Best sockets for the money

Pontiac787 · Jun 4, 2016

Hi all,

I'm sure this has been discussed before but the search was not working out for me. I'm looking for a set of 1/2" 6 point sockets. What would you guys say are the best value in sockets.

Thanks!

Strouty · Jun 4, 2016

The ones that I bought.

Welcome to the forum, maybe be a bit more specific about what you are doing with said sockets?

LXCam · Jun 4, 2016

Strouty said:
The ones that I bought.

Welcome to the forum, maybe be a bit more specific about what you are doing with said sockets?

Yours ****, mine are the way to go.

Strouty · Jun 4, 2016

Mine only **** because you don't own them!

exmaxima1 · Jun 4, 2016

Pontiac787 said:
Hi all,

I'm sure this has been discussed before but the search was not working out for me. I'm looking for a set of 1/2" 6 point sockets. What would you guys say are the best value in sockets.

Thanks!

NOS Craftsman Made-in-USA by Armstrong. I got mine on the auction site, and just hope I never have to warrant them for the Chinese versions.

LXCam · Jun 4, 2016

Oh ya mr fancy pants....I own snap on, I own snap on, nanananaaaana. Keep it up and I'll tell mom you're being prissy again.

Strouty · Jun 4, 2016

I will let it slide this time, but only because you have the coolest lista bench ever made.

LXCam · Jun 4, 2016

Haha

Ok OP. You'll regret ever asking your question. You're going to get answers from don't waste your money on new stuff, you need to spend the next ten years of your life going to garage sales and piece together some unobtainable mystery set to if you don't buy snap on, your wasting your money.

A good value imo would be gear wrench, look for bogo deals.

lugnut71 · Jun 4, 2016

Williams USA. Done

Pontiac787 · Jun 4, 2016

Strouty said:
The ones that I bought.

Welcome to the forum, maybe be a bit more specific about what you are doing with said sockets?

Thanks. They will be used for hobby automotive work. I currently have a mix of Craftsman, Husky, and Snap-On. The newest probably being about 10 years old and ranging to older than me.

Strouty · Jun 4, 2016

If you are just doing homeowner work, harbor freight would get you probably the best bang for the buck. I would not choose them for myself, but that is a personal choice. If you are looking for a set to take with you, I really like the S-K sets with the blow molded cases, I have both a 1/4" and 3/8" drive set. I also have a couple of the black husky sets from home depot, but I bought those so I would know they were mine and they have a case, so I know when something is missing.

I mainly use Snap On, but I only buy them when there is a deal or from eBay. My driver hates that.

four.cycle · Jun 4, 2016

"...the best value..."

decent used US-made stuff from Ebay, in my humble opinion.

not many here will agree with me on that point, though. prepare yourself for enough different answers to be even more confused than you are already.

gotta have 6-point, eh? SAE? Metric? shallow? deep-well? all of the above?

(* and watch out for some of these guys.... looks like a few of them have been drinking too much of the Kool-Aid. :lol:

)

here's a deal on a big set of S-K - more than you'll ever need. see if you can beat him down on the price. if he won't take your offer, you're not on the hook:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/S-K-47-Pc-1...207770?hash=item464f1fff5a:g:Fp8AAOSwtJZXUzLn

Wamsutta · Jun 4, 2016

lugnut71 said:
Williams USA. Done

I was going to post that.

HammerRed · Jun 4, 2016

sunex.

T45 · Jun 4, 2016

Yep,

cman usa, williams usa, GW,

also Toptul.

... and Facom on sale (is the best value premium brand).

http://www.tbs-aachen.de/Facom/1/2_Sockets/Facom_S600_1/2_assortment_20-TLG_i3719_55989.htm

beyond that not really worth the hassle.

If you don't mind some hassle, NOS/heritage brand USA

via e-bay... keep eyes peeled. [edit: see post 12]

Pontiac787 · Jun 4, 2016

You guys are fast! Thanks for the suggestions. I just need standard and metric shallow. I have 6 pt deep and 12 pt covered. I was Looking for Williams USA but couldn't find a good source. All I came up with was the Taiwan stuff.

four.cycle · Jun 4, 2016

and welcome to the site, btw.
I am not seeing any Williams 1/2" drive 6-point sets listed currently on Ebay, but it's early Saturday afternoon and things will be different in 36 hours - the majority of stuff is posted on Saturday late afternoons and mid-day to early evening Sunday - you gotta be Johnny-on-the-spot to snag the cherries, though -

there's an "Ebay Hot Deals" thread here you might check, but I can't recall the last 1/2" drive 6-point set I posted on there.... generally it's mostly 12-point stuff.

primo stuff that's currently still in production is Snap-on, Proto (spendy), Armstrong, Williams, Wright (spendy), with the much-maligned S-K following closely behind (good stuff and not quite so damn high-priced.)

Greg85mcss · Jun 4, 2016

I don't have them but really like the sk cased sets. I have 12 points that don't get used often & for 6 points I use my impacts. They're matco & were only $80 off the truck for 10-19, 21, 22, 26 & 27. To be honest you would probably be fine with the hf pro set. A guy I worked with has about $40k worth of snap on but never felt the need to upgrade from those sockets. For chrome if it doesn't have to be usa I really like using gearwrench. As someone else said you can usually find a deal somewhere like tooltopia for free sae with the metrics.

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KnurledNut · Jun 4, 2016

Try searching through google:

Add "site:garagejournal.com" before or after your search phrase.

RRmech · Jun 4, 2016

Truecraft....made in USA and Japan.

You can still find NOS sets on occasion on flea bay for little more than parking meter change.

Steve

GeorgeFromPa · Jun 4, 2016

lugnut71 said:
Williams USA. Done

yea.. ill give that a ditto. not only for the money. just the best sockets for any money.. there ******** with a diffrent stamp

Wamsutta · Jun 4, 2016

Pontiac787 said:
You guys are fast! Thanks for the suggestions. I just need standard and metric shallow. I have 6 pt deep and 12 pt covered. I was Looking for Williams USA but couldn't find a good source. All I came up with was the Taiwan stuff.

They have USA Williams at toolsdelivered.com but you'd have to settle for 12 point. You want chrome correct?

1950mercury · Jun 4, 2016

Hf have to be the best for the little they cost.

anndel · Jun 4, 2016

Sunex, Tekton, SK, Wright, used Snap On from Ebay

Fedwrench · Jun 4, 2016

If you're using 1/2 drive, clearance isn't much of an issue. I would opt for sunex, grey pneumatic, or tekton shallow 1/2 drive 6 point impact sockets. wide range of sizes, durable, and inexpensive if you shop around. :thumbup:

dnschmidt · Jun 4, 2016

TOPTUL obviously. Well, I could be a little biased but I really do think they make the best sockets in the world for the money.

Wakefield · Jun 4, 2016

Old Bonney Impact sockets.

stage20 · Jun 4, 2016

where will you be shopping for the sockets? online (new)?ebay auctions? local brick and mortar store?

this will help narrow down what you need. if clearance is not an issue, the harbor freight impact sockets are on sale right now for cheap. they are actually lower than normal, i just saw them today for 23.99

Sprintman · Jun 4, 2016

Toptul by a mile. Actually more than that but a mile will do

WWShop · Jun 4, 2016

I have Cman USA sockets and the HF impact sockets....like em both.

Milwookie · Jun 4, 2016

I just went through this recently, and researched the **** out of it. For the money, Gearwrench can't be beat. As someone else said, you can find a Buy One Get One Free offer a number of places. Do it.

Know Wosad · Jun 4, 2016

Milwookie said:
I just went through this recently, and researched the **** out of it. For the money, Gearwrench can't be beat. As someone else said, you can find a Buy One Get One Free offer a number of places. Do it.

Agreed.

PelicanPines · Jun 4, 2016

I have 5 sets of 1/2 sockets. You need them all.

PureLeaf · Jun 4, 2016

I have Proto, Wright, USA craftsman, and Koken all in 1/2 drive. They all do the same job...

Coach James · Jun 4, 2016

Whichever set you buy, make sure it's made in India.

Coach

drink · Jun 4, 2016

I have a new set of made in USA chrome Craftsman 1/2" drive SAE 12 point sockets in a case I will sell you for $125 plus shipping if you will accept 12 points.

LXCam · Jun 4, 2016

Coach James said:
Whichever set you buy, make sure it's made in India.

Coach

What the hell!, I thought we agreed to keep that a secret.

BK13 · Jun 4, 2016

Pretty sure my next 1/2" chrome sockets will be KoKen.

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Pontiac787 · Jun 4, 2016

Wamsutta said:
They have USA Williams at toolsdelivered.com but you'd have to settle for 12 point. You want chrome correct?

The actually do have them.

http://https://www.toolsdelivered.com/mobile/Williams-WSS-14HRC-Hand-Tools-Sockets-Drive-Tools-1-2-Inch-Drive-Chrome-SAE-Socket-Sets

I think I may have found a winner.

ibedayank · Jun 5, 2016

usa Blackhawk

Best sockets for the money

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