looking for 3/8" and 1/2" drive socket sets

[248superduty]

I am in need of a complete 3/8" and 1/2" drive socket set. Including short and deep well sockets. something with the most complete range of sizes.

these are the ones I am looking at right now.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OUW752/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=27CDZT25D943B&coliid=I3AFUDQGBD73T5

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OUUGFU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=27CDZT25D943B&coliid=I313JY8J4V7CYL

Wondering what everyones opinion on these sets is.

 

[6MocoA]

Those look fine.

However, if you want sockets sets, go to eBay, search Toptul and you will see a listing by a member here (dnschmidt). He sells the Toptul sets in short and long for 1/4, 1/2, and 3/8 for a FANTASTIC price. You cant beat the price for quality you get.

 

[General Geoff]

Most complete range of socket sizes in 1/2" can get REALLY pricey, because they make 1/2" sockets up to 2 inches and ~40mm. How large do you want to go?

 

[ravenzfusion]

The gearwrench sets are nice. Very complete. Made in USA craftsman modules on ebay are nice. Come with the low profile , non RP ratchets.

 

[ravenzfusion]

gearwrench:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GearWrench-...hash=item35e9410b87&item=231546620807&vxp=mtr

 

[pumaman]

Snap on if you can afford it, otherwise proto or SK is great quality for price and gearwrench is a decent third choice. Hey, My old craftsman work good after all these years. But the new ones are terrible. All the above have good warranty service.

The germans make great sockets (hazet and stahlwille) but they are pricey and forget about warranty in USA.

Toptul is a joke. their tools look nice, break immediately and have zero warranty.

Personally I love proto professional. But that is my opinion.

 

[hancock1701]

Do you need all the other stuff (ratchets, extensions) like in the set you linked? I bought a set of Craftsman Easy Read USA made sockets several months back, and have been happen with them since. Don't think that set is still available from Sears.

But if I needed (who doesn't) to buy a set right now, I would go with Grey Pneumatic Duo Socket Set. Thin like chrome, but can be used with impact. Haven't heard any bad thing about these.

http://www.tooltopia.com/grey-pneumatic-81635mrd.aspx

Here's a review on those by EricTheCarGuy

 

[bimmerZ5]

look up gearwrench part 80550P and 80700P. make sure it's the part that ends in "P".

 

[Ratchet Guy]

walmart has the channel locks for $107
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Channello...fault&beacon_version=1.0.1&findingMethod=p13n

 

[firworks]

Those look fine.

However, if you want sockets sets, go to eBay, search Toptul and you will see a listing by a member here (dnschmidt). He sells the Toptul sets in short and long for 1/4, 1/2, and 3/8 for a FANTASTIC price. You cant beat the price for quality you get.

As far as I've seen he only has the short sockets. I know this because I don't have Toptul deeps in my box right now. If he had them, I'd have them!

That said, they are a great deal and great sockets, I used them extensively this week on a lot of suspension work and they did just fine.

One other thing is, he only offers a metric set. I'm not sure if Toptul makes SAE tools.

 

[Adam.C]

NOOB ALERT. Do a search on socket sets. We get this question once a week. We almost always recommend against buying sets.

Typically, against our recommendations, the OP buys the set, then writes in later to complain about it's poor quality. Then there's a rant about China.

Save yourself (and us) the heart ache and just start complaining about that set now before you buy it. Save us all some time. Be sure to include the keywords like "flaking chrome" , rust spots on the insides, and wobbly fitting extensions.

 

[nine4gmc]

Snap on if you can afford it, otherwise proto or SK is great quality for price and gearwrench is a decent third choice. Hey, My old craftsman work good after all these years. But the new ones are terrible. All the above have good warranty service.

The germans make great sockets (hazet and stahlwille) but they are pricey and forget about warranty in USA.

Toptul is a joke. their tools look nice, break immediately and have zero warranty.

Personally I love proto professional. But that is my opinion.

Did you check his links, it looks like he is in the $100-125 dollar range for a complete set of sockets with ratchets and extensions. He could not get a single rail of Snap On 1/2 drive sockets for that price, much less a complete set with different size drives...

OP, a lot of homeowner friends like the Stanley sets but I have no experience with them myself. Personally, I found a deal on a 300+ pc Craftsman mechanics set for about $180, a little out of your price range but comes with a lifetime warranty and a **** ton of the most used sizes, including ratchets sockets and wrenches.

 

[atownmack]

Bostitch 246 piece tool set is very complete, and priced competitively.

Sent from my D6616 using Tapatalk

 

[oldldh]

GearWrench---

80314D----1/4" Drive (5/32" thru 9/16" and 4 thru 15mm)---I know you didn't say you wanted any 1/4" drive sockets, but it's only $ 38.59, so why not...

80718------3/8" Drive (1/4" thru 1" and 6 thru 22mm and 24mm Deep, and 5/8" and 13/16" Sparkplug sockets...)

80729------1/2" Drive SAE (7/16" thru 1 1/2" Std, and 1/2" thru 1 1/2" Deep)

80730------1/2" Drive Metric (9 thru 30mm, and 32 and 36mm Std, and 14 thru 30mm and 32mm Deep)

81230P-----4pc 120 tooth ratchet set...

www.tooldiscounter.com

Total cost: $ 385.25----174 sockets and 4 Flexhead Ratchets...and they come in the cases shown!!!

The photos are of my sets...I wouldn't recommend tools that I didn't own and use...These are the best I've ever owned!!!...

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Re: looking for 3/8" and 1/2" drive socket sets

no offence, but chances are of you're asking about full range socket sets for $100, you probably won't need anything larger than a 19mm for a while. Better to get quality (gearwrench), than to hold out for a massive size range. Start with your bread and butter sizes, then get the larger sizes down the road.

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[ravenzfusion]

Bostitch 246 piece tool set is very complete, and priced competitively.

Sent from my D6616 using Tapatalk

Basically a Chinese dewalt set. Still good for the money

 

[hancock1701]

Damn, those Gearwrench sockets look really nice. My Craftsman Easy Read set doesn't go past 21mm, which makes me want to own another fuller set. I don't have Gearwrench sockets, but have wrenches, and must say that they're very high quality and well built.

 

[ravenzfusion]

Dewalt sets are great too. No gaps. Taiwan made. Really nice cases for storage.

 

[Adam.C]

I think this is the guy who bought a suburban and wants to work on it. OP I think you need to ask a better question. "I bought an old suburban and want to be able to do a brake job, or a water pump, maybe change a bushing"

In that case, you need 3/8" metric sockets for the engine bay. If money is tight buy HF sockets ratchets and extensions. Once you decide to buy Chinese tools, I think one is as good as the next.

Next, buy 1/2 impacts, again HF or Grey Pneumatic or whatever you can find. Get the longest breaker you can find on eBay, 24" min. Then save for a cordless impact gun.

Don't get a set. Don't get 1/2" chrome. Don't buy any 12pt sockets. There are some threads in my signature line you may find helpful.

 

[bfm336]

Not sure why people are hating on sets. You can find the 49pc SK 3/8 set that covers metric, standard and deepwell, SAE and metric, for a good size range, for $155-160 if OP is willing to go a little more.


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[BDT/NWMN]

I am in need of a complete 3/8" and 1/2" drive socket set. Including short and deep well sockets. something with the most complete range of sizes.

these are the ones I am looking at right now

Wondering what everyones opinion on these sets is.

My opinion is: those sets are bargain basement kits that are priced accordingly

My suggestion is: Buy one or Two quality ratchets that you actually like to use.. Then add a new row of sockets now and then...

If you want to stay within a lower budget, buy your 1/2" drive deep well sockets in budget impact sets, if you need 1/2" drive.

If You Wanted instead of Needed a complete set;;;;;;I would suggest You clarify that for yourself.. Is there really a rushing hurry to part with the money?? Rome wasn't built in a '''''' ya ya.. Take Your time, and enjoy the journey..

 

[248superduty]

Thanks every one. I ended up getting the HF pro line socket sets from 1/4" to 1/2" short and deep well. I know some will say they wont last but I look at tools of this type like this. Yes they are cheap and maybe they wont last 50 years or what ever but they will take all day every day shop abuse for at least 5-10 years. And for the price that's good for me. By the 5 year time most sockets even made for companies such as SO or Matco are worn out by the 5 year mark in my line of work. I work on old heavy equipment in places that im not willing to take a expensive socket set. Most days I am in the shop but a lot of times we are in **** weather working on equipment on a job site and I have 3 goys working out of my tool set. And yes a complete set is needed.

 

[General Geoff]

Thanks every one. I ended up getting the HF pro line socket sets from 1/4" to 1/2" short and deep well. I know some will say they wont last but I look at tools of this type like this. Yes they are cheap and maybe they wont last 50 years or what ever but they will take all day every day shop abuse for at least 5-10 years. And for the price that's good for me. By the 5 year time most sockets even made for companies such as SO or Matco are worn out by the 5 year mark in my line of work. I work on old heavy equipment in places that im not willing to take a expensive socket set. Most days I am in the shop but a lot of times we are in **** weather working on equipment on a job site and I have 3 goys working out of my tool set. And yes a complete set is needed.

"Complete set" is subjective, I was unaware that HF even sold a 1/2" socket set that has no missing sizes up to at least 30mm. With your better description of what you're working on, I'd have recommended Grey Pneumatic for your 1/2" socket needs. Probably the most reasonably priced shallow and deep wall 1/2" impact sets you will find.

 

[248superduty]

"Complete set" is subjective, I was unaware that HF even sold a 1/2" socket set that has no missing sizes up to at least 30mm. With your better description of what you're working on, I'd have recommended Grey Pneumatic for your 1/2" socket needs. Probably the most reasonably priced shallow and deep wall 1/2" impact sets you will find.

I am aware of the missing sockets in the HF sets that come with the standard sets most buy with the ratchet. I bought the set of 10 sockets for each size STD/MM. And funny you say Grey Pneumatic. I have had a 1/2" and 3/8" drive deep impact set from them for 8 years and ill be damned if they havnt been the best impact sockets I have. Although I did just pick up a really nice "complete" 3/8" and 1/2" impact set from IR on amazon the other day. Ill say this about it. its easy to read the sizes on it.

 

[dkop1]

I've been surprisingly impressed by pittsburgh sockets from Harbor Freight. Up until the last 6 months or so when I started collecting snap on, SK, Mac and old Craftsman from flea markets, they and Kobalt have served me great. A buddy of mine who, while an electrician by trade, owns a clunker truck, has never been let down by his Kobalt stuff either. He's got a huge set, I personally owned this 40-piece 3/8" drive set http://www.lowes.com/pd_573338-22328-86750_1z0wcfwZ1z140vv__?productId=50200783&pl=1

It was always good to me, recently gave it away to another friend who has acquired his first car. only gripe was that it didn't include a 13/16th deep well for getting the spark plug off my generator, had to buy that seperate

 

[dkop1]

Also, a bit pricey for your range, but a great deal is this 1/2" shallow set from Armstrong http://www.armstrongtools.com/hot-d...oint-socket-set-with-plastic-socket-rail.html I don't think it'll fit your budget exactly, but if you can swing it, they're great!