Are tool truck sockets “worth it” for the professional?

[liliysdad]

Snap-on does 1/4" drive better than most, especially 12-point. This may not matter to an auto mechanic,

You’re absolutely right. I will gladly concede the fact that most of Snap On’s socket and ratchet line, while damned good, rarely warrants the exorbitant costs they demand.

Where I find they are worth every dime is their 1/4” drive offerings. Ratchets, sockets, extensions, and swivels are absolutely phenomenal…and I don’t even work on new cars, let alone airplanes.

 

[mngundog]

After reading all the reply's I'm simple amazed at the amount of mechanics that if they broke a single socket, it would render their shop useless for the day.

 

[JeepYJ]

After reading all the reply's I'm simple amazed at the amount of mechanics that if they broke a single socket, it would render their shop useless for the day.

And that their tool truck guy is on call 24/7 to replace a $6 socket within 20 minutes.

 

[Hakeem]

You’re absolutely right. I will gladly concede the fact that most of Snap On’s socket and ratchet line, while damned good, rarely warrants the exorbitant costs they demand.

Where I find they are worth every dime is their 1/4” drive offerings. Ratchets, sockets, extensions, and swivels are absolutely phenomenal…and I don’t even work on new cars, let alone airplanes.

Ok, I’ve heard this a few times before on this website with regards to 1/4” in particular. I honestly haven’t had any issues yet with my Taiwanese 1/4” sockets but I’m less experienced than most on here. Is the $320 for a 1/4” socket set a “good” value in your opinion? Lets assume an annual tool budget of ~$3000

 

[Hakeem]

Exactly, there was a "which welder to buy" thread recently and I was kind of blown away by the responses I was seeing. Then I saw the date of the OP, it was a necro'd thread from 2007.
Things have changed a lot for welders in 18 years. Just in the 6 years since I bought mine first welder attitudes have changed towards multi process machines and some of the import brands.

This is a thread about sockets which are about as low tech as it gets but still brands come and go, as does the quality of brands.

10 years ago HF vs Tool truck sockets would get a very different response than today.

I’m sorry if others (not referring to you) are offended by me daring to ask a question in good faith, but I’ve found this thread to be incredibly enlightening and I’m glad I posted it. Posts & threads aren’t a limited resource and this isn’t a Snapon/HF bashing thread, so I don’t see what the issue is. If someone feels it violates the rules, they can just report it to a moderator and move on instead of cluttering the thread with the equivalence of white noise.

Otherwise I really appreciate everyone who chimed in so far

 

[JeepYJ]

Is the $320 for a 1/4” socket set a “good” value in your opinion?

What’s included in his socket set? SAE and metric with ratchet and extensions? Or just sockets in metric?

 

[Hakeem]

What’s included in his socket set? SAE and metric with ratchet and extensions? Or just sockets in metric?

Literally just the metric sockets. I find the price to be staggering, even with my discount, but I’m willing to be convinced that it’s worth it.

 

[cvairwerks]

A sincere question: how often did you break a tool and what kind of tools were you breaking?

(You had a good snapon guy if he’s picking up his phone at 6a on a Sunday )

Over the years there, I broke one 3/8" drive ratchet, one socket, a pair of snap ring pliers and bent a speed handle in a fall, that I can remember. The only thing he didn't have onboard at the time, was the speed handle...Old F4NB, 3/8" drive 37 inch speeder.

Dealer was a good friend of the shop owner and the office admin, lived about 3 miles away and was aware that I and another guy only worked weekends at the shop. Shop people bought quite a lot from him, so much so, that the Mac guy simply quit coming by unless we called. I think I saw the Mac guy once in 5 years there.

 

[woody 73]

This post reminded me of something, as I just bought a handful of old American sockets, from most of all the old companies, some truck brands and some non-truck brands, anyhow long story short version one of the spark plug sockets that I needed to complete my small collection was cracked around all the sides it was from the new Britan company, back in the day they made very nice stuff, Someone must have used a massive cheater pipe on that sucker to cause that damage.

I guess what I am saying it does not matter these days where it is made, but anything will fail if you use that much abuse, just my two cents.

 

[MidMoBob]

I'm not a professional mechanic so what do I know. I have been a pawnbroker, though, so I know something about what stuff costs and what people will pay for stuff. My take on Snap-on and similar tool truck tools.

They are generally truly extremely nice tools. Beautifully finished and often a joy to handle. I can see why professionals who use tools all day, every day appreciate them. That said, I believe the primary reasons why working stiff mechanics buy them are:

1.) They can pay over time.
2.) The store comes to them, making it convenient (perhaps too easy) to buy another tool
3.) There is a culture within their peer group/working environment that normalizes buying expensive tools off the truck
4.) Their culture also creates an expectation that using pro-grade tools is a reflection on their skills and status within the trade.

If pro mechanics had to drive themselves to a store to buy tools and were presented a range of options that included less expensive tools, they would be far less likely to buy top tier stuff like Snap-on. In many ways, it's the delivery system itself that creates the demand for the top-tier stuff.

I'm sure there are cases where Snap-on/whoever offers specific tools that makes the job easier for the professional mechanic, but in most cases ordinary tools would do just fine.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

And that their tool truck guy is on call 24/7 to replace a $6 socket within 20 minutes.

I doubt there is a single socket under $25 on the truck….lol

 

[JeepYJ]

Literally just the metric sockets. I find the price to be staggering, even with my discount, but I’m willing to be convinced that it’s worth it.

Here’s some comparison for you. Tekton kits include both SAE and metric. And ratchets, extensions, etc.
You could buy that with your student discount then flip it to pay for the complete Tekton 1/4” kit. The complete 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 kits combined aren’t much more than just 1/4” metric SO sockets.

 

[JeepYJ]

I doubt there is a single socket under $25 on the truck….lol

They’re not charging you $6 for the socket but to be real, any regular sized automotive socket doesn’t cost them over $6. OP posted a 24 piece kit for $312. That’s $13 per socket retail.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

They’re not charging you $6 for the socket but to be real, any regular sized automotive socket doesn’t cost them over $6. OP posted a 24 piece kit for $312. That’s $13 per socket retail.

I was just making a joke about tool truck prices

 

[Mr_B]

You spoilt for choice on decent sockets at sensible cost .
Who gives a toss on warranty, I will take 2 to 3 buck sockets and self warranty, my self warranty covers everything and I choose exactly what to replace it with and at the urgency required .
Only exception to sockets is indeed 1/4" drive where if want true small 1/4" height/dimensions you going need be more picky and pay bit more .
I don't even think you need go full out on truck brand ratchets, pick the cream from all sources and some of the cream out of taiwan can be had at pretty small money for very usable great design ratchets .

 

[David99]

IMHO, no....the quality difference between HF/Tekton and Snap On / Mac / Matco sockets probably is not worth the price - pros and hobbits alike.
<<snip>>

Where have you seen hobbits using tools?

 

[Buckgnarly]

We have Tekton in all our carts at school. Kid comes over, could not get the 1/4 Tekton socket to fit in a tight spot on a Chevy 6.0 starter. Brought my Snap On socket over and fit due to thinner wall. There are times where pro tools do things bargain tools cannot, you just gotta decide if the cost is worth it.

 

[Aaron_W]

There are also several welder threads that are more recent.

Tool threads like this come up a few times a year and Harbor Freight vs whatever come up a lot more often then that. Then there's ones like what air compressor to get ones thst can come up weekly.

Sure, my point was more of the attitude of Google it posters.
Things change and most questions have nuance. Sure old threads are often very worthwhile, but even among very similar posts it may take some reading between the lines to get the specific answer one is looking for, and depending on the age of the post may completely miss a new option.

I’m sorry if others (not referring to you) are offended by me daring to ask a question in good faith, but I’ve found this thread to be incredibly enlightening and I’m glad I posted it. Posts & threads aren’t a limited resource and this isn’t a Snapon/HF bashing thread, so I don’t see what the issue is. If someone feels it violates the rules, they can just report it to a moderator and move on instead of cluttering the thread with the equivalence of white noise.

Otherwise I really appreciate everyone who chimed in so far

It is just the internet.

If you start a new thread you will get the "google it" posts.

If you had done a search and posted you question within in you would have had posters pop in to ***** about reviving an old thread.

If more people watched and learned from Bambi the world would be a more pleasant place.



Of course if everybody followed that advice, then internet forum post counts would only be 1/4 what they are.

 

[Pinne]

I buy tools the same way I buy anything else. So far, so good.

I don't buy things I will never use.
I don't finance or make purchases that will financially impact my daily life.
I try to avoid buying "imitator" products when reasonably possible.
I don't make temporary purchases if I can avoid it.

Sometimes there is more to the purchase for me than just function. I would be fine with Tekton sockets or Icon, no doubt. But I place some value on buying the benchmark manufacturer, buying things that are MiUSA, and buying from a manufacturer that pursues innovation and serviceability. All of that drives the Snap On pricing (along with their financing and convenience) to what it is.

Snap On is expensive - often way more than I can justify for my usage. But, I've never been disappointed with what I have purchased. If a socket set is a financial burden or stretch you absolutely shouldn't purchase it - makes no sense if you have things that are a smarter use of that money.

 

[Aaron_W]

We have Tekton in all our carts at school. Kid comes over, could not get the 1/4 Tekton socket to fit in a tight spot on a Chevy 6.0 starter. Brought my Snap On socket over and fit due to thinner wall. There are times where pro tools do things bargain tools cannot, you just gotta decide if the cost is worth it.

Singles and specialty tools are where some brands will shine.

Some brands of sockets only come in sets. In the example you gave that is a time where the higher price would be worth paying to me to get a single socket to use in that specific situation.

 

[Farmall450]

I personally don’t see any reason to buy the sockets, especially not the chrome sockets from a tool truck. I have a few that I’ve bought and they do the same thing any other sockets do. Also the Snap-on chrome sockets are really bad about chrome peeling on them just about everyone I’ve gotten has peeling chrome after a few uses so I have to get them warrantied out. I prefer just getting sockets from either the parts store or Harbor Freight or an online place like Tekton or Capri or go to Lowe’s or Home Depot and get one or whatever. The two sockets I made it a point to buy off the tool truck is a 30mm and 39mm 12 point impact sockets since I do tend to use those a lot for axle nuts on Toyotas since I work at a Toyota dealership.

Yeah, what Blake said. This same thread has probably been made 1000X on here, but the end result is it isn't really worth it unless you're a pro, with a good dealer/established truck, and you like to use/abuse chrome sockets on impacts.

I was lucky to be able to get Craftsman USA/Allen USA so they match well. Yeah, I won't be able to warranty them, but I don't use them on impacts, so. If I'm beating tf out of a socket it'll be an impact one.

 

[Farmall450]

Love them or hate them, they are a critical supplier in the USA, but also worldwide. I am glad they exist. Without them, their would be an industry void.

Me too, but back to the OP's question, no, he doesn't need them.

 

[L.Cheapo]

The only chrome Snap On sockets I have (aside from bit/specialty sockets) is 1/4". I bought them off the truck on a BOGO, and the price was a lot less than the current retail price when I bought them 6 or 8 years ago.

They are magnitudes better than the Craftsman USA sockets they replaced when it comes to the smaller sizes.

I don't feel the need to buy Snap On 3/8 or 1/2 chrome sockets; precision matters less with those sizes and most everybody makes at least a decent socket set in those ranges today.

Personally, if I needed good 1/4" sockets, I'd pay $312 for that deal. Not $615 though. Worst case scenario you could probably sell them online for nearly what you paid for them.

 

[BWWgarage]

The only chrome Snap On sockets I have (aside from bit/specialty sockets) is 1/4".

They are magnitudes better than the Craftsman USA sockets they replaced when it comes to the smaller sizes.

Another sincere question and trying to learn: Can you share what makes them better?

 

[jblnut]

This spring when I was in the market for a 1” I was going to buy a Cat set from a buddy through the local Cat dealer. He said “Shhhhhh don’t tell anyone but we use Stark impact sockets as they’re cheap and seem to hold up just as well.” Well okay. Anyone else use Stark tools ?


I also took a chance on a $120 Vevor 1” impact. This thing is a beast. I hooked it up to my 185cfm IR trailer compressor and it really came alive busting nuts loose that were tightened to 2,200ft/lbs. This thing has gotten a few dozen hours of use so far and I can’t be happier with my cheap stuff. So far. If it shits the bed I’ll invest in a nice IR gun, or maybe not.

 

[jblnut]

Another sincere question and trying to learn: Can you share what makes them better?

Some have ultra thin walls which is extremely helpful in tight spaces which happens often with smaller fasteners.

I have an older craftsman set that I turned down on a lathe to get them nice anything for stuff that’s needs thin but not as much strength. When using anything 1/4” you gotta remember to apply an appropriate amount of force or you’ll destroy them.

 

[BWWgarage]

Literally just the metric sockets. I find the price to be staggering, even with my discount, but I’m willing to be convinced that it’s worth it.

Grab the Cat version of similar socket set for $115! (Extr standard size, 3 fewer longs)

 

[KnurledNut]

Me too, but back to the OP's question, no, he doesn't need them.

I'm seeing symptoms Hakeem got the Snap-on bug after buying that 24" 1/2 flex ratchet. It's terribly contagious.
Don't always need something to want it!

They don't call this the most expensive free forum for no reason!

 

[alinc100]

Or if you don't mind used this seller (NOTE they need a clean and polish if desired) https://www.ebay.com/itm/3767822713...aKcHiDkRBCpn4W6BVLBJFJkaU=|tkp:Bk9SR5zY6qLoZg
and

Pardon Our Interruption...

buy the fill-ins 14, 15mm s and be way ahead

 

[DAustin]

You could buy a couple of Snap-on sockets in the sizes you run into most and see if you think they are worth it. If they are you could buy a whole set, if not you won't be out of a lot of money.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Another sincere question and trying to learn: Can you share what makes them better?

They fit better. The very same bolt head the Craftsman socket could not grip, the Snap On did.

 

[JeepYJ]

They fit better. The very same bolt head the Craftsman socket could not grip, the Snap On did.

Old Craftsman USA tools were good for their time but not great. By 2025 standards they’re barely “good”. Many other brands today are better than the old Craftsman sockets.

 

[mikedodge]

Sure, my point was more of the attitude of Google it posters.
Things change and most questions have nuance. Sure old threads are often very worthwhile, but even among very similar posts it may take some reading between the lines to get the specific answer one is looking for, and depending on the age of the post may completely miss a new option.



It is just the internet.

If you start a new thread you will get the "google it" posts.

If you had done a search and posted you question within in you would have had posters pop in to ***** about reviving an old thread.

If more people watched and learned from Bambi the world would be a more pleasant place.



Of course if everybody followed that advice, then internet forum post counts would only be 1/4 what they are.

Starting a new thread when most on the topic are a year old or more is one thing but some topics come up weekly or several times a month. Starting fresh in that case isn't going to get any new answers that haven't already been posted and could very well lack info as people get tired of seeing the same topics and stop looking at them or replying to them. That's when people start saying to Google it or search for it.

 

[mikedodge]

Literally just the metric sockets. I find the price to be staggering, even with my discount, but I’m willing to be convinced that it’s worth it.

Ask yourself do you want to spend $300 bucks on that set of sockets or do you want to spend say under $100 for ones that are just as usable and use the savings to buy two other sets you need or want.

 

[T45]

Another sincere question and trying to learn: Can you share what makes them better?

The funniest part about this thread is people talking like "sockets" are all one thing. Thats really a odd take on things.

First of all, each drive size, in each height, from each oem...is typically different. I have like 3-4 OEMs / sets of 1/4 drive sockets, across shallow/mid/deeps....and guess what....none of them are the same and they are all better suited for some jobs than others.

Theres alot of features about snappy 1/4 drive in sae, 12 point that make them good for aerospace. That doesn't mean thats the best socket set for shadetree mechanics working on lawnmovers and ikea furnitiure installs.

Part of that is knowing the job they need to do and buying tools setup properly for the job you are doing/not doing.

For DIY around the house? I personally prefer taiwan 1/4s because they are taller than snap-on, and have more clearance.

Again that has nothing to do with price, or brand. Its just knowing my work and my tools.

For aviation/aerospace guys, they need lots of clearnace, they need good hand-feel, they are using 12 point fasteners, theres typically zero rust (go figure), and they have small boxes, small size tools, with limited sizes...so they can afford higher cost per piece tools if needed...

They also will use more than one brand and over time things will probably shift vs where they were 20 years ago, too...

 

[Caa311]

Buy two sets of the ko-ken sockets and call it a day. With money left over or just buy extra singles from zoro.

 

[regguy1]

I always used snap-on sockets bought most of my stuff back in the 1960s and 70s, after I retired I have to replace the 5/8 impact half inch drive flex socket and I got one from the snap on dealer and the thing looked way cheaper than they used to look there was no safety band around the socket to protect you. I ended up selling all my snap-on half inch Dr. shallow impacts on eBay and I bought a set of Sunex half inch drive impacts, They're way nicer than the newer snap ONS are and much less expensive

 

[SouthernIllinois]

Where have you seen hobbits using tools?

F’ing autocorrect - but in this case, that is pretty funny!

 

[liliysdad]

I prefer the Snap On 1/4 for a number of reasons. They are typically thinner walled than other similar sockets. They fit fasteners far better than cheaper sockets. They almost always have less chamfer/lead in than other sockets. They are shallow broached. Their extensions, sockets, swivels and ratchets fit each other better than other makers, offering more retention in tight places.

Again, I work on almost exclusively older American stuff, so I’m hardly the expert. I have had several levels and brands of sockets, and I prefer the Snap Ons over all of them….but 1/4 is where they really shine.

Even at that….no, they don’t make sense on a financial level. That’s why the secondary market exists.

 

[Caa311]

I prefer the Snap On 1/4 for a number of reasons. They are typically thinner walled than other similar sockets. They fit fasteners far better than cheaper sockets. They almost always have less chamfer/lead in than other sockets. They are shallow broached. Their extensions, sockets, swivels and ratchets fit each other better than other makers, offering more retention in tight places.

Again, I work on almost exclusively older American stuff, so I’m hardly the expert. I have had several levels and brands of sockets, and I prefer the Snap Ons over all of them….but 1/4 is where they really shine.

Even at that….no, they don’t make sense on a financial level. That’s why the secondary market exists.

I think the ko-kens are just as thin or thinner.