Chrome Sockets

[kartracer55]

Alrighty... a widely discussed topic, but I was looking for opinions here.

What is everybody's favorite brand of chrome sockets? Please dont give input if you only use one brand, I kinda want to get opinions from guys who use and break various brands. Im going to be buying a set of 3/8 metric midlengths eventually, as well as a 6-21 UBER set of deeps, but it would also bee a good reference for those looking for sockets.

I use SK, Craftsman, Snap On and Matco.

Snap On- I have broken, and seen broken, more Snap On sockets than any other brand. However, It is an unfair comparison becuase I use Snap On chromes most of the time. I also impact them.

Matco- I recetly started using alot of Matco stuff, and for the past 6 months or so I have been impacting them, and have yet to see one broken. Im really considering them for my next set of chrome sockets

SK- I use mine mostly with hand tools, but I do occasionally impact them at school. I dont recall ever breaking or seing one broken. Not used/abused as frequently as Snap Ons

Craftsman- I use these mostly with hand tools and an air ratchet. I recent started using my track set on my cordless impact, so I will let you guys know how they hold up. They are definetly thicker than the other brands, but i seem to like them.

What do you guys think? Which seem to hold up the best for you?

Jim

 

[wilbilt]

I have broken a bunch of Mac chromes, and a couple of Snap_ons. I wore out a few Snap_ons before they broke, if that is any indication.

I don't know if I would trust the latest Cmans under impact use. I have deformed at least one by hand. (12mm 3/8"dr 6pt shallow)

 

[wrencheshurt]

I own a variety of sockets a lot of snap-on,some craftsman and a lot of Matco. I'd have to say I'll reach for my Matco's over any other ones every time. I've had really good luck with them. I've had my 1/2 in Deep set about 3 years and i haven't broken one and the chrome isn't chipping off of them, can't say the same about my snappy's. I only buy the craftsman's in 12pt, and they're a fine socket have no issues with them.

 

[-lecroix-]

I have a few SnapOn and MAC and a whole slew of Craftsman ... all of them work fine at loosening or tightening fasteners. No issues with them breaking, cracking, peeling, mushrooming, deforming, etc, etc, etc.

I am a weekend warrior and by no means do I abuse my sockets nor do I use mine on a daily basis, but if I need an impact socket that is what I use. Chrome sockets are for hand tools, not power tools.

 

[Deafautotech]

I own a lot of craftsman chrome sockets and i did use it on impact wrench in first year of automotive shop. now i am in four year in automotive industry and i had use all impact sockets instead chrome because i already cracked few chrome sockets.

i would keep said use impact socket if you use on impact wrench daily. not worth to have chrome socket because never know if it go break and go hit face while you impact it... use safety tools and use safety google to protect eyes....

yes i use chrome sockets on air ratchet but not on impact wrench.

 

[wythors]

Being a "weekend warrior", to use lecroix's term, I started out many years ago with a set of cheapo Taiwan junk, then rapidly graduated to Craftsman. They served me decently over time, but many were replaced over the years due to breakage. When I was getting ready to do a big project last fall, I treated myself to a complete set (SAE & metric, shallow & deep) of Mac 1/4" drive sockets. The difference in build quality between Craftsman and Mac is amazing to me. This summer, I'll be replacing my 3/8" stuff with Mac.

Bottom line: Craftsman is servicable for 99% of the non-professional's needs, but the stuff off the tool truck is in a different league.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

My regular chrome sockets are a mix of Snap On, Gray, Stanley, Beta and some no name ones


<------ This is an ANTEATER

 

[Jeeper]

When you all are breaking chrome on impact wrenches, is it on your 1/2" or 3/8" impacts..or both?

Just ordered a 3/8" impact and thinking of using my chrome sockets on it. Have impacts for my 1/2" impact.

 

[ba614]

I don't know of any source for mid-length sockets except S-K and the tool truck.

I have sockets made by S-K, Craftsman, Armstrong, Proto, Snap On, New Britan, Toptul, and Elora.

To me the best value for the money is Craftsman. S-K would be the next in line as to the best value for the money. S-K has a better looking finish and more sizes availible and can be bought for the same price as Craftsman if you catch a sale.

I think all the good brand name sockets are about the same. It's kinda' like the chevy-ford battles. Then someone say's neither of them are any good so I got a caddy. They all do a good job when you use them the way they were intended to be used.

 

[eschoendorff]

I don't know of any source for mid-length sockets except S-K and the tool truck.

I have sockets made by S-K, Craftsman, Armstrong, Proto, Snap On, New Britan, Toptul, and Elora.

To me the best value for the money is Craftsman. S-K would be the next in line as to the best value for the money. S-K has a better looking finish and more sizes availible and can be bought for the same price as Craftsman if you catch a sale.

I think all the good brand name sockets are about the same. It's kinda' like the chevy-ford battles. Then someone say's neither of them are any good so I got a caddy. They all do a good job when you use them the way they were intended to be used.

Amen. That being said, Craftsman gets my vote. I haven't seen any hard evidence that suggests that any of the other brands are superior. I have Armstrong, Proto, FACOM, SK and they all turn bolts the same.

 

[kartracer55]

When you all are breaking chrome on impact wrenches, is it on your 1/2" or 3/8" impacts..or both?

Just ordered a 3/8" impact and thinking of using my chrome sockets on it. Have impacts for my 1/2" impact.

I have use impacts on my 3/8 gun at home, just to keep my chrome stuff nice.

At work, I ONLY use chromes on a 3/8 gun, with the exception of swivels, which are only impacts. Almost every chrome socket I have broken was used on an impact, the majority being 3/8 sockets. Is it bad everyonce in a while? No, but when your using 10, 13, 14 and 17mm sockets ALL DAY LONG on an impact they are bound to give out sooner or later. Abuse? Yes, but most techs do it. Its a convenience thing.

For 1/2 drive, I avoid using chrome sockets because they will beat up and wear out a socket VERY fast.

 

[-lecroix-]

How is it any more "convenient" to grab a 10, 13, 14 or 17mm chrome socket over a black 10, 13, 14 or 17mm impact socket? I don't understand the logic behind this ... it takes just as much effort to use one instead of the other, so how is it more "convenient" to use the chrome sockets.

Someone help me out here, cause I'm missing something.

 

[strizzy]

How is it any more "convenient" to grab a 10, 13, 14 or 17mm chrome socket over a black 10, 13, 14 or 17mm impact socket? I don't understand the logic behind this ... it takes just as much effort to use one instead of the other, so how is it more "convenient" to use the chrome sockets.

Someone help me out here, cause I'm missing something.

...cause its more convenient to not spend more money on addtional sockets that you already have...


As far as sockets go, our shops box has a set of SKs that are fairly old and have stood up to just about everything, including impact guns on all the chromes. For me $50 on 125 Craftsman sockets was too good to pass up.

 

[-lecroix-]

That's not convenience ... that's economics and I understand economics.

 

[MAD]

I don't know of any source for mid-length sockets except S-K and the tool truck.

Craftsman does (or did) have mid-length sockets. Just a few orphans left unless you buy the all 3/8" drive set shown in this link.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/search.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&keyword=MID+LENGTH

I bought the 11 mm mid length to fill in the hole in my set. -Although I think there are only two 11 mm bolts on all of the cars I own.

 

[wilbilt]

My regular chrome sockets are a mix of Snap On, Gray, Stanley, Beta and some no name ones


<------ This is an ANTEATER

And I am the Walrus. Koo Koo Ka Choo.

I've never heard of Beta. European?

 

[eschoendorff]

And I am the Walrus. Koo Koo Ka Choo.

I've never heard of Beta. European?

Italian. The supplier for the likes of Ferrari after they switched from FACOM.

 

[wilbilt]

Italian. The supplier for the likes of Ferrari after they switched from FACOM.

Ah. Now I remember. And somehow TopTul fits into this?

 

[eschoendorff]

Ah. Now I remember. And somehow TopTul fits into this?

I don't think so. TopTul is a Taiwanese outfit IIRC...

 

[-lecroix-]

Toptul and Facom had some sort of late night relationship ... thus the Toptul thing with Ferrari several years back.

 

[Deafautotech]

i wont use chrome socket if i use all day that why i got snap on impact swivel socket (10, 13, 15, 18) which i used it almost every minute of my work. it is work good. i have 3/8dr shallow, semi deep, and deep sockets. i use 3/8dr a lot but 1/4 drive tools are use much for transmission works....

 

[kartracer55]

How is it any more "convenient" to grab a 10, 13, 14 or 17mm chrome socket over a black 10, 13, 14 or 17mm impact socket? I don't understand the logic behind this ... it takes just as much effort to use one instead of the other, so how is it more "convenient" to use the chrome sockets.

Someone help me out here, cause I'm missing something.

Well its both convenience and economics. As for convenience, I know that I can just grab a socket and if it fits, it fits. I dont have to worry about being chrome or impact. I can just keep a set of metrics on a hansen tray and pull them off as necessary. I use chrome extensions with 3/8 impacts too. Its a speed thing as well. At home, nobody is going to ***** at me for taking too long or something like that, so I can take the time to walk over and get the right size impact socket to preserve my chromes. Its just easier and more convenient not to have to worry about it.

Jim

 

[cc_rider]

I can't believe you guys are using chromes with impacts and complaining about them breaking. Well, DUH!

USE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB.

Economics, schmechanomics. A tool that breaks during use is likely to damage whatever you're working on ($$$) or YOU ($$ or worse). Even a Craftsman set of impacts is better than using chromes. If you ain't got the impact socket, don't use the impact wrench!

Happy Wrenching!

c.

 

[kartracer55]

I can't believe you guys are using chromes with impacts and complaining about them breaking. Well, DUH!

USE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB.

Economics, schmechanomics. A tool that breaks during use is likely to damage whatever you're working on ($$$) or YOU ($$ or worse). Even a Craftsman set of impacts is better than using chromes. If you ain't got the impact socket, don't use the impact wrench!

Happy Wrenching!

c.

I would like to politely disagree. There is a reason most mechanics have redundancy in thier tools...

If you ain't got the impact socket, don't use the impact wrench!

At home, this does sort of hold true, but at work it is a completely different story. I NEED to use air tools whenever I feel that it wont compromise anything because they reduce the time a job takes by quite a bit. For jobs like valve cover gaskets, oil pans, and trans pans, your out of your mind not to use a 3/8 impact. Even with an air ratchet you would be there forever, and if chrome sockets will work for this, then I can put the money for a set of impacts towards another tool.

Another drawback to impacts is not being able to see them very well. Whenever I work in/around an engine bay, I avoid impacts at all costs. If you drop an impact socket somewhere and it is not directly in sight, your SOL, because that socket will be almost imposible to find.

Jim

 

[eschoendorff]

I would like to politely disagree. There is a reason most mechanics have redundancy in thier tools...




At home, this does sort of hold true, but at work it is a completely different story. I NEED to use air tools whenever I feel that it wont compromise anything because they reduce the time a job takes by quite a bit. For jobs like valve cover gaskets, oil pans, and trans pans, your out of your mind not to use a 3/8 impact. Even with an air ratchet you would be there forever, and if chrome sockets will work for this, then I can put the money for a set of impacts towards another tool.

Another drawback to impacts is not being able to see them very well. Whenever I work in/around an engine bay, I avoid impacts at all costs. If you drop an impact socket somewhere and it is not directly in sight, your SOL, because that socket will be almost imposible to find.

Jim

If this is the case, then just keep buying and replacing Craftsman sockets. It sounds like you are starting to regard sockets as semi-consumable anyway. I cannot imagine why you'd want to spend extra for Snap On or Matcos when you're going to break them just the same. It doesn't make sense...

 

[kartracer55]

If this is the case, then just keep buying and replacing Craftsman sockets. It sounds like you are starting to regard sockets as semi-consumable anyway. I cannot imagine why you'd want to spend extra for Snap On or Matcos when you're going to break them just the same. It doesn't make sense...

I kind of thought that way myself, but I have a few problems with craftsman sockets...

1. The sizes dont go large/small enough for what I need
2. The "nose" of smaller impact sockets is too wide
3. Truck Doesnt stop at work

Number 3 is more or less a convenience thing though, which Is why I still buy craftsman for my SAE stuff

Jim

 

[Canadian Charlie]

I've spent alot of time and money on getting and finding my sockets. To avoid the fustration of cracking them I never mix


Chrome sockets on ratchets
Impact sockets on air tools

 

[-lecroix-]

I would like to politely disagree. There is a reason most mechanics have redundancy in thier tools...

No offense, but you state in a previous post that you use ONE type of socket for convenience ... now you state that redundancy is best.

That redundancy is wasted money if you only use one type of socket.

Still not understanding how it's quicker to use a chrome socket over a impact socket. Both attach to the ratchet/impact in the same way, so there is no saved time by using one over the other. If you say "cause I use the chrome sockets with a manual ratchet" then why not use the impacts with the ratchet?

 

[Deafautotech]

i own a lot of chrome sockets and impact sockets. most time i use impact sockets at my work on my impact wrench or ratchet... it is work both way and no problems.... impact the chrome sockets are short the tool life. i always investment my tools in my way as use right tool to do right job that what my Ivy tech automotive program said...

 

[Deafautotech]

i cant afford the tool if i know that i will break easy like use chrome on impact wrench.

 

[kartracer55]

No offense, but you state in a previous post that you use ONE type of socket for convenience ... now you state that redundancy is best.

That redundancy is wasted money if you only use one type of socket.

Still not understanding how it's quicker to use a chrome socket over a impact socket. Both attach to the ratchet/impact in the same way, so there is no saved time by using one over the other. If you say "cause I use the chrome sockets with a manual ratchet" then why not use the impacts with the ratchet?

Redundancy in the sense that I have multiple sockets/wrenches to turn the same size fastener. If I break one socket, it isnt the end of the world, I have another to fit the bolt one way or another(for most common sizes at least).

It is quicker for me to just use a chrome socket and not worry about impacts because I bring a set of 3/8 chromes to the job with me all the time. Why? Because I KNOW chromes will fit everywhere. The impact sockets may or may not fit. So, why would I want to carry 2X as many sockets on the cart, and take up 2x as much room? You will inevitably have to impact a chrome, or ratchet by hand at some point or another, so who cares? At home I ratchet by hand, but at work Im impacting it, I really dont care what kind of socket it is as long as it removes the fastener faster than by hand.

At home I use impacts to keep my chromes nice, but at work, this is what I do, and im still employed, so I am going to continue doing it this way.

Respectfully,
Jim

 

[Deafautotech]

Redundancy in the sense that I have multiple sockets/wrenches to turn the same size fastener. If I break one socket, it isnt the end of the world, I have another to fit the bolt one way or another(for most common sizes at least).

It is quicker for me to just use a chrome socket and not worry about impacts because I bring a set of 3/8 chromes to the job with me all the time. Why? Because I KNOW chromes will fit everywhere. The impact sockets may or may not fit. So, why would I want to carry 2X as many sockets on the cart, and take up 2x as much room? You will inevitably have to impact a chrome, or ratchet by hand at some point or another, so who cares? At home I ratchet by hand, but at work Im impacting it, I really dont care what kind of socket it is as long as it removes the fastener faster than by hand.

At home I use impacts to keep my chromes nice, but at work, this is what I do, and im still employed, so I am going to continue doing it this way.

Respectfully,
Jim

I am respect your comment. it is your choice. i understand that sometime impact socket dont fit in where you need to do the work (repair).

i wonder why you have to work different service bay in your work?

my dealership have technician to work in their position in service shop. i just moved my toolboxes from other service bay to other service bay like about 6 service bay away from my one year same place in service bay because two techs have bigger toolboxes and they sometime borrow my tools and use my "service bay" to do repair so i told them that i move other bay so i have more room and have more service bays to work on vehicles.

i am noticed that i am starting to do more heavy line like have to pull transfer case out to replace rear transmission seal, pull engine out, replace camshaft while engine still in vehicle but front grille are removed. (it is camshaft have grinded the cam lobe and make push rod bent because it is loose and engine run awful. it was other tech but had me to do while i have no work to do....

 

[kartracer55]

I am respect your comment. it is your choice. i understand that sometime impact socket dont fit in where you need to do the work (repair).

i wonder why you have to work different service bay in your work?

my dealership have technician to work in their position in service shop. i just moved my toolboxes from other service bay to other service bay like about 6 service bay away from my one year same place in service bay because two techs have bigger toolboxes and they sometime borrow my tools and use my "service bay" to do repair so i told them that i move other bay so i have more room and have more service bays to work on vehicles.

i am noticed that i am starting to do more heavy line like have to pull transfer case out to replace rear transmission seal, pull engine out, replace camshaft while engine still in vehicle but front grille are removed. (it is camshaft have grinded the cam lobe and make push rod bent because it is loose and engine run awful. it was other tech but had me to do while i have no work to do....

I work in different bays because we are a full service shop. One bay is set up with an inground lift, close to tire machine and balancer. This only sees oil changes, tire work and brakes. Another bay has an alignment rack. Another bay has a 12,000lb lift for bigger stuff, and another bay is set up for long term jobs, where we KNOW we will have to wait a day or two for parts and the lift will be ******* for a while. There is another bay for inspections/AC service.

Different jobs go to different bays.

Jim

 

[Deafautotech]

Oh i see it. how many service bay at your work? it is hard for independent shop because they have to order to parts stores to have parts delivery to your work so it take time or day to have parts arrive....

 

[kartracer55]

Oh i see it. how many service bay at your work? it is hard for independent shop because they have to order to parts stores to have parts delivery to your work so it take time or day to have parts arrive....

5 active bays, 2 of the bays have a door on each side, and there is an additional bay with only a rear facing door. This bay just holds stacks of old tires before pickup, AC machine and other big equipment like that because it is inconveneint to pull cars in around the back.

When you work on EVERYTHING, its impossible to keep stuff in stock. The only thing we have in all the time are oil filters and alot of tires, as we are an authorized dealer of Goodyear and Michelin

Jim

 

[eschoendorff]

5 active bays, 2 of the bays have a door on each side, and there is an additional bay with only a rear facing door. This bay just holds stacks of old tires before pickup, AC machine and other big equipment like that because it is inconveneint to pull cars in around the back.

When you work on EVERYTHING, its impossible to keep stuff in stock. The only thing we have in all the time are oil filters and alot of tires, as we are an authorized dealer of Goodyear and Michelin

Jim

Hey, can you get me a deal on GSD3's? Or some Pilot Sprts in 275 and 315???

 

[Deafautotech]

5 active bays, 2 of the bays have a door on each side, and there is an additional bay with only a rear facing door. This bay just holds stacks of old tires before pickup, AC machine and other big equipment like that because it is inconveneint to pull cars in around the back.

When you work on EVERYTHING, its impossible to keep stuff in stock. The only thing we have in all the time are oil filters and alot of tires, as we are an authorized dealer of Goodyear and Michelin

Jim

i thought that goodyear Gemni shop dont major of engine repair?? my local goodyear gemni shop only do basic job like oil change, transmission service, brake jobs, steering and suspenions, and aligments and tires replace with balance...

 

[kartracer55]

i thought that goodyear Gemni shop dont major of engine repair?? my local goodyear gemni shop only do basic job like oil change, transmission service, brake jobs, steering and suspenions, and aligments and tires replace with balance...

We are a private dealer for Goodyear, we arnt a "Goodyear" shop. That is why we sell michelin as well.

Jim

 

[Deafautotech]

Oh your work dont goodyear gemni? all right. i understand now. i thought you talk like you work in goodyear gemni shop but it is not. so thanks .

how many techs in your work? my work have two full time tech and one part time tech (which is me) but my work have next door which is mercury and lincoln dealership with three full time techs.

 

[kartracer55]

Hey, can you get me a deal on GSD3's? Or some Pilot Sprts in 275 and 315???

BFG G-Force R1's