Hey Socket Manufacturers, Would It Kill You To.......

[Blind1]

I like this idea for my home sockets... what kind of paint pen do you use that is fine enough to get into the small nooks and crannies without spilling over?

I have a few different brands - just fill in and wipe off excess no need to worry.

 

[4lug39]

When I finally broke down and started looking for complete sets of metric impact sockets I found these KT Pro, they are both stamped and laser etched. I don't use metric much but they have been used for their intended purpose and as spacers on the press with no problems. Most hobby stores sell lacquer paint pens to fill in the stampings.

 

[3baygarage]

Rookies, You should be able to tell the size simply by looking at it. Where's your calibrated eyeball.

Remind me of when I would sell tools at the flea market. A guy walked up and asked for a 9/16 or whatever it was. I reached in the tub of sockets and just grabbed it. He had the most bewildered, serious look on his face and goes “What, are you a mechanic or something?”.

 

[jonshonda]

I'm sure the seasoned pro can easily spot the correct socket, but that's no excuse to not recognize the fact that tiny font is hard to read!

 

[NORTON'S SHOP]

Stamp the size of the socket multiple times around the perimeter in as large of font and as deep as possible!!

I have good vision, but am so sick of having to hold and spin the sockets at obscure angles trying to catch the light just right to decipher the size.

A$$holes.

So, how do you initially know which socket you need? Do you measure each nut or bolt and then choose the corresponding socket? Probably not. If you can eyeball a nut or bolt size, you should be able to eyeball the correct socket. Or to make it even more simple, the a$$hole nut and bolt manufacturers could stamp the size on them too.

 

[jonshonda]

So, how do you initially know which socket you need? Do you measure each nut or bolt and then choose the corresponding socket? Probably not. If you can eyeball a nut or bolt size, you should be able to eyeball the correct socket. Or to make it even more simple, the a$$hole nut and bolt manufacturers could stamp the size on them too.

Because we drive toyota/lexus and I know what they need, but when working on other projects not car related I might 3-4 different sizes rolling around on the bench, or in the work area. THAT is when I want an easily identifiable socket.

Or maybe I should just have all the most used sockets attached to a ratchet, and label the ratchets with what size is attached?

 

[RTM]

Or maybe I should just have all the most used sockets attached to a ratchet, and label the ratchets with what size is attached?

I have been known, on certain projects that require switching back and forth between sockets, to have multiple ratchets running about. I was not clever enough to put the 12mm with and 12 mm without an extension on similar ratchets until the assembly step tho.

 

[Blind1]

I have been known, on certain projects that require switching back and forth between sockets, to have multiple ratchets running about. I was not clever enough to put the 12mm with and 12 mm without an extension on similar ratchets until the assembly step tho.

On some Jobs I’ll put Hi viz masking tape around the ratchet/wrench and write the socket size in pen. Takes just a few minutes but makes my life easy when my hands are full.

 

[NORTON'S SHOP]

Because we drive toyota/lexus and I know what they need, but when working on other projects not car related I might 3-4 different sizes rolling around on the bench, or in the work area. THAT is when I want an easily identifiable socket.

Or maybe I should just have all the most used sockets attached to a ratchet, and label the ratchets with what size is attached?

Whatever works for you.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

It helps if it is on a rail. The paint in paint pen I use washes off with solvent, Of course I never wash my sockets with solvent.

 

[Fedwrench]

I really like the hi vis socket size markings Matco uses.

Proto uses a nice deep single size marking that's more in the middle of the socket instead of towards its base.

 

[Steve_P]

wow, it seems we're really struggling to find something to post about. I'm sure all the socket manufacturers have read this and are out replacing their tooling. Ok, not. First it's drill bit markings, now it's sockets. This one certainly has more relevance, but still.... Anyway, I'll bite this time... Most of my sockets are SK or USA Williams. The markings on the Williams **** in comparison to SK- too small. But I keep them on Ernst rails with each peg labeled, so it doesn't really matter. I have mid-length Gearwrench sockets and the marking **** on them- very light. I have a lot of Tekton bit sockets and they're nicely marked. And I won't buy a socket set that's only etched.

 

[DAustin]

I'm sure the seasoned pro can easily spot the correct socket, but that's no excuse to not recognize the fact that tiny font is hard to read!

I have a friend that can do that but only with SAE stuff. He doesn't know a 10 from a turd.

 

[jonshonda]

I really want to see the guys who only use one socket during a project, and take that socket off the rail, use it, and put it back on the rail without ever setting it down.

 

[DAustin]

I really want to see the guys who only use one socket during a project, and take that socket off the rail, use it, and put it back on the rail without ever setting it down.

The nice thing about Japanese cars, and bikes, are that a 8,10,12,14,17,and 19mm will take care of a whole lot of stuff. I've got a extra rail with just those 6 sockets on it. If I need any other sizes I have to go back to the box to get them. It makes life a little easier

 

[Griff79]

Fill in the stamping with a paint pen. I used red and blue. I can see them better than with stamping alone. But I agree with you, why not just get it from the factory this way.
Griff

 

[jonshonda]

On the hunt for some new sockets and extensions, but based on the prices I am seeing I might just have to just suppress the frustration for a few more years until funds for sockets take priority over other things.

 

[welder4956]

I am not a mechanic by any means, but use tools daily... Am I the only one that never has an idea what size I need anyway? For example, I come across a nut or bolt that needs to be loosened, I don't know that say the bolt is a 1/2" and grab the 1/2" socket. I look at the bolt head and grab the socket that looks closest in size. True size really doesn't matter...

Am I the only one?

I'm with you on this. None of the nuts and bolts have their size stamped on them either, so why is it such an issue if the socket stamping is hard to read? I just look at the bolt and pick a socket that looks like it will work.

 

[visionguru]

Some do listen, such as
Milwaukee


Matco

Even Harbor Freight Quinn:


I personally prefer Made in USA, but it seems to me that most innovations were from Asia in the last 20 years (such as ratcheting wrench, high tooth count ratchet). I had Snap On sockets, the markings are harder to read than the Quinn.

 

[jonshonda]

Some do listen, such as
Milwaukee


Matco

Even Harbor Freight Quinn:


I personally prefer Made in USA, but it seems to me that most innovations were from Asia in the last 20 years (such as ratcheting wrench, high tooth count ratchet). I had Snap On sockets, the markings are harder to read than the Quinn.

I'm going to guess that the innovations were an American idea that came to fruition in Asia.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I maybe young but I’ve been doing it long enough I can just look and tell what size I need. All the guys at work call me over asking what size wrench or socket or torx bit to grab cause I can tell you right off lol. I’ve got some of the older Craftsman with just the laser etching and it wears off easily. And then I also have the versions with the etching and stamping the etching wears off but the small stamping is still there. Personally I can’t stand more than one size marking on a socket and I don’t like it laser etched it kinda drives my OCD up the wall lol.

 

[SILVERPLATE]

Working on classic cars the majority of time I am not that good with metric sizes, but SAE sizes I know them by look and need no markings at all.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Working on classic cars the majority of time I am not that good with metric sizes, but SAE sizes I know them by look and need no markings at all.

Just reverse those for me...... looks too small to be a 13mm, not quite a 12mm.... must be 1/2.

 

[theoldwizard1]

On my most commonly used 1/4" drive sockets (1/2", 10mm, 8mm) I have used different color electrical tape.

Next time you are at the store, pick up a couple different colored rolls of electrical tape. They will probably last you a lifetime. Good for marking many things (my granddaughter anted pink fr her water bottle. Nope.)