I hate to ask about brand preference, but I will

[JimNC]

I've decided to replace my hodgepodge of 1/2" drive sockets with a new chrome set.

I have some older Proto Professional hex drivers and I really like them, because t don't have a single Proto socket.

I have or have has some older Williams and Wright sockets, liked them but don't know where quality is today vs 20-30 years ago.

These will not see heavy use, but I still want acccurate fit and high durability.

I looked at snapon, but the price seems more than a little silly.

So, based on what is currently available new, what would you recommend?

Thanks

 

[Fedwrench]

Really need more information in order to offer an opinion. Are we talking metric or SAE, 6 or 12 point? Deep and or shallow? Proto isn't exactly cheap from an industrial supplier. Have you considered SK? they have a wide selection of metric sizes too include chrome six point deep sockets in 1/2 drive which none of your poll brands offer.

 

[MaverickDMD]

Go US made. Go Wright.

 

[JimNC]

I prefer 6 point in the 1/4 and 3/8 drive, but am thinking 12 point for the 1/2" drive just because there is so much fastener contact area anyway.

Yes, SAE and metric, and yes both standard and deep.

I never thought that SK felt as robust as Proto, that's why they doidn't make the list. Willing to reconsider, just showing my bias.

 

[JimNC]

Go US made. Go Wright.

Says the Canadian! I think that these are all US made.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

SK, just cuz that's the one I like. You can't go wrong with Proto or Wright either.

If you decide to go for Imports, I recommend Carlyle from NAPA or Gearwrench. I own some stuff from both brands and socket wise I have been happy with both.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Any on the list will do you right (as will SK). I had Williams USA 1/2" drive chrome sockets, didn't use them enough to keep them, but really great sockets nonetheless.

Any specific need for chrome and not impact?

 

[turnthewrench]

Of those, I only own PROTO 6 points... excellent sockets!
My vote is for them.



P.S. Fixing to buy a Wright ratchet soon.

 

[WittHay]

Short answer> Proto nice finish, seem thicker/stronger than other brands except Snap-on

Long answer>what I use, mainly impact sockets, have a SAE + Metric 6-point sets of import chrome sockets similar to Tekton but Canadian brands, for torquing and tough things using large breaker bars Snap-on 12-point

 

[Olafur]

Do you want cheap good sockets or do you want "cheap" good sockets made in the US?

 

[gdocktor3]

Do you want cheap good sockets or do you want "cheap" good sockets made in the US?

None of those he listed are cheap...?

I have USA made Blackhawk by Proto in 1/2" and the fit, finish, etc is excellent.

 

[Wamsutta]

Proto most definitely.

 

[Fedwrench]

Of the three brands listed, I would go with Proto. However, i'm not a fan of 12 point sockets and Proto doesn't offer 1/2 drive deep chrome 6 point sockets so, I'm back to my recommendation of SK for a US made brand.

 

[Shop Dad]

I've been very happy with my Wright sockets. Pretty sure they haven't changed the "recipe" for quality.

 

[JimNC]

Any specific need for chrome and not impact?

Not really, just don't need impact. Chrome are a bit thinner, so better access.

Do you want cheap good sockets or do you want "cheap" good sockets made in the US?

Price isn't the issue, looking for quality. Snap-On is out because I don't need a truck visit, I don't need to finance the purchase, and it doesn't seem to me that the quality is meaningfully better than these brands.

Short answer> Proto nice finish, seem thicker/stronger than other brands except Snap-on

I need to touch some of them, I like the heft of the Proto, but if they are essentially the size as impact sockets, that negates the only marginal reason I have for buying chrome vs impact.

Please continue sharing your thoughts!
Jim

 

[kb1982]

Check out this seller on eBay for great prices on USA made NOS Blackhawk. I've bought several different sets from this seller and couldn't be happier. http://stores.ebay.com/SATCO-SUPPLYs-CLOSEOUT-TOOLS

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[Tonyuk]

Just get a reasonable quality imported set, i haven't seen a badly made socket in years. Good set from Taiwan or the like should cost about £25-30 delivered.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Wright just because it seems like their larger sizes are their best.

Williams would be a good choice also.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Not really, just don't need impact. Chrome are a bit thinner, so better access.

Makes sense, I used 12 point non-impact Craftsman set for years until going into a shop/road environment, then went to all impact, and the chrome stuff got sold.

Price isn't the issue, looking for quality. Snap-On is out because I don't need a truck visit, I don't need to finance the purchase, and it doesn't seem to me that the quality is meaningfully better than these brands.

Funny thing, the Williams are Snap-on sockets with a different stamp, and many claim less polish. I had a Snap-on socket included on the rail of one of my 1/4" Williams sets.

 

[Codejack]

Well, I've only ever had Williams, but I wasn't that impressed.

 

[ssdave]

I have Williams, Snap-on and Proto in 1/2" drive SAE. Of the three, I like Proto the best, although the Williams and Snap-on are great also. I just like the feel and fit of the Proto better. Essentially, I only use Proto in 1/2" drive. That changes in other sizes, I prefer Snap-on in 1/4" drive. In 3/8" drive, I'm neutral, I use both Proto and Snap-on interchangeably, have no preference for either.

 

[Sloper0204]

We ran Wright and Proto in our industrial oilfield shop, primarily rebuilding wellhead equipment. Very little automotive work. 1/2 drive was our smallest, with 1-1/2 drive our largest, mostly impact.

Wright 1/2 drive chrome were the only sockets that stood up to continuous use on the ratchets, but we all greatly preferred the Wright impacts, just because we could really get western with them without much concern.

In my personal pickup toolbox, all my 1/2 drive is Wright. Same goes for in the shop. Though SK is making a larger presence now.

 

[lugnut71]

Williams usa version, nearly identical to snap-on.

 

[Wakefield]

Seems like one of them has a deeper broach in their shallow broach deep sockets but don't remember which one.(Except Bonney now defunct). Might help accommodate an acorn nut or taller than normal lug BOLT head. May even apply to regular length Impact sockets.
Some deep sockets are broached almost all of the way to their drive end,there was a long thread about that in here a couple years ago.

 

[BK13]

If I were buying right now, I'd be looking at Wright or Proto.


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[T45]

Price isn't the issue, looking for quality.

The best shallow-drive 1/2 drive chrome sockets are snap-on and hazet.

if cost is not an issue, stop right there.

if cost is an issue, but the snap-on used or second-hand and set your target budget at 50% of retail; and for the Hazets import them from Europe.

deep chrome sockets I would probably do the budget a favour and stick with williams/usa or similar. the overlap of deep impact and deep chrome is so great that you will have some built in redunancy and distribution of wear and what not on those.

on the shallows is really the time you might need the higher end stuff, either for fitment, feel, and similar.

it also helps to verify your ratchets and extensions play nice together when mix/matching brands (regardless of quality). in 1/2 drive I've found some pretty good fitments, but best to verify just in case.

(fitment issues in 1/4 and 3/8 can be a PITA especially with sloppy fit)

 

[General Geoff]

The best shallow-drive 1/2 drive chrome sockets are snap-on and hazet.

if cost is not an issue, stop right there.

I submit that Koken is right up there, along with KTC Nepros. A few pics of Koken shallow 12-point 1/2" chrome sockets:

 

[woody 73]

For my two cents...(hope my cred is still good on the GJ) I have every one of the sockets you talked about and they all hold up very well.

Why I go with Wright (and the only reason so far) ; is because instead of calling up the other brands too ask for a replacement which involves mailing in and running to the post office, I have a wright dealer in my area that helps me out, and it saves some fast turn around time.

So whatever you pick will be good, but maybe you have a dealer close by that can carry one of those brands to help you out for a faster time in case they fail.

Hope that helps you out.

 

[MaverickDMD]

Is USA still stamped on the new Proto sockets?

 

[T45]

I submit that Koken is right up there, along with KTC Nepros. A few pics of Koken shallow 12-point 1/2" chrome sockets

For cost-no-object quality in the USA, I would still go with snap on for availability and servicebility if ever needed. Even something trivial like losing a socket or needing to add some obscure size (23mm?) etc.

Hazet are actually a better design, so they are worth the hassl to seek out. They are undercut bases, matte chrom/polished two-tone finish, and have that great knurling. Many similar shapes without the knurling are available from the likes of other german makers and JDM parts etc.

again, this is just "cost no object" discussion. service in my opinion is still relevant for some people after the fact, as is supporting local manufacturing and whatever else comes into play. All would be worth of any toolbox (as frankly would proto/wright/USA williams etc).

Many great sockets exist out ther and Koken and Nepros (and probably Stahlwille) are in a bracket of great tools. But for the OP I get the sense that USA options may be preferred, and of the imports I still think Hazet are the ones to jump hoops for.

That and maybe Belzer (old-school)

 

[kb1982]

Is USA still stamped on the new Proto sockets?

Last set that I bought at the beginning of the year was. I think the production date on the box said 12/23/16. Only reason why I remember is because the 10mm socket was missing. Zoro sent a replacement set next day after they had confirmation of the RMA shipment back.

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[Olafur]

As far as I know, we don't have any socket tests. No meaningful comparison between brands of any kind -at least not publicly available. We only have great many opinions and at best - anecdotal evidence.

Comparing decent chrome sockets isn't easy either for the average user. Without heavy abuse like using powerful impact guns on them - they will last for decades.

So we are basically stuck with deciding factors like: surface finish, knurling (or not) availability, warranty, COO and such things. On the things that really matter -- Strength, durability, fit, (corrosion resistance) we got nothing.

Obviously - there is a great temptation to equal price with quality. Well, why not, that's what some women do when they go shoe shopping - works fine for them.

 

[mmason7764]

Is USA still stamped on the new Proto sockets?

I have an example of a chrome 1/2" drive purchased last week and an impact 1/2" drive purchased last year.

Both are stamped U.S.A.

Mark

 

[Hoppychoppy]

My father always had williams and I grew a fondness for them. But recently I broke a rachet and the warranty service was aweful. They literally blamed the failure on another brands socket that was in the background on the picture. I was using a williams socket, not like that matters.

 

[BK13]

Comparing decent chrome sockets isn't easy either for the average user. Without heavy abuse like using powerful impact guns on them - they will last for decades.

Which chromes are not designed for, anyway....



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[Ign]

As far as I know, we don't have any socket tests. No meaningful comparison between brands of any kind -at least not publicly available. We only have great many opinions and at best - anecdotal evidence.

Comparing decent chrome sockets isn't easy either for the average user. Without heavy abuse like using powerful impact guns on them - they will last for decades.

So we are basically stuck with deciding factors like: surface finish, knurling (or not) availability, warranty, COO and such things. On the things that really matter -- Strength, durability, fit, (corrosion resistance) we got nothing.

Obviously - there is a great temptation to equal price with quality. Well, why not, that's what some women do when they go shoe shopping - works fine for them.

This is exactly what I was thinking....

I like mint chocolate chip personally. Pick your flavor

 

[JohnDeere1]

I have all those brands in 1/2 and more the heaviest is Wright they are heavier than they look and hold up well.
My second choice is Williams they look identical to my metric snap on sockets just different knurling you can't go wrong with either. Proto I'm not a fan of but have some mixed in here and there in my sockets they are lighter and thinner same for impacts.

I use Wright in 1/2 and 3/4 only and Williams in 3/8 along with snap on and snappy and SK for 1/4. It's good to have a mixture alot of my sets are mixed except for my Snap on sockets alit of times I'll choose from another set instead of SO if I need to go ape shat on something. Most of my snap on was my father's so they are irreplaceable.

Why not just buy impacts for 1/2 they will broaden the usefulness I have a mix of all the truck brands and sk as well as 1/2 deep Sunex master set and they are great even came with flip sockets i bought mine used and it had extra Mac flip sockets all for $50 sae and metric. Cornwell is also a fine choice I love Cornwell and they can be found cheap used on eBay my whole metric 3/8 shallow set was $25.

 

[JimNC]

This is exactly what I was thinking....

I like mint chocolate chip personally. Pick your flavor

yeah, I'm starting to agree as well. I know that I didn't include them, but I like the knuring on the Hazet sockets. The other considerations are that Wright is a small business and that I have a Grainger in town. I went into this thinking that USA Williams would lead the pack, but I can't come up with a good differentiator for them.

In my head Wright is leading, gotta go check the score board.

 

[cherrybomb]

I really enjoyed this post. I too have all of the players in my arsenal plus SK.I really like the USA brands,they really push each other to make better products.My vote goes to Proto,but I do my own tests sometimes.I can't predict who will win the vote,but all these brands will last a lifetime and some.They instill a sense of professionalism and pride every time I use mine.I feel confident that whatever socket I pick to use,brand no preference,it will get the job done.

 

[turnthewrench]

They instill a sense of professionalism and pride every time I use mine.

Roger that. Any of those three will do the trick - no stress test can be a substitute for pride.