Y00PER
Well-known member
Looking to buy some US made, standard length 1/2" drive, 6 point metric sockets but don't see any offerings from Williams, Proto, or Wright. Mac, Snap-On and SK have them, is there anyone i'm missing?
1/2" metric sockets?
- Thread starter Y00PER
- Start date
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
JHW32941 - 6pt chrome USA made Williams (EDIT - NOT USA MADE)
J54209 - Proto 6pt chrome USA
IDK about Wright. Sometimes it's easier to start at the company catalog, find part numbers, then check availability knowing the # you're chasing.
J54209 - Proto 6pt chrome USA
IDK about Wright. Sometimes it's easier to start at the company catalog, find part numbers, then check availability knowing the # you're chasing.
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Kirbot
Well-known member
Carlyle has a 15 piece set on sale for $70, but it's Taiwan.
Be careful with SK, they're selling a lot of Chinese socket sets now
Be careful with SK, they're selling a lot of Chinese socket sets now
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Wright makes them in impact but not chrome.
Cornwell chrome are USA made:
STM3210P 10-19mm
STM328P 20-27mm
Cornwell chrome are USA made:
STM3210P 10-19mm
STM328P 20-27mm
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JHW32941 is a set of sockets made in Taiwan. All of the Williams part numbers now get JHW in front of them.
The big USA made Williams 1/2" metric chrome set is JHWMSS-24RC, but they are 12 point. Williams does not offer USA made, 1/2" drive, 6 point chrome sockets.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Good catch, my mistake.
Mytoolsupply
Well-known member
Correct the Wright shallow and deep chrome metric sockets are 12pt.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
With Cornwell you gotta get in the habit of lining up the ball detent with the hole. Which is fine if you're in the habit of it.
Gebirgekind
Well-known member
Based on your location OP a cool alternative might be Gray Canada. They are an excellent industrial supplier on the level of Wright, Proto, et al. and make 6-point 1/2" chrome. They don't ship to the US but maybe someone near you could help out.
Allegedly, SK is still making their pro level sockets in the USA but who knows how long that could persist. I recently had to fill out an SK set that I bought back when the company was both reliable and affordable, and opted to supplement with Gray instead for the same reasons; they're top notch quality.
Allegedly, SK is still making their pro level sockets in the USA but who knows how long that could persist. I recently had to fill out an SK set that I bought back when the company was both reliable and affordable, and opted to supplement with Gray instead for the same reasons; they're top notch quality.
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KnurledNut
Well-known member
They started adding standard detents in 2019. Not sure if that was across the board of drive sizes, but likely.
I thought of Gray too. (Part No. 39019)
I really wish they would open back up to the US market. A local industrial supplier carried their hard-line many years ago.
Solid Canadian-made product.
Apex makes them in the USA but dont recommend them for general use. They are designed for the production/assembly industry, and while extremely durable, lack chrome with the intention of being power-driven by factory tools.
Urrea is another option, made in Mexico and they claim from USA-sourced steel. Typically reasonably priced.
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I got a chrome 12mm 1/2" Ohio socket last year and it had the same through-hole as an impact style socket. Pretty sure it was new stock because it took a little while to come in.
I imagine the blue-power import line would have standard detents.
I think I’d suggest reconsidering your need for 6pts. I use impacts when I suspect something is stock, 12pt chrome when it’s not. The advantage of having 12pt chrome is that there are 12pt fastener heads out there. I’ve never encountered or heard of one that wasn’t covered by a 1/2” set, so this could be the only 12pt set you’ll need.
Tynee
Well-known member
Agree with this, and by the time you're up into 1/2" drive sizes, there's typically enough steel on the fastener that you're not worried about rounding it off. My 1/2" drive chrome sockets are 12pt. Mostly vintage Craftsman, if it matters to you.
cherrybomb
Well-known member
I'd look for the Proto at Zoro,wait for the coupon,then your kids and then theirs can use them
mjdarg
Well-known member
If you are OK with 12 pts, CAT chrome sockets are reasonably priced. 199-6156 should run about $85-$90 from the dealer. They don't have 6 point chrome sockets in 1/2" drive. You have to get impacts for that, but the CAT set, 213-6923, stops at 21mm which is kind of weird and its around $115. They have 1/2" 12pt impact socket set, 575-2413, which is more complete and should be around $125.
I have the Williams 12 point metric shallow chromes, and they work fine for me.
However, I live in an area that doesn't experience snow and salt, so I have learned that what works for me may not work for others where fasteners get crusty.
I'd assume the CAT sockets above are the same as Williams USA. It looks like if you want USA, 6 point, not tool truck brand, then it's Proto, and maybe SK. I have SK in 6 point and Williams in 12 point, I bought them 10+ years ago, but I wouldn't suggest buying SK today even if they are still available- and Zoro shows SK in stock. If I was buying today, I'd probably just buy Tekton.
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Sk Professional Tools 1/2" Drive Socket Set, Metric, 15 pcs 1955 | Zoro
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