Let's talk 1/2 Ratchets/Sockets Sets

[Banana Man]

I'm looking to purchase a full 1/2 Drive Metric 6 point ratchet/socket set with deep/shallow, extensions, breaker bar etc. the works. I'm not a professional just a DIY'er.

I have a nice set of Snap-On 3/8 & 1/4. In the past I would borrow my fathers older Craftsmen 1/2 set. I've moved further away from him time to get my own set. With so many options out there these days and products evolving not sure which route to go.

Considering some of the Taiwanese makes such as Gear-Wrench, TEKTON, or USA such as Proto, SK, Matco, Mac or even Snap-On.

Obviously the 1/2 stuff gets spendy but this a lifetime investment and I've never once regretted buying a single Snap-On tool in the past. I've never got hands on with some of the more affordable tools I've mentioned and would appreciate your advise in comparison to one another.

Thanks!

 

[TuxThePenguin]

I have some Grey Pneumatics, I have some Proto, I have some Williams USA (Williams is owned by Snap On) which I usually buy from ToolsDelivered (https://www.toolsdelivered.com/Will...Drive-Impact-Driven-Metric-Impact-Socket-Sets). I have a few Wright impacts but not a full set. Same with S/O.

I like all of them with the exception of Williams deep impact sockets, which don't have the hex pattern fully broached. It only goes in like an inch. I honestly don't know what Williams was thinking with that. You go to take a nut off of a stud and once it's off about an inch, your socket starts needing extra clearance because the nut can't go far into the socket because it's not recessed. What a terrible design. But other than deep sockets I like Williams (and all of those other brands).

I read on another thread that Tekton's sockets are CR-V even for impacts. I have not seen any videos of Tekton impact stuff being tested but I've seen random tool comparison videos showing stuff like their (non-impact) universal sockets to be absolute garbage. I can't provide empirical proof that Tekton sockets are going to let you down, but CR-V is not considered as good as CrMo for impact sockets, and it's definitely the case that at least some Tekton products are low quality.

I've never used GearWrench impact stuff. Their chrome sockets seem to be of reasonably decent quality to me, and I haven't seen that many people talk about having issues with them (which is to be expected to a degree since they are a popular brand with a lot of users, and nothing's perfect).

Out of the brands you mentioned that I have personal experience with (which means not including Tekton, GW, or SK), I think Grey Pneumatic is my choice for best value. My "main" set of impact sockets is GP; I've had it for around 10 years, it's never let me down and they feel skookum. (So do the other brands that I said positive things about but those other brands cost more)

Edit: I think I got confused and thought this was an impact socket thread or something

 

[lardy1]

There aren't a lot of wrong choices.

 

[Fedwrench]

Once you figure out how to spell Tekton, head over to Tekton.com and grab this set:

https://www.tekton.com/1-2-in-dr-skt-and-r-sets-3-8-1-5-16-in-10-32-mm?quantity=1&set-range=10-32-mm

If you register at Tekton.com, you get free US shipping plus 10% back in rewards for future purchases too.

They have smaller sets too.

 

[Banana Man]

I have some Grey Pneumatics, I have some Proto, I have some Williams USA (Williams is owned by Snap On) which I usually buy from ToolsDelivered (https://www.toolsdelivered.com/Will...Drive-Impact-Driven-Metric-Impact-Socket-Sets). I have a few Wright impacts but not a full set. Same with S/O.

I like all of them with the exception of Williams deep impact sockets, which don't have the hex pattern fully broached. It only goes in like an inch. I honestly don't know what Williams was thinking with that. You go to take a nut off of a stud and once it's off about an inch, your socket starts needing extra clearance because the nut can't go far into the socket because it's not recessed. What a terrible design. But other than deep sockets I like Williams (and all of those other brands).

I read on another thread that Tekton's sockets are CR-V even for impacts. I have not seen any videos of Tekton impact stuff being tested but I've seen random tool comparison videos showing stuff like their (non-impact) universal sockets to be absolute garbage. I can't provide empirical proof that Tekton sockets are going to let you down, but CR-V is not considered as good as CrMo for impact sockets, and it's definitely the case that at least some Tekton products are low quality.

I've never used GearWrench impact stuff. Their chrome sockets seem to be of reasonably decent quality to me, and I haven't seen that many people talk about having issues with them (which is to be expected to a degree since they are a popular brand with a lot of users, and nothing's perfect).

Out of the brands you mentioned that I have personal experience with (which means not including Tekton, GW, or SK), I think Grey Pneumatic is my choice for best value. My "main" set of impact sockets is GP; I've had it for around 10 years, it's never let me down and they feel skookum. (So do the other brands that I said positive things about but those other brands cost more)

Thanks for the info, checking out toolsdelivered looks like all the Williams metric sockets are made in Taiwan.

 

[Banana Man]

Once you figure out how to spell Tekton, head over to Tekton.com and grab this set:

https://www.tekton.com/1-2-in-dr-skt-and-r-sets-3-8-1-5-16-in-10-32-mm?quantity=1&set-range=10-32-mm

If you register at Tekton.com, you get free US shipping plus 10% back in rewards for future purchases too.

They have smaller sets too.

Got it figured out thanks.

Taking a long hard look at that set! Only gripe is the quick release button on the ratchet.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I have been very well served with Gearwrench in a professional capacity. It’s nice they have a large selection of good ratchets and good size ranges on sockets.

 

[RKA]

Thanks for the info, checking out toolsdelivered looks like all the Williams metric sockets are made in Taiwan.

They have USA as well.
https://www.toolsdelivered.com/williams-mss-15rc-1.2-inch-drive-shallow-socket-set-12-pt-15-pc-10-24mm

 

[Ecko1645]

My favorite ratchet is the wright tool brand ratchets. You could always spend more on a good ratchet and then go little cheaper on the sockets buying seperate. I got the wright tool #423 set. I hear good things about the tekton brand. I also remember seeing some articles about the gear wrench brand ratchets being really nice but there combination wrenches not being that great. I broke a breaker bar recently using it to take a lug nut off and the one i got with the wright set seems like it would be very very hard to break made really well. My vote is always wright and sk for ratchets but i cant say much until i try other brands but just thought you should check out wright brand for sure if not only for ratchets but for other tools you may need if your looking for a usa made tough tool thats not extreme in price

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Harbor Freight sockets both impact and regular are great I use them at home along with some others they are Taiwan made and most of the time you don’t need 1/2 drive that much but at work I have Snap-on and SK I love both of those and I haven’t had any problems with my 1/2 Harbor Freight or any of the Harbor Freight stuff at home.

 

[BrandoJames]

For 1/2" socket sets, I recommend going impact. I picked up a new set of Matco ADV (Taiwan) deep 6pt impact sockets for around $65 on eBay.

 

[Ralf11]

Agree - get the 1/2" sockets you need as impact. use your nice 3/8" Snappy ratchet with an adaptor for non-impact use

or a cordless tool