Best non tool truck sockets.

[Olafur]

If Wurth is the distributor for Koken in Norway as is the case in Iceland I assume they are way overpriced. Well so to speak, it's hard to overprice them.
BTW Taiwan has gotten the hang of making great sockets. Nothing wrong with them and sometimes the price is fantastic.

It's actually boring since buying Snap On and Koken is lot more fun.

 

[jflores]

I have a mix of Wright and USA Williams. Both high quality tools. ToolsDelivered has great prices on Williams, so I have a few more of them than the Wright. I would also buy Koken if you can get them on a good deal on that side of the pond.

 

[99graveyard]

I bought a proto 6-24mm 3/8 drive set that I love. It's very nice not having to switch ratchets for one or two bolts on a projects.

 

[kctyphoon]

I don't take pictures in the can when I'm done either...

Meaning I never have bothered to take a picture of a broken tool I already knew was ****. I've personally broken many harbor fright wrenches, mostly the open end, had their impacts round out in far too short a time (you can get more life by slicing off a quarter inch in the chop saw), had a hundred or so of their crappy air fittings wear out in 1/10 the time of a Milton, experienced a bearing seperator/puller bend like it was made of copper pipe (also one hole it the two piece set was skipped and not threaded), and countless other failures before I learned. Even today I pay with tools from there that are still around and don't get much use. Just yesterday I cut, or rather attempted to cut a 1/4" bolt with a pair of their bolt cutters... Nope, a chunk of the jaw plopped off in the barnyard, where it belonged. I can get you a picture of that if you really want to see, it's still in my truck where I threw it to remind myself to buy one made in the USA, but like I said... Nobody's wanted to see my **** before.

We are talking about sockets in this thread.. I can probably get you pictures of telephone poles people I work with broke - but I hardly think you can blame the poles for that. Some people just need to learn how to use tools, how use them within their limitations, and not blame the tools when bad things just "continue" to happen to the same people. Example being - if you come across an insanely stubborn bolt, instead of just grabbing a 4' pipe to put over the breaker bar - you stop and say "hey - this isn't a $45 snap on socket, so maybe it would be a good idea for me to heat the bolt up first" THAT or you say "if I'm in the business of having to do this 4 or 5 times a week, maybe it's time I buy that $45 socket so I can be harder on the tools"

Obviously I'm comparing opposite ends of the spectrum here - which is why I said any "well known" sockets should work fine. HF and Gearwrench both have sockets coming out of Tiawan, many people here use them (impacts too) and have great things to say about them, but there are dozens of other reputable brands to pick from that will work just as well as tool truck brands for most people - without having to spend tool truck money. If that weren't true, there would not be 25 other popular brands out there instead of just 3 or 4. And for the record I didn't say "just buy HF sockets" I said any any well known brand should work fine.

 

[four.cycle]

"Is that a fact, or your opinion?..."

you have to ask?

(* okay, but seriously: if you poke around enough here, you'll find at least one other member who will agree with me there. I will concede that I haven't use every brand of tool ever made in the known universe, but then, nobody else has either. (for the current "complete" list of all US tool manufacturers see HERE: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5694347#post5694347 )
as mentioned previously by another member, this is all subjective opinion.)

Some people just need to learn how to use tools, how use them within their limitations, and not blame the tools when bad things just "continue" to happen to the same people.

^ this.

I love these threads!

 

[HCNDM]

In terms of euro brands people have mentioned hazet, stahlwille, Gedore, and facom.

I have facom it's Taiwan, the finish is not quite snapon but they are good all round.

Don't know if you can get Beta, lots of their stuff is still made in Italy.

Bahco is snapon owned and while some of their products don't make me as happy as the used to I am still a big fan of the ratchets and sockets. I keep a quarter and 3/8 set in the car. They were affordable, look good, and have taken a beating over the years.

Quick selection of what's available in holland.

https://www.beslist.nl/products/klussen/klussen_486173_488854/c/merk~486277

I think I am in the same boat as you. I like really nice tools. But not making my living with tools means the budget is lower than some others.

As a result most of my collection is a bit of a mix and match of all the euro brands mentioned here and a few of the American ones. My snapon is limited to what I can get secondhand. A few drivers and f80 ratchet and a few SAE spanners.

On the one hand it bothers me that I don't have matching sets. On the other hand I have tools for most jobs and everything is paid for. The best bit about mixing and matching is taking the best of each brand.

The driver bits on the bahco sets aren't as good as the sockets but the were easily replaced with top end Wera bits. Best of both worlds.

And yes it's all subjective opinion.

A final brand (that doesn't do sockets I think) but I feel needs mentioning anyway is PB Swiss.

Of all that I own PB is the best made in my opinion.

Final note: go hold and work with some of the stuff before you buy. What works for someone else no matter how epic and professional they are may not work for you.
If only because people are built differently.


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[Antique Engine]

I just went out to my shop and snapped some pictures of my main grievance with cheap Chinese sockets. I dug the Harbor Freight socket set out of my scrap barrel just to snap these pics. They aren't broken or defective, just crappy enough that I threw them away.

I was working under a truck sometime back using an 18 inch extension and Harbor Freight deep socket to try and start a nut onto a stud. The stud was way up in there and not reachable with anything less than a socket and extension.

I couldn't start the nut onto the stud because of the stupid Chinese socket. Notice how deep the nut slides down into the socket compared to the properly made socket next to it ?



The nut falls nearly 3/4 of an inch into the socket.



So I had to switch to a shallow socket to start the nut, then switch back to the deep socket to tighten it down.

Harbor freight on left, Williams USA on the right. Notice both of these sockets are 3/8" drive 9/16" deep sockets. The Williams is less bulky in all dimensions and it's smartly broached so the fastener is held where it belongs without sliding up into the socket body.



Same



Now, I'm not talking about tool truck stuff here. The entire set of Williams made in USA sockets is 30 dollars. If anyone chooses the 12 dollar Harbor Freight socket set to save money and endure the aggravation because of it, just to save the measly 18 additional dollars, they're quite a tightwad.

Made in USA. SnapOn Industrial Williams socket set. 30 bucks.
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Willi...e-Tools-3-8-Inch-Drive-Impact-SAE-Socket-Sets

This is just an example, they are available in chrome and impact, deep and shallow, 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 drive. Just make sure to choose the Made in USA option as several earlier posters here pointed out.

 

[winlinmac]

Three things Harbor Freight is known for -- sockets, ratchets, and tool storage solutions, that's what one of the managers told me the other day. Purchasing sockets at Harbor Freight is the best choice one can make for ultimate versatility, from quality and savings to ease of warranty. I'm not bothered by minor scratches on the chrome as they are shipped from a land far far away.

Opinions vary from person to person. As per impact sockets, Williams, Harbor Freight, Toptul // chrome sockets -- Proto and Armstrong (Includes Craftsman USA via Danaher), Toptul // specialty sockets -- VIM Tools and "some" Harbor Freight // YMMV

The chrome on the Proto sockets have always been pleasing to the eyes. I've had eye sores with the inside appearance of some of the SK sockets

I've based my opinions on cost, quality (you can't appreciate quality until you hold one of these sockets in your hands), and ease of warranty. I'd love to try Wright's sockets, but they just feel overly priced.

We are talking about sockets in this thread.. I can probably get you pictures of telephone poles people I work with broke - but I hardly think you can blame the poles for that. Some people just need to learn how to use tools, how use them within their limitations, and not blame the tools when bad things just "continue" to happen to the same people. Example being - if you come across an insanely stubborn bolt, instead of just grabbing a 4' pipe to put over the breaker bar - you stop and say "hey - this isn't a $45 snap on socket, so maybe it would be a good idea for me to heat the bolt up first" THAT or you say "if I'm in the business of having to do this 4 or 5 times a week, maybe it's time I buy that $45 socket so I can be harder on the tools"

Obviously I'm comparing opposite ends of the spectrum here - which is why I said any "well known" sockets should work fine. HF and Gearwrench both have sockets coming out of Tiawan, many people here use them (impacts too) and have great things to say about them, but there are dozens of other reputable brands to pick from that will work just as well as tool truck brands for most people - without having to spend tool truck money. If that weren't true, there would not be 25 other popular brands out there instead of just 3 or 4. And for the record I didn't say "just buy HF sockets" I said any any well known brand should work fine.

 

[winlinmac]

My CR-MO Pittsburgh Pro Harbor Freight sockets doesn't have that extreme of a depth from what is showing in your pictures. I believe the sockets in your photo are the Chrome Vanadium Type (Pittsburgh (non-Pro)-only--which I've stayed away from).

CR-MO type is the one to go for when shopping at Harbor Freight

I just went out to my shop and snapped some pictures of my main grievance with cheap Chinese sockets. I dug the Harbor Freight socket set out of my scrap barrel just to snap these pics. They aren't broken or defective, just crappy enough that I threw them away.

I was working under a truck sometime back using an 18 inch extension and Harbor Freight deep socket to try and start a nut onto a stud. The stud was way up in there and not reachable with anything less than a socket and extension.

I couldn't start the nut onto the stud because of the stupid Chinese socket. Notice how deep the nut slides down into the socket compared to the properly made socket next to it ?



The nut falls nearly 3/4 of an inch into the socket.



So I had to switch to a shallow socket to start the nut, then switch back to the deep socket to tighten it down.

Harbor freight on left, Williams USA on the right. Notice both of these sockets are 3/8" drive 9/16" deep sockets. The Williams is less bulky in all dimensions and it's smartly broached so the fastener is held where it belongs without sliding up into the socket body.



Same



Now, I'm not talking about tool truck stuff here. The entire set of Williams made in USA sockets is 30 dollars. If anyone chooses the 12 dollar Harbor Freight socket set to save money and endure the aggravation because of it, just to save the measly 18 additional dollars, they're quite a tightwad.

Made in USA. SnapOn Industrial Williams socket set. 30 bucks.
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Willi...e-Tools-3-8-Inch-Drive-Impact-SAE-Socket-Sets

This is just an example, they are available in chrome and impact, deep and shallow, 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 drive. Just make sure to choose the Made in USA option as several earlier posters here pointed out.

 

[kkroger]

I have
Wright
Snap-On
MAC
S-K
Craftsman

I like my Wright stuff better for personal reasons...
on that note, I have NEVER broken a socket from any of these brands, not a single one.
I twisted the drive off a breaker bar without damaging the socket at all.
I have had Chinese **** and Taiwan **** and have broken almost every piece of those cheap sets... doing stuff that the good stuff would have shrugged at...
Those days are over for me, I am closing in on an ALL Wright toolbox...
I got a Craftsman set on black Friday it arrived via FedEx and said "Made in China" on the cardboard box and no COO markings on the tools at all. I gifted them to my sister for Christmas, she always complained about not being able to find tools in their garage, so she can put these where she wants them and use them and she will probably NEVER damage one.

 

[kctyphoon]

This comparison of the broaching can be debated both ways. The shallow broach is not "correct". In fact it's just a cheaper socket to make. But if u took that same shallow broach socket and had to use it in a tight space, your ratchet now has much greater chance of hitting whatever is behind it, since now the ratchet AND the socket both have to move, instead of the nut just being able to travel in the socket. My $1.99 husky sockets are machined the same way, but my 20+ year old craftsman USA all have deep broaching. The deeper broach allows for a lot more clearance in some situations, but neither is right or wrong - or an indicator of junk vs well made. It's just different...

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[Monte]

Hazet importer for Norway: www.rodin.no
Stahlwille importer for Norway: www.oulie-hansen.no

 

[bcradio]

This comparison of the broaching can be debated both ways. The shallow broach is not "correct". In fact it's just a cheaper socket to make. But if u took that same shallow broach socket and had to use it in a tight space, your ratchet now has much greater chance of hitting whatever is behind it, since now the ratchet AND the socket both have to move, instead of the nut just being able to travel in the socket. My $1.99 husky sockets are machined the same way, but my 20+ year old craftsman USA all have deep broaching. The deeper broach allows for a lot more clearance in some situations, but neither is right or wrong - or an indicator of junk vs well made. It's just different...

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EXACTLY!

I look at shallow broaching as a negative. I find it funny that some people think that shallow broaching is a sign of a higher quality socket. It's not.

 

[kctyphoon]

EXACTLY!

I look at shallow broaching as a negative. I find it funny that some people think that shallow broaching is a sign of a higher quality socket. It's not.

I actually agree.. The deeper broaching is a more versatile tool in my eyes, and a more expensive machining process too. If the argument for spending money on top tier sockets is "clearance, clearance, clearance" then it seems to me the shallow broach is counter productive.

In my line of work, using double nuts is a common occurrence. The deep broaching allows people to remove both nuts at the same time. Other people's opinions might differ though.

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[Krille]

What sockets are deep broached? At least SK and Gearwrench is not...

 

[Lassen Forge]

I love my old-school Craftsmans. Good sockets.

Also - my old craftsman deep wells aren't shallow broached. Don't know about the new ones, tho...

For the longest time, we used to get either S&K or KAL at work from a vendor that had a contract with the company. Never had a problem with either one breaking or wallering out. Then when the contract ran out, one of our beancounters decided to try to save money by low-bidding everything, and we ended up with the worst of the worst - like those $9.99 40 piece socket sets (on sale for $7.78) with "CHINA" stamped into the flaking chrome (we used to call them misbranded North Korean).

Fortunately we got the contractor back... but for a while, we had a number of injuries from people having to use that trash. Most of us brought in our own tools (against company policy) as a finger-saving measure.

 

[T45]

Shallow broach is a specialty tool...lots of people with snap on deeps seem to keep cman around at even more additional expense as an insurance when they need a deep broach....also mid-deep snappy has a deeper broach than the deep snap ons...again nothing to do with quality and everything to do with having a diversity of tools to cover every situation.

cheers...and happy hunting.

 

[btdobie]

I bought a 1/4" set of Williams a few months back .. Made in Taiwan. The quality was OK but not as good as the older ones that had Made in USA on it.

Watch the item numbers on Williams. I've read that all numbers is made in Taiwan, but a mix of letters and numbers is Made in USA

 

[BK13]

This comparison of the broaching can be debated both ways. The shallow broach is not "correct". In fact it's just a cheaper socket to make. But if u took that same shallow broach socket and had to use it in a tight space, your ratchet now has much greater chance of hitting whatever is behind it, since now the ratchet AND the socket both have to move, instead of the nut just being able to travel in the socket. My $1.99 husky sockets are machined the same way, but my 20+ year old craftsman USA all have deep broaching. The deeper broach allows for a lot more clearance in some situations, but neither is right or wrong - or an indicator of junk vs well made. It's just different...

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EXACTLY!

I look at shallow broaching as a negative. I find it funny that some people think that shallow broaching is a sign of a higher quality socket. It's not.

You guys are missing the point. This here's a perfect excuse for another set of deep sockets! LOL

 

[HCNDM]

You guys are missing the point. This here's a perfect excuse for another set of deep sockets! LOL

That Would make four sets [emoji4]

Deep and shallow broached deep chromes and deep and shallow broached impacts!

 

[BK13]

That Would make four sets [emoji4]

Deep and shallow broached deep chromes and deep and shallow broached impacts!

Times three drive sizes...

Edit: and SAE and MM...

 

[Antique Engine]

My career has always been aircraft or car repair. I don't have any real experience with equipment or industrial environments, but I don't remember ever needing or wanting a deep broached socket. All of my chrome sockets have always been SnapOn so all I've ever used is shallow broach ones. Those deep broached impacts I posted above were a real pisser to me. Not being able to use them to start nuts or bolts sucked. And anytime the nuts were greasy or dirty they tended to get stuck deep down inside the socket and I had to pull the socket off the impact and bang it against something to dislodge the nut out of the socket.

 

[T_Roze]

That Would make four sets [emoji4]

Deep and shallow broached deep chromes and deep and shallow broached impacts!

Wrong again! 6 sets. There's gotta be a mid length broach option somewhere

I appreciate both deep and shallow broach. I don't often have to start a nut with a socket in tough spots, so my deep broached sockets work fine for me. If I was to start doing say a lot of transmission bell housing bolts, I would consider a shallow broached set.

 

[HCNDM]

Wrong again! 6 sets. There's gotta be a mid length broach option somewhere

I appreciate both deep and shallow broach. I don't often have to start a nut with a socket in tough spots, so my deep broached sockets work fine for me. If I was to start doing say a lot of transmission bell housing bolts, I would consider a shallow broached set.

[emoji23] x 2 for metric and Sae. I agree Every type has a use and place.

Tbh honest i very rarely use anything other than my mid chromes. Lately that's the Facom 440 set. As a hobbyist anything more is overkill. Still nice to have around when you need them.

 

[JonnyMac]

Koken or nepros

 

[Flivver250]

Question comes up often. In my opinion Wright tools are the best.

 

[Krille]

This was quite convincing. Maybe it's gonna be a tool truck brand after all. Mac is possible to get in Norway:

 

[Krille]

I just got a large Sunex 3/8" impact socket set in the mail (Sunex Tool 3351), and wow, I'm impressed. The quality feel and the workmanship is very much to my liking. The sockets are heavy and flawlessly made. I like the dual markings: stamped and laser etched. And they are quite deep in their broaching, which is good. Two thumbs up so far.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111430883554?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[crbnfbr]

My suggestion Toptul. For the price you are not going to find a better fitting and finished socket or wrench for that matter. Our local Toptul seller had a 1/4",3/8" and 1/2" 37pc metric sockets on a rails for $36 or the same set but deep for $70. They're significantly less than Gearwrench or Carlyle(which I like also), but forget about ease of warranty.

 

[BK13]

My suggestion Toptul. For the price you are not going to find a better fitting and finished socket or wrench for that matter. Our local Toptul seller had a 1/4",3/8" and 1/2" 37pc metric sockets on a rails for $36 or the same set but deep for $70. They're significantly less than Gearwrench or Carlyle(which I like also), but forget about ease of warranty.

You have a local Toptul guy?

 

[Hush 74 1985]

The Germans

Stahlwille AS drive 6 point sockets. If you buy straight from Germany it’s usually not that expensive when compared with tool truck brand and is equal if not better in quality.


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[6PTsocket]

Apparantly Williams continues to sell both USA and imports. They do not have the same part numbers or even the same number format or pricing. It is like there is a high and low end line. The high end line is like SO. I think the high line has letters in the part numbers.

I bought a 1/4" set of Williams a few months back .. Made in Taiwan. The quality was OK but not as good as the older ones that had Made in USA on it.

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[Qualitytools]

I would recommend Koken made in Japan the fit and finish is superb if you can get it in Norway or order it from Amazon Japan or Rakuten. I have a Koken Zeal set that is just beautiful

 

[CR888]

What's better about a koken or Stahwille socket in a practical sense compared to say a quality Taiwan socket by Facom, Gedore, BGS, King Tony, Kincrome or Topul that comply with DIN German standards. How much longer is the service life of these top tier sockets? How will the Koken socket improve or make easier the work your doing? Lots of strong opinions on top shelf top dollar socketry recommendations, I just want to know 'WHY' the Stahlwille socketry will make your working day better? I don't want to know about warranty, just the reasons why the German or Japanese socket is a better product, thus reccomended by so many.

 

[Mr_B]

Stahlwille finish far more long term durable and design with satin and knurl far better handle and grip which make common task of pulling from ratchet and extensions far easier . Hazet and gedore also nice design and quality
Carlyle and toptul 2 quality options too .
I like koken design and range coverage but don't find finish durability as good as stahlwille or better taiwan ones .
Cheaper good options are Premier taiwan made and style with lower satin and top polished with knurl band, they proper decent design with good coverage and full stepped shouldering .
Older gearwench was pretty decent but they cutting costs with less maching to broaching and shouldering thus not as special as once was.
OP state snapon assumed best, that long way from reality, several of the germans sockets as good and better and cheaper, even taiwan has better design and equal to better material quality .

 

[KevinF]

TOPTUL Best value quality sockets on the market!

 

[Mr_B]

^
not the best if want A/F
certainly can be pretty good value plus have polished and satin chrome finishes to please most tastes but premier taiwan as good and socket range better too and they cheaper .

 

[Tonyuk]

Facom or gedore imo, Wera/Wiha for bits and bit sockets. Facom also do very good spline sockets.

A good basic 6 or 12 point socket can be had from pretty much anywhere now.

 

[kythri]

[emoji23] x 2 for metric and Sae. I agree Every type has a use and place.

Tbh honest i very rarely use anything other than my mid chromes. Lately that's the Facom 440 set. As a hobbyist anything more is overkill. Still nice to have around when you need them.

x2 again for 6-point and 12-point.

 

[Hush 74 1985]

I would recommend Koken made in Japan the fit and finish is superb if you can get it in Norway or order it from Amazon Japan or Rakuten. I have a Koken Zeal set that is just beautiful

What was the name of seller on Rakuten ?


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