who makes better sockets

[mowersplus84]

i am all caught up on everything bills are all paid i have a good surplus of funds saved witch included a 6 month buffer on all bills . i am looking to buy a new set of sockets and was wonder what ones i should go with proto or sk

Proto seems to be a bit cheaper but sk has more variety from what i see

 

[Toyota mechanic]

Between the two you mentioned.............. Proto! IMO.... but Can't go wrong with either one!

 

[Ruger_556]

SK is fine, Proto is better...

 

[rtole]

Proto has about any socket you and any industrial company will ever need. I would be shocked if sk has more sockets. (since you said you were buying sockets) I could see sk having more auto related tools.......but proto should have any socket you should ever need. Either one is a fine quality tool. No wrong choice there.

 

[1950mercury]

Buy nice used and save a ton of cash...

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Either will last more than a lifetime. Williams USA is also another industrial brand option (look for the sets that the Part # starts with letters, the all numbers are Taiwan made).

 

[bcradio]

Proto gets my vote also

 

[back2class]

proto. As good or better quality and much more stable operation, so support and replacements should be better/easier over the long haul with Proto.

 

[BK13]

Just to cloud the issue more, check out Wright...

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Proto all day over SK. Other than Proto, take a look at Williams USA.

Toolsdeliverd.com has great pricing on Williams tools.

 

[DennisH2014]

Both great choices, but overall Proto. Better quality and range.

 

[SASORacing]

Snap-On are the best and my favorite. I have compared dozens of brands, S-O has the best grip ona socket. The walls extend all the way down and are not tapered much. Nice shape and thin walled.

 

[SawtoothJL]

I like both proto and sk. But I dont own any SK socketry. The proto sockets I do have are awesome though

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Snap-On are the best and my favorite. I have compared dozens of brands, S-O has the best grip ona socket. The walls extend all the way down and are not tapered much. Nice shape and thin walled.

AKA Williams USA.

Bring on the **** show.

 

[Adam.C]

How much are we talking about for new SK, Proto or Williams?

 

[mowersplus84]

How much are we talking about for new SK, Proto or Williams?

price wise i have around 1,500 to spend

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

I'm not really familiar with Proto sockets but if they are similar to MAC then that's what I would go with, MAC makes my favorite sockets, even over Snap On. Proto makes great quality tools so you can't go wrong with them. With my limited experience with SK, their sockets feel a lot like Craftsman with a hair more quality.

 

[TOOL FANATIK]

I'm kinda shocked to see most votes for proto. Really? Over a pretty shiny sk socket?

 

[Adam.C]

I was looking for prices of sets. Here ya go:
SK 7-19mm 3/8" $66
Proto 7-19mm 3/8" $85
Williams 3/8" $40 (undoubtedly Asian imports)

So here's my advice:
1) First have a look at this gentleman's post: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4327566&postcount=9
Notice the difference in size between the Snap On 12mm and the other sockets. This is one of the reasons so many of us recommend Snap On. And not only are these sockets thinner, I believe they are harder and stronger as well. This may be a feature you need or it may not be.

2) I believe Snap On places the detent balls on their extensions and ratchets in a slightly different position from other makes. Their sockets have divots designed to work with their drive tools. Consequently, craftsman sockets fit more loosely on Snap On ratchets and extensions. This looseness varies between imperceptible, to minor annoyance, to major pain in the ****, depending on the drive size, extension, etc. If you think you are going to someday want Snap On ratchet handles or wobble plus extensions, I think you'll do better with Williams or Snap On sockets. They are part of a system designed to work together.

3) If you look at used Snap On prices on ebay, you can usually find like new socket sets in almost any size/drive for under $100. That's more than these other sets, but not loads more. I have bought 1/4" drive sets for as little as $50.

Not trying to talk you into to anything, just offering suggestions and options and things to think about. When you look at some of the issues above, you can see why some of us greatly prefer Snap On even if we are not pro mechanics. I only have a few sets of Chrome hex sockets (2, 1/4" shallow and semi deep, 3, 3/8" shallow, semi, deep - I also have the **** low pros - 1 set of 1/2" drive). So I may well have paid double or triple what you can get other brands for. I may have paid $300 more than other people for my Snap On sockets. That doesn't break my bank. But - Snap On makes sense to me and for me. It may not for you and your work.

 

[steveo3002]

would certainly be worth seeing if you can pick up a good used set of snap on's

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I was looking for prices of sets. Here ya go:
SK 7-19mm 3/8" $66
Proto 7-19mm 3/8" $85
Williams 3/8" $40 (undoubtedly Asian imports)

So here's my advice:
1) First have a look at this gentleman's post: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4327566&postcount=9
Notice the difference in size between the Snap On 12mm and the other sockets. This is one of the reasons so many of us recommend Snap On. And not only are these sockets thinner, I believe they are harder and stronger as well. This may be a feature you need or it may not be.

2) I believe Snap On places the detent balls on their extensions and ratchets in a slightly different position from other makes. Their sockets have divots designed to work with their drive tools. Consequently, craftsman sockets fit more loosely on Snap On ratchets and extensions. This looseness varies between imperceptible, to minor annoyance, to major pain in the ****, depending on the drive size, extension, etc. If you think you are going to someday want Snap On ratchet handles or wobble plus extensions, I think you'll do better with Williams or Snap On sockets. They are part of a system designed to work together.

3) If you look at used Snap On prices on ebay, you can usually find like new socket sets in almost any size/drive for under $100. That's more than these other sets, but not loads more. I have bought 1/4" drive sets for as little as $50.

Not trying to talk you into to anything, just offering suggestions and options and things to think about. When you look at some of the issues above, you can see why some of us greatly prefer Snap On even if we are not pro mechanics. I only have a few sets of Chrome hex sockets (2, 1/4" shallow and semi deep, 3, 3/8" shallow, semi, deep - I also have the **** low pros - 1 set of 1/2" drive). So I may well have paid double or triple what you can get other brands for. I may have paid $300 more than other people for my Snap On sockets. That doesn't break my bank. But - Snap On makes sense to me and for me. It may not for you and your work.

EEEK Adam, you are shopping in the wrong store...
go to protoindustrial.com

twelve piece polished metric set can be had for $58.07 choice of six or twelve point.. The twelve piece set sizes are 8 mm to 19 mm with no skipped sizes.. free shipping with $199 purchase from Tool-Up

 

[catalytic]

Why not Wright? I read about 1000 socket comparison threads before switching to all Wright sockets... I love them.

 

[bob15]

Wright or SK, then look at used Snap On. Fourth on the list would be proto.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Why not Wright? I read about 1000 socket comparison threads before switching to all Wright sockets... I love them.

That is a justifiable question.. I have Wright, SK, ProTo, Snap-On, MATCO, Cornwell, and others.. All are good tools... I am sure that buddy of Jeff Moss: Harry J Epstein, could fill the OP's needs with some new Wright tools..

 

[Farmall450]

You can't go wrong either way, IMO SK has nicer chrome though.

 

[JDon99]

All of the above mention are great quality. We have some Proto stuff at work and the chrome looks pretty damn good to me, even after sitting loose in a steel box and being moved around and shuffled constantly.

 

[Davefr]

I'd go SK or Wright over Proto. They're all "top shelf" quality sockets but Proto's warranty can be problematic where SK and Wright will be a simple mail in as long as the failure is not abuse.

In the case of Proto, they require all warranty returns to go thru a distributor. The distributor could give you a major run around if you didn't buy from them. If you have a business relationship with a Proto distributor that shouldn't be a problem but if you don't, then warranty could be a hassle if you ever need to use it.

I don't even know of any Proto distributor??

 

[bimmer630]

I have a few proto socket sets, and the only thing I dont like about them is the Broaching. The socket broach goes all the way down the length of my SAE short chrome 3/8 set. seems a bit cheap to me
most people dont see this as an issue but when you are trying to start a bolt that needs to be turned and have pressure put on it, or else it wont thread in, it becomes impossible without a shallow broached socket. Snapon seems to have the best broaching in the Biz. My sk sockets are decent too, but seem to be all over the place with broach depth.

The one single Wright socket I own has the deep broach all the way down too.
Mac sockets are deep broach too, looks like you could stick 3 or 4 10mm nuts into my mac 10mm socket.

just food for thought

 

[fatfillup]

The OP's question, SK or Proto,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,either will serve you well. Proto is owned by Stanree who loves to outsource while Sk is owned by Ideal and seems to want to keep jobs here though I haven't researched that.

I would vote SK

Note, the OP didn't state whether he was a pro wrench or a DIYer so we don't know the intended use unless I missed it.

 

[BK13]

Stanley does love to outsource, but Proto has enough USG contracts that require US made tools that I wouldn't worry about production going overseas...

 

[rockfordmarv]

My collection consists of mostly mid 90's Craftsman USA stuff thats held up really well--never broke any. With all the hoopla around SK day and that I did order the 19 piece 3/8" shallow metric set from them and i'm pretty underwhelmed. Probably gonna return them and try out some Wrights or snap on used stuff.

That being said I did buy a set of older 1/2" deep fractional SK's from a pawn shop and they are nice/heavy/good chrome--but I only paid 20 for these. For the price I paid for the new shallows I really expected more.

 

[organ]

I really like the few Proto sockets that I own... and I've beat on them... literally. Great chrome.

 

[Tronyadorable]

Remove head from ******.
Buy a breaker bar and impact sockets.
Loosen bolt. Remove bolt with $1 ratchet and socket from flea market or ?????
Re-install bolt with $1 ratchet and socket. Torque properly with torque wrench that cost you more money than your TV and couch combined.
Repeat.
Congrats. You're awake now.

 

[wyo george]

I'd go with the SK set myself, but I'm a bit prejudiced from using SK for the last 30 years or so.

 

[motofool33]

I've been buying williams sockets up I've pieced together a pretty large set with the prices they are offered at.

 

[organ]

Remove head from ******.
Buy a breaker bar and impact sockets.
Loosen bolt. Remove bolt with $1 ratchet and socket from flea market or ?????
Re-install bolt with $1 ratchet and socket. Torque properly with torque wrench that cost you more money than your TV and couch combined.
Repeat.
Congrats. You're awake now.

What if the $1 flea market socket is a Proto socket? Can I reinstall my head into my ******?

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I have a few proto socket sets, and the only thing I dont like about them is the Broaching. The socket broach goes all the way down the length of my SAE short chrome 3/8 set. seems a bit cheap to me
most people dont see this as an issue but when you are trying to start a bolt that needs to be turned and have pressure put on it, or else it wont thread in, it becomes impossible without a shallow broached socket. Snapon seems to have the best broaching in the Biz. My sk sockets are decent too, but seem to be all over the place with broach depth.

The one single Wright socket I own has the deep broach all the way down too.
Mac sockets are deep broach too, looks like you could stick 3 or 4 10mm nuts into my mac 10mm socket.

just food for thought

The deep broach vs shallow broach is the reason I own several different brands.. In a place where access is restricted; as a bolt is turned out, the bolt head will raise within the socket, without the ratchet raising to contact an obstruction. Same with nuts on a threaded rod tension adjustor.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I have a few proto socket sets, and the only thing I dont like about them is the Broaching. The socket broach goes all the way down the length of my SAE short chrome 3/8 set. seems a bit cheap to me
most people dont see this as an issue but when you are trying to start a bolt that needs to be turned and have pressure put on it, or else it wont thread in, it becomes impossible without a shallow broached socket. Snapon seems to have the best broaching in the Biz. My sk sockets are decent too, but seem to be all over the place with broach depth.

The one single Wright socket I own has the deep broach all the way down too.
Mac sockets are deep broach too, looks like you could stick 3 or 4 10mm nuts into my mac 10mm socket.

just food for thought

The full broach is the reason for having some Craftsman deep wells..

 

[sbyrne92]

I think the right question is...what are you going to do with them? Are you a DIY, what is your motive to wanting to buy new tools other than shiny glittery factor. If you work on cars maybe one week out of a month, maybe reconsider pricing. Are you planning on restoring or working on projects for many weeks maybe the next few years? Either way buy what suits you. Many people like many brands, for different reasons. I bought a **** ton of snap on stuff early in my life, and went into to debt. I had to sell most of it to pay for school. Now I use a bunch of USA craftsman and it suits me for what I do to my cars. Do I wish I had some of the snap on stuff back? Yes I do, but justifying a $300 dollar wrench set when you can get some at $100 makes a bunch more sense for the stuff I do.

Buy what's affordable and available. SK is good for average use and proto is great for average and industrial use. But there's a pricing difference. If you have around 1500 then seek out eBay and Craigslist, maybe even members here. I buy most of my stuff used now, because its cheaper and easier as long as your willing to look.

 

[cgv69]

IMO when talking sockets (in terms of quality or function), there isn't enough difference between any of the major US made brands to worry about it. I'm talking Snap On, Matco, Mac, Proto, SK, Williams and Wright. They are all quality made tools that will last the average person a lifetime if taken care of and used properly. The only 2 US made brands I would avoid is Craftsman and Armstrong because of their poor quality chroming (which often leads to rusty sockets)

I believe the deciding factors on which sockets to get comes down to availability, selection and price. With that in mind, SK has the best ratio of quality, price, selection and availability IMO. They also have great CS in my experience.