Best Hex sockets?

[rogersmithiii]

Aside from Snapon and Mac, who makes a decent quality set of 3/8 hex sockets? Need metric and standard. Don't want Harbor Freight junk, but would rather not pay Snap On prices.

Advice?

Thanks

 

[jjjrmx5]

I assume you mean hex bit sockets, which have a hex bit sticking out and are meant to be used as a socket on a ratchet?

If so, Craftsman are acceptable but very incomplete in the sizes they offer.
Lisle bits seem to have a higher fail rate.

Up from that I suggest S-K or Williams.

Bit sockets are one of those things that do seem to be worth the price of what the trucks charge if used daily or professionally I have found.

Good luck.

 

[GMZ]

There is a Wiha set that can be had on Amazon for around $35 and are excellent in my experience. The bits are very hard and do not get damaged easily. Wright and SK are good quality also but about double the price from HJE.

 

[jjjrmx5]

There is a Wiha set that can be had on Amazon for around $35 and are excellent in my experience. The bits are very hard and do not get damaged easily.

1/4" drive ,3/8" drive or I assume the $46.36 list combo pack?

http://www.wihatools.com/700seri/713mmsock.htm

 

[jk47]

My Koken bit sockets are excellent, but rumor has it... Hazet are the holy grail of bit sockets.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Vim are pretty darn good for the price. I think they are made in Taiwan. Seems like someone on here said they are or were at one time OEM for Matco and Cornwell. I would say these are as good of bit sockets as Sunex has for Impact sockets. Very good value. I have these for work and dont use them often but I have never broken one either.

I have Craftsman for at home and they work good too though still I dont use them often.

 

[toolmaker1]

I have been using gearwrench because of the advance auto online coupon codes.I waited for each set to go on sale and used a code. They have been very good so far and I figure if I do have a problem they can be warrantied 7 days a week at advance.

 

[kippieland]

I got a set of Wiha coming to me in the mail from Amazon. I got them for $22 plus free shipping. Only a 5 pieces but that's I needed. We will see how they work compared to the craftsman I have.

 

[bob15]

One thing I do like is have the hex bit the same size going into the socket and being held on with a set screw. Replacement is quick and easy if a bit is twisted off.

This is one thing that Wright tool doesn't do and can really screw you up in a hurry if the bit is snapped off.

 

[TheDogHouse]

I'd like to know this, too. I've broken many Craftsman hex sockets, and not through any abuse! I upgraded to a metric Snap On set last year, very nice, no broken sockets, but expensive!

 

[billymade]

On the Snap-On; it is possible to get them reasonably priced used, make sure you get the "gold" high strength versions. I wouldn't even consider the Craftsman; they just are not very durable, also stay away from the Lisle as well. You might look at industrial brands like Proto or Williams; pro quality at a lower price; again, used is the way to go.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...odkw=proto+hex+socket+set&_osacat=0&_from=R40

 

[biscuit141]

This looks like a lot of tool for the price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JH-Williams-Tools-Hex-Torx-Bit-Socket-Set-MM-SAE-/270666158465?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f04f5d181#ht_4258wt_1189

 

[shampoop]

I bought a set of gearwrench long ball hex sockets. They worked great except ball hex heads tend to get stuck in the fastener and if you try to simply pull them off, they will pull the hex bit out of the drive head. I lost one of my gearwrench ones this way and replaced it with a snapon one, it did the same thing eventually. The trick is to reverse the ratchet and get them unstuck before you try to remove them. The important thing though is that I didn't notice any real difference in quality between the gearwrench and snapon.

 

[Black89LX]

I used the 39pc gearwrench set at my work for 6 months and they were good for most jobs, but when the bolts are rusted in, I could see the bit twisting so I always borrowed a coworker's snap-on. I have since upgraded through the student program. also under a lot of use with an air ratchet, my T30 torx started to show wear.

 

[gtlaw]

I have this set they seem pretty good so far, but I use them constantly

http://www.amazon.com/Vim-VIMHMS26-Master-Hex-Drive/dp/B002YKJBIG

 

[Fedwrench]

They all fail under heavy use regardless of whose name is on them... The cheaper ones will shatter instead of twist off. As for Snap on alternatives, I've had great service from VIM tools, especially their stubby sets. The regular bits from S2 steel will take a beating before failing.

 

[House Sparrow]

I have Proto and Snap-On hex bit sockets, and have been equally pleased with both of them. I have an older (USA) set of the cheaper Challenger by Proto metric hex bits, and they have been great as well. The Challenger set may be discontinued now, but I believe Proto will still warranty them. They were a good set for the money.

 

[el tanque prohibido]

On page 155 in the JH Williams catalog you'll see where the 1/4'' drive hex sockets start. On page 196 is where the 3/8'' drive hex sockets start. Excellent quality and made in the USA along side Snap-on sockets.

 

[buco]

armstrong. they are nice chrome and laser etched in large print size.

 

[bradleykd]

I use bit sockets 7 days a week... my most used tools. I use snap-on because they are the best i've found. I have broken A LOT of Armstrongs... I'd say my second favorite is Proto. Don't even consider Craftsman.

 

[gtlaw]

armstrong. they are nice chrome and laser etched in large print size.

I use bit sockets 7 days a week... my most used tools. I use snap-on because they are the best i've found. I have broken A LOT of Armstrongs... I'd say my second favorite is Proto. Don't even consider Craftsman.

armstrong, and craftsman are the same

 

[cbracer]

armstrong, and craftsman are the same

When it comes to hex sockets, no they are not. Just look at them, much different.

 

[bradleykd]

Exactly... they look a lot different, but perform about the same ...

 

[Boosted1]

I have broken two of the Craftsman 10mm Hex sockets over the years.
Second one was just last weekend while removing a head bolt.
Got free replacement today. Also bought second one so next time I can finish the job if one breaks.

 

[wreckerman5357]

If you use them a lot, Snap-On is the only way to go. Get youself a set of the HD ones with the gold bits. I do not use hex much, but I use Torx almost everyday at work. I have tried others, but after getting the SOs with the gold bits I wouldn't piss on the best part of anything else.

I know they are outrageously priced, if you are not a pro user, I would get something cheaper. If you are using them to make money, get the kind that don't break, get the Snap-Ons.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I have MAC, SK and craftsman. My SK sizes from 4 to 7mm have all been pulled out of the socket at one time or another, and I epoxied them in after. My MAC set is bombproof. And i've also had good luck with my craftsman set. For what it is, you can't go wrong with the craftsman set, i used them everyday in the shop.

 

[jk47]

Craftsman hex bits have let me down a few times

 

[JamesBill]

I kept breaking a hex and a torx socket bit when I was working on my truck all the time. I got my friend to buy me a single of each from the SO truck. They never broke but I still feel a little raped from the 43 bucks it cost.

I think the deal is they either deform or break based on your preference, lol. Mine was for heavy removal or something.

 

[chappys4life]

My cman hex bits have always let me down. I really want to buy a snap on set but the cost is high for a tool I rarely use. If it was a ratchet or something that is frequently used I understand. Is there really a good in between cman and snap on?

How are the williams ones?

 

[Obie]

One thing I do like is have the hex bit the same size going into the socket and being held on with a set screw. Replacement is quick and easy if a bit is twisted off.

This is one thing that Wright tool doesn't do and can really screw you up in a hurry if the bit is snapped off.

The Wright bits are easily pressed out from the drive end of the socket though.

I broke a few Craftsman bits before finding two brand new, unopened sets of 3/8" drive SAE and Metric Wright sets at a pawn shop. Paid sixty for both sets together. They're much stronger and I have yet to have one fail. My 1/2" Drive Mac (Taiwan) bits have also been extremely durable.

 

[franzdom]

I thought the hex gold Snap-on ones were the metric ones and the silver ones were the SAE ones.

 

[Outlawmws]

Surprised to see no one mentioned Proto. I've had the best luck with Proto over the other brands I've had/used. One thing about hex bit sockets is the small ones do wear our or get damaged easier, as the tend to take a lot of over torque, for their size. I just started replacing the shank or grinding it shorter when that happens. Never had it happen on the larger sizes.

 

[smothers33]

Aside from Snapon and Mac, who makes a decent quality set of 3/8 hex sockets? Need metric and standard. Don't want Harbor Freight junk, but would rather not pay Snap On prices.

Advice?

Thanks

I have an ATD set from tooltopia. http://www.tooltopia.com/atd-tools-13783.aspx
Its a complete set, very cheap price, but very good quality. I use them on my impacts all the time and have not broken or deformed one yet. only downside is atd only has a 1 year warranty. but I have had other mechanics(snapon and matco guys) ask me where I guy my set and then when they hear the price they dont believe me till I show them the website.

 

[otis66]

S-k tools wright tools.

 

[bob15]

The Wright bits are easily pressed out from the drive end of the socket though.

The catch is that with a Snap On 1/8" hex, i can take an regular hex key cut it and install it into the socket. You cannot do that with the Wright's. With the Wright, you must have a new bit because the piece in the socket can be larger than the hex end.

Wright replacement bit:
http://www.wrighttool.com/pub/default.asp?catalog=0&title2=Sockets%2C+Ratchets+and+Attachments&oid={D9BD8516-FF1F-11D3-8B5D-00A0C942294E}

Snap on replacement bit:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item_Lg.asp?picFile=/images/FA6E2.jpg

Both the link show 1/8" hex bits. The Wright, I have to get a replacement from them. The Snap On, just cut a hex key to desired length and install.

bob

 

[Obie]

The catch is that with a Snap On 1/8" hex, i can take an regular hex key cut it and install it into the socket. You cannot do that with the Wright's. With the Wright, you must have a new bit because the piece in the socket can be larger than the hex end.

Wright replacement bit:
http://www.wrighttool.com/pub/default.asp?catalog=0&title2=Sockets%2C+Ratchets+and+Attachments&oid={D9BD8516-FF1F-11D3-8B5D-00A0C942294E}

Snap on replacement bit:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item_Lg.asp?picFile=/images/FA6E2.jpg

Both the link show 1/8" hex bits. The Wright, I have to get a replacement from them. The Snap On, just cut a hex key to desired length and install.

bob

That's a good point that I hadn't thought about. Though, going from breaking a lot of Craftsman 6mm and 8mm bits because of ridiculous fastener torques to not breaking a single Wright, I haven't even had a need to think about it.

But seriously, who thinks it's a good idea to torque a 6mm internal hex/M10 bolt to 60 foot pounds, with loctite? Some engineers, I tell ya.

 

[shoturtle]

The wiha ones are really nice, and strong.

On high dollars Gedora and hazet and Proto are other good ones.

 

[bart1]

I have a bunch of different ones. I think the best value are the Wihas pictured earlier and the all out strongest are the 1 piece Hazet.

 

[chappys4life]

Wright and wiha seem to be the top 2 contenders under snap on it seems. Where do the willams falls as they are a snap on by product.

 

[chad99]

The machinery I work on has tons of hex fasteners most are grade 8 or better as well,I have gone through tons of hex bits over the last 15yrs here.I've used just about every brand from cman to to the gold snapon bits, and so far the best one's I've found believe it or not....king Tony pro impact hex bits,these things are crazy tough.