Is this set a Joke? $5 for a 40-Piece Socket Set?
- Thread starter winlinmac
- Start date
I had a cheap set like (but 3/8" dr) that made by Alltrade about 25 years ago. I think I still have the ratchet somewhere. I modified it to make it useful and last longer by cutting the handle down to make a shorty that would never have much torque on it. The last time I think I saw it, it was laying in the bottom of my truck tool bag.
More than a few of the sockets cracked and the side walls twisted out.
More than a few of the sockets cracked and the side walls twisted out.
I gave one to the neighbor kid (teenage) to fix his bike. This was a couple years ago. I gave him that set, plus the 6 piece HF freebie screwdrivers, Husky allen wrenches, Husky adjustable wrench and pliers set. All in a Homer Box. Yep, cheap junk but better than nothing (his dad has zero interest in helping the lad with his bike repairs).
He had just bought a bike repair manual and was borrowing my tools to repair his bikes. His dad saw them and thought it was way too generous of a gift because "he'll just lose 'em", so I had to explain that it was only like $30 worth of stuff. People who don't know tools think they're all Snap-Ons or Mac.
Yoou have a friend for life now and I'd bet he'll keep his eyes on your property and let you know if anybody messes with your stuff.
Nice job of Pay It Forward !!!
. . . That is one instance where tools (even when crappy) will do some good. It also gives you chance to explain/teach the kid the difference between **** tools and something worth keeping for lifetime. Put the "wheels in motion" where this kid will later Pay It Forward, giving those tools to another needy kid, when original kid gets some better USA Craftsman or whatever. Obviously the dad of that kid didn't have a clue.
I have actually gotten a lot of use out of that little set. Until I became over inundated with every socket under the sun it was very handy. Now I keep it in my car, not necessarily to fix my car but because I often go to people's houses who have absolutely no tools. Some box furniture has little nuts and bolts, and one time we were carrying in a mattress to someone's house that had a wrought iron front railing. I just unbolted the railing temporarily and it made it much easier to get in the door. Eventually I did "Break" the ratchet or so I thought. On a larf, I took the thing apart and it freed up and is working still. I was thinking of doing a video on the ratchet that comes with it as like a "What's inside the cheapest ratchet in the world?" sort of thing.
Also when I took it apart the first time I thought it was broken I super lube'd it so that could be helping it continue ticking.
It's by no means a quality tool, but it can be a good tool in that it's useful sometimes.
Also when I took it apart the first time I thought it was broken I super lube'd it so that could be helping it continue ticking.
It's by no means a quality tool, but it can be a good tool in that it's useful sometimes.
Nice job of Pay It Forward !!!
That is one instance where tools (even when crappy) will do some good. It also gives you chance to explain/teach the kid the difference between **** tools and something worth keeping for lifetime. Put the "wheels in motion" where this kid will later Pay It Forward, giving those tools to another needy kid, when original kid gets some better USA Craftsman or whatever. Obviously the dad of that kid didn't have a clue.
Thanks, yeah he's a good kid, trying to learn guy stuff despite his girly-man dad.
My 73 year old mechanic father taught him a bunch of stuff when my dad was here visiting for a couple of months. The kid soaked it up like a sponge and was in awe.I don't know who made it, but i have sockets from a set like that which are very tough. They're 6 point and way thicker than the ones you usually see in the cheap kits. The ratchet that came with the kit on the other hand stripped out on one of the first things I used it on 15 years ago. I think I was loosening an intake bolt that was torqued to 18 ft-lbs. Weakest 3/8" drive ratchet in history?
Triple macs
Well-known member
The price isn't but the tools are! This is the set your grandmother has in her kitchen junk drawer along with that tiny hammer, flat blade screwdriver, and slip joint pliers.
Ruffgeezer
Well-known member
This is the sort of **** I'd use to trade to the snap on guy for something useful, like a toolbox sticker!
bsaint
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I think East Coast Marketplace has better stuff than that!
jim faston
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Better buy two sets in case you leave one out in the sun.
Wanna Ride
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Five bucks? That's the most over-priced tool in their store, only worth about $1, IF you can use add a 20% coupon to the purchase.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
$5 would buy some good nails.... far better value and material
MikeF2316
Well-known member
I had a socket set that I was given as a gift. It looked even worse than the set under discussion. A couple of the sockets broke, the ratchet skipped, and the extension twisted. I ended up tossing the rest in the garbage, and I hardly toss out anything.
thesilverone
Well-known member
i'll donate 5 bucks to ban the idiot OP
kunkernator
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All I see is some good slingshot ammo.
Mikefromcny
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Bet you can get fasteners slightly tighter than finger tight.
racinfarmer
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They only way I'd pay $5 for that set is if I could launch it through the OP's front picture window.
lightning02
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As I said, I have this set and have used it quite a lot. It does not break with the push of one finger... It's a totally usable set for simple tasks. It's not something you'd use on suspension work, but on a lawnmower or shelving or anything that uses nuts and bolts and is reasonably light duty it's fine.
This thread started off bad (with what seems to be an OP who posts nothing but HF threads?) and now has become a **** swinging contest of people who've never used the tool coming up with the "sickest burns". What's the value in this thread sticking around?
This thread started off bad (with what seems to be an OP who posts nothing but HF threads?) and now has become a **** swinging contest of people who've never used the tool coming up with the "sickest burns". What's the value in this thread sticking around?
Similar set on clearance at Lowe's for $3.74. I still passed.
If I needed sockets, I'd go for it. I have a few similar sets. The sockets wouldn't hold up to daily mechanic work, but they're fine for around the house work.
It's the ratchet that is garbage. That design, especially with the plastic back, it just garbage. When you put much torque to it, it will slip and it will be ruined. Last one I broke, the back actually popped off of it and hit me in the face. I stuck the body of it in
a tractor I was working on. It's working pretty well as a clevis pin. Better than the rebar scrap it replaced.
If I needed sockets, I'd go for it. I have a few similar sets. The sockets wouldn't hold up to daily mechanic work, but they're fine for around the house work.
It's the ratchet that is garbage. That design, especially with the plastic back, it just garbage. When you put much torque to it, it will slip and it will be ruined. Last one I broke, the back actually popped off of it and hit me in the face. I stuck the body of it in
a tractor I was working on. It's working pretty well as a clevis pin. Better than the rebar scrap it replaced.
monkeyspanners
Well-known member
Looks the same as this Rolson set i got for £5 or so,