Best Hex sockets?

[V70R]

Snapon Heavy Duty Hex bit sockets, only set we have had zero problems with when using on 14mm and 17mm axle bolts. Knowing you're not going to round out a fastener torqued to over 225 ft. lbs and that has seen 10+ yrs of road grime is worth the extra price.

 

[WinMod21]

. . . Old thread, but of course still pertinent.

Has anyone reading ever used the 'Craftsman Industrial' (K Series = made by SK) hex bit sockets?
If so, wondering how they held up?

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

. . . Old thread, but of course still pertinent.

Has anyone reading ever used the 'Craftsman Industrial' (K Series = made by SK) hex bit sockets?
If so, wondering how they held up?

What do you plan to use them for?

 

[WinMod21]

What do you plan to use them for?

Just general, occasional DIY auto maintenance; struts, brakes, typ engine repairs, &c.

Looking, because I've recently realized/noticed that I've never had a set of hex nut sockets, just hex keys. So I must need some !

The fault totally lies here with the GJ Forum; just as it recently did when it caused me to realize that I didn't have ratcheting screwdrivers !

 

[mikebaker1129]

. . . Old thread, but of course still pertinent.

Has anyone reading ever used the 'Craftsman Industrial' (K Series = made by SK) hex bit sockets?
If so, wondering how they held up?

I all of my pawnshop and flea market stops I have found exactly “1” K code Craftsman made by SK, Torx T45.
Lots of G code and V code but only 1 K .
SK must not have made them very long.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[WinMod21]

I all of my pawnshop and flea market stops I have found exactly “1” K code Craftsman made by SK, Torx T45.
Lots of G code and V code but only 1 K .
SK must not have made them very long.

Haven't seen them to confirm, but the seller included "K Series" in the details. And pics show — K —
So I presumed that was the manuf by SK code. No?

 

[ssdave]

I have both Proto and Snap-on. I like them equally well. Like the finish on the Proto slightly better, but the Snap-on are good too. Both have replaceable shanks. Snap-on warranties theirs. I've never bothered with Proto warranty, just cut them off shorter and continue to use them. Have a bunch of Proto replacement shanks that I got somewhere, and have used a few of them too.

 

[WinMod21]

I have both Proto and Snap-on. I like them equally well. Like the finish on the Proto slightly better, but the Snap-on are good too. Both have replaceable shanks. Snap-on warranties theirs. I've never bothered with Proto warranty, just cut them off shorter and continue to use them. Have a bunch of Proto replacement shanks that I got somewhere, and have used a few of them too.

That's good to know. I wasn't considering brands costing that kind of $$, as I too don't like spending a lot on tools I rarely use. So was also considering just the basic 7-Pc HD Husky sets for $16.

 

[Outlawmws]

SK made and make top grade tools, so I wouldn't hesitate on the SK/Craftsman.

 

[WinMod21]

SK made and make top grade tools, so I wouldn't hesitate on the SK/Craftsman.

That's what I've been on the fence about. Is it worth the extra $$ for the Craftsman Industrial — K — series' ...when 99.9% of the time they'll just be sitting in my DIY toolbox not being used.

 

[Indexmill]

Buy the cheapest set of chrome socket hex bits with sockets that are actually the hex size and have a set screw to hold in the hex bit.

Then buy a set of Bundhus hex wrenches that you like, cut them and put them in the chrome sockets. You will have the best possible bits for the least possible money.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Haven't seen them to confirm, but the seller included "K Series" in the details. And pics show — K —
So I presumed that was the manuf by SK code. No?

That is correct!

 

[mikebaker1129]

I have both Proto and Snap-on. I like them equally well. Like the finish on the Proto slightly better, but the Snap-on are good too. Both have replaceable shanks. Snap-on warranties theirs. I've never bothered with Proto warranty, just cut them off shorter and continue to use them. Have a bunch of Proto replacement shanks that I got somewhere, and have used a few of them too.

I always look,but never can find Proto replacement shanks !

 

[noid]

Objectively; the Koken Zeal line, they are the only sockets made to tighter than ISO specs.

 

[sberry]

I got Cman, they are ok if a guy already has them. I bought metric on a Sunday, needed them Monday. Got them with the idea I would upgrade or upgrade some. I don't use them a lot but when I do it's usually a busted rusted stuck deal.
Was north of 20 years ago and still use them, never replaced.
They were 13$ at the time maybe for a dozen. Forgot all about the upgrade.

 

[WinMod21]

I got Cman, they are ok if a guy already has them. I bought metric on a Sunday, needed them Monday. Got them with the idea I would upgrade or upgrade some. I don't use them a lot but when I do it's usually a busted rusted stuck deal.
Was north of 20 years ago and still use them, never replaced.
They were 13$ at the time maybe for a dozen. Forgot all about the upgrade.

The ones I saw online were a set of only 13 hex bit sockets [6 Sae, 7 metric], for a little north of $65, which seems pretty high, to me at least, for my very occasional DIY use where, upon further consideration, they'd actually sit unused in my toolbox 99.9999% of the time.

Reason I was considering them was because I have some Cman Industrial locking flex-head combo wrenches that I really like.

 

[lardy1]

I checked the set my girlygirl has. Made in China. Sigh.

 

[WinMod21]

I checked the set my girlygirl has. Made in China. Sigh.

You probably wouldn't go $65~$68 for only 13 hex sockets, rarely used, would you?

And, they all appear to have the same size hex shaft---inserted into socket--- with only the hex ends varying in sizes.
Which, if I understand correctly, would be much harder if not nearly impossible to replace?

 

[WinMod21]

Buy the cheapest set of chrome socket hex bits with sockets that are actually the hex size and have a set screw to hold in the hex bit.

Then buy a set of Bundhus hex wrenches that you like, cut them and put them in the chrome sockets. You will have the best possible bits for the least possible money.

Thanks for that smart idea, Indexmill ! I hadn't thought of doing that. Do you have any manuf suggestions? As it appears, online, that not all manuf's list whether the sockets have set screws, or are pressed in. Many as well, appear to have the same size of hex shaft inserted, with only the hex ends varying. I have seen some, but they were pressed, with no set screws.
Though perhaps I've been primarily looking at the cheaper varieties.

 

[Outlawmws]

That it would. Directly replaceable bits with a set screw is best, and gives the option for a longer bit if needed. I have both long and short sets.

First one I ever bought was specifically for SBC header socket screws. I quickly outgrew that and not long after started replacing most engine bolts with socket head screws during rebuilds. No particular reason, I just liked it that way.

 

[WinMod21]

That it would. Directly replaceable bits with a set screw is best, and gives the option for a longer bit if needed. I have both long and short sets.

First one I ever bought was specifically for SBC header socket screws. I quickly outgrew that and not long after started replacing most engine bolts with socket head screws during rebuilds. No particular reason, I just liked it that way.

Okay, that's good to know. Thanks Outlawmws ! As that's a spec I haven't been searching for, (regarding the set screws).
I have seen the graduating hex shafts on some, but they were pressed, with no set screws.

 

[WinMod21]

I have both Proto and Snap-on. I like them equally well. Like the finish on the Proto slightly better, but the Snap-on are good too. Both have replaceable shanks. Snap-on warranties theirs. I've never bothered with Proto warranty, just cut them off shorter and continue to use them. Have a bunch of Proto replacement shanks that I got somewhere, and have used a few of them too.

I see what you're sayin' now. ;-) The Proto's have mostly graduating shafts and set screws.

Btw, I have an old 1/4" Proto hex bit socket, but the bit is wobbly, and it looks like there's a pin driven thru the hex shaft...from each side of the socket. But if is a set screw, it's so small that even my tiniest L hex key doesn't fit it !:~\

 

[sberry]

I knocked the bit out of one old socked, cut a new chunk, squeezed in with the vise or tapped it in. You can fix them, takes just a min.

 

[WinMod21]

I knocked the bit out of one old socked, cut a new chunk, squeezed in with the vise or tapped it in. You can fix them, takes just a min.

So it's good to have a socket that you can knock the bit out of.

I'm thinking of either going cheap: Husky 7-Pc for $16, but w/no set screws, and w/machined hex bit heads - i.e. not graduated hex shafts, that could be replaced with a cut-off hex key &c.

Or going with Proto: 7 or 10-Pc w/set screws, and full-length gratuated hex shafts (except for the 4mm, 5mm & 6mm, which are milled). But Proto runs approx $7.25 to $7.65 per hex bit socket with discount codes at checkout :~\

 

[That Impression]

Has anyone tried the new Mac Tools R.B.R.T hex sockets? Any feedback on how they compare to the best?

 

[WinMod21]

And does anyone know how those Bondhus 'Hex ProHold® Socket Bits' work?
The ones where Bondhus says that the hex "bits snap into any standard six point socket"?

 

[Outlawmws]

Pic pretty clearly shoes a detent ball on at least 2 of the flats.

 

[WinMod21]

Yeah, but no reviews that I could find.

There's also Bondhus (regular looking) socket bits - that have what looks like the same hex shaft stock, so the bits are replaceable. But no reviews as well.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Yeah, but no reviews that I could find.

There's also Bondhus (regular looking) socket bits - that have what looks like the same hex shaft stock, so the bits are replaceable. But no reviews as well.

Garnett tools on YouTube. I believe the title is Snap on doesn't make these bits, so he made his own using Snap on sockets and the above Bondhus bits.

 

[WinMod21]

Garnett tools on YouTube. I believe the title is Snap on doesn't make these bits, so he made his own using Snap on sockets and the above Bondhus bits.

Thanks for that, it's interesting; notwithstanding he pounded a few of the hex bits in crooked.