Inexpensive 3/4" Drive Socket Sets

[dkroth]

I almost* needed a 46mm socket last weekend so I've been looking into 3/4" sockets and sets.

Northern Tool has this:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200314027_200314027

And a corresponding one in SAE. Can't tell much from the pictures but there does appear to be a brand name stamped on the handle. Anyone know what that might be? At this price point it the set can only be from China. But if someone cares enough to put a name on it maybe it has had at least 10 seconds of QC before being shipped to the states.

The NT set looks similar to the one at Harbor Freight, though the customer comments are better at NT (when you include the comments on the SAE sets):

http://www.harborfreight.com/21-piece-metric-3-4-quarter-inch-heavy-duty-socket-set-5494.html

Thoughts?

I'm not going to run out an buy this tomorrow. For something I'll use two or three times the rest of my life I'd prefer to let someone else store it unitl I need it.

*I had a little wiggle in my right front wheel bearing. When I got it apart for inspection I discovered the movement was transmitted down from a bad strut bearing. I would have needed the 46 to get the wheel bearing hub off.

 

[dualsub2006]

I have Craftsman SAE & metric that were free to me, but if I were buying I would get the HF set. For one, those look like the same set to me. For two, HF will warranty that set over the counter across the country. If you don't live in the NT footprint exchanges are much tougher.

 

[srmofo]

I have the HF set. I dont use it very often and it hasnt given me any trouble yet. Ive even put an adapter on my 1/2 gun and still no issues. Theres just so much metal involved in a socket that size its hard to mess it up. Ive also put a 3" pipe on the end of my 2' ratchet to remove a stubborn nut. Its a hard set to beat for the money. around $40 with the coupon and when its on sale

And I was watching this set last night but I was home when it ended so I couldnt sniper bid it at the last minute. I probably would have got it too.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270643575793&ssPageName=STRK:MEDWX:IT

 

[back2class]

Yes, any HF or Northern set is fine. I had one before I upgradedto Proto because a deal came up. As someone said. They are so massive and .01" off will not be an issue on things this size.

 

[tonydanzah]

menards always has a set for $40

 

[jwith68]

In my experience, the cheap 3/4" drive sockets are usually fine, for the same reasons the others have mentioned. I've had some pretty long cheater pipes on a couple of the sockets from the 3/4" drive HF set my dad has, and have yet to hurt one.

 

[back2class]

I should add that the ratchets are Garbage in them. I broke my cheepie and when I looked inside you could tell the innerds were soft and poorly made. But the breaker bar is all you need anyhow so I would not let that stop you. Ratchet is of that horrid quality we used to see in typical imports 15-30 years back, not like the nice quality import ratchets we see everywhere today.

 

[Packard V8]

I've used the HF Pittsburg 3/4" impact sockets and their Earthquake gun and they are probably the best buy in the new tool universe. I picked up both 1/2" and 3/4" socket sets and guns on craigslist for $100.

jack vines

 

[I can fix anything]

To me this Williams set is a deal. I would not say inexpensive but a reasonable price for good quality. $240 at AMAZON.

 

[back2class]

I have Craftsman set in SAE I can sell for $115

 

[Busted Bolts]

And that set is a KD set, it is actually cheaper branded c-man than labled through the danaher lines

 

[jteck75]

I've noticed USA made Blackhawk 3/4dr. sets going for a dream on Ebay here lately.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

Here is a set I bought not quite a year ago. it is built by MIT and is available and JC Whitney. Part # 1JA 812088. i was skeptical of the rachet at first but i watched my 350lbs co-worker bounce on it with a 4-foot cheater (much to my dislike) and it survived. been using it a least once a week since.

 

[Scout Driver]

Saw an Allen set at Menard's tonite for $199. Looks like a nice made in USA set for the money.

Scott

 

[Steve_P]

To me this Williams set is a deal. I would not say inexpensive but a reasonable price for good quality. $240 at AMAZON.

I love the Williams US stuff, but I would love to see that next to a HF $50 set. I am very skeptical of taiwan stuff, I tend to assume it all comes from the same factory. That might not be true, but I see a LOT of the same stuff HF sells rebranded and sold for 2-5X more.

Anyway I too have the HF 3/4" sets, SAE and metric, and they're both fine- but I am not working on rusty earthmovers with a 1000 lbf-ft impact wrench either.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

46mm? Is it a BMW?

 

[dkroth]

46mm? Is it a BMW?

Check.






...

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I work with a guy who has one of the generic "CHINA" marked sets you see everywhere. He is not hard on or abusive of tools at all, but has broken four or five of the sockets and the ratchet. As a socket breaks, he buys an open stock Craftsman to replace it, and did the same with the ratchet when it broke. Personally I would not waste my time on anything 3/4 drive that said China on it.

I have been building a 3/4 SAE set for my work toolbox. I bought a Bonney RHFT ratchet with removable handle and about 17 or 18 different sockets, for $60 at the flea market. I sold the China sockets and kept the US made stuff, and have bought several more for $3 to $5 each at the flea. I have also bought 8" Williams and Proto extensions (new) for $4 each and a 15" New Britain extension (used) for $5.

I have a ratchet, three extensions, and 13 sockets and figure I have about $50 in them so far. 7/8 up to 2" all 12 point. Got to find 5 more to make the set.

Charles

 

[a390st]

The flea market/yard sale is a pretty good place to find 3/4 drive sockets. A lot of times there are inexpensive US made sockets available.

 

[mrholeshot]

I have 2 sets of 3/4 drive socket sets. I've never used either ratchet. One set is Craftsman the other HF. Ive used some of the sockets a good bit and never broke one from either set. The biggest impact wrench I've use with them is a 1/2 IR2135TI may be the reason for that.

 

[dankicksass]

Buying the HF set is cheaper than renting/leasing an axle nut kit at Advance or Autozone, kind of a no-brainer unless you'd rather have 6-points or impact sockets. I know I dogged on HF this week but I plan on buying these China large sockets, I've had a rental-set out for two years too long.

 

[Burgerkong]

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-...3-4-Ratchet-and-Socket-Set-W0QQAdIdZ235029463

Good?

 

[Indy_500]

Get the HF set and buy a better ratchet

 

[Burgerkong]

Not inexpensive, but deal:

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-tools-equipment-Socket-set-W0QQAdIdZ230970039

 

[toytech40]

I have put together 2 almost complete SAE 3/4 drive socket sets(shop set is complete to 2 1/2, truck set goes to 2, truck set only missing a couple sizes to be complete), with garage sale, flea market, and auction items. Some USA, some not, I did buy a Snap On breaker bar as I never found a good cheap one and later found a good used snap On ratchet to complete the set in my shop box. Recently ran across a new china metric set on ebay missing the ratchet and extensions, and was able to aquire for a reasonable price to add to my shop set, only had a few skips in coverage of sizes. For no more then i use them the imports hold up good, the older imports look a lot better quality then todays imports but all seem to stand my usage. Also by gathering my sets this way I have some extras over and above the 2 sets so have replacements if one were to break(if it was the size of one I hed extra) And replacments are not to exspensive when lost or broken, just may have to wait till you find the correct size. I do replace the import ones in my shop with usa sockets as I find them at good prices, just because.

Just my 2 cents worth

 

[dkroth]

This came up on Craigslist last night. I was slow to make the call and some other guy is going to look at the set in half an hour. Seller is going to call me back if he doesn't take the set. I'm not expecting a call.

That set is well used. But I only need big wrenches VERY rarely. After some Evap O Rust I'd be all set for large fasteners for the rest of my life!