Bit sockets - used SO vs new Proto or Wright

[Scavenger]

I'm looking to get some bit sockets - hex and torx. For about the same $$ I can buy used Snappy or new from brands like proto, wright, williams. What is the better choice. The SO's look pretty good but do show some wear (a little rounding) here and there.

 

[Jimmyg]

All good choices, if you have a snappy truck that comes by though I'd go with snap on just for ease of warranty

 

[Danglerb]

I have some Snapon, but prefer the Hazet. Most of the time though I grab one of the $10/set HF bit sockets, since if I am using a bit socket, most likely I will be doing some beating on it to seat etc.

Doesn't take much rounding before a bit is fairly useless.

 

[billymade]

tend to hold up really well; the warranty should be easy... resell value will be above the rest!

 

[wafrederick]

With Snap On,the whole bit socket is not replaced.The dealer drives the worn or broken bit out with a punch and hammer and drives in a new bit.Used to be held in with a roll pin,not anymore since the roll pin had been known for coming out.

 

[littletoes]

Used hundreds of these, and will have to say, NOTHING I've used holds up like Snap On.

I've broken countless, and on this point, STAY AWAY FROM THE H-F JUNK.

If your a True User, the HF stuff will round off, and tips will break before you get two screws in. Take Chevy seat belt anchor bolts, they will break the best made drivers, even S-O, but you will get more pull from a S-O than any other brand. And the S-O drivers stay tighter longer than all the rest, they are just expensive as hell.

 

[SMKS]

Who is the OEM for the Snap-Ons? Could it be the same for the Proto and Wright?

 

[Scavenger]

So the consensus is go the used Snap On. These would be my first SO tools. No truck comes around where I work - is it pretty easy to just warranty through the mail?

 

[scott37300]

So the consensus is go the used Snap On. These would be my first SO tools. No truck comes around where I work - is it pretty easy to just warranty through the mail?

Yes you can just email or call them and they will email you a return postage to print out and send the old tools in and you will get a new one. As easy as taking craftsman out to sears.

 

[littletoes]

Ya know, sometimes you have to stick with what you can get.

If you can get the other stuff locally, the time savings alone might make the other Industrial Brands worth it. I've also had good luck with Apex, but since the Aluminum foundry closed, the local boys aren't carrying that brand as much anymore either. For example.

I have had good luck with PROTO, but have also broken their drivers more often than Snap-On.

Wish you luck!

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I've had really bad luck with Proto, so of the three I'd go with Snapon. After my rearragement of tools, I personally use Macs (which are pretty old and have never given me a problem), and I keep a set of HF cheapies around for those "beat the **** out of it to get seated" type jobs.

 

[scott37300]

One of the snap on dealers on here recommended genius tools for bits one time. He said he sells a bunch of them. I believe he said that he would put them up against any other torx, which is a pretty big statement since he sells snap on there also.

I found the post, post number 14 by Chadster1, http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90272&highlight=genius+torx&showall=1

 

[Skin]

Yes you can just email or call them and they will email you a return postage to print out and send the old tools in and you will get a new one. As easy as taking craftsman out to sears.

for replacement bits they dont bother with the whole return/replacement thing. Snap a pic and email or call and they'll just send you a new bit.