jdlong
Well-known member
Are chrome swivel sockets on the horizon? Semi deeps?
Improved socket sets from Tekton
- Thread starter 65k10
- Start date
Glad to hear it. Can't wait to see what you guys will be releasing.
More companies did do it including gearwrench that used full length stepped shouldering as a feature point for marketing.
Once they started pinching back every cent these sort of features became less plus US common design not big on shouldering sockets and have them all straight and preferably polished chrome and no knurl thus easy push a basic design . European sockets tend always have shouldering fastener end and drive end as the socket size increases, satin finish and knurl for ergonomics also pretty common .
Why so many never had large size markings was beyond me, such simple idea and first ones get that right was gearwrench surprisingly .
Nice to see tekton take on some of the design ideas to produce more usable tool rather than take easy and lowest cent manufacture sourcing route .
Adding mid lengths and other speciality socketry would be cool way advance the brand .
Yah I checked all my Gearwrench and none of them are fully shouldered, mostly half, the 1/4" ones I have seem to be a little past half. Like you said tho, knurled and large size markings stamped on BOTH sides. Very little detail there that few seem to do.
Any way you split it tho, good to see more sockets coming to the market with these features, even if they're one at a time
Brownsfan
Well-known member
Seriously. Can warranty the sets i just bought. I think they are ummm broken or something. Seriously. Good job at listening to what customers/tool users want. All while making them better at the same time
Because when working on something using 8mm-14mm or 15mm fasteners, I don't want the heft of using 3/8 stuff, and I don't want to have two different size ratchets/extensions/swivels to deal with either.
ATV/motorcycles use primarily 8/10/12/13/14/15mm and fasteners are not tight enough to warrant 3/8 ratchet for leverage, not to mention 3/8 stuff won't fit in a lot of areas on those vehicles.
pioneer1
Well-known member
Yep, me to. I like the larger size stamping. But I did color fill them to try and make them stand out.
it helps
ptgarcia
Well-known member
Can someone post a pic showing half-step vs fully-stepped? I have no idea what the difference is.
I find and own the Tekton 3/8 socket set. While it is nice looking with its case and chrome and set up I find the sockets are really loose on the ratchet anvil. I’ve tried other ratchets and it is about the same with Tekton sockets wiggling a lot. Why are the Tekton sockets so loose? I hope the new socket sets are tighter. Hopefully someone will review one on YouTube soon.
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No kidding. Mine are “well used.” Does that qualify? I love both my old style 1/4 and 3/8 sets, and these just look like even more of a good thing. The more visible size markings are the one thing I really want.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
They're pretty cheap, use the old sets as back ups, loaners, or in the trunk kits and pick up the new versions. Of course, this is only the beginning of the new offerings. There might better sets coming down the road. I would hate for you to have buyer's remorse twice.
I find that is the case when the corners of the drive end are radiused. My Snap-on, Williams, and Proto sockets are not and fit fairly tight on the anvil. My Taiwan sockets (Tekton, Gearwrench, Carlyle) are radiused and sloppier.
I’m curious what others think but that is my analysis.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I think you're spot on
I think it's become a Taiwan made thing that they have off corner engagement on the female square drive end. Why? i have no friggen idea.
I also don't know why Taiwan made 1/4 drive sockets are just a tad longer than than others.
While improving Tekton sockets, Tekton also needs to release normal length 90 tooth flex head ratchets. By this I mean a 3/8 flex head ratchet WITHOUT a bent handle in the 12-13 inch long range, and a 1/2 drive version in a more usable 18 inch range. a fixed head version in the 12-13 inch long range in both 3/8 & 1/2 drives would also be appreciated
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Hi guys, this is my first post on the forum and thought I would jump in on this thread.
I just bought both the 3/8 and 1/4 inch drive Tekton socket sets a few weeks ago to replace my scattered older craftsman sets. I too wish I had known Tekton was going to release a revised version before I ordered but I am really happy so far. The stamping on the sockets is not a real issue for me but I am interested in the new ratchets.
I am thinking about biting the bullet and order the 3/8 kit just to try them out, haha. Like someone up above said. I can put the older version in my Jeep for emergency trail repairs and stuff and leave the other set in the main box at home.
Anyways. Cool forum.
I just bought both the 3/8 and 1/4 inch drive Tekton socket sets a few weeks ago to replace my scattered older craftsman sets. I too wish I had known Tekton was going to release a revised version before I ordered but I am really happy so far. The stamping on the sockets is not a real issue for me but I am interested in the new ratchets.
I am thinking about biting the bullet and order the 3/8 kit just to try them out, haha. Like someone up above said. I can put the older version in my Jeep for emergency trail repairs and stuff and leave the other set in the main box at home.
Anyways. Cool forum.
Hi guys, this is my first post on the forum and thought I would jump in on this thread.
I just bought both the 3/8 and 1/4 inch drive Tekton socket sets a few weeks ago to replace my scattered older craftsman sets. I too wish I had known Tekton was going to release a revised version before I ordered but I am really happy so far. The stamping on the sockets is not a real issue for me but I am interested in the new ratchets.
I am thinking about biting the bullet and order the 3/8 kit just to try them out, haha. Like someone up above said. I can put the older version in my Jeep for emergency trail repairs and stuff and leave the other set in the main box at home.
Anyways. Cool forum.
If it was really just a few weeks ago I would email [email protected]. I suspect he can work something out for you if you want the new ones.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Difference is, the 1/4 tool will fit.
Ratchet is thinner, extensions are thinner, sockets are thinner, it goes on. IMO 15mm is about as big as can be reasonably driven by 1/4 drive. Once the ratchet is 10 inches long, and it's a 15mm fastener, and you're cranking on it; one is reaching the limits of what a 1/4 inch drive end can transmit.
I remember doing an AC line on a 15 year old PT Loser, off the compressor to the evaporator I think? I was supposed to pull half of the front clip off to gain access; or something like that. Surprise surprise, this POS was wrecked previously, rusty, puking oil, and the 10mm bolt I needed to reach was super corroded. I had ZERO intention of following the service info or touching anything I didn't have to. 3 feet of 1/4 extensions, adapted up to my biggest 3/8 ratchet. 3/8 extensions were too thick to clear between the intake manifold and the fans.
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retDAC
Well-known member
You may be right. The biggest 1/4" drive sockets I found several years ago were 5/8" and 16mm.
I think it's become a Taiwan made thing that they have off corner engagement on the female square drive end. Why? i have no friggen idea.
Probably nothing to do with where the anvil engages the socket. A square peg in a square hole has tons of interference. Rounded corners lower the stress concentration in that area and might be of some benefit in the broaching process too.
What is strange is my Tekton 1/2 set fits snug like a SK ratchet and socket. I wish the 3/8 Tekton fit was as tight and solid and wasn’t so wobbly. I don’t think thats covered under warranty but they should not be so loose and floppy on the ratchet. Heck my cheap husky is tight and a solid fit. I will say I am loving Wright tools socket and ratchets now due to their fit and finish.
Yeah it was literally 18 days or so, lol... I’m happy tho. They are doing the job. I may give my dad these and buy the newer ones. I don’t really think it’s worth it just for the ratchets as I use Snap-On’s.
Anyone put the new sockets to use yet? Notice any real difference other than cosmetics with the stamping?
Has anyone tried the new socket set and compared the old to the new? I am itching to read or see a review. I am hoping Tekton has a fathers day sale or some sale soon so I can order some more tools from them. I checked youtube and no reviews yet. Just wondered if any forum member got a 3/8 set yet.
I just got mine yesterday. It’s going to replace my old version in the truck. The ratchet is a big improvement with a decent feel (it’s not a Dual 80) and positive selector. The finish on the sockets is also decent and I appreciate that it includes 11/32s.
I can’t give a full review because I haven’t done any real work with them. It’s a significant enough upgrade that it’s worth it for the price but waiting for a sale is reasonable if you already have a useable set.
Note: Tekton.com now gives 10% back in rewards, up from 5%.
I can’t give a full review because I haven’t done any real work with them. It’s a significant enough upgrade that it’s worth it for the price but waiting for a sale is reasonable if you already have a useable set.
Note: Tekton.com now gives 10% back in rewards, up from 5%.
Thank you for the update. My only issue with my current set is the socket wobble fit and finish on the ratchet. My 1/2 84 piece set is amazing and has SK type fit and finish. I just wanted the fit and finish to be better on this new set. I am trying to resist ordering one when I have no good reason to except I love Tekton tools and their cases and lack of skipping sizes. It makes a great road set.
Thank you again for your feedback.
Thank you again for your feedback.
If anyone has to have a 1/4 set, this is what I have
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...aign=20181210_A_EC_TX_ORDCON&utm_content=ITEM
I have the older style Tekton 3/8 that has both SAE and Metric. Never an issue. And the product does two things well vs my old craftsman. (1) It would sometimes loosen a bolt on the backswing, so a two steps forward, 1 step back sort of thing and (2) it would occasionally "free spin" and not grip anything at all in either direction. I never had either of these issues with the Tekton. Only complaint I have is that I can't seem to clean the blow molded case...maybe it would be better if it were black for dirty people like me.
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...aign=20181210_A_EC_TX_ORDCON&utm_content=ITEM
I have the older style Tekton 3/8 that has both SAE and Metric. Never an issue. And the product does two things well vs my old craftsman. (1) It would sometimes loosen a bolt on the backswing, so a two steps forward, 1 step back sort of thing and (2) it would occasionally "free spin" and not grip anything at all in either direction. I never had either of these issues with the Tekton. Only complaint I have is that I can't seem to clean the blow molded case...maybe it would be better if it were black for dirty people like me.
I finally got around to taking the old set out of the truck and putting the new one in so I compared side by side. One thing I didn’t realize was how much longer the new ratchet was. I didn’t measure but probably the better part of 2”. It is noticeably slimmer too.
The extensions look about the same but have different part numbers. Maybe Dave will let us in on the secret changes.
The extensions look about the same but have different part numbers. Maybe Dave will let us in on the secret changes.