color coded sockets

[KEH]

In HF yesterday and noticed their color coded sockets. I'm not in the market right now for sockets, but I wonder if anyone has any experience with these sockets and how well does the color hold up in use? The sockets are made in Taiwan.

KEH

 

[Matt018]

I have heard that the color wears right off when introduced to a solvent, I would never buy them because they look like silly childs toys IMO.

 

[cruiser808]

I have heard that the color wears right off when introduced to a solvent, I would never buy them because they look like silly childs toys IMO.

That's funny.

 

[wacomme]

And yet the high end PB Swiss hex keys are also color coded - child's toy?

 

[Matt018]

And yet the high end PB Swiss hex keys are also color coded - child's toy?

I dont care, I havnt seen those and if you compare those dumb looking color coded sockets next to a chrome set the chrome looks normal. I dont know dude why are you defending a five dollar socket set from harbor freight? I actually like the harbor and have allot of my air tools and specialty tools from them, But those sockets are just goofy.

 

[Bruce Amacker]

I keep the Snappys in the drawer, use the colored HF sockets as my "dd" and like them.......

 

[trboxman]

And yet the high end PB Swiss hex keys are also color coded - child's toy?

Sometimes it's hard to tell with Euro stuff.

 

[4x4gearhead]

Sometimes it's hard to tell with Euro stuff.

I agree, especially with a lot of beta tools. It seems to me and maybe its because Im just used to my good ole NA tools but a lot of the euro stuff looks goofy period. I use a bit of it and a lot of it functions just fine but still, goofy as hell.

 

[rebelram]

I have two sets of the color coded HF deepwell sockets. They ride in my toolbags in my vehicles. The color does wear off fairly easily. But the sizes are stamped in and easy to read. I have not had any problems with the sockets. The are regularly put on sale for $10 or less. They are one of the better quality items I have found at Harbor Freight. I have given several sets as gifts to family members and they have all been pleased with them.

 

[trboxman]

they are just metro

Someone just had to say it...

 

[fourtythree]

I would never let anyone see me using a purple socket.

 

[SCscoutguy]

I have them in my junk yard tool bag and have beat the living hell out of them for 5 years plus and have never had a single problem with them. I use them on my cordless impact even and they just keep on going. They are one of the best buys you can possibly make at HF.

 

[wacomme]

I dont care, I havnt seen those and if you compare those dumb looking color coded sockets next to a chrome set the chrome looks normal. I dont know dude why are you defending a five dollar socket set from harbor freight? I actually like the harbor and have allot of my air tools and specialty tools from them, But those sockets are just goofy.

I didn't mean any insult. I agree with you. The color coded sockets look like toys. So do the high end PB Swiss hex keys. It's just that the hex keys are really good, despite looking different and toy-like. But there is useful purpose behind the silly look. For people like me that have poor close-up vision, color coding helps with sizing.

As for the HB color coded sockets - I have no idea about their quality.

 

[wwaarrppeedd]

i beat these sockets every day and they hold up just fine. The color does start wearing off kinda quick, i got them because my craftsman kept getting "borrowed", but for some reason no one ever asks to use the colored ones.

 

[Matt018]

Ohh yea, i would actually definitely buy a set for loaners, That will teach someone to buy their own tools haha.

 

[KEH]

Thanks for the comments. I have HF impact sockets and have had no problems with them. Chrome sockets are an assortment of US brands, no problems with them either.

KEH

 

[Eldogg]

I've had mine for 3+ years and love them. H/F has them 12 point now. I really like the colors. I think its a visual aid. hard to lose, easy to identify size, cheap. I've been thinking about painting my Gear wrenches to match.

 

[Harrison2]

i had a set of wrenhces, after a average amount of use they looked utter **** and once they were introduced to brake fluid they ended up looking like full polish wrenches that had not been plated/polished correctly.

avoid.

 

[Running Fat Man]

Nice.

Next time Im there, I'll pick up a set or two as a beater set to have around in the truck or to use as spares.

 

[iroc409]

I keep the Snappys in the drawer, use the colored HF sockets as my "dd" and like them.......

I am genuinely curious... what is the purpose of doing this?

 

[erty67]

i beat these sockets every day and they hold up just fine. The color does start wearing off kinda quick, i got them because my craftsman kept getting "borrowed", but for some reason no one ever asks to use the colored ones.

exactly!

 

[BK13]

I bought a set or two, but have never used them. Good use of money, there...

 

[nicksnothereman]

I am genuinely curious... what is the purpose of doing this?

So no one asks to borrow anything.

 

[Krokodil]

Slightly off-topic, but color coded tools are nice. Like lug nut sockets or torque sticks. Even nut drivers.

 

[uncletater]

I have a set and like them. I find if you have a friend (who is unskilled) It is much faster to say hand me the green or red socket. Faster than him looking at the markings on a set of all chrome. Yes the color does wear. But for 10 bucks who really cares.

Hope this helps

 

[fourtythree]

I am genuinely curious... what is the purpose of doing this?

People on here do that a lot. They spend thousands on top shelf tools but don't use them out of fear of breaking them. Meanwhile the HF/Craftsman/Kobalt tools they have get used and abused and usually cursed up and down when one of them break.

 

[Thumper68]

I have them in 3/8 drive both MM and STD, they are my use out side of the shop sockets, who cares if one gets lost sets.

 

[erty67]

they're also great in a driveway when you gotta say, "honey, can you pass me the red one?"

 

[RRich]

I'm thinking of buying the deep mm set since it includes 18mm while the other sets skip it. Only thing stopping me is the color. So if I remove it with some sort of solvent, will I find decent quality chrome underneth?

 

[pepi]

I have heard that the color wears right off when introduced to a solvent, I would never buy them because they look like silly child's toys IMO.

Yes silly child's toys, they will be right at home next to the Gumby handled screw drivers on the pegboard LMAO!

 

[Bocefus]

I use and abuse the deep well color coded 6pt sockets in my Junk Yard tool bag, and they have served me well. If the short sockets were 6pt and not 12pt, I would ****** them up in a heartbeat.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

In HF yesterday and noticed their color coded sockets. I'm not in the market right now for sockets, but I wonder if anyone has any experience with these sockets and how well does the color hold up in use? The sockets are made in Taiwan.

KEH

Bought a set for a "Trunk Junk Box".. Beautiful multiple colors which inspired
my purchase soon resembled dead flowers... Never did use those cute little things; either. Sockets were supposed to strip the bolthead; not their color

 

[woody 73]

I have been using the 3/8 set for the last year and surprisingly they can take tons of abuse; the color comes off very fast, but I am color blind so no big deal.

Funny thing one of the sockets was a tad tight for my socket rails and I had to drill it out using the next size up drill bit, they must be made very well because it shattered the drill bit.

 

[F-Bobby]

I could understand using them if you had to keep them in a bag or you didnt have room in your drawers for socket organizers. But my Hansen socket racks make the color coding somewhat redundant.
Though now that you guys have put the idea into my head. I think i might buy some for my store for our battery install bag. Cause no one in the store (except me) can readily identify sockets by size.

 

[fourtythree]

I could understand using them if you had to keep them in a bag or you didnt have room in your drawers for socket organizers. But my Hansen socket racks make the color coding somewhat redundant.
Though now that you guys have put the idea into my head. I think i might buy some for my store for our battery install bag. Cause no one in the store (except me) can readily identify sockets by size.

I think the color coding is more useful in a scenario of you're laying under a car with 5 loose sockets laying around you.

 

[sberry]

I am genuinely curious... what is the purpose of doing this?

I would say its because a guy found something he likes using better. I have a few pieces the same way. My snap end wrenches ride the drawer.

 

[bwringer]

I have a set of these and they're very handy. The coloring also helps them stand out against the background when you have a greasy pile of tools and parts.

My manhood is not so fragile that I feel threatened or diminished by using a pink or blue socket.

 

[monomach]

I have heard that the color wears right off when introduced to a solvent, I would never buy them because they look like silly childs toys IMO.

Then you're missing out on one of the best deals out there. I've used someone else's. They're good enough to use at work. The quality is quite nice. I'm not sure there's a deal out there on new sockets of this quality for that price.

Nuts and bolts don't care if a purple socket is turning them.

 

[Barnabas]

I would never let anyone see me using a purple socket.

I paint all of my tools purple, including the sockets. That way everyone knows they are mine.

 

[coldfoot_luke]

I'm thinking about getting a set for my 6 year old daughter's tool set I'm putting together for her. It should go well with the pink screwdrivers and pliers. She won't be working with solvent though so they should hold up.