Best bang for the buck

[TheSasquatch]

I’m in a bit of a dilemma, I currently work full time nights as a heavy duty diesel mechanic. I do have a home shop that I don’t necessarily moonlight in but I do work on my own and my family’s stuff. And I’ve recently gotten a part time job in a speed/machine shop to gain experience and knowledge.

Leaves me with my problem, I’m in need of a 3rd set of tools. I have the majority of my standard pliers screwdrivers and such as I had plenty extra at my home shop but need pretty much a full socket set 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 both metric and standard. Aswell as a both standard and metric wrench sets. I’m for lack of a better term a snapon guy, the majority of my tools at my full time job all being snapon. I’m not one for the truck and mostly pick things up used at pawn shops, flea markets, and online. But do not have the luxury of time in this case as it’s taken me years to get what I have now. And at home it’s my older sets that are nicer but mismatched brands and not nearly as comprehensive.

What I’m really looking for is something that is USA made, quality, and the warranty process doesn’t require I jump through hoops. My plan is to use these at my part time fun job so budgetish friendly. (I understand quality cost a premium) And as I find snapon sets to replace them they will find a permanent home at my own home shop.

I currently have been looking at Wright and SK but is there any that I’m missing? Would really like to find a master set than piece the sets together.


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[Wamsutta]

You want USA made sockets?

http://www.toolsdelivered.com/

 

[TheSasquatch]

You want USA made sockets?

http://www.toolsdelivered.com/

Thank you I completely forgot about Williams. Prices are very reasonable aswell. I appreciate it.


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[scubadoober]

http://www.protoindustrial.com

 

[Mr_B]

real bang for buck would be getting taiwan sockets and extensions and add williams, snapon ratchets to it, wright or williams wrenches options for wrenches .
No real need for warranty or usa made sockets and buying extensive range new be silly money for no real gain when a 3rd tool set.
Sockets don't break often and it cheaper/quicker self warranty basic sockets .

 

[Mr Ratchet]

real bang for buck would be getting taiwan sockets and extensions and add williams, snapon ratchets to it, wright or williams wrenches options for wrenches .
No real need for warranty or usa made sockets and buying extensive range new be silly money for no real gain when a 3rd tool set.
Sockets don't break often and it cheaper/quicker self warranty basic sockets .

I agree with this. You could go with Blue Point sockets since you already have a SO driver. You'll likely get a good price on them and if you break one, you already have the truck coming to you. I would also recommend considering Ratchets from Gearwrench (84T) as well as their sockets.

If it's US only, SK will be a good option along with the the industrial brands from Proto, Williams, and Wright.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I like my SK ratchets. I pick them over anything. If you want the best bang for your buck, buy used SK ratchets. The 45170 and 42470 can be bought under $10 each and parts are easy to get. A good pear head ratchet is good too though if your in a tight spot.

 

[TheSasquatch]

real bang for buck would be getting taiwan sockets and extensions and add williams, snapon ratchets to it, wright or williams wrenches options for wrenches .
No real need for warranty or usa made sockets and buying extensive range new be silly money for no real gain when a 3rd tool set.
Sockets don't break often and it cheaper/quicker self warranty basic sockets .

I despise offshore tools with a passion. Plus I tend to break tools often. These will end up being my home shop tools in the long run, so I want to buy something I will keep for the long term foreseeable future.


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[TheSasquatch]

I like my SK ratchets. I pick them over anything. If you want the best bang for your buck, buy used SK ratchets. The 45170 and 42470 can be bought under $10 each and parts are easy to get. A good pear head ratchet is good too though if your in a tight spot.

I already have a few older rhft craftsman ratchets that I’ve planned on using.


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[jeepinerdeep]

Williams USA and Proto would be my first 2 choices that are the more budget friendly version of SO and Mac. To be transparent, I've never tried out the warranty process. Both make dang fine tools for everything I've ever gotten. You can often find deals on Proto on eBay and CL. People seem to forget they are a quality tool sometimes, luckily.

I hesitate to recommend SK. I've had quite a few duds, but the impact sockets are dandy.

Remember in a motorsports shop, a good set of 12 points may be really important.

 

[Bluejoe]

I have NAPA Carlyle Tools. They are always having good sale pricing.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I already have a few older rhft craftsman ratchets that I’ve planned on using.


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I like those Craftsman ratchets. The only downside is finding parts. For that reason, I only use my 3/8 for easy jobs.

 

[TheSasquatch]

I like those Craftsman ratchets. The only downside is finding parts. For that reason, I only use my 3/8 for easy jobs.

Yeah I’ve been kind of weary on that. But tools were meant to be used so if it break it breaks


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[TheSasquatch]

Williams USA and Proto would be my first 2 choices that are the more budget friendly version of SO and Mac. To be transparent, I've never tried out the warranty process. Both make dang fine tools for everything I've ever gotten. You can often find deals on Proto on eBay and CL. People seem to forget they are a quality tool sometimes, luckily.

I hesitate to recommend SK. I've had quite a few duds, but the impact sockets are dandy.

Remember in a motorsports shop, a good set of 12 points may be really important.

I’m really leaning towards Williams right now. Waiting on my first check to come in before I place an order


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[Parrothead]

To my knowledge your options are...

SK
Wright
Proto
Snap-On
Williams (only some)

Bring your wallet $$$

 

[PR1Gneon]

Craftsman ultimate socket set

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/302015586131

And Williams USA ratchets.


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[PR1Gneon]

Craftsman ultimate socket set

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/302015586131

And Williams USA ratchets.


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A member is selling a set of the CMan sockets

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?ur...share_tid=391801&share_fid=20318&share_type=t

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[Tallpilot]

I'm about to replace my Klutch metric sockets with USA Williams. It's less than $200 for the 1/4" and 3/8"(8-19). No clue what the warranty process will be like but so far I haven't broken a Chinese or Taiwan socket so I really don't anticipate breaking a USA one.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I’m really leaning towards Williams right now. Waiting on my first check to come in before I place an order


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Williams for ToolDelivered are very reasonably priced for what they are. I like the Wright stuff also for USA wrenches compared to the Williams.

 

[Professional Tool User]

If you were 30 years back in time, Craftsman, Blackhawk,
Napa, and Husky would have been decent budget USA made options. SK is no longer as cheap as it used to be after Ideal took over. All your other options like Proto, Wright, Williams, and Snap on are kind of expensive or very expensive. If you want USA made stuff, you're either going to have to buy it used or spend a fortune buying it new. As for warranty, it's going to be a pain for any of options that are still out there unless you happen to know a friendly local dealer who is willing to handle your warranty claims without a receipt. If you want budget options, you're going to have to look beyond Made in USA stuff. I wouldn't be making fun of Made in Taiwan stuff. Their quality control across the board is pretty good. Those wrenches that Channellock, Milwaukee, and Carlyle source from Taiwan have open end teeth that bite as well or better in tests than all your USA made options except Snap on. I also wouldn't be afraid to try out those Made in Taiwan Williams sockets I saw at my Williams dealer that were going for Craftsman prices or even the Tekton ones. As for the ratchets, it really comes down to the design of the internals. This is where I might go with a USA made design that doesn't go into neutral easily. The double pawl designs that a lot of the Made in Taiwan ratchets feature has an annoying tendency to go into neutral easily if you beat on them.

 

[The Fall]

Sockets: Proto, Wright and Sk. The CMan USA ship has long sailed. I really liked USA CMan/Armstrong sockets. Great value.

Some of the larger polished Allen wrenches and satin USA Blackhawks can be found for cheap on eBay.

 

[Tallpilot]

We’ve discussed it before the biggest reason I am replacing my Asian sockets is to get properly stepped down deeps and detents farther down to decrease wobble. Even Williams/Blue-Point has stopped full length stepping on the small sizes. There is some cost saving there but mainly I think it is because the consumer has stopped demanding it.

 

[Mr_B]

^
still a few taiwan options with full length stepped shouldering and nice detents, premier and nutmaster being 2 . Toptul do almost full length stepped shouldering, little over 2/3rds . I got sets from all 3 above and quality as good as any top brand european or usa sockets.

 

[dr_clyde]

I'm sort of in the same boat. I am slowly replacing all my old socket sets with Snap-on.

I have sets of SK, Blue Point and USA craftsman than got me by.

I'd buy wright if doing it over.

 

[ReggieR]

I'm sort of in the same boat. I am slowly replacing all my old socket sets with Snap-on.

I have sets of SK, Blue Point and USA craftsman than got me by.

I'd buy wright if doing it over.

If I was a kid out of mechanix school again(1971 grad)............. I'd buy a large Wright package and turn to Proto for most other items.
Too many get bitten by the truck drivers. I did

 

[reptilezs]

williams super combo wrenches are beefy with a thick beam. i like them

 

[kala_azar]

Thank you I completely forgot about Williams. Prices are very reasonable aswell. I appreciate it.


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Williams make EXCELLENT sockets, and USA made to boot


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[Ben1967]

Try and look for local deals on used snap on stuff on craigslist, offer-up, let-go. Then if you want to go new try Sk, Williams.