Are tool truck sockets “worth it” for the professional?

[Hakeem]

Ive been accumulating some tool truck stuff as I can afford it, and in some cases it makes sense as their products are clearly superior than the alternatives and/or likely to be warrantied over time. Flare nut wrenches and ratchets are two such examples. The sockets are just so freaking expensive though and I’m not really sure what they offer that other sockets don’t. I’ve been happily using Taiwanese stuff without an issue, never had one fail to get a bolt loose. Sure they’re likely to break at some point but HF/Tekton/Capri will happily warranty them. And if not, I can just spend $5-15 for a replacement. So what does spending 4-6x as much get me?

Here’s one such example:


What does spending $600+ on a socket set do for me that a $50 Taiwanese set won’t? Even with my student discount, the prices are exorbitant. Any insight?

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I personally don’t see any reason to buy the sockets, especially not the chrome sockets from a tool truck. I have a few that I’ve bought and they do the same thing any other sockets do. Also the Snap-on chrome sockets are really bad about chrome peeling on them just about everyone I’ve gotten has peeling chrome after a few uses so I have to get them warrantied out. I prefer just getting sockets from either the parts store or Harbor Freight or an online place like Tekton or Capri or go to Lowe’s or Home Depot and get one or whatever. The two sockets I made it a point to buy off the tool truck is a 30mm and 39mm 12 point impact sockets since I do tend to use those a lot for axle nuts on Toyotas since I work at a Toyota dealership.

 

[MovingAlong]

Focus on the work. Buy the tools that do that work, sometimes those might come from HF, sometimes from a truck…

 

[SouthernIllinois]

IMHO, no....the quality difference between HF/Tekton and Snap On / Mac / Matco sockets probably is not worth the price - pros and hobbyist alike.

I have been both in my 56 years on this rock.

Connivence of having a tool truck for immediate delivery - nice but there are more and more HF stores everyday and Tekton's shipping is crazy fast (and free >$25)

Warranty - How often do you really break sockets?

Having said that, I am now retired and like nice tools. 99% of my 1/4" and 3/8" " sockets and ratchets are Snap-On. Some are 25+ years old from my bodywork days.

My 1/2" sockets are Icon, Sunex and Grey Pneumatic and they do the job just as well as the more expensive Snap-On.

 

[nicks78camaro]

I have Tekton 1/4" and 3/8" chrome and 1/2" impact I use daily with zero issues. I even use the 3/8" on my DeWalt 20v impact (gasp).

I personally wouldn't spend 5-10x more or however much for tool truck brand.

But I do love Snap On Dual 80s and use them primarily. Also tools such as hooks/picks and pliers I could see going Snap On.

 

[mike93lx]

This thread will be completely different than the last thousand times this was argued

 

[Hakeem]

I personally don’t see any reason to buy the sockets, especially not the chrome sockets from a tool truck. I have a few that I’ve bought and they do the same thing any other sockets do. Also the Snap-on chrome sockets are really bad about chrome peeling on them just about everyone I’ve gotten has peeling chrome after a few uses so I have to get them warrantied out. I prefer just getting sockets from either the parts store or Harbor Freight or an online place like Tekton or Capri or go to Lowe’s or Home Depot and get one or whatever. The two sockets I made it a point to buy off the tool truck is a 30mm and 39mm 12 point socket since I do tend to use those a lot for axle nuts on Toyotas since I work at a Toyota dealership.

I have a 12pt 1/2” Snapon socket I use for driveshafts and it’s started peeling chrome after maybe 15 uses. Not on an impact, either. I was shocked but thought it might be a bad batch. Good to know I haven’t been the only one.

I’ve bought the Snapon O2 sensor socket and the Matco driveline sockets. I’m considering getting the hex & Torx bit sockets even though my HF Quinn sockets have been just fine. But the tool truck 6pt sockets, they just don’t seem like a sensible buy

 

[Hakeem]

This thread will be completely different than the last thousand times this was argued

I’m hoping to learn from the opinions and experiences of other knowledgeable posters here. If you have nothing constructive to contribute, kindly refrain from posting in this thread. Thanks in advance.

 

[Caa311]

30 years ago yes, today no.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I have a 12pt 1/2” Snapon socket I use for driveshafts and it’s started peeling chrome after maybe 15 uses. Not on an impact, either. I was shocked but thought it might be a bad batch. Good to know I haven’t been the only one.

I’ve bought the Snapon O2 sensor socket and the Matco driveline sockets. I’m considering getting the hex & Torx bit sockets even though my HF Quinn sockets have been just fine. But the tool truck 6pt sockets, they just don’t seem like a sensible buy

For torx ans hex I bought the Capri master set which includes both torx and hex. I’ve been using that for probably 3 years now and some of them on impacts and not a single piece of chrome has came off or not a single one has broken. I also have a few Tekton ones as well that I bought for extras and they do good as well. If the Quinn are working for you then I’d keep using them. I have a set of Pittsburgh Pro sockets I bought in 2015 and not a single one has broken or shown any signs of damage or anything after 10 years and 6 of those years have been professional use.

 

[mike93lx]

I’m hoping to learn from the opinions and experiences of other knowledgeable posters here. If you have nothing constructive to contribute, kindly refrain from posting in this thread. Thanks in advance.

Search is powerful.

Snap-On Sockets

Are Snap-On sockets worth the money? I know they are quality and made in USA, but $234 for a set of SAE shallow 6-point sockets is pretty steep. That is 9-10 times what I paid for a set of DeWalt sockets. I have some DeWalt, GearWrench, SK and one set of Snap-On. When I look inside at the...

www.garagejournal.com

Socket suggestions?

I am looking for standard and metric sockets, 6pt and 12pt and impact sockets. Budget- few hundred bucks if needed. I can buy the regular sockets bow and impact later if needing a bigger budget. I’m not a mechanic but I like decent tools. “Truck” brands are out of my league and a total wast...

www.garagejournal.com

Best non tool truck sockets.

I'm looking for the best chrome sockets that you can get outside a tool truck. Bouth shallow and deep. Just starting my collection of 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2". I guess Snap-On is best, but I don't wanna spend that much money. I'm considering SK, Gearwrench or Wright, but I don't know the marked too...

www.garagejournal.com

This stuff just ends up with some completely convinced the tool trucks are worth it, some convinced they are not and no minds changed.

If you are unsure, try some for yourself and see what they do for you

 

[mikedodge]

I wouldn't say it's worth several times the price but it's worth it to a lot of people when you factor in the convenience of them coming to you.

 

[Caa311]

I bought my snapon sockets in 1988. Back then they were worth it and have traveled through my life with me without any problems. Today there are better options at better prices. The warranty is bulshit enless you are super lazy.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

I’m hoping to learn from the opinions and experiences of other knowledgeable posters here. If you have nothing constructive to contribute, kindly refrain from posting in this thread. Thanks in advance.

If people didn't ask questions that perhaps had been ask before, eventually the forum would dry up to almost nothing.

Members come and go, opinions change over time.
Nothing wrong with asking a question or bringing up a topic that has already been discussed.

Ignore the negativity....

 

[KomatsuTech]

The only advantage that I found with Snap On chrome sockets is they have (had?) the smallest outside diameter. That has saved me a few times as a heavy equipment tech, but the other 99.9% of times any socket will do. I only have the 3/8" set that goes from 8mm to 19mm. I only had to have the 14mm warrantied once for peeling chrome in the past 10 or so years.

 

[zendriver]

If I was a professional mechanic, I might just buy mostly Snap On just avoid any chance of "stink eye" and maximize a "professional mechanic" appearance, that IMO, does have value.

Presumably I'd eventually get everything paid for, then it really would not matter much, for the duration of my mechanic career.

 

[nbpt100]

I have a friend who was a SNAP On Dealer for 10 years. He has also worked as a mechanic using his tools every day. His opinion is the SO sockets are not worth it. The SO ratchets are. Not my opinion but one opinion from an insider.

 

[Hakeem]

I wouldn't say it's worth several times the price but it's worth it to a lot of people when you factor in the convenience of them coming to you.

That’s the kicker — I don’t have a truck that comes to me. I’m ordering all my stuff and paying cash for it so 2 of the primary tool truck advantages are meaningless to me.

My impression is convenience + cheap, easy credit seems to be what sells the tool truck sockets. There’s so much other tooling to buy, allocating that much money to sockets seems misguided at this point.

The only advantage that I found with Snap On chrome sockets is they have (had?) the smallest outside diameter. That has saved me a few times as a heavy equipment tech, but the other 99.9% of times any socket will do. I only have the 3/8" set that goes from 8mm to 19mm. I only had to have the 14mm warrantied once for peeling chrome in the past 10 or so years.

Ok I had always heard this and believed it to be true but recently I put calipers on a Pittsburgh 12pt 1/2” socket and a Snapon 12pt 1/2” socket and the Pittsburgh was maybe 0.010” smaller in diameter. NOT SAYING THEY ARE EQUIVALENT, I’d expect the Pittsburgh will break easier but it was an inspiration for this thread.

What about impact sockets? I work heavy diesel too and I’m mostly using my Impact gun. Any difference there in your opinion?

 

[alinc100]

Look into CAT sockets if you'd like to go slightly higher than Taiwanese and less than Snap On. Here is a link to a thread with a lot of information https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/cat-tools.532655/

In general terms , how often does one break a socket? If you broke a socket that you use daily, what would you do if the tool truck had already made it's rounds for the week? Is there a place you can buy a needed temporary replacement?

 

[dnschmidt]

Use Snap-On for unique items. SOCKETS aren't unique items. Any non-third world country can make sockets that work just fine and who gives a **** if you break one as everybody has back ups and HF, Autozone, O'Reilly's and every store in America sells them. I had a ton of customers buy TOPTUL sockets from me without one complaint or return. Paying Snap-On prices for sockets is crazy. Until HF introduced the G2 ratchets the Dual 80 was clearly the bomb and it was hard to argue against that ratchet as being superior but time marches on and everybody now knows how to make good stuff.

 

[cvairwerks]

When I was turning wrenches for pay, on weekends, it made a heck of a difference... Break a tool at 6 am on Sunday morning and I could call my Snap On guy and run over a get a replacement within a half hour, if he had it on the truck. Store brands...well not everyone was open on Sunday and those that were, generally didn't open til 10 am. 3 hours waiting for a store to open took a lot of bucks out of my pocket.

 

[Steve_P]

I think that the answer is to buy whatever non truck brand you like, and then if you keep wearing out the 19mm, or whatever, buy that one from Snap On. The reality is that even most pros aren't going to be wearing out the 11mm, 15mm, 20mm..... which is what you're paying for. If you buy the CAT sockets and then replace a few with SO over the years, they'll blend in well.

 

[Steve_P]

When I was turning wrenches for pay, on weekends, it made a heck of a difference... Break a tool at 6 am on Sunday morning and I could call my Snap On guy and run over a get a replacement within a half hour, if he had it on the truck. Store brands...well not everyone was open on Sunday and those that were, generally didn't open til 10 am. 3 hours waiting for a store to open took a lot of bucks out of my pocket.

This may have been true 40 years ago, but the chain auto part stores, Ace Hardware..... are open 7 days, typically at 8AM, and I have all of them within 5 miles of me. I'm guessing that my nearest tool truck dealer is 20+ miles away.

 

[KomatsuTech]

Ok I had always heard this and believed it to be true but recently I put calipers on a Pittsburgh 12pt 1/2” socket and a Snapon 12pt 1/2” socket and the Pittsburgh was maybe 0.010” smaller in diameter. NOT SAYING THEY ARE EQUIVALENT, I’d expect the Pittsburgh will break easier but it was an inspiration for this thread.

What about impact sockets? I work heavy diesel too and I’m mostly using my Impact gun. Any difference there in your opinion?

That's interesting, I did not know that. I have one of the 301 piece Pittsburgh sets at home that I have used a lot and never had issues.

I have Pittsburgh impacts in 3/4" and 1" drive. Never had an issue yet. The rest are Proto, Teton, Kobalt, Cornwell and Capri. I will recommend Snap On swivel sockets. I have used Tekton and Capri swivel sockets and they are not as durable in the joint, the get really floppy fast.

 

[BWWgarage]

If I was a professional mechanic, I might just buy mostly Snap On just avoid any chance of "stink eye" and maximize a "professional mechanic" appearance, that IMO, does have value.

Presumably I'd eventually get everything paid for, then it really would not matter much, for the duration of my mechanic career.

It’s like Nike shoes, Canadian goose jackets, Rolex watches, pick your Stanley water bottle of choice, etc

Are they potentially better, yes. Is the margin value worth it, unlikely. But people get caught up in it.

There’s no way snapon is better at every tool they make, but you see people with 100% snapon. It’s known quality, it’s easy, etc

Time is $ and it’s easy to walk on the truck, grab your tool and get back to work vs studying who makes the best xyz. There’s value in this.

I’m drinking out of a $20 coffee mug as I type. I could buy a coffee mug from the $ store (or get free ones from trade shows), but this mug satisfies me.

If snapon satisfies you, I support you.

 

[BWWgarage]

When I was turning wrenches for pay, on weekends, it made a heck of a difference... Break a tool at 6 am on Sunday morning and I could call my Snap On guy and run over a get a replacement within a half hour, if he had it on the truck. Store brands...well not everyone was open on Sunday and those that were, generally didn't open til 10 am. 3 hours waiting for a store to open took a lot of bucks out of my pocket.

A sincere question: how often did you break a tool and what kind of tools were you breaking?

(You had a good snapon guy if he’s picking up his phone at 6a on a Sunday )

 

[jblnut]

Everyone has a different feel for "worth it". Personally I use what I can afford and replace with what I think to be a higher quality tool if/when the cheap tool breaks. Sometimes you get a unicorn from a cheap brand and it's a rockstar, sometimes the first time you use it it breaks. I have a few socket sets that say "China" on them or are a "HoChMe" brand or some other nonsense and no matter what I do to them I cannot seem to damage them. I have a 7/8" and 15/16" sockets that I've worn out a cordless impact with and both sockets look brand new. Doesn't make any sense.

I have two Snap-On ratchets and have to say they are very very nice. Smooth and almost no back drag. I got them in a box of other misc tools at an auction and was quite pleased. Not sure I'd spend the premium on them to replace them but they are nice.

I can see spending more money if you're making money using your tools and having a replacement available sooner than later will make/save you more than waiting for a store to open or the brown turd truck to bring a new one you've ordered from the multiverse. We have started moving more John Deere than anything else for the sole reason of when I call, they come. We don't have a lot of service calls on our smaller farm but it's never ever been more than an hour from the time I call the service line to the time someone rolls in. That sort of service isn't inexpensive but it's worth it. Same goes for tools. They'll all break or wear out eventually so get stuff that has good local support.

If you like to be able to tell people "Hey I have a box full of name brand tools" and that makes your insides tingle, go for it.

 

[jblnut]

A sincere question: how often did you break a tool and what kind of tools were you breaking?

I know you're not asking me but the only stuff we seem to break on the farm is stuff that is being used outside it's intended scope. Like putting an 8' pipe on a 3/4" breaker bar and hoping it holds together. After breaking a few things a few times I got a 1" set and then some #5 spline stuff for the really big stuff.

The occasional socket on a 1/2" breaker bar will crack but nothing catastrophic. We use the **** out of things around here and have had good luck with even the cheap stuff. If you are using the proper tool for the job most things will hold up fine.

Usually when things break it's because they are being abused or have been abused in the past. Tools become consumables at that point which if fine if you are able to recognize what you're doing will likely destroy something.

 

[liliysdad]

My socket drawer is 100% Snap On and Williams in SAE, and 70% Snap On and Williams in Metric, with some Icon and GearWrench filling in holes.

They all do the same job, but I like using the Snap On and Williams more. That’s enough reason for me.

 

[mike93lx]

My socket drawer is 100% Snap On and Williams in SAE, and 70% Snap On and Williams in Metric, with some Icon and GearWrench filling in holes.

They all do the same job, but I like using the Snap On and Williams more. That’s enough reason for me.

Never seen someone so confidently wrong before!

 

[liliysdad]

Never seen someone so confidently wrong before!

Man…what am I wrong about this time?

 

[dchawk81]

We were just about due for another one of these threads.

 

[BWWgarage]

Thinking more about this. I’m not a professional and don’t own tool truck tools (today). Below are my thoughts on my tool buying criteria:

• Better quality: it won’t damage what you are working on
• Better quality: it won’t break / will last
• Better performance: can do the job better with this tool
• Better feel: subjectively, enjoy feel of tool vs another
• Easy access: tool truck comes to your door
• Easy warranty: tool truck comes to your door weekly
• Easy decision / Confident buying: know you are getting the best (or close to the best) with each purchase and don’t have to shop around
• Professionally/socially accepted: your customers, managers, colleagues value
• Aesthetically pleasing: makes you happy, looks good in the box

All these would be good reasons to buy tool truck if any are true for you and you value them.

On my list for tool truck tools: snapon/cat plier set as many highlight quality and performance of them. I’m a value guy, so I’d buy the cat to save the $

Edit: this is a socket thread and I very much digressed

 

[JeepYJ]

What about impact sockets? I work heavy diesel too and I’m mostly using my Impact gun. Any difference there in your opinion?

Impact sockets are consumables. They’re made of softer steel so they don’t shatter like chrome sockets on an impact.
I have a mix of old Craftsman, Wright, Pittsburgh Pro and some newer Quinn from HF. They all seem to work the same. If you want new USA made it would be hard to argue against Wright.

 

[RonnieC]

Man…what am I wrong about this time?

Nothing. You are not wrong in that you are stating your preference.

 

[Aaron_W]

If people didn't ask questions that perhaps had been ask before, eventually the forum would dry up to almost nothing.

Members come and go, opinions change over time.
Nothing wrong with asking a question or bringing up a topic that has already been discussed.

Ignore the negativity....

Exactly, there was a "which welder to buy" thread recently and I was kind of blown away by the responses I was seeing. Then I saw the date of the OP, it was a necro'd thread from 2007.
Things have changed a lot for welders in 18 years. Just in the 6 years since I bought mine first welder attitudes have changed towards multi process machines and some of the import brands.

This is a thread about sockets which are about as low tech as it gets but still brands come and go, as does the quality of brands.

10 years ago HF vs Tool truck sockets would get a very different response than today.

 

[Aaron_W]

Use Snap-On for unique items. SOCKETS aren't unique items. Any non-third world country can make sockets that work just fine and who gives a **** if you break one as everybody has back ups and HF, Autozone, O'Reilly's and every store in America sells them. I had a ton of customers buy TOPTUL sockets from me without one complaint or return. Paying Snap-On prices for sockets is crazy. Until HF introduced the G2 ratchets the Dual 80 was clearly the bomb and it was hard to argue against that ratchet as being superior but time marches on and everybody now knows how to make good stuff.

And if the 6x the price is true, you can buy two sets of inferior sockets and still come out ahead, plus you have instant replacement at any time of day, even on a weekend or holiday.

I get the value of a tool truck thing for a specialized tool, but I have so much redundancy of core items at this point that there are few things I could break at 11pm Christmas Eve and not have a replacement available and I'm not even a pro.

I just tend to keep the old stuff when I upgrade.

 

[mikedodge]

That’s the kicker — I don’t have a truck that comes to me. I’m ordering all my stuff and paying cash for it so 2 of the primary tool truck advantages are meaningless to me.

My impression is convenience + cheap, easy credit seems to be what sells the tool truck sockets. There’s so much other tooling to buy, allocating that much money to sockets seems misguided at this point.



Ok I had always heard this and believed it to be true but recently I put calipers on a Pittsburgh 12pt 1/2” socket and a Snapon 12pt 1/2” socket and the Pittsburgh was maybe 0.010” smaller in diameter. NOT SAYING THEY ARE EQUIVALENT, I’d expect the Pittsburgh will break easier but it was an inspiration for this thread.

What about impact sockets? I work heavy diesel too and I’m mostly using my Impact gun. Any difference there in your opinion?

In that case I'd buy whatever is convenient for you to get.

I have some Snap on stuff and better quality tools. I also have Mastercraft (Canadian Tire) sets and some super cheap stuff. The only tools I've ever had problems with were the super cheap ratchets.
For impact sockets I think most of my good ones are shallow Williams or Snap On and I have sets of SAE and metric deep cheap ones. Never had a problem with any of them.

 

[KnurledNut]

Snap-on offers a tremendous variety of sockets. One would really need to dissect the offerings and decide what might be advantageous.

Anything you intend to break on a regular basis that could benefit from the warranty. Bit sockets come to mind.
Snap-on does 1/4" drive better than most, especially 12-point. This may not matter to an auto mechanic, but its critical to aviation/aerospace and other industries that need high performance tooling. 1/4 swivels are a standout.
Anything that requires purchasing external licensing like E-Torx will be made to exact standards instead of a wild *** guess.
Unique sockets like flare nut, weatherhead, pipe plug, torque adaptors, etc. designed to provide the highest tolerances/durability/usability. Snap-on has their own domestic R&D and engineering. This comes at a cost to the end user.
Also consider special application sockets no one else makes.

Snap-on gets pissed on quite a bit. I get it, their tools are expensive, and mechanics are underpaid.
A mechanic will proudly beat his chest claiming he will never use another Snap-on tool while he sits at his hutch using Mitchell software, or using the JohnBean tire changer and balancer, or working under a Challenger lift, completely unaware Snap-on owns all of them.

Love them or hate them, they are a critical supplier in the USA, but also worldwide. I am glad they exist. Without them, their would be an industry void.

 

[mikedodge]

Exactly, there was a "which welder to buy" thread recently and I was kind of blown away by the responses I was seeing. Then I saw the date of the OP, it was a necro'd thread from 2007.
Things have changed a lot for welders in 18 years. Just in the 6 years since I bought mine first welder attitudes have changed towards multi process machines and some of the import brands.

This is a thread about sockets which are about as low tech as it gets but still brands come and go, as does the quality of brands.

10 years ago HF vs Tool truck sockets would get a very different response than today.

There are also several welder threads that are more recent.

Tool threads like this come up a few times a year and Harbor Freight vs whatever come up a lot more often then that. Then there's ones like what air compressor to get ones thst can come up weekly.