Best Hex / Torx sockets?

[CR888]

How’s the fastener engagement on all of those? Besides not wearing out the PB Swiss ones were very snug in the fasteners so that prevented stripped heads. That’s my complaint with Nepros is they are a bit loose in the fasteners but at least they don’t wear.

The only type that will have as good as PB perhaps a little better fit when proprietary Torx is being used will be Wiha. I've tried a good few.

 

[garfieldzzz]

We use Stahlwille 412 bit holders with PB swiss bits at work for over 12 years, no mechanic has complained yet. Sizes of 1/4Bits so TX 8-40 and allen keys up to 6mm.
Maybe get some other bit sockets and press the less good okes out and put PB swiss in?

Edit, wrong partnumber from Stahlwille

 

[CGarage]

Talk to PB Swiss USA and see if they can order you some of the tools from the head office that are not stocked in the U.S. I have had success with this in the past as the U.S. inventory isn’t the entire lineup offered in Switzerland.

 

[Dave455]

I am not well versed in Koken so thank-you for sharing that info. I learned something new.
That set I pictured is #4227M and the catalog confirms your wisdom of hand use only. Very interesting option.

I think, that where KoKen are concerned, there is always a risk of confusion, if only because they offer such a huge range.

Best thing to do is refer to the original catalogue, but even then, care is needed.

Basically, KoKen offer ”regular” bit sockets for hand use - No 3010. These are a two piece design, and I really like them. Replacement inserts are readily available. I have loads in both 3/8” and 1/2” drive.


As lu787a points out, they also offer an industrial finish line - No 3012 - but still for hand use. These are a one piece design, so if you prefer that you have to go “industrial finish”.

I’m not sure why you would opt for the one piece bits, but a friend who has some is of the opinion that they are incredibly tough. That seems counter intuitive, but that seems to be the way with the Hazet one piece as well, so it could be.

I would love to see some testing on this. Nothing exotic - simply a comparison of force to twist / break the different styles (and makes) of bits.

Note that they offer a very short (one inch overall) bit socket in the industrial finish.


If you go down the impact route then all the tools are black oxide (as standard) but now you have a choice of one piece or two piece.

Part number for the one piece is 13012. Note that these are very similar to the tools above, (although the metallurgy will be different) but they have the hole so can be locked on to the tool.


The two piece impacts are 13134, and would probably be my choice.


There are a huge variety of replacement bits available - hex, ball hex, Torx, pretty much everything. And of course a variety of lengths too.

 

[Dave455]

Talk to PB Swiss USA and see if they can order you some of the tools from the head office that are not stocked in the U.S. I have had success with this in the past as the U.S. inventory isn’t the entire lineup offered in Switzerland.

I’ve generally had great success with this, although admittedly in the U.K.

They make loads of stuff that’s not in the catalogue, and I doubt that the U.S. importers offer, let alone stock, even the full catalogue.

I’ve even had some success with discontinued items.

 

[CGarage]

I’ve generally had great success with this, although admittedly in the U.K.

They make loads of stuff that’s not in the catalogue, and I doubt that the U.S. importers offer, let alone stock, even the full catalogue.

I’ve even had some success with discontinued items.

Agreed!

 

[cbracer]

PB Swiss doesn't have any old stock left around they are willing to sell. I'm missing 1 size out of my long 1/4" hex socket bits and they simply had none left back in Switzerland. The Nepros, Ko-Ken and Hazet would be your 3 top choices.

 

[bornbadbob]

I was blown away by the RBRT Torx the other day after it removed this stripped out fastener:


I’m surprised to hear the less than favorable reviews of the Snapon Torx sockets. For the money they charge (~$40/socket) I’d expect them to be the best.

I have not had a bad experience with my Snap On hex bitstrr r or or Torx bits yet, some I have had for decades. Sure I have broken a couple of hex bits but generally my fault for using them in applications they were never meant for.

 

[knobby]

The gold coloured snapon torx bits have always impressed me, the dark finished ones not so much.

 

[richfinn]

Like these? BTW, interesting that Koken mixes impact and chrome in this set. Don't see that often.

Mine are shorter than that

Koken 13012M.52-8 8mm - 3/8" Drive Impact Hex Bit Socket | UKtools

UKtools Professional Hand Tools, Specialist Socketry from Koken Tools, Facom, Britool, Gearwrench, Signet, Trident, Elora, Knipex, Bondhus and more

www.uktools.com

 

[KnurledNut]

Mine are shorter than that

Koken 13012M.52-8 8mm - 3/8" Drive Impact Hex Bit Socket | UKtools

UKtools Professional Hand Tools, Specialist Socketry from Koken Tools, Facom, Britool, Gearwrench, Signet, Trident, Elora, Knipex, Bondhus and more

www.uktools.com

Do they see more hand use or impact?

 

[richfinn]

Do they see more hand use or impact?

cordless ratchet mostly, but occasionally I will use them on a 3/8" impact

 

[KnurledNut]

cordless ratchet mostly, but occasionally I will use them on a 3/8" impact

I’ve done some commercial jobs that require installation of dozens of recessed SHCS. I use a cordless ratchet to run them down and then manual mode to tighten them. The GP impact bit sockets that I showed above have worked great for that. I could see the non-impact Kokens working well in that application too.