1/4" Drive deep SAE 6 point sockets - Socket replenishment thread

[RickP330]

Hi guys - here are the results. I watched several sets on Ebay. This new set the seller offered 10% off and I snagged it. $150.00 for a 1/4" drive SAE new in the package Crack On set. Thanks for all of the comments.

Is it possible to rename this thread? I'm going to move on to the rest of my socket set. Up next is the 1/2" metric deep impact sockets. I only have a handful left and it's crapsman. A 16 pc Williams set is $190 not totally unreasonable, any other suggestions or likes? This range of sockets is not commonly used by me, so I might even consider a cheaper brand....
Rick

 

[mreisner]

Hi guys - here are the results. I watched several sets on Ebay. This new set the seller offered 10% off and I snagged it. $150.00 for a 1/4" drive SAE new in the package Crack On set. Thanks for all of the comments.

Is it possible to rename this thread? I'm going to move on to the rest of my socket set. Up next is the 1/2" metric deep impact sockets. I only have a handful left and it's crapsman. A 16 pc Williams set is $190 not totally unreasonable, any other suggestions or likes? This range of sockets is not commonly used by me, so I might even consider a cheaper brand....
Rick

Wright makes fantastic impact sockets. USA made and priced well. Snag a 20% off Zoro coupon and they are even better.

 

[alinc100]

Hi guys - here are the results. I watched several sets on Ebay. This new set the seller offered 10% off and I snagged it. $150.00 for a 1/4" drive SAE new in the package Crack On set. Thanks for all of the comments.

Is it possible to rename this thread? I'm going to move on to the rest of my socket set. Up next is the 1/2" metric deep impact sockets. I only have a handful left and it's crapsman. A 16 pc Williams set is $190 not totally unreasonable, any other suggestions or likes? This range of sockets is not commonly used by me, so I might even consider a cheaper brand....
Rick

Well, there is always CAT : https://parts.cat.com/en/michigan/214-6643 Or Wright as mentioned above(currently out of stock at Zoro,I was looking while mreiser was typing) Or the Williams set looks like a good value . Cat may have larger ,single sizes to get you to 16 pieces. I'm trying to navigate their site now.

 

[cannuck]

I am surprised that nobody has mentioned OD/wall thickness, as to me that is the most important thing for any small socket.

 

[KnurledNut]

Hi guys - here are the results. I watched several sets on Ebay. This new set the seller offered 10% off and I snagged it. $150.00 for a 1/4" drive SAE new in the package Crack On set. Thanks for all of the comments.

Is it possible to rename this thread? I'm going to move on to the rest of my socket set. Up next is the 1/2" metric deep impact sockets. I only have a handful left and it's crapsman. A 16 pc Williams set is $190 not totally unreasonable, any other suggestions or likes? This range of sockets is not commonly used by me, so I might even consider a cheaper brand....
Rick

Thanks for reporting back with an update. I wish more members would do that. Nice find on the Snap-on set.
Regarding the 1/2 drive impact set question, you'll probably get the best response starting a new thread.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

My 1/4” metric deeps are 6pt from Tekton that I bought 9 or 10 years ago at Big R. Just a diy’er but I use the 8mm and 10mm a lot. My SAE are USA Craftsmen from the late 90s I really don’t use them much except for the 1/4”.

 

[shoggoth80]

For impacts, depends really. Are you ******** wanting American made ones? I've had pretty decent experiences with most I've put hands on. Even the HF ones have held up decent. I know Tekton is always the answer but Tekton's impacts seem alright so far. Their price for singles is agreeable too. Filled out some rails at work with them.

Capri seems similar and gets positive enough reviews that I am curious about them. SK makes a solid impact as well, but they'll cost a bit. I've seen a handful of blown open Proto ones at work. Truck brands seem good quality all around, but of course, premium price tag.

I've got old Armstrong from HJE in my personal box for the most part, with some HF stragglers, and a few Kobalt. As much as I've grenaded Kobalt ratchets and air guns in the past, the impacts themselves aren't bad, though I cannot speak to current pricing. You could probably score individual American pieces from HJE.

 

[1982fxr]

Does Wright 1/4 drive now have ball detents? I think old ones didn't...

 

[ecotec]

EBay for sure, I just bought a set of 1/4 6pt deep metric Snap on sockets new in wrapper on Ebay for about 1/2 the price of new.

Also, if you have a CAT dealer you can get them branded as CAT sockets for probably 1/4 -1/3 the price of SO but they might be one or two sizes short of the SO set.

CAT part number for the 1/4 SAE Deep 6pt is 213-9965, 10pc set 3/16 - 9/16.
It should be around $51 USD but it can varry from dealer to dealer.

Your dealer might not know they even sell tools but you just give them the part number, I bought 3 sets from my CAT dealer.

I did this before Covid or at the beginning of Covid. I bought a shitload of CAT sockets that look just like Snap-on other than the stamping.

I bought a few of the screwdriver sets in trays, and some individual screwdrivers. They look like black hard handle Williams. I wish that I found out about CAT tools years earlier before they changed from the Snap-on style ratcheting screwdriver to the Williams style ratcheting screwdriver. I still bought one of the Williams style CAT screwdrivers, though.

I bought one pick that was just a regular Snap-on pick, but for much cheaper than Snap-on sold them for.

They were the best deal in tools for a while. I wish that I had bought more. One day, they took the vast majority of the tools off the website. You could still find a tiny percentage, like CAT branded Williams lower tooth count ratchets, for a while after they took the majority off.

 

[ecotec]

I'm rocking the Grey Pneumatic 1/4" impact master set. I really like that set.

I like the Grey Pneumatic impact sets. I have a few different versions of it (regular, magnetic, and swivel).

 

[Aaron_W]

My 1/4 drive tools are my most used tools in my box. I cannot imagine doing interior or body work on vehicle without using 1/4 drive tools.

I am curious as to why so many say they hardly use them?

Thank you, I was curious what people used them for.
To me 1/4 is just a compact set that doesn't take up much room, a small tool kit for the car or kitchen drawer. I can see where an appliance repair guy might like the small size but was wondering what a mechanic would use them for.

3/8 is my general do everything size, 1/2 my no really, come off size. All based on leverage, 1/4 drive ratchets are barely bigger than my hand, so practically no leverage.

I don't do much body work, but can see where the small size could be handy.

 

[liliysdad]

Thank you, I was curious what people used them for.
To me 1/4 is just a compact set that doesn't take up much room, a small tool kit for the car or kitchen drawer. I can see where an appliance repair guy might like the small size but was wondering what a mechanic would use them for.

3/8 is my general do everything size, 1/2 my no really, come off size. All based on leverage, 1/4 drive ratchets are barely bigger than my hand, so practically no leverage.

I don't do much body work, but can see where the small size could be handy.

As I’ve gotten better and more 1/4 stuff, I have found that I use 3/8 less and less. I typically grab the 1/4 first, the straight to 1/2 if I need more.

 

[jptbay]

https://drpd.cc/tool-shop/ratchets-...eep-sae-socket-set-10-pcs-3-16-9-16-tb2l10ba/

KTC, or there fancier Nepros if you want jewelry. However, regular KTC is the same dimensionally and finished beautifully.

If you are craving the Snappy set, these will make you very happy for way less. Compare the dimensions and features yourself.

DRPD is a trusted seller here on garage journal, and has put together this exclusive SAE kit that is not normally available from KTC (SAE normally available as single sockets).

KTC has become my go to for socketry, as I have found it to be the best value proposition for incredible quality.

 

[micromind]

Does Wright 1/4 drive now have ball detents? I think old ones didn't...

I just went out and checked, my Wright 2310 (1/4" drive, 5/16" 8 point) does indeed have the detents.

It's about 2 years old.

 

[Aaron_W]

As I’ve gotten better and more 1/4 stuff, I have found that I use 3/8 less and less. I typically grab the 1/4 first, the straight to 1/2 if I need more.

Yeah, I can see where with a quality set of 1/4" and 1/2", one might skip the 3/8". I started with a decent 3/8" set years ago, so it became my default and has the broadest range of sockets. The 1/4" sets I've had have primarily been as I mentioned, compact sets I can grab for a quick little project.

This thread is causing me to reassess the 1/4" size. I won't be buying Snap On, but I may look at something better than the small Husky and Craftsman sets I've had.

 

[AJHD]

Well, there is always CAT : https://parts.cat.com/en/michigan/214-6643 Or Wright as mentioned above(currently out of stock at Zoro,I was looking while mreiser was typing) Or the Williams set looks like a good value . Cat may have larger ,single sizes to get you to 16 pieces. I'm trying to navigate their site now.

Well ****, I had no idea they put tools back on the website. You can change locations to choose your local CAT dealer.
It doesn't look like they have everything online they have in their catalog. But still nice to see.

https://parts.cat.com/en/empire/workshop-supplies-tools

 

[1982fxr]

So this set is Snap-on? No way...

 

[liliysdad]

So this set is Snap-on? No way...

Yes…and no. It’s Williams with a different roll mark, which is SnapOn with a different roll mark.

Same tools, different channels, different warranties. Don’t expect to take your Cat or Williams socket on the truck and get a replacement. Don’t be surprised if you don’t get it warranties at all without some pretty intense scrutiny.

Still amazing tools for an amazing price.

 

[AJHD]

I had some of the CAT sockets. No complaints.

Also had CAT angle wrenches and screwdrivers.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

Yeah, I can see where with a quality set of 1/4" and 1/2", one might skip the 3/8". I started with a decent 3/8" set years ago, so it became my default and has the broadest range of sockets. The 1/4" sets I've had have primarily been as I mentioned, compact sets I can grab for a quick little project.

This thread is causing me to reassess the 1/4" size. I won't be buying Snap On, but I may look at something better than the small Husky and Craftsman sets I've had.

My dad who farmed and owned garbage trucks then dump trucks only had a 3/8” set in metric, that he bought in the mid to late ‘70s to work on cars that were slowly transitioning to metric. All the SAE stuff was always done wit either 1/2” drive or 1/4” drive sets because there is a slight overlap. I find myself becoming more like Dad and rarely using my 3/8” set, except for my e-torx sockets, I’ve been using both of my 3/8” sockets with different sized e-torx while I’m replacing the motor in my wife’s ‘14 Cruze and my 1/4” and 1/2” for everything else.

 

[Aaron_W]

As I’ve gotten better and more 1/4 stuff, I have found that I use 3/8 less and less. I typically grab the 1/4 first, the straight to 1/2 if I need more.

Just a follow up to let you know you spent some of my money.

Ended up buying a 1/4" set from Tekton, kind of killed two birds with one stone that way. I get to try out the GJ darling from Taiwan and see what the hype about 1/4" sockets is all about.

Nice set with regular and deep sockets plus ratchet, along with a set of misc bits.

Have to admit this set has quickly become my go to for small jobs. I'll still grab my tool bag with 3/8" and 1/2" for most of my car work, but the 1/4" drive has been far handier than I would have guessed.