1/4 Drive Socket Set

[cmorr]

Hello guys, new to the forum (my first post). Hope to contribute in the future but need to first ask for some help.

Currently seeking a small 1/4 6pt socket set, SAE and Metric, shallow and deep sockets.

Am currently looking at SK and KD. Would like to keep the price below $160 and prefer US made tools

Would like your insight on these (2) options as well as others

http://www.tooltopia.com/sk-hand-tool-91844.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/kd-tools-80300d.aspx


Thanks
Clarence

 

[bob15]

I would go with SK. Another option would be Wright Tools.

 

[slob]

I have that SK set. I'd recommend it to anyone.

 

[House Sparrow]

I have some 1/4" drive SK sockets that I have had for quite a while. They have given me good service. I bought them in a pinch because I needed them, as I'm usually a Snap-On and Proto guy, but I like the SKs and still use them sometimes.

Proto, Wright and Armstrong are also all good USA sockets that won't break the bank.

 

[kc-steve]

. . . Am currently looking at SK and KD. Would like to keep the price below $160 and prefer US made tools

Would like your insight on these (2) options as well as others

http://www.tooltopia.com/sk-hand-tool-91844.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/kd-tools-80300d.aspx


Thanks
Clarence

Hi Clarence, welcome to the forum! I stock both brands and can say they both are fine for the home shop. As others have said, the SK set is the best of the two. The absence of a country of origin on the KD stuff tells me they are probably made overseas and so the price is too high compared to the SK stuff.

However, you might check Wright's equivalent set if you want something a little better. Those and SK are good enough for professional use in my opinion. I currently don't stock the sets in that size, . . . yet!

Steve

 

[vga]

I have craftsmans 6 point 1/4 sockets, proto, locking, Mac extensions, Matco and Snap on 1/4 ratchets. am very happy with this set up.

 

[NastyNate]

I love SK. The 1/4 socket sets I own have never let me down. Only problem I have ever had with SK had always been used ratchets. Most likely abused at some point. Dont pick apart the finish (some people like perfectly shinny and some like useful) just use it for their quality.

 

[smothers33]

i just got that exact set of sk sockets from tooltopia as well. Very happy with it. I usually dont care to much about chrome and finish and all that especially on stuff Im gonna use and get all dirty anyways but i must admit I really do like how nice and shiny they are. RAtchet is great as well. Only problem I have is I believe I got some of the pre-Ideal sk stuff in my set and The drive side of the socket was tight on a couple of them but after workin them onto the ratchet a couple of times they seem to fit much much better. Almost like a small coat of something that didnt get taken off. Still all in all would definitely reccomend it to anyone lookin

 

[crewchief888]

i have that SK set.

i've never had any good luck with 1/4" dr SK ratchets, or breaker bars broken every one i've gotten my hands on.

the rest of the set is doing just fine.

 

[Fedwrench]

The KD set is actually a Gearwrench set. It's a nice set but, it's made in the PRC. The SK set probably the best US made bang for the buck.

 

[Bocefus]

Am I the only one who would take the Gearwrench set over the SK? Keep in mind you are getting a free 12pc set of ratcheting wrenches with it...

 

[shoturtle]

The sk is a nicer socket set then the kd. But the K-D has the nicer ratchet. Not a real fan of the sk round head ratchet.

I would get the sears sockets.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00942052000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

And pick up a better 1/4 ratchet. Something like a 88t armstrong maxx
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012WEOKC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

or a proto 45t 1/4 dr XL 45t
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001HWAYNI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They are much better ratchets. All made in the USA. The kd and sk ratchet are not as good.

Or you can get the premium ratchet 1/4 dr form sears with 84t, and if you go to sears used their computer and order the set there you get free shipping.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00925479000P?prdNo=16&blockNo=91&blockType=G91

 

[gtlaw]

The sk is a nicer socket set then the kd. But the K-D has the nicer ratchet. Not a real fan of the sk round head ratchet.

I would get the sears sockets.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00942052000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

And pick up a better 1/4 ratchet. Something like a 88t armstrong maxx
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012WEOKC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

or a proto 45t 1/4 dr XL 45t
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001HWAYNI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They are much better ratchets. All made in the USA. The kd and sk ratchet are not as good.

Or you can get the premium ratchet 1/4 dr form sears with 84t, and if you go to sears and order the set there you get free shipping.

I hate cman sockets double detent the s-k sockets are head, and shoulders above cman stuff, and while I'm not a fan of S-K ratchets they are pretty nice in 1/4"

 

[shoturtle]

I have never had any issues with cm sockets. I actually prefer them over my US williams 1/4 set and my armstrong 1/4 set. Work fine on all my ratchets and does the job. The sk ratchet is really not that good, even the 1/4. It is almost as bad as the rp 1/4 ratchet form cm, which I do not like, but actually think it is better then the sk round head.

To me buying the sk set with the ratchet will end up costing more money. As the ratchet is very poor. And will cost 40 bucks more to get a better one. And the darn thing is very short as well. Just as bad as my armstrong 1/4 round head. If they sold just the socket for about 100 dollars, I would get the sk. And seek a better ratchet with the savings.

 

[shoturtle]

to me I would pass on the extension. I would get locking ones instead. It makes life allot easier. Get a set of HF or kolbalt locking extensions way better tool imho, because you are using an extension because it is hard to reach. And if the socket locks on the bolt. Whey you pull out the tool, the socket stays. Worth the money to get the better extensions.

so 62 + 35 + 20 = 125 and you get a much better setup then spending 113, selling the crappy ratchet not worth more then 10 dollars. Then buying a 35 dollar ratchet, and 20 dollars in better extension. making it 160 in total.

 

[AustinRob]

I will add that I like the SK ratchets. Smooth and don't reverse direction like my old cm ratchets. I really think folks don't like them because they don't look cool.

When I was buying new socket sets my research pointed to SK. Using them confirmed I bought the right brand.

 

[shoturtle]

if you want to try a smooth ratchet with a round head, proto is the way to go.

 

[pipsters]

That SK set would be nice if you get new stock. If you get some older stock in there, myself and others have had some issues with their quality, including down to not even having detents in the sockets altogether!

I ended up buying the Craftsman build-a-set 1/4" module on sale:
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-48-pc-1-4-in-drive-socket-module/p-00934270000P

At full price they are smoking crack. I bought it for around $35 and sold off the ratchet for $15 leaving me with the sockets for $20. The SK set looked nice but I couldn't justify spending $100 vs. $20 as I will be using the sockets on my air ratchet. I think normally it goes on sale for around $50-$60. Personally I've never had any issues with any Craftsman sockets in usability.

 

[87FoRunner]

I have a williams 1/4 set and like it for small jobs.

 

[shoturtle]

that set has a better ratchet the the sk, the thin profile while made in taiwan is actually pretty good. Not armstrong, proto or the premium ratchet. But good for a diy.

 

[pipsters]

that set has a better ratchet the the sk, the thin profile while made in taiwan is actually pretty good. Not armstrong, proto or the premium ratchet. But good for a diy.

If you get that module 99% chance you will even get the US made thin profiles - those sets are old enough that they hadn't switched to foreign stock when making them. Mine was US.

 

[mercman86]

I have that SK set. Use it at work everyday. Love it, works great and the ratchets are nice and smooth! I have Snap-on, Craftsman, and Mac tools. The 1/4 sk ratchet is the best of all of them.

 

[biscuit141]

I ended up buying the Craftsman build-a-set 1/4" module on sale:
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-48-pc-1-4-in-drive-socket-module/p-00934270000P

At full price they are smoking crack. I bought it for around $35 and sold off the ratchet for $15 leaving me with the sockets for $20. The SK set looked nice but I couldn't justify spending $100 vs. $20 as I will be using the sockets on my air ratchet. I think normally it goes on sale for around $50-$60. Personally I've never had any issues with any Craftsman sockets in usability.

When did you find this set for $35? I just picked it up for $50 about 2 weeks ago and I thought I did pretty good. It is a nice set and the ratchet isn't bad. It may not be the best, but it's far from the worst.

 

[wreckerman5357]

Being a bodyman, 1/4" is my most used drive size. Personally, I would get Craftsman sockets and extensions and a Snap-On ratchet. I have Craftsman 1/4" sockets except for Torx and 15mm (which Cman does not make, and they work fine. My go to ratchet is a Snap-On THLX72 and i also have a T72. My extensions are all Cman, except for the couple really long ones that are Snap-On. Below is what I recomend.

Craftsman 18 piece SAE/Metric Deep Socket Set $25
http://m.sears.com/productdetails.do?partNumber=00934564000P

Craftsman 10 piece SAE Shallow Socket Set $15
http://m.sears.com/productdetails.do?partNumber=00934531000P

Craftsman 10 piece Metric Shallow Socket Set $15
http://m.sears.com/productdetails.do?partNumber=00934532000P

Craftsman 4 Piece Extension Bar Set $22
http://m.sears.com/productdetails.do?partNumber=00943394000P

Snap-On Long Handle 1/4" Ratchet $75
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682476&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Total Cost: $152 + tax and/or shipping

There are other ratchet options from Snap-On and my personal favorite is the THLX72, but at $108, its a little pricey. The T72 would also be a good choice, but if I had only one ratchet, I would prefer one that was a little longer. If shorter is preferable to you it is a little cheaper than the long Handle model I recomended.

Of corset other people have made some good recomendations. SK stuff is nice, but i think their ratchets leave a lot to be desired. This was just my opinion, I'm not saying its the only way to go. I have not managed to break any Cman 1/4" sockets or extensions and mine get used everyday on an 8 1/4" ratchet, air ratchets, and a 1/4" cordless impact.

 

[87FoRunner]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-on-Ind...849?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43afaa65f1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Williams-To...196?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a74c2554

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Williams-To...296?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0a3517c0

 

[stricht8]

Am I the only one who would take the Gearwrench set over the SK? Keep in mind you are getting a free 12pc set of ratcheting wrenches with it...

Very few of us would prefer a PRC or Taiwanese tool over US. I'd rather pay more and get less to have the US stamp.

 

[shoturtle]

Am I the only one who would take the Gearwrench set over the SK? Keep in mind you are getting a free 12pc set of ratcheting wrenches with it...

I have not problems with GW tools if they are Taiwan made. It is the better value. And the SK not offer any real advantage. It does also have the much better ratchet.

Plus pretty much all ratcheting wrench is made in asian. Unless you hunt down some NOS craftsman ones. It is a very very good deal.

If the OP does not get caught up for COO, and looking for a good quality tool value. The GW is the set to get. Gearwrench makes quality tools.

But I was playing devils advocate with the SK set, while it is coo in the US. The ratchet is a big short coming.

 

[wreckerman5357]

I have not problems with GW tools if they are Taiwan made. It is the better value. And the SK not offer any real advantage. It does also have the much better ratchet.

Plus pretty much all ratcheting wrench is made in asian. Unless you hunt down some NOS craftsman ones. It is a very very good deal.

If the OP does not get caught up for COO, and looking for a good quality tool value. The GW is the set to get. Gearwrench makes quality tools.

But I was playing devils advocate with the SK set, while it is coo in the US. The ratchet is a big short coming.

I agree that while the SK set is very nice, the ratchet ***** ***.

 

[stricht8]

I have not problems with GW tools if they are Taiwan made. It is the better value. And the SK not offer any real advantage. It does also have the much better ratchet.

Plus pretty much all ratcheting wrench is made in asian. Unless you hunt down some NOS craftsman ones. It is a very very good deal.

If the OP does not get caught up for COO, and looking for a good quality tool value. The GW is the set to get. Gearwrench makes quality tools.

But I was playing devils advocate with the SK set, while it is coo in the US. The ratchet is a big short coming.

I don't understand how an SK ratchet is a shortcoming? SK ratchets have a very long time proven bulletproof design and while they don't have 60 teeth they feel very smooth. As far as better value, I see more value in knowing that I contributed towards keeping a US company, with US workers in a US town alive. I hope the OP sees value in that.

 

[shoturtle]

It is really short, and I do not think it is that smooth. The 45t protos are smoother, the sk is a bit clunky.

You are one side on your view. GW supports the US economy as well. They employ American for the retail and marketing end. They rent US warehouses and building for the operations. The tools are already here. And they pay some american working some where in the US. The world is Global.

 

[wreckerman5357]

I don't understand how an SK ratchet is a shortcoming? SK ratchets have a very long time proven bulletproof design and while they don't have 60 teeth they feel very smooth. As far as better value, I see more value in knowing that I contributed towards keeping a US company, with US workers in a US town alive. I hope the OP sees value in that.

The SK ratchet is a shortcoming because it is an outdated design. Regardless of how smooth it is, the low tooth count causes problems in tight spaces. They are also not very strong from what I have seen.

As for the best value, I find that the tool that does the best job relative to its price is the best value. I buy tools to put food on MY table, not the table of the guy making the tools. This not saying that I don't prefer US made tools. I do. I am even willing to pay more for an American tool than a foreign tool, provided that it performs as well or better than the import and its price is reasonable for the level of performance it provides.

 

[back2class]

I've got a nice used SK 1/4 set like you describe. Missing maybe 5 sockets but otherwise shallow and deep metric and sae. I am sure I can sell it to you and buying the missing sockets you would still be under $100.

 

[back2class]

The SK ratchet is a shortcoming because it is an outdated design. Regardless of how smooth it is, the low tooth count causes problems in tight spaces. They are also not very strong from what I have seen.

As for the best value, I find that the tool that does the best job relative to its price is the best value. I buy tools to put food on MY table, not the table of the guy making the tools. This not saying that I don't prefer US made tools. I do. I am even willing to pay more for an American tool than a foreign tool, provided that it performs as well or better than the import and its price is reasonable for the level of performance it provides.

I am not an SK ratchet fan...well the classic ones. But that design in 1/4 is AWESOME. Perhaps you have not owned one in 1/4"?

 

[stricht8]

It is really short, and I do not think it is that smooth. The 45t protos are smoother, the sk is a bit clunky.

You are one side on your view. GW supports the US economy as well. They employ American for the retail and marketing end. They rent US warehouses and building for the operations. The tools are already here. And they pay some american working some where in the US. The world is Global.

Not the same as having a US factory with US workers. Have you seen what happens to some towns with the shutdown of one major factory?
The "world economy is global" is the "in" way of justifying outsourcing to cut costs. It's a load of BS. Either we support this economy or we don't. Since I live here and I'm a citizen of this country, it is this country that I will preferentially support!

 

[wreckerman5357]

I am not an SK ratchet fan...well the classic ones. But that design in 1/4 is AWESOME. Perhaps you have not owned one in 1/4"?

I have not owned any SK ratchets because of my experiences with an SK 1/4" ratchet owned by the boss at the bodyshop I got my start in the trade at. He put several kits in it and got one replacement ratchet during the time I worked there. That thing was always busted. On the upside, I was very impressed by the quality of the sockets and extensions in that set.

I also do not like round head ratchets, ratchets with less than 60 teeth, or short handles. Those gripes are all personal preference though. The truth is I might be giving the SK ratchet a slightly unfair bad review, but my experiences with them and my personal preferences have lead me to not like them.

That said I'm glad you like yours and mean no disrespect to SK or people that like them. If the OP wants to go with an SK ratchet, he should. Personal preference plays a huge role in tool selection.

 

[shoturtle]

I have a different take, it they do not outsource. Some companies go completely out of business. And no one is employed. The bottle is open and we can not get the genie back in the bottle. The reality is the old industrial heart of the US is to expensive. And the consumer is not willing to pay that higher price for some of those products.

So take your choice, go completely out of business or out source and employ some still. Worst yet, go completely out of business, have you logo and name brought up by a foreign company and then use it to see out source items still and have even less US employees. Pick your poison, it is not going anywhere anytime soon.

 

[stricht8]

I have a different take, it they do not outsource. Some companies go completely out of business. And no one is employed. The bottle is open and we can not get the genie back in the bottle. The reality is the old industrial heart of the US is to expensive. And the consumer is not willing to pay that higher price for some of those products.

So take your choice, go completely out of business or out source and employ some still. Worst yet, go completely out of business, have you logo and name brought up by a foreign company and then use it to see out source items still and have even less US employees. Pick your poison, it is not going anywhere anytime soon.

I see your point but SK went bankrupt and was bought out by Ideal who kept production in the US. Why did they do that? They would have made more money by outsourcing and pimping out the SK name. They chose not to. That is the kind of co that I would prefer to support. I could care less about Gearwrench. They make decent tools but if they don't care enough to keep production in the US then they can take a hike in my book.

 

[cmorr]

Wow, didnt expect this kind of response, thanks for everyones feedback.

Let me share/clarify a couple of points.

Over the course of 35 years or so I (DIY home use, mainly cars) have purchased or have been gifted quite a few different socket and wrench sets, mostly decent quality (Craftsman, Kobalt, Stanley,etc). It always seems as though I am missing items, using worn or improperly functioning tools, or dont have a certain size. I buy a socket or a wrench here and there (works, but delays things, time consuming) and I always get the feeling I'm spending the money incorrectly on open stock. A few weeks ago I went through things to organize what I had and reassess what I had and decided I would give my oldest son pretty much everything (many pieces were in his box already ) over a few months as I replaced them with good quality sets. Am keeping the vintage Blackhawk tools I inherited from my father and some other basic hand tools but replacing sockets, ratchets and wrenches

I planned to buy sets (starting with 1/4 ') but I found a couple of excellent deals (2) round head Williams "linesman" ratchets (a 1/2" and a 3/8") and I love them so I wanted to stay with a round head ratchet (hence the SK set).

I'll pay a premium for US made tools, nothing against quality tools from other countries but we need to keep people employed here

 

[shoturtle]

If you like the williams ratchet. I would just get a williams socket set over the sk. The williams is a nicer ratchet then the sk.

 

[bcradio]

I have a different take, it they do not outsource. Some companies go completely out of business. And no one is employed. The bottle is open and we can not get the genie back in the bottle. The reality is the old industrial heart of the US is to expensive. And the consumer is not willing to pay that higher price for some of those products.

So take your choice, go completely out of business or out source and employ some still. Worst yet, go completely out of business, have you logo and name brought up by a foreign company and then use it to see out source items still and have even less US employees. Pick your poison, it is not going anywhere anytime soon.

Agree here for sure... Every time i buy a taiwaneese tool, i support tons of US workers... The shipping crew who brings it here, the dock workers unloading it, the truck driver who brings it to the distribution center, the warehouse worker who sorts it, the other truck driver who brings it to the store, the stock room employee who puts it on the shelf, and finally the sales clerk who rings me up. Got it? Good!

As for the OP, i would also do the SK set with another ratchet