SMKS
Well-known member
Edit-- I just tried out a couple tests on the ratchet. Scroll down farther in the thread to see them.
Full Disclosure - I'm only a DIY'er, not a professional tech. I only use my tools in my garage.
I'm not a Harbor Freight booster, or a Harbor Freight basher. I have the 40-in wide toolbox, and a few other HF tools. I think HF has some real bargains for some items, but I realize many of their tools are garbage. I bought this set to make this post and I'll probably return it soon, because I already have enough ratchets and sockets.
This socket set has caught my eye at HF recently. They seem to be replacing some of their made in China tools with Taiwan-made tools that appear to be higher quality. These tools are labeled "Pittsburgh Pro," instead of the usual "Pittsburgh." I decided to pick up a 3/8" drive socket and ratchet set to try out.
This Taiwan-made set (#67900) was marked at $24.99 on the shelf. But it must have been on sale, because it rang up for $19.99. Add my 20% off coupon, and it was $15.99 + tax.
Ratchet
This set comes with a 72-tooth ratchet with a comfort grip. It is a little on the short side for a 3/8" drive ratchet. Here it is compared to several other 3/8" drive ratchets.
From left to right:
New Britain made Husky, CB-45
Proto 5249
Craftsman thin profile, 44995
Harbor Freight ratchet
Proto Big Dawg, 5249P
SK 45170
The first thing I noticed about the HF ratchet, is that the action is very stiff and not very smooth. I opened it up and added a little Superlube, and it was definitely improved. The ratchet does seem to have a decent finish and an overall good build quality.
Even after lubing it, this ratchet isn't nearly as smooth as my Craftsman thin profile or Proto Big Dawg ratchets. The action on the HF ratchet is also still significantly stiffer than the other two. All three ratchets are basically brand new, so I don't think any one is broken in more than the others.
Here is a pic comparing the internals of the three ratchets. It appears the pawl on the HF ratchet engages 6 teeth on the gear at a time, which is fewer than the Craftsman or Proto.
Sockets
This set comes with 20 sockets. SAE from 5/16" to 7/8" and metric from 10mm - 22mm (skips the 18mm).
The sockets are all 12 point. All the 3/8" sets at the store were 12-point. I prefer 6-point sockets, so I don't have too much to directly compare it to. However, I did line it up with a few of my other 3/8" drive brands.
Left to right:
USA Bahco (made by Williams)
Craftsman, approximately 12 years old, but used little
Pittsburgh Pro
Williams import line. I believe these are made in Taiwan
The name and size stampings are also large and clear on the HF sockets. The size is very easy to read.
Here are two more pics comparing the Craftsman (left) to the HF (right).
I wish I had some of the older dark chrome HF sockets that this set is replacing. The older sockets have a dull, dark-chrome finish. They also only have laser etched markings. Here's a pic from the HF website to compare.
Overall
I think this is a decent socket set. When you look at the price --$15.99 in my case-- I think it is quite a bargain. It seems much better than the no-name import tools I often run across and significantly better than the worst HF offerings. But, it doesn't quite compare to my USA-made sockets and ratchets. However, either the Proto or Craftsman ratchets I looked at retail for twice what this entire set cost.
I can't comment on the long-term durability, but my first impressions of the socket set are pretty positive.
Full Disclosure - I'm only a DIY'er, not a professional tech. I only use my tools in my garage.
I'm not a Harbor Freight booster, or a Harbor Freight basher. I have the 40-in wide toolbox, and a few other HF tools. I think HF has some real bargains for some items, but I realize many of their tools are garbage. I bought this set to make this post and I'll probably return it soon, because I already have enough ratchets and sockets.
This socket set has caught my eye at HF recently. They seem to be replacing some of their made in China tools with Taiwan-made tools that appear to be higher quality. These tools are labeled "Pittsburgh Pro," instead of the usual "Pittsburgh." I decided to pick up a 3/8" drive socket and ratchet set to try out.
This Taiwan-made set (#67900) was marked at $24.99 on the shelf. But it must have been on sale, because it rang up for $19.99. Add my 20% off coupon, and it was $15.99 + tax.
Ratchet
This set comes with a 72-tooth ratchet with a comfort grip. It is a little on the short side for a 3/8" drive ratchet. Here it is compared to several other 3/8" drive ratchets.
From left to right:
New Britain made Husky, CB-45
Proto 5249
Craftsman thin profile, 44995
Harbor Freight ratchet
Proto Big Dawg, 5249P
SK 45170
The first thing I noticed about the HF ratchet, is that the action is very stiff and not very smooth. I opened it up and added a little Superlube, and it was definitely improved. The ratchet does seem to have a decent finish and an overall good build quality.
Even after lubing it, this ratchet isn't nearly as smooth as my Craftsman thin profile or Proto Big Dawg ratchets. The action on the HF ratchet is also still significantly stiffer than the other two. All three ratchets are basically brand new, so I don't think any one is broken in more than the others.
Here is a pic comparing the internals of the three ratchets. It appears the pawl on the HF ratchet engages 6 teeth on the gear at a time, which is fewer than the Craftsman or Proto.
Sockets
This set comes with 20 sockets. SAE from 5/16" to 7/8" and metric from 10mm - 22mm (skips the 18mm).
The sockets are all 12 point. All the 3/8" sets at the store were 12-point. I prefer 6-point sockets, so I don't have too much to directly compare it to. However, I did line it up with a few of my other 3/8" drive brands.
Left to right:
USA Bahco (made by Williams)
Craftsman, approximately 12 years old, but used little
Pittsburgh Pro
Williams import line. I believe these are made in Taiwan
The name and size stampings are also large and clear on the HF sockets. The size is very easy to read.
Here are two more pics comparing the Craftsman (left) to the HF (right).
I wish I had some of the older dark chrome HF sockets that this set is replacing. The older sockets have a dull, dark-chrome finish. They also only have laser etched markings. Here's a pic from the HF website to compare.
Overall
I think this is a decent socket set. When you look at the price --$15.99 in my case-- I think it is quite a bargain. It seems much better than the no-name import tools I often run across and significantly better than the worst HF offerings. But, it doesn't quite compare to my USA-made sockets and ratchets. However, either the Proto or Craftsman ratchets I looked at retail for twice what this entire set cost.
I can't comment on the long-term durability, but my first impressions of the socket set are pretty positive.
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