Decent 1/2" drive set

[ravenzfusion]

Who makes a decent 1/2" drive set? Something with deep and shallow sockets, 6 points, preferably made in USA. Something not pricey either.

 

[sk farmer]

get on board with the sk day program at epsteins. plenty of sets to choose from, a good price and maybe even some freebies.

 

[ravenzfusion]

I like the 1/2" drive "module" set from craftsman, but pretty sure those are china now..

 

[kjbenner]

Are you looking for just sockets or sockets + ratchet/breaker bar etc? Metric or SAE or both?

get on board with the sk day program at epsteins. plenty of sets to choose from, a good price and maybe even some freebies.

Definitely a good idea. Maybe this set, depending on your answer to the above? http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/12drsets/SK4147-6.html

 

[ravenzfusion]

Sockets, metric and SAE. if a ratchet is included i won't complain. don't need the ratchet though.

 

[General Geoff]

Up to what sizes do you need?

 

[ravenzfusion]

21mm and 1" on the deeps

 

[sonvolt]

I suggest a complete SK 1/2" drive set in that cool green box.

 

[kjbenner]

Then get this set: http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/12drsets/SK4147-6.html

and add the 1" and 21mm deeps (http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/12drdeep6pt/SK41832.html, http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/12drdeep6ptmet/SK40021.html) and 20mm if you want it (http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/12drdeep6ptmet/SK40020.html)

$332 for the whole kit is way cheaper than if you were to try to buy just the individual socket sets.

 

[ravenzfusion]

is that about the cheapest for a USA ?

 

[General Geoff]

Full 1/2" socket sets aren't cheap. If you can't afford SK, my suggestion would be Gearwrench or if you need even cheaper, pick up the Harbor Freight Pittsburgh Pro 1/2" impact socket sets.

 

[madcrisis]

I was going to get the SK set but I cant afford it right now unfortunately. then this popped up in the hot deals section

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-299-...d-socket-set/p-00935299000P?redirectType=SRDT

With some coupons and points I can ge basically every chrome socket Ill ever need for cheaper than the sk set. I am unsure what to do now too.

 

[Cab037]

I've got some complete craftsman 1/2 drive sets that are brand new and made in USA. PM me if you're interested and I'll send you a list of what I've got.

 

[bcradio]

Then get this set: http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/12drsets/SK4147-6.html

and add the 1" and 21mm deeps (http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/12drdeep6pt/SK41832.html, http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/12drdeep6ptmet/SK40021.html) and 20mm if you want it (http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/12drdeep6ptmet/SK40020.html)

$332 for the whole kit is way cheaper than if you were to try to buy just the individual socket sets.

You can get every socket Craftsman makes (1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive) for less than that... and US made also.

That is the route I'd go if you're looking for cheap.

EDIT: Madcrisis beat me to it.

 

[ravenzfusion]

yeah i have a good amount of craftsman, just need the 1/2" i wonder if i can find any USA made modules like this:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-43-p...a=00934272000P&kpid=00934272000&mktRedirect=y

 

[Cab037]

I got a usa 1/4" module like that, but it was in the clearance section. Every other module i've seen has been made in china.

 

[BFHtime]

Buy some use snap-on, or look for some older brands that used to be made in the us. You could also look for buy one get one deals from snap-on. check craigslist or eBay. Cheap and good us made tools, do not exist to my knowledge.

 

[Super Sport]

Browse Sears.com for online only sets. There are a few that are on;y 1/2" drive sockets.

Like this 6pt set, for example: http://www.sears.com/craftsman-49-p...0935745000P?prdNo=20&blockNo=20&blockType=G20

If it's a set that does not show as currently available in your local store, it's probably online only and very likely going to be NOS USA-made.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Go to toolsdelivered.com and get some made in USA Williams. They are a great day deal for what you get, just make sure you don't accidentally order a Taiwan set as they offer both.

 

[AndrewV]

Williams usa. It's a snap on repop, and fits your requests, or cheaper williams made kobalt sockets from cripes or somewhere.

 

[eborcim]

Go to Menards and check USA-made Masterforce/Allen branded sets. They are claiming a sale right now.

www.menards.com

 

[treblarefils]

Here is the gearwrench offering very nice and COMPLETE for the price. Not gonna be USA by any means though.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GEARWRENCH-...1443801792&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr

 

[ravenzfusion]

I didn't think about menard's, will have to give them a look. I did see someone on ebay had the 1/2" craftsman module, made in usa for 90 bucks or so. but they are 12 pt, I guess I could live with 12 pt. gearwrenches are nice, I have some of their stuff in 1/4 drive

 

[steed andersen]

I picked up a 176 pc Craftsman set. Both 6 & 12 point, 1/4",3/8",1/2".SAE & metric,deep & shallow for $149.00 this spring. Maybe they still have some. They have been decent sockets that I have been using every day at work.

 

[shaggymutt1]

I would personally get SK even over the older made in usa craftsman

 

[JDon99]

USA Cman, USA Williams, Wright, SK, all fine for a diy user or even a pro for that matter. I have used USA Cman for years with only a few broken sockets. That Cman set in the Hot Deals section is a good buy. The only issue I have with the current USA Cman stuff is the double detents, still a decent socket.

 

[jame]

I've owned an SK 1/2" socket set for nearly 40 years, and they've served me quite well.

I shredded the ratchet about 15 years ago, and picked up a Craftsman because my local auto parts/SK dealer went out of business.

I do have to admit, I've abused the daylights out of this set, and it just keeps asking for more. I'd buy more SK tools in a heartbeat. Worth every penny.

 

[Toyota mechanic]

I like the 1/2" drive "module" set from craftsman, but pretty sure those are china now..

The "module" is still old stock. USA would be what these days? Proto, SK, Snap-on.... Wright...

 

[Toyota mechanic]

This is probably old USA stock... They still have alot of Craftsman new old stock...

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-83pc...0933178000P?prdNo=18&blockNo=68&blockType=G68

 

[Toyota mechanic]

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-43-p...0934272000P?prdNo=16&blockNo=16&blockType=G16

This is USA for sure, it is discontinued.... GOOD BUY, but only china replacement if something breaks....

 

[Askme42]

Wanting "cheap" USA is what forced craftsman overseas.

 

[mechanicalchild]

If you want quality half inch sockets, go with Gray Canada. Cheaper than s.k., but produce equivalent quality products. I have the 1/2 pearhead, and full set of standard sockets. Best sockets I have yet used.

 

[steed andersen]

I agree on those detents. Pain in the rear.

 

[JonDick13926]

You might consider Grey Pneumatic 81659CRD. It's not USA made, as far as I know, but it's supposed to be a pretty good set regardless.

3/8" drive, sockets in deep and standard up to 1" and 22mm. Comes with extensions and ratchet for about $155. They're the "duo" sockets that are impact ready, but with a somewhat thinish profile.

Oops. Didn't notice the 1/2" drive part. They have 1/2" drive sets too. Check their site. All come in blow molded cases.

 

[tomwmn]

Might want to consider Blackhawk - Proto's little brother. Sockets are US made and very nice. Ratchets are foreign. Best prices I found were at Motion Industries but several good options on the net.

 

[ravenzfusion]

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-43-p...0934272000P?prdNo=16&blockNo=16&blockType=G16

This is USA for sure, it is discontinued.... GOOD BUY, but only china replacement if something breaks....

looks like a few of the stores near me have this in stock, i just need to call and find out if they have a complete USA set. some of the reviews online say a few are china sets. if i can get this set in USA made, it looks like the best deal. especially because those low profile ratchets are also very nice. i had one of the blue 3/8 low profile ratchets , but that got stolen.

 

[cgv69]

You can get every socket Craftsman makes (1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive) for less than that... and US made also.

That is the route I'd go if you're looking for cheap.

EDIT: Madcrisis beat me to it.

To each their own but IMO, you generally get what you pay for. I prefer quality over quantity so I'd get the SK's.

If I really couldn't afford the SK (or Williams, Wright, etc.) then personally I'd skip Craftsman and go straight to either Gearwrench or Kobalt. No, neither of them are made in the US (they are made in Taiwan) but they are less expensive and better quality IMO.

 

[ravenzfusion]

if i was a mechanic for a living i'd definitely get SK , williams etc..

I just need to finish my set of sockets and deep 1/2" sockets is what i'm missing.

 

[Toyota mechanic]

Wanting "cheap" USA is what forced craftsman overseas.

True! I would have rather just paid more.... but................

 

[bcradio]

To each their own but IMO, you generally get what you pay for. I prefer quality over quantity so I'd get the SK's.

If I really couldn't afford the SK (or Williams, Wright, etc.) then personally I'd skip Craftsman and go straight to either Gearwrench or Kobalt. No, neither of them are made in the US (they are made in Taiwan) but they are less expensive and better quality IMO.

Gotta disagree here. The Kobalt sockets I have used have been terrible quality and the fit was horrible. If we are talking about finish only then those other ones win, but to me it is more about the socket in use vs. how it looks.

Of all the time I have been on this forum, I have never once heard of someone complain about Craftsman sockets in use. Sure they have complained about poor chrome on some sockets (which I have heard complaints about many other brands just the same). Sure a few may have broken some sockets (Same goes for pretty much every other brand). I am not sure where you are getting that these sockets are lower quality than the others you mentioned (unless talking about chroming alone), because they surely are not. Price alone does not determine quality.