I am looking at the three sets of shallow sockets. Proto, Koken regular not Zeal series, and Williams usa. Does anyone own all three brands and if so can you throw up some photos comparing each? Have any measurements such as height, widths of sock and wall thickness of each? As for the three brands which do you think had good tolerances and strength. I heard the williams usa can split pretty easily. Proto is a big chunky, and Koken might not be as strong and wear faster. Any thoughts?
Proto, Koken (not Zeal or z series), Williams USA
- Thread starter JDtime
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kngelv
Well-known member
I have Koken Zeal in shallow and Proto in a mid size. Both are great. Proto is not chunky at all but there is nothing as lean as a Zeal socket. I've never broken either one.
James
James
Vinny
Well-known member
I can get measurements on a William for you later. I'll do a 15mm, 3/8 drive so if others have that in other brands, measure it too.
And I've never heard about Williams splitting, but then I don't know many that use the brand. I can tell you I used them regularly when I was a brake guy and they are still in great shape after all these years. If I ever broke one I planned on getting a Snap On to replace it, but never ended up breaking one.
And I've never heard about Williams splitting, but then I don't know many that use the brand. I can tell you I used them regularly when I was a brake guy and they are still in great shape after all these years. If I ever broke one I planned on getting a Snap On to replace it, but never ended up breaking one.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
LEFT TO RIGHT: Williams, Ko-Ken (not Zeal), Proto 6 point 13 mm 3/8 drive.
TO ME: Williams has small size markings, and seem soft. Ko-Ken is probably the best of the three with its satin finish, and slightly turned down base. Proto is always a winner-winner-chicken dinner to me with nice chrome and large size markings but, it's not what I hink it's up to you.
I'll try to get my other crappy pictures to load, sorry.
TO ME: Williams has small size markings, and seem soft. Ko-Ken is probably the best of the three with its satin finish, and slightly turned down base. Proto is always a winner-winner-chicken dinner to me with nice chrome and large size markings but, it's not what I hink it's up to you.
I'll try to get my other crappy pictures to load, sorry.
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Outstanding, thank you for the photos. I am leaning with either Proto or Koken now. Since you own both which would you get if you could only pick one? I want something that is going to have great durability and good tolerances. Which of those fit the bill? I don't care about the bling factor or stain finishes of each, not really my main concern.
four.cycle
Well-known member
I have no Williams or Ko-Ken.
Below is a set of PROTO 3/8" drive Metric six-points I shipped out several months ago.
Not sure what you mean by "chunky" - Proto is anything but that. Fit and finish is incomparable.
Below is a set of PROTO 3/8" drive Metric six-points I shipped out several months ago.
Not sure what you mean by "chunky" - Proto is anything but that. Fit and finish is incomparable.
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Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
If I could only have one, it would be Ko-Ken.
I have both. Both are great sockets but in my opinion the Koken are a step above in quality. In general the Protos are chunkier with a larger diameter, but it does depend on the particular size. If I was starting from scratch again, all of my sockets would be Koken.
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
I have/had all three. Ko-ken has the best aesthetic and the Williams were the tightest fitting but I ultimately kept the Proto. Lots of options available online, nice size markings, better fit over crappy fasteners (looser sometimes is better when dealing with painted over or rusty stuff), and Proto has an extensive catalog. Williams had limited options and the Ko-ken just seemed to nice to use and scruff up.
If you're torturing yourself over this decision, you don't need to. 
None of those are bad options. All of them will be well made tools.
I'm partial to wright's sockets, because the stamping is really visible and they come with a really nice socket rail. But I did purchase from Proto and Williams for SAE sizes and I have no complaints.
I especially appreciated Proto's prices, which were comfortably affordable at the time (I have not checked since). They also have some uncommon sizes, like the ridiculous 1/4" 16mm socket that I bought for kicks but actually found works pretty well on a spinner handle after breaking things loose with larger drives.
The only Koken socket I have is a 1/4" 3mm, at the far other end of the extreme, which was not available from any other manufacturer.
Probably, I think this will happen to you as well, and you'll end up with mixed sets in the end, so don't dwell on it too long.
None of those are bad options. All of them will be well made tools.I'm partial to wright's sockets, because the stamping is really visible and they come with a really nice socket rail. But I did purchase from Proto and Williams for SAE sizes and I have no complaints.
I especially appreciated Proto's prices, which were comfortably affordable at the time (I have not checked since). They also have some uncommon sizes, like the ridiculous 1/4" 16mm socket that I bought for kicks but actually found works pretty well on a spinner handle after breaking things loose with larger drives.
The only Koken socket I have is a 1/4" 3mm, at the far other end of the extreme, which was not available from any other manufacturer.
Probably, I think this will happen to you as well, and you'll end up with mixed sets in the end, so don't dwell on it too long.
Ohio Andy
Well-known member
Not entirely what you wanted, but because it was easy to do I grabbed something from (Left to right ) wright tools, proto, Craftsman overdrive, and tekton..
The Proto is 13 mm and all the rest are half inch. The Craftsman is shorter. Tekton is a little taller.
The internals looks similar in. The Tekton might be the better Chrome job internally but I don't really know.
The tall ones the Proto is 15 mm and the others are all 5/8. The overdrive is the shortest by far. The wright and proto are broached 21 mm deep, overdrive is 23 mm, and Tekton is 29 mm.
I posted because I had some 12-point protos...
Note that the wright tools are 12 also. Almost all of my sockets are 6.
I specifically purchased wright and Proto sets of quarter and 3/8 just to have a set of 12 point in case I need it or wanted them.
The Proto is 13 mm and all the rest are half inch. The Craftsman is shorter. Tekton is a little taller.
The internals looks similar in. The Tekton might be the better Chrome job internally but I don't really know.
The tall ones the Proto is 15 mm and the others are all 5/8. The overdrive is the shortest by far. The wright and proto are broached 21 mm deep, overdrive is 23 mm, and Tekton is 29 mm.
I posted because I had some 12-point protos...
Note that the wright tools are 12 also. Almost all of my sockets are 6.
I specifically purchased wright and Proto sets of quarter and 3/8 just to have a set of 12 point in case I need it or wanted them.
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Wamsutta
Well-known member
The one thing nobody talks about is the square drive end and how well it fits a square drive extension or ratchet.
Does the socket move around at all after it's snapped onto the square drive?
All my Snap-on sockets fit dead nuts solid on any of my Snap-on drives.
Being that I'm extremely sensitive to the subject of square drive fitment, the added cost doesn't bother me as much.
Does the socket move around at all after it's snapped onto the square drive?
All my Snap-on sockets fit dead nuts solid on any of my Snap-on drives.
Being that I'm extremely sensitive to the subject of square drive fitment, the added cost doesn't bother me as much.
I looked at all these sockets- in the end, was torn between Cat (SO) & Koken. Bought Cat because of a local dealer.
I did spring for a Koken 72t ratchet, and a couple of Koken 1/4 etorx sockets. Both Cat & Koken are excellent.
The 3/8 8-19 Cat set is $52.
I did spring for a Koken 72t ratchet, and a couple of Koken 1/4 etorx sockets. Both Cat & Koken are excellent.
The 3/8 8-19 Cat set is $52.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
So, do you use the extension as a handle when polishing the sockets?
four.cycle
Well-known member
^ I'm guessing you will be happy. Their late production stuff is top-shelf product.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
To answer the OP's question, if it were me, I'd probably go all USA Williams, although the other choices are fine too.
mikebaker1129
Well-known member
I have the Williams and really like them.
Thought about getting some Koken to try out but decided against it because I have Williams, Proto and Cat already.
Thought about getting some Koken to try out but decided against it because I have Williams, Proto and Cat already.
I am still tossing each one around. How's the chamfer on the protos?