Best value sockets?

[kage860]

I know tekton are popular but prices are close to $3 a socket which is getting pricey. If I had to start over or buy a set for a family member I would probably get this husky set.

Husky 1/4 in., 3/8 in. and 1/2 in. Drive Socket Set (200-Piece) H200MSS - The Home Depot

Use this Husky Drive Socket Set for most fastening application ratchet, socket, adapter and extension. Offers durability.

www.homedepot.com

Price is closer to $1 a socket with lifetime warranty and I would pick out my own ratchets and filler. Am I missing anything?

 

[drtyler]

That set has sold in the $80 - $100 range at times.

Good value with a lot of sockets, even at full price.

 

[Steel_Rain]

Am I missing anything?

I'd consider Harbor Freight's Quinn lineup. Here is an example:

https://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-38-in-12-in-drive-sae-and-metric-hi-vis-socket-set-66-piece-64267.html

This set is on sale, but even if it wasn't, it would still be less then $1 a socket and includes a lifetime warranty. How many stores does HFT have now? 1500+? They also offer impact sockets for about $2 a socket in 3/8th and 1/2" drive.

I'm a HUGE tool snob and I have all the big names, but these days, If I was recommending sets based on value alone, it would be Quinn.

 

[Professor Gascan]

I picked up a Capri 1/4 28 piece metric set for $32 to my door. 4 to 15 including 4.5 and 5.5 with good fastener fit, nice chrome, and deep roll stamping. A very nice upgrade to my less comprehensive 90's Husky set for a little more than a buck a socket

 

[Fedwrench]

How much duplication is there in that Husky set? Do you need 6 & 12 point versions of the same size? does the set contain the sizes you need to complete the work you want to do?

Tekton is more expensive but, I don't think you'll find a wider range of no skip sizing off of a tool truck.
I second the Quinn recommendation above. They'll be missing sizes but, they're durable.
Also look at SATA as that's probably the maker of the Husky set.

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

For home use, where it's unlikely to wear out the sockets, I would buy just the sockets from any value brand such as Husky or Kobalt. Then I would buy myself the nicest ratchet I could afford. That's where all the feel and goodness come from.

 

[Boogerman]

Only thing you are missing (and may not be, for your circumstances) is "value", which is subjective.

Value is the balancing of Cost vs Performance and Utility and desirability to the user. The ratio of value to utility that is right for any given person depends on how much they have to spend, how much they make back using the item, and how much performance they need out of it.

Personally, I think the best value is Proto and Williams. That is for hard, demanding use, where the job pays well and dependability is important. It also gives a slight bonus for being USA made and for having some snobbish prestige over bargain shop and box store brands. It does not take into account having truck to your door service and warranty, which might make MAC, MATCO, or Snap-On more valuable to a professional.

For typical home garage use, most any brand from the upper end of the lowest tier is good value. NAPA, Husky, Kobolt, Dewalt are kind of representative. This recommendation is for occasional use, where the owner saves some money compared to paying a professional, and where they have the time and means to go get another tool if there's a problem with the one they try first.

 

[KnurledNut]

Best value sockets? Probably flea markets, pawn shops, yard/estate sales.

 

[kctgb]

I have 2 Home Depot’s and 2 harbor freight stores less than a mile from work. I buy husky and HF tools, it’s easy to warranty a broken tool. My husky combination wrenches, ratcheting wrenches, and ratchets have help up as good as my proto, Thorsen, snapon, and old craftsman tools. I recently bought a set of husky’s new bite wrenches for stuck and rounded fasteners. They’ve worked well so far. I wouldn’t be afraid to buy a set of husky sockets with the warranty that goes with them. I have a husky extendable flex head ratchet with a low profile head that might be my favorite ratchet. I seem to use it a lot.

 

[mikey03]

I would rather have a less complete set of Taiwan sockets than a more complete set of Taiwan sockets.

i would rather have less overlap and also skip 1/4 deep and skip 1/2 shallow and have better sockets

1/4 shallow
3/8 shallow
3/8 deep
1/2 deep

price that out at tekton

if you want some 12 points then go

1/4 shallow 12 point
3/8 shallow 6 point
3/8 deep 6 point
1/2 deep 12 point

and you’ll have overlap so you will get at least one 6 and one 12 point in the most useful sizes of 8 to 19 (3/8 to 3/4 inch)

for smaller sizes it should need that much torque so 12 point is okay and for larger sizes the difference between 12 and 6 is less important

if you are doing car stuff I’d make the 1/2 deep be in impact and the rest all chrome

honestly other than china being husky brand I wouldn’t want to deal with Home Depot for warranty of hand tools. Youll need receipts and will have to find replacement stock in the store and wait at customer service and now the clerk never did a warranty of a tool hold on let me get the manager oh no you need to call the 1800 number for the warranty no wait that tool is discontinued it doesn’t count anymore

 

[PWC Repair]

I like the Husky over Kobalt or Craftsman. The Quinn stuff is also a good value. As for long term use.......I can't figure out why so many people refer to "home" or "occasional" use. I wrench for a living. I own my shop and specialize in Personal watercraft repair.......jet skis! I am STILL using a bunch of Husky sockets I bought over 20 years ago! Along with a newer set of Husky stuff (black friday deal). And my go to ratchets every day are the swivel head Pittsburg ones from HF!! I've never had any fitment or breakage issues with these cheaper tools. And I've never once......NOT EVER......had a fastener tell me it won't come out until I spend BIG bucks for some fancy name brand! I'm sort of thrifty anyway but there's no way you could EVER talk me into spending the kind of money those big names want.

 

[kctgb]

I would rather have a less complete set of Taiwan sockets than a more complete set of Taiwan sockets.

i would rather have less overlap and also skip 1/4 deep and skip 1/2 shallow and have better sockets

1/4 shallow
3/8 shallow
3/8 deep
1/2 deep

price that out at tekton

if you want some 12 points then go

1/4 shallow 12 point
3/8 shallow 6 point
3/8 deep 6 point
1/2 deep 12 point

and you’ll have overlap so you will get at least one 6 and one 12 point in the most useful sizes of 8 to 19 (3/8 to 3/4 inch)

for smaller sizes it should need that much torque so 12 point is okay and for larger sizes the difference between 12 and 6 is less important

if you are doing car stuff I’d make the 1/2 deep be in impact and the rest all chrome

honestly other than china being husky brand I wouldn’t want to deal with Home Depot for warranty of hand tools. Youll need receipts and will have to find replacement stock in the store and wait at customer service and now the clerk never did a warranty of a tool hold on let me get the manager oh no you need to call the 1800 number for the warranty no wait that tool is discontinued it doesn’t count anymore

I’ve never needed a receipt to warranty a tool at Home Depot. Evidently your HD’s are different than where I live.

 

[kctgb]

I like the Husky over Kobalt or Craftsman. The Quinn stuff is also a good value. As for long term use.......I can't figure out why so many people refer to "home" or "occasional" use. I wrench for a living. I own my shop and specialize in Personal watercraft repair.......jet skis! I am STILL using a bunch of Husky sockets I bought over 20 years ago! Along with a newer set of Husky stuff (black friday deal). And my go to ratchets every day are the swivel head Pittsburg ones from HF!! I've never had any fitment or breakage issues with these cheaper tools. And I've never once......NOT EVER......had a fastener tell me it won't come out until I spend BIG bucks for some fancy name brand! I'm sort of thrifty anyway but there's no way you could EVER talk me into spending the kind of money those big names want.

I’m 60 now with arthritis in my hands, I have 3 Pittsburgh flex head ratchets with comfort grip, and two composite ratchets. The composite ratchets are nicer on the arthritis in cold weather than the metal ratchets. I’ve had them for years with no problems. I still remember my dad harping on me saying “don’t be bustin nuts loose with a ratchet, use the damn breaker bar”.

 

[u2slow]

Canadian Tire's MasterCraft line makes up the bulk of my socket collection. Always wait for the sale.

 

[captmoto]

I'd consider Harbor Freight's Quinn lineup. Here is an example:

https://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-38-in-12-in-drive-sae-and-metric-hi-vis-socket-set-66-piece-64267.html

This set is on sale, but even if it wasn't, it would still be less then $1 a socket and includes a lifetime warranty. How many stores does HFT have now? 1500+? They also offer impact sockets for about $2 a socket in 3/8th and 1/2" drive.

I'm a HUGE tool snob and I have all the big names, but these days, If I was recommending sets based on value alone, it would be Quinn.

The issue is that on some sets HF wants the whole set to replace one socket or wrench. Kind of a pain to pack everything up and take it down to HF. I do have some Quinn torque wrenches and really like them.

 

[Sal Bandini]

If I'm buying a $3 socket, the last thing I am worried about is ease of warranty. If I can't warranty it easily I just go the shelf and get another one. Who has time for all that headache? The least of my worries is warranty on most of my tools. These aren't cars or appliances.

 

[Etchase]

Apex makes over a million sockets a day. We should surely have an adequate supply by now! I think it’s hard to find a bad socket, and I don’t think they break very often. Paying two bucks a socket seems expensive to me. A buck is good, but less is better.

 

[Jtels85]

If you want a comprehensive set similar to the Husky, but more complete… The 268 piece Master Mechanic set from True Value is a real bargain. Same OEM (GearWrench) as Husky and Duralast.

268-Pc. Mechanics SAE/Metric Socket & Tool Set, 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2 In. Drive

Master Mechanic, 268 Piece 1/4, 3/8, 1/2″ Drive Tool Set includes: 3 – 72-Tooth Ratchets- 1/4″, 3/8″, ½” Sockets- 74 SAE and 73 Metric 4 Extensions 19 Bit Sockets 12 Nut Setters 2 Spark Plug Sockets Combination Wrenches- 11 SAE & 9 Metric 10 Ignition Wrenches 40 Hex Keys 1 Magnetic Bit Driver 10...

www.truevalue.com

 

[kngelv]

I have been wrenching non-professionally for over forty years and have broken like two chrome sockets in all that time. What are people doing that they worry so much about the warranty? I'm finicky so I look at stuff like the broaching etc. Socket-wise I have all USA - mostly older Craftsman - except for some recent Japanese Z-Series Koken. If I was buying Taiwanese I'd go Tekton or Icon. Icon because you can walk in and buy it. Tekton because of outstanding customer service and the rebates. I don't have one Chinese hand tool. I do have a couple of Taiwanese ratcheting wrenches though.

James

 

[KnurledNut]

I have heard some good things about this set:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...-mechanics-tool-set-with-water-resistant-case

 

[gilbo]

I know tekton are popular but prices are close to $3 a socket which is getting pricey. If I had to start over or buy a set for a family member I would probably get this husky set.

Husky 1/4 in., 3/8 in. and 1/2 in. Drive Socket Set (200-Piece) H200MSS - The Home Depot

Use this Husky Drive Socket Set for most fastening application ratchet, socket, adapter and extension. Offers durability.

www.homedepot.com

Price is closer to $1 a socket with lifetime warranty and I would pick out my own ratchets and filler. Am I missing anything?

You should wait til BFS, they generally run sales cheaper than that price.

 

[Burt Shaver]

I like the Husky over Kobalt or Craftsman. The Quinn stuff is also a good value. As for long term use.......I can't figure out why so many people refer to "home" or "occasional" use. I wrench for a living. I own my shop and specialize in Personal watercraft repair.......jet skis! I am STILL using a bunch of Husky sockets I bought over 20 years ago! Along with a newer set of Husky stuff (black friday deal). And my go to ratchets every day are the swivel head Pittsburg ones from HF!! I've never had any fitment or breakage issues with these cheaper tools. And I've never once......NOT EVER......had a fastener tell me it won't come out until I spend BIG bucks for some fancy name brand! I'm sort of thrifty anyway but there's no way you could EVER talk me into spending the kind of money those big names want.

I’m not disagreeing, but I want to point out stay away from Stanley. I’ve had at least 4 ratchets that I can remember of where the gear mechanism had stopped working properly. Now with that being said, Stanley has nailed me 4 new ratchets, actually just received 3 of them this week. Just sent them pictures of the ratchets, pictures of the part number in the ratchet, had to provide a few details as to what was the issue, phone number etc. and they shipped them to me no charge, not even shipping. Right on about the PWC repair, I currently own 11 2 strokes and 1 Challenger, just sold my HX 2 weeks ago.

 

[Hohn]

Only thing you are missing (and may not be, for your circumstances) is "value", which is subjective.

Value is the balancing of Cost vs Performance and Utility and desirability to the user. The ratio of value to utility that is right for any given person depends on how much they have to spend, how much they make back using the item, and how much performance they need out of it.

Personally, I think the best value is Proto and Williams. That is for hard, demanding use, where the job pays well and dependability is important. It also gives a slight bonus for being USA made and for having some snobbish prestige over bargain shop and box store brands. It does not take into account having truck to your door service and warranty, which might make MAC, MATCO, or Snap-On more valuable to a professional.

For typical home garage use, most any brand from the upper end of the lowest tier is good value. NAPA, Husky, Kobolt, Dewalt are kind of representative. This recommendation is for occasional use, where the owner saves some money compared to paying a professional, and where they have the time and means to go get another tool if there's a problem with the one they try first.

Indeed. The best “value” tools I have are never the lowest cost ones.

I think my best “value” sockets might be my Wright impacts. Not cheap at just over $100 but I’ve never enjoyed a socket purchase more and they are just a delight to use.

 

[mikey03]

I have been wrenching non-professionally for over forty years and have broken like two chrome sockets in all that time. What are people doing that they worry so much about the warranty?

we’re using cheaper sockets today then the ones you used for 40 year. If you were using Chinese sockets for 40 years then honestly you might have broken a few

I'm finicky so I look at stuff like the broaching etc. Socket-wise I have all USA - mostly older Craftsman - except for some recent Japanese Z-Series Koken

 

[Skellyii]

The issue is that on some sets HF wants the whole set to replace one socket or wrench. Kind of a pain to pack everything up and take it down to HF. I do have some Quinn torque wrenches and really like them.

Really??

While HF stuff is not that well represented in my tool collection, when I have warranted something, they would just grab a set off the shelf and give me a replacement from that set. The set missing that item would then get put on the clearance table.

But as always, the local management probably makes the call on that stuff.

 

[bonneyman]

Indeed. The best “value” tools I have are never the lowest cost ones.

I think my best “value” sockets might be my Wright impacts. Not cheap at just over $100 but I’ve never enjoyed a socket purchase more and they are just a delight to use.

What's that old saying? "The pain of low quality will live long past the thrill of a low price."

 

[908Jim]

I picked up a Capri 1/4 28 piece metric set for $32 to my door. 4 to 15 including 4.5 and 5.5 with good fastener fit, nice chrome, and deep roll stamping. A very nice upgrade to my less comprehensive 90's Husky set for a little more than a buck a socket

I've got Capri singles and they are very nice sockets, objectively much nicer than tekton. I was going to buy this exact set but scored craftsmans on 50% off clearance locally however I may but it anyway for a basement work bench set because the finish is so nice.

As much as I love Tekton as a company, Capri sockets are far nicer.

 

[DarryT]

Any of these could be considered "value" depending on your budget & usage.

The best of the three tiers of sockets:
Cheap- Quinn / Husky / Used USA Craftsman
Serious DIY- Tekton / Icon / Carlyle
Pro Quality- CAT or Koken

 

[turnthewrench 2.0]

If I had to start over

If I had to start over, it wouldn’t be as simple as starting a thread like this. I’d be looking at higher-quality sockets—Hazet, Proto, Ko-ken, and others—as well as some more affordable options, such as Tekton.

 

[u2slow]

Just want to point out that Stanley, Black & Decker, Proto, and MasterCraft (Canadian Tire store brand) are all the same mfr.

 

[milky2k]

In my opinion, if you are looking for the best value in sockets, you have a lot of choice with Husky, Duralast, Quinn, Pittsburgh, and so on. The 200 piece Husky kit you posted has a lot of duplication with 6 and 12 point sockets and they don't always give you a deep socket version of every shallow socket. So maybe you get a 7\16 shallow but not a 7/16 deep which is annoying to me. While its cheap in cost per socket I feel you are over buying. I would prefer a good base 3/8 set that you can build on. Also, consider the target user. If you are buying for a family member, are they going to need a 1/2 set to do suspension work or are they just going to change their oil once in a while? I would get something like this Quinn 3/8 set with a nice 90t Apex/Gearwrench ratchet and add on a flex head ratchet and maybe a couple of extensions and I am sure you will be able to tackle a whole lot of repairs with that set alone. You can buy more tools as you need them rather than spend money on tools you will never use.

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-sae-and-metric-master-socket-set-72-piece-70317.html

 

[kngelv]

we’re using cheaper sockets today then the ones you used for 40 year. If you were using Chinese sockets for 40 years then honestly you might have broken a few

This is why people should stop buying **** sockets.

James

 

[LOW1]

If I had to start over, it wouldn’t be as simple as starting a thread like this. I’d be looking at higher-quality sockets—Hazet, Proto, Ko-ken, and others—as well as some more affordable options, such as Tekton.

I agree and have two thoughts. One, don’t cheap out. I am not saying call up the truck guys. But very carefully consider the differences between a $150 set versus a $50 set. Yes it is three times as much. But it also only $100 difference. Over 20 years that is insignificant.

The second thing is to make sure that you have a place and a way to organize these things. You may have bought the ideal value set but that does not mean squat if you cannot find it when you need it,

 

[DarryT]

I agree and have two thoughts. One, don’t cheap out. I am not saying call up the truck guys. But very carefully consider the differences between a $150 set versus a $50 set. Yes it is three times as much. But it also only $100 difference. Over 20 years that is insignificant.

The second thing is to make sure that you have a place and a way to organize these things. You may have bought the ideal value set but that does not mean squat if you cannot find it when you need it,

For $100 you can get CAT (Snap-on) stubby sockets with a 72t Koken ratchet. Tough to beat.

 

[liliysdad]

Just want to point out that Stanley, Black & Decker, Proto, and MasterCraft (Canadian Tire store brand) are all the same mfr.

Hardly means it's the same stuff.... and it's not.

 

[Mecha]

I personally have an issue with product made in China. Metallurgy-wise and quality, it's all over the place. My opinion.

I have had little to no issues with Taiwanese, American, German, Czech, Japanese, and French stuff. So that's where my money goes.

It is less a brand thing. And more a trust the quality of the country thing.

 

[nadogail]

I have purchased a lot of tools from Pat's Tools, a used tool store, last time I was in their store they had moved to El Cajon, a city just East of San Diego.

 

[PWC Repair]

Right on about the PWC repair,........., just sold my HX 2 weeks ago.

Really.......stock or modded? How much? I also have an HX I'm thinking about selling. Mine's still 717 but ported cases, ported cylinders, butterfly ported intake and custom grind rotary valve, Westcoast head, lightened flywheel and PTO, Rossier pipe and an RFI large hub pump.

 

[Burt Shaver]

Really.......stock or modded? How much? I also have an HX I'm thinking about selling. Mine's still 717 but ported cases, ported cylinders, butterfly ported intake and custom grind rotary valve, Westcoast head, lightened flywheel and PTO, Rossier pipe and an RFI large hub pump.

This is on the back of the guys truck, all stock. I had bought it not running and no DESS key, got a new DESS key for it, rebuilt the carbs, new fuel lines, selector yadda yadda, changed the oil to xps, new oil filter, had to take the engine out because of a missing bed plate to crankcase bolt, wet sanded and buffed it out , provided him with the new decal kit I hadn’t installed yet, 1800.00 CDN.

 

[Burt Shaver]

Really.......stock or modded? How much? I also have an HX I'm thinking about selling. Mine's still 717 but ported cases, ported cylinders, butterfly ported intake and custom grind rotary valve, Westcoast head, lightened flywheel and PTO, Rossier pipe and an RFI large hub pump.

And did leak down test for the outer and inner crank seals too. Good stock motor on it, 140 pounds