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good hand sockets?

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mrjsl

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 22, 2009
Messages
74
Location
Louisiana
I need to buy some metric socket sets and some replacements to fill in for missing or broken sockets, a standard handle 3/8 ratchet, and a short handle 1/2" ratchet

Here's what I have - a buttload of 50 year old tools - mostly snap-on. I am not a mechanic, so I haven't seen a snap-on tool truck guy in ages.

My most often used standard 3/8 snap-on ratchet is stripped out and the finish is wore off. I do not have a short handle 1/2" ratchet and I want one. I do not have a 3/8 drive rebuild kit, although I do have 6 kits for 1/2" drive (and all my snap-on ratchets are old)

Sockets: every socket I own that is less than 20 years old is craftsman. I don't like them - they rust too quickly - I live on the gulf coast.

In older sockets, I have a lot of craftsman that do NOT rust so fast, and a lot of snap-on, and a few proto, mac, SK, you name it.

I have only the basics in Metric sockets, and 60% of them are newer, rusty craftsman, so I want to buy some 6pt metric sets in deep and shallow, and 3/8 and 1/2 drive and avoid the craftsman at all cost. I want good sockets. I love the snap-on sockets I have, but I don't have a local guy to buy them from, and I would like to find something I don't have to pay triple the price and then have no one to throttle when I need something. I had been carrying 2 stripped out old snap-on ratchets around in my truck hoping to spot a local tool truck and run him down, but I never have time to pursue this. I finally gave them to a friend of mine who has a friend who works on airplanes who has a snap-on guy. To me that is a lot of BS.

Now, although I am not a mechanic, I am spoiled - have used snap-on tools all my life, and have broken more snap-on than most average people own. When I find the odd junky socket, rusty, walls too thick, crappy plating, etc... I toss it in the trash or throw it at a squirrel.

Is there any other brand of sockets to be had today that are as good as 50 year old snap-ons? And what are they?
 
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Rickster

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Jun 26, 2005
Messages
6,218
Location
SE PA
How about trying the classifieds here or the tool for sale links in members signatures.
 
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HandyManny

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Joined
Mar 13, 2009
Messages
2,239
Location
Out West
I think if you haven't been happy with the newer Craftsmans, and if the newer Snap-Ons don't satisfy you, you may just be out of luck. Due to environmental concers these days, chrome plating just isn't as good as it used to be. Buy up those vintage sockets when you can. Some places with an environment like the gulf coast can be pretty unkind to steel tools. Unfortunately that's just the way it is in some areas. Surface rust and oxidation doesn't bother me at all. But I do keep it in check when I think it will lead to corrosion. Having used tools both on and off the job for many many years I've just accepted this "achilles heal" about steel.
 
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sk farmer

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Joined
Mar 4, 2009
Messages
5,557
Location
nd
harry epstein has some great deals on sk metric sockets in 1/4 and 3/8 that come with a ratchet and a plastic rail.
 
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wreckercologist

Well-known member
Joined
May 17, 2009
Messages
1,813
Location
cyber-tool hell
If you post a list in the classified section of the things you need, some of us may be able to help you out. I have several old Snap-on sockets that just sit collecting dust.

Welcome to GJ, mrjsl!
 
P

PSU Engineer

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Joined
Dec 20, 2008
Messages
70
Location
Linglestown, PA
Merkava_4 said:
I always recommend Proto whenever somebody asks about sockets.
Click to expand...

Huh, from all of your posts that I have read, I was under the assumption that you owned part of Snap-On.

If you recommend Proto's for sockets, what will the OP do if he needs a 1/2" drive deep well socket in Metric?
 
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Fedwrench

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Joined
Dec 9, 2007
Messages
14,954
Location
Valley of the sun
Although some people here have had mixed results, I would go with SK. If you shop around you can find metric sets for reasonable prices. Try tooltopia, thetoolwarehouse.net, or even Amazon. Ebay can also be a good source. SK is having some labor issues right now but, they produce a durable US made product and they have one of the largest selection of metric sizes available. I would agree with others to look for the older odd sized missing sockets on Ebay to keep the set together. You can always buy new Snap on from Snapon.com As for ratchets, it's a personal choice as to the balance, head shape, number of teeh, etc. I like the Matco 60 and 88 tooth series. However, the Armstrong Maxx and Gearwrench 60 tooth versions are very similiar and also durable. Good luck in your quest,:beer:
 
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tw33k2514

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 28, 2009
Messages
1,034
Location
Chicago
I agree with Fedwrench 100%. I use my SK sockets almost everyday, and they have held up great.
 
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rhandwor

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Joined
Oct 10, 2008
Messages
1,366
The pawn shops and flea markets have plenty of used chrome sockets. Good impact is a lot harder to find. Deep sockets are harder to find but a lot are for sale on ebay.
 
J

Joe Mamma

Well-known member
Joined
May 31, 2009
Messages
339
tpolley said:
just go to sears and buy a 260 piece tool set. it comes with all the sockets you'll ever need, ratchets, and wrenches. save the 50 year old snap on's. if you're not a mechanic chances are a craftsman set will serve you well. its on sale this month for $169. that's a smoking deal.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934260000P?mv=rr
Click to expand...

The original poster said that the recently made Craftsman tools **** in his experience.

mrjsl, I also recommend getting S-K sockets and buying them from Tooltopia. S-K are great quality and the prices for them at Tooltopia are too much at all.

Joe Mamma
 
R

RedBox

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 12, 2009
Messages
55
Location
MN * USA
What's the consensus on Wright sockets? I realize they're expensive compared to Craftsman and SK, but they seem about the same cost as Proto. I like that Wright Tools isn't a big corporation and is focused on US made tools. So I'm willing to pay the extra cost - at the pace that I can afford it. I'm not a pro so I don't need a lot of tools, but I care about quality, and not needing a great quantity, I can over time afford the quality.

RB
 
OP
M

mrjsl

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 22, 2009
Messages
74
Location
Louisiana
Joe Mamma said:
The original poster said that the recently made Craftsman tools **** in his experience.

mrjsl, I also recommend getting S-K sockets and buying them from Tooltopia. S-K are great quality and the prices for them at Tooltopia are too much at all.

Joe Mamma
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the replies first of all...

I don't think all craftsman drive tools ****, but their newer sockets in particular seem to get rusty faster than anything else I own. Their ratchets on the other hand have been pretty good for me, even though I like the feel of the snap-on better... I have torn up more snap-ons over the years. I only have one 1980's Craftsman ratchet that is iffy, and it's been used as a hammer before looks like.

To clarify, when I say I have old tools, most of my tools are from the 1960's. Everything newer than that is Craftsman from a set bought in the 1980's and another in the 1990's - mostly for misc. shop tools.

I haven't had a new snap-on socket in my hand, but I assume they are still good - I was just wondering if anyone else besides them and Craftsman had sockets of any decent quality nowadays. My only issue with snap-on is since I don't work in a shop I can never lay eyes on them.

I will check out the SK. I have a handful of very old SK sockets, and they are good quality. I actually have a pretty old small SK box that has my 1/4" drive stuff in it.
 
S

scottg1952

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 7, 2009
Messages
112
Location
Happy Camp
If you're spoiled to 50 year old Snap-on? Stick with it!
Old Williams, Proto, S-K, lots of vintage brands just plain rock.

You aren't going to find anything new that will satisfy if you are accustomed to vintage,..... and you know it, ...... or you wouldn't have asked. :)

Get out and prowl the swap meets and estate sales. The good stuff will sell to the very first person to lay eyes on it, so set your clock early!

Haunt ebay like a ghost. Don't let a single ad in the classifieds here go unread and don't forget Craigslist.

In fact, the only thing you -can- forget is retail.

Now,............ about those extra 1/2" vintage Snap-on ratchet rebuild kits...........????? :)
yours Scott
 
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