Economical socket sets...also, 3/4" drive?

[onthefence777]

I have a reasonable collection of basic hand tools for maintaining my vehicles. Most of my tools are craftsman - got me started with one of the sets with 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive ratchets with pretty complete socket set. It came in the black/red plastic tool box I long grew out of - I just put the trays in my bigger box for the organization.

Just put together an online order at sears to replace the 10 sockets I lost along the way. I have a little money saved up, so I am looking to expand my tool set a little more as well. My 1/4" and 3/8" cman ratchets walked, but I am not impressed with the new cman stuff, so thinking of going snap on for these.

But in particular, I would like to get the bigger size wrenches, and am also considering a 3/4" drive set of sockets.

The craftsman 77 piece set with both big size wrenches and 3/4" drive seems to fit the bill pretty well. BUT WOW! for a high price of $850!!! Yikes. Thats like all my tool money before even replacing ratchets. I imagine piecing all that stuff together would cost even more yet...

Is there another brand a bit more economical that I could maybe get a little more from without trading away quality/durability when it comes to the big sockets/wrenches?

I am also wondering, how many of you guys have 3/4" drive sets, and what do you use them for? Do they come in handy, say working on a Powerstroke Superduty (trans swap, front end rebuild), or are they not really necessary until you get to the realm of tractor/semi work?

And also, what kind of specialty tools come to mind for those that have worked on the 99-03 Ford Superduty trucks?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Have 3/4 drive 12 pt from 7/8 to 2¼ inch. Everything is Williams except for a couple of Craftsman on the large end and I think one Proto, also above 2"

Use on Tractor, bush hog, whatever might need it.

Charles

 

[Buckgnarly]

I started with the Cman sets of sockets, got ratchets and breaker bars from here and Ebay, then filled in other sockets with here/flea market/ebay. There are some deals out there as most people do not bother with 3/4 drive.

I have used mine many on Jeep/ 1 ton truck suspension stuff, and hopefully a new tractor in the next month or so...

 

[Rogue1987]

I have a 3/4in drive socket set I too have pieced together, Wright ratchets, and a whole mishmash of sockets, from 1/2in - 2 1/2 and I find use for it 2-3 times a week. I figure I have about $300 into it, by piecing it all together.

 

[86k10]

I got the US made CM 3/4" large socket set about 6 years ago and I think they were the best bang for the buck back then and if still US made still a great deal.

I work on medium duty trucks and they still only get little use. The shop has a cheap but effective 1" drive socket set and jumbo wrenches and I use theirs when I have to impact a chrome socket due to sidewall clearance issues or just don't have the impact size.

Example of trucks is IHC 4200/4300 w/ VT365,DT466 (egr and non egr), GMC C-7500 C7 Cat, 6HK1 Isuzu (7.8 Duramax) and a few more others and I still don't really get to use them that much at all.

I am going to order the $49.99 standard jumbo wrench set from Northern in a week or so just to have mine own.

 

[ears]

Go used on the 3/4 drive. They can generally be had dirt cheap. I use 3/4 fairly often with an old style sliding bar and a pipe when I really need leverage. I rarely use a ratchet I switch to 1/2 once it's broke.

 

[wafrederick]

Here is a set from Harbor Freight


http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...inch-industrial-quality-socket-set-40996.html

You pay big prices for some used 3/4 drive socket sets,My father has a Proto set he payed $500.00 for and it is a used set

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I have an older CM set that came with 17 sockets, ratchet, extension, and a universal joint in a steel box. I also added a breaker bar, sliding T handle, drive size adapters, and a Proto socket in a size I did not have. Don't use it as much as I did nowadays. I got it for suspension work and have used it on older pipe plugs that have the square end. When I do use it, it's nice to have. I've also loaned out to my uncle who used it on some landscaping timbers that had long anchors with large nuts and washers.

 

[Murphy4570]

Yeah, 3/4" stuff can be very expensive. You should really have a need for it to justify its purchase. Most regular or light duty mechanics have no need for anything above 1/2" drive stuff most of the time. Its usually the medium or heavy line technician in the shop that has the really big sockets.

With that said, I have a cheap HF set of shallow 3/4" sockets, cost less than $20 when I got them a few years ago. I use them for axle nut sockets, with a 3/4 to 1/2" adapter. Works fine for that most of the time.

PS: If you think the Craftsman set at $850 is expensive, check out what Snappy wants for their set! Hah!

 

[sdguy55]

i have the 3/4 set from harbor freight and in a professional setting they have held up fine so far. The breaker bar is about ready to go already though but i cant really fault it cause it had a 6 ft cheater pipe on it. So when it goes ill replace it with SO. Same with the ratchet. But the sockets have been impacted on no probs. As far as the wrench set goes. The best one i could find is the grip industrial finish set from northern tool. You might not have a reason to have ALL those wrenches but i knew i would need the odd ones for hydraulic fittings.

 

[byoungblood]

I have a small set of 3/4" drive that was passed down to me, and I can only recall using the 3/4" drive sockets perhaps once or twice. I use the sliding bar all the time with a 3/4" to 1/2" drive adapter, but I very rarely run across anything where I need the larger sockets. I think the smallest one I have is 1-1/4" IIRC.

 

[MBeaty]

As other have said, check for used 3/4" drive tools and sockets. I was able to pick up a nice used set of proto impacts 7/8" thorugh 2 1/4" or so, with a proto 3/4" ratchet, craftsman sliding handle, extension, and swivel all for less than $90 shipped from ebay.

They are by no means something that I use much at all, but when you need them there is just no substitute. Some of the jobs I used them for could probably have been done with 1/2" drive, but comparing the two the 3/4" drive just feels so safe and secure while using, where the 1/2" feels like it could let loose at any time.

 

[TreePointer]

We got this "CHAMPION Quality Tools" set for the tractor and Bush Hog about 30 years ago. You can see the price from back then. Made in Taiwan.

 

[Lost Road]

I have an older 3/4" Williams set, if you are interested. The slider bar is a bit bent, but the sockets are cherry. I am just getting up, but I will take some pics and list it in the classifieds.

 

[0.511MeV]

I like a 3/4" ratchet instead of a 1/2" breaker bar for things like suspension (spent most of my life in the rust belt). The 3/4" is much heavier and thicker than the 1/2" breaker bar. I find it much easier to break stubborn fasteners loose that way. Also, a torch helps.

 

[crewchief888]

i agree, go used on 3/4 dr.

co worker found a brand new allen 3/4" dr set (missing an extension) in a pawn shop a while back.

they were asking $150
out the door for $65 cash

 

[Scout Driver]

If you really feel the need for a 3/4" drive set, Allen makes a good quality, American-made set that isn't overly expensive. About $200 if I remember correctly.

Scott

 

[crewchief888]

If you really feel the need for a 3/4" drive set, Allen makes a good quality, American-made set that isn't overly expensive. About $200 if I remember correctly.

Scott

menards website had the set listed for approx $200

 

[2mJps]

I work on a lot of tractors and trucks. I dont use 3/4 much and if you ever need biger stuff you will need metric. I would buy a 3/4 ratchet now and get sockets as I needed them unless you are planing on working on big older stuff alot then I would buy a set.I like spending money on stuff i know i will use.

 

[Lost Road]

I keep reading on GJ that 3/4" stuff is not so popular, but out here, the tractor and oil guys love them. I guess it is just regional.

 

[osborn.ozzy]

What about this?

 

[JASTECH]

Lost Road, that is true. I have 3/4" Williams sockets, Snap-On ectensions and C'man ratchet. Out here with all the sugar beets, corn, beans ect. trucks and tractors are always getting worked on. As stated above, 1/2" just don't feel safe on these and the 3/4" feels safer. There are 1" drive sets in the main shops Aulick & Freightliner.

 

[Lost Road]

I put my set in the classifieds, taking in to consideration the prices in this thread:
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146315