Lower-end socket set recommendations

[theoldwizard1]

Nothing wrong with HF 6 point sockets for the DIYer.

On impact sockets, make sure they are "Chrome-Moly" not "Chrome-Vanadium". (HF use to sell both !

 

[sberry]

It sounds like the idea here is to be able to save some money. The beauty of some of this is that it is now so cheap it can return its cost in a single event. You don't have to do too much work to a car to save a couple hundred and can do it in an afternoon.
If the tools were a couple grand then there is a lot wouldnt get done.

 

[RH2]

I agree with the dewalt suggestion. They are very good and so cheap on sale there is no need to buy low end. My Sears has them on display. Go try them and I think you will be impressed.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Nothing wrong with HF 6 point sockets for the DIYer.

On impact sockets, make sure they are "Chrome-Moly" not "Chrome-Vanadium". (HF use to sell both !

Still do ... and the CR-V work just fine. Especially for the guy using them once a year.

 

[Dynasty]

Would this Craftsman set be a smart buy for home use and the occasional car wrenching for the DIYer?

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-230-piece-mechanics-tool-set/p-00950230000P

 

[ravenzfusion]

Would this Craftsman set be a smart buy for home use and the occasional car wrenching for the DIYer?

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-230-piece-mechanics-tool-set/p-00950230000P

Good set except the ratchets. You are better off getting a set with good ratchets, when you take that into account and spend a little more on a better set. If you need made in USA look at masterforce from menards

 

[oldldh]

Where's oldldh ? he can do his gearwrench spiel in this thread...

Too expensive for this thread...

Tekton Socket Set #11811....$64.84

Tekton Socket Set #13101....$48.99

Order from www.amazon.com ....

The only Tekton tools I own are their Ball Pein Hammers...

But the price is right, the warranty is first class, and the tools appear to be decent...and worth what they're asking for them...

Fair deal, me thinks...

 

[ravenzfusion]

Too expensive for this thread...

Tekton Socket Set #11811....$64.84

Tekton Socket Set #13101....$48.99

The only Tekton tools I own are their Ball Pein Hammers...

But the price is right, the warranty is first class, and the tools appear to be decent...and worth what they're asking for them...

Fair deal, me thinks...

Well played sir...

 

[Paul Bee]

72 tooth ratchets advertised as industrial grade tools. I have a similar set to this one and no complaints.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[404]

To the OP:

Not sure what you mean by "sets". I feel the stuff pre packaged in a plastic box is not the best value. There is some limited use stuff in there.

My suggestion would be to get everything from HF.
Wait for a sale.
Print out a bunch of 20 off coupons and go in several times, bring your family and cronies.

I do have lots more than the list below, many duplicates of sockets, ratchets, wrenches, etc.

All of these are 6 point. Don't get 12 point unless you need a special for a 12 point head bolt.
Rounding of something rusty really *****.

Here is what I use the most:

1/4 drive chrome deep metric set on rail

3/8 drive black impact regular depth set on rail

1/2 drive black impact deep on rail

variety of black impact extensions in all three drive sizes

fixed head ratchet in 1/4, flex head in 3/8, fixed in 1/2.

I do most all the 1/2 drive stuff with an impact.

All my use every day stuff is HF except for the 3/8 rail which is 25 year old snap on, my ratchets are very old sears, (1976 I worked in tires during the summer) except the 1/4 is snap on.

If I had to buy it all over again today, I would get everything from HF.

 

[lightning02]

Too expensive for this thread...

Tekton Socket Set #11811....$64.84

Tekton Socket Set #13101....$48.99

Order from www.amazon.com ....

The only Tekton tools I own are their Ball Pein Hammers...

But the price is right, the warranty is first class, and the tools appear to be decent...and worth what they're asking for them...

Fair deal, me thinks...

I think the set with all 3 drive sizes are china made. I could be wrong. Talk to David on here. He's a tekton rep. He will know for sure. With that said the. I the set with one drive should be taiwan made with a 72tooth ratchet.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Those ratchets in the 3 drive set look like tri-wing clones. Which *****, although at the price you could buy it and toss the ratchet and upgrade to the tekton 72s or the HF pros

 

[sberry]

I agree the Sears ratchet is a weak spot. Trade them for HF and it would be ok. That set above is a lot for 99$, so what if there is some extra pieces.
In fact there is nothing useless about any of that but the only reason I am a fanboy of the larger sets is,, they are larger and have bigger sizes to reduce the need to finish out a few pieces on the top end.
Most of it could be cherry picked as needed and wouldn't apply so much in the small home garage.
When I lived and worked in the cities didn't need all the stuff really. Had 1 car and sometimes a mower and a tool belt for what ever trade I was working in at the time.

 

[kpos101]

go kobalt for hardline good prices , good quality I have metric and sae 3/8 sockets and combo wrenches not bad stuff for the price. and if u look u can find 3/8 sets in metric or sae for 20 bucks.

 

[alpaca]

gearwrench has some good bogo deals on sockets going on now