Craftsman 299 pc. Socket Set

[splitfinger09]

I just picked up this socket set from sears for $315. I think its an awesome deal!! All sockets were in good condition with no rust or peeling chrome. Also all sockets are made in USA. Still trying to figure out how I want to organize them.

 

[michaelwoodcock]

what kindof socket organizers are those? I like!

 

[archirelic]

what kindof socket organizers are those? I like!

They're Craftsman, and they usually carry them in store.

Socket Organizer Set

EDIT: Added link.

 

[Squankum]

Dang, I guess the Hansen style peg-trays aren't so space inefficient, now that I've seen THAT! Why, it's almost as if Sears is also trying to sell toolboxes or something...

 

[splitfinger09]

what kindof socket organizers are those? I like!

Yep I just picked them up at sears. There pretty cool, but they make a bunch of holes for sockets they dont even make They also only fit in the bottom drawers as they are 16 1/8". Im trying to decide if I wanna buy another set as you need one for deep and one for shallow. Once again though you would be left with some un used space.

 

[splitfinger09]

In the pics I have the 1/4 and 3/8 in deep and the 1/2 in shallow. The missing holes are sockets that craftsman simply does not make...

 

[tomshep]

I looked at those organizers and the HF units. They both take up too much space.

I ordered the Hansens tonight from Summit.

Tom

 

[pipsters]

I just used rails, lot easier to organize all the different sockets with those plus the 299 pc set came with a few odd-ball ones like 8 point sockets.

 

[splitfinger09]

I just used rails, lot easier to organize all the different sockets with those plus the 299 pc set came with a few odd-ball ones like 8 point sockets.

Yeah I saw that. What are the 8 point for? Also what is the reasoning behind making only the bigger size sockets in 12 point?

 

[yasha32]

Bigger sockets in 12 point I think is there way of making a large socket that fits over a multitude of shapes regardless of it is capable of removing them without damage.

Just a theory.

 

[geologist]

I almost bought that set a few weeks ago. Looking back, I sort of wish that I had. I keep fighting myself, saying that I'll just buy the 540 piece tool set during Black Friday when the price drops 2/3rds.

 

[Jawn]

Yeah I saw that. What are the 8 point for? Also what is the reasoning behind making only the bigger size sockets in 12 point?

8-point is for square fasteners.

I suspect the reasoning for no smaller 12-points is it's easier to round off a small fastener with a 12 point vs a 6 point.

 

[adamsredlines]

Those trays are neat but man thats alot of wasted space.

I ordered Snap On socket rails for my 299 piece set yesterday, $65+ tax for all of them....not too bad.

 

[keithwvd]

I started with the Craftsman 263 piece set, put them on HF rails:

was $20 for all the rails, and I'm putting all the deep sockets up top most likely. the rails are pretty cheap feeling and some sockets really need to be yanked off but it should get easier over time

 

[hischj]

Yeah I saw that. What are the 8 point for? Also what is the reasoning behind making only the bigger size sockets in 12 point?

One reason for large sockets in 12 point is for breaker bar use. With a 12 point you have twice the positions to get the tool on the fastener.

 

[Squankum]

My theory is that you would want 6 point sockets in the larger sizes because, hey, if anything's going to be hard to remove and susceptible to rounding off...

But yeah, breaker bar does make sense for the 12 pt.

 

[bhclark]

I use those trays for my primary socket set in the basement, but I use the HFT Hansen type trays for the garage because I like being able to pick the whole tray up and take it with me.

I have never been able to stand the socket rails for most uses, but I just put a set of the plastic HFT ones into use for all my extensions, adapters, and U-joints.

 

[splitfinger09]

I almost bought that set a few weeks ago. Looking back, I sort of wish that I had. I keep fighting myself, saying that I'll just buy the 540 piece tool set during Black Friday when the price drops 2/3rds.

You should pull the trigger man. I mean $315 shipped is gonna be hard to beat. You better hurry either way because sooner than later these sockets will probly be made in china my parents bought me my first craftsman set and Im really sad to see production on some items moved to china.

8-point is for square fasteners.

I suspect the reasoning for no smaller 12-points is it's easier to round off a small fastener with a 12 point vs a 6 point.

Yeah that makes sense. Def alot more material on a larger fastener.

Those trays are neat but man thats alot of wasted space.
Yeah it really is. I am only going to sacrafice two drawers for the trays though. It really is nice though I got to admit. Very easy to find sockets and easy to replace when done. I got the deep on socket racks to save some space.
I ordered Snap On socket rails for my 299 piece set yesterday, $65+ tax for all of them....not too bad.

Not bad at all. Between the socket racks and the full drawer trays Im right at about $50 plus tax. All trays and racks made in USA.

I started with the Craftsman 263 piece set, put them on HF rails:

was $20 for all the rails, and I'm putting all the deep sockets up top most likely. the rails are pretty cheap feeling and some sockets really need to be yanked off but it should get easier over time

Looking good man I paid about $4 a rail made in USA.

One reason for large sockets in 12 point is for breaker bar use. With a 12 point you have twice the positions to get the tool on the fastener.

I see that makes sense. My 1/2 breaker bar does not ratchet therefore more positions would help.

 

[splitfinger09]

So I ended up putting all 1/4 3/8 shallow in first drawer and 1/2 shallow in second. In third I put all 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 deep on rails in third. I started with smallest size in each drive and just worked my way up through the drives to give all sizes in most appropriate drive.