Another what chrome sockets to buy thread

[nomadicbohunk]

I'm a buy once, cry once kind of person. I'm tired of fighting all the old worn out sockets I got at auctions (SK, old craftsman) and cheapies on sale (Huskies, modern craftsman).

I'm not a mechanic, but I do use my tools more than 98% of people at this point in my life. I'm mid 30's, so I will keep these for a while. I'm not one to sell stuff once I buy it as I over think everything.

I'd just like to fill up some Hansen Trays so I'm set at home. I'm going to leave all my junky stuff at another property so I don't have to lug 80lbs of stuff back and forth. These will mainly be used for working on a small Japanese made car and a 1/2 ton pickup. I don't see us really changing what kind of vehicles we buy ever.

I'm leaning towards Koken Z series for metric and Williams USA for standard. Any of the sockets missing I'll just fill in with Williams USA and Snap On. Yes, I need the 5/8 and 15mm 1/4 drive deep sockets. haha.

Any thoughts? Any Taiwan brand ones that are amazing that I'm missing out on? I'm really impressed with the Sunex Impact sets I bought, so I'm not opposed. Some other avenue I should lean towards? Do people have any criticisms about those two brands/types?

I think snap on is overpriced for what you get if you pay full price (unless you have a truck you like) or most of the ebay prices I see. The modern SK stuff I have is really junky to be honest. I'd go talk to some tool trucks and finger some sets, but I live in an area that's super tribalistic and they won't help you if they suspect you're from out of state. So this will be done online.

Thanks!

 

[TuxThePenguin]

I have some Koken Z-eal sockets and I think they are very nice. They're probably my favorite chrome sockets that I own. I have many brands of sockets, including some Wright, some Snap On, some Proto, some old Craftsman and Husky, some old Duralast from when I was younger, etc. I think all the name brand stuff (in which I do NOT include Craftsman) including Koken is great. I like the machining on the Koken and I like how they fit my hand and I find them easy to pull off the ratchet (but NOT because of them being loose on the anvil or anything). My favorite extensions I own are Koken by FAR. The knurling on them is SO GOOD. When I'm working on bolts where it's convenient for me to pop off the ratchet and spin them by hand, my Koken extensions are the ones I prefer because the knurling is just so nice.

I would caution against believing that you need to own one specific brand of socket in order to get your work done, though. The job gets completed by you, not by Koken. As long as you buy sockets that are likely to get the job done without cracking, you should be fine.

I genuinely do feel a lot more confident in any of these quality brands over stuff like Craftsman, though the even bigger difference there is in wrenches and ratchets, and not as much in sockets. I've broken teeth on ratchets of that class (Cman/Husky/similar) multiple times, and have had open ends on their wrenches spread when better brands (even the Taiwanese Williams wrenches) don't.

Of all the socket brands I own, I think my second favorite after Koken is Wright, but I feel plenty of brands are "good enough"

 

[nomadicbohunk]

I would caution against believing that you need to own one specific brand of socket in order to get your work done, though. The job gets completed by you, not by Koken. As long as you buy sockets that are likely to get the job done without cracking, you should be fine.

Thanks! I don't feel that way at all. I just am constantly working on stuff now and time is my most precious resource. I'm just sick of fighting my cheap and worn out sockets. I just want to get some of the best and forget about it.

I didn't say this in the beginning, but I grew up in ag, so I know all about using what you have to get something done and working.

 

[toddmorr]

another vote for Koken. I have their nutgrip, regular, mid, and long....Zeal, all metric. I can tell you they fit noticeably tighter on the nut/bolt than anything else i've used. Drive end fits *really* tight against a Snap on ratchet i use from time to time.

longevity??? only had them a couple years but they seem fine so far. Have seen stories elsewhere that they wear exceptionally well.

affordably bought on Amazon JP.

 

[visionguru]

I'm a buy once, cry once kind of person. ......
Any thoughts? Any Taiwan brand ones that are amazing that I'm missing out on? I'm really impressed with the Sunex Impact sets I bought, so I'm not opposed. Some other avenue I should lean towards? Do people have any criticisms about those two brands/types?
.....

Have you looked at Gearwrench sockets? I originally was upgrading my socket set to Snap On, then I found Gearwrench is fits my needs (DIY, occasionally) better. Not experience about Koken or Wiliams, but from the pictures, I can tell that the stamping is so so.

 

[TuxThePenguin]

Koken is so much nicer than Gearwrench that that post is almost kind of insulting. Like I'm not even saying Gearwrench is **** (I actually think they're fine). But dude. You're not going to get any agreement from anyone who has owned/used Koken stuff, and whatever photos you were looking at, you were suffering from confirmation bias i.e. you went into your image search already knowing you were going to recommend against Koken.

If you ever get the chance to check out Koken in person, they are so nice. The machining lets you grip them easily. You can pull them off the socket easily. They feel nice in the hand. They feel as skookum as any other quality chrome socket including Snap On (at least to me, and to most people that actually own some Koken sockets whose comments I have seen)

 

[shawhite]

Guess it depends on budget. Personally all my sockets are snap-on. I believe in the buy once cry once philosophy. Not to mention in the rare instance I break something I hand it to my snap-on driver and he hands me a new one no mailing in broken tools to get a replacement. Oh yeah and the fact they are made in the USA is an added bonus for me.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I fully understand worn out sockets, my first 3/8 metric was Oxwall. There are differences in socket designs, so it's not just a quality question. I don't work on cars anymore, but when I did it was mostly foreign , not spacious like the pickup trucks. Big double overhead camshaft engines in tight engine bays. You could get a glimpse of it, but you couldn't touch it. Does that sound familiar ? I found the old Craftsman's short, thin walled, fully broached much handier than the old J.H. Williams or Proto brutes.

I don't own any Koken or Snap-On , but I would look at their drawing.

 

[chappys4life]

Guess it depends on budget. Personally all my sockets are snap-on. I believe in the buy once cry once philosophy. Not to mention in the rare instance I break something I hand it to my snap-on driver and he hands me a new one no mailing in broken tools to get a replacement. Oh yeah and the fact they are made in the USA is an added bonus for me.

That is my only complaint about snap on. I dont have a truck as Im just a weekend wrencher at home. When I break something the replacement is a pain.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Not sure I buy the "SK is junky" thing. I've bought several thousand dollars in tools from them so far in 2020. At least 6 sets of sockets. Everything has proven quite good. YMMV, I guess. I've also warrantied a couple 40-50 year old tools. SK is wonderful to deal with.

I did buy a set of Snap-On semi-deep sockets in 3/8". They are amazing. Spendy, but very good. For automotive, I've yet to run into fetching a "deep" socket since switching to semi-deep, except for removing some sensors. Snap-On's patent on flank drive expired over 30 years ago, but I'm still not convinced that many companies have reproduced it faithfully. Snap-On also is fantastic to deal with on the phone for customer service.

I think GearWrench makes pretty unbeatable ratchets and ratcheting wrenches for the cost, but I'm not impressed with their sockets. Brand new, I had not so tight fasteners getting stuck in the sockets.

It's hard to go wrong with pretty much any impact socket for home use. The nature of impact tools makes it so that they can get pretty worn before you notice. For 1/2" drive, I'm using only impact sockets.

-Ryan

 

[visionguru]

Koken is so much nicer than Gearwrench that that post is almost kind of insulting. Like I'm not even saying Gearwrench is **** (I actually think they're fine). But dude. You're not going to get any agreement from anyone who has owned/used Koken stuff, and whatever photos you were looking at, you were suffering from confirmation bias i.e. you went into your image search already knowing you were going to recommend against Koken.

Well, I only saw Koken in pictures. What makes Koken so much nicer?

You won't see a Snap On, Nepros, or even Gearwrench with this type of rudimentary finish. Koken may well be the "Gearwrench" of Japan.

 

[TuxThePenguin]

First, I don't really care how it looks in a photo. Secondly, the set that I actually own and have seen many times in person with my own eyes looks absolutely fine. Thirdly, they are machined nicely such that the ones I have are extremely shallow, but are some of my easiest sockets to pull off the ratchet. They aren't simply a smooth cylinder on the outside. They actually put nice touches on them - and again, I'm saying this from a usability standpoint (I can grab them and pull them off) and not a cosmetic standpoint. And while this doesn't apply to the sockets themselves, the extensions I bought at the same time have the nicest knurling of probably anything I have ever bought.

I don't have any Nepros stuff (I do have a couple KTC things but not from the Nepros line) but it looks very nice as well. I have no comment on Nepros vs Koken.

As far as appearance goes, I think Koken actually looks a LOT nicer than any Snap On stuff, though I like both brands and I don't buy them based on appearance. Just a side comment that doesn't affect what I buy. My Koken sockets are almost always used on my Snap On FHLF80A. Really I'm a big fan of both brands.

If you haven't used Koken sockets, I'm not sure why you'd be willing to call them the Gearwrench of Japan. From a photo? Really? You'll come into OP's thread and give him actual advice about the brand he asked about because of a photo you found. Okay.

 

[rcbk00]

All the ratchets and chrome sockets in my garage are Taiwanese from a couple different manufacturers (Gearwrench, Capri, Kobalt, Harbor Freight, Carlyle). They do the job and are plenty durable. If I was starting from scratch, I'd probably buy Taiwanese again, but stick with one brand exclusively (probably Gearwrench or Tekton).

Don't get me wrong- I like Snap-On stuff as much as the next guy, but their ratchets and sockets are just so much more expensive than the imports I couldn't justify the cost. For combination wrenches (Flank Drive Plus) and flare nut wrenches however, I think Snap-On makes the best of the best, and I bit the bullet. Having those specific tools has meant the difference between getting something apart and not getting something apart. Same thing with impact guns and air hammers- I bought good ones so I wouldn't get stuck in the middle of a project being unable to get something apart.

I've never had a situation where a certain brand of chrome socket made a big difference. Because of that, I spent my money on the sockets that gave me the best bang for the buck. Also, I know you're asking about chrome sockets, but I would wholeheartedly recommend the Astro low profile impact sockets for any toolbox- they've saved my bacon more than once and they're very reasonably priced. I got the 3/8" and 1/2" sets and they're worth every penny.

 

[richfinn]

Koken are awesome sockets and a great choice

If I had my time again I would just buy Koken because its easy and they have a massive range to choose from

 

[toddmorr]

Koken may well be the "Gearwrench" of Japan.

"gearwrench of Japan" automatically makes it 5x nicer than anything out of China.

 

[PJNJ]

I'd take a look at Proto and Wright also before making your decision.

 

[jgromada]

I have a set of Gearwrench in most sizes and lengths but that being said i have a bunch of mismatched old SK & Proto sockets and I love using those most.

 

[Robinson1]

Like most people here I've got a bit of everything when it comes to sockets. And much like you OP I'm working on way more stuff than the average non pro.

I think William's Taiwan is the best bang for the buck when looking at overall quality. I've never been disappointed. The 50666 3/8" drive set is an absolute steal at around $100. I bought my set for $83!

To contradict your and my theory, theres a ton of old USA made tools floating around the used market that have seen little or no use. I've built an extensive collection of 1/2" drive chrome sockets in both metric and SAE for next to nothing. Keep your eyes open! No one outside of pro mechanics and farmers are wearing out 1/2" drive tools.

On the flip side I recently bough a "master set" of 1/2" drive chrome from Tekton and they were so pitiful I sent them back. For the money a set like that checks alot of boxes especially if you are trying to build a set of tools for a second or third location. I might give them another try.

I'm rambling now but my main problem and I suspect yours too. I want a full complete set! Yes I want a 20mm socket! Yes I want a 33mm wrench! 5/8" socket in 1/4" drive? I can see a use for that! I want a totally complete set of tools with no skips and I want that in my primary work location. Then here's the kicker. I'm going to also want basic sets scattered out in multiple locations. And I'm going to want tools on my truck. And not a basic generic socket set. I want things to work with! Then we get into money.

The average person cannot afford to have the selection and quantity of tools that we want to have available to us and buy only high end brands.

And to further confuse this my best set of 3/8" drive sockets are kept on my work truck. That's where I need them the most. On the other hand my 1/4" drive set of truck tools is a small set of Dewalt from a Tractor Supply bargain bin!

I dont know if this is helping you but I'm on a semi rant so....

I've got tools ranging everywhere from junk to best you can buy. I try to buy what will fit my needs but also satisfy my wants. As I'm typing this I have complete sets of 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive sockets in my shop. Wrenches from 1/4"-1-5/8" and 6mm-36mm no skips. I've got about half that much on my truck. Including some really big stuff for farm equipment. Ive got better brands on my truck in certain tools than I do in my shop. I cant afford to break a tool in the field. But if I'm at the shop I can always walk to my truck and get another.

Om the flip side things like really big wrenches. It doesnt matter. Buy cheap. You're not likely to break them and the fasteners are so big you're not likely to round them off.

I cant answer your question OP. You've got to figure out what fits your needs. But you are going down a rabbit hole that I'm still lost in at times. Balance wants with needs and find a level a fit and finish you are happy with. Buy you mainline tools from there and fill in the rest with things that will work.

I can tell you this for a fact. Dont start farming as a hobby unless you enjoy working on worn out junk in the blazing sun and bitter cold. Even more so unless you are wanting to drive around in a full blown service truck

 

[nomadicbohunk]

Not sure I buy the "SK is junky" thing. I've bought several thousand dollars in tools from them so far in 2020. At least 6 sets of sockets. Everything has proven quite good. YMMV, I guess. I've also warrantied a couple 40-50 year old tools. SK is wonderful to deal with.

-Ryan

Thanks for all the input everyone!

First, I want to say I don't run chrome on an impact ever.

Most of our hand stuff on the ranch was old SK and I've used a lot of it in jobs in the past. I trusted it. There was also a lot of old craftsman and a smattering of snap on. I say old...I'm talking 70's and older.

I bought a new SK set one or two years ago at a local tool dealer and it was hot trash. I used to remove the airbox on a 3 year old Subaru, and some other small things on it. I used 4 sockets.

It flaked the chrome off inside, so they got rusty sitting in a garage, and the holes visibly hogged out some. One very light torque use. I got a warrantied set and the they were defective (some off center, not all the plating was on each one), so I just sold them at half price and chalked it up to a lesson learned.

It's why I tried out the husky and craftsman stuff I have now. "Well, how much worse can they be?" The tolerances are pretty bad. The craftsman isn't too terrible, but the huskies...

I got a bunch at some auctions, but most are pretty thrashed. It was a big waste of time and money in this part of the country.

I'm not a shiny look at this fancy tool person. I really don't care what kind I get. I just want:

Sockets that are not defective and work. (A year ago I would have laughed at someone saying this...it's a socket. How bad can it be messed up?)

Sockets have tight tolerances so I'm not swearing.

Sockets that I can keep and not worry about for 30 years.

I'd also like to not pay snap on pricing.

It sounds like most of the Taiwan ones are fine, but not great and are all pretty similar. Does anyone know if one brand stands out more? I have some Koken spark plug sockets and they're so nice it's what's making me want to try a few sets.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

Yes, I need the 5/8 and 15mm 1/4 drive deep sockets. haha.

I went with Blue Point on the 5/8". Not priced bad and pretty good quality. I use them often. My 15mm's are from Armstrong and I like them too.

For the money I like the Gearwrench sockets and they even offer mid lengths if you decide you need those.

 

[lardy1]

I'm beyond pleased with my SK's. Very nice sockets, IMO.

 

[richfinn]

Well, I only saw Koken in pictures. What makes Koken so much nicer?

You won't see a Snap On, Nepros, or even Gearwrench with this type of rudimentary finish. Koken may well be the "Gearwrench" of Japan.

Close to Snap-on quality wise, but with a better selection, and if you look at the "nut-grip" version I would say more innovative designs

I get that some guys wont like the satin finish on the regular stuff, but Koken are primarily an industrial socket manufacturer, the Zeal stuff is more "bling" if you like that kind of thing

I dont really care about chrome finishes too much, I use my tools hard outdoors in the Automotive industry and Koken definitely stands up and the fit on fasteners is as good as any high end socket

I can order individual sockets for special applications as and when I need them, and pricing is very reasonable

 

[measuredtwice]

People push China and Taiwan online. Harbor Freight's social media influencers must get paid well. If a dog turd was pressed into the shape of a socket and sold at Harbor Freight, it would get praised online.

Gearwrench (or any other socket that I've seen from Taiwan) is not in the same league as Ko-ken. I guess if all you care about is the shininess, then you might not like the matte finish on Ko-ken. But that's very superficial.

Ko-ken makes a wide variety of sockets for different purposes and they will perform accordingly. For example: Z-eal, flat drive, and surface drive, nut-grip, magnetic, etc.

It's unfortunate that there's so much anti-American sentiment online. After all, Americans benefit when America does well. And there are high quality sockets made by Williams and Proto and Wright as well as Snap-On and others.

There are deals out there. I've bought American made sockets for as little as 33 cents a piece but it takes time. If you don't want to put in the effort sign up with Zoro to get coupons. 20% off is common and they sell Proto and Williams.

 

[WordMan]

S-K. Nice stuff, and made in the USA to boot.

 

[seber]

You can get a bad batch from anyone, even Snap-on screws up on occasion. On the other hand, I've had nothing but **** from Craftsman and Husky. Ones that have impressed me are Snap-on, Williams, Wright, Armstrong, and Grey Canada. I've never tried Koken or Nepros. I do have some various Taiwan sockets and wrenches. They are OK but not the same quality as those mentioned.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Some points

I don't know about 3/8 drive , but for looks my main 1/2 metric are Stahwilli and Hazet, they make Snap-On look very plain., almost cheap.

Those who recommend S-K, I have a 3/8" imperial set that was my work set, tough ,never a problem 37 years of millwrighting. But use on a car, certainly these new ones, the Armstrong USA (Craftsman like)I bought out of the clearance bin are a better choice for sockets. I lost one of them and bought a Proto to replace it. Another brute of a socket.

 

[Mr_B]

koken is nice .
you'll find taiwan made toptul, premier, carlyle pretty decent too .

 

[Jmo371]

On the flip side I recently bough a "master set" of 1/2" drive chrome from Tekton and they were so pitiful I sent them back. For the money a set like that checks alot of boxes especially if you are trying to build a set of tools for a second or third location. I might give them another try.

I have the master 1/2 set from tekton as well as a 3/8 a couple rachets and screwdrivers.

The sockets I found to be exactly on par with other DIY marketed tools...such as Gearwrench, husky and HF pro line.

I couldnt tell you a real difference in the usability of a Taiwanese socket from a legitimate brand. I can tell you I prefer the rachets from Gearwrench.....but as far as chrome sockets, I'm not sure their is a significant difference.

 

[richfinn]

Thanks for all the input everyone!

First, I want to say I don't run chrome on an impact ever.

Most of our hand stuff on the ranch was old SK and I've used a lot of it in jobs in the past. I trusted it. There was also a lot of old craftsman and a smattering of snap on. I say old...I'm talking 70's and older.

I bought a new SK set one or two years ago at a local tool dealer and it was hot trash. I used to remove the airbox on a 3 year old Subaru, and some other small things on it. I used 4 sockets.

It flaked the chrome off inside, so they got rusty sitting in a garage, and the holes visibly hogged out some. One very light torque use. I got a warrantied set and the they were defective (some off center, not all the plating was on each one), so I just sold them at half price and chalked it up to a lesson learned.

It's why I tried out the husky and craftsman stuff I have now. "Well, how much worse can they be?" The tolerances are pretty bad. The craftsman isn't too terrible, but the huskies...

I got a bunch at some auctions, but most are pretty thrashed. It was a big waste of time and money in this part of the country.

I'm not a shiny look at this fancy tool person. I really don't care what kind I get. I just want:

Sockets that are not defective and work. (A year ago I would have laughed at someone saying this...it's a socket. How bad can it be messed up?)

Sockets have tight tolerances so I'm not swearing.

Sockets that I can keep and not worry about for 30 years.

I'd also like to not pay snap on pricing.

It sounds like most of the Taiwan ones are fine, but not great and are all pretty similar. Does anyone know if one brand stands out more? I have some Koken spark plug sockets and they're so nice it's what's making me want to try a few sets.

The great thing about Koken is the quality/range and being able to replace individual sockets

I too really liked the spring retainer spark plug socket I inherited from a retiring colleague

Then I got some really extra deep 3/8 sockets which are awesome

My latest purchase is the nutgrip sockets which are so much better than magnetic sockets or inserts

Just try a few you wont be disappointed

 

[cherrybomb]

I'd find some one who works in a tough industrial setting,or is a truck or machinery tech.Ask him about sockets,let me know how that turns out.Just my .02 cents.Proto U.S.A.

 

[TuxThePenguin]

I'd find some one who works in a tough industrial setting,or is a truck or machinery tech.Ask him about sockets,let me know how that turns out.Just my .02 cents.Proto U.S.A.

They'll be biased towards brands they can get replaced on the tool truck when something breaks. (This doesn't mean their responses will be incorrect, but it does mean that none of them are going to say Koken, regardless of the actual quality of Koken). A home user doesn't have the ability to go on a tool truck to get replacement parts, so the reasoning behind what a home user buys isn't going to be the same as the pros.

Proto is nice.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Koken Zeal is nice, but forgoes 9 and 15mm in 1/4 drive. *****, but that's what you have to deal with to get that glorious 1/2 cut 10mm. Other Koken sets don't include all sizes, so 10-19 may be missing 15 and 16. Unacceptable IMO. Koken is a supplement brand, not your main set of sockets. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't use my 1/4 Zeal and nutgrip constantly. Their spark plug sockets are my favorites by far.

Williams USA is a good compromise of design and price. Proto has thicker walls which can create access issues occasionally. People often complain about the interior finish of some SK sockets, doesn't both me and they work well.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I am a professional mechanic and I use a variety of chrome sockets I have SK, Craftsman USA, Proto, Kobalt and Husky and Snap-on, MAC and Matco and a few others I think called Fleet and Mustang Tools. I recommend if your just a weekend warrior SK is the way to go USA made professional made tools they are amazing and it’s a hassle free warranty. Also at home I have a Harbor Freight set of chrome sockets Pittsburgh Pro and they have held up very well over the last five years I have had them and I have a few others at home too like some more Craftsman and some old Western Auto ones it’s hard to mess up on a chrome socket so all of them are usually good that are name brand. Also Gearwrench I use those both at work and home also very nice not as nice as SK but still nice and lifetime warranty. I can’t believe anyone would think SK is junky all mine are modern with a couple vintage thrown in and they are amazing but if you want some decent Taiwan either Gearwrench or Kobalt trust me Kobalt is much better than Husky I have experience with both.


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[Al Borland]

"... but if you want some decent Taiwan either Gearwrench or Kobalt trust me Kobalt is much better than Husky I have experience with both."

Husky, Gearwrench are the same sockets. Kobalt can be good, depending on who the supplier was. For a while, they were the same tools as Harbor freight (Taiwan William Co.)
At one time they were made in USA by Williams.

 

[M6erfan]

My $.02, with sockets I own...

Proto - They're fine but as others mentioned, thick walled. Depending on what you work on this can be a pain.

Snap-on - They're fine too. I just don't get what makes them better than my non S-o sockets

Sk - I've had some QC issues too, like off center broaching and shallow or non-existant detents. Unacceptable in my book. That said I have a set of Sk 1/4" deep impacts that I use almost on a daily basis, even if they fall off the anvil sometimes.

Ko-Ken - They're pretty awesome. I prefer the satin finish and they are durable with great tolerances/consistency. They also have the largest catalogue of sockets around. Nutgrip, Zeal, Surface Drive, Xtra long, Impacts, Pathfinder, pretty much whatever you want...

OEM Tools - These are surprisingly good sockets with satin finish and nice knurling in the proper area to aid in spinning with your fingers. Pretty good pricing too especially when caught on sale/promotion. I haven't had these very long though.

Hazet - An excellent socket design, but the design of OEM is pretty close. Hazet is expensive and not easily sourced in the U.S.

I have some older (Made in France) Facom sockets too that I like a lot. Thin walled and shallow broaching, they've handled everything I've thrown at them over the years without protest. Good sockets.

I still have and use my C'man G series sockets. About 20 years old and no issues whatsoever.

 

[visionguru]

Close to Snap-on quality wise, but with a better selection, and if you look at the "nut-grip" version I would say more innovative designs

I get that some guys wont like the satin finish on the regular stuff, but Koken are primarily an industrial socket manufacturer, the Zeal stuff is more "bling" if you like that kind of thing

I dont really care about chrome finishes too much, I use my tools hard outdoors in the Automotive industry and Koken definitely stands up and the fit on fasteners is as good as any high end socket

I can order individual sockets for special applications as and when I need them, and pricing is very reasonable

This is a Snap On video about how sockets are made:

It only takes a couple of steps to form a socket into functional shape. The rest is basically cosmetics. I think cheap sockets might have skipped some steps to save cost. I doubt the metal forming machines are all that different from each other, but the steps to refine the socket might be the key differences in terms of "quality". Basically, cosmetic detail/workmanship is quality.

 

[asallwey]

Let me throw a splash of cold water on chrome sockets. Why even buy them? At our local community c. at least 1 instructor recommends getting impact sockets, not chrome ones. Students can set up a student account and buy Snap-On or Matco at about a 50% discount. Their modern impact sockets are shiny black, and almost as thin as chrome sockets. If they really need a thin socket they can buy one. Why buy 2 socket sets of the same size? Considering students may spend $30,000+ over the course of an automotive mechanic's career, smart buying is important.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

"... but if you want some decent Taiwan either Gearwrench or Kobalt trust me Kobalt is much better than Husky I have experience with both."

Husky, Gearwrench are the same sockets. Kobalt can be good, depending on who the supplier was. For a while, they were the same tools as Harbor freight (Taiwan William Co.)
At one time they were made in USA by Williams.

Yep the old USA ones are great and then the new Kobalt ones that I have are amazing too I use them everyday as a professional mechanic


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[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Let me throw a splash of cold water on chrome sockets. Why even buy them? At our local community c. at least 1 instructor recommends getting impact sockets, not chrome ones. Students can set up a student account and buy Snap-On or Matco at about a 50% discount. Their modern impact sockets are shiny black, and almost as thin as chrome sockets. If they really need a thin socket they can buy one. Why buy 2 socket sets of the same size? Considering students may spend $30,000+ over the course of an automotive mechanic's career, smart buying is important.

Yep I got mine from the student discount along with a lot of other tools from Snap-on SK MAC and Matco it saved me a heck ton of money


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[Yarpo]

Husky, Gearwrench are the same sockets.

How can they be the same socket when ones made 100 miles away in a different country and has different features? I don't see knurling on huskys metric sockets for example, and I've checked home depot probably 50 times, and not once found a Husky Ratchet or socket made in Taiwan

To the OP, I would absolutely second the Gearwrench sockets if they interested you, I'm a professional and use them day in and day out (and have for years) but they're sockets, not jet engines. I"m not picky and they have the features I wanted or needed at the time. If you want knurling or satin finish or whatever else, make sure you buy sockets that incorporate that. If you are not interested in Gearwrench because there's certainly nicer sockets out there, the other reccomendations are excellent too. Cant go wrong with Snap On, Koken or Wright, maybe Matco or Williams too. That said I don't get hung up on sockets as I'm confident I could do my job with any half decent china made socket to be honest, so I'm happy with the cheap stuff. Happy searching!