How are the Harbor Freight sockets?

[Matt018]

I was browsing on the web for a new set of 1/4 sockets and noticed that harbor freight has decided to start making regular chrome socket sets, So your not just limited to those stupid color coded sets. Im just curious because I have been buying some of my special tools from harbor freight but no real handtools that I use allot. I am hearing about craftsman really going down the ******* with quality controll issues and was wondering if it would be smarter to just go with harbor freight and pay less money for the same quality? I know HF's quality is going up, so what say you would you buy these:
http://www.harborfreight.com/mercha...ibility-14-drive-metric-socket-set-67940.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/mercha...visibility-14-drive-sae-socket-set-67906.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-high-visibility-14-drive-deep-wall-socket-67874.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-high-visibility-14-drive-deep-wall-sae-socket-set-67876.html

or these:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934855000P

 

[pipsters]

I'm sure the Harbor Freight sockets will be perfectly acceptable. Making a socket is a very easy process. I bought Craftsman because it was US made, but if you don't care I wouldn't hesitate to buy the Harbor Freight hand tools any day.

On a side note, the nickel plating of the Craftsman actually helps the laser etching with readability. It makes it "pop" vs. the chrome over the Harbor Freight sockets.

 

[shannonw]

I haven't looked extensively but when i was by there last week I noticed they skip sizes which means to get 10mm-18mm for example or the sae sizes you have to buy 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 sets + associated size ratchets (can't remember off the top of my head which they skip). Also i noticed the racks at the store carried a limited selection of the single sizes (or were out here and there).

Still pretty cheap ...but I dunno...i'd probably look at kobalt myself just as they have lots of individual sizes for when you loose,break,need the offsize,etc....just because it's more convenient for me to get there than sears, no particular reason.

Just something i noticed...

 

[Matt018]

Thats true on allot of the 1/2 impact sets, but all the sets i listed were complete, But thanks, because I do hate when I see that on a set

 

[nelstomlinson]

For good stuff, I'm liking Wright, Williams and SK. For cheap stuff, stick to whatever Cripe and Epstein and the local garage sales are clearing out.

ETA: I voted ``None, I choose a different brand''

 

[Matt018]

Is there any difference between the two brands as far as fitting the fastener is concerned? Like are the craftsmans "tighter"

 

[pipsters]

They are probably almost identical, although I haven't measured. My Craftsman sockets are all very tight. Guys have measured new Snap-On against Craftsman and they are almost identical, in most cases Craftsman is tighter. With SK vs. Craftsman, they were just about identical as well. Really you can't go wrong, don't over think this. Buy Harbor Freight to save $$, buy Craftsman to have a US tool. Both are good, you won't be disappointed at all.

 

[cotjocky]

Generally, 1/4 socket's don't get impacted by most home users and the bolts you turn with 1/4 sockets aren't torqued more than 25 ft/lbs. I turned bolts professionally for years and I have personally never broken more than one 1/4 socket. And I'm pretty rough on my tools.

Just about any brand should work for occasional use. 3/8 and 1/2 are a much more important choice than 1/4 IMO.

Only perk I see to buying Craftsman or Kobalt over Harbor Freight is that if you loose one, you can easily pick up one socket instead of having to buy a whole set. I'm unsure if HF sells them individually.

Not sure if you have a Northerntool near you, but looks like their sets are $1 cheaper per set over HF's price. You could order them online.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_hand-tools+sockets+1-4in.-drive-sets

 

[StevePgh]

I really don't know, and I'm not sure many people can give you accurate advice right now. The brands you mention have recently changed manufacturing locations and/or processes. If you don't care about US manufacturing, you need to add Kobalt and possibly the Sears Evolve line to the list of products to check out. From the recent HF thread, I am not sure if the updated lines are in the stores yet or in the process of being released - I'd try to verify what it is you are looking at by talking to an HF employee.

Best advice is to check each of the lines for size accuracy, plating, and markings yourself. Bring a couple of test bolts in various sizes to use as a size accuracy comparison. What would be the easiest location to get one replaced from when needed? (Check to see if your closest Sears is on the list of closures.) Does HF require a receipt to replace (Which I have heard but can't confirm)? What about Lowes? I'm pretty sure the Evolve line at Sears requires a receipt for replacement. We all know Craftsman does not.

I bought both SAE and Metric HF color coded $6.00 1/4" sets to replace three 1/4" craptastic pot metal Indian made sets given to me as a gift a long time ago (I split and/or lost enough of them). Inside a year and a half I found that the color coding on the HF stuff scratched off very easy - to the point that the 10mm was to dull chrome. I replaced those in Dec. with the Kobalt 1/4" sets that were on sale (and still are). I'm happy with it thus far for $10/set, but these are 1/4", so very little torque has been applied to them, and with very little usage. I'd also never use a 1/4" set to gauge overall quality of an entire socket line, so ignore all previous sentences in this paragraph.

If you do check this stuff out, please post back with your results, including the COO for each set you check out.

 

[fitz11]

I have the harbor freight sets and really like them. The Harbor Freight warranty seems easier than sears these days if you ever need to replace one. Also dont forget to use your 20% off coupon

 

[MD11]

get the best you can afford, it's that simple.

 

[SIDECAR BOB]

I still use Craftsman, but most of my 1/4 stuff was bought around 1970,( so were most of my other sae sockets) and have very few that are less than 10 years old. I have been very happy with somne of the tofx bit type sockets from harbor freight. I don't think I woul dhesitate to try 1 1/4 drive Pittsburg pro type set.

 

[cderalow]

strangely, I've had an older style HF set of 3/8" drive metric shallow & deep sockets for 16 years. I finally cracked on the other week using it on the end of my 1/4" drive 18V impact driver...

apparently it had finally taken enough abuse.

means I'll be hunting for a new 3/8" set in the near future.