask to borrow your tools again.

Coach

How in the hell do they have that set so cheap? I dont see how anyone could possibly manufacture anything cheap enough, to sell it for $3. I dont care if it was made from plastic, it still doesnt seem possible. Im 100% sure its total junk, but still, I cant figure out how they manage to do it.

[wilbilt]

How in the hell do they have that set so cheap? I dont see how anyone could possibly manufacture anything cheap enough, to sell it for $3. I dont care if it was made from plastic, it still doesnt seem possible. Im 100% sure its total junk, but still, I cant figure out how they manage to do it.

That's the same set that's been around since the 1970s. It used to come in a metal box, but it was $3-$4 back then, too.
I guess the tooling has paid for itself several million times. Complete, total, useless junk.

If I had a dollar for every one of those 3/8"-1/4" adaptors I've broken, I would have enough to buy several more sets...:lol_hitti

[Deafautotech]

i cant afford to have junk adapter and keep break it and throw it then buy more then keep break and throw.......

forget it. it is waste money for myself. i rather to buy high quality like craftsman or snap on. then it had specific torque before it would break....

[kartracer55]

Hahaha Pepboys or Struass was giving out those sets one day when you spend 50$ or more in the store. Not too hard to do on cleaners, lube etc. So I got one Its such a POS. I Think it is actually the same set, if not damn similar. It lives in the back of the car. Its funny, it has mulitples of the same size. What I also like, is how a socket can actually be larger in overall size then the next one up.

I hate shit like this. It actually makes me mad.

[dink]

Speaking of the really cheap stuff...I have a customer who sells the really cheap wrenches....like a 35 piece set or something like that for $7.00 I am thinking about getting one of those for my loaner tools

[ImportTuner]

I was going to suggest Armstrong as well, but they are more expensive than others.

I just bought some Craftsman sockets and wrenches for my daughter to keep in the trunk of her car.

If they get lost or stolen, I won't lose any sleep over it.
Really ... you daughter does her own wrenching? :)

[wilbilt]

Really ... you daughter does her own wrenching? :)

She's still learning, but yes, she does. She got a '67 Mustang for Christmas that needs some work. It's here in CA while she is going to school in AL. She plans to be back home after this semester to get it on the road (with my help).

I'll assist with the mechanicals, and she plans to do the bodywork. She's not afraid to get dirty, and quite honestly, is a better welder than I am.:beer:

[Canadian Charlie]

Nice to see more females getting involved in automotive repair


Kind of sexy

[Deafautotech]

i would be little worry about female work on automotive as one female mechanic had to sell big matco toolboxes in ebay after she accident drop transmission and she said now she cant fix anymore...... but it already sold to other buyer by that time.

[the intimidator]

i would be little worry about female work on automotive as one female mechanic had to sell big matco toolboxes in ebay after she accident drop transmission and she said now she cant fix anymore...... but it already sold to other buyer by that time.


im not quite sure what you mean by this? so she droped a tranny and had to sell a toolbox? I am not sure how that means we should worrie abought a lady wrenching on cars?

[the intimidator]

I have a feeling your getting Danaher and Stanley crossed because your :canadian: .
Danaher is the USA Craftsman supplier, and Stanley is the Craftsman Canada supplier. Stanley is Danahers biggest competitor in the low end stuff (don't think that's the case in the industrial lines).


HA HA that is probably what I was thinking :beer: I wonder what I was thinking abought those tools I saw at walmart I am sure they were the allen brand :headscrat I'll have to check next time I am around the walmart.

good luck with you're quest for some tools I think you should check out uni-tool as far as I can remember they are a canadian ownd and manufactured in canada http://www.unitool.com/home.cfm I have some of their tools and they are good quality mind you my set is older 10 years at least.

[-lecroix-]

It's here in CA while she is going to school in AL.

Where is she enrolled at school here in AL? Gosh I hope you say Auburn! :bounce:

[Itzkwik]

Where is she enrolled at school here in AL? Gosh I hope you say Auburn! :bounce:
I thought the only good school down there was Alabama-Go Tide.:bowdown:

[eschoendorff]

Where is she enrolled at school here in AL? Gosh I hope you say Auburn! :bounce:
You go to Auburn? Their band director there is - or at least was - Johnnie Vinson, a great composer as well! :beer:

[wilbilt]

Where is she enrolled at school here in AL? Gosh I hope you say Auburn! :bounce:

Nah. Us poor folk are community college types. She's staying with my sister-in-law and going to a local school near Butler.

Did I mention that she is 17?

:beer:

[wilbilt]

You go to Auburn? Their band director there is - or at least was - Johnnie Vinson, a great composer as well! :beer:

Are you much of a composer, Ed? We could really use a good band director in our district, or even a composer...;)

Since they outlawed the shop classes, there is no need for decent 12-point sockets (on-topic ;), and the band is the last bastion of creativity. We had a director a few years ago that showed good promise, but she left to pursue other options.

The longtime music teacher has made it clear she is not a band director. The band is now pretty pathetic. They hired someone, we'll see how it goes.

They do about two shows a year and three parades. The pay is peanuts, but there is always the "satisfaction" thing...;)

[the intimidator]

Nah. Us poor folk are community college types. She's staying with my sister-in-law and going to a local school near Butler.

Did I mention that she is 17?

:beer:


aww how come their is no girls like that around here :mad: they all drive run down hondas and have no clue how to change the oil let alone restore a old stang :beer:

[-lecroix-]

I thought the only good school down there was Alabama-Go Tide.:bowdown:
The last 5 years states otherwise. :bowdown:

[-lecroix-]

Nah. Us poor folk are community college types. She's staying with my sister-in-law and going to a local school near Butler.

Did I mention that she is 17?

:beer:


You should be proud, she sounds like a smart girl.

Poor folk here too ... only took 2 semesters of partying /football games and pretty much no studying at Auburn was all I could manage. Parents decided I was better suited for the local community college. :bounce:

Finished my 4 year degree on my own nickel. And am a better person because of it.

[wilbilt]

You should be proud, she sounds like a smart girl.

Poor folk here too ... only took 2 semesters of partying /football games and pretty much no studying at Auburn was all I could manage. Parents decided I was better suited for the local community college. :bounce:

Finished my 4 year degree on my own nickel. And am a better person because of it.
Always proud of her. She got lots of the "good student" awards when she was younger. In High School, she was pulling A's and going out for Forestry competitions, etc. She took shop classes, much to my surprise, and aced them.

Here's the original Mustang thread. I am indeed proud of her accomplishments at this point in her life. Of course, I am her dad...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6878&highlight=stole+mustang

[Deafautotech]

good job to be good father to her to show how to use right tools to do right work....

[eschoendorff]

Are you much of a composer, Ed? We could really use a good band director in our district, or even a composer...;)

Since they outlawed the shop classes, there is no need for decent 12-point sockets (on-topic ;), and the band is the last bastion of creativity. We had a director a few years ago that showed good promise, but she left to pursue other options.

The longtime music teacher has made it clear she is not a band director. The band is now pretty pathetic. They hired someone, we'll see how it goes.

They do about two shows a year and three parades. The pay is peanuts, but there is always the "satisfaction" thing...;)
No, I am not a composer. But I am a band director. I specialize at the middle school level. My brother, Matt, is actually a very accomplished and a very published composer. He is currently working on his doctorate of musical arts at Michigan State University. We work on a lot of projects together.

Back to topic:

stop fooling around and buy the Craftsman sockets. You will not find better quality for the money.

[Uncle Buck]

I never said I was totally sold on Allen.....I might look at Martin and Williams and see what they have to offer....possibly Armstrong too


I consider Armstong, Williams, and Proto to be high quality tools, I would never purchase these brands strictly for the purpose to lend them out. I would either make up some old used or mixed brand flea mkt sets or buy cheap stuff like Stanley to loan. For my money, I can always find alot of used premium brand stuff from flea mkts that would put the Stanley stuff to shame though! I thought Martin primarily made body hammers and dollies and the like?

[the intimidator]

here is a copy of the email I recieved from unitool reguarding their sockets and the copy of the letter I sent to them, Seems their smaller sockets are made in the usa and the 3/4 inch stuff is from taiwan.

February 12, 2006



Dear Mr. McFadyen,



We acknowledge receipt of your E-MAIL and thank you.



As per your request, please click the link below to go to our web site for more information:



3/8 Drive Universal Joint Socket Set: made in USA:

UT418H: http://www.unitool.com/product.cfm?Category=54&ProductTypeID=711

UT419M: http://www.unitool.com/product.cfm?Category=54&ProductTypeID=712



3/4 Drive Socket Set: made in Taiwan

http://www.unitool.com/producttype.cfm?Category=256



Please let us know, are you an end user, a distributor, or a store?



If you are an end user, please advise us your complete mailing address, then we will locate to you one of our distributors near your place.



Thank you and best regards,

UNITOOL INC.

Customer Service





-----Original Message-----
From: Dj McFadyen [mailto:bigredz71@hotmail.com]
Sent: February 11, 2007 4:03 PM
To: info@unitool.com
Subject: manufacturing country



Hello I am looking to buy some of you're products specificly a 3/4 inch

socket set and 3/8 inch u-joint sockets. I have a question on were you're

products are manufacterd. Are they made in canada Or are these tools made in

a foreign country China Taiwan ect? Please get back to me this is the only

thing stopping me from purchasing you're product over the comparable snap-on

tools.



thanks Dave McFadyen

[ImportTuner]

here is a copy of the email I recieved from unitool reguarding their sockets and the copy of the letter I sent to them, Seems their smaller sockets are made in the usa and the 3/4 inch stuff is from taiwan.

February 12, 2006



Dear Mr. McFadyen,



We acknowledge receipt of your E-MAIL and thank you.



As per your request, please click the link below to go to our web site for more information:



3/8 Drive Universal Joint Socket Set: made in USA:

UT418H: http://www.unitool.com/product.cfm?Category=54&ProductTypeID=711

UT419M: http://www.unitool.com/product.cfm?Category=54&ProductTypeID=712



3/4 Drive Socket Set: made in Taiwan

http://www.unitool.com/producttype.cfm?Category=256



Please let us know, are you an end user, a distributor, or a store?



If you are an end user, please advise us your complete mailing address, then we will locate to you one of our distributors near your place.



Thank you and best regards,

UNITOOL INC.

Customer Service





-----Original Message-----
From: Dj McFadyen [mailto:bigredz71@hotmail.com]
Sent: February 11, 2007 4:03 PM
To: info@unitool.com
Subject: manufacturing country



Hello I am looking to buy some of you're products specificly a 3/4 inch

socket set and 3/8 inch u-joint sockets. I have a question on were you're

products are manufacterd. Are they made in canada Or are these tools made in

a foreign country China Taiwan ect? Please get back to me this is the only

thing stopping me from purchasing you're product over the comparable snap-on

tools.



thanks Dave McFadyen
Interesting that they are mixing vendors on their products - not good ..

[kartracer55]

Ive never seen or heardof these things. Id have to guess that a larger player is making these things for them. Anythoughts?