3/8 Metric socket set WITH CASE

[uscarry45]

I am in the market for a inexpensive 3/8 socket + ratchet set in a CASE / BOX.

minimum 10-18mm must not skip 10/13/15/18 lots of them skip 18mm?? ideally 8-19 would be very nice

Want a ratchet or a least a place for a ratchet

Good quality plastic case -- maybe a metal box but going in the car so don't need any extra rattles. I like the ability to see if something is missing out on the trail so a place for each socket / extenesion / ratchet is very nice

Could build my own case set ---- anybody have any unique ideas

Brands I am considering in no particular order: (any others I should consider?)

Proto (of course) probably expensive
Tekton--do they make a metric set (no sae, trying to save on weight / size)
Capri-- currently sold out on their website
Williams --- this one looks good but case looks flimsy
Channellock (this one skips the 18 arrrghh) otherwise probably would have purchased for the price
Horrible Freight? no case have to make my own
Crescent---looks ok but very difficult to find what sizes are included not sure about warranty donw the road
Husky ratchet seems crappy to me in this one
Kobalt
blue point

What do you guys have?

Thanks

 

[KnurledNut]

GearWrench 80569 ($120):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AEBLPFY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Williams MSB-29HFTB ($215):
(The box has a lid. Not sure why its not pictured.)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DO6WKE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Sata ST09004U-02 ($76):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088GXJ26S/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Wrench97]

I have this Tekton set in the truck > https://www.tekton.com/3-8-inch-drive-6-point-socket-and-ratchet-set-skt15201
About the only thing I would add is a longer extension.

 

[Professional Tool User]

I would go with Tekton if I were you. Overall, out of all the brands on your list, they have the best customer service.

 

[qqzj]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VP3DFVD/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This. Wrenches included.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Gotta say Tekton. They really upped their game with blow molded cases in the last few years. I got a few sets of Tekton stuff for salvage yard missions. Really pleased.

-Ryan

 

[uscarry45]

Thanks for the quick replies. Does Teton make a metric only socket set?

I have not heard of Sata have they been around for awhile?

 

[matthew]

Two thoughts -

I have a metal box that I put a piece of MDF into, with holes drilled using a forstner bit for the sockets. Any metal box - heck, even a cookie tin - can work. Put a layer of felt under the lid to avoid rattling. Typically less space and more durable than blow molded plastic. (Wearing one out was my reason for making the mdf holder)

Alternatively, put sockets on a rail. Get a tool roll, put the ratchet, extensions, a hammer, pliers, and screwdrivers in the roll. Roll it around the socket rail. Tie it all up with a bungee. Fits more places than a box will.

 

[Wrench97]

Thanks for the quick replies. Does Teton make a metric only socket set?

I have not heard of Sata have they been around for awhile?

I gave you the link to a metric only set.

 

[uscarry45]

Thank you wrench 97

 

[KnurledNut]

I have not heard of Sata have they been around for awhile?

Yes they have. But fairly new to US market via Apex Tool Group. They are mid-grade tools and their pricing reflects that. I would put them on the higher end of similar chinese offerings. Plenty usable, but dont expect the tolerances and metallurgy high quality tools offer.

 

[mdrawde]

Koken 3250M

 

[Desertskyy]

For the car, I carry one of these

34 piece from Dewalt

5mm to 19mm without skipping.
5/32nd SAE to 7/8ths SAE Most likely will not be using the SAE portion but it is a good set for the car

I believe Costco had them at $19.00 one time in the past Amazon and HD carrying them I believe

The smaller sockets are 1/4 drive then switches over to 3/8th drive

 

[jmf535]

You should check out the Wera set. https://www.kctool.com/wera-004048-zyklop-metal-ratchet-3-8-drive-with-switch-lever-metric-set/

I've been using the 1/4 set for years as my travel set, and recently picked out the 3/8 to go with it.
Great quality, compact and light, and it includes a decent selection of bits, as well. The only downside is that it doesn't come with a 14mm, but it's easy enough to add one to the kit.

 

[M635_Guy]

That SATA set looks pretty nice, especially having the torx/hex and pretty small sizes (6mm) for a 3/8" socket.

I just use a tool roll now, but would totally have bought that as my "travel set"

 

[WWheeler]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VP3DFVD/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This. Ratcheting Wrenches included.

Fixed it for you.
I'm not all that familiar with the SATA brand other than they are essentially GearWrench (APEX) tools marketed more for 'professional' use. The ad says "Country of Origin ‎Taiwan" which if true is encouraging seeing as much of APEX's GearWrench line has been moved to the mainland in recent years and their quality has reflected that change. In any case that looks to be quite a set for that price.

EDIT: As does the SATA set KnurledNut posted a few posts above that that is minus the wrenches but is lower priced and has a wider selection of 3/8 drive sockets. It does say "Country of Origin ‎China" though so there's that.

 

[Robinson1]

Ive got a Williams 50666 set in my truck. No problems with the case or the tools.

 

[four.cycle]

5/16" - 3/4" SAE and 8mm - 19mm metric $98 shipped:

47-Piece 3/8 Inch Drive 12-Point Socket and Ratchet Set, (5/16-3/4 in., 8-19 mm) | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 47-Piece 3/8 Inch Drive 12-Point Socket and Ratchet Set, (5/16-3/4 in., 8-19 mm) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[techkelly]

Tekton. The case is pretty well made, no skips and the warranty is easy.

Like Wrench97 says add a longer extension, it will fit in the case between the rows of sockets.

 

[Gurp]

May look on the cheaper side of industrial stuff and look into Westward and Rock River.. I've personally been happy with all the Westward stuff we have at work.

 

[MarkH]

Tekton Yes they have metric only sets without skips. We are using them where we need less than industrial or automotive but more than bottom line quality. It goes this way shops and service trucks no skimping. Pickups that may need a set for support. We are starting to lean to Tekton for ordering and customer service reasons. For other areas where we need something but not often. That is where the cheap stuff goes.

For tekton they also have one of the best websites out there for info.

We have our pattern of what goes where based on years of experience with expansive machines that cannot go do and if they do get back to work faster than ASAP. So I have cousins who are always going look at this is $1.99 a set and better than snap on. I take one look at it and state this will be a candidate in the 100 yard tool chuck in a year. The cuss works you use are included in the scoring.

They reminded me of the rice boys who always are going I put this can muffler (nothing else) on my civic and it will beat any car out there. Usually ended with you got a head start. He was checking his passenger was buckled in and they hit it and pulled the front end up as he took off. Old Camaro got them again. Stopped a lot of rice boy talk. I know what it takes for a Civic to run as fast as they believe theirs did and it can be done with $$$.

 

[four.cycle]

ebay seller JUST listed one of those 47-piece Tekton sets
listed as "pre-owned" (see photos)
$90.00 incl. shipping OBO "buy now"

TEKTON 3/8 Inch Drive 6-Point Socket, RATCHET SET Metric & SAE Set, 47-Piece | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for TEKTON 3/8 Inch Drive 6-Point Socket, RATCHET SET Metric & SAE Set, 47-Piece at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Dave455]

If you don’t find exactly the kit you want, give consideration to buying exactly the tools you need, and making your own box.

I’ve made loads over the years. Small boxes for bit ratchet’s etc, through to bigger boxes for complete sets. Wooden boxes seem to work well. Smaller and more durable than plastic, don’t rattle like metal.

One option I like is to buy a metal box, and custom make a tray for the tools it has to contain. This seems to give the best of all worlds. Here’s one such tray.

 

[KnurledNut]

If you don’t find exactly the kit you want, give consideration to buying exactly the tools you need, and making your own box.

I’ve made loads over the years. Small boxes for bit ratchet’s etc, through to bigger boxes for complete sets. Wooden boxes seem to work well. Smaller and more durable than plastic, don’t rattle like metal.

One option I like is to buy a metal box, and custom make a tray for the tools it has to contain. This seems to give the best of all worlds. Here’s one such tray.

Man that looks really cool!

 

[Dave455]

Man that looks really cool!

Thanks!

It fits in the top of a simple Facom box that I bought. Bottom of the box takes some wrenches and pliers, but I left that “as was” and just put foam in the bottom.

I like the wooden trays. You don’t get condensation or rust, and the wooden partitions prevent the tools getting damaged. Since I took that picture I added another block of wood top right to hold screwdriver bits.

 

[Jeff C]

Not as complete as the previous sets posted but I’ve got one of these and it works well for at least 95% of my needs. 10mm-18mm but it does skip 11mm but I’ve never found that to be a big deal. These case is very compact which is great for a car. I was a little bit surprised at the $44 price tag. When I bought mine I remember it was $19. Guess I’ve had it longer than I thought.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-19-Piece-Metric-Polished-Chrome-Mechanics-Tool-Set/50200801

 

[uscarry45]

Jeff thanks very much my local lowes has that set for 29.00 hard to beat the price

 

[four.cycle]

just for the record:

cheapest 3/8" drive metric socket set money can buy:

$18.00 shipped:
(photos and description here)

11 piece 3/8" Metric Drive Socket Set, Made in USA | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 11 piece 3/8" Metric Drive Socket Set, Made in USA at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

... but if you want to get around all the skipped sizes, just go with the Tekton and make life easier.

(* the Thorsen set isn't a bad deal, however, if you need a good 3/8" drive utility ratchet. *)

 

[928'er]

just for the record:

cheapest 3/8" drive metric socket set money can buy:

$18.00 shipped:
(photos and description here)

11 piece 3/8" Metric Drive Socket Set, Made in USA | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 11 piece 3/8" Metric Drive Socket Set, Made in USA at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

... but if you want to get around all the skipped sizes, just go with the Tekton and make life easier.

(* the Thorsen set isn't a bad deal, however, if you need a good 3/8" drive utility ratchet. *)

That's a shame - Thorsen used to be good tools - a set of metric combo wrenches I bought in the early '70's is still my "go-to" set. Now the Thorsen name is just slapped on chinesium junk.

 

[four.cycle]

^ that set I cited in the post above is all U.S. made stuff - nothin' wrong with it.

 

[928'er]

So, who makes it? According to Alloy Artifacts "an annual report for 2000 listed Thorsen Tool as a value-added distributor, with tools sourced primarily from Asia." As far as I know Thorsen ceased being a tool manufacturer decades ago. Everything I've seen in recent years with the Thorsen name on it has been chinesium.

 

[ev88f]

So, who makes it? According to Alloy Artifacts "an annual report for 2000 listed Thorsen Tool as a value-added distributor, with tools sourced primarily from Asia." As far as I know Thorsen ceased being a tool manufacturer decades ago. Everything I've seen in recent years with the Thorsen name on it has been chinesium.

Thorsen. Those sets are 40ish year old stock that the seller on ebay has a bunch of.

 

[928'er]

Thorsen. Those sets are 40ish year old stock that the seller on ebay has a bunch of.

Thanks, I guess that makes sense. I don't think Thorsen has made anything in the USA for over thirty years. I get kinda frosted when I see chinese junk being marketed under the Thorsen name.

As I said earlier, I really like the set of Thorsen combo wrenches that I bought back in the early '70's. My 13mm - the size I probably use the most often - went missing years ago. I recently found it in an ammo box along with my timing light and my assortment of tools for adjusting and balancing S.U. carbs. Stuff that had been neglected since I stopped buying used-up British sports cars... Finding my 13mm was like running into an old friend.