Ball type hex socket bits.....

[KAOTIK Motorsports]

What brands do you guys recommend?
I've seen some gearwrench ones on amazon (long)
And I just can't see spending the rediulous prices from the SnapOn truck....

So what do you guys recommend here?
I also wold like to get the largest set possible...

 

[rtole]

I hate to say it, but hex sockets of cheaper brands have not held up for me. Gearwrench included. In a low torque application the gearwrench short non ball type hardly hold up. I baby mine. I would not consider buying anything but snap on after using the ones that I bought for the really tight stuff. This is for pro use, so maybe cheaper ones will work better for ocasional use. I own quite a bit of gearwrench. I am happy with most of it. The hex bits are not up to par in my opinion.

 

[Holt]

Bondhus

 

[Ruger_556]

Bit sockets are one thing you shouldn't cheap out on... Having said that I've heard good things about SK hex bits

 

[devoncoolman]

Snap-on bro. Only way to go for all bit type sockets. Ive broken so many of them from all different brands including mac and matco. I actually stopped using my matco's completly because ive broken them almost everytime i use em. Caused me tons of heart ache digging out the broken bit out of a fastener.

So moral of the story is all i recomend is snap-on. Ive beat the **** out of mine on super tight fasteners and on impacts. If you honestly plan on using them alot buy snap-on.

 

[KAOTIK Motorsports]

I may check on the SnapOn set but really don't wanna spend the ridiculous price on them....
So I could really use some more options on this.... Does anybody know if Nieko or maybe even HF has some these?

 

[Outlawmws]

I've got many extras (Sockets and Bondhus ball wrenches) and am planing on making my own up by replacing the short tips with long ball tips... Same deal for long reach hex sockets...

I know both Proto and Bondhus make good stuff, so if they have what you are after...

 

[theknurl]

Snap-on bro. Only way to go for all bit type sockets. Ive broken so many of them from all different brands including mac and matco. I actually stopped using my matco's completly because ive broken them almost everytime i use em. Caused me tons of heart ache digging out the broken bit out of a fastener.

So moral of the story is all i recomend is snap-on. Ive beat the **** out of mine on super tight fasteners and on impacts. If you honestly plan on using them alot buy snap-on.

+1000

turning wrenches since '59.....

broke 1 SnapOn 5mm Allen at ~ 80 lbft, cam bearing block 6mm grade 12 bolt

wrench twisted 60deg before it let go

made up a set of SnapOn 1/4" drive long ball ends by buying long replacement tips....there are NO 1/4" drive long ball ends in the catalog

my ball end 'L' Allens and 'T' handles are all Bondhus, folding ones Eklind

 

[cotjocky]

Another vote for Snap-on. Can't say I've had the brand experience some have had, but any hex I have used that isn't Snap-on always fracture and break. Never had a Snap-on break. It may twist, but won't shatter like all these "S2" steel bits everyone else uses.

 

[zx2slow]

I have a set of craftsman that have seen light duty use. The design of the tool makes it important the bit is high quality. Once these fail I will replace them with a Snap-On set.

 

[devoncoolman]

My allen keys are bondus. Which are great. But snappy all the way for bit sockets.

 

[KAOTIK Motorsports]

Ok well how big are y'all's sets? I'm looking for the biggest sets possible....

Show some pics of your sets guys so I can get an idea of to look for...

 

[davesnothere]

Is this whole thread a joke?

 

[KAOTIK Motorsports]

Is this whole thread a joke?

Why would I waste my time putting a joke on here?
I'm in the market for looking for some long and short ball type hex sockets....
But don't wanna spend the stupid amount of money from SnapOn when I know the cheaper stuff works just as good for what I'm gonna be doing AT HOME on my PERSONAL projects....

 

[bareass172]

I've used Cman allens for years on light duty stuff with fair results. With that said, every time I hit anything stuck they break. I tried a set of HF allens a long time ago and they broke almost immediately. HF came out with a better design of the same socket recently so I gave it a shot and it stripped out the first fastener I put it in.

Throughout all of this time I've had a set of Bondhus T-handles with ball ends and they work like a champ. The Bondhus design is better overall and the ball-ends give me more angle into the fastener than any other set I've tried. I realize that T-handles are not the same as sockets for a lot of reasons, but if I ever replace my others I'll definitely give the Bondhus a shot.

Also, I was never clear reading your posts - do you want a long set or a short set, and do you want straight ends or ball ends?

 

[Skin]

For how seldom you use ball hex just buy a set of T-Handles. A set of Eklinds or Bondhus is not big bucks ($20-$30). When it comes to sockets you cant put a lot of torque on them anyway without them twisting off at the tapered section of the ball.

 

[KAOTIK Motorsports]

I've used Cman allens for years on light duty stuff with fair results. With that said, every time I hit anything stuck they break. I tried a set of HF allens a long time ago and they broke almost immediately. HF came out with a better design of the same socket recently so I gave it a shot and it stripped out the first fastener I put it in.

Throughout all of this time I've had a set of Bondhus T-handles with ball ends and they work like a champ. The Bondhus design is better overall and the ball-ends give me more angle into the fastener than any other set I've tried. I realize that T-handles are not the same as sockets for a lot of reasons, but if I ever replace my others I'll definitely give the Bondhus a shot.

Also, I was never clear reading your posts - do you want a long set or a short set, and do you want straight ends or ball ends?

Ok... I'm looking for ball ends.... Long and short both.... (Sockets) preferably 3/8" drive
I just ordered the Nieko straight end master set so now I need a ball end master set but can't find any from Nieko to match the ones I just ordered...

 

[HighPlainsWrencher]

The only round hex bit sets I have are Titan and VIM branded Cornwells in both SEA and Metric. They both seam to be made out of glass. I am impressed with Titans regular hex bits though.

 

[turdferguson13]

When cheap ball hex bits break off in a fastener it can be a huge hassle to remove it. I have snap-on ball hex bits that I got after watching a co worker struggle for a couple hours extracting a cheap one.

 

[thatonedude]

I have to say gearwrench I use mine professionally all day everyday for about a year not an ounce of wear. My mac ones wore out in about a month. Haven't tried snap on but if my gearwrenches fail I may upgrade to them.

 

[davesnothere]

Why would I waste my time putting a joke on here?
I'm in the market for looking for some long and short ball type hex sockets....
But don't wanna spend the stupid amount of money from SnapOn when I know the cheaper stuff works just as good for what I'm gonna be doing AT HOME on my PERSONAL projects....

The cheaper stuff does not work anywhere near as good.
At home, or anywhere else.

 

[bareass172]

I will add that what was said about the cheap ball-ends breaking off and ruining your day is really accurate. I only use my straight allens for breaking tough stuff loose and then switch over to my ball-end T-handles for speed. If you're going to buy lower quality I'd strongly recommend this approach too. You really don't want that broken ball-end ruining your day.

 

[submariner]

I use & recommend Koken hex bit sockets.

Snap On quality but with Gearwrench prices.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Based on my experience with their torx insert bits, I would try Apex for hex without hesitation.

 

[Nephronracing]

Another vote for Snap-On. I will say that I have broken a 5mm ball off the Snap-On and all of the associated problems that brings.

To save some coin, get them off ebay and only get the ones you need.

 

[JonnyMac]

What brands do you guys recommend?
I've seen some gearwrench ones on amazon (long)
And I just can't see spending the rediulous prices from the SnapOn truck....

So what do you guys recommend here?
I also wold like to get the largest set possible...

If you can live with the t handle type instead of the sockets then the snap on ones are really good value.
I'm pretty sure I paid something like $70 for a full set off the truck which I thought was really cheap for 8 or so tools..

 

[Adam.C]

Bit sockets are the one must have tool from Snap On in my opinion. The strongest, stiffest of all of them, are the SO stubbies (208EFTAMXSY). Every mechanic should have a set of these in his tool box. Longer sockets are weaker sockets. I only use my long balls when I can't get anything else in there. And that happens to me. Choose the std balls after the stubbies, then decide on long balls after that.

If you can't afford new, get them on ebay for 1/2 retail (like I did). Look for the gold cad plate finish. Cheap bit sockets are a false value. One soft, ill fitting screw can easily justify Snap On's retail price. Every other kind of fastsner (save flush head phillips perhaps) has a reasonable plan B option.

Ditto for torx. I have Snap on and Blue point and there is no comparison between them.

 

[MattPersman]

Snap on set is fantastic. The gold bits fit so much better into fasteners than any other brand I have owned or tried. The shorts are 3-10 mm and the long are 4-10 but skip 9. You already bought another brand of reg hex but the snap on gold really are a lot better even than other truck brands. Same with Torx.

 

[bart1]

I recently got a set of long ball hex bits from Gearwrench. They have worked well so far. I have no intention of putting high torque on a ball end hex for the reasons stated. My strongest hex bits are one piece Hazet.

 

[Banjorear]

Ok... I'm looking for ball ends.... Long and short both.... (Sockets) preferably 3/8" drive
I just ordered the Nieko straight end master set so now I need a ball end master set but can't find any from Nieko to match the ones I just ordered...

Cman makes long ball end sets. The ones in my Sears Hardware are all still US made, so I don't know who makes them. I have a couple sets of theirs and they've worked for everything I needed them for.

I'm not a pro so I can't speak for everyday use, but they worked well when I've needed them.

 

[Adam.C]

I recently got a set of long ball hex bits from Gearwrench. They have worked well so far. I have no intention of putting high torque on a ball end hex for the reasons stated. My strongest hex bits are one piece Hazet.

I don't doubt what you say, but typically one piece bit sockets are not good. You want the bit to be super hard, but not the chrome. Heat treating the chrome to the same hardness as the bit can produce a socket too brittle for practical use. So typically these one piece tools are not as strong as 2 piece. Also, I think it is easier to manufacturer a 2-piece. Also nice to have the opportunity to replace damaged bits.

I had a set of craftsmen bit sockets which all seemed to use the same socket. The large bits were reduced to fit the socket (which is precisely where they broke). This might be okay for small sizes, but notice that Snap On doesn't do this. (Blue Point however does).

The Snap Ons also seem to be dimensionally better than others I've used. They fit a little tighter, corners are a little crisper. I think cad plt is much thinner than black oxide.

Not sure why anyone would choose another brand. I have several sets of Snap On, all purchased second hand, like new, for less than $100. That seems reasonable to me. You only need to buy a set like this once or twice in a lifetime.

 

[Banjorear]

I had a set of craftsmen bit sockets which all seemed to use the same socket. The large bits were reduced to fit the socket (which is precisely where they broke). This might be okay for small sizes, but notice that Snap On doesn't do this. (Blue Point however does).


Not mine Cman bits. Some are 1/4" and some are 3/8th in the same set. The shaft is not reduced to fit the same sized socket.

I also don't doubt what you are saying about the Snap on stuff. I have their metric bit set and it does fit and work flawlessly.

 

[bczygan]

This thread turned on a light bulb for me.

Someone mentioned that for pro use, you needed the best quality, while for "occasional" use, lesser ones might do.

Can it be that the fasteners on non-pro mechanics vehicles are less rusted in place?

Is it true that it is easier for a non-professional mechanic to extract a broken bit?

Does a casual user have a better ability to use a cheaply made tool, than a pro?

I know, that in some situations, for some kinds of tools, that good enough IS good enough.

But when the going gets tough, doesn't the home mechanic need good quality tools even MORE than the pro?

Seems like for the occasional user, sometimes the best tool IS the best choice.

This is a revolutionary thought for me, cheap as I am.

 

[jc5205]

Get what you can afford & think about
How much your going to actually use them.
I was helping repair a VW exhaust manifold
And he didn't have any, went to lowes
And bought a cheap set of T handles
Got the job done,

 

[Wakefield]

This thread turned on a light bulb for me.

Someone mentioned that for pro use, you needed the best quality, while for "occasional" use, lesser ones might do.

Can it be that the fasteners on non-pro mechanics vehicles are less rusted in place?

Is it true that it is easier for a non-professional mechanic to extract a broken bit?

Does a casual user have a better ability to use a cheaply made tool, than a pro?

I know, that in some situations, for some kinds of tools, that good enough IS good enough.

But when the going gets tough, doesn't the home mechanic need good quality tools even MORE than the pro?

Seems like for the occasional user, sometimes the best tool IS the best choice.

This is a revolutionary thought for me, cheap as I am.

Could it be that sometimes the advertising slogan "There is a difference" is really true?

 

[kc-steve]

I'm a Bondhus fan as well.

Steve

 

[bsaint]

I only swear by ball hex from Bondhus or Snapon. I am going to try out a set of 1/4" dr ball hex from Wera (or Wiha can't remember) because Snapon doesnt make a 1/4" dr ball hex standard length.

Our machines have 90% hex drive bolts.

 

[bart1]

I don't doubt what you say, but typically one piece bit sockets are not good. You want the bit to be super hard, but not the chrome. Heat treating the chrome to the same hardness as the bit can produce a socket too brittle for practical use. So typically these one piece tools are not as strong as 2 piece. Also, I think it is easier to manufacturer a 2-piece. Also nice to have the opportunity to replace damaged bits.

...
Not sure why anyone would choose another brand. I have several sets of Snap On, all purchased second hand, like new, for less than $100. That seems reasonable to me. You only need to buy a set like this once or twice in a lifetime.

Replacable bits are nice, but these Hazets are absolute monsters and fit in tight spots. I have different ones in both ways, though:



Because of experts like this :

"there is one spot on the cam cover of the 911 where a small Snap-On socket breaks or otherwise doesn't work well - it's been years, so I forget exactly where or what the problem is, But Jerry Woods discusses it in his engine building class and said to use German there..." (it's an XZN bit socket)

 

[jc5205]

Do you guys use the SAE sockets often or like me always using the metrics ?
Also, I've noticed increased demand for the 9mm lately.

 

[Kevin54]

Another fan of Bondhus. I have the T-Handle ball drivers and I have never had a problem with them and I used them on building and repairing dies in the shop.