Best value in sockets?

[Zebu Fellenz]

Hello,

I have a pretty complete assortment of sockets with the exception of 1/2" drive deep. I need to get a standard set that will cover the 1/2" to 1 1/4" range (12pt. sockets). I would prefer a matched set and do not mind buying used if the sockets are in good condition.

I like to use quality tools but I'm also cheap by nature so I won't be looking at a new Snappy set anytime soon.

What do you guys suggest? Would I be best off with a Craftsmen set or is there a better value for my dollar somewhere else?

Thanks,

Erik

 

[SMKS]

I think a lot of people here will agree that Craftsman are the best value, especially if you buy them used.

They may get a lot of flak for sub-par screwdrivers and the flat-panel ratchets, but I don't think you can beat their sockets for the price.

Of course, the next post will be someone saying Toptul or Gearwrench.

 

[jjarrell4]

300pc craftsman set
has everything but 1/2" deep if im not mistaken

 

[kythri]

Craftsman, no questions.

 

[Ser50]

in canada anyways Mastercraft Maximum. 50 cents a piece on sale and so far my 1/2 chromes have withstood 5 years of professional heavy duty use.

i mean to replace them with SO when they started breaking, but... they havent.

 

[Packard V8]

If new retail purchase is the only source one considers, and USA is a must, then yes, OK, Craftsman. Even though I only own USA tools myself, I'm being heretical and say when HF puts the Pittsburg sets on sale, plus the discount coupon, that's a lot of tool for the money.

However, every week there are good used inch sets from one major USA brand or another at yard/garage/estate sales and craigslist. The hunt is half the fun for some of us.

jack vines

 

[mooman]

Gearwrench cannot be overlooked in my opinion.

 

[rayzor32]

does craftsman even make 1/2" drive in 6 point? I have the 12 point set because thats all they had and they stink big time (being 12 point probably) slip and round all the time. Does the warranty allow you to take it back if dissatisfied and get money/or a different set?

 

[Deskmechanic]

I have 1/2 drive 6-point craftsman SAE set.

Craftsman sockets are the best price/performance ratio for new. I buy other random stuff on ebay because it's fun, but really nothing beats craftsman. Most of my sockets (3/8 metric, 1/2 metric) are craftsman.

 

[Scout Driver]

Allen

Not outrageously priced. Great finish. Great fit. Made in USA.

Scott

 

[Deskmechanic]

I have a bunch of KD (same as allen, same as Craftsman) that I bought on ebay cheap. Any of those KD-Allen-Craftsman-Armstrong-matco sockets are good and strong. Use whatever you can get cheap....

 

[Chris_PT]

I like and use the Craftsman Easy Read sockets. I think they are priced very fair and if one breaks, of course I take it back and exchange it on the spot.

I am also looking to get a full set of mm/std, 1/2" shallow and deep sockets.

 

[bonneyman]

I like and use the Craftsman Easy Read sockets. I think they are priced very fair and if one breaks, of course I take it back and exchange it on the spot.....

The "easy read" feature becomes more important every year!

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

just spent almost 350 on new snappy half inch deep chrome 10,12,13,14,15,17,18,20,21 ....good value ?...hmmmm
to me ...yes , I have 12 point wanted 6 point

 

[Chris_PT]

The "easy read" feature becomes more important every year!

Im only 24 and I still think its a great luxury to have.

 

[scottmlew]

does craftsman even make 1/2" drive in 6 point?

In shallow/standard, yes. In deep, I don't think so....at least I couldn't find them when I bought mine.

 

[Ford12508]

In shallow/standard, yes. In deep, I don't think so....at least I couldn't find them when I bought mine.

I have 6 point shallow and deep craftsman from 3/8" to 1-1/4" in shallow, and I am only missing a couple in deep sizes.

 

[bw77]

In shallow/standard, yes. In deep, I don't think so....at least I couldn't find them when I bought mine.

Cman metric deep 6pt 1/2dr

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...+1/2+6pt&prdNo=1&UnitNumber=&storeOpenDayInd=

Cman sae deep 6pt 1/2dr

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...+1/2+6pt&prdNo=2&UnitNumber=&storeOpenDayInd=

 

[barney rubble]

just spent almost 350 on new snappy half inch deep chrome 10,12,13,14,15,17,18,20,21 ....good value ?...hmmmm
to me ...yes , I have 12 point wanted 6 point

At over $35.00 a socket I know why I don't buy Snap On.

 

[King Bojack]

At over $35.00 a socket I know why I don't buy Snap On.

350 will get a full service set of CMan, Gearwrench or a whole bucket of Duralast tools. I don't get how SO stays in business.

 

[Ford12508]

$350 for me 299 sockets from craftsman, which is good enough for me

 

[lipadj46]

Get Cman if you don't mind getting some sockets with poorly finished chrome, poor painted insides, weird bulged metal on the bottom inside of the sockets. Also the detents are terrible for non quick release ratchets. I hate putting my new Cman sockets on my snap on and williams ratchets as they are really hard to get off especially with greasy hands.

They get the job done and have a lifetime warranty but that will be useless in a couple years when they go all import.

 

[Cummins_Powered]

Get Cman if you don't mind getting some sockets with poorly finished chrome, poor painted insides, weird bulged metal on the bottom inside of the sockets. Also the detents are terrible for non quick release ratchets. I hate putting my new Cman sockets on my snap on and williams ratchets as they are really hard to get off especially with greasy hands.

They get the job done and have a lifetime warranty but that will be useless in a couple years when they go all import.

But they work...thats my bottom line. Though i completely agree with the detent, i get pissed every time i try to remove a smaller 3/8 socket from my FL80 snappy ratchet. I have to keep a small flathead screwdriver around to remove them

 

[noid]

Stanley black chrome pro

 

[Garage_Mahal]

Toptul. That's where I'm getting mine.

 

[djb2]

350 will get a full service set of CMan, Gearwrench or a whole bucket of Duralast tools. I don't get how SO stays in business.

I understand.

It's a combination of why people pay $20+ for a mediocre delivered pizza, and paying $100+ for designer jeans.

A guy is right there when you need to buy a tool, and he'll be right there if/when you need to have it rebuilt or exchanged. You might initially enjoy going to the store to buy tools, but it can become a chore when you have jobs stacking up. And it's Right There, Right Now.

Combine that with the prestige factor; buying some brands is like buying a Rolex. You can look down on a guy with a Citizen watch. Who looks down on the guy with a $10 watch. And the guy with a watch from a cereal box knows what time it is, but the band might break and it's got a leprechaun in bright colors that makes it obvious that it's not a Rolex.

 

[JASTECH]

I have a bunch of KD (same as allen, same as Craftsman) that I bought on ebay cheap. Any of those KD-Allen-Craftsman-Armstrong-matco sockets are good and strong. Use whatever you can get cheap....

I agree, except all the crapsman now made in China may not hold up as well.

Thanks, JASTECH

 

[haloghalog]

For me it would be grey pneumatic or Sunex impacts. They are very strong, they don't skip sizes, and cost +$20 for the basic set.

 

[naomilawson12]

I have an Kobalt socket set and I like it.I also have Klein wrenches and i like them better than any other combo wrench i have had in my hand.

 

[rocco]

in canada anyways Mastercraft Maximum. 50 cents a piece on sale and so far my 1/2 chromes have withstood 5 years of professional heavy duty use.

i mean to replace them with SO when they started breaking, but... they havent.

i've been beating on my Mastercraft sockets/impact sockets for years without ever breaking one. Its a mix of the old professional series, Maximum and regular mastercraft. For the money i can't think of a better brand to buy.
Heck, i've got some craftsmen and Princess auto stuff and thats been good as well but more expensive.

 

[supertooljunkie]

Craftsman for the down and dirty best value. Kobalt (Lowes) has some nice sets. Plus, the ratchets supplied with those sets are marginally better than the new, raised panel, ratchets Sears supplies with their sets. Pawn shops are full of cheap Cman sockets. I put together a 1/4 & 3/8" metric Cman sets for a friend of mine, plus extras, and a few 1/2", something like 50-60 sockets for .35 each. Less than $20 out the door.

 

[mrholeshot]

At over $35.00 a socket I know why I don't buy Snap On.

Easy Credit. Plain and simple. If you had to drop 350 dollars on a socket set all at once you would think twice before buying. I love Snap-On tools and have a lot of them. It;s easy to buy when you just have to say "add that to my account"

 

[Fedwrench]

If you're buying a 1/2 drive deep six point socket set from say 7/16 to 1 1/4, Craftsman is by far the best value especially when on sale at 30% off.
However, there are other options if you shop around such as SK and Gearwrench.
Most people get sticker shock when they see the new list prices for Snap on tools. However, built into that price is truck to you service, weekly pay as you use the tools payments, and professional quality. If you don't need the easy payment plan or truck to you service, they may not be for you.

 

[Ford12508]

Since he is saying snap on is expensive for him, he probably doesn't have a dealer come to his house, as I am assuming this is for non professional use. Well if he doesn't have a dealer come to his house, then that means he has to call up a dealer, and try to find him wherever he is going, if he is working that day. That is to replace a very expensive socket, one that costs $15 at least.

I bought my CMans for less than $1.20 each, thats including everything from 5mm up to 36mm, and from 5/32s up to 1-1/2. $1.20 for a socket thats as large as 36mm is a great deal if I do say so myself. I don't have a snap on dealer come to my house for my personal use, so I would have to make a trip either way to get a socket replaced. Might as well go to sears, because its closer to my house than a snap on dealer would ever be.

 

[mrholeshot]

I agree, except all the crapsman now made in China may not hold up as well.

Thanks, JASTECH

Craftsman sockets are still made in the USA

 

[mooman]

I agree, except all the crapsman now made in China may not hold up as well.

Thanks, JASTECH

Ummm, no.
Craftsman sockets are not made in China.

 

[kythri]

Hey guys, don't let a little thing like the truth get in the way of some torch-and-pitchfork waving!

 

[alberto]

I just received deep and shallow Wright socket sets. Very underrated. They can be a bit hard to source, but the finish quality is outstanding and at least as good (if not better) as the Snap on sockets I have. Found them on e-bay. Can provide seller's name if you want. Have not put them to the torture test, but that will soon come.

Alberto

 

[Rickster]

Why don't you post a Wanted To Buy ad in the classifieds and see if anyone here has a nice used set available for you.

 

[redLSJ]

I agree with some previous statements that Gearwrench is good, but, support products that are made here. Unless you happen to live elsewhere, obviously..

Craftsman all the way for value.