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Generic/Unbranded USA Sockets

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T45

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Nov 20, 2014
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Those 12 pt half drive could be some mil surplus stuff that is unmarked. sell to contract and then no real need for warranty or brand name.

Or they could be complete garbage that the OEM didn't want to brand like quality discards or something. Who knows/?

At one time the many low-spec sockets were made in USA tools as well, but without the flank drive of modern sockets its unlikely they would outperform modern taiwaneese tools of reputable origin...because flank drive and modern sockets tend to have better fitmets, more intricate chamfers and the like which make them easier to use in the real world.

Those bi-hex sockets do not look modern from what I can see, so that's an important limitation on their performance regardless of other factors...and these factors actually matter more than generic indicators of quality.
 

wvrailroader

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Jan 20, 2014
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West Virginia
I have a six point 3/8" socket in 1/4" drive that is simply marked "USA" on it. It seems like a quality socket and looks identical to some older Stanley USA sockets I have. I always figured it was manufactured by Stanley for a government contract. It was in a box of stuff I got from a yard sale, so I have no idea where it originally came from.
 

sk farmer

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I have a six point 3/8" socket in 1/4" drive that is simply marked "USA" on it. It seems like a quality socket and looks identical to some older Stanley USA sockets I have. I always figured it was manufactured by Stanley for a government contract. It was in a box of stuff I got from a yard sale, so I have no idea where it originally came from.

^^^^^^this

i can almost guarantee those are not sk made. the chrome is off and the shape is wrong. stanley is a much more accurate guess. i have some master mechanic sockets that look very similar and some stanley workmaster as well.

here are some pics of some 3/8 drive stanley. i will let the pictures talk.
 

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PJNJ

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Or they are just some cheap socket made here years ago and can be compared to the worst of the Chinese sockets made today. I wouldn't chance the $14.50 or my safety on them.
 
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gdocktor3

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Or they are just some cheap socket made here years ago and can be compared to the worst of the Chinese sockets made today. I wouldn't chance the $14.50 or my safety on them.

I'd rather use these than Husky or Kobalt tools. I have enough sockets, but these would be perfect for a truck/trailer tool box set. No worries of losing them.
 
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Renchi

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Considering that there are two 9/16" sockets and no 3/4" and 13/16" sockets, this is not what I would choose to call a set of sockets.
 

SMKS

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My guess is they were contract production. Who knows whether that was a contract for a government agency, a company for in-house tools, etc. Possibly part of the contract was that there wasn't any warranty and no branding was needed.


But for that price you could make them a thrash set and never blink twice.
By looking at them it appears they're old sockets without any type of modern off-corner engagement. They're functionally inferior to any socket made in recent decades with off-corner engagement.

In my opinion they're not even worth buying for a "thrash set."
 
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unslow1

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Or they are just some cheap socket made here years ago and can be compared to the worst of the Chinese sockets made today. I wouldn't chance the $14.50 or my safety on them.

That's what I was thinking. I found some that looked like that in my Grandfather's stuff. Generic cheap **** that I wouldn't want to use for anything. He had several misc 70's and 80's sets like that. Just because it has USA stamped on it doesn't make it a quality tool.

I gave that stuff away. At $1 a socket I would think you would be better off with Craftsman from a pawn shop.
 
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B_Bimmer

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If the company/person who made them wasn't proud enough of their work to leave their mark, I'll take a pass.
 

PJNJ

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I'd rather use these than Husky or Kobalt tools. I have enough sockets, but these would be perfect for a truck/trailer tool box set. No worries of losing them.

7 unknown quality pieces for $14.49 shipped. I'd take a 13 piece Gearwrench set for $30.78 plus shipping over that.
http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench...scplp6816455&gclid=CPvd0vDu-ssCFcJahgodIxAF8w

Or ship to store for free at Home Depot. The GW have a warranty. The Ebay special has no warranty or guarantee. Heck, I'd probably take the Husky for $17.97 with warranty over the Ebay specials. Three more sizes for only $3.48 more.
:beer:
 
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Parabellum

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Could be Thorsen. Anybody know what the brand of socket with that steel bucket pouring logo?
 
OP
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gdocktor3

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7 unknown quality pieces for $14.49 shipped. I'd take a 13 piece Gearwrench set for $30.78 plus shipping over that.
http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench...scplp6816455&gclid=CPvd0vDu-ssCFcJahgodIxAF8w

Or ship to store for free at Home Depot. The GW have a warranty. The Ebay special has no warranty or guarantee. Heck, I'd probably take the Husky for $17.97 with warranty over the Ebay specials. Three more sizes for only $3.48 more.
:beer:

I'm not buying them or any sockets for that matter. I'm loaded down as is. I'm just wondering who made them.
 

Fedwrench

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If the company/person who made them wasn't proud enough of their work to leave their mark, I'll take a pass.

It probably isn't a matter of pride as it is lowest bidder for a government contract. :lol: No brand name=no warranty overhead. No brand name= less likely to walk off/get stolen. There are so many inexpensive socket sets available why buy mystery sockets? :dunno:
 

malykaii

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Does anyone have any legitimate info on who produced these? Not --- "maybe they're cheap KD sockets and they forgot the name" or anything like that please.

I think that's all your going to get OP. Without actually handling these sockets, all we can do is guess.

So in turn, here's my thoughts. The sockets look cheap and not similar enough to any US made sockets I'm familiar with. I don't think it's even safe to assume a "USA" stamp means "Made In USA". With all the company's who don't respect trademarks producing fake handbags galore, I wouldn't trust a stamp. Heck, anyone remember "Neiko USA" brand tools produced over seas?



I even found these "SK" tools while in France recently. So I'll guess imported fakes.
 
OP
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gdocktor3

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I still think that socket was made when SK and Facom became one. It makes sense that you found it in France.
 

sk farmer

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I still think that socket was made when SK and Facom became one. It makes sense that you found it in France.


i can't believe you guys are still talking about that socket. other than the fact that it has the letters s and k on the socket it has no other things that would make it an sk socket..

1. it has a satin finish. sk has never, at least in recent history made a satin finish socket.

2. it is marked s+k. sk never used the + symbol in any other marking that i know of. sk was owned by facom at the time you speak of and it for sure was not in use at that time.

3. if you look closely, the s and the k are lower case. if it was marked S+K you may have a leg to stand on but lower case, no way.

4. they are marked chrome vanadium. something else sk never did.

if someone can show me any sort of proof those were made by sk or even facom i could be swayed but i highly doubt either sk or facom would stray that far away from either their own logo or style.

my guess based on the statements above is that s+k is some sort of european brand that was just using their own brand or logo on some private label tools. they probably did not even have knowledge of sk and it's history as it is not a well known european brand.
 

sk farmer

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as far as assumptions on who made the sockets the op asked about. they sure look a lot like the sockets i took pics of. the stamping is different but the broaching, shape, and chamfer on the drive end are similar. a far more reasonable path than being sk made.
 

malykaii

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i can't believe you guys are still talking about that socket. other than the fact that it has the letters s and k on the socket it has no other things that would make it an sk socket...

That's why I posted it, but I guess my point was missed. Just because it said "S K"doesn't make it "SK". Just because it says "USA" doesn't make it "Made In USA"

Not trying to thread jack, only use an example to make a point.
 

3baygarage

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I think the OP's sockets could be S-K produced.

The 1"·U.S.A.· looks S-Kish. They could be some mil. contract tools as stated.

As far as that other socket, I think I have some FACOM sockets made in Japan. I wonder if they are authentic?
 
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