harbor freight bit sockets-s2 steel bits?

[chewy7]

i was wondering if the bits harbor freights' hex bit sockets more specifically the 9 or 6 piece set metric and sae sets, or any of them. I heard in a different thread that the bits in the 9 piece ones are stamped actually s2 steel? and the just the sockets are cr-v?
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?category=&q=hex+sockets
and star bit sockets have s2 steel bits?
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?category=&q=star+sockets

any body use these without breaking them?

 

[rebelram]

I have used the torx sockets with no problems. Not sure if they are S2 steel or not. I don't expect them to be tool truck quality, but for as little as I use them, they suit my needs.

 

[Fedwrench]

This is one problem with Horror Fright, the open stock items don't match the sets and vice versa. Suppliers change. A bit socket might be great today and you go in to get a second one later and they're not the same.
A word about bit sockets, they ALL fail. I've even broken the Snap on gold torx bits. Granted, the snap ons will take much more torque before failing but, they'll still fail. Find a compromise brand that will hold up to your level of steady use.

 

[bchee]

I have the 9 piece hex bits, both mm and sae. They do have S2 stamped in them. However, these are a few years old, and the actual bits are gray. The newer version appears to be a blacker steel, and I don't know if they are stamped.

I don't know anything about the star bits.

The other question is whether or not S2 is actually any better or stronger.

 

[mrholeshot]

I have a few friends who use the older HF bits. The socket is satin chrome and the bits are gray. Never looked for any marks but I know they have held up really well. I know all the sets are at least 3 years old because I picked them up for them on a run to the Dillon SC store before we had the local store. They were like 7 dollars for the set. I picked them up the Torx bits at the same time and they have also stood up. I wish I would have picked up a set of the Torx for myself. I've used them at their houses and have been really pleased how tough they are.

 

[chewy7]

Well i got their the current sets for home use and also some s-k s2 steel hex bit sets on ebay today for at work

 

[anydzzdae38]

I have the 9 piece set, as a pro wrench. I have only broken the 1/4" one. I gave it to my mac guy, he punched out the broken bit and put in a MAC bit. Worth the money IMO.

 

[adcrawfo]

A word about bit sockets, they ALL fail. I've even broken the Snap on gold torx bits. Granted, the snap ons will take much more torque before failing but, they'll still fail. Find a compromise brand that will hold up to your level of steady use.

I've gone thru 7 different bit holders between the 7/32", 3/8" and 1/2" ones that I use all the time at work so I agree with you whole heartedly. I went thru 2 1/2", a standard Armstrong and a long S-K before finding out that Proto makes an impact one, 3 on the 3/8", an Armstrong, Craftsman, and an impact Proto (on my second one after the bit grenaded), and a Craftsman and Armstrong 7/32" before settling on an S-K extra long one.

All of my problems with the 3/8" and 1/2" were not having an impact style, which until 6 months ago I didn't even know existed after searching exhaustively for one, stumbled upon them in a Grainger book on accident.

I have found that any of them that use the same size for the entire length of the bit hold up better. For instance the 5/16" bit holder with a 3/8" hex gives you a weak point where the hex key expands out from 5/16" to 3/8".

 

[chewy7]

the Pittsburgh bits, do have s2 and cr-v stamped on the socket. the bits s2 steel, the socket chrome vanadium. I might have to dd a comparison between the Pittsburgh and S-K socket hex bits

 

[hardman]

just saw this thread, thought i'd give it a bump/revival....i've been using my torx bit sockets and sae hex bit sockets MERCILESSLY in a jeep parts company in mass, mainly dealing in rusted up, boogered torx and hex bolts, these bits have not let me down once, except for my t-50 snapping at the socket when trying to remove a roll cage tie in with a 24" breaker bar and a 4 foot cheater. one of the few HF items that they got right, for sure.

 

[Jack Olsen]

As a data point, I've had two failures with the 3/8" Metric Ball Hex Sockets. My set smiles at me with some missing teeth, and I don't like it.

 

[Vinny]

I've used the hex head bits extensively because I love replacing every bolt I come across with the 12.9 grade cap heads. I've also used the biggest one to remove a control arm bolt that was peened in. Love these things.
I noticed HF sells an impact version, too. I'll pick it up for the next car