Tekton Semi-Deep

[RonnieC]

I was thinking about that the other day in the context of stubby sockets like these

https://olsatools.com/products/stubby-impact-sockets?variant=41929929424947

I first looked at them and I thought well that's interesting. There's a hole in the back which means That I can use them on a bolt as shown by @51dueller
But then I noticed that all the tools sells these clips that will plug the hole because apparently those sockets have a tendency to fall out

https://olsatools.com/products/clip-for-stubby-impact?_pos=1&_sid=dac7e926c&_ss=r

But if I plug that hole, although I can still use it where I need a stubby, I don't understand how well their retention works or doesn't. I have only ever used one pass-through set and that is made by crescent

Crescent 25 Piece 3/8" Drive Pass-Thru X6 Standard Spline Mechanics Tool Set - CX6PT25​

https://a.co/d/3pWnTso

My only midsize sockets are 1/4 inch made by snap-on. It's a really nice set with their shallow midsize and deep s both SAE and metric. Really nice set...

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

I’m not a mechanic and I don’t own any snap on. I’ve seen a million threads that mention snap on being expensive but I’ve never checked the prices until I saw Andy’s link. $3200???? Holy smokes!

 

[Ohio Andy]

I’m not a mechanic and I don’t own any snap on. I’ve seen a million threads that mention snap on being expensive but I’ve never checked the prices until I saw Andy’s link. $3200???? Holy smokes!

On a whim I should add up how much I spent on my Proto and wright tools sets just for comparison.

But if you really want price shock, check out tro designs ratchets. They are clearly better than snap-on or pretty much anyone, with a price to match

Epic Moto Parts & Tools

Exceptionally engineered motorcycle parts and tools

www.trodesigns.com

If you need to carry a ratchet and it needs to be light and strong. This is what you carry if you can get one. My favorite ratchet.

 

[RonnieC]

On a whim I should add up how much I spent on my Proto and wright tools sets just for comparison.

But if you really want price shock, check out tro designs ratchets. They are clearly better than snap-on or pretty much anyone, with a price to match

Epic Moto Parts & Tools

Exceptionally engineered motorcycle parts and tools

www.trodesigns.com

If you need to carry a ratchet and it needs to be light and strong. This is what you carry if you can get one. My favorite ratchet.

Looks like it would be used on the ISS.

 

[51dueller]

The 3/8 semi deeps are now available to order. 3/8 extra shallow and 1/4 semi deep are still coming soon.

 

[shoggoth80]

I like semi deep. If I'm only going to grab one rail, it's them. I've got GW in 3/8 and 1/4. They were the only ones available that I knew of at the time that didn't come off a truck. Sometimes they're the Goldilocks solution. Depends on what you're elbow deep in.

Low profile/super short is it's own discussion And also awesome in its own right.

Variety is the spice of life so they say. You can never have too many ways to solve a problem. Does that mean go buy everything? Of course not. Weigh out your use scenarios.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

Does that mean go buy everything? Of course not. Weigh out your use scenarios.

I think you meant to post this on a different site... here we buy everything regardless of need! You can forfeit your tools and exit the chat now!

 

[Kurt4440]

I think you meant to post this on a different site... here we buy everything regardless of need! You can forfeit your tools and exit the chat now!

If you want the semi deep sockets, you should probably get new shallow and deep sockets as well. We can't have shiny new sockets next to dirty scratched sockets.

Only $154

 

[51dueller]

This is the first Taiwan made chrome mid length sockets. Gearwrench are Vietnam and finished in China. Mid length impact sockets have been available from several brands but just not chrome.

I have my Matco nano sockets for the extra shallow. Not much interested in normal extra shallow. I imagine the 1/4 mid length are going to be a while as they only currently show up in the socket length diagram.

 

[Callelle]

This is the first Taiwan made chrome mid length sockets. Gearwrench are Vietnam and finished in China. Mid length impact sockets have been available from several brands but just not chrome.

Icon has had mid length chromes from Taiwan for some time now

 

[51dueller]

I forgot about the Icons. Being from Canada, harbor freight isn't available to me.

 

[E46 Tony]

Icon has had mid length chromes from Taiwan for some time now

Only in 3/8 drive, which is arguably the most useful application for them but it's always nice to have more options.

 

[shoggoth80]

I think you meant to post this on a different site... here we buy everything regardless of need! You can forfeit your tools and exit the chat now!

Oh man! Ya got me!
I forgot, the GJ answer is always "yes."

 

[Steel_Rain]

Lots of good info an opinions here.

As others already said, I really depends on your use case. Working on cars alot, yea, I use my 3/8" drive Koken's often enough to make them worth the money. Engine mounts, front drive accessories, timing gear, even light duty suspension work mostly.

I think Tool company's love to make money by selling things you "need", but I find them useful for what I do. They are not indispensable, but they are helpful.

Random, but does anyone think Tekton is on fire the last few years? 15 years ago I thought they made junk when I was new wrench looking to invest in a brand. Now, they are halfway between mid / top tier in my book.

 

[Steve_P]

Lots of good info an opinions here.

As others already said, I really depends on your use case. Working on cars alot, yea, I use my 3/8" drive Koken's often enough to make them worth the money. Engine mounts, front drive accessories, timing gear, even light duty suspension work mostly.

I think Tool company's love to make money by selling things you "need", but I find them useful for what I do. They are not indispensable, but they are helpful.

Random, but does anyone think Tekton is on fire the last few years? 15 years ago I thought they made junk when I was new wrench looking to invest in a brand. Now, they are halfway between mid / top tier in my book.

I never heard of Tekton until they were mentioned here, whenever that was; I guess when they rebranded. From what everyone here says, before that they had a different name and sold junk. But yeah, IMO they're legit and overall sell very good to excellent quality stuff now. Their website is extremely simple but gives you 98% of the info anyone would want- COO and dimensions are clearly shown. Metallurgy and heat treat info is also often shown. Compare Tekton's website to a huge brand like Proto- they basically tell you, "It's a wrench".

 

[shoggoth80]

I've bought a lot of Tekton for the guys at work. We've collectively busted a handful of sockets, and I've had to rebuild a couple ratchets. But for what it's worth, I've rebuilt the same number of SK, Proto, and Snap On ratchets for the guys, and turned in waaay more busted SK sockets

I bought some of their crowsfoot wrenches for our tool crib. Not the flare nut style. Just regular old crowfoot. Worked to yank the line off a Ford power steering pump when nothing else was grabbing worth a damn. I call that a win.

They're a decent bang for your buck brand with really solid customer service. The warranty is what it is, and customer responsiveness goes a very long way to differentiate themselves in the market.

I've got some limited Tekton in my personal box. No complaints. If I wasn't as set as I am in the nitty gritty basics, I would likely have more of it.

Their website is really easy to navigate, with very simple filters.

Ok. Enough side tracking.

 

[51dueller]

The semi deeps came in the mail today. Here is the 19mm compared to the other 3/8 sizes.

 

[GeoBruin]

The semi deeps came in the mail today. Here is the 19mm compared to the other 3/8 sizes.

Sorry if it was mentioned above but who makes the super shallow socket?

 

[51dueller]

It's Matco's version of the Astro 3/8 nano socket set. I was never going to use this style as an impact socket plus I dislike laser etching and I like chrome. They are however twice the price of the Astro version. They do have normal socket detents vs the Astro single hole impact style.

 

[ChevyEFI]

It's Matco's version of the Astro 3/8 nano socket set. I was never going to use this style as an impact socket plus I dislike laser etching and I like chrome. They are however twice the price of the Astro version. They do have normal socket detents vs the Astro single hole impact style.

Nice to see they offer 6-24mm in a set as well.

How is the o.d. vs. the impacts, if you know?

 

[51dueller]

While I haven't seen the Astros in person, other than a couple sizes that are thicker they are essentially the same diameter as my Tekton chrome sockets

 

[51dueller]

Looks like the 1/4 semi deep sockets are now available. My collection is now complete.

 

[mikey03]

Looks like the 1/4 semi deep sockets are now available. My collection is now complete.

You need semi deeps with partial broach and another set in full broach both in 6 pt and 12 pt to be complete

 

[51dueller]

I thought having 1/4 and 3/8 in 6 point nano, shallow, mid length and deep also 12 point in shallow and deep would be enough.

I've never been a fan of shallow broached deep sockets and when I needed one, a piece of electrical tape across the opening accomplished the same job and prevented the nut from falling out.

 

[51dueller]

The 1/4 semi deep showed up today.


I can essentially call my metric chrome sockets now complete, although I imagine that at some point they will come up with something new...

 

[jblnut]

although I imagine that at some point they will come up with something new...

UltraDeeps will be the next thing. “Skip the extension and use a new UltraDeep socket!!”

I don’t remember the last time I grabbed a 1/4” or 3/8” drive socket for anything I do on a daily basis. It’s all 1/2” minimum and usually 3/4” drive stuff in the farm shop.

You guys giggle when you see someone makes a 50mm socket in 1/2” drive. I have a few 1/2” sockets in 3/4” drive. Sometimes it’s easier to grab a different socket than a whole different drive tool lol.

 

[51dueller]

UltraDeeps will be the next thing. “Skip the extension and use a new UltraDeep socket!!”

Ultradeep technically already exists.... These I'm not buying without a use case.

 

[jblnut]

Ultradeep technically already exists.... These I'm not buying without a use case.

I bet they are a big seller. They’ve likely sold dozens of sets lol.

I can actually think of a few places I’d use something like that when deep in the belly of a combine and I don’t want to lose a socket off the end of an extension. I usually install a nice gooey weld to keep the socket on the extension so it doesn’t fall off in a case like that. I have a big drawer full of modified tools and they’re painted the color of the machine I use them on so I have half a clue what they’re for next time I go hunting for something I don’t think exists.