Best deal on 1" drive sockets?

[56FordGuy]

I'm thinking about buying my own set of 1" drive sockets. I'm running into situations more often that my 3/4" drive set just isn't large enough to handle. I have sockets up to 2", so having a 1" set that covers sizes smaller than that doesn't make a big difference to me. I'm really looking to cover the 2-3, or 3.5" range. Impact or chrome doesn't make a difference.

Suggestions?

 

[vssjim]

SK and Wright are both good choices

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

check craigslist for the best deals

 

[56FordGuy]

These aren't something I'll use everyday, so spending $500+ is really tough to swallow. The least expensive Wright set I've found is over $2,000. I don't see 1" drive sockets from SK, but their 3/4" set is $700 and change.

Used is an option, but craigslist around here can be sparse at times.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Craigslist, flea markets, and industrial auctions.

This stuff is extremely expensive to buy new. Best bet is used. SK, Wright, Williams, Proto. Looking at Grey Pnuematic's website looks like they don't sell anything over 2" in sets- I usually recommend stuff like GP and Sunex if one is looking to buy good quality new at a decent price but if they don't have it they don't have it...

 

[619DioFan]

180.00 will get you a 1'' drive set from HF. ( unless you are opposed to shopping there )for something that won't see action everyday I think it might do you fine. my 3/4 '' drive set(s) are HF and so far have held up ( not used every day though ). just a thought.

 

[bigfunwmu]

We buy lots of singles from Napa of all places. Just make sure they guy helping you finds the Napa branded cheap ones, usually well under $40 each including next-day shipping. Good quality, and their drive reducers from 1" to 3/4" hold up better than either Snap-on or Matco on our torque table.

For sets, look at Grey Pneumatic and Sunex. These look to be the same as the Napa sockets, but are easier to find in sets.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I would try used if possible, sets pop up on eBay. I assembled a decent set of 3/4" by buying odd lots on eBay I don't think I have more the $200 into it and that includes the NOS SK ratchet I snagged awhile back.

HF is not a bad idea either, but I would consider a used USA ratchet to complete the set if you chose to go that direction.

 

[unslow1]

Specifically what sizes are you wanting? I have some big stuff I just never use. I know some are Wright but I would have to check what sizes and brands. Here is a pic of some of them. They would be odd ones in both size and brand. It looks like some of them are new Stanley and Proto.

 

[CNGsaves]

USED . . . . and . . . . Craigslist or Ebay for sure.

With collapse of oil prices, I would look nationwide for 1" used set. There will be a lot of tools being sold in TX, ND, etc.

Even with shipping costs, you'll get best deal buying used.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Cripe Distributing has a really good selection of big stuff. Only place I've seen (and bought) a Gearwrench 2-1/2" socket for $18 or an Armstrong 2-1/16" socket for $16.

 

[ibedayank]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10PC-1-INCH...:g:YgoAAOSw2XFUZmKL&item=231027458731&vxp=mtr

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JOAQ5Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[1982fxr]

i have the hf 3/4 set. amazing ************* that it is

 

[TNToy]

I'm going to have to second the recommendation for NAPA if you want to mix low(ish) price and high quality. Especially what he said about their 3/4" to 1" adapter being tough as hell.

We use a mix of Proto and Napa stuff in 3/4" & 1" at work up to 4" in size on dozers and excavators. Both are good, but NAPA stuff in those sizes is superb and won't carry a higher price tag like Snap-On if you find it used.

 

[bobcatdan]

1" stuff is expensive new. In the used market, the prices can be all over the place. 1" is a small market so demand is low. When it comes up used, it will either be cheap because the seller knows the market. Or it will be expensive because the seller saw what new goes for and is stupid enough to try and get close to that. If I had the demand for 1", I'd either look at sunnex impacts or just settle for the HF set. South of me, a guy has had a USA Williams set that looks brand new $400 on CL for I bet a year. Personally I think his price is OK. I have no need for it so I don't jump on it and it looks like many others feel the same way.

 

[Ign]

I also got the HF set for infrequently as I'll use it. I think I came in around $130-140 after coupons.

 

[56FordGuy]

Specifically what sizes are you wanting?

I need to cover everything from 2" to about 3.5". Right now I have a need for a 3" socket, and in the next few weeks expect to need another one that's 2"+, but won't know the exact size until I can put my hands on the machine.

I've looked at Craigslist Wyoming, there's one person selling some mix and match 1" stuff but he has several impacts, etc and wants a couple thousand dollars for it. I don't know if he'd split it up, and it's almost a five hour drive to get there. Haven't looked much at surrounding states yet, but probably need to.

 

[LXCam]

Why don't you don't just expand your 3/4" set. I have sockets up to 3-1/4" for mine.

 

[56FordGuy]

That would work, if I could find the individual sockets. I thought picking up a 1" drive set would be simpler, but it may not end up that way.

 

[LXCam]

This is the seat I have. Damn good thing it was given to me as I'd have crapped my pants if i bought it at that price .

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002GK6TQG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Have you looked at Gray Pneumatic stuff, it's normally pretty reasonable. Not knowing what sizes your looking for. Here i a complete set, Ya I know pricy but considering how many you get it's not bad. You can also buy individuals too.

http://www.toolbarn.com/grey-pneumatic-8129.html

And the GP page

http://www.gpsocket.com/products/search.phtml

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I picked up a new set of 1" drive Wright sockets up to 2" for $75, but granted, that's a pretty rare find.

 

[56FordGuy]

The GP 9016 set would be pretty close to ideal, but at $670 with no drive tools it's a tough pill to swallow. It looks like I'll be hunting the used market.

I remember northern tool used to have a 1" drive set, but I can't find it on their website now.

67Galaxie, want to sell it?

 

[johndeereman]

Try sunex by the piece on amazon just a thought.

 

[Ign]

The GP 9016 set would be pretty close to ideal, but at $670 with no drive tools it's a tough pill to swallow. It looks like I'll be hunting the used market.

I remember northern tool used to have a 1" drive set, but I can't find it on their website now.

67Galaxie, want to sell it?

If NT had a 1" drive set you can bet it was HF quality. I understand not wanting to send the thread down the crapper w MIC arguments, so if you're opposed to HF just say so and hopefully we'll all drop it.

They list the weight at 77# and I believe it; they may be cheap tools but there's some mass to the 1" set. Honestly, it just seems to tick all your boxes: relatively inexpensive and for occasional use. It tops at 3 1/8" so it would, obviously, miss your mark of 3.5", but I don't think any sub-$1000 set is gonna go that large.

Now, if you're wanting US made that's fine by me but the fact that you mentioned NT makes me think you're ok w import.

http://m.harborfreight.com/21-piece...t-95377.html?utm_referrer=direct/not provided

$180 x 0.8 = $144+tax

edit: adding it to my cart gives me the standard $6.99 ground ship option, so even if you're not close to a store you can have it delivered for 7 bucks LOL

 

[56FordGuy]

Yeah, US tools would be great but import is fine. I've looked at HF and you're right, there's enough mass there it probably wouldn't break. The alternative is any bolt that size is going to require some serious torque though, so maybe they would be the ones more likely to fail? I remember NT having an impact set in a metal box for 280 or so that was pretty big, but it seems to have disappeared.

I called the guy today about the used US stuff, he doesn't want to break it up and I don't need a bunch of impact guns, duplicate sockets, etc.

 

[56FordGuy]

I looked on Cripes, didn't see any 1" sets but they have a nice Williams 3/4" set for $320. I'd like to find a similar US set for somewhere near that, if it doesn't turn up I may wind up buying the HF set and a good US ratchet.

 

[Ign]

Yeah, US tools would be great but import is fine. I've looked at HF and you're right, there's enough mass there it probably wouldn't break. The alternative is any bolt that size is going to require some serious torque though, so maybe they would be the ones more likely to fail? I remember NT having an impact set in a metal box for 280 or so that was pretty big, but it seems to have disappeared.

I called the guy today about the used US stuff, he doesn't want to break it up and I don't need a bunch of impact guns, duplicate sockets, etc.

I hear ya on the torque but I've put some stupid cheaters on their 3/4" drive stuff and the sockets always held. Then again if they were to fail it might be shrapnel galore.....and the "build quality" of the 3/4" set may have no bearing on the 1".