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Who makes the best sockets?

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Silver Lexus

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Two question:

What manufacturer makes the best built sockets?

What manufacturer makes the best built sockets that are affordable?
 
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ecotec

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CGarage said:
You asked a very similar question to this just recently.

You should go back and review that thread in my opinion.

There is no “best”.
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Pretty succinct.

Any modern socket with off corner engagement, is probably better than anything vintage. Once the patents expired, even budget level brands got way better. There are plenty of professional tool users that have been using budget level sockets for decades at this point.

A lot of it is just preference at this point.

I try to find truck and industrial brands at garage/estate sales… but, that is just preference. My favorite is post Knudsen (1966? I think) Snap-on.

Anything with Knudsen’s design or a version of it… that doesn’t break of get chrome loss… is probably more than fine for the DIY, or even a 8-12 hour a day professional tool user. I did the majority of my career with 1990’s Craftsman sockets in my work toolbox.
 
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woody 73

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An interesting question what exactly qualifies for the word "Best socket: Do you mean one that can withstand lots of pressure before it fails, one that is rust &salt resistant, one that is heat resistant, cold resistant, crush resistant, OP what is your definition of "Best".:rolleyes:
 
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Ohio Andy

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I would recommend one of two... I like the Craftsman overdrive sets . Which right now they're big set is $100 off. I've been watching it a long time and it's never been $100 off

Amazon.com: CRAFTSMAN OVERDRIVE 284-Piece Gunmetal Chrome Mechanics Tool Set, Standard SAE/Metric Socket Set, with Hard Case (CMMT99284) : Tools & Home Improvement

Amazon.com: CRAFTSMAN OVERDRIVE 284-Piece Gunmetal Chrome Mechanics Tool Set, Standard SAE/Metric Socket Set, with Hard Case (CMMT99284) : Tools & Home Improvement
a.co

It has the tight talk technology which does a really good job on rounded bolts and nuts. Right now it's a really good deal

I think that SK does a really good job with their set. SK does not have anything like the tight torque technology and it doesn't come with any wrenches. They're full non-skip set, however it's just under 200 bucks


And all of that. And I'm a little molded case

You don't want to know what I paid for my set of right tool sockets or my photos

And the Craftsman overdrive set I linked it up does not come In a blow molded case. But they have many nice sets that do kind blue molded cases.
 
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Wamsutta

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W

wantedabiggergarage

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It depends on your financial situation. But with insurance, I would ask your grandparents, which company made their replacement hip/socket.

Because other then that, pretty much anyone asks me about tools to start out with, I am beginning to go back to what my grandfathers generation recommended, with a few modern exceptions, such as now with power tools, start out with inexpensive impact sockets, much better then chrome overall.
 
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Fixr

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Silver Lexus said:
Two question:

What manufacturer makes the best built sockets?

What manufacturer makes the best built sockets that are affordable?
Click to expand...
There are at least dozens of not hundreds of "best" socket makers, depending on application and criteria. "Best" is a chimera at best. Get something that does the job and satisfies you instead of chasing subjective superlatives. Because no matter what you think is "best" there will be somebody who can conclusively prove you dead wrong based on their criteria.

Same as it ever was.
 
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Fedwrench

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Wamsutta said:
I have one of these. Nobody else makes one shorter in 1/4 drive.

kokenusa.com

1/4 Sq. Dr. Z-Series TORX® T27 Bit Socket - Length 28mm - Ko-ken USA

TORX® is recognized as one of the three most efficient fastening systems because of their ability to transfer greater torque, reduce load and - Ko-ken USA
kokenusa.com kokenusa.com
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Wrong.
mayhew.com

Mayhew | Dual Drives & Bits | Dual Drive Bits - TORX® | T10 Torx® Dual Drive Bit - Mayhew Steel Products

Made from S2 Tool Steel with proprietary heat treat for superior strength and durability, Mayhew's dual drive bits have a precision tip profile for positive and precise fastener engagement. A titanium nitride coating provides added strength and wear resistance. Available in a range of sizes and...
mayhew.com mayhew.com

vimtools.com

HCT27 - VIM Tools

T27 - 1/2 CUT Torx Driver, 1/4" square drive, 3/4" OAL, S2 steel
vimtools.com vimtools.com

Back to the original question about sockets, one man's trash is another man's treasure so, it's to answer this type of question. In fact, I feel it would be easier to name the worst sockets as you have to look hard to find a bad socket these days.

However, I really like Proto chrome six point sockets for their large size markings, excellent chrome, fit & finish.

I don't care for Williams' sockets as their size marking are too small.

Ko-Ken and their parent company KTC offer great sockets, and I prefer their satin finish over shiny chrome, The Zeal series are outstanding with their modified detent ball cut out but, they can be too short at times to use in shallow length.

I think the most affordable sockets, with the widest range of no skip sizes, that are well made with unbeatable customer service would be Tekton hands down. :thumbup:

I still like my Toptul sockets that have served me well for a number of years.

In my misspent youth, I only craved Tool Truck brands. Now that I'm much older. I really don't care for truck brand tools for the most part but, that's just me. :beer:
 
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AEAdam

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“Best built” is an interesting description. Almost suggest build quality. Snap on are the best built sockets, but maybe not the “best” for any possible task.

I think if we wanted to discuss a “best” socket, we’d need to create some criteria. Best at removing dodgey hardware in general is probably one thing. Then there’s the really bad, that requires something like snap on fx or Koken zeal. I’d think warranty would be a factor, integration with accessories, like extensions, availability of semi deeps, or just total range (Such that all your extensions fit every socket the same).

yeah, “best” is complicated. If you don’t want to think about it, go snap on.
 
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Fixr

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AEAdam said:
“Best built” is an interesting description. Almost suggest build quality. Snap on are the best built sockets, but maybe not the “best” for any possible task.

I think if we wanted to discuss a “best” socket, we’d need to create some criteria. Best at removing dodgey hardware in general is probably one thing. Then there’s the really bad, that requires something like snap on fx or Koken zeal. I’d think warranty would be a factor, integration with accessories, like extensions, availability of semi deeps, or just total range (Such that all your extensions fit every socket the same).

yeah, “best” is complicated. If you don’t want to think about it, go snap on.
Click to expand...
Also maybe think about what you really need, rather than what you wish you needed. Use the left over money for something really worthwhile.
 
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AEAdam

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Fixr said:
Also maybe think about what you really need, rather than what you wish you needed. Use the left over money for something really worthwhile.
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Right. With the realization that you need a lot of sockets to fix cars. And the ones you might need to be the “best” may not be bog standard 6 pts.

I would probably also say, I’d spend bigger for shallow 3/8” and shallow 1/4” and maybe get cheaper 1/2” drive
 
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Fixr

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AEAdam said:
Right. With the realization that you need a lot of sockets to fix cars. And the ones you might need to be the “best” may not be bog standard 6 pts.

I would probably also say, I’d spend bigger for shallow 3/8” and shallow 1/4” and maybe get cheaper 1/2” drive
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I was particularly referring to folks who only work on their one commuter car, but have been convinced they should never buy anything less than SnapOn because "That's the best". Some of them wish they needed the best, and buy accordingly, when HF Pittsburgh stuff would outstrip their skill level. And by doing so, they overspend on stuff way beyond their abilities and deprive themselves of a lot of other good stuff that they could actually use.
 
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Silver Lexus

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AEAdam said:
“Best built” is an interesting description. Almost suggest build quality. Snap on are the best built sockets, but maybe not the “best” for any possible task.

I think if we wanted to discuss a “best” socket, we’d need to create some criteria. Best at removing dodgey hardware in general is probably one thing. Then there’s the really bad, that requires something like snap on fx or Koken zeal. I’d think warranty would be a factor, integration with accessories, like extensions, availability of semi deeps, or just total range (Such that all your extensions fit every socket the same).

yeah, “best” is complicated. If you don’t want to think about it, go snap on.
Click to expand...

I was thinking of a combination of build quality and in-field use.
 
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Silver Lexus

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I probably won’t go Pittsburgh as I had an early bad experience. Was my first HF purchase and I purchased a set of wrenches and when I got home I noticed the chrome on two wrenches was flaking off and flagrantly so. To HF’s credit, they replaced it with a new one the next day.
 
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jptbay

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Fedwrench said:
Ko-Ken and their parent company KTC
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I don't think this is correct.

KTC is parent company of Nepros.

These are the best sockets out there. Tighter tolerances, more compact dimensions. You want bling, get Nepros - Regular use, KTC.

You can get KTC sockets that are exactly the same compact dimensions and materials as Nepros , just not polished to jewelry level. They are much more affordable than the Nepros version. Best deal out there for sockets in my opinion.
 
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Fixr

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Silver Lexus said:
I probably won’t go Pittsburgh as I had an early bad experience. Was my first HF purchase and I purchased a set of wrenches and when I got home I noticed the chrome on two wrenches was flaking off and flagrantly so. To HF’s credit, they replaced it with a new one the next day.
Click to expand...
Several decades ago, some HF stuff was horrendously bad. I recall "carpenter's hammers" with heads that looked an awful lot like cast iron, and I'm pretty sure I saw one that had broken like cast iron. But thinking about it, that may have been 30 or even 40 years ago. I can't think of any of their hand tools in the last ten or maybe 20 years that I would actually be afraid to use like those hammers. And most of them I would be fine tossing in the trunk of a commuter car. I'd say that HF hand tools are approaching Sears tools back when Sears had Craftsman Pro, Craftsman, Companion, and Sears lines in descending order of quality.
 
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CGarage

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I own the fancy sockets from all the big American and European and Asian manufacturers. I hardly ever use them.

I have a Facom “Expert” mixed, 1/4 and 3/8 drive fractional and metric kit in a blow molded case. I use this extensively since it is readily portable, “expeditionary”, and always works perfectly.

This set is made to international standards / ISO tolerances in Taiwan, and I really like it.

I have a Vigor general utility set (owned by Hazet) that I use frequently, too.

I have never had an issue or a need for a more premium socket.

ETA: With space being a premium in toolboxes, and the invention of thin wall impact sockets, if I were to start over again, I too, think I would skip the chrome sockets and go with thin wall impacts. Gray Pneumatic and Sunex come to mind.
 
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