3/4 inch drive set

[cookiemonster]

Hi guys, I want to purchase a 3/4 inch drive set and really would like both sae and metric sockets. I plan on using metric more vs sae sockets. I want to buy a decent quality set but want a it to be a value type purchase for my money. It would also be used just for home use. Thanks

 

[crewchief888]

for home use, buy the cheapest set you can find, if & when the ratchet stops ratcheting, upgrade to something better.
check out pawn shops, and flea mkts for a deal.

i've broken one 3/4" dr socket in 30 years working on const eq.
i'd estimate it took over 2000 lbs of torque before it split.

 

[Mister Laugh]

What are you using a 3/4" set at home for? Just curious, I don't think I could ever justify it at home, it rarely even gets used at work. (Construction equipment)

 

[biscuit141]

If you have more time than money, keep an eye on Craigslist or the classifieds on this site, good quality 3/4" sets pop up from time to time for around $100. Otherwise watch for Craftsman sales, they have a very nice 3/4" set, Menards has an Allen branded USA set as well for $200. If you want the best value, you are probably looking at the HF sets, I have no experience with them, but the sockets have received good reviews for the money.

 

[619DioFan]

Have the 3/4 drive chrome set in metric from HF. dosent get used all that often so it has held up well. also have the 3/4 drive impact ( standard ) deep and shallow. have wailed on those and they are pretty tough - IMO.

 

[turbowoodworker]

Because they don't sell too many 3/4" sets, the Craftsman sets are still USA made. I picked one up a few weeks ago, about 13-15 piece, on sale for under 150 bucks. They retail around 230. Pretty good quality and a lot better quality than the HF stuff for 59.

 

[bobcatdan]

Sunnex impact sets are pretty reasonable then piece together extensions and ratchet. That is what I did.

 

[6-Speed]

Sunnex impact sets are pretty reasonable then piece together extensions and ratchet. That is what I did.

That's what I did too. Bought an EZ-Red 24" to 40" 3/4" extendable ratchet, a Sunex 3/4" female to 1/2" male adapter and some individual 3/4" drive metric 6pt impact sockets also from Sunex. Extensions are from Proto and Craftsman; I like the finish on the Craftsman extensions better than the Protos.

 

[cookefab]

Because they don't sell too many 3/4" sets, the Craftsman sets are still USA made. I picked one up a few weeks ago, about 13-15 piece, on sale for under 150 bucks. They retail around 230. Pretty good quality and a lot better quality than the HF stuff for 59.

You got lucky...my "local" Sears - 100 mi away, Lakewood, Co - was clearancing US made 3/4" drive and restocking w/ Chinese in late 2011...

To those reading this, look before you buy...I know the Sears in Christiansburg, Va had US & Chinese 3/4" drive sockets mixed in the main display w/ all Chinese drive tools, and a few US made SAE 3/4" drive socket sets in the clearance aisle for $60 before this past Xmas...

I've also been told that online orders are a crapshoot I'm regards to 3/4" drive COO...

 

[2oolhound]

I've been seeing good used sae sets showing up regularly for years. You can always hang back and wait to see what happens along that way then add the metric sockets.

 

[fflintstone]

If you have more time than money, keep an eye on Craigslist or the classifieds on this site, good quality 3/4" sets pop up from time to time for around $100. Otherwise watch for Craftsman sales, they have a very nice 3/4" set, Menards has an Allen branded USA set as well for $200. If you want the best value, you are probably looking at the HF sets, I have no experience with them, but the sockets have received good reviews for the money.

X2! if you are buying new, the ALLEN set at menards is the best bang for the buck
I have a WWII vintage Williams set I bought quite some time ago from a used tool place.
Cripe distributing has a few big metric gear wrench sockets.

I am now looking for sockets above 2"

 

[Puckett_k]

Steer clear of the HF Crome sockets... I broke 2 the first time I used them and ended up just giving the rest away! I got a Grey Pnematic set off amazon for $375, 3/4"-2 1/2". Very nice set and good quality. They have a metric set very similar also. You never said how big of a socket you want up to though.

 

[sdguy55]

I have the 3/4 hf set and it works fine for me. Bought a snap on 3/4 breaker bar right away though. Ratchets still goin strong

 

[oldldh]

For the money, go get the HF...

For a better quality tool set, see if you can find a U.S. made Craftsman set...

For a really nice set, Williams is the way to go...

At least that's my humble opinion, I have the HF set, because, like you, I'm a guy working in his garage, fixing something that belongs to me...In that context, the HF set is hard to beat at $59.00...

Like the man said, " It costs money to race...Now, how fast did you want to go???"

 

[biscuit141]

Bad news, just came from my local Sears, the only 3/4" set they had on the shelf was "Made in China", however many of the individual sockets were still USA made.

As a side note, I did manage to find 1/4" flex head ratchets still made in the USA on the shelf. Almost every other ratchet was either Taiwan or China. Premiums were still made in the USA.

 

[Super Sport]

As nothing more than a homeowner/DIYer, I've never needed 3/4 stuff. I do have a full set of USA Craftsman since it was essentially free, but I have considered selling it for something I would be more likely to use. In the meantime, it gets a drawer in the bottom of my box.

Bad news, just came from my local Sears, the only 3/4" set they had on the shelf was "Made in China", however many of the individual sockets were still USA made.

As a side note, I did manage to find 1/4" flex head ratchets still made in the USA on the shelf. Almost every other ratchet was either Taiwan or China. Premiums were still made in the USA.

Those flex head 1/4" ratchets will probably remain USA for some time. They are a bit different than their other ratchets, and sell at a higher price.

 

[biscuit141]

Those flex head 1/4" ratchets will probably remain USA for some time. They are a bit different than their other ratchets, and sell at a higher price.

What makes you say that? I did notice the price premium, $31 I believe.

 

[Super Sport]

What makes you say that? I did notice the price premium, $31 I believe.

I believe I've read they use Matco internals or something. They're not quick release like the other RP ratchets. They're more expensive than both the 3/8 and 1/2 flex heads, so something about them must be special.