Fella's I'm on a quest too replace all my old 1/4 drive metric sockets. My current line up is craftsman USA, I'm a home mechanic so no professional wrenching going on here. Can anyone PLEASE tell me the COO for Facom sockets??? I would also greatly appreciate any feed back on the two brands good or bad. Thanks Fella's...
Facom vs. SK Sockets GJM's recommend
- Thread starter Bross956
- Start date
Pics of 1/4" drive Facom sockets on Facom's site say "France" on them: http://catalogue.facom.com/en/categorie/ratchets-sockets-accessories/radio-1-4-range/sockets-1-4
I've seen Facom tools made in France, Czech Republic, Taiwan and Italy.
I have mostly SK sockets. Love 'em. Excellent value, IMO.
I've seen Facom tools made in France, Czech Republic, Taiwan and Italy.
I have mostly SK sockets. Love 'em. Excellent value, IMO.
shockwave
Well-known member
Depending on where you are us vs U.K. Would be a big factor on facom vs sk both are good brands and will last with better quality than craftsman USA sets
Facom current production of sockets is Taiwan. The ratchets are made in italy. The sets are thus mixed COO. NOS tools come up for sale, COO france. You may want to look at USA made williams as well.
mrjaw14
Well-known member
I run SK sockets. they replaced craftsman USA. As the other poster said, depends on where you are. Us, then get SK
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
Ultimate Garage can break COO down for you on what he sells.
Same here and same opinion of SK. And I also have a lot of USA Craftsman sockets that work well. So why are you replacing your Cman?
btdobie
Well-known member
I couldn't be happier with my Ideal SK sockets, but I wouldn't replace a set of USA made Craftsman with them, but I would replace any craftsman made in China or Taiwan.
My 12 year old son's new tool box is taking them...
COO means a lot to me that was the reason for asking on the Facom, if it's made via France/Italy I could live with that but not Tiwian. I'll just stick with buying SK sockets.
I have both Facom COO (France & Taiwan). I can't tell any difference between the 2 in fit, finish, or function.
I do however prefer them over the SK that I've had. I like the undercut on the Facom sockets and, IMO, the fit and finish is a notch higher on the Facoms too.
They're both nice and either will get the job done. If U.S. COO is important to you, well, your decision should be easy...
I do however prefer them over the SK that I've had. I like the undercut on the Facom sockets and, IMO, the fit and finish is a notch higher on the Facoms too.
They're both nice and either will get the job done. If U.S. COO is important to you, well, your decision should be easy...
Musicinabottle
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SK would probably be easier to warranty should you ever need to and are definitely USA made
Facom could be Taiwan. And warranty would be a little more difficult.
You could also look at Proto. USA made and would be warrantied here too.
Facom could be Taiwan. And warranty would be a little more difficult.
You could also look at Proto. USA made and would be warrantied here too.
If you fancy Facom made with SK name on them....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-19mm-3-8-Drive-Socket-Set-With-Ratchet-Sk-91823-/231805132610?hash=item35f8a99f42:g:rgQAAOSwFqJWjAAb
http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-19mm-3-8-Drive-Socket-Set-With-Ratchet-Sk-91823-/231805132610?hash=item35f8a99f42:g:rgQAAOSwFqJWjAAb
californiaHank
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If you only need shallows, there are some Facom sets in blow molded cases that are periodically available at very good prices. They include the very nice Facom R.161 ratchet. IMHO, Facom's 1/4" drive ratchets are the equal of Snap-on and are significantly less expensive. (I own and like both.)
For US stuff, I'd add Williams to your list to consider. Snap-on makes Williams for industrial accounts and prices them a lot less than their retail truck tools - The sockets are very similar to Snap-on in design, and I like the shape of Snap-on's deep 1/4 drive sockets a lot. Their ratchets aren't anything special, though. I'd look at Williams sockets, but add a Snap-on or Facom ratchet.
For US stuff, I'd add Williams to your list to consider. Snap-on makes Williams for industrial accounts and prices them a lot less than their retail truck tools - The sockets are very similar to Snap-on in design, and I like the shape of Snap-on's deep 1/4 drive sockets a lot. Their ratchets aren't anything special, though. I'd look at Williams sockets, but add a Snap-on or Facom ratchet.
bcradio
Well-known member
GJM's?
dkroth
Well-known member
Let's see, USA, (South) Korea, USA.
dkroth
Well-known member
I have that exact set still in the shrink wrap. Bought it when the bankruptcy was announced.
dkroth
Well-known member
I hope you paid less for it than what's in my link. Seems kinda pricey to me...
Any thoughts on the quality of the one you have?
Edit: Nevermind, "still in the shrink wrap..."
bob15
Well-known member
Lets see: USA (old Camillus)....USA(Quasar)....USA(hardware store steel us made box)
OP: Wright or SK
A lot of Facom is made by Rotar group in Taiwan (as well as some MAC, Sidchrome, Toptul etc..). They make some very high quality tools. Shun them if you cant get a price you'd like, but not only due to the fact that they're Taiwanese because the products are very good.
i didnt say others were omitted. SK is by far the worst of any name brand ive used.
dkroth
Well-known member
Without looking it up, $30 comes to mind.
I bought it because of the round head Facom style ratchet.
If that guy can get $99 for his, I'll be dumping mine!
btdobie
Well-known member
COO is something I consider when making purchases as well though I don't insist on USA made. I just avoid stuff made in certain countries. Overall I have found that tools made in Taiwan by reputable companies are generally good for the price paid. China on the other hand rarely produces good tools.
My 1/2" line up is all Proto, love the chrome finish. Just wanted to try other brands...
You read my mind! I own, well what choice do I have, plenty of Taiwan made tools, the quality is very impressive. I'm just hoping my son will have a USA, France,Japan option when he is of age.
hangfirew8
Well-known member
I think others have echo'ed the story of a bad run of sockets based on a new technology, I forget, maybe sintered steel. And before that SK was a low to mid-market brand, not higher end as now.
I've had my SK SuperKrome sockets since the 90's. I just warrantied the first one last month, the 14mm 3/8 6-pt, I split it a while back. Had to mail it in. When I got the new one back, the new one looked just like the rest of my 90's vintage sockets. Which, by the way, all still look great, no peeling chrome.
I'm a serious DIY and those sockets have done yeoman work for me for 2 decades. I don't know how Ideal industries is doing with the new SK, but not everyone had the bad experience you did.
bpjr
Well-known member
If the Craftsman worked ok I'd go with new old stock USA Craftsman off the auction sites. Way less than SKS. A year or so back I replaced most of my Craftsmen sockets this way and put the old ones to use in portable tool boxes for cars and boats. Basically I bought full sets of 1/4" & 3/8" sockets in 6 & 12 pt for a fraction of new SKS. I still have SKS two sockets sets purchased in the 1970s and like them but the newer Craftsmans gives the same service...except for the SKS mid length sockets. This is home use only but I rebuild engines, front ends, motorcycles, boats and anything else that needs repair around the house.
Craftsman from the 90s was good. The later USA 2000s era had a **** finish. I bought their giant set around 2010 and many of them are dotted with rust over the "chrome". Its the only chrome sockets I've owned I've ever seen do it. I have SK, Snap-On, MAC, and even a few Hazet and none of them are doing what the Cman are. Good value in bulk but I'd never go out of my way to buy them just because they say "USA".
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You might have to throw out your phone and your computer
i always hear stuff like this. can i buy a us made phone or computer? probably not or at least not one i can afford so i can't make that choice and i can live with that.
there are lots of options for tools. you can get them made in most any part of the world including the usa. i can make that choice. i may not always but most often i choose a us made tool. nothing wrong with that.
just because i can't buy a us made tv does not make me a hippocrit for wanting to by us made tools.
oh and yes, my steak knives and mailbox are us made.
Roobaix
Well-known member
Not really. Computers, cell phones, tablets, etc. are basically all made by Foxconn.
I have some SAE 1/4 SK-Wayne sockets owned from the late 60's and 3/8 sockets purchased in 1974 that I beat the heck out of for many years. None of them ever split. And chrome is remarkably good for being in unheated garages over the decades. And I have new Ideal SK 1/4 and 3/8 sets that have worked fine so far. So I guess YMMV.
Schurkey
Well-known member
Thank you.
I have never understood folks who shoot their mouths off about imported computers, electronics, generally-bottom-feeder-consumer-goods in response to someone (typically me) wanting to avoid Chinese products in favor of "Made In USA", "Made In North America", or "Made In The Free World" products.
The Communists and other low-wage manufacturing segments have destroyed wide swaths of American Industry, and they've done it with the assistance of Big Business and treasonous politicians in our own country. Buying Communist-produced products when no other options are available does not mean you support Communism. It means you're pragmatic enough to understand that there aren't options in that market segment.
At this point, many hand tools still have USA-, North American-, or Free World-sourced competition. I therefore recommend buying "closer to home" when possible. As it happens, I see a big difference between buying Taiwanese-sourced tools vs. Red Chinese-sourced tools, and not much difference between buying Taiwanese vs. French, but if the OP doesn't want Taiwanese, I'd fully support that. For him.
As the OP seems to be from England, I'm wondering what options exist for British Empire-sourced tools.