3/8" Socket set in a case, shallow and deep sockets..

[jshillin]

Last time I was at my dad's I noticed his old socket set that he carries in his work vehicle has seen better days and missing some things. It was an old set I bought many years ago and has been well used. Going to pick him up a new set for Christmas and wanted to see what opinions you guys have on a good relatively inexpensive set. He really only changes the oil and does brakes on vehicles anymore. Just need to make sure it has 8-19mm in shallow and deepwell with a ratchet and extensions would be good. It won't hurt if it comes with SAE as well, but it's not necessary. If it's 3/8" & 1/4", that's good too, but definitely don't need 1/2".

The big thing is it has to come in a plastic case so it stays organized and easy to see when something isn't in it's place.

Any suggestions and links would be great. I checked out Amazon, Lowe's Sears, Depot, Advance, etc. I see a few that would work, but any deals you guys know of would be greatly appreciated...

 

[flying eyeball]

You might include a $budget$

Tekton is a pretty good 'deal'

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RCYX4WI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[akhappy]

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=KDT80550P This is about as good of deal as it gets.

 

[LB-1911]

^^

Current Thread

Gearwrench 3/8 socket set $104, comes with FREE 1/4" socket set 120xp

 

[jeepinerdeep]

I do the gearwrench thing in my rig.

 

[CR888]

That Gearwrench set posted above is pretty decent coverage for $100! Ticks all the OP's requirements and is very reasonable in price. Having a blow mold case that holds all the tools is not important to a mechanic with a tool chest but in this case it is. I'd buy that set, GW are half decent tools.

 

[Roobaix]

I love my SK 3/8 set. Shallow and deep, metric and standard, ratchet, extensions, an adapter, and a thumb ratchet all laid out in a reasonably small well organized plastic case.

It's more than the above sets but I wanted to point out another option for you.

 

[fang123]

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=KDT80550P This is about as good of deal as it gets.

Sure is.

 

[jshillin]

Thanks guys. The Tekton and Gearwrench both look like good deals!

I'd like to keep the budget at $100.

 

[gatlibs]

At 250% of your stated budget it isn't likely what you'll want, but this would never need a replacement unless the pieces are lost. Since it is a blow molded case it would be difficult to lose. It also comes with a good set of extensions and an universal as well as an adaptor.

https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/sockets-3-8-socket-sets-28728.html

The more affordable set doesn't go to 19mm.
https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/sockets-1-4-socket-sets-27993.html

 

[Wamsutta]

Here's 300% of your budget:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DNOQBC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[M6erfan]

At 250% of your stated budget it isn't likely what you'll want, but this would never need a replacement unless the pieces are lost. Since it is a blow molded case it would be difficult to lose. It also comes with a good set of extensions and an universal as well as an adaptor.

https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/sockets-3-8-socket-sets-28728.html

The more affordable set doesn't go to 19mm.
https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/sockets-1-4-socket-sets-27993.html

Here's 300% of your budget:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DNOQBC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

And for 7.5x your budget...

https://store.snapon.com/6-Point-mm-Chrome-3-8-Drive-22-pc-3-8-Drive-6-Point-nbsp-Metric-General-Service-Socket-Set-P631417.aspx

But it skips a bunch of sizes

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

GW makes some nice complete sets, but the latch has failed on every one I have ever owned, and 72 socket pickup is a stupid game.

 

[Wamsutta]

And for 7.5x your budget...

https://store.snapon.com/6-Point-mm-Chrome-3-8-Drive-22-pc-3-8-Drive-6-Point-nbsp-Metric-General-Service-Socket-Set-P631417.aspx

But it skips a bunch of sizes

I'm wondering if each individual piece adds up to that.

 

[disston]

The Williams set at 300% of the budget has a foam rubber lined box. Hah! I agree with OP that a case with places for each tool is a must anymore. Don't know why it took me so many years to realize this. That foam rubber junk turns to garbage in a few years of use.

I have the 3/8 Gearwrench set in SAE and Metric with deep and shallow. Love it but have not used it much since I bought a new car. My 1/4 set I have owned for more that 15 years and it is one of those Snap On deals in the red plastic box. Hate how the sockets don't stay in their slots in that one but they are easy to arrange when using so few have been lost.

 

[KDoug]

Here's another option for you, but this particular set doesn't have deep sockets though.

Blackhawk 1217-MNB 1/2" Drive Metric Socket Set $60 shipped (Made in USA)
Here is the link to another member's for sale ad where he has this posted:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=370897

Blackhawk has several other socket sets that may fit your need better. Price wise, they are a step above the budget brands (Craftsman, Tekton, Gearwrench, Husky, etc.) but below the industrial brands (S-K, Williams, Proto, etc.)

CORRECTION: The Blackhawk set above is 1/2" drive, not 3/8". Sorry

 

[four.cycle]

S-K 94549 49-pc 3/8" drive SAE/Metric socket set - shallow & deep-well
$199.00 incl. shipping
https://www.circlecsupply.com/sk-49...nd-deep-fractional-and-metric-socket-set.html

Check ebay on this one and model 94547 - used/slightly used they usually sell in the neighborhood of $100 - $130

200% of your budget. all US made. primo quality. no skips on sizes.

 

[KDoug]

jshillin, what about either of these two sets? Depending on how much you want to spend, the bigger set runs around $175 new and the smaller set is around $100. Also saw a couple used sets on EBay of the bigger set. If you can wait, EBay does a 20% off coupon frequently too.

I'm sure Gearwrench would be fine, but I just tend to avoid Chinese made tools when I can.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002FCXSAK/?tag=atomicindus08-20


https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/142961364855

Here is the link to the catalog page for you to look at, the sets are on page 134:

http://www.protoindustrial.com/en/support/Documents/BHBP_HAND_SOCKETS_ACCESSORIES_113-170.pdf

 

[Kaane]

I wish someone made a 1/4 and 3/8 Metric only socket set in a case. Everything is SAE and Metric. I don't need any SAE and hate lugging all that **** around.

 

[jshillin]

I wish someone made a 1/4 and 3/8 Metric only socket set in a case. Everything is SAE and Metric. I don't need any SAE and hate lugging all that **** around.

Yeah, that would be great..

 

[DFB]

Get ur pappy that shiny new Milwaukee set!

Fits the budget perfectly too...

$99.99


https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Hand-Tools/Mechanics-Tools/Ratchets-and-Sockets/48-22-9508


Maybe he'll give it back to ya down the road

 

[M6erfan]

I wish someone made a 1/4 and 3/8 Metric only socket set in a case. Everything is SAE and Metric. I don't need any SAE and hate lugging all that **** around.

Yeah, that would be great..

+1. Even just a comprehensive metric only socket set in each drive size. I mean really S-o? $750 for a metric 3/8 drive set, in a case, that skips sizes? Really?

I have almost zero use for SAE that are included in sets..

 

[HaroRider]

Hands down gearwrench. Unless you want USA, Id go SK.

 

[BroncoAZ]

Here is a 3/8" metric only impact set from Sunex, it covers 8mm to 22mm with universals.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JO1BO1K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[toyodajeff]

Sk, blue point and Tekton have the most compact cases from what I've seen. I've had a gear wrench set that was in big case for the amount of tools in it. Proto also comes in a giant case.

 

[Citation]

Hard to argue against the GW set but this Stanley set also looks like a good deal
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KE6E1U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Spacey_G]

I wish someone made a 1/4 and 3/8 Metric only socket set in a case. Everything is SAE and Metric. I don't need any SAE and hate lugging all that **** around.

That's what this is:

https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/sockets-3-8-socket-sets-28728.html

 

[SilverBulletZ06]

I picked up that gearwrench sale. I used to borrow dad's SK set, I don't need to do that anymore.

 

[scg]

Duralast at Autozone has some complete sets with 72 teeth ratchets. I have the 1/4 and 3/8 sets. No skipped sizes with SAE and metric. Black Friday they will probably be on sale.

 

[gatlibs]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/GearWre...ickid=3Zi2ppTh8XZdSs3Wlyz9C3nVUkgyvMzNI1AM3w0

This set looks like it has the sizes and some other basic things in a set which may work well inside of a vehicle.

I could zoom on the image here, http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...ch-80938-143-pc-general-purpose-tool-set.html.

It just just an hair outside of budget before taxes. I've never owned GearWrench proper. I can't testify to the tools, but I read many good reviews about them in general, not this set in specific.

 

[dirtydogintex]

Duralast at Autozone has some complete sets with 72 teeth ratchets. I have the 1/4 and 3/8 sets. No skipped sizes with SAE and metric. Black Friday they will probably be on sale.

Holiday sales pricing has already begun on the Duralast sets.

Duralast will withstand more than a little abuse from those lacking finesse!

 

[Mgraves235]

Holiday sales pricing has already begun on the Duralast sets.

Duralast will withstand more than a little abuse from those lacking finesse!

I'm pretty sure the Duralast socket sets are the same sold at Lowes under the Kobalt brand. Used to be anyway. Really great quality for the price. Holiday pricing at Lowes is sure to turn up some good deals.

 

[RPH]

Go with the sk set. I have both the 3/3” & 1/4” sets. You really can’t beat them for high quality tools that are affordable. I have been buying sk since I was fifteen and haven’t had one break, lost a couple though. I’m 64 years old now. I also have picked up some Tekton for use on the farms. I have been impressed with their performance and any warranty questions are answered quickly with an email. But my first choice is sk.

 

[29Sedanman]

You cant beat the old SK sets in the nice cases and you can sometimes find NOS, or nearly new sets on ebay if you have time to shop around. The 1/4" set came from ebay and the 3/8 set came from a local yard sale.

For what you are wanting I think the Gearwrench sets are very nice. Well made and the cases are nicely laid out.

 

[Robinson1]

Ebay seller: sellular

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These are old stock Napa. I've got one and its little brother 1/4 drive set. By far the most used sets I have. Pretty nice case too that's not overly big.

Its marked as used but when you order it you will receive a new set with missing or damaged packing. At least that's how mine were hes had these listed for several years

 

[malbojah]

I've had this Great Neck set in the back of my car for the past decade and can't complain. I upgraded the ratchet because 36t is so 1990.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IKJZW6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Just saw this ship to home free setup on Napa. $90 bucks for 1/4 and 3/8 MM/SAE

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/APA80948

 

[Nineeightyone]

Lowe's is dropping prices on their Kobalt stuff it would seem, I have the metric 3/8" drive 6 point shallow/deep set that comes in a nice little blow-molded case and it's been great to me for the last decade or so. Some of the sets are chinese CoO, so if that matters you might need to dig a little for the Taiwan ones. My Taiwan ones have held up great though.

Otherwise, I'd second the Tekton stuff, it seems to also be a great value for the inexpensive price tag.

 

[jshillin]

Thanks guys. Ended up going with the 3/8” Tekton set for $39 and a 1/4” Duralast set for $15. I liked how compact the Tekton case was.

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

Im not a big craftsman fan but my father in law just bought a set with 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 ratchets and sockets, plus wrenches standard and metric for like $150 in a case. For not being made in the US theyre pretty nice. This was from lowes. Im sure theyll get cheaper the longer you wait. Theyre nothing like the old junky sears craftsman stuff, how long theyll last idk but for an infrequent user, theyre probably fine.