Craftsman 52 pc impact socket set

[pipsters]

Hi guys I have this in the mail:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00915820000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

• 3/8 thru 1 1/16 in. standard and deep
• 12 thru 19, 21, 22, 24, 27 mm standard and deep
• 3 extensions
• Universal joint (not really needed I have another impact rated one)

I got it for $180 from Sears. I plan to sell off the SAE's for around $100 combined on eBay bringing it down to $80-ish for both metric sets and extensions.

My question is, really for the metric. 12-19, 21, 22, 24, and 27. Is this a good set to have or will I be buying a lot of the in between sizes as well? Is 23, 25, 26 used very often or really never at all (super rare?).

I have heard the Craftsmans are good, just really THICK. SK's look a lot skinnier.

To go with that set I would also need an axle nut set, sticking with USA is an SK one, $100 for 30-36mm. If I did the HF thing I can get it for $50 29-38 skipping the 31mm I believe (seems uncommon). Since the big sockets take a big pounding I was really thinking of doing HF because the warranty is so easy.

OR,

I could buy SK 4047, 10-36, skipping on 31mm for $230 including shipping.

The only issue with SK would be warrantying which is what I don't like, you have to mail it. But it pretty much has every size needed, but no extensions so I would have to buy those. Price is much higher but if they are better sockets I would go with them. But if I really don't need the weird sizes, like 23, 25, 26, 28, 29 then it is kind of a waste.

Please help. Thanks!

I am just a driveway DIY guy, not a mechanic.

 

[Skin]

saying what vehicles you own would help. The Craftsman set will probably suffice for everything. Are you really going to be tearing apart your powertrain in your driveway? I doubt it so dont bother yourself with axle nut sockets. I wouldnt even consider other alternatives especially more expensive ones and if you didnt have said Cman set already in the mail i think you'd find people suggesting Grey Pneumatic and Sunex Impact sets.

For a DIY any impact sockets that are even reasonably decent will last you a lifetime.

 

[trexdoink]

Go for the easy warranty, you'll likely never break an impact socket but it is nice to get a replacement when you need it. You'll likely not use the larger sizes and rarely have to buy the in-betweens. The axle nut socket set should cover the common sizes of those, some parts stores have those sets also. Check those free catalogs they have on the counter. I have a set of MIT 1/2 dr impact sockets that has been just fine for me and they were less than $100.

 

[pipsters]

For me USA is important, at least to a point. I need axle sockets because I have needed them in the past and while I "rent" from Advance Auto the set for free it would be really nice to have my own.

So that is why I didn't buy Sunex/GP etc. I can always return the Sears set, it was shipped free so I am going to take a look at it when I get it. My concern is the sockets seem REALLY thick.

 

[wxm]

I have the deep metric set and a 3/8" shallow metric set from Craftsman. They have gone through from hub bearing replacement to axle rebuild and seem to be holding up well. Good luck with them. I'd probably keep the SAE set too. They might not be used as much, but when you need them...

 

[Skin]

seem thick from what, the pictures? I think you're being disillusioned by the far narrower smaller SK sizes vs the slight taper at the top of the Cmans. There really isnt much of a difference in wall thickness of the primary sizes [14mm+].

I dont even know where i'd use an 1/2" impact wrench on a 10-11mm bolt.

 

[airbatica]

I dont even know where i'd use an 1/2" impact wrench on a 10-11mm bolt.

I've used a 1/2 impact on a Saturn SL series water pump pulley. Its held on with 3 10mm bolts. You also need a 6" extension, a swivel, and have to go in through the passenger's wheel well. It turns a knuckle buster into about a 10 second job. Though to be fair, I could have used a 3/8" impact. But at the time, I didn't have a compressor or an impact of my own, had to use what my buddy had. Overkill, but dang those bolts came right off.

 

[jjoel]

I just bought this since I got an extra 10% off purchasing it online. I receive it here soon hopefully... I'm a little scared I just read this review... hope mine is different.

"CHINESE, no longer made in USA January 09, 2012
By asfdasdfasd of Brooklyn, NY
See all of this author's reviews
Pros: NONE
Cons: CHINA

I ordered this set expecting the made in USA Craftsman set depicted on the Sears.com webpage. The set received was MADE in CHINA. The socket set was promptly returned. If I want Chinese made tools I will shop at a competitor for pennies on the dollar. Craftsman used to stand for USA made quality tools - no longer can be trusted to be the case. Sears has destroyed the competitive advantage of their strongest brand."

 

[SteelCityYaga]

I purchased that set about a 3 weeks ago.

Every piece was Made in the USA.

 

[jjoel]

I'll cross my fingers then...

If they're made in China I'll return it and opt for some Pittsburgh Pros from Harbor freight. Might as well spend half the money for the same stuff

 

[kippieland]

I'll cross my fingers then...

If they're made in China I'll return it and opt for some Pittsburgh Pros from Harbor freight. Might as well spend half the money for the same stuff

I told the associate at Sears the same thing!

 

[billymade]

i run into these for axles: 30, 32, 36, I don't know if you do that type of work but those are the ones I end up needing in the upper size range.

 

[pipsters]

I'll cross my fingers then...

If they're made in China I'll return it and opt for some Pittsburgh Pros from Harbor freight. Might as well spend half the money for the same stuff

For $25 I bought Chrome Moly sockets from HF, Sears price was $89.99. Black Friday they are on sale for $45.

I did return the HF ones, but only to buy US made. FWIW, my Craftsman impact set I bought above has been excellent. I ended up getting it price matched for around $160. They are broached nice and tight, and the laser etching is very durable. As far as US product goes, an excellent bang for the $$.

 

[volunteers]

If you sell SAE on ebay, I doubt you could make $100. Otherwise, $80 for Metric set are good.

Hi guys I have this in the mail:



I got it for $180 from Sears. I plan to sell off the SAE's for around $100 combined on eBay bringing it down to $80-ish for both metric sets and extensions.

 

[jjoel]

How did you get it price matched for that cheap? This is $170.99 + tax... but the "normal" price is $199, so I don't think I did too bad.

I just hope that these are USA made. I kind of feel that I may be sneaking one of the last USA made sets out before it all goes overseas.

For $25 I bought Chrome Moly sockets from HF, Sears price was $89.99. Black Friday they are on sale for $45.

I did return the HF ones, but only to buy US made. FWIW, my Craftsman impact set I bought above has been excellent. I ended up getting it price matched for around $160. They are broached nice and tight, and the laser etching is very durable. As far as US product goes, an excellent bang for the $$.

 

[jdv]

That module at my local sears were still USA made. I bought 3/8 and 1/2 impacts last year and they were also USA made. I think there was a thread here not to long ago with a comparison with China and USA cman sockets. You could always take it into Sears and exchange it for a USA made set too if they have them in stock.

 

[LSU]

If you get the set and they are made in USA - I would consider hanging onto the entire Made in USA set rather than selling the various sockets off.

Seems to me in the long run that a complete set of Made in USA Craftsman Sockets would be worth more than a incomplete set of Made in USA Craftsman.

That said - I've got Craftsman impact sockets and have been very happy with them. They've done a lot of work. Wouldn't trade them. Never had a problem

 

[jjoel]

Just an update... I too am now a proud owner of this set. Mine is all U.S.A made (quite relieved about that actually). I will also say that it came with a very nice swivel connection. It's not the u-joint type, but rather the one that is sold for around $50 on craftsman's website.

My sockets came with a thin layer of oil/grease on them. Do impact sockets need to be kept oiled or anything?

 

[87D100]

I'm a pro technician, I have c-man full SAE and metric 1/2" sets that I bought when I first started, intending on replacing them with something better later on. Well it's been twelve years now and I've never had to warranty one so instead of replacing them I bought the 3/8" sets about a month ago, only the metric shallows are USA but the other 3 china made sets seem to be of equal quality, I guess time will tell.

Oh and I've never needed any of those "in between" sizes.
Kevin

 

[thedeatons]

Honestly that is probably more than enough.... For 6 years or so I have been using a Craftsman Professional Impact gun running 110psi from my 33 gallon C-man compressor. I do not own any impact sockets, I strictly use standard Craftsman sockets and have never broken one. I do all my own maintenance, including timing belts, wheel changes, brakes, suspension, etc, plus motorcycle rebuilds and restorations. Craftsman USA sockets are very strong. I use 3/8 and 1/2 drive sockets on the 1/2" impact, plus standard style extensions. All work fine.

James

 

[tbobbo]

Its pretty tough to wreck impact sockets...........at the tire shop i wrench at the shop buys sockets for the tire guys and they only buy the cheapest. They never break. They cost under 20 bucks a set. If they dont get lost, they last for at least 5 years of HARD everyday all day use. I have only seen mac, snap on, and matco impact sockets break. Only by mechanics. It seems to me that the higher priced impact sockets break more than cheaper ones. That may be cause the mechanics use them harder to try to make work quicker, doing things like grabing the 3/4 gun and using a reducer on a 1/2 socket.

 

[tbobbo]

By the way, those craftsman sockets will last a lifetime, the other mechanic at my shop has had his for 15 years of abuse, he has never broke one. I use GP beacause they have a more complete line so all mine match. I am a sucker for matching tool sets, but I cant afford other brands. I also use my impact sockets for hand work as well so mine see double duty.

 

[tbobbo]

I use a 10 mm on a 1/2 impact alot on gm struts when I pull the brake hose bracket off. I dont need the impact, but its in my hand and so its quicker than grabing a ratchet, and the room is there. I have the ir2135timaxx gun, so I have excelent trigger control when working on the smaller stuff. I work in a area where rust is a bad issue so if i can get a impact on it ............I do.