flex sockets.

[FlatHeads_Suck]

I'm looking for a set of 1/4" drive SAE shallow 12pt flex sockets. Sears will only sell my a full set, of unknown COO, snap on wants 240, and I don't have any other truck guys. So we come to my question. I can get bonney from epsteins for 9/ea or sk for 16/ea. I can get premiums from mcmaster for 18/ea, or proto from grainger for 30/ea. These will be used probably 1/week. Obviously the bonney is most appealing cost wise, but I don't know if they **** or what? Does hf have an alternative of good quality? I would seriously prefer to stay American, but can't afford to spend 30-40/ea

 

[byoungblood]

Craftsman's chrome sockets are still made in the US. I'm sure if you buy the S-K sockets in a set, the price will be much better too. I'm also a fan of Wright tools, and are about the same price, maybe a few bucks more than S-K.

If you don't have to have new, dig around on eBay or the classifieds here and you'll probably run across some at a much more palatable price.

 

[Mickey O]

I've had 12 point swivel sockets in all the brands you mentioned (except Harbor Freight & Sears imports, have craftsman USA version), they all work fine so long as it's low torque, I have split countless 12 point swivels. I'd probably pick up the Bonney sockets in the sizes you need or the Craftsman set so long as it's USA made.

 

[dsmnickk90]

I have the Craftsman set is 1/4"and and 3/8"for drive and they are USA made and I havnt had any problems with them

 

[bcradio]

I have the Craftsman sets 3/8 and 1/4. They work great for when I need them. I'm sure snap-on is better but I can justify the extra expense myself.

BTW: my flex sockets are USA even though I don't give a rats a$$ about COO as long as the quality is good.

 

[LSU]

I have the Craftsman set is 1/4"and and 3/8"for drive and they are USA made and I havnt had any problems with them

Ditto. No problems.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Saw a set a couple weeks ago at sears that somebody ordered to the store for free shipping---USA made

Been using my crafty set for years---no issues

 

[strikeouttruck]

ill just add a point of view from a daily user.

I had a set of craftsman 1/4 swivels and could never break loose y-pipe bolts on a 7.3, they would always crack so after 4 swaps I gave up and bought the snap on set.

2 years later I have only had to have snap on replace my 10mm 1/4 swivel 3 times. And im talking about breaking loose the bolts as well as torquing them. For high torque where you should probably be using 3/8 dont even mess with the craftsman. for low torque they did just fine.

 

[CWP1616L]

I'm looking for a set of 1/4" drive SAE shallow 12pt flex sockets.

I've got a set of those......Snap-on. I'd say they're easily worth $40 a piece in today's dollars.

 

[bimmer630]

snapon ones are super low profile, where as some of the less expensive sockets are longer in total length, which can get you stuck in some spots.

Mac are also very shallow but they use those stupid allen screws to hold the socket together and the screws always back out

 

[bgott]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0021IEBU4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002NYCH2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003PJ7F7Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SR9RC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VXX1T2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003MWL8AE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0096PEYHK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Seanbev24]

I tried the Craftsman 1/4" universal set before going with Snap-on and think they're garbage. They either bind up because of the huge joint or just break when you lean into them.

I have 1/4" and 3/8" impact swivel sockets for "limited" access situations. If I'm using a chrome 1/4" universal it's because I'm trying to break loose/tighten a fastener that's a complete ***** to get to. Chances are it's also tight. I see little point in having them if I can't abuse them with an extension adapted to a long 3/8" ratchet.

 

[pipsters]

I use Craftsman 1/4" universals on my air ratchet. They get chewed up but that is what the lifetime warranty is for. For the $25 for the 10 or 11 pc set I paid I think I got my monies worth.

 

[03protege]

I use Craftsman 1/4" universals on my air ratchet. They get chewed up but that is what the lifetime warranty is for. For the $25 for the 10 or 11 pc set I paid I think I got my monies worth.

Wow that is cheap.

 

[Skin]

if you're only going to be using them 1 week just get the cheapest thing you can find. I assume a regular 1/4" socket set and a universal is too tall.

if its something you want to keep and rely on and use consistantly get a brand you're positive you can get replaced because you will break them.

 

[transittech]

Ditto about the Craftsmans. I was going to say, you might want to look into Cornwell, on Ebay and etc. @ $33/ea. truck price.

http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=TSU018-%252d-8-pc-1%7B47%7D4%E2%80%9D-Drive-Universal-Socket-Set-12-Point#

However, that SK set looks tempting.

If you go impact, be careful about your clearance issues. I have a set of the gearwrench listed above, and that stupid ring to keep the pin in always gets in the way. Moved to Cornwell, problem gone.

Can you buy one or two in your most popular size to try and then keep them for backup when you get a full set?

 

[pipsters]

Wow that is cheap.

Actually just went and looked. 8 pc. 5, 6, 8, 10-14.

Still a good deal though

 

[FlatHeads_Suck]

if you're only going to be using them 1 week just get the cheapest thing you can find. I assume a regular 1/4" socket set and a universal is too tall.

if its something you want to keep and rely on and use consistantly get a brand you're positive you can get replaced because you will break them.

Yeah I meant use once a week, forever. I bought a set of 1/4" sk on amazon for 140 shipped and a 3/8" snap on set on the classifieds for 70 shipped. That means I bought both sets, shipped, for 30 less (before tax) than snapon wanted for just the 1/4". I think i did ok

 

[bcradio]

I just got the Gearwrench 1/4" impact master set which includes the swivel impacts. Those things are sweet and can take a beating. I have had zero issues with any pins getting in the way as mentioned earlier. The only down side is they don't swivel as much as the chromes do.

How i'll use them:
-high torque = gearwrench impact swivels
-high flex = my craftsman chrome swivels

 

[FiendFX]

I got my 1/4" flex sockets from Sears. They are awesome.