1/4 inch sockets.

[Bigplum]

I like 1/4 drive , very useful on Japanese & European cars ,
If you really feel the need just buy a couple of your most used sizes in snap on or what ever

 

[Adam.C]

I read this as the FASTENERS being too low torque, not the tools...

Ooooh. You think he meant no need for high quality 1/4" drive since the hardware doesn't require it. Ok. I think I could agree with that.

As i said earlier, I used craftsman for many years and was fine with them. I also agree they didn't fit bolts real well, especially in the smaller sizes, but for small hardware, it doesn't always matter.

That said, Japanese M6, M8, M10 have 10, 12, and 14mm heads respectively. Probably every tool makers makes these sizes in 1/4". My guess is, you can come close to disassembling a Honda engine with not much else.

You can pick up a set of Snappies on Ebay for around $60 in good or better condition. So why not?

 

[Malczewski]

Look at grey pneumatic 1/4 magnetic impact sockets they are great for engine work since the deep sockets have spring inside them a lot cheaper than snap on too

Man there's some sound advice !

 

[WhiffySpark]

I like my snap ons. I just brought a 5-15 semi deep with two ratchets for 210 last week

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I have Snap-On, SK, and Craftsman 1/4" drive sockets...... And have three reasons to own them: Durable and good fit for the Snap-On, Affordable quality that is easy to find for the SK, And low cost USA sets for the Craftsman...

A few years ago, I lost a Snap-On 5.5MM .. It cost about $14 to replace...

A set of Craftsman deep-wells cost Me $20.

If your Craftsman sockets are satisfactory for your needs, I would question any upgrades.
If one of the mostly used sockets has a sloppy fit, think about upgrading that one socket..

I did my share of weekly payments.
Paid for tools are nice to have.... Paid for high quality tools are even nicer..( If that is what you want and can justify).... Your choice

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I have ran across tiny super tight, ****** condition bolts/nuts before. Every time Craftsman stripped them out and then Snap on WOULD GIVE THEM THE BUSINESS LIKE RON JEREMY ON THE SET!!!!

Ok, maybe a little exaggeration, but not much.......I only have them because I got the big red case with SAE and MM, shallow and deep with rat and exts for like 40 bux. And then found semi deeps for another $40. If you find a great deal, get them. They really do fit tighter! LIKE RON!!

 

[404]

One thing I've noticed on the smaller sized c-man sockets (8mm and smaller) is that on occasion, they just don't have as tight or as positive of a grip on the fastener. 90% of the time it doesn't make a difference, as most of these fasteners aren't super tight anyhow. The higher end, and even gearwrench brand sockets I've used don't have this problem and in the circumstances where a c-man socket will slip or try to round a fastener, they are really needed. Is it worth the $399 price of entry for a new snap on set? Well, that is pretty subjective as there are many other viable options.

That made me wonder if they are re labeled inch sizes from the days of igition wrenches and sockets which have unusual fractions. I have at least some (I think most or all) of the fractions below in ignition wrench styles/

So looking up 8mm , 21/64 is 8.33mm and 5/16 is 7.94mm
7mm is near 9/32 at 7.14mm
6mm is near 1/4 at 6.35mm
5mm is near 13/64 at 5.16mm
So maybe it is made by older usa tooling and remarked metric.

Or they are just made wrong.

 

[404]

I have ran across tiny super tight, ****** condition bolts/nuts before. Every time Craftsman stripped them out and then Snap on WOULD GIVE THEM THE BUSINESS LIKE RON JEREMY ON THE SET!!!!

Ok, maybe a little exaggeration, but not much.......I only have them because I got the big red case with SAE and MM, shallow and deep with rat and exts for like 40 bux. And then found semi deeps for another $40. If you find a great deal, get them. They really do fit tighter! LIKE RON!!

Where is your love for John Holmes?

 

[wornoutoldman]

Can't believe it's not been mentioned yet but the Craftsman have no shoulder/stop for the fastener inside the socket. This becomes problamatic when you are reassembling things. The nut or bolt rides up into the socket and either ***** or becomes unable to start. For that reason alone I prefer the SO.

 

[crewchief888]

i have 2 sets,
one complete SK std/mm shallow/deep in a blow molded case in the garage.

my "working" set is a mixed bag of CM, SK, & SO.

i have select wobble sockets, allen and torx bits all from SO.

any brand would probably be OK,
but those select sockets are for a specific use, and i depend on them NOT to break, or round off in the middle of a job.

i've had some minor issues with cheaper bits and chrome wobbles failing at the worst time.
that usually ends up with me scrambling trying to make something else "work" that doesnt really fit where i need it to.

 

[dr_clyde]

I have been very happy with my Blue-Point sockets in 1/4" drive. They have a large range of sizes (up to 5/8"!) and have held up very well over the last 5 years or so since I bought the set.

 

[Nele]

Honestly everything I have ever worked on craftsman is fine