To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Hex (Allen) Sockets

Rezeppa

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 23, 2012
Messages
444
Location
Newport, MI
I have a set of Matco SAE and Metric USA 3/8 Allen sockets that are all broken at least once. I have exchanged and warrantied them but last my 6mm broke and I needed one on a socket so I cut one and welded it to the socket base. My dealer didn't warranty it because I had welded to it. So I am looking to replace / upgrade I have had bad luck with my Matco, craftsman and lisle ones any suggestions?
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

blacK20

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 19, 2011
Messages
652
^ That. When it comes to bit sockets, the gold colored snapon bits are the best period.
 

shoturtle

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 15, 2012
Messages
4,395
Location
Frankfurt AM
Are you using solid socket or the ones with a socket with a bits insert. If it is the ones you can bang out, I would just put wiha bits.

Craftsman are average, lisle are not as good in my opinion. Wiha also has a good set of hex, they use heyco sockets with wiha bits.
 

greasemonkey44

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 30, 2011
Messages
1,625
Location
memphis
gold snap ons
or if its really a ******* stubby gold snapons
ive got some vims, and solid sunex hex impacts too
 
OP
R

Rezeppa

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 23, 2012
Messages
444
Location
Newport, MI
Are the Gold snapon THAT much better? I have some older torx that are black and I am not impressed at all I have broken about (5) t25 and (3) t45
 
Last edited:

greasemonkey44

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 30, 2011
Messages
1,625
Location
memphis
i have had very good luck out of the golds or i wouldnt recommend them
they twist before they break and the fit is excellent
i would recommend the stubbies if you are experiencing breakage though the extended length of the normal bit sockets is usually where they fail

also your driver can replace the gray or black torx with gold; they last alot longer
 

jmm

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 20, 2012
Messages
1,349
Location
NC
I actually like my Craftsman Industrials alot. I have them in 3/8, and they see the most use. But I will concur, the gold Snap-Ons are probably the best. Never tried the stubbies, but I'm adding them to my list...
 

Hammell

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 7, 2012
Messages
296
Location
Canada
For hex bits I have Snap on and Jet. SO are great but the Jet have actually held up just as well. Latest purchase was a 14mm Wright. We will see how it does.
 

MattPersman

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 1, 2009
Messages
1,656
Location
Indiana
Snap on has/had a promo going buy the ball end gold metric hex get the stubbies free I bought them last week. Fwiw
 

bart1

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 14, 2010
Messages
1,697
Location
Alabama the Beautiful
I like my Hazets, pure beef.

P1010374.jpg
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Arne73

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 20, 2010
Messages
1,477
I like my ATD's but those SO gold ones are awesome! The Hazets look beefy too.
 

volaredon

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 7, 2012
Messages
1,618
Location
IL
yup I had a whole set of MATCO ones at one time, brazed em cuz I got tired of em falling out, no more warranty... just bought a new set of MAC ones on feebay good price compared to the truck....
 

bart1

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 14, 2010
Messages
1,697
Location
Alabama the Beautiful
bart1, are they durable; have you broken any, does hazet replace them under warranty?

These are the one piece ones, I think intended for impact use. They are extremely durable and I am not sure what you would have to do to break one. I also have a few one piece gold 1/4" drive ones that are strong, as well.

P1020633.jpg


Regarding warranty, the only time I ever had to warranty a Hazet was a screwdriver I was misusing and the gentleman below took care of me. :bowdown:

Yes, if it is a material defect and not abuse I do (Hazet does through it's dealers or directly).
 

zmotorsports

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
21,355
Location
Northern Utah
My vote would be for the gold Snap-On followed closely by Proto.

Although I just bought a full set of Carlyle's for my son and I must say, I am impressed so far.

Mike.
 

DIYgai

New member
Joined
Feb 12, 2013
Messages
4
Location
Seattle
This has happened to me in the past where I have either lost a socket or one of my girls misplaced it. It is always tough to find a the right socket but proto tools offers a single proto socket for cheap and they come in all sizes. They are standard and will fit on most wrenches
 

jmm

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 20, 2012
Messages
1,349
Location
NC
These are the one piece ones, I think intended for impact use. They are extremely durable and I am not sure what you would have to do to break one. I also have a few one piece gold 1/4" drive ones that are strong, as well.

P1020633.jpg


Regarding warranty, the only time I ever had to warranty a Hazet was a screwdriver I was misusing and the gentleman below took care of me. :bowdown:

I've got a 10 mm 1/2 Hazet I managed to round the corners on. Not indestructible.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom