How many socket sets do you own?

[montanafordman]

How many socket sets (multiples of same drive size) do you own?

I'm not sure about the rest of you, but I'm fighting a loosing battle wanting to be a minimalist, but having all my tool needs (and wants) covered. I just can't seem to stop picking up more socket sets (and ratchets). For instance, my USA craftsman tools were my first tools and I've had them nearly 20 years. They've saved me significant amounts of money on repairs I've done myself when I couldn't fathom or afford paying a shop to change dash bulbs, heater cores, and ball joints, etc. From a usability standpoint the ratchets are the poorest I own, and I hate the double detents on the sockets and extensions. On the other hand the sockets are great for driving out bushings, they take a beating and serve a purpose and from a sentimental standpoint and I just can't let them go easily and I like the Craftsman branding from a nostalgia standpoint.

Now that I have the means, I've got a lot of SK and Snap-on stuff that I wanted when I couldn't afford it. This is fun for the daily use stuff but its redundant and I feel I am, and continue to frivolously spend on shiny new stuff. Not only that its not a consumable like my cheaper tools so I'm more hesitant to use it in any matter necessary to get the job done (like driving bushings/bearings with a socket or beating on or using a cheater pipe on a ratchet).

Now I have been buying a lot of Napa Carlyle stuff. Its so dang nice for imported tools, and when on sale its a fantastic value. It comes so close to premium tools without the premium price I keep buying it to use hard and not worry about it.

With all these sets I'm accumulating I've got so many multiples its a waste of money and space but I just have a hard time justifying what to get rid of. For instance, I can get rid of XYZ set of tools, or I can just give it to my son when he's older. Also I certainly won't recoup my money (maybe some) and the space is almost more valuable. So do I become and accept the fact I'm a tool hoarder or is having 4+ socket sets perfectly normal?

 

[qqzj]

Re: How many socket sets (multiples of same drive size) do you own?

3-4 is very reasonable. If a set must have ratchet and sockets, I think I have 9. Haha. I also have a lot of socket set without ratchet, and single ratchets.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[qqzj]

Re: How many socket sets (multiples of same drive size) do you own?

Update, should be 11, not 9.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[qqzj]

Re: How many socket sets (multiples of same drive size) do you own?

Update,count again, should be 12.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[larry_g]

Why do you need to know this information???

If it is real important to you to know this, your welcome to come and count.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[unslow1]

I have more than 4 tool boxes. I have 4 socket sets in the house.

 

[montanafordman]

Why do you need to know this information???

If it is real important to you to know this, your welcome to come and count.

lg
no neat sig line

Not looking for affirmation, and not looking into your business. Just a lighthearted survey. Don't want to participate? Move on.

 

[didit]

A bit difficult to answer this question as presented. I don't have an equal amount of sets of each type but do have several sub-sets used for different purposes. I only have 1 set of 3/4" drive which are impact sockets. As well only 1 complete set of 1/2" drive but with duplicates of most for those times you need two. Then there are the sub-sets of impact, deep, magnetic, swivels/universals, specialty, etc. sockets. Same goes for the 3/8" drive sets and 1/4" drive sets. Lots of duplicates. Then there are 6 point or 12 point sockets. That covers the SAE. The Metric is a mix & match of 1/2"-3/8"-1/4" with doubles and triples of many and a complete set of each. Then there are oddball specialty sets I bought for a particular job and never used again. So even if I did answer the poll with 2, that's not really accurate at all. The way I see it, after all these years I have just what I need and can't label them simply as sets. I did not mention any of the socket sets that I don't use but just keep on display.
I would like to be a minimalist but that likely won't happen until its time for my dirt nap.

 

[ssdave]

......

 

[SuperCat]

Like most folks here, I have more than 4 socket sets: metric, sae, 4 different drive sizes, different brands, deep, shallow, universal, chrome, impact, 6 pt., 12 pt., etc. I don't have any mid length socket sets or black chrome. About a quarter of them are newer style off corner loaded design.
I suppose I could say I have 6 different drive sizes: 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, and two that I don't use - 9/32 and hex drive, I just keep those because they are different and interesting. Some folks could say they have 7 different types because they use 1" drive. Some even have 5/8 drive sockets, that would 8 types. And there's more, but I don't have that kind of historical knowledge about antique/pre-standard era tools.

I think most people are going to have about 14 sets of sockets: 7 in sae, 7 in metric:
1/4 drive - shallow
1/4 drive - deep
3/8 drive - shallow
3/8 drive - deep
1/2 drive - shallow
1/2 drive - deep
impact set in most commonly used drive size

In the end, folks that do more, need more, and end up buying more.

Folks that end up on The Garage Journal, well, they are just plain doomed to buy more.

 

[crewchief888]

more than i want to count...

1/4" dr thru 3/4" drive.

shallow,
deep,
midlength
shallow impact
deep impact
universal
impact universal
torx
hex
long hex
ect ect

 

[Dave455]

I’ve long believed that you need different grades of tools.

I don’t have any use for the really cheap Chinese stuff, but when I started buying tools I often bought good “mid range” usable tools. Though I’ve added a lot of top end stuff, the ,now well used, mid range stuff still has a place. Working on old corroded fasteners, taking to the scrap yard, pushing bearings, are all things I need to do but wouldn’t want to use top end tools for.

Add different drive sizes, not to mention SAE, Metric and Whitworth, plus of course Torx, Hex etc and I’m in to a lot more than four sets, if indeed you can work out what constitutes a “set”!

 

[jonesg]

I refuse to answer, I'm a very private person.

 

[richfinn]

I combined all mine together into one enormous socket set!!!!

And another one in my work van

 

[Jtels85]

Craftsman USA G2/GK 250+ piece original mechanic’s set from the mid 2000’s, Gearwrench 243 6 point mechanic set and two SK socket sets with ratchets and extensions in blow mold cases (1/4” & 3/8”).

Much prefer using the Craftsman sockets with my Carlyle ratchets. The Gearwrench set I usually take with me when I travel to my parents, help a buddy or a trip to the junk yard. The SK’s sets I’ve barely used, don’t have much of a use for them but I like having them.

 

[woody 73]

My problem is that when I go to a garage sale 99.999 percent of the time the set in question is missing a lot of the pieces, so I start looking for the replacements. Then when I go to another garage sale I buy another set only to forget the last set...

So I have several sets that are not complete I tell you it is a slippery slope of never ending incomplete sets. same goes with my wrench sets.

 

[Showkey]

Better question..........what ( which sockets) do use 95% of the time ?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

On the top of my cart:

3/8 shallow, semi-deep, deep, low profile, universal. All in impact and chrome. That's 10 sets.

1/2 shallow, deep, and two complete sets of universals. All impact, 4 sets.

First drawer down in 1/4 drive. Shallow chrome, semideep chrome, deep chrome, flank drive extra set, Koken nutgrip set, Koken zeal set. Then a set of impact and chrome universals, and a lonesome set of SAE. That's 9 sets here.


So the cart has 23 sets of sockets on it. Not including the 5 bit socket sets. The rest of the sets live in a mostly full 72x30 drawer.



IMO if we're ignoring bit sockets, the home user needs about 6 sets. 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 shallow and deep. Per metric/SAE anyways, I suppose 12 total for complete coverage.

 

[uppster]

I have my first set I bought, Craftsman 1/2 12 point, 1965. I got an electric pencil and carved EU in everyone. Still have the electric pencil also. But I cannot find my phone half the time.

 

[lardy1]

My problem is that when I go to a garage sale 99.999 percent of the time the set in question is missing a lot of the pieces, so I start looking for the replacements. Then when I go to another garage sale I buy another set only to forget the last set...

So I have several sets that are not complete I tell you it is a slippery slope of never ending incomplete sets. same goes with my wrench sets.

This is why I stopped collecting vintage tools. It very quickly spiraled into something I couldn't afford and didn't have the time and resources for.

 

[logical]

Somewhere between 5 and 17, depending on how we define a set.

 

[richfinn]

This is why I stopped collecting vintage tools. It very quickly spiraled into something I couldn't afford and didn't have the time and resources for.

If it fits in one toolbox, it's one socket set

 

[speed bump]

I have a lot of socket sets but I'm not attached to them so as far as duplicate sets 3 maybe 4. Shop tools, main truck tools, fun truck tools, and I may have a socket set in the house.

 

[theoldwizard1]

My stuff is old (the oldest is over 50 yo) so in all cases I have both SAE and Metric.

1/4" SAE and Metric standard depth
3/8" SAE and Metric standard depth and deep
3/8" SAE and Metric deep impact
1/2" SAE and Metric standard depth and deep
1/2" SAE and Metric deep impact

Note, no deep 1/4" sockets ! Never needed them. Funny thing is, I have ADDED a few sockets this year, mainly because I did not know they even existed; 1/4" drive 9/16" standard, 3/8" drive 5/16" deep, 3/8" drive 1/4" deep.

I don't think I have used any 1/2" drive sockets in over 5 year except the flip lug nut set. When I got a Milwaukee M12 3/8" impact gun a couple of years ago, I went out and bought impact sockets for it. Waste of money !

 

[M6erfan]

Edit: I've never given it much thought before...

1/4" Facom R.2A metric set (shallow)
1/4" C'man USA metric shallow set
1/4" C'man USA metric deep set
1/4" C'man USA SAE shallow set
1/4" C'man USA SAE deep set
1/4" Ko-ken metric mid length set
1/4" S-K metric deep impact set

3/8" C'man USA metric shallow set
3/8" C'man USA metric deep set

1/2" Facom metric shallow set
1/2" C'man USA SAE shallow set
1/2" C'man USA SAE deep set
1/2" Sunex metric deep impact set
1/2" S-K metric deep impact set

3/8"-1/4" Metrinch set

 

[KMdef9]

I have sets of sets. Garage sets, basement sets, upstairs sets and around the house tool bag has a set.

 

[matt_i]

I have several sets in several brands and want to try Ko_Ken and some German brands someday.

 

[Rinspeed]

My problem is that when I go to a garage sale 99.999 percent of the time the set in question is missing a lot of the pieces, so I start looking for the replacements. Then when I go to another garage sale I buy another set only to forget the last set...

So I have several sets that are not complete I tell you it is a slippery slope of never ending incomplete sets. same goes with my wrench sets.

I've been thinking of putting a WTT ad in the classifies to get rid of some of the duplicate SK sockets I have in exchange for some of the ones I'm missing.

 

[ssdave]

....

 

[m6z]

Re: How many socket sets (multiples of same drive size) do you own?

Craftsman 1/4 deep and shallow 6pt

Craftsman 3/8 deep and shallow 6pt

Craftsman 3/8 shallow 12pt

Craftsman 1/2 shallow 12pt

Sunex 1/2 impact deep and shallow 6pt

Sunex 3/8 low profile 6pt

I honestly don't know what else I'd add. I'm covered for what I work on.

I've also got torx, allen, security torx and 8 point sets.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[m6z]

The problem with sockets and filling out sets in an exchange is that it costs minimum of about $4 to ship any socket, and $5 if it's a heavier one. When people expect to pay $.25 to $1 for a socket, shipping kills the deal.

Yeah, shipping is brutal. Everyone's conditioned to expect free shipping via Amazon and the individual shipper rates continue to go up. I shipped around ten 1/2 deep sockets recently and it was over $20.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[username2]

Yeah, shipping is brutal. Everyone's conditioned to expect free shipping via Amazon and the individual shipper rates continue to go up. I shipped around ten 1/2 deep sockets recently and it was over $20.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

They wouldn't fit in a medium flat rate box (which admittedly is still $15)?

A thing that works well with sockets is to wind them up in plastic and use a heavily reinforced flat rate padded envelope ($8.50 or so).

Now that I think of it, people should probably hollow out books and send this stuff media mail.

 

[m6z]

They wouldn't fit in a medium flat rate box (which admittedly is still $15)?

A thing that works well with sockets is to wind them up in plastic and use a heavily reinforced flat rate padded envelope ($8.50 or so).

Now that I think of it, people should probably hollow out books and send this stuff media mail.

Yeah, that would have been cheaper. Guess I'll use priority flat rate envelopes next time.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Southern83]

Not enough. I'm trying to keep my OCD in check by not having them all from the same manufacturer.

 

[Renegade1LI]

To me a avg complete set would be 1/4"-1/2" deep, standard, sae, metric, 6pt,12pt. At least 3 plus a couple 3/4" sets & 1 one inch set, then random sets of sockets & drive tools in every box, bag,truck, camper, even a 1/4" & 3/8" set in the home repair bag. It's amazing how many you accumulate over time.

 

[Jersey Drew]

so I have:

1/4 drive 6 point short & long SAE as well as short & long metric
3/8 drive 6 point short & long SAE as well as short & long metric
3/8 drive 6 point long only impact for both SAE & metric
1/2 drive 12 point short & long SAE as well as short & long metric
1/2 drive 6 point long only impact for both SAE & metric
also sets of spark plug set, no mar lug nut set, torx, e torx, allen short & long SAE as well as short & long metric
lastly i have some random specialty stuff i needed over the years like a 12 point 1/4 drive 1/4 socket and a 12 point 3/8 drive 10mm and a 6 point short and long 1/2 drive 17mm there are more but those come to mind.

I classify that as one set.

 

[bsaint]

I think even as a whipper snapper working on my BMX I had 4 sets. Metric deep and shallow, sae deep and shallow. Now who knows. An entire draw in my snap on box dedicated to just metric sockets. SAE is in another toolbox.

 

[sberry]

One set, a thousand sockets.

 

[Badgerstate]

Re: How many socket sets (multiples of same drive size) do you own?

Ive got 3. 3/8" Crescent, 1/4" Sears Craftsman, 3/8" Husky and various old, orphaned Husky, Snap-On and Mac that I inherited.

 

[Al Borland]

2 sets each 1/4" drive, Metric and American, Deep and Shallow Craftsman
4 3/8" sets of Husky in Blow-molded cases (Work tools)
2 3/8" sets New Britain American deep and shallow
1 3/8" set Stanley Husky Black chrome shallow Metric and American
3 1/2" sets American New Britain/Craftsman Shallow
2 1/2" sets Husky Metric and American Shallow
2 1/2" sets of mixed brand Metric and American Deep sockets
2 3/8" sets of metric and American Impacts, deep and shallow
2 1/2" sets each of deep and shallow Metric and American Impacts
Dozens of extensions, At least 20 additional ratchets and an ungodly number of duplicate sockets.

And a bunch of sets of JH Williams and Vulcan industrial sockets that i forgot about

Ha-Ha found a set of Duro made Wizard 3/8 i forgot about as well as A set of Whitworth sockets.
And a Task Force set, and a Popular Mechanics set, and part of a Stanley set with the Challenger-type ratchets made in Taiwan.