Craftsman sockets; or better

[R-C]

To make a long questions short, I work with my tools daily and use almost of all of them weekly. I work on both foreign and domestic. Use my 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 drive 6 and 12pts.

I'm going to put together another set cause I now have the need for 2 at work. Cman has a nice complete set, 300pc for less then 400$. But in my experience a lot of my craftsman sockets have failed in the short 4 months I've been professionally wrenching, even if I admit some abuse they have been kinda weak.

The only tool truck that comes to my shop is snap on, and I have really enjoyed everything I have bought from him. I asked what a similar outfit of sockets would cost as apposed to the craftsman set here . He said to put a 0 on the end and that would be about as low as the number could come out if he did the math.

I'm looking to buy what I'm going to use for the rest of my career (life)
Do any professional mechanics have any input to help guide me towards a good decision.

 

[padronanniversary]

How about Williams or Sk, or Proto

 

[shoturtle]

US craftsman are the same socket as armstrongs. They get the job done without the additional cost. I have proto, william armstrong and craftman, and they all work well and never had issues. But with any sockets. Test them out when you get them to makes sure they seat right.

 

[jethro29]

if you are using these tools to make your living and plan on doing so for your entire career,then there is only one answer in my opinion,snap-on.simply because of fit,form,function,dependability and the hold their value like no others.there is a reason why 95% of all techs use them.i've been a proffessional tech for 28 years and this is my opinion.

 

[basspro]

shoturtle is correct. USA Craftsman=Armstrong. I have never had an issue, except for misuse. Ive broken Craftsman, Snap-On, MAC, SK, and china ****. Broke tons of China ****, everything else was misuse, I wouldnt fear Craftsman. I like SK too, great value to truck brands.

 

[ex-x-fire]

I go impact for my 3/8 & 1/2 6pts, in deep & shallow. These are used daily.
I use chrome for 12pts, those are only used once in a while.

 

[Givl Reggin]

I have never heard anyone call Craftsman sockets 'weak' before.

Are you using 1/4" drive where maybe you should be using 3/8"?

...or 3/8" drive where it should be 1/2"?

...or chrome sockets on an impact wrench?

While there may be 'better' brands from a standpoint of better fit and finish, for toughness I don't think a 10% improvement will make that much of a difference in the end.

 

[soulstryke]

Buy cheap what you use rarely and buy expensive what you use very commonly. If your only using your 1/4 once a week id go craftsman for example.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Sounds like you already know you want very low priced SO sockets.

 

[crewchief888]

heres what i've done over the past 30 years,
the original "set' of hand tools i started with were vintage SK, and a few CM i slowly replaced them with new truck brand tools.
the "old stuff" migrated it's way for use at home, and added onto with USA made CM, as needed.
while were were racing, a quite a bit more was added to the box i kept at the race shop, and in the trailer.
i havent bought much of anything new in the past 15 years, what truck branded tools i have bought have been from pawn shops, garage sales & flea mkts, and added to garage tools.
nowadays it's fairly easy to find quality used, and sometimes new, tools on ebay and craigslist, and making the "rounds" to flea mkts and pawn shops, in addition to some quality lower priced brands that are out there now.

kobalt, duralast, gearwrench, sunex, HF, northern tool are a few that come to mind off the top of my head.

 

[volaredon]

Williams is part of Snap on, a lot of MAC is really PROTO, and in my experience Armstrong branded tools are made better than the ones they produce for Sears. I too am a pro "wrench" with nearly 20 years doing so. Not saying that you gotta go Snap on but they were the ones with the tag line "there IS a difference" and I gotta say YES there certainly IS!!! I rarely buy anything Craftsman any more, I have a lot of Tool truck branded stuff plus Williams, Proto, and Armstrong though most of my stuff is 20+ years old.... there is also a difference in "todays tools" and older stuff.
I just went thru my stuff and replaced a lot that has gone missing over the years and saved myself a ton by knowing pricing and buying as stuff becomes available on Ebay...
watch though some stuff there has a bid price higher than new off the truck so you gotta have an idea what certain things are worth. I did get a shock, as I figured stuff wouldn't get cheaper (price wise) off the truck but I didn't relize just how much more pricey the same stuff I bought 15-20 years ago has become! and all was USA made back then, now some is sublet to china off the trucks, at higher prices than new USmade cost then! Especially Mac and Matco, do a lot of "rebranding", a lot of what they sell they don't actually make. S/o too but not as much as the other 2. Find out who really made their stuff and buy it under the "real manufacturer's brand" as I said; Williams and proto type stuff. Don't forget S-K either.
but I avoid H F, and brands like masterforce and Kobalt unless I find myself in a jam.
Allen is another mostly US brand. (made by same company as Armstrong too)

 

[basspro]

volaredon, just making a minor note, the USA hardline sockets and wrenches labeled Masterforce are identical to Allen, its good stuff too!

 

[jetmech09]

I would say upgrade to Snap-on if it's a set you use quite often. If you plan on doing this for the rest of your life, you won't regret it.

 

[CWP1616L]

USA Made Williams

 

[KEH]

Dosen't anybody use Wright tools? Like others, I shop pawn shops, get broken ratchets, get them repaired, etc. I have never run across a broken Wright ratchet. The Wright ratchets I have perform really well. I just got a 3/4 inch drive Wright ratchet, which gives me Wright ratchets up to 3/4 drive.

KEH

 

[Scout Driver]

I've been using a set of SK SAE sockets in 1/2" drive and Snap On metric in 1/2" drive. I've seen no difference in performance or usability. For the money, I'd buy SK sockets.

Scott

 

[customh]

Dad used SK mainly, so I like em, haven't used Snap-On regularly so not sure. If their sockets are like the rest of their products they're worth it.

 

[Hootbro]

I have never heard anyone call Craftsman sockets 'weak' before.

Are you using 1/4" drive where maybe you should be using 3/8"?

...or 3/8" drive where it should be 1/2"?

...or chrome sockets on an impact wrench?

While there may be 'better' brands from a standpoint of better fit and finish, for toughness I don't think a 10% improvement will make that much of a difference in the end.

Your post sums up my experience and use of Craftsman sockets both at work and at home.

Only time I ever damaged one was when using it in an application I should have been using the next drive size up or with a impact/air ratchet.

 

[chris142]

If your going to buy new snap on sockets atleast wait till they go on sale.

 

[John in OH]

I'm with KEH .... take a look at Wright tools. Made in USA and very good tools. Usually considered "industrial" rather than automotive so they don't have a lot of the specialty automotive tools unique to certain applications; however, for basic sockets, wrenches, ratchets, etc. give Wright a hard look. Wright is one of my favorite brands.

 

[jmm]

Dosen't anybody use Wright tools? Like others, I shop pawn shops, get broken ratchets, get them repaired, etc. I have never run across a broken Wright ratchet. The Wright ratchets I have perform really well. I just got a 3/4 inch drive Wright ratchet, which gives me Wright ratchets up to 3/4 drive.

KEH

In these parts, no one does. I've never seen any new Wright tools in person, and I've seen plenty of toolboxes, tool trucks, supply houses, equipment showcases, etc. The old ones I find at flea markets are even few and far between. Not sure why.

OP- were I you I'd aim higher than Craftsman, but that's me. They're perfectly capable, but you have options of much better quality (and that's something I prefer). My box is a mix of what I've found to work best, with a healthy presence of SO, Proto, and the German brands.

 

[Fedwrench]

I really like my Proto and SK sockets. I've also used Craftsman without many issues. What I would do is shop used.

Depending on what you work on, you really only need a few sizes. I have a lot of GM so, 8, 10, 13, 15, and 18mm get used often. If you're wearing out those sizes in Craftsman, you could opt for Snap on in those sizes.

The problem with large sets is how often do you use all of it?

 

[byoungblood]

In these parts, no one does. I've never seen any new Wright tools in person, and I've seen plenty of toolboxes, tool trucks, supply houses, equipment showcases, etc. The old ones I find at flea markets are even few and far between. Not sure why.

OP- were I you I'd aim higher than Craftsman, but that's me. They're perfectly capable, but you have options of much better quality (and that's something I prefer). My box is a mix of what I've found to work best, with a healthy presence of SO, Proto, and the German brands.

If I had to guess, I'd say most of Wright's sales are probably direct to their customers. What few retailers and supply places that carry them are probably incidental, and are just there for when someone needs a one off tool, and I've noticed that their pricing is usually high.

On the other hand, one of the local places around here that still informally maintains an account with Wright (they are no longer an official distributor) actually quoted me a price on a set of wrenches that was only a couple of bucks higher than what Amazon was currently selling them for.

All that said, I've never broken a non-bit style Craftsman socket that wasn't abused somehow. I've heard the argument for almost 20 years about how Craftsman sockets don't fit as well, round off fasteners, etc., but I've never had a problem with them.

 

[Brownsfan]

I use USA Craftsman for all sockets 6 and 12pt. I have had some for about 17 years. Just recently when the add on modules went on sale for half off I bought all 3. I pretty much have a double for almost every socket because I refuse to accept a china replacement if I break one. I was just at Sears yesterday and some of the loose stock is china now. I also have all Craftsman USA bit sockets. I have only broke one of those in 17 years. It didnt fully break it just twisted. If they have been a problem for you and you are looking to upgrade. I would look long and hard at USA Williams. I have an industrial supply store near me that sells them. I bought a 3pc set of t-handle ratcheting screwdrivers for the price of one off the Snap on truck. They are IDENTICAL to the Snap On.

 

[Chris_L]

A socket is a socket, you wont convince me there's a big difference in them. I've only broken them when I've been doing something REALLY retarded like putting a big long cheater on em.

Snapon, craftsman, harbor freight, doesn't matter when there's a 3 foot pipe on the end of it.

 

[bimmerZ5]

USA craftsman is NOT the same as Armstrong sockets. the Armstrong is usually a little heavier and the walls are thicker. the chrome finish is about the same though.

 

[dirtmister16]

nothing wrong with snap on and they will last and last. but ive never broken a craftsman socket. i can't even think of a time we broke one off the top of my head if ever. dad has had his for many many years and its the same set he's always had, ive had craftsman sockets since i was a kid and havn't broke one of those that ive bought and they are from the 90's and early 2000's.

if i were you id go craftsman or step up to sk or the like to save a little coin. if usa is a big prefernce id step up to the sk or others rather then craftsman, seeing the way craftsman has gone.

that being said, there are also other sockets out there that are taiwan made that are on par with usa craftsman tools in qaulity and fit and finish. i personally think that gearwrench seems decent and from what ive seen of napa's carlyle brand seems really nice as well.

just my thoughts and experiances i hope they help.

 

[cgv69]

A socket is a socket, you wont convince me there's a big difference in them. I've only broken them when I've been doing something REALLY retarded like putting a big long cheater on em.

Snapon, craftsman, harbor freight, doesn't matter when there's a 3 foot pipe on the end of it.

I tend to agree with this /\. Don't misuse them (extra long cheat bars or use them on an impact wrench) and just about any chrome socket will last a lifetime. The big difference between them are things like selection, availability, price, broaching depth, consistency, chroming and overall appearance, etc...

I own (or have owned) sockets sets from the following brands... Snap-On, MAC, SK, Wright, Craftsman and Kobolt.

Snap-On makes some nice sockets. They offer great selection, quality and consistency but I find their prices almost impossible to justify. There are just too many other good options for 1/4 (or less) of the price. The MAC sockets I own are pretty much on pair with the S-O's but MAC's selection is limited by comparison.

Wright and SK are very similar IMO. Good USA made tools for the money with very nice chrome. Between the 2, I prefer SK because they have a better selection and are easier to find. The problem I have with both brands is their lack of consistency, specifically with the broaching and interior finish.

Craftsman offers a good "bang for the buck" but their "Chrome" leaves a lot to be desired and their selection is limited as well.

Generally I prefer to buy "Made in the USA" tools but I have to admit, Taiwanese made sockets under the brands like Kobolt and Carlyle make a lot of USA made sockets look bad, especially when you consider the price. After seeing first hand the quality being offered by those 2 brands compared to the US made brands I already have, it makes it very hard to justify buying more US made sockets. I do draw the line at Chinese made tools.

 

[5mall5nail5]

if you are using these tools to make your living and plan on doing so for your entire career,then there is only one answer in my opinion,snap-on.simply because of fit,form,function,dependability and the hold their value like no others.there is a reason why 95% of all techs use them.i've been a proffessional tech for 28 years and this is my opinion.

None of those reasons are why techs use them. Techs use them because you can buy on credit and the truck comes to the dealership. The end.

 

[soulstryke]

I bought the 3/8 craftsman module set from sears recently. Has held up fine and according to reviews is the only set still made in the USA.

 

[jeffk14]

None of those reasons are why techs use them. Techs use them because you can buy on credit and the truck comes to the dealership. The end.

And... they're so puuuurty!

 

[woody 73]

Just my two cents...

For my needs which are different from the op I look for the fastest warranty,and the best service all around. If I have to mail in the broken socket which I have done in the past (expensive) and a long turn around time it is not worth the hassle.

With that being said pick which company will meet your needs, Great service and fast turn around time.

 

[Farmall450]

US CMAN is pretty good. Never had a issue. I see them on impacts & breaker bars all the time. Still no problem.

 

[cgv69]

None of those reasons are why techs use them. Techs use them because you can buy on credit and the truck comes to the dealership. The end.

And... they're so puuuurty!

and in a lot of shops, it's kind of a "**** size" thing too.

 

[kiatech]

None of those reasons are why techs use them. Techs use them because you can buy on credit and the truck comes to the dealership. The end.

Exactly

 

[texchappy]

+2 or whatever we're up to on Williams. It's what I've been buying lately. Tired of having to guess when I buy C'man online whether it's USA or China. Last I got from C'man was a really bad Chinese ratchet and set of ratcheting wrenches and some 'ok' universal sockets. That's when I started getting Williams.

Just got a Gedore wrench for a special application (BSW nut and bolt) and I really like it. Got me started looking at Hazet and Stahlwille - darn you 'tools from the old world' thread

 

[sberry]

I think some sockets from Cman are crappy, have had several fail right out of the box and you will find out. Having said that I can stress test and replace a few sockets at that price, need a fast replace go to Lowes. When I buy a cheap tool I never really consider the warranty.

I think the truck tools are great, the best,,,, but I dont think they hold their value, if that was the case there would not be a constant supply for sale at 50%, there would be no 50% student discount.

 

[Hiball]

With that being said pick which company will meet your needs, Great service and fast turn around time.

If only it was that Simple Woody..

To the OP.. If your comfortable with Snap on, and Feel the Service justifies the Initial Cost for a Lifetime of Wages.... I think you have your Answer. Also.. Keep a Eye on the Classifieds, I Just sold a Slug of New Sealed Snap on sockets for around 25% Off... I own Wright, SK, Craftsman, Snap on or whatever else i find on sale.. Ive done 2 complete Rust Bucket Chevy Frame off's (Getting ready for a New Ford Project.. Woot) and have never found any of them to give up the Ghost prematurely, Rest assured they will "All" Eventually Wear/Fail. If i was Wrenching Daily, It would be a No brainer for me.. And i would start with Necessity over Luxury and Replace as my Career grew.

 

[mrborohachi]

No joke I love my 3/8's Duralast shallow and deep sockets, I have a couple of 1/2 in shallow sockets also 14,22. I have had Duralast sockets as long as Autozone has been carrying them. I have always had friends that work there.

 

[str8axle55]

The 1/4 drive stuff should be fine in US made C-man, I have used a set everyday for 20 yrs, starting to wear a bit. I did update to S/O, think I am so used to the C-man I miss them. I have a set of Cornwell 1/4 dr shallow metrics, never broke one. I like Snap on for 3/8 dr, I use this the most, shallow and semi deep, just broke my 12mm semi, about 15 or so yrs old. My impacts are S/O. I have 1/2 dr in C-man, don`t really care for the 12 point one`s, 6`s seem ok. I just replaced all of the 1/2 dr with S/O, got a good deal. Most of the stuff that gets updated in the work box, goes to the home box. It really depends onhow you use your tools. I don`t abuse mine, but they due get used, and they will fail eventually. I am not a fan of the C-man chrome, seems soft and easily damaged.