Good hex bit socket set?

[Outlawmws]

I have both SK (old school) and Proto with no complaints. I've broken several Craftsman USA hex bits over the years...

 

[MR_T]

I have these and I have bent them working on an Audi. HF refused to exchange because I did not have a receipt even though they say its got a lifetime warranty. Ended up buying a set just to exchange the bent ones, I believe it was the 8 & 10mm. Overall a good value for the diy'er though

I have these

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece-38-drive-metric-hex-bit-socket-set-67891.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece-38-drive-sae-hex-bit-socket-set-67892.html

I use the hell out of them, and even run em on an impact at times and they work fine. Are scheap as dirt and finished pretty well too.

 

[RCStocker]

I have a blow mold green box of SK that has torx, hex in SAE and Metric. I have other sets including Snap-on, Craftsman, Matco and some ones fom Japan that are very good.

I have been collecting for so long that when I get a hard bolt to break loose I grab one of my odd ones. I have a box full of hex and other bit holders. They all have set screws. I have so many extra hex wrenches that I just cut off to length and put it in the socket with the set screw. If it bends I just don't care. I cut another hex wrench up. If you are not going to use them much buy FH, husky. Craftsman have really gone up on thier pircess and the quality has gone to pot. I have use Craftsmand tools for 50 years and the old ones really hold up but the new ones are ugly on the quality. Any set will do for home use.

 

[csmitty]

I can agree to the point on the Cman. I got a metric set about a year or so ago I guess and didn't really look them over. Got home and the 6mm I needed to use wouldn't fit the socket head cap screw. Was like WTF, then looked at the finish and it was just horrid. Lots of high spots, I should have taken them back but really needed it so took a file to it and got them smoothed out. Prob should still take them back, if they're still US made. They're a back up set now anyways as I picked up a used SO set.

I've also got a set of metric proto impact hex. Really nice, haven't used them on an impact yet I don't think, Really just needed the larger 17mm for something and figured it wouldn't hurt to have them in impact. Though would have rather'd they be in 3/8dr.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/PROTO-Impact-Socket-Set-4JX23?Pid=search

Can snap a pic later today.

 

[lennoxlennox]

you can get craftsman industrial right now through a sears outlet for $16.30 (plus shipping if you aren't local)

see my post #4567
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2531685#post2531685

 

[EmptyWallet]

Yup. After having read some good reviews and seeing as how it contains prob. more hex sizes than I'd ever really need, I had to jump all over it at that price.

When did you buy your set? Looks like tooltopia (based on a thread here) is saying COO is China?

Basically I'm deciding between the Vim set and the ATD set.

 

[archirelic]

When did you buy your set? Looks like tooltopia (based on a thread here) is saying COO is China?

Basically I'm deciding between the Vim set and the ATD set.

I purchased my set just within the past couple weeks. See here

And I ordered from http://www.foxruntools.com/

When I received my package, both items had Made in Taiwan on the packaging.

 

[EmptyWallet]

Sweeeeeet. I'll take your word for it. I'm game.

 

[csmitty]

Here's those Proto impact.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I have the harbor freight hex drives. I have used them impacts and they work fine. when I bought them I was broke but I have not had any problems so I never upgraded.


if I did it all over again I would just buy impacts.

 

[EmptyWallet]

Sunex makes an impact set.

I think it's only 12 pieces, stubby...the one I was looking at.

 

[TDWendt]

I have a 7-piece snap-on set that has served me well(along with half my coworkers who keep breaking their cheaper sets)

 

[greasemonkey44]

When did you buy your set? Looks like tooltopia (based on a thread here) is saying COO is China?

Basically I'm deciding between the Vim set and the ATD set.

i have a few vim bit sockets; they are finished excellent and are very tough

for day in day out i have snapons; the warranty is well worth it

 

[74craig]

This is one of the instances where you get what you pay for and Snapon is the only way to go.

 

[shoturtle]

Some one loves the kool aid, snap on is nice and is an good option. But there are other that were mention that is just as good.

 

[kv501]

Lisle, Lisle, or possibly Lisle for hex sockets. Trust me.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I am looking for a set of 1/4 drive metric hex sockets. I have sae craftsman but no metric. I have a proto philips at work that I like because it is replaceable with a set screw.

 

[Skin]

I am looking for a set of 1/4 drive metric hex sockets. I have sae craftsman but no metric. I have a proto philips at work that I like because it is replaceable with a set screw.

I hate the set screws personally, they're forever loosening up on me. I prefer the press in/out style most brands have since switched too. Its honestly a fairly painless process, just put the bit through a washer and place that over some spread vice jaws, pin punch through the female drive end, couple quick taps and its out, plastic mallet or vice to squeeze the new one in.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

good to know. I found an Sk set on eBay I might pick up.

 

[finley31]

I have both a set of Proto and Grey Pneumatic at work. I find myself using the Grey Pneumatic more often since I'm not as afraid of breaking them as I am the Proto. Pretty much the only Proto one I use if the 3/8" for removing chuck jaws and installing/removing vises on mills.

 

[shoturtle]

You should not worry about breaking the proto, they are pretty tough. And you can always warranty them if they break.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

can I assume the sk's are well made?

 

[shoturtle]

their pre bankruptcy tools are good, and the new stuff is good after ideal brought them. Their bankrupt years stuff is iffy.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

how does one know the difference, maybe I will just buy the proto.

 

[shoturtle]

Pot luck there are still a stock of iffy year stuff in their stock.

 

[jack1971]

So which one you end up buying and how is that holding up? ATD has 32pc and VIM has 26pc. The price are pretty close. I am not sure about the quality deference. Both COO are "Taiwan" , S2 and Vim says its black phosphate coating. ATD may not have any coating. Now a actual user can say how good the sets hold up..

 

[Chadwilliam1]

Pot luck there are still a stock of iffy year stuff in their stock.

I bought the sk 1/4 drive metrics they look very nice. I have not used them yet but its only 1/4 drive they should be able to take anything that a small ratchet can take.

 

[jack1971]

I did a bit size comparison and found these are the numbers.

 

[EmptyWallet]

I picked up the ATD set. Haven't had a chance to bust them out yet for some testing though.

I also picked up the ATD Torx set.

 

[shoturtle]

ATD make a good tool, good quality taiwan made.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

I had HF's, long story short... The HF 6mm was actually 5.92mm (or 5.91, can't remember, anyway) I rounded off 3 bolts on a BMW, took about an hour plus to get them out. Called my Mac dealer that day he was over in less than an hour, I purchased the Mac/VIM set and love then. FYI, Mac's 6mm is 6mm.

 

[Arne73]

Just got the ATD set from Foxruntools yesterday. I've needed larger hex drivers to pull gearbox oil drain/fill plugs, this set has all my needs covered. I don't mind the redundancy of the smaller sizes either (ones I already have in other sets).
Good looking set can't wait to put it to use. Bits are S2, sockets are CR-V. Coo is Taiwan (meh). Even came with a blowmolded case.

 

[smothers33]

the atd set it great.I used them daily for over a year with and without impacts and havent broken or twisted 1 yet. very complete set and very durable. youll round of the fasteners well before braking the bits.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Just want to bump this. I don't have hex bit sockets and was looking for some for an upcoming differential drain. Is the Harbor Freight set really that good for the price nowadays??

 

[zengarage]

I think the harbor freights are great for the money. I have that big cornwell hex and torx set which I think is very similar to vim and I never use them. I grab the harbor freights. I actually like that they are all 1/2" drive so I just need one ratchet when I have multiple size bolts. I don't have any problems with the sizes being off. I never measured them though but have never rounded out a bolt. I also have some sunex that are 3/4"drive. They are very similar in quality to the HF 1/2" drive.

 

[Allenw]

I bought a SK 5/8" hex bit socket today from the local auto store. I'm not really impressed with it, the bit is held in the socket with a roll pin and has a fair amount of play where it hinges on the roll pin. I think I'll go back tomorrow and check on an impact socket.

Why New Holland put two odd ball bolts at the top of the bell housing on that swather beats me. All the rest are regular bolts.

 

[MattPersman]

For big ones like a differential drain I have had an OEM branded set for years I think I bought it at autozone. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00062YZOY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I think at one time it came with a 19 instead of a 12 but the set is at work don't know off the top of my head.

 

[Adam.C]

What got me started using Snap On was the poor performance of various makers' allen bit sockets. If you round the inside of a cap head screw with a worn or poor fitting bit socket, you are absolutely screwed. I did this and had to tow my car. That single tow cost more than a set of SO bit sockets. That's a mistake I'll never make again.

I also sheared a couple of these. Craftsman actually necked the bit narrower to have a 8 or 10mm hex key fit into a common chrome socket. Big mistake. I've also wrecked Lisles and a few other brands. Look for two piece models that are press fit, not pinned. There is no "flank drive" design for these. They need to fit the screw heads tightly.

These fasteners are all over German cars and are almost always "mission critical". If you can't remove a fastener with one of these, the alternative usually isn't good. These fasteners are typically used in places where hex head machine screws won't fit, which usually makes drilling a buggered one out difficult. They are also used for high torque or high strength applications (usual both), so starters, engine mounts, some brake components etc.

If I can't scare you into Snap On, please heed my strong warning- get the very best of these you afford. My favorite are the gold (cad plated) Snap On. Stubbies are also good because they are stronger/stiffer. Expect to pay $70-$100 for a set in new condition on ebay. You want the 3/8" drive set which is 4-10mm if memory serves.

Also beware of smaller screws. I have found these are just as likely to round out screws as the big buys. Even the black oxide coated Blue Points I have are unacceptably loose fitting.

 

[zengarage]

I absolutely hate the press fit hex into a chrome socket version. Even the good ones fall apart after some time. The roll pin versions I have every once in a while the roll pin comes out or gets loose so I replace it with a new pin and they are good to go. By far I prefer the one piece versions. I think if you are talking torx then you almost have to go with the gold snap on as all the other brands I have used will eventually round off and destroy bolts. The only good thing is that you can usually use one of those cheap hex bits that are laying around that you can hammer in and use to get the job done.

 

[Mikerodrig27]

I know this is an old thread but I didn't want to start a new one to ask this question. What is the advantage to getting an impact set and a non impact set vs just the impact set by itself?