hex bits that aren't junk?

[carterbeauford]

those Craftsman Industrial hex bits everyone was excited about at Sears Outlet recently aren't such a good deal. A lot of people who bought them found at least one of them broken in the box. didn't seem like a big problem since Apex will send you a new one and the set was like $15. I was using a 5MM bit to remove a plug and it snapped right off using a stubby 3/8 ratchet. The steel these bits is made of is too brittle to be of any use. I called Apex to get a new one and the rep must have been new, he didn't seem to understand that Apex warranties Craftsman Industrial. I gave him the part number and he shipped me a regular Craftsman long 5MM ball end bit

For $15 I am not going to make a scene but in my opinion these bits are junk. Are Gearwrench any better? I can't justify Snap-On except in the case of individual bits and the bit absolutely can't fail, like a 3/16 for ARP manifold studs.

 

[allinon72]

Of course snap on will be more durable, if you use them daily that would be the way to go. With hex and Torx bits, you have to use care and use them in low torque applications.

 

[ILDurable]

For hex sockets, I always strongly recommend Grey Pneumatic, Sunex or SK. All lifetime warranty and worth the money.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I have crafty, gearwrench, carlyle, and blue point hex bits. I haven't noticed any real difference between them all.

I just recently bought a set of cornwell stubby hex bits but haven't used them enough to form an opinion, but I would think they would handle hi torque situations better since they are so short.

 

[skiingman]

Of course snap on will be more durable, if you use them daily that would be the way to go. With hex and Torx bits, you have to use care and use them in low torque applications.

Socket head screws are traditionally of a higher grade, and thus installed at a higher torque. That's the way they are engineered. The guy taking it apart can't do much about it and choose when and where he uses bits.

Add a little corrosion, and I'm not sure any bit can be guaranteed not to break. It's the nature of the beast. Some are far worse than others. I've had some that were junk like the OP describes.

 

[sberry]

I agree with the above, its one of those things. They make 2 or 3 bits, a real cheap one in some big flea mkt 50 pc sets ets, some,,, and pretty good ones in second tier, anywhere they put a brand on it, house brand like ATD, Napa or Stanley from Walmart. Duro etc. A lot of these bought as needed and you cant break it on first use, a Walmart has return.

Not saying others are not good or better but I bought a set of metrics at Wally for under 15 in a pinch and they havnt needed replacement, dont think I would bother, just buy another set if needed. If I need to abuse a size or 2 on a regular basis then maybe a diferent story but for the small shop diy types this is easy, convenient and cheap, work well, so well we do it.

 

[Applesauce]

With hex and Torx bits, you have to use care and use them in low torque applications.

In most instances you don't have a choice... It's not like there's usually the option of using a 5mm hex bit or 13mm socket, and it's only the dumb mechanics who go for the former when they ought to use the latter. The fastener spec'd is the fastener spec'd.

Also, off the top of my head, I think there were interior subframe bolts on my Mini that were T55 M10x1.5 and 90 Nm. That's Torx, and not exactly low torque, in my opinion...

To the OP: there's a few threads around about making your own. This is my suggestion, and I use homemade bits for several hours each day. (Almost all fasteners in the bicycle world are metric-threaded hex or Torx, and anything bigger than 8mm or T30 is rare.) That said, I'm going to buy something like these in the near future - be they Armstrong, Williams, or Snap-On, there's not a lot of options, but what options exist are solid.

 

[Super Sport]

Some members here rave about the gold colored bits from SO. They aren't cheap though, as I've looked at buying some.

I was less than impressed with the Cman bit sockets I've owned as well. I recently bought a nice complete set of SK, but haven't used them enough to review.

 

[4x4gearhead]

Some members here rave about the gold colored bits from SO. They aren't cheap though, as I've looked at buying some.

I was less than impressed with the Cman bit sockets I've owned as well. I recently bought a nice complete set of SK, but haven't used them enough to review.

I can vouche for this. I use a shitload of allens at work and for a long time I had cheap sets, i.e. VIM, Craftsman, Napa, Cornwell. They are all decent quality but, under heavy use I have yet to regret buying the big set from snap on when on deal for $400. Came with metric sae and torx, considering the over $800 combined value its like getting one of the sets for free. Like I said though, I use the **** out of them so I was able to justify it.

 

[OHMS LAW]

When I was in a pinch some duralast from a nearby autozone worked fine with my mg325

 

[nmk_61802]

I've got a set of VIM bits that seem high quality, replaced a mixed set of C-man and Harborfrieght twisties.

 

[MattPersman]

Gold snap on = the bomb

 

[truckdriver]

Hex and Torx bits are one of the times when Snap On is the best. I use them alot on stainless that go into aluminum and it is still corroded pretty bad. I have twisted some torx a liitle but never broke any.

 

[dirtmister16]

ive found that snap on makes the best torx/hex bit sockets. i have yet to break one of them. craftsman torx on the other ive twisted, broke,ect. i have used craftsman hex bit sockets but not ever much or hard use and they seem to be ok. one thing i liked about them they seemed smaller bodied then others ive used.

i also have had sk torx in the standard length not be much good, but i bought a set of long torx from them and havn't had issue with them yet, but they don't get used as much either.

my personal prefernce is snap on and blackhawk. i have a set of blackhawk metric hex bits and have had great luck with them, i think they are nice as my snap ons for durablity but not as nice of a socket being so bulky.

it all depends on the use you will be giving the tool.

 

[CWP1616L]

For hex bit sockets I'd either go Snap-on or Proto.

 

[campbell990]

My Williams set has been holding up pretty well.

https://www.toolsdelivered.com/search.asp?keyword=JHW-50681&search.x=17&search.y=16

 

[czgunner]

I've got the vim sets for torx and Allen and am not kind to them. No problems.

 

[bobcatdan]

Cornwell has very nice torx and allen sets. They are an import and I think are made by vim. I have broke more SO bits then these cornwells. I have a nice 62 piece set that will cover most people 99% of the time.

 

[czgunner]

Pretty sure the Cornwall are vim.

 

[MotoDave]

Very happy with my Proto set, I broke loose a few Allen screws retaining the shift forks in my transfer case, could see the extension flexing but the hex socket bits did their job and held. More spendy than craftsman, but way cheaper than snap-on, I've been buying a lot of Proto lately.

 

[wannab20hatch]

Gold snap on = the bomb

This! Ive had to warranty a couple of my smaller sizes but other than that they've held up wonderfully

 

[Brownsfan]

Cornwell has very nice torx and allen sets. They are an import and I think are made by vim. I have broke more SO bits then these cornwells. I have a nice 62 piece set that will cover most people 99% of the time.

Have the same set and have had no issues. Also have a craftsman set of hex and torx. I have never broken one either. Guess I am lucky

 

[rmsg0040]

Which style is better

A two piece design or a 1 piece design? chrome vs impact?

 

[Applesauce]

Which style is better

A two piece design or a 1 piece design?

And of two-piece designs...the ones that rely on a size-specific socket (i.e., even the 3mm bit is a straight bit into a 3mm socket), or the ones that are simply 1/4" bits pressed in place (i.e., the 3mm tapers up to 1/4" at the socket)?

Anyone have any that are designed for easy replacement of the bit by loosening a grub screw?

 

[vssjim]

The Vim sets are good and the new SK bit's are also listed as S2 steel which is the same as Vim sells. I know a long time ago the SK stuff was not S2 but any new items will hold up as good as any .

 

[Nanashi]

I got the two blue point sets the hex set cost $150 and comes with SAE and metric. The torx set comes with long, short/standard, tamper proof and inverted torx sockets. The torx set cost $200. Theses sets include the bigger sizes too that's why I was so happy to drop the coined on them. They are cheaper than the SO set and you get more. I figured if the set was garbage I'd buy the SO golds individually as the blue points broke. So far though the blue points have been working awesome.

I don't know what the metal is that's used but the bits are very precise in size and I haven't rounded any of them. I rounded the old gearwrenches I used to use, well a few of them anyway. One important thing is make sure you use the correct size for whatever the application is. If metric feels a little loose try a SAE.

I have used some of these blue point hex buts with my mg725 and mg325 Lol. They are not impact but I'm not hammering the bolts down just breaking them loose theve held up 100% so far I'm happy enough with them that if one breaks I'll replace it with the warranty instead of buying an SO gold.

 

[reptilezs]

the craftsman ones are terrible. i have found that bits that are necked down or have a step in them are not good quality like the craftsman ones. snap on bits are very good.

 

[bmxr4life87]

My harbor freight impact set has held up better than my usa craftsman chromes.

 

[Givl Reggin]

Gold snap on = the bomb

Does anyone have a link to the gold colored bits on the Snap-On website? I must not be using the right search terms.

 

[cnc-me]

Bondus works best for me, like them better than Snap-On.

Allen branded ones don't last very long at all, especially in the smaller sizes.
Eklind is a little better than Allen, but not even close to Bondus


Whoops, I guess they are talkin' socket type here, while I'm talkin' arm style.

 

[Jawn]

Bondus works best for me, like them better than Snap-On.

Allen branded ones don't last very long at all, especially in the smaller sizes.
Eklind is a little better than Allen, but not even close to Bondus


Whoops, I guess they are talkin' socket type here, while I'm talkin' arm style.

I agree on the Bondhus L-keys. I have blatantly abused them without them complaining.

As to the socket type bits, I've been happy with my SK stuff.

 

[Danglerb]

Hazet makes better socket bits than SO from what I have seen, but I have no issue with any that aren't worn, and still grab one out of my $8 HF set of 100 when I need to use a hammer to seat the bit in the fastener.

 

[submariner]

I use and recommend the Lisle 33850 hex bit socket set. They retail for about $18 - they're dirt cheap and made in USA. Quality all the way

 

[MattPersman]

The metric ball 208EFTABMY
Metric standard 210EFTAMY
Metric stubby 208EFTAMXSY
Long ball metric 206EFABLM
Long metric 205EFAML

they are avail individuals and some sets in smaller groupings, I Am really impressed with the ball set I got I use it on driveshaft bolts all the time the 8mm that is on an impact and its been superb.