Need to upgrade SAE sockets

[signcrafter]

Up until a few years ago I had a mismatched bunch of sockets. Over the last few years I have upgraded most of my metric stuff because that's what I use the most working on cars. Bought gearwrench 1/4 and 3/8 drive chrome sets that have standard and deep metric and sae so I'm good there. But that's about the end of my sae stuff. For metric I have mid length and swivel 1/4" and 3/8" sets in chrome. Also have 3/8" drive standard, deep, and swivel metric impacts. Then standard and deep metric 1/2" drive impacts. So metric is pretty well taken care of for now.

I don't use SAE much so don't want to stick a ton of money into them but have been working on stuff that I needed SAE for so want to get some sets. Probably not all at once but would like to get chrome 1/2" drive short and deep and probably impact 1/2" drive short and deep. Also maybe 3/8"drive impact sets.

Before I bought sunex metric impacts I used HF impacts and they worked decent. I also see a lot of posts about tekton socket sets. So what's my best option to pick up some 1/2" drive impact and chrome sets and 3/8" drive impacts?

 

[TXpintail]

I think Wright or USA Williams from toolsdivered.com are the best bang for the buck.

 

[pstemari]

I'd stay away from Williams. Wright, Proto, and SK are all good choices.

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[Dingleburry]

Dont know about their sockets, but the chrome on wright wrenches and ratchets ****. Assuming sockets will be the same. Just a heads up.
Besides that wright are great.
Williams i find has to much text stamped on it and hard to see/find the size, not to mention the socket size text is the same size as the rest of the lettering/stamping, so it dosent stand out. Wright sockets have larger socket size stamps then the rest of the text so it stands out .

 

[AS556]

Get Proto

I think I paid $60 for my 3/8 SAE set

 

[jimmyin3D]

For 3/8 and 1/2 Impact go Sunex they’re relatively cheap, strong and reliable.

I would skip the 1/2 chrome for SAE the impact should cover your needs.

 

[Yarpo]

Dont know about their sockets, but the chrome on wright wrenches and ratchets ****. Assuming sockets will be the same. Just a heads up.
Besides that wright are great.
Williams i find has to much text stamped on it and hard to see/find the size, not to mention the socket size text is the same size as the rest of the lettering/stamping, so it dosent stand out. Wright sockets have larger socket size stamps then the rest of the text so it stands out .

What's wrong with the chrome on the Wright stuff? I use their wrenches multiple times a week, and have for the last ~30 weeks now without issue.

 

[Matt XYZ]

SAE can be found pretty cheap on eBay, garage sales etc if you want to go the used route and still get top quality brands.

 

[Fluelikesymptoms]

I'd stay away from Williams. Wright, Proto, and SK are all good choices.

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Why would you suggest staying away from Williams?

 

[bob15]

Dont know about their sockets, but the chrome on wright wrenches and ratchets ****. Assuming sockets will be the same. Just a heads up.

Have a few examples (pictures) of what the issue is with Wright's chrome? Nothing wrong with what I own.

OP: beside the new socket brands that have been discussed, have you considered used, including Snap On?

 

[Mr_B]

if you like gearwrench get gw sae rail sets when see offers .
sunnex is overpriced for nothing special crmo taiwan sockets, plenty low cost and very decent taiwan impacts if browse online, HF ones okay at price with a coupon used but size coverage bit lacking .

 

[Mecha]

SK, Wright, or Proto for the shallow 1/2" is a good choice. Really with SAE going with used sets is easy and somewhat prevalent to find.

Deep well impacts whichever Taiwan equivalent you prefer.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I'd stay away from Williams. Wright, Proto, and SK are all good choices.

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Why would you stay away from Williams sockets, especially the chromes which are Snap On?

 

[Lisamelting]

When I started a part time job to help out a friend I had to set up another box of tools. I went with Tekton for 1/2 drive chrome and impact sockets. It's been a year of use with no issues and I would choose the same setup if I were to do it again.

 

[Professional Tool User]

For impact sockets, the brand doesn't really matter. Impact sockets are one of those things that don't break easily. Even the Harbor Freight ones are fine and if you want to avoid size skips, go with Tekton or Sunex. Unless you can find used Proto, SK, Williams, Wright, or other lesser known USA made brands for cheap, don't bother.

 

[Professional Tool User]

if you like gearwrench get gw sae rail sets when see offers .
sunnex is overpriced for nothing special crmo taiwan sockets, plenty low cost and very decent taiwan impacts if browse online, HF ones okay at price with a coupon used but size coverage bit lacking .

GW is the one that is overpriced. The GW impact socket sets that I've been seeing in store say Made in China on the packaging and there are Made in China options that cost a fraction of what GW is charging. Sunex is on the expensive side of things, but I can at least say they have big sets that go up to very large sizes. Good luck with finding 1/2 dr socket sets that go up to 1 1/2 and 36mm with no size skips without buying from an industrial tool brand. Even Snap off will make you but a separate set for larger sizes.

 

[Mr_B]

GW is the one that is overpriced. The GW impact socket sets that I've been seeing in store say Made in China on the packaging and there are Made in China options that cost a fraction of what GW is charging. Sunex is on the expensive side of things, but I can at least say they have big sets that go up to very large sizes. Good luck with finding 1/2 dr socket sets that go up to 1 1/2 and 36mm with no size skips without buying from an industrial tool brand. Even Snap off will make you but a separate set for larger sizes.

GW for chrome when on sale is fair enough buy,
only impacts i would buy is taiwan crv, sunex is well over priced for cheap design and taiwan .
lot of taiwan sets go to 34-36mm but will skip few sizes once past 22mm .
don't think OP needs every size or wants invest heavily in occasional use socketry .

 

[jimmyin3D]

If you aren’t using SAE too much get used, plenty of like new stuff on eBay. Skip the Wright stuff, the amount you pay for it you can find other brands that are much better out there. For Impact, Taiwan stuff will be your best bet, even the Pitts Pro are nice.

 

[davethorik]

I've seen chrome peel on a number of brands of open wrench tips. My lone Wrightgrip 7/8" satin, has chrome peel there. I'm not faulting the wrench, I use it on case hardened toe clamp hardware which might be harder than the wrench itself (It smashed the Wrightgrip teeth). It's also been dropped on concrete it's fair share.

The only tool I've ever gotten cut from chrome peel was also a Wright socket, but it came to me used already peeling, and my fault for not buffing it sooner than I did. I've bought numerous Wright sockets and ratchets new, and haven't had chrome issues with them, (or any other brand chrome socket) so I guess I'm too easy on my tools.

My most recent SAE socket purchase was a set of Proto 1/2 drive deep 6 point impact I got for cheap used, but were actually unused. I think it's 3/8 to 1-1/8". Very well made sockets.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I would check Ebay. I bought a set of Indestro Super from 1/2 to 1" with no skips in perfect condition I think for less than $15 shipped. I almost felt bad about winning the auction. The 13/16 handled torquing head bolts to 240 ft lbs.

 

[jdavis]

Up until a few years ago I had a mismatched bunch of sockets. Over the last few years I have upgraded most of my metric stuff because that's what I use the most working on cars. Bought gearwrench 1/4 and 3/8 drive chrome sets that have standard and deep metric and sae so I'm good there. But that's about the end of my sae stuff. For metric I have mid length and swivel 1/4" and 3/8" sets in chrome. Also have 3/8" drive standard, deep, and swivel metric impacts. Then standard and deep metric 1/2" drive impacts. So metric is pretty well taken care of for now.

I don't use SAE much so don't want to stick a ton of money into them but have been working on stuff that I needed SAE for so want to get some sets. Probably not all at once but would like to get chrome 1/2" drive short and deep and probably impact 1/2" drive short and deep. Also maybe 3/8"drive impact sets.

Before I bought sunex metric impacts I used HF impacts and they worked decent. I also see a lot of posts about tekton socket sets. So what's my best option to pick up some 1/2" drive impact and chrome sets and 3/8" drive impacts?

I have some Tekton and Sunex sockets. Both are sufficient, and I love Tekton for their price and customer service. With that said, my Sunex sockets are of much higher quality. While I don't own any premium brand sockets, I have trouble imagining anything nicer than my Sunex's. I do own a lot of premium brand ratchets, so I at least have some frame of reference. Maybe someone on here has experience with both.

Edit: It may be worth noting that my Sunex sockets are impact, and my Tekton sockets are chrome.

 

[Fedwrench]

For impact sockets, it's hard to beat the offerings from sunex or grey pneumatic.
NAPA's Carlyle on sale, can also be a good deal with local warranty service available if needed.
For chrome, if you want to keep your initial purchase price down, go with Tekton. They recently launched a refresh of their chrome sockets and while some of their 1/2 drive sets aren't released yet, they look very promising.

On a side note, used sae sockets don't usually command as high of prices as their metric versions.

 

[Back In The Saddle]

So I see Williams offers both Made in the USA and Taiwan tools. What's the deal with that? Are they phasing out one for the other?

 

[Fedwrench]

So I see Williams offers both Made in the USA and Taiwan tools. What's the deal with that? Are they phasing out one for the other?

No. Like many tool manufacturers Williams finds it to be easier and more profitable to source some tools from Taiwan. Williams isn't phasing out one for the other. It's just another option.
Williams' core hardline is US made and will probably always remain that way since many of their industrial customers require made in the USA tools.

 

[visionguru]

.....
......I also see a lot of posts about tekton socket sets. So what's my best option to pick up some 1/2" drive impact and chrome sets and 3/8" drive impacts?

I would just get Gearwrench 1/2 master set 80700P. It's cheaper and better than Tekton, or most any other non-truck brands. I got mine from Sears for $100.

For 3/8" impact sockets, Gearwrench CR-MO is also very competitive.

... and I love Tekton for their price and customer service. ....

You need customer service on sockets?

 

[Fluelikesymptoms]

So I see Williams offers both Made in the USA and Taiwan tools. What's the deal with that? Are they phasing out one for the other?

I own both William's usa and William's Taiwan.

I only own William's Taiwan because they only offer there 6 point 1/2 from Taiwan, their 12 pts 1/2 are USA. I have compared some 3/8 drive USA wms to the same size 1/2 drive Taiwan. The broaching is deeper on 1/2 but still "nut driving". The sockets themself seem equally durable. The USA seem to have a slightly better coating on the inside of the socket but so little it's almost unnoticeable. The chroming is identical, which at one point I remember someone complaining about it being different, that was not the same for me.

William's is an industrial line, not a professional US brand. One of the largest things a manufacturer or industrial service company will consider when tooling their operation is going to be cost. William's seems to have a pretty good balance of durability and cost at the expense of things like knurling, laser etching sizing stamping etc. The finer details.

My impression of William's is when they have a certain set (such as 1/2 drive 6 point) that is not available made in USA but exclusively Taiwan it is because they trust there Taiwan manufacturer to produce those sockets to the same quality and standard as their US counterparts but more cost effectively.

I am phasing out some old cman stuff since joining GJ, only about 2-3 months ago. My experience with William's has been great and if any of their Taiwan sockets break I'll replace it with individual SO sockets.

Alot of the complaints I've seen people have with William's are long standing complaints. I dont share the same complaints with my sockets, which are recent.

I dont have a problem reading sizes either, the size is actually on the socket twice once you get used to looking at the part number engraved on them. Plus if your organized and have your own labeled rails that gives you 3 options to verify sizing.

I actually ordered a set of sae 1/4 6 pt and they accidentally sent me a SO sae 1/4 12 pt. It's worth noting I always get the US option if its available over Taiwan. It supports our great land for just a few bucks

 

[Tallpilot]

I would just get Gearwrench 1/2 master set 80700P. It's cheaper and better than Tekton, or most any other non-truck brands. I got mine from Sears for $100.

For 3/8" impact sockets, Gearwrench CR-MO is also very competitive

Cheaper? Yes, every day and especially on sale.

Better? Gearwrench has knurling. Tekton has fully stepped shoulders. Pick which one matters more to you.

Why are they cheaper? Because they only include half of the sizes in deep. It’s hard to argue against the Gearwrench 3/8 and 1/4 BOGO deal. The sets are fairly complete and great quality for the price.

In 1/2 chrome Tekton is the clear winner unless you are so budget constrained that you need to accept not having a complete set.

 

[65k10]

Cheaper? Yes, every day and especially on sale.

Better? Gearwrench has knurling. Tekton has fully stepped shoulders. Pick which one matters more to you.

Why are they cheaper? Because they only include half of the sizes in deep. It’s hard to argue against the Gearwrench 3/8 and 1/4 BOGO deal. The sets are fairly complete and great quality for the price.

In 1/2 chrome Tekton is the clear winner unless you are so budget constrained that you need to accept not having a complete set.

FWIW, none of my Gearwrench 1/2 chrome in SAE have knurling. Only the metric sockets have it.

I agree on the 80700P set being kind of lame. The size range in SAE is ok, but the metric side leaves out quite a bit. The worst being the metric deeps only go to 19mm. Gearwrench might have an edge in quality over Tekton (I couldn't say), but the Tekton 1/2 chrome sets are much more complete.

 

[jdavis]

I would just get Gearwrench 1/2 master set 80700P. It's cheaper and better than Tekton, or most any other non-truck brands. I got mine from Sears for $100.

For 3/8" impact sockets, Gearwrench CR-MO is also very competitive.




You need customer service on sockets?

I suppose I would if broke one. I also like the fast shipping. In general though, I just like to do business with companies that are supportive when you need them to be.

 

[bmwrd0]

"I don't use SAE much so don't want to stick a ton of money into them but have been working on stuff that I needed SAE for so want to get some sets."

I would hop on ebay and check out some of the old USA brands, like Indestro, Bonney, Herbrand, or Craftsman. They are going to be a lot cheaper, here is an SK set that will last a lifetime.

 

[Dingleburry]

What's wrong with the chrome on the Wright stuff? I use their wrenches multiple times a week, and have for the last ~30 weeks now without issue.

Several of mine within weeks of owning them. Its a known issue. Look it up on here

Have a few examples (pictures) of what the issue is with Wright's chrome? Nothing wrong with what I own.

OP: beside the new socket brands that have been discussed, have you considered used, including Snap On?

Sure. On monday. They are at work

Got called in tonight, so here a few pics.
Thats a 3/8 ratchet, 15/16, 3/4, and a 19mm.
Started within weeks of owning them.
No im not going to warranty them.
Camera half broken sorry for **** images.

 

[Dingleburry]

Heres a couple of better pics since i had them out and was using them
1 1/8
15/16
3/8 contour long handle

This all happened within months of owning them

 

[Snapped-off]

My preference if buying new would be USA Williams. They're identical to my Snap-on sockets minus the logos. Fit and finish is the same.

 

[Dingleburry]

My preference if buying new would be USA Williams. They're identical to my Snap-on sockets minus the logos. Fit and finish is the same.

Thats actually a USA williams socket on my ratchet.
They are great, my only gripe with them is the sizes hard to find/see.

 

[username2]

For impact sockets, the brand doesn't really matter. Impact sockets are one of those things that don't break easily. Even the Harbor Freight ones are fine and if you want to avoid size skips, go with Tekton or Sunex. Unless you can find used Proto, SK, Williams, Wright, or other lesser known USA made brands for cheap, don't bother.

There's also Chicago Pneumatic and Ingersoll Rand,etc. So far as I can tell, it's all Taiwanese and works just fine. I was hunting around for Apex (Dayton) 3/8" socket sets to match my giant 1/2" sets in a fit of OCD, but they're never cheap enough.

I've found I simply don't need 3/8" chrome sockets, so I'm going to stick my nice Snap-on set, cool Indestro set, and maybe the Wera stuff on eBay. I don't use any of it anymore, the impact ones do fine, and I hate having an unused hoard.

 

[NoMoreGreen]

I'd stay away from Williams. Wright, Proto, and SK are all good choices.

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Why stay away from Williams? Just curious.