OEM Tools Low Profile Sockets 3/8" Drive

[Bigblue&Goldie]

It’s Saturday night, so I’m enjoying some peace and quiet while the wife and kids watch a movie. Amazon just delivered my new ⅜” drive OEM Tools Low Profile Socket sets, so I thought I’d spend some time and deliver an initial review and measurements with you all.

I’ve been wanting a low profile socket set for the last few months. Obviously, access is getting tighter and tighter as manufacturers continue to pack more features into modern vehicles. I currently own a few different tools that help with tight access situations (ratcheting wrenches, crows feet, wrench to socket adapters), but still felt low profile sockets would be a good addition to the arsenal. These aren’t going to be commonly used tools for me, but when you need them, you need them. Accordingly, I didn’t want to spend the coin on SnapOn sets, but I still wanted something decent that wasn’t going to end up in the scrap bin. I also wanted 12pt…..yes, you read that right. I still encounter 12pts on vehicles that I commonly work on and rust is non-existent in my world. I also have no need for low profile “impact” sockets. Pass thru setups also don't interest me as they really do nothing a for me that a ratcheting wrench doesn't accomplish due to their zero offset.

All roads lead to OEM Tool’s offerings. From what I gather, these same sets have been sold under numerous names; OEM Tools, Great Neck, Duralast (full polish), Power Built (also full polish).

Upon opening the package it was noted the sockets have more of a bead blasted dull/satin chrome finish. The rails they come on are super nice anodized aluminum with rubber end caps. These are probably the nicest rails I’ve ever used at any price point. The country of origin is Taiwan, which was a plus as other sets in my price range were Chinese. It was also noted they were significantly lighter than a typical socket (presumably this is due to their low profile and not material). The fit and finish is what you’d expect for $15 sockets. I’ve tried to capture images of this and the broaching for those interested. I haven’t used the sockets yet, but my initial impression is that they're perfectly serviceable and great addition to have on hand for very little money. My only gripe is I’d liked to have the sets include a ⅞” and 19mm. The markings are also upside down and very small (no big deal on an infrequently used tool).

To help you decide if these are worth the money to you, I’ve measured them all out and compared them with my Williams USA sets. (See Attached PDF) I also slapped them on a Dual 80 and Harbor Freight low profile ratchet. The pictures show what would be my “low profile” setup vs. my “standard” use setup. 99% of the time I reach for Dual 80 ratchet and the HF is only used as needed.

The sockets subject to review are as follows:

OEM Tools 9 Piece SAE Low Profile Socket Set Part # 22976 ($14.99 delivered)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ELYPN3O/?tag=atomicindus08-20

OEM Tools 9 Piece Metric Low Profile Socket Set Part # 22969 ($13.99 delivered)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ELYPLZO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The ratchets used for measurements are as follows:

Harbor Freight “Pittsburgh” ¼”,⅜” In. Drive Long Reach Dual Flex Head Ratchet, Part # 67994
https://www.harborfreight.com/14-in...chet-67994.html?_br_psugg_q=dual+head+ratchet

SnapOn Dual 80 Part # F80
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Dua...ual-80-Technology-Standard-Handle-Ratchet/F80

Rails:

Broaching:

Markings (note they are upside down and small):

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Metric Size Comparison:

8mm Sockets

18mm Sockets

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

SAE Size Comparison

5/16” Sockets

13/16” Sockets

 

[condition001]

I've been looking for a set of these. Thanks for writing up such a detailed review! I'm having issues viewing any of the pics...are they working for anyone else?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I've been looking for a set of these. Thanks for writing up such a detailed review! I'm having issues viewing any of the pics...are they working for anyone else?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Glad you found it useful. Not a ton of information out there on these sets and they are well within most people's budgets, so I figured it was worth a decent review.

Pics are showing on my laptop (Mozilla) and my phone (Android).

 

[Yarpo]

I've been looking for a set of these. Thanks for writing up such a detailed review! I'm having issues viewing any of the pics...are they working for anyone else?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah the pictures are showing up just fine. Good looking pics!

I've got a few tools from OEM and found them to be decent, currently got a bunch of their sockets in my Amazon cart that I'm dragging my feet on cause I don't need anymore sockets... but one day!

 

[Rabid Badger]

I like my OEMTools hex and torx bit sockets. You're right about the rails they come with. Kind of annoys me how much companies charge for socket rails when you get something that nice for free with a budget set.

 

[ChevyEFI]

If I had these, I might have used the 10mm today on a Buick window track for a neighbor kid. Wrench worked, but time was wasted.

Nice, thorough write-up.

Millimeter is diamond knurled and inches is vertical groove knurled. I like the subtle difference.

 

[condition001]

Glad you found it useful. Not a ton of information out there on these sets and they are well within most people's budgets, so I figured it was worth a decent review.



Pics are showing on my laptop (Mozilla) and my phone (Android).

Working fine now...weird. Thanks again for the write up!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[SteadyC]

Great review! At that price I'll have to pick up the metric set. How do you like the Harbor Freight dual drive ratchet? Always thought of picking up one, but never pulled the trigger.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Great review! At that price I'll have to pick up the metric set. How do you like the Harbor Freight dual drive ratchet? Always thought of picking up one, but never pulled the trigger.

Thanks, glad you liked it.

The HF ratchet is decent. I've had it for a couple of years, but only use it infrequently. Definitely low profile with a nice length. The heads are floppy if that bothers you. I treat it like a delicate ratcheting wrench as that's what the mechanism is based on. I definitely think it would quickly wear out or break under heavy use. Some reviews say they tend to self reverse, but I haven't had that problem in my limited use. It's thin profile and length are it's strong points. For the price, it's worth having. Now that I have these sockets I might pick up the smaller version of this ratchet next time I'm there.

 

[SteadyC]

 

[2ndGearRubber]

OEM tools in general seems like a good value. IIRC they're just a bit taller than my snap-on low profile. A grinder would probably correct that in a "get it done" situation. I was also looking for 12 point specifically. The 6 point snap-on live on my cart, but in non-rusty situations with extreme limitations to access, 12 point is easier to get on a bolt.

"Insert/wiggle ratchet into abyss, socket doesn't fit, remove ratchet, turn socket 2 tooth clicks, reinsert/wiggle into abyss."

 

[plinker]

I bought the Snap-on low pros when they first came out (only ones available at the time), the metric set was supposed to be 12pt, but the dealer screwed up so I got 6pt. It did work out better that way for the most part. I may just pick up the OEM 12pt set as it looks like it'd fill in nicely, especially for the money.

Both set's would likely do very well for home use too thinking about it.

 

[bonneyman]

Agreed - nice, thorough write up.

Great comparison pics - looks like you're saving a good 3/8" to 1/2" total on those things compared to the standard socket/ratchet..

 

[Ohmthis]

Thanks for the write up. I bought a set of OEM reversible ratcheting wrench’s. They too are lighter than any other wrench I have that is the same size. They work perfectly fine, so I don’t even question that. I may have to put these in my wish list.

 

[jshillin]

Thanks for the review, I added them to my list on Amazon to pick up at some point.

 

[vssjim]

I have the Proto six point stubby set and when you need them they are a must have and at the price of the the OEM brand those are almost a gift.

 

[BarryWells]

I have the OEM and have used them quite a bit. Nice stuff

 

[lardy1]

OP should get freebies from OEM for his review causing a sales spike.

Nice review and they actually are enticing.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

OP should get freebies from OEM for his review causing a sales spike.

Nice review and they actually are enticing.

Haha, thanks! Every now and then I like to venture away from arguing over dumb stuff and post something productive. I actually like doing tool reviews as most of my buying decisions are based on real reviews from GJ. I enjoy YouTube reviews as well, but am more leary of their authenticity.

 

[lardy1]

Yes. The arguing over tool preferences certainly gets old. Nice to see your review.

I looked around and found the Great Neck (whom I really don't trust much) version on eBay. I don't have Prime so these were a bit cheaper with the free shipping for me.

I don't do much work on vehicles. Ours are relatively new and rarely need much. The tight clearances aren't as critical to me as a pro (who probably would NEVER buy Great Neck tools) but I can see where they will be nice to have around when called for. I work on Harleys a lot and I can see them being utilized there.

 

[Van Steele]

I looked around and found the Great Neck (whom I really don't trust much) version on eBay.

OEMTOOLS = GreatNeck

 

[lardy1]

Thank you.

 

[jgromada]

Rather than the OEM which are 12 point I like the Astro Pneumatic which is 6 point https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JBK1FHG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

added benefits:

• they are impact too

• & the bottom part is a hex shape so you can use with a wrench as well

• $25.95 on Amazon 6-19 mm size range, SAE available too

 

[Rabid Badger]

Rather than the OEM which are 12 point I like the Astro Pneumatic which is 6 point https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JBK1FHG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

added benefits:

• they are impact too

• & the bottom part is a hex shape so you can use with a wrench as well

• $25.95 on Amazon 6-19 mm size range, SAE available too

The OP had some specific requirements that took the Astro set out of the running, but yes, they are an excellent option for low profile sockets.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Rather than the OEM which are 12 point I like the Astro Pneumatic which is 6 point https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JBK1FHG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

added benefits:

• they are impact too

• & the bottom part is a hex shape so you can use with a wrench as well

• $25.95 on Amazon 6-19 mm size range, SAE available too

As mentioned, these didn't quite fit what I was looking for. The one thing I don't understand about this set or the Sunnex version is why neither company offers a wrench/ratchet that retains the socket? Seems like it would be a pain in the but trying to keep the socket in the wrench. Also, I don't have zero offset or flex head ratcheting wrenches, which makes life difficult in a lot of situations. Otherwise, these seem like nice tools. Also, they appear to come with the exact same rails as the OEM sockets, which is a big plus.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Typically in such a situation, you'd put the socket on first, then the wrench. Combo wrench plus one of those makes for a decent setup. Fixed angle yes, but a wrench beam is thinner than a ratchet handle. Saved me once or twice. It sort of gives someone who needs impact sockets, and has combo wrenches, a ghetto set of offset box wrenches for free.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

As mentioned, these didn't quite fit what I was looking for. The one thing I don't understand about this set or the Sunnex version is why neither company offers a wrench/ratchet that retains the socket? Seems like it would be a pain in the but trying to keep the socket in the wrench. Also, I don't have zero offset or flex head ratcheting wrenches, which makes life difficult in a lot of situations. Otherwise, these seem like nice tools. Also, they appear to come with the exact same rails as the OEM sockets, which is a big plus.

Primarily because these focused on impacts, low profile impacts like Nano's. And because a decent wrench like this costs more than the socket set to make.

But fear not, we just finished making forging dies on a wrench just like this. Flex head, 100T, fits and retains both the 3/8" and 1/2" sets

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Primarily because these focused on impacts, low profile impacts like Nano's. And because a decent wrench like this costs more than the socket set to make.

But fear not, we just finished making forging dies on a wrench just like this. Flex head, 100T, fits and retains both the 3/8" and 1/2" sets

Good to know. I think your sockets would've definitely been lower profile with the proper wrench. Maybe I'll give yours a shot when the wrench is released.

It's funny that I asked about why you didn't offer such a wrench in your Christmas give away hoping for a response, but never got one (understandably).

 

[lardy1]

I received a set in the mail today. The broaching is very shallow on three of the sockets. Not very impressive but for fifteen dollars I wasn't expecting much.

I thought they might team up with my drive tang with 1/2" hex in a ratcheting wrench for a very low profile. But all that isn't any lower than a standard SK LP90.

 

[Rabid Badger]

I received a set in the mail today. The broaching is very shallow on three of the sockets. Not very impressive but for fifteen dollars I wasn't expecting much.

I thought they might team up with my drive tang with 1/2" hex in a ratcheting wrench for a very low profile. But all that isn't any lower than a standard SK LP90.

For lowest of low profile, Pittsburgh is the only game in town.

https://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-38-in-drive-long-reach-dual-flex-head-ratchet-67994.html

Or a 17mm ratcheting box end and one of the Astro sockets, but that isn't retained. I wonder if a layer of masking tape would hold it in?

 

[manwithtools]

Typically in such a situation, you'd put the socket on first, then the wrench. Combo wrench plus one of those makes for a decent setup. Fixed angle yes, but a wrench beam is thinner than a ratchet handle. Saved me once or twice. It sort of gives someone who needs impact sockets, and has combo wrenches, a ghetto set of offset box wrenches for free.

This is exactly how I have used the Astro Pneumatic Impact low profiles. I find them to be life savers in certain situations. Combine them with a Milwaukee M12 Stubby impact and you have a nice setup.

 

[Pontiac787]

Rather than the OEM which are 12 point I like the Astro Pneumatic which is 6 point https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JBK1FHG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

added benefits:

• they are impact too

• & the bottom part is a hex shape so you can use with a wrench as well

• $25.95 on Amazon 6-19 mm size range, SAE available too

Height wise how do the nanos compare to chrome low profile sockets?