Best pass-through ratchet/socket

[Gar]

What is the best pass through ratchet available to purchase new today? I am looking for one that is not made in China (Taiwan and other countries of origin are fine. Made in USA is a plus but not essential.) I am looking for a set where the ratchet and socket are very low-profile, with an extension, such that it could do the work of any low-profile or deep-well socket set. I am looking for a relatively small ratchet head that is also strong. I’m looking for something that could replace a 3/8 square drive set. Quality and durability matter a lot. Price is a secondary concern, though I don’t want to be wasteful. I would prefer sockets that can also be used in a normal 6/12 point wrench, in addition to the ratchet, but maybe not essential.

The use case: I am building a portable tool set where the weight needs to be minimized and where I could practically avoid any need for another ratchet/sockets to do DIY-level car maintenance away from home.

Note: I have read the threads about pros and cons of pass through sockets. I have other square socket sets (Koken Zeal) that I will put head-to-head against the pass through socket set.

 

[GeoBruin]

So I don't have much experience with pass-through sockets and I'm excited to see what others post here but I just saw the thread on the new wrench for the Astro Pneumatic Nano impact sockets and it looks like a cool system. Good luck.

 

[qqzj]

My GearWrench made in China passthrough socket set is super nice. The ratchets are long and are locking flexible. They also are compatible with the serpentine belt tool. Combined, this is a monster set, that beats most of the high priced long wrenches by a mile. Because they are simply longer and 6 points. These are very good choice for someone who are not against China made tools. They can be very good just tool-speaking. There's a recent YouTube video where a China made stanley passthrough ratchet broke at more than 300 ft lbs, beats almost all the common ratchets, including a snap on.

What is the best pass through ratchet available to purchase new today? I am looking for one that is not made in China (Taiwan and other countries of origin are fine. Made in USA is a plus but not essential.) I am looking for a set where the ratchet and socket are very low-profile, with an extension, such that it could do the work of any low-profile or deep-well socket set. I am looking for a relatively small ratchet head that is also strong. I’m looking for something that could replace a 3/8 square drive set. Quality and durability matter a lot. Price is a secondary concern, though I don’t want to be wasteful. I would prefer sockets that can also be used in a normal 6/12 point wrench, in addition to the ratchet, but maybe not essential.

The use case: I am building a portable tool set where the weight needs to be minimized and where I could practically avoid any need for another ratchet/sockets to do DIY-level car maintenance away from home.

Note: I have read the threads about pros and cons of pass through sockets. I have other square socket sets (Koken Zeal) that I will put head-to-head against the pass through socket set.

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[FuzzyTiger]

So I don't have much experience with pass-through sockets and I'm excited to see what others post here but I just saw the thread on the new wrench for the Astro Pneumatic Nano impact sockets and it looks like a cool system. Good luck.

Huh. I have a set of them arriving tomorrow actually and had no idea what you were talking about until I looked it up... That is actually super cool!

 

[Gar]

Thanks. I appreciate you sharing your experience with the GearWrench. For me the China issue isn’t so much about the tool quality; I am trying to avoid buying Chinese things to avoid supporting the (mainland) Chinese government. I have heard a lot of good things about GearWrench and other Chinese sets, and I was just trying to find an alternative that’s comparable or better that is consistent with my politics.

 

[Gar]

Astro Pneumatic Nano impact sockets

Thanks. Those do look very cool. I like that they could be put on a box wrench. Since they are square drive I wouldn’t be able to use them as a substitute for deep well sockets.

 

[DadsTools]

Snap-on has a Blue Point Taiwan (non-Commie) set.

https://shop.snapon.com/product/Pas...ass-Thru-Socket-Set-(Blue-Point®)/BLPPTSS3822

 

[mrbillh]

Don't where they are made (assume US) but I've had a Craftsman set for years and they are bulletproof. 3/8 and 1/4 including drives both standard and metric sockets.

 

[Monte]

Gedore
Based on a 1/2" ratchet though...

 

[RoundedNut]

The Gearwrench system has the most options and sourcing from multiple brands. I also think their torx-plus like drive is superior.

The hex based drives are of different sizes and the retaining mechanism may not be compatible.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I have the gearwrench 3/8 and 1/4 sets, and the long 3/8 flex head ratchet. Aside from tightening upper strut nuts, the mostly sit in the box.

Koken zeal and the astro stubby sockets can be used for similar clearance.

 

[Taco Truck]

If you think you might like the Gearwrench set but don't want to support the Chinese government you could look around for a used set.

 

[WinMod21]

I've had a Kobalt 'Xtreme Access' set, purchased approx 9 years ago, that's Taiwan made; very inexpensive; that has worked great and saved the day many times when nothing else worked.

 

[rcbk00]

I've got the Pittsburgh set from Harbor Freight. Made in Taiwan. Cost me $16 (with a 20% coupon). The sockets in the set don't skip sizes and you can also use them with a 19mm or 3/4 wrench. I don't use the set much, but it's helpful to have around for certain things (like the nuts that secure the upper strut mounts on my minivan).

 

[Eric29]

I used a gearwrench set for replacing the rear struts on an older Toyota Camry. You have to access the top bolts from within the car and there is very little room to work. It saved me a lot of time to use the pass through sockets, but quite honestly, I used a box wrench to loosen the bolts because I thought the gearwrench ratchet was going to break. I found the ratchet very flimsy for the work I was doing.

 

[Cgw1984]

A few years ago lowes was clearanceing their original pass through stuff, i picked up a few of each model. I use them pretty frequently. If you could find them, id recommend em!

 

[retDAC]

As Monte noted, Gedore may be the only one of the true pass-through brands not made in either Taiwan or China. I don't where Hazet's are made or even if they still carry that.

'True pass-through' as there are some low profile sockets which have through holes but are not marketed as pass-throughs. These may only be in 1/4" equivalent drive sizes though.

Please be aware that while pass-throughs are lower profile as to overall thickness/height, the ratchet head thickness counts and, of necessity, the heads are wider.

As far as I know, there are only 6point sockets available. There have been spline through Sears. Don't know of any 12point.

If using such sockets with wrenches is desired, the ones sold by HF (and under many other brands) have a retention ball. Otherwise it's taping, except some such as GearWrench won't even allow that.

DadsTools pointed out the Bluepoint set. There is a Williams set: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005VMVCZY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Another Taiwanese set of apparently high quality: https://www.bostitch.com/products/t...ts/21-pc-pass-thru-socket-set-38-in/btmt72286
But at present this set only seems available here: https://www.ebay.com/c/1357414081 If as advertised, excellent price.

 

[TonyJ]

I have the gearratchet set and like some others have said I too also use mine allot and is usually my go to set. Mine has the adapters for both 1/4 and 3/8 and also has a regular 1/4 and 3/8 extensions for using the regular sockets. Comes with 1/4” and 3/8” regular sockets 4-19mm and the pass thru has 3/8-3/4 and 10-19mm and a pass thru extension. Another plus is I also recently bought a pass thru craftsman spline drive set and the sockets and ratchets from both sets interchange with each other

 

[Monte]

Armstrong Eliminator

https://www.kbctools.com/itemdetail/1-532-43100

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...m570.l1313&_nkw=Armstrong+Eliminator&_sacat=0

 

[richfinn]

This Bahco set looks decent value for money

https://www.primetools.co.uk/product/bahco-s530t-pass-trough-1-2-drive-53-piece-metric-socket-set/

 

[qqzj]

That VAT is brutal.

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[richfinn]

That VAT is brutal.

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Yep 20% on everything (there are a few exemptions like school books and safety boots)

 

[wkndwarrior29]

This Bahco set looks decent value for money

https://www.primetools.co.uk/product/bahco-s530t-pass-trough-1-2-drive-53-piece-metric-socket-set/

I have this set and the quality is exceptional. It was around $120 shipped to the us from amazon.de.

My only wish is that there was a smaller wrench included for the smaller inserts vs the adapter.

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[Blickus]

If you’re interested in the Armstrong set, I have the one shown above and the metric hex bit set. Perfect condition, never used them. Yours for the shipping cost. PM me if interested.

 

[66HertzClone]

I've had this Matco one for a long time, I used it only a few times as can be seen, I have all the bits but have never touched those.