Advice on sockets over 1 inch

[techenthusiast]

I just graduated trade school and started as a fleet tech for a diesel truck fleet... The tools I've been accumulating in school max out at 1 inch standard and 24 metric...

I'm wondering if anyone can guide me in the right direction for some affordable brands and sets for the big boys.. Are name brands like snap-on really essential for larger bolts?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Wamsutta]

Proto makes some nice Professional sockets.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

Snap On if you're gonna use them daily

 

[jrobb316]

I just put together a set of protos from 25mm to 36mm. Purchased most of them from Zoro Tools, some from amazon. I bargain shopped with coupons and it didn't break the bank. I have Snap-on up to 24mm but it is unnecessary IMO to pay that much for the bigger sizes. If you don't care about mixing and matching brands, check out Cripe Distributing on ebay. He has a lot of Armstrong and Allen in big sizes, and cheap, but you won't make a complete set. All US made, I don't buy anything that isn't when it comes to sockets (and most other tools).

 

[Wakefield]

I guess 3/4" and 1" drive stuff?
any problem with Wright in those drives?

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Cripe Distributing. I have 1/2" drive up to 1-1/2" for CAT oil drain plugs. A mix of other brands for 30mm, 36mm, etc. They have a ton of 3/4" drive sockets, mostly USA made KD, Allen, Kobalt, Armstrong, and Taiwan Gearwrench at the cheapest prices out there.

http://stores.ebay.com/Cripe-Distributing

Send them a request for actual shipping after you confirm your order. It can easily go from $35 in shipping to $6 if they can fit it all in a flat rate box.

 

[Ruger_556]

Just buy impacts once you're over 1"... Up to 1 1/2 is all you need for trucks. NAPA (Sunnex) or Grey Pneumatic are fine. I just buy metric sizes as I need them.

 

[bobsjr]

starting out from trade school buy what you can afford everyday use snap on mac craftsman professional matco kd are better ocational use decent cheap one will get you through first year out of trade school is the hardest trying to get your starting tools and paying your student loans you can get into trouble real fast been there done that and ive had the high quality tools brake just as fast as the cheap ones every brand has there strength and weakness time and experience will teach you what tool you get from which manufacturer and most of them do have life time warranty but that help on the job when you brake some thing on monday and tool truck dont show up till friday and the job need done by tuesday and most decent shops should supply your specialty tool atleast one i worked for did you dont want to buy a couple hundred dollor tool you use once

 

[Rossco]

Don't worry about it yet.

Most places only require 1/2 upto 1 1/4 or 32mm.

If you want real good quality then search ebay for individual pieces. You should get to know quick what sizes are needed and what sizes are 'Seal drivers' & 'Press spacers'

 

[oldldh]

Don't forget, you are running a small business...

The bottom line is your profit...

Maximizing your bottom line is what it's all about...

Buy what you NEED, at a price you can AFFORD!!!

 

[SawtoothJL]

Carlyle line is really good quality, it is imported (coo Taiwan) but it holds up great. Doesn't break the bank either

Sent from my SPH-M950 using Tapatalk

 

[Davefr]

Wright sockets and wrenches are really great when requirements start betting big. (Heavy industrial is really their specialty.)

They're better and cheaper then SO.

 

[Packard V8]

I'm certainly no Harbor Freight fanboy, but I got an Earthquake 3/4" impact and a set of Pittsburg impact sockets in a big buy of tools. They're in daily use in a scrap yard and nothing's broken in two years of hard commercial hammering. Buy those and put them to work until you know what sizes you really need, then buy the shiny stuff.

jack vines

 

[jmm]

I work on heavy trucks. To a point, name brand sockets are a good idea, but in 3/4" drive it really doesn't matter. I've never broken a 3/4" socket, or a big wrench for that matter.

No name chinese sockets will work well. My 2"-2 1/2" sockets are no names. The rest I've cobbled together on an as-needed (sometimes as-found) basis. Some sizes you'll want right away: 1 1/16", 1 1/8", 1 3/16", 1 1/4", 1 5/16" (or 33 mm), 25 mm, 27 mm, 30 mm, 32 mm, 35 mm, 36 mm.

 

[techenthusiast]

Thanks for the help guys.
So I was browsing that Ebay site and I see them listed for about 7-10 bucks each

But now I see these two sets from harbor freight
http://m.harborfreight.com/21-piece...t-40996.html?utm_referrer=direct/not provided

And then it's metric equivalent for around the same
Price.

Can this harbor freight sockets withstand an impact
Gun?

Being that there's no harbor freight where I live I might order them. . Are they good with shipping?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RLaCasse1]

starting out from trade school buy what you can afford everyday use snap on mac craftsman professional matco kd are better ocational use decent cheap one will get you through first year out of trade school is the hardest trying to get your starting tools and paying your student loans you can get into trouble real fast been there done that and ive had the high quality tools brake just as fast as the cheap ones every brand has there strength and weakness time and experience will teach you what tool you get from which manufacturer and most of them do have life time warranty but that help on the job when you brake some thing on monday and tool truck dont show up till friday and the job need done by tuesday and most decent shops should supply your specialty tool atleast one i worked for did you dont want to buy a couple hundred dollor tool you use once

Holy God, there is not a single punctuation mark in this entire post.

I have nothing else to add.

 

[zcbauer89]

General consensus here is the the new chrome moly impacts under the Pittsburgh pro line are pretty decent. I have the 3/4 metric and sae set and have used the hard and thy have held up fine.

 

[Cadillac fan]

Never use chrome sockets or especially 12pt on an impact gun.

I personally suggest buying 3/4 impacts and using them for now and eventually get some chrome ones.


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

 

[Davefr]

Never use chrome sockets or especially 12pt on an impact gun.

I personally suggest buying 3/4 impacts and using them for now and eventually get some chrome ones.


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

Is there even a need to add chrome later?? At some point, wouldn't impact be all you need once you get into the big stuff where ultra tight clearance isn't normally an issue?

 

[Cadillac fan]

Is there even a need to add chrome later?? At some point, wouldn't impact be all you need once you get into the big stuff where ultra tight clearance isn't normally an issue?

Good point. I would just stick with impacts then because you can use them on an impact and a normal ratchet/breaker bar.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I sold all of my chrome 3/4" drive and just have impact now. Only really used the 1-1/2" chrome for CAT drain plugs, but have since bought one in 1/2" drive.

The IR 3/4" impact sockets are about the same wall thickness as the chrome set I had (a mix of USA Kobalt, Allen, Proto & Williams) and hold up great.

 

[techenthusiast]

So The set that I linked is a bad idea for me?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Honestly, most diesel shops provide a set of 3/4" drive stuff and BIG wrenches, along with the big impact stuff, for 'shop use'. I wouldn't buy a set until you know whether of not some will be provided, or if you're spending all day in a service truck. Just my opinion though...

 

[Ruger_556]

Agree with above... Shop supplies sockets over 1.5 and wrenches over 2" here. Wait to buy until you know what you need.

 

[joel63]

I work on heavy trucks. To a point, name brand sockets are a good idea, but in 3/4" drive it really doesn't matter. I've never broken a 3/4" socket, or a big wrench for that matter.

No name chinese sockets will work well. My 2"-2 1/2" sockets are no names. The rest I've cobbled together on an as-needed (sometimes as-found) basis. Some sizes you'll want right away: 1 1/16", 1 1/8", 1 3/16", 1 1/4", 1 5/16" (or 33 mm), 25 mm, 27 mm, 30 mm, 32 mm, 35 mm, 36 mm.

Where do you find uses for 1 3/16 socket?

 

[southalabama]

When lowes closed out their kobalt USA stuff I scored some 3/4" drive sockets and a ratchet at insane prices. Went to hje and got a williams socket box. I'll add to the set as needed or as I score them at closeout or sale prices. I figured I might need them one day while working on the tractor. Haven't bought a tractor yet though. Tempted by the hf set but since I've got so many USA sockets and no immediate need will keep piecing them together.

I did find a use for iphone. I make list of sizes I need and take a pic of it. It seems to work better than the note feature for me.

 

[barneyim26]

Where do you find uses for 1 3/16 socket?

not to be a jerk or anything, but i just used one yesterday on a simplicity rider i parted out.

 

[pilotman81]

I work on large engines, compressors, and power gen stuff and I personally prefer my SO 3/4 and 1" chrome sets. I have no complaints about the Wright, Williams or Proto sockets that I have used at some jobsites. Impact stuff I like the Grey Pneumatic brand for the cost, but once again I haven't had too many problems with cheaper stuff, unless being used on a hydraulic torque wrench at high pressure/torque settings.

 

[oldldh]

But now I see these two sets from harbor freight
http://m.harborfreight.com/21-piece...t-40996.html?utm_referrer=direct/not provided

And then it's metric equivalent for around the same
Price.

I own that set...it ain't SnapOn, but it doesn't have a comma in the price tag, either...

It's big, ugly, functional, and cheap...pretty sturdy case, too...

Just what you need...

Craftsman has a nice 3/4" drive set, but it costs five times as much as the Harbor Freight set!!!

 

[sloppy]

Thanks for the help guys.
So I was browsing that Ebay site and I see them listed for about 7-10 bucks each

But now I see these two sets from harbor freight
http://m.harborfreight.com/21-piece...t-40996.html?utm_referrer=direct/not provided

And then it's metric equivalent for around the same
Price.

Can this harbor freight sockets withstand an impact
Gun?

Being that there's no harbor freight where I live I might order them. . Are they good with shipping?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Plan on replacing the ratchet. The sockets will hold up fine..

 

[tyheuser]

Where do you find uses for 1 3/16 socket?

Used mine just the other day changing the spindle on a sterling, there fairly common

 

[87FoRunner]

Build up to 1 5/8 in 1/2 drive.

Shop should handle anything bigger.

 

[jmm]

Where do you find uses for 1 3/16 socket?

U bolts. What else you wanna know.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Armstrong has 1/2" drive sockets out to 1½", standard and deep. 36mm standard and 32mm deep.

 

[joel63]

U bolts. What else you wanna know.

Thanks for your answer, but I'm afraid to ask anything further.