I bought a small 49 piece 3/8dr Craftsman Overdrive socket set from Ace a few weeks ago. On sale at the time, and with a rewards coupon, it came out to $70. The set includes common standard and deep metric and SAE sizes, along with a 180 tooth ratchet. Here's a link to the set if you want to see everything included:
www.acehardware.com
I don't care for the ratchet at all and will sell it. There's lots of YouTube reviews on the Craftsman Overdrive ratchet if you're curious to see an in-depth review of it, but in short, the head is huge and the backdrag high, and it's generally unpleasant to use compared to my "go-to" 3/8 ratchet: Matco88 flex head. I would never reach for it, so I don't plan to keep it. What I was really interested in with this set are the sockets because they have the 'RBRT' style flanks for a whole lot less than the MAC brand sockets, and I was curious to check them out. You can see the unique flank cuts:
Last weekend I needed to replace the driver's CV axle on our minivan (of course during what will likely be the coldest freaking weekend of the year in my unheated garage) and got to compare them to my older G1 USA Craftsman sockets and newer Proto sockets. What I found was interesting to me, and I figured it might be good feedback for others checking out the sockets. Especially since there are lots of reviews about the Overdrive wrenches but almost nothing about the sockets.
First, yes they are a darker gunmetal chrome like the wenches, if it matters. They look cool I guess, but I don't think the chrome looks anywhere near as nice as my Proto, and definitely not as nice as the few Williams and older SK sockets I also have. The insides are not clear coated, and there's some light rust on a few of the sockets. None of which is a big deal to me, but just FYI in case these things matter to whoever is reading this.
What concerns me is the fitment, and this is where the Overdrive sockets are interesting. The very first socket I grabbed was an 8mm to remove the sway bar end link. And the socket didn't fit. So I double-check the service manual, and yep, it's a 17mm nut on a 8mm end, but the 8mm socket didn't want to go over the end. So I check my other tools, and my 3/8dr G1 Craftsman fit on it, a 1/4dr Proto socket fit on it, and my Armstrong-made Craftsman Professional wrench fit just snug as a bug on the end of the thing:
So what's up with the Craftsman Overdrive 8mm socket? Turns out, it's made to a pretty tight tolerance:
And that's the thing, all these Overdrive sockets have tighter tolerances than anything else in my tool chest. The sway bar end link measured 8.13mm, so it is too fat for the Overdrive socket but all my other 8mm sockets/wrenches fit just fine. The 10, 14, and 17mm sockets in this set were all tighter than my other options while working on the minivan. On a brand new titanium bolt for my motorcycle with a 12mm hex head, the 12mm Overdrive socket felt like it snapped onto it, the bolt had no wiggle or movement at all once in the socket. Just super tight engagement. On worn fasteners, the only test I really had with a rounded head was a 14mm pinch bolt for the lower ball joint that has been worked over more than a few times with an impact, and the socket fit and gripped tight. I don't doubt their ability to work better on rounded fastener heads- if the socket fits.
I think I'm going to keep them because I really like their engagement - when they fit. I like having them as an option to use. But I could not recommend this as a primary socket set for someone, because you will come cross all manner of fasteners that are just outside the tolerances of these sockets and these will be a pain to use, compared to most any other normal socket or wrench, to remove the fastener. I suppose you could just try hammering it on, but I have specific bolt/nut extractor sockets that are designed to be hammered onto fasteners if I wanted to go that route.
Finally, another consideration before purchasing a Craftsman Overdrive set is the ability to source a replacement socket. I have had e-mail conversations with both Craftsman and SBD, and talked with Craftsman on the phone, and right now these sockets cannot be purchased or warrantied individually. Right now, if you wanted a single socket, like I wanted to buy just a 3/8 deep socket, you can't. And if you break one in a set, you can warranty it for a regular chrome socket from Craftsman or try and exchange it out of a set at your local Ace/Lowes. That kinda *****, and no one could tell me if individual Overdrive sockets will be available in the future.
Craftsman OVERDRIVE 3/8 in. drive Metric/SAE 6 Point Mechanic's Tool Set 49 pc Mfr# CMMT99049L - Ace Hardware
Take on a variety of automotive jobs with this OVERDRIVE Mechanics Tool Set (49 pc.). With sleek finishes, easy-to-read markings, and Tight Torque Technology, these sockets, wrenches, and ratchets deliver the performance needed for professional and DIY applications.Find the CM MECHANC TOOL SET...
www.acehardware.com
I don't care for the ratchet at all and will sell it. There's lots of YouTube reviews on the Craftsman Overdrive ratchet if you're curious to see an in-depth review of it, but in short, the head is huge and the backdrag high, and it's generally unpleasant to use compared to my "go-to" 3/8 ratchet: Matco88 flex head. I would never reach for it, so I don't plan to keep it. What I was really interested in with this set are the sockets because they have the 'RBRT' style flanks for a whole lot less than the MAC brand sockets, and I was curious to check them out. You can see the unique flank cuts:
Last weekend I needed to replace the driver's CV axle on our minivan (of course during what will likely be the coldest freaking weekend of the year in my unheated garage) and got to compare them to my older G1 USA Craftsman sockets and newer Proto sockets. What I found was interesting to me, and I figured it might be good feedback for others checking out the sockets. Especially since there are lots of reviews about the Overdrive wrenches but almost nothing about the sockets.
First, yes they are a darker gunmetal chrome like the wenches, if it matters. They look cool I guess, but I don't think the chrome looks anywhere near as nice as my Proto, and definitely not as nice as the few Williams and older SK sockets I also have. The insides are not clear coated, and there's some light rust on a few of the sockets. None of which is a big deal to me, but just FYI in case these things matter to whoever is reading this.
What concerns me is the fitment, and this is where the Overdrive sockets are interesting. The very first socket I grabbed was an 8mm to remove the sway bar end link. And the socket didn't fit. So I double-check the service manual, and yep, it's a 17mm nut on a 8mm end, but the 8mm socket didn't want to go over the end. So I check my other tools, and my 3/8dr G1 Craftsman fit on it, a 1/4dr Proto socket fit on it, and my Armstrong-made Craftsman Professional wrench fit just snug as a bug on the end of the thing:
So what's up with the Craftsman Overdrive 8mm socket? Turns out, it's made to a pretty tight tolerance:
And that's the thing, all these Overdrive sockets have tighter tolerances than anything else in my tool chest. The sway bar end link measured 8.13mm, so it is too fat for the Overdrive socket but all my other 8mm sockets/wrenches fit just fine. The 10, 14, and 17mm sockets in this set were all tighter than my other options while working on the minivan. On a brand new titanium bolt for my motorcycle with a 12mm hex head, the 12mm Overdrive socket felt like it snapped onto it, the bolt had no wiggle or movement at all once in the socket. Just super tight engagement. On worn fasteners, the only test I really had with a rounded head was a 14mm pinch bolt for the lower ball joint that has been worked over more than a few times with an impact, and the socket fit and gripped tight. I don't doubt their ability to work better on rounded fastener heads- if the socket fits.
I think I'm going to keep them because I really like their engagement - when they fit. I like having them as an option to use. But I could not recommend this as a primary socket set for someone, because you will come cross all manner of fasteners that are just outside the tolerances of these sockets and these will be a pain to use, compared to most any other normal socket or wrench, to remove the fastener. I suppose you could just try hammering it on, but I have specific bolt/nut extractor sockets that are designed to be hammered onto fasteners if I wanted to go that route.
Finally, another consideration before purchasing a Craftsman Overdrive set is the ability to source a replacement socket. I have had e-mail conversations with both Craftsman and SBD, and talked with Craftsman on the phone, and right now these sockets cannot be purchased or warrantied individually. Right now, if you wanted a single socket, like I wanted to buy just a 3/8 deep socket, you can't. And if you break one in a set, you can warranty it for a regular chrome socket from Craftsman or try and exchange it out of a set at your local Ace/Lowes. That kinda *****, and no one could tell me if individual Overdrive sockets will be available in the future.
, rounded fasteners are usually smaller.
