bit sockets: SK or Wiha or?

[Steve_P]

looking for some torx, security torx, and maybe some metric hex bit sockets. I'd get wiha, the price is great, but they don't stamp the bit size on the sockets - this isn't a dealbreaker but bothers me.

Does SK stamp the bit size on the socket? Opinions on the SK?

Opinions on Wiha?

Any other suggestions besides Snap On?

 

[MrMark]

I'd get Wiha or Snap-on, probably not any other in sockets. The Craftsman are not top quality in this area. I have Snap-on bit sockets, Wiha and Wera torx, security torx and hex bits with Wera holders. The Snap-on certainly are the best but I feel very comfortable with the Wiha and Wera bits. The Wiha socket part of the combination is Tiawanese, while the bit itself is German steel. It's probably the best substitute for the snap-on in sockets.

 

[adcrawfo]

looking for some torx, security torx, and maybe some metric hex bit sockets. I'd get wiha, the price is great, but they don't stamp the bit size on the sockets - this isn't a dealbreaker but bothers me.

Does SK stamp the bit size on the socket? Opinions on the SK?

Opinions on Wiha?

Any other suggestions besides Snap On?

The old ones SK stamped the bit size on the socket so I'd assume the new ones would too.

 

[Steve_P]

anyone seen the new SK bit sockets?

 

[adcrawfo]

I just got my replacement long 7/32" back today. Obligatory pictures below.

Pros (to me at least): No annoying set screw to come loose on the the socket and wobble and wear out the hex of the socket, bit is replaceable, very sharp looking.

Cons: The necked down hex bit. This part drives me nuts about hex bits. I bought the long bit because it was the same size the length of the bit. That means I could but the bit down several times before I had to buy a replacement bit, now I'll be lucky if I can chop it once. Call me cheap but I like to get some mileage out of my tools.

 

[Monte]

or:

 

[bimmer630]

Yeah Hazet and stahlwille are the bees knees. I have the stubby Hazet stuff and it never wears out.
I hate my SK torx and allen sockets. The bits always get stuck in the fastener and pop out of the actual tool when I go to "pull out". I like the older SK stuff that had the roll pin. Setscrews ****, and my Mac allen sockets are proof of that. SO is just an interference fit and they work great.

ascrawfo, I guess you dont have an SK truck since you had to mail in a warranty, but if you had a local SK guy you wouldnt have to worry about cutting the bit down every time it wore out, My SK dude always just replaced them.

 

[Steve_P]

thanks for the pics! SK hasn't updated website pics as they still show the set screw design- but the text mentions a new socket design that's stronger. I guess the new design is a press fit?

With the set screw design dropping bits, you can cut a groove in the bit so the set screw engages into that; it doesn't even have to be tight against the bit, just "into the groove". The old Williams bit sockets are like this.

 

[bimmer630]

They had a spring retention "c clip" style holder after they stopped the setscrew style. that should be what you get nowadays from SK. I think they ****

 

[Danglerb]

You might also consider industrial quality, Proto or Apex.

 

[adcrawfo]

ascrawfo, I guess you dont have an SK truck since you had to mail in a warranty, but if you had a local SK guy you wouldnt have to worry about cutting the bit down every time it wore out, My SK dude always just replaced them.

Do they have a list of trucks that are out on the road? I honestly wouldn't know if I had one or not as I never really looked into it. I was happy buying online until I have now caught wind that there might possibly be a truck of shiny SK goodness roaming around the Wisconsin country side.

 

[bimmer630]

Ive seen SK trucks but never had a "Real" SK rep. mosty just independent guys that sold SK among other tool brands. My local MAC guy keeps SK on the truck too, since nobody can afford mac tools

 

[Cheers!]

I think the hazet ones are the nicest. But I don't use non stop in an environment where my paycheck depended on them.

 

[bart1]

The Wihas are available so cheap from wihatools.com or Amazon, it's a no brainer to try them.

I also have some other miscellaneous bits (well, these are all Hazet, but I have some cheap ones, Gedore, VIM and Stahlwille):

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

any love for bondhus?