I am guessing Toptul.
I do have all their sockets and the finish is pretty damn amazing for the price. ***** about warranty, but I have never broken one.
Homeowner + Car Builder - Complete Socket Set Opinions
- Thread starter idriveahonda
- Start date
I am guessing Toptul.
I do have all their sockets and the finish is pretty damn amazing for the price. ***** about warranty, but I have never broken one.
Toptul is one option but they 4 to 7 bucks a socket roughly. oem tools, Premier and Japan style others, same stuff gets sold by few brands/sellers (rebranded or unbranded) so you got look around and also try independent tool truck sellers or amazon/ebay once found the line you like . I got Japan style impacts and they similar to HF Pitts Pro but stamped as well as etched sizes and very decent cr-mo and have good size range and better design than likes of sunex, premier cr-v sockets are decent and cheap bought in rail sets (2-4bucks a piece pending drive size short/deep 6pt 12pt etc), at those prices I can self warranty 4 times and still spent less than 1 set of snapon, oldest sets I have seen 2 decades work and not broke 1 or got chrome flake issue of some thick mirror polished tools .
Work out good in aspect of theft and loss too yet design and finish as good or better than lot of popular brands.
The current craftsman and tekton sockets are long way from good design sockets unless you really have no experience or preference or simply such a light occasional user it no concern or want spend as little time and mney as possible picking a set up.
I never buy large socketry sets, just buy sockets & pick extensions ratchets etc from whom excels at that to my tool taste, cheaper sockets chosen well last well and nice to use, extensions and ratchets need be slightly pickier if heavier user or enjoy the better design/material feel and sort of things warranty more useful on .
Work out good in aspect of theft and loss too yet design and finish as good or better than lot of popular brands.
The current craftsman and tekton sockets are long way from good design sockets unless you really have no experience or preference or simply such a light occasional user it no concern or want spend as little time and mney as possible picking a set up.
I never buy large socketry sets, just buy sockets & pick extensions ratchets etc from whom excels at that to my tool taste, cheaper sockets chosen well last well and nice to use, extensions and ratchets need be slightly pickier if heavier user or enjoy the better design/material feel and sort of things warranty more useful on .
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bcradio
Well-known member
How so?
deep sockets in smaller sizes are size stepped externally all way down to drive end not just top inch so better access in tight spaces, drive end has good taper angle pin lock hole and indents, drive end has groove ring for easier grip pull sockets and handling of sockets, larger sizes are stepped down drive end making less bulky and again easier handling/pulling from tool .
bcradio
Well-known member
Thanks, it's always interesting to see the differences between the brands.
hangfirew8
Well-known member
There are nice sets out there to kick-start a tool build-out, like these:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002NYCHW/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FAPVTK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SR3B4/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I've cracked exactly one of the SK sockets that I bought in the early 90's, the 3/8 drive 14mm. The rest I still use almost daily. It cracked so easily it must have been bad from the start. I warrantied it a few months ago. Yes I kept it that long. So no, losing sockets is not a problem for me. Not counting one stolen tool box, I think I've lost 3 sockets in my lifetime. One of them was a 10mm standard (of course).
There's also the infamous $5 40pc HF socket set, which I got as a second "home" set. When I went to use it, every socket I tried wallowed out. The ratchet lasted a bit longer until I really leaned on it- not abusive- and the round head turned oval and it locked up. Then I put it in with the few remaining unused sockets in the flimsy metal case, and did something I never did before- threw away tools.
Anyway, warranty is kind of important to me, in that I like to keep complete sets complete and not spend money again, but it's not the most important factor. I no longer have to drive across town right-now and get a replacement, or I can't finish a job. I have enough duplicates between home set and car sets, 6pt vs 12pts, 1/4 vs 3/8 vs 1/2, and impact vs chrome, that I will get the job done right then and there.
I'm not keen on the idea of replacing them all with one set of impacts. Impacts are thicker and don't always get into where I need to work. Sometimes just 1 mm of thickness is the difference between Go and No Go. Same with height, which is why I don't eliminate overlaps between socket drive sizes.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002NYCHW/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FAPVTK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SR3B4/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Maybe about 20 brand-name sockets. Most were a set of the "new" thin-wall Craftsman back in the day, I think late 80's. I cracked ALL OF THEM. The last one to get replaced was the first one I broke, the 10mm deep. It took 2.5 years to warranty because Sears never kept it in stock, and they refused to crack a set for me. So I moved on to SK. At the time I thought "Craftsman quality is going down the tubes." In retrospect, it was probably just one bad batch.
I've cracked exactly one of the SK sockets that I bought in the early 90's, the 3/8 drive 14mm. The rest I still use almost daily. It cracked so easily it must have been bad from the start. I warrantied it a few months ago. Yes I kept it that long. So no, losing sockets is not a problem for me. Not counting one stolen tool box, I think I've lost 3 sockets in my lifetime. One of them was a 10mm standard (of course).
There's also the infamous $5 40pc HF socket set, which I got as a second "home" set. When I went to use it, every socket I tried wallowed out. The ratchet lasted a bit longer until I really leaned on it- not abusive- and the round head turned oval and it locked up. Then I put it in with the few remaining unused sockets in the flimsy metal case, and did something I never did before- threw away tools.
Anyway, warranty is kind of important to me, in that I like to keep complete sets complete and not spend money again, but it's not the most important factor. I no longer have to drive across town right-now and get a replacement, or I can't finish a job. I have enough duplicates between home set and car sets, 6pt vs 12pts, 1/4 vs 3/8 vs 1/2, and impact vs chrome, that I will get the job done right then and there.
I'm not keen on the idea of replacing them all with one set of impacts. Impacts are thicker and don't always get into where I need to work. Sometimes just 1 mm of thickness is the difference between Go and No Go. Same with height, which is why I don't eliminate overlaps between socket drive sizes.
kythri
Well-known member
********.
SantaAna12
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Broken sockets: Mac, SK, Cman, Klein. Mac warrantied without blinking. SK was a shallow 1/2. I put in a spare SO in my 30 year old set. Cman? I am not looking to flame. Klein? Even easier.
Personally, I would not go any cheaper than Williams Taiwan.
Good luck.
Personally, I would not go any cheaper than Williams Taiwan.
Good luck.
truth hard to swallow !
obviously everyone has an opinion and you can have yours
but I can't see how anyone thinks they worth having if you more than a ultra budget diy occasional . tekton do some good stuff but sockets are plain cheap design, shallow broaching on the deeps first big no for me followed by poor ergonomic finish, they designed for cheap production over all else .
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kythri
Well-known member
Not at all. It's just more of the same brand-bashing. There's not a thing wrong with the current crop of Craftsman or Tekton sockets, save perhaps an undesirable COO.
It not brand bashing, tekton/craftsman are useless sockets to deal with if planning on more than once a month diy lube tech, deeps with stingy 1" deep broaching are way less usable, no knurling or handling finish, less stepped shouldering all done for cost not usability. way better can be had for same money give or take few bucks and warranty . No idea why so many guys can't see how self warranty a very valid option and can't see wood for trees on decent low to mid range socket options .
kythri
Well-known member
I'm not even talking about the warranty - at ~$1/socket, who cares if it's got a warranty or not?
Broaching depth has been argued back and forth here, with roughly an equal amount of folks desiring deep broaches and those that don't want it. If you want fully broached, then you should look for such. If you don't, likewise.
Knurling is a subjective thing. Personally, I can't name a single time when a knurled socket was any more or less beneficial to the use of it. The ergonomic impact of such is minimal.
Stepped shouldering, I can see certain times when it's a benefit, and if Craftsman/Tekton didn't have stepped shoulders on their sockets in the sizes where it matters, you might have a point there.
Since the point of this thread was socket SETS, what is your recommendation for such? I'd surely be interested. Picking and choosing singles wasn't something the OP was looking to do.
Broaching depth has been argued back and forth here, with roughly an equal amount of folks desiring deep broaches and those that don't want it. If you want fully broached, then you should look for such. If you don't, likewise.
Knurling is a subjective thing. Personally, I can't name a single time when a knurled socket was any more or less beneficial to the use of it. The ergonomic impact of such is minimal.
Stepped shouldering, I can see certain times when it's a benefit, and if Craftsman/Tekton didn't have stepped shoulders on their sockets in the sizes where it matters, you might have a point there.
Since the point of this thread was socket SETS, what is your recommendation for such? I'd surely be interested. Picking and choosing singles wasn't something the OP was looking to do.
ssdave
Banned
Interesting what some people see as desirable features and some see as defects.
As kythri said, deep vs shallow broach is not an economic feature, it's a design feature. Pick which one you like. Knurling, I dislike, I don't see it as a desirable feature as the sockets don't clean up as easily. I like deep detents that make the sockets stay on; others see hard to remove sockets as a defect. I like thin wall sockets, see thick wall as inferior, others look for thicker walls. I like 12 point, and although I have 6 point, see essentially no advantage to them. I dislike that they're thicker/heavier. Others won't use 12 point unless the nut has 12 points on it and forces them to.
I dislike Craftsman myself, but don't see any huge detriment to them. I could make do, carefully, with Craftsman for most everything I do. I did that for a long time. There are others that are better, and that will take abuse, but even newer Craftsman will stand up well to normal, careful use. Their big advantage is the comprehensive cheap sets, easy for someone to get up to speed quickly without a lot of thought and effort, just buy the big set.
As kythri said, deep vs shallow broach is not an economic feature, it's a design feature. Pick which one you like. Knurling, I dislike, I don't see it as a desirable feature as the sockets don't clean up as easily. I like deep detents that make the sockets stay on; others see hard to remove sockets as a defect. I like thin wall sockets, see thick wall as inferior, others look for thicker walls. I like 12 point, and although I have 6 point, see essentially no advantage to them. I dislike that they're thicker/heavier. Others won't use 12 point unless the nut has 12 points on it and forces them to.
I dislike Craftsman myself, but don't see any huge detriment to them. I could make do, carefully, with Craftsman for most everything I do. I did that for a long time. There are others that are better, and that will take abuse, but even newer Craftsman will stand up well to normal, careful use. Their big advantage is the comprehensive cheap sets, easy for someone to get up to speed quickly without a lot of thought and effort, just buy the big set.
trouble is they don't have stepped shouldering everywhere it counts and shallow broaching is far cheaper to manufacture as is less shouldering and no grip finishing and part of reason you seeing these features in lot of deal sets .
satin finish and knurl clean up without any major extra hassle, I like good detents but also like ergonomic design features as massive benefit in use .
I only buy sockets with knurling or half satin finish, how you can't see some benefit is beyond me unless always using quick release and never encounter grease or oil .
I'm not on about singles lol (prices average from socket rail sets), buy in sets/rails sockets only, nice have full range singles available for other sizes you may want to complete your needs.
buying complete sets with ratchets etc is never best way get what you want or best quality to budget and taste . If had buy sets with ratchets extensions I probably consider gearwrench 84T good option when buy 1 get anther drive size set free deal is on. I always prefer buying sockets in socket only sets and add to that with extra size sockets I need and ratchets extensions etc as needed and probably from various other makes to get best requirements/preferences from the purchase, blow moulded cases and plastic boxed sets also tend become less useful to the initial concept as soon as got extra socket extension and ratchet needs . Options have never been greater and quality/design/usability can be amazing if custom build your set a little ....
satin finish and knurl clean up without any major extra hassle, I like good detents but also like ergonomic design features as massive benefit in use .
I only buy sockets with knurling or half satin finish, how you can't see some benefit is beyond me unless always using quick release and never encounter grease or oil .
I'm not on about singles lol (prices average from socket rail sets), buy in sets/rails sockets only, nice have full range singles available for other sizes you may want to complete your needs.
buying complete sets with ratchets etc is never best way get what you want or best quality to budget and taste . If had buy sets with ratchets extensions I probably consider gearwrench 84T good option when buy 1 get anther drive size set free deal is on. I always prefer buying sockets in socket only sets and add to that with extra size sockets I need and ratchets extensions etc as needed and probably from various other makes to get best requirements/preferences from the purchase, blow moulded cases and plastic boxed sets also tend become less useful to the initial concept as soon as got extra socket extension and ratchet needs . Options have never been greater and quality/design/usability can be amazing if custom build your set a little ....
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bcradio
Well-known member
You keep spewing all your opinions and preferences as fact. They are not.
Certainly not 'much better' or 'far superior'... it is just that you prefer those features.
WittHay
Well-known member
I am used to the 400 piece Canadian Tire tool sets sold for $199.00. Good for the home owner and occasional hard mechanical work, but include a lot of useless tools in the set.
If the 0p doesn't have much SAE now, why would he need 12-point deep SAE sockets or 12 point SAE 1/4 drive. I would recommended just getting a few rails of cheaper brand sockets in the sizes he might need.
Good quality SAE is needed for heavy duty equipment and old American vehicles, if you are not working on that stuff, why bother with every last SAE socket
If the 0p doesn't have much SAE now, why would he need 12-point deep SAE sockets or 12 point SAE 1/4 drive. I would recommended just getting a few rails of cheaper brand sockets in the sizes he might need.
Good quality SAE is needed for heavy duty equipment and old American vehicles, if you are not working on that stuff, why bother with every last SAE socket
^^
some of it is fact some of it is opinion/personal preference . hard do a post no opinion and no preferences lol ...
obviously satin or knurled better grip/ergonomics over smooth mirror polished - fact
full length shouldering better in access to fitting - fact
cheaper oem manufacture without knurl grooves, half satin/polish finish, shallow broaching - fact
lot of other things and features we like are personal opinion/preferences but we all have one and by looking at all opinions you can choose what important to your needs . The world is bigger than just 299pc sets and it never been easier buy good sockets and ratchets in partial sets or singles as is today .
Underlying point being mix and match to your preferences and get a better end set with tools you really like rather than a blow moulded case with lot of stuff you don't use, lot of stuff still need buy and design features you may hate if went into the purchase with no preferences/opinion to start with .
some of it is fact some of it is opinion/personal preference . hard do a post no opinion and no preferences lol ...
obviously satin or knurled better grip/ergonomics over smooth mirror polished - fact
full length shouldering better in access to fitting - fact
cheaper oem manufacture without knurl grooves, half satin/polish finish, shallow broaching - fact
lot of other things and features we like are personal opinion/preferences but we all have one and by looking at all opinions you can choose what important to your needs . The world is bigger than just 299pc sets and it never been easier buy good sockets and ratchets in partial sets or singles as is today .
Underlying point being mix and match to your preferences and get a better end set with tools you really like rather than a blow moulded case with lot of stuff you don't use, lot of stuff still need buy and design features you may hate if went into the purchase with no preferences/opinion to start with .
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^^^Bottom line is there are plenty of choices out there. Pick and choose the design features that you like and go from there.
BTW, my crappy craftsman sockets are over 2 decades old. Knurling? Nope. Stepped shoulder? Uh uh. Satin finish? Nada. Yet they've managed to dismantle and put back together dozens of cars and motorcycles in my garage and done duty around the house/property. Number of Craftsman sockets broke? 0.
That said, I think Hazet has one of the best socket design out there, but try getting them at $1 per.... Or Facom, or Ko-ken...
Regarding Toptul, I have nothing against them at all & their price is right, but they don't offer SAE AFAIK. Availability is limited in the U.S. and not sure about their warranty over here either.
Tekton anyone?
BTW, my crappy craftsman sockets are over 2 decades old. Knurling? Nope. Stepped shoulder? Uh uh. Satin finish? Nada. Yet they've managed to dismantle and put back together dozens of cars and motorcycles in my garage and done duty around the house/property. Number of Craftsman sockets broke? 0.
That said, I think Hazet has one of the best socket design out there, but try getting them at $1 per.... Or Facom, or Ko-ken...
Regarding Toptul, I have nothing against them at all & their price is right, but they don't offer SAE AFAIK. Availability is limited in the U.S. and not sure about their warranty over here either.
Tekton anyone?
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SantaAna12
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Flame on.
My experience was this: older Craftsman users will not find the same experience when repacing lost/misplaced items.
It is what it is.
Flame off.
My experience was this: older Craftsman users will not find the same experience when repacing lost/misplaced items.
It is what it is.
Flame off.
You're right, eBay was just getting started when I bought mine....
^
20 years ago craftman was a different experience .
I personally wouldn't bother with sockets around the 1 buck range unless ultra light diy user or budget real tight, spend 2 to 5 bucks and you can get real nice options of sockets with great size coverage even in rail sets and singles to fill in as needed .
Toptul do sae but in not such a product finish range as metric, they got 2 or 3 finishes for the metric sockets .
20 years ago craftman was a different experience .
I personally wouldn't bother with sockets around the 1 buck range unless ultra light diy user or budget real tight, spend 2 to 5 bucks and you can get real nice options of sockets with great size coverage even in rail sets and singles to fill in as needed .
Toptul do sae but in not such a product finish range as metric, they got 2 or 3 finishes for the metric sockets .
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Shark Pilot
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- Feb 11, 2017
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- 73
Not aware of as comprehensive a set as the 299 piece CMan deal is the short answer. The pluses are: $1/socket and it goes to decently large sizes in 12pt 1/2" drive. The cons are: uncertain as to quality and the 1/2" 6pt sockets don't go much higher than the 3/8" (ie 22mm 1/2", 21mm 3/8"). As to warranty - not a big deal and may in fact be a rare case of the situation getting better in the future if Stanley/BD actually improves the quality of CMan in the future.
finn
Well-known member
Go with the Craftsman set. You may never use some of the smaller items, but they are there when or if you need them at 9:30 on a Sunday night, and they are essentially free
As you use the tools, you’ll eventually want to upgrade the ratchets, but the ones in the kit will still be ok for backups.
I’ve broken probably two Craftsman sockets since 1966. Thin wall 3/8” drive with an adapter to 1/2” and a cheater bar.
As you use the tools, you’ll eventually want to upgrade the ratchets, but the ones in the kit will still be ok for backups.
I’ve broken probably two Craftsman sockets since 1966. Thin wall 3/8” drive with an adapter to 1/2” and a cheater bar.
OP
idriveahonda
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Thanks for all of the feedback guys!
So I just did an exercise to compare some of your responses around Tekton/Husky and other comparable house brands.
For just the 1/4, 3/8, 1/2" in 6pt, it approaches $200...doing all of this online.
FYI, I already have full 3/8" and 1/2" Tekton impact socket sets, and have been very pleased with them. I only have chrome 3/8" metric shallow and deep sockets, and find myself needing more standard stuff for house projects.
My question around the Craftsman "master set" was bang for the buck, and considering $1/socket is a ridiculous bang for the buck, and it's only missing 1/4" metric 12pt sockets (both shallow and deep). Don't recall ever needing one of those.
I'll probably get the 176-piece set below:
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-176-...lerId=Sears&prdNo=28&blockNo=28&blockType=G28
Has a couple missing in the middle of a set, and doesn't have much 1/4" 12pt stuff...but like many said...I don't know if I've ever used one. And for $149.99...it's super cheap.
Thanks all!
So I just did an exercise to compare some of your responses around Tekton/Husky and other comparable house brands.
For just the 1/4, 3/8, 1/2" in 6pt, it approaches $200...doing all of this online.
FYI, I already have full 3/8" and 1/2" Tekton impact socket sets, and have been very pleased with them. I only have chrome 3/8" metric shallow and deep sockets, and find myself needing more standard stuff for house projects.
My question around the Craftsman "master set" was bang for the buck, and considering $1/socket is a ridiculous bang for the buck, and it's only missing 1/4" metric 12pt sockets (both shallow and deep). Don't recall ever needing one of those.
I'll probably get the 176-piece set below:
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-176-...lerId=Sears&prdNo=28&blockNo=28&blockType=G28
Has a couple missing in the middle of a set, and doesn't have much 1/4" 12pt stuff...but like many said...I don't know if I've ever used one. And for $149.99...it's super cheap.
Thanks all!
OP
idriveahonda
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Well, no 176 piece sets available. Expected ETA is two weeks, however I'm not holding my breath!
I'll probably just pick up some socket rails, and expand where I have gaps!
Thank you everyone for your input. Never expected six pages so fast!
I'll probably just pick up some socket rails, and expand where I have gaps!
Thank you everyone for your input. Never expected six pages so fast!
powertrip
Well-known member
AMD[H]unter
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I have these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IE9BRTM/?tag=atomicindus08-20
And these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0021UPC7I/?tag=atomicindus08-20
They have been great. All 6 point and impact rated (but not too big to get in where chrome will) You won't need much 12 point anyway, and the cheap HF junk can serve for 12 point duties if you need it. That's what I do, anyway. I have a ton of chrome sockets but I never use them. Just these two sets, and I have a full set of impact HF 1/2 SAE/Metric Deep/Shallow. I plan to replace them with Grey Pneumatic soon as well.
And these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0021UPC7I/?tag=atomicindus08-20
They have been great. All 6 point and impact rated (but not too big to get in where chrome will) You won't need much 12 point anyway, and the cheap HF junk can serve for 12 point duties if you need it. That's what I do, anyway. I have a ton of chrome sockets but I never use them. Just these two sets, and I have a full set of impact HF 1/2 SAE/Metric Deep/Shallow. I plan to replace them with Grey Pneumatic soon as well.
OP
idriveahonda
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Screw it, buying the 299-piece for $289.99, plus just talked with Sears chat and they gave me another $20 off, so $269.99.
Then an extra $32.89 cash back points...
It's a no brainer.
And then going to pick up the FoamFit Tool organizers.
Then an extra $32.89 cash back points...
It's a no brainer.
And then going to pick up the FoamFit Tool organizers.
kythri
Well-known member
Can't fault you for $0.90/socket.