Allen bit sockets?

[Goosedowner]

I need to buy some Allen bit sockets and I would like to buy good ones. I would prefer made in USA ones but I could be swayed otherwise if u can buy the same quality for less $$$$.
These will mostly on farm machinery.
What do you recommend.

 

[Fly YX]

Tekton makes a good set. Not USA made. But if you have any problems they have good customer service. I only have Snap On SK and Tekton. Since you’re using them on a farm I would just go Tekton. Some of my bigger stuff is HarborFreight but that is just because I have a store next to me and I needed now.

 

[shawhite]

Snap-on gold

 

[Goosedowner]

$300 for a 7 piece set is a little expensive for me to justify to only use a few times a year.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Tekton or Capri. I bought the 88 piece master Allen and Torx bit set from Capri for professional use and it works amazing. Bits are very high quality. Never broke one or twisted one like I have with other brands. That’s who I recommend for torx and hex bits. They also have smaller sets and sets of just torx or just Allen if you are looking strictly for just one.

 

[fastev]

I have a mix of Snap On and Proto. Snap Ons are definitely nicer, but the Protos have never failed me and we’re much cheaper.

 

[tominboise]

Most of them, depending on what you are doing, need to have the end ground flat, so as to get a full reach into the fastener recess. I usually buy parts store versions because that's what I can get in a hurry on a Saturday afternoon just down the street.

 

[Goosedowner]

I think for this set I'm going to buy impact sets.

 

[nadogail]

I have yet to dissapointed with a PROTO tool.

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

Snap On. The rest I've tried have been junk. The first time you strip out an allen bolt, you'll wish you'd paid the money for the Snap On.

 

[KnurledNut]

I think for this set I'm going to buy impact sets.

Grey Pneumatic

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Snap-on, Hazet, Stahlwille, Koken for me.

The cheap ones are a total false economy.

 

[bob15]

Look for Bonney, Snap On or Proto on ebay. If you break a bit, all you need is an Allen wrench to replace it. Extra bits aren't needed.

Buy this style bit:



Not the stepped style like this:

 

[Fedwrench]

A second vote for Tekton or Capri. Neither will break the bank. Both brands have excellent customer service, and if ordered from their web sites, offer free domestic shipping & reward points.

My favorite bit sockets are the one piece impact type you can get from VIM, ASTRO, BLACKHAWK, and others. They aren't US made but, their short, one piece design out of S2 steel allow them to fit in cramped areas and are pretty strong.

 

[Kscardsfan]

A second vote for Tekton or Capri. Neither will break the bank. Both brands have excellent customer service, and if ordered from their web sites, offer free domestic shipping & reward points.

My favorite bit sockets are the one piece impact type you can get from VIM, ASTRO, BLACKHAWK, and others. They aren't US made but, their short, one piece design out of S2 steel allow them to fit in cramped areas and are pretty strong.

Those S2 bits work well for you? Have good engagement?

 

[Kscardsfan]

I have a set of Icon from HF that have done fine for me, got them on a coupon and they haven’t let me down yet. I think I’m gonna go Williams or Proto for my next bit sockets. Whatever you get, don’t cheat yourself on quality. Few things worse than rounding out an Allen or Torx and turning a minor annoyance into an all day ordeal with taps, dies, EZ outs and cuss words.

 

[Fedwrench]

Those S2 bits work well for you? Have good engagement?

Yes and Yes. I use them mostly on brake caliper pins.

 

[Steve_P]

I have Tekton, VIM, Capri, SK.... and they all seem the same to me. I know it's heresy to some here, but the current bit sockets from the large Taiwan mfg. names, like the three I mentioned, are fantastic.

 

[ZRX61]

Another vote for Capri. I bought the 32 piece SAE/Metric set

 

[rancherbill]

I need to buy some Allen bit sockets and I would like to buy good ones.

I would Buy Taiwan. I'm in Canada and Princess Auto is great. Their upscale ProPoint brand is very good. I understand Harbor freight has an Taiwan upscale brand Name that they sell. You can probably get complete std. and metrics sets for the price of some of the brands that have be mentioned.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Capri is alright. I like their relative stubby length but the fit on my ratchets were so loose I gave them away. I like my Proto but they were significantly more expensive and they are quite a bit longer and heavier. They are as strong as an ox however. Tekton are pretty decent too, at least the impact ones I own. They are longer than the standard Capri but shorter than my standard Protos and they fit on my ratchet and the fasteners well. So I’d say Tekton if you want an affordable import and Proto if you are looking for a solid domestic.

 

[boom_bap]

VIM stubbies are great for working in tight spaces and bicycles. If you need bigger sizes than 10mm I'd be looking at the Capri master set.

 

[Goosedowner]

I ordered the Tekton impacts last night. I really wanted to buy American but I just couldn't justify the price difference for all the more I will need them.
I want to thank everyone for all the advice.

 

[RoninB4]

I'd suggest finding a set that uses a set screw to hold the hex bit in. Hex keys will get ruined sooner or later and replacement will just be inserting a length from another hex key. You can even have stub or long length that can be changed per the job. More expensive at first purchase but the replaceable hex bits make them a less expensive purchase over time. JMO

 

[boom10ful]

Not usa made, but I've had good luck with Powertorque and Capri tools bit sockets. Husky bit sockets kept breaking on me.

 

[KnurledNut]

Deleted,
KNut

 

[Bockscar]

deleted

They didn't offer that info until a few posts later....I don't think everyone reads all the responses before they respond.

 

[KnurledNut]

They didn't offer that info until a few posts later....I don't think everyone reads all the responses before they respond.

It happens.

 

[bob15]

I ordered the Tekton impacts last night. I really wanted to buy American but I just couldn't justify the price difference for all the more I will need them.
I want to thank everyone for all the advice.

Did you order extra bits so when they fail you can replace they immediately continue the job? That is the problem with those step bits; they will fail and you need to keep extras around for replacement......

 

[AJHD]

I was having the same dilemma. I have a lot of Snap On but for some reason my brain just could not justify their prices for how often I use them. Same went for Blue Point.

It took me seemingly forever to settle on something. I went the Capri route for my torx and hex sets. I even ordered a few extra bits that didn't come in the set. Capri's customer service was excellent too. So far I have no complaints. I used the 1/4" T30 today.

I also have the Sunex stubby impact hex and Astro stubby impact torx. They come in handy at times. I like those sets too.

 

[BillK]

I have learned the hard way over the years that Snap On is the only thing that seems to hold up in every day shop use. Especially if you think you will be using an impact on them. Same goes with Torx bits.

 

[RoninB4]

Just an FYI here. In the 90's I was a tool and die maker for Eklind Tool. We "house branded" for several others. The fold up sets by Snap-On and Blue Point were among the brands, same keys with a different stamp on the handle. That may/may not be the case now, don't know but thought some may want to check that out and possibly pay less.

 

[Zimbo]

Stahlwille inhex have been very good for me, I have the Snap-on gold but have had to replace a few of them with bondhaus bits. If you look at some of the German cars all they have is spline drive or hex heads.

 

[getbentMUSTARD]

I have the VIM master set and love them. Have yet to have any twist or break. they also hardly show any wear and like some of the above use S2 grade steel.

 

[Xcursion88]

Snap on....

And let me tell ya....hex head fasteners are not something you want to strip out

 

[Ricky Joe]

Lisle is good and made in USA

 

[mikebaker1129]

Stahlwille inhex have been very good for me, I have the Snap-on gold but have had to replace a few of them with bondhaus bits. If you look at some of the German cars all they have is spline drive or hex heads.

Have the Bondhus bits held up better than Snap On ?

 

[m6z]

I think for this set I'm going to buy impact sets.

I've got a set of Sunex that I'm pleased with.

 

[Bubba Fett]

Lisle is good and made in USA

Lisle is an often overlooked tool brand. They have made tools for all the truck brands, including Snap-on. I'm not sure if this is the case here, but it wouldn't surprise me.

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

Lisle is an often overlooked tool brand. They have made tools for all the truck brands, including Snap-on. I'm not sure if this is the case here, but it wouldn't surprise me.

I can't comment on Lisle hex bits, but their torx bit sockets are terrible. I've had a lot of decent tools from Lisle, so I was surprised by the lack of quality of the torx sockets. It definitely doesn't make me want to try their hex bits.