HF socket put to the test!!!

[AutoTech]

What's a shame to me is to needlessly waste money on expensive tools when a cheaper one does the same job just as well, and you can use the money saved to get another tool to perform another job.

I get paid to do a job. If I bought all Snap-On tools, I wouldn't have the tools I need to get the job done. It's that simple. I can only afford to spend $x on tools a year. If it was all Snap-On, that would mean affording 1/3 the tools, and only being able to to 1/3 of my job, like many guys at work. Me, I have Craftsman, etc., and only buy Snap-On where necessary, and as such, I have all the tools to do all the jobs.

When it comes to tools, I'm not a Mercedes guy, I'm a Chevy guy. I don't care if the chrome is gorgeous and I can see myself in it, I don't wash my tools, I don't baby my tools. My tools are there to get the job done, and only to get the job done, they aren't there for a fashion show. In the end, my $15,000 of tools at work does the exact same job as $45,000 of Snap-On tools, except I have $30,000 ($36,000 if you count the toolbox) more to spend on other things, such as school loans, the house, etc.

My philosophy doesn't change at home, either.

Again, if you want Snap-On, pay for it. I don't care. Just don't try and convince me that the Snap-On wrench will turn a bolt any different than my Craftsman wrench, because it doesn't.

Well said Nissan_ Crawler!! Why would someone want to work just to pay tool payments? My craftsman and s-k tools work just fine! Buying Snap on is only a last resort for me!

 

[wrenchr]

Wow this thread really took off!!! All I posted was a socket that broke very badly.
Which by the way is very dangerous, Can you imagine if I was to of used this on something for real and did not expect this to happen!!! I would have posted any brand socket that broke that easily for the record.

 

[wrenchr]

Just to make a point...there was a time when ALL HF tools looked like that and failed like that.

I realize that is no longer the case, but I have personally experienced many socket failures of the type pictured, and at least one required a trip to the ER for stitches.

These were socket sets I bought, both standard and impact, from HF before they had any retail stores and were mail-order only.

For many people, old opinions remain.

Well said!!
And this is new stuff, the lower brand HF not pittsburg. This stuff should be illegal to sell.

 

[krusty the clown]

Perhaps not, but that really is the common metaphor used in Intro Marketing classes.

That being said, these arguments aren't just based on value, they're also based on emotion. It's just tiring that so many of the threads here go the same way...it's an endless circle that accomplishes nothing.

My personal beliefs are moderate, as with most people here. Everyone has to start somewhere, and most people aren't going to be able to afford to start off buying premium tools. I would prefer that the extreme brand loyalists stop stirring the pot.

with all due respect it don't see anything as pot stirring (with maybe an exception) it's simply stating our views for others to consider or discard. like i said before for home use there are a few other brands that will work well and for less money. if i wern't a profesional tech i'd probably be a CMAN customer since for the most part the are US made and reasonably priced. and you are correct NOBODY starts off with premium brand tools. like most i started with CMAN tools and a CMAN toolbox. it was the inconvenience of trips to sears and the convinience of the door to door service that got me buying off of the truck. i did find that for the most part SO was better quality than CMAN and for me, since it is my chosen proffesion, it's the better choice. i myself am not saying that other brands aren't better choices for everyone else. that's why there are so many brands.........there are many different people. some folks like chocolate, some folks like vanilla

 

[eschoendorff]

I agree with you on that one. I'd much rather have a lower cost tool like a Proto or an Armstrong rather than something made in China or Taiwan; that way I can save a little money and keep my misplaced patriotism too.

fixed.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Walking into HF is like looking for an old chevy with 100,000 miles that's in good condition, you just have to watch what you're getting. Is it as nice as that BMW? No. Will it get you there just the same? Yes.

I have a HF cherry picker, HF pipe bender, HF press, some HF hex sockets, some HF air tools, and some of the wrenches in small sizes to modify, and some of the large ones just to use.

Are they as pretty and perfect as snap-on or other high dollar equivalents? No. Have they done the job the same as the others without letting me down? Yes.

Ask yourself what matters at the end of the day:

1. That you have high dollar Snap-On, etc., branded tools that have perfect fit and finish that hurt the wallet to show off to your friends, or,

2. That you have a tool that functions the same as the high dollar one, saved you money, and at the end of the day, did the same job.

If you fit #1, don't bother with HF. If you fit #2, you can find things at HF.

Again, to those that have the money to spend on the high dollar stuff, take no offense. I would too if I had the extra cash. I just would know it was more more looks and such, than function (with the basic equipment).

Thanks, you saved me a lot of typing! Yup, some of their stuff is worth bringing home and some is not, the trick is figuring out which one you have in your hands!

 

[MarkH]

"the trick is figuring out which one you have in your hands!"

That and exchanges that require going to a store are things that when it ain't a hobby that you may not have time for. Those add up, when you consider the cost of time.

As for testing in that world when you see a 300 lb employee jumping up and down on a 5 ft. bar attached to the ratchet. Those are the testing numbers I like to see. Because if it breaks I am paying for what happened when he fell. So to see something simple like this is the reasons I give for I cannot afford the low cost ones. For if we do not see them, understand which version it was, we will have this in the next thread.

 

[Uncle Buck]

"the trick is figuring out which one you have in your hands!"

That and exchanges that require going to a store are things that when it ain't a hobby that you may not have time for. Those add up, when you consider the cost of time.

As for testing in that world when you see a 300 lb employee jumping up and down on a 5 ft. bar attached to the ratchet. Those are the testing numbers I like to see. Because if it breaks I am paying for what happened when he fell. So to see something simple like this is the reasons I give for I cannot afford the low cost ones. For if we do not see them, understand which version it was, we will have this in the next thread.

I have never viewed HF tools as something worth consideration if you are making your living with tools, as in they are a no-no in the workplace, but there is a place forsomeof their offering in my home shop!

 

[eschoendorff]

Armstrong is an approved supplier of tools to the US Govt. I suspect that is why their list prices are so high.

Remember the $200 hammer fiasco? Uncle Sam has deep pockets.

I though that Proto was the culprit?

 

[krusty the clown]

Armstrong is an approved supplier of tools to the US Govt. I suspect that is why their list prices are so high.

Remember the $200 hammer fiasco? Uncle Sam has deep pockets.

to put that into perspective if uncle sam had bought those hammers and toilet seats off the shelf the price wouldn't have been what it was. but like everthing they do it has to be over analyzed and tested using thier specs. so any manufacturer that has to redesign and purchase different materials to manufacture the product, the costs will have to be passed on to the purchaser. and it will be extremly expensive if it is a limmited run of production. a little common sense would go a long way in washington.

 

[T56 Impala]

Armstrong is an approved supplier of tools to the US Govt. I suspect that is why their list prices are so high.

Remember the $200 hammer fiasco? Uncle Sam has deep pockets.

This pricing is from the Sears web site.

 

[wilbilt]

This pricing is from the Sears web site.

Yes, but who actually buys them?

 

[TNToy]

These threads are getting old. You can get better sockets at HF. But what do you expect when you pay a couple cents for a socket?

People swear that their 1/2" impact sockets are some of their best products, and seem to love them.

I broke three of them within a week. Tore the wall of the socket at every single corner on each of them. They're ****, but some of you guys still like 'em, and will defend them to the .

 

[russlaferrera]

Oh sure...and now you're going to tell me that Santa Claus doesn't exist.

DON"T GO THERE...You are going to pi$$ a lot of people off!

 

[Fedwrench]

Armstrong is an approved supplier of tools to the US Govt. I suspect that is why their list prices are so high.

Remember the $200 hammer fiasco? Uncle Sam has deep pockets.

I'm not sure what being a government supplier has to do with pricing or what Government agency actually buys Armstrong tools. I know that in many years of government service, I haven't seen an Armstrong tool. We buy mostly Snap on through their industrial sales division. If they don't have what we want, then we shop at the same online vendors as everyone else. we also use the GSA catalog sometimes and they have mostly SK and brands like Granco.

Expensive hammers and toilet seats are the result of some engineer over thinking a requirement for an item. He or she then draws up a requirement and a contractor beats down the door with a prototype with a hefty pricetag. Contractors and suppliers can be very greedy at times. Uncle Sam's pockets are far from deep these days.

 

[russlaferrera]

I vote for #1. In the case of a lot of hobbyists, the cost of a tolerably complete hand tool set is miniscule compared to the cost of a decent project car.

What blows me away is the amount hobbyists will spend on a box. I'd much rather take the same $$$$ and spend it on better tools or shop equipment.

The same people buy homes and have no furniture, because they are maxed out.

The real rich don't spend it. The poor are on welfare. The real poor go to work everyday wondering why they support everyone!

 

[nissan_crawler]

"the trick is figuring out which one you have in your hands!"

That and exchanges that require going to a store are things that when it ain't a hobby that you may not have time for. Those add up, when you consider the cost of time.

As for testing in that world when you see a 300 lb employee jumping up and down on a 5 ft. bar attached to the ratchet. Those are the testing numbers I like to see. Because if it breaks I am paying for what happened when he fell. So to see something simple like this is the reasons I give for I cannot afford the low cost ones. For if we do not see them, understand which version it was, we will have this in the next thread.

If I saw an employee doing that, they would be immediately told to pack their toolbox and roll it out the door.

Now, that brings up another pet peeve of mine. Misuse of tools and people then bitching about it breaking.

Number of Craftsman sockets I've broken? NONE.

Number of Craftsman wrenches I've broken? Three. Two were 10 mm that I was using with a 2' cheater pipe on a 10 mm hex socket on GM brakes. This was obvious misuse, as I didn't have the proper tool. My fault. The third was a 1/4" Craftsman Pro wrench. It was on a jap nut that was VERY tight, and I could only get 1/2 the thickness of the open end on the nut and it disformed the end a bit. Again, not proper use.

Number of Craftsman Screwdrivers I've broken? One.

Number of Craftsman ratchets I've broken? None.

This is in 10 years of working on a farm, and 6 years as a professional mechanic. Right tool, right job, no problem.

 

[dxdexter]

If I saw an employee doing that, they would be immediately told to pack their toolbox and roll it out the door.

Now, that brings up another pet peeve of mine. Misuse of tools and people then bitching about it breaking.

Number of Craftsman sockets I've broken? NONE.

Number of Craftsman wrenches I've broken? Three. Two were 10 mm that I was using with a 2' cheater pipe on a 10 mm hex socket on GM brakes. This was obvious misuse, as I didn't have the proper tool. My fault. The third was a 1/4" Craftsman Pro wrench. It was on a jap nut that was VERY tight, and I could only get 1/2 the thickness of the open end on the nut and it disformed the end a bit. Again, not proper use.

Number of Craftsman Screwdrivers I've broken? One.

Number of Craftsman ratchets I've broken? None.

This is in 10 years of working on a farm, and 6 years as a professional mechanic. Right tool, right job, no problem.

Thats very true. It's not often you can break a good quality tool when used properly. In 28 years, of using tools, I have only broken a few tools. I remember a 15" 1/2" drive Proto breaker bar and a 10" 3/8" drive Gray breaker bar. Both were broken using cheaters. I broke a few Gray deep sockets and one Snap-on socket under normal use. I only returned one ratchet and that was a Mastercraft 3/8" drive because the comfort handle would spin around. I have never broken a wrench, although I have abused them by beating on them with a hammer.

 

[eschoendorff]

Yes, but who actually buys them?

"We the People..."

 

[eschoendorff]

If I saw an employee doing that, they would be immediately told to pack their toolbox and roll it out the door.

Now, that brings up another pet peeve of mine. Misuse of tools and people then bitching about it breaking.

Number of Craftsman sockets I've broken? NONE.

Number of Craftsman wrenches I've broken? Three. Two were 10 mm that I was using with a 2' cheater pipe on a 10 mm hex socket on GM brakes. This was obvious misuse, as I didn't have the proper tool. My fault. The third was a 1/4" Craftsman Pro wrench. It was on a jap nut that was VERY tight, and I could only get 1/2 the thickness of the open end on the nut and it disformed the end a bit. Again, not proper use.

Number of Craftsman Screwdrivers I've broken? One.

Number of Craftsman ratchets I've broken? None.

This is in 10 years of working on a farm, and 6 years as a professional mechanic. Right tool, right job, no problem.

you insistence on the use of logic and common sense is going to piss a lot of people off!

 

[MarkH]

At least now I know why I cannot afford Armstrong anymore.

As for common sense, you buy it and pay for it, you think. It is not yours you do not think or care about it. In our case if we had people bring tools, we would be about 25 people short. So we expect abuse, the list is surprising when you look at some of the incidents we have. Then there is some during peak season, you get the thing moving as fast as you can, that speed out weighs the tool abuse. So you want the ability to take the abuse.

 

[dxdexter]

As for common sense, you buy it and pay for it, you think.

Where can I buy some? I am severely lacking

 

[AutoTech]

People swear that their 1/2" impact sockets are some of their best products, and seem to love them.

I broke three of them within a week. Tore the wall of the socket at every single corner on each of them. They're ****, but some of you guys still like 'em, and will defend them to the .

I guess I'm one of those that will defend them I use them everyday and have for several years now and haven't broke any of them yet and show very little wear inside, the black finish is worn off most of them now but there still going strong, the 19mm and 21mm get the most workout on lug nuts! My sockets don't say Pittsburgh or have any name just has Cr-Mo and the size on them but have been holding up great for a long time!