Hey fellas, im looking for some opinions on who has the most readily available selection of single sockets for purchase. As a Mechanic my sockets get lost broken easily an im wondering if there is a better solution than my current setup. The passed on the trucks because they seem to be either out of stock or forget to bring my warranties(too many issues expenses). I was doing HF for a while but selection is limitted. Gearwrench seems to be almost the best bet. Your opinions are appreciated.
Most readily available single sockets (besides craftsman)
- Thread starter zues
- Start date
archirelic
Well-known member
Don't know how you feel about the Kobalt lineup at Lowes, but they seem to have a pretty large selection of single chrome and impact sockets at my location.
Appleyard
Well-known member
Ace Hardware if you're just looking for cheapies. Their impact sockets hold up really well, but I don't know about their chromes.
Northern Tool; Northern Tool brand
AutoZone; Duralast brand
Oreilly Auto Parts; GM GoodWrench brand
All have a fairly decent selection of open-stock single sockets. All are Asian imports. Pretty decent quality and inexpensive. I have a little of all of it. No complaints.
AutoZone; Duralast brand
Oreilly Auto Parts; GM GoodWrench brand
All have a fairly decent selection of open-stock single sockets. All are Asian imports. Pretty decent quality and inexpensive. I have a little of all of it. No complaints.
TireTracks
Well-known member
I have read HF has a large selection of them.
dankicksass
Well-known member
Advance and Napa both keep singles on hand. Both are Danaher imports, Gearwrench or Napa brand, respectively. Napa has a wider selection here, but all Napa stores are a little different where Advance is pretty much the same anywhere. They're just a phone call away.
Yep, being independently owned, NAPA stores vary quite a bit. The one near me doesn't have much in the way of single tools.
porcupine73
Well-known member
I've gotten some single chrome sockets from McMaster. Usually those are Proto.
toolmaker1
Well-known member
I think you are on the right track with gearwrench. If you have an advance auto close by you should be all set.
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
The NAPA professional line sockets are US, not import, but they are indeed the Danahar ones. The Everccraft (or last?) are usually the imports. This applies to my NAPA, but the line should be the same at any NAPA.
dankicksass
Well-known member
The Napa brand sockets I've seen here, with the large numbers on the side, are imports. There are still USA tools there, but I think the mix is trending import. My local store is corporately owned, Napa took it over about a year ago after it failed twice in five years under local ownership.
GoBlue
Well-known member
Where i am at, Lowes and Az are the best with Kobalt and Duralast respectively. Lowes in particular has some very hard to find sizes like 4.5mm in deep and standard. Decent quality too. The Duralast stuff is also very nice.
B17E1943
Well-known member
Are Allen sockets any good, or do I detect sarcasm? I got a 30 MM 1/2 drive Allen socket in a toolbox I bought the other day. It looks good, anyway ...
AZ_Catskinner
Well-known member
I'd look at the local industrial suppliers. Proto, Blackhawk, SK, Williams and Armstrong are usually readily available as singles.
Are Allen sockets any good, or do I detect sarcasm? I got a 30 MM 1/2 drive Allen socket in a toolbox I bought the other day. It looks good, anyway ...
Pretty good. US made Danahar, I think. The sarcasm is kinda that individual sockets are sometimes as pricey as buying an entire starter set of Craftsman.
B17E1943
Well-known member
I see. Kinda like a few weeks ago when I needed a flare wrench. Went to Sears, and the single wrench I needed was $18 and a set of 5 Pro flare wrenches was $39. 
Needless to say, I bought the set.
Needless to say, I bought the set.
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
Hmmm...I wonder if my NAPA is so far behind in stock that they simply still have the US ones.
Hell, I still get US made KD stuff from them on occasion!diesel research
Well-known member
A few other approaches to this situation (both which could save money and time)
Consider if you can move up a drive size. (example: 3/8 instead of 1/4)
Consider using more impact sockets on the end of your hand drive tools. They won't always fit, but when they do, they are typically a better choice.
My chrome selection is scarce. For a few reasons. One, I try to impact everything I can. 2 I feel the coating is easier to grip/remove than slick chrome. 3. they are stronger.
I don't have all these socket/ratchet/wrench failures any more, largely by changing my operating procedures a bit.
If your impact socket selection isn't up to snuff, build it. If it is, use it.
Chrome is a specialty item.
If you don't mind import and can wait on the free shipping the Blue Point sockets are reasonable. The 3/8" drive ones I compared were cheaper than Kobalt. Another thing is if/when you break them a replacement is only a phone call or email away if they warranty Blue Point tools the same way they do Snap on.
I'm not too keen on their chrome sockets, but their impact sockets look actually pretty nice to my non-pro eyes.
I picked up a couple singles for the lug nuts, and will probably pick up a shallow for my differential plugs. I only can get a 12-pt chrome from Craftsman, and would rather a 6-pt (it is 24mm).
wolflrv
Well-known member
Most of my sockets are Craftsman, but if I need the odd size like 24mm or 27mm I usually head down to Autozone for the Duralast. I've also become fond of the Duralast rachets as well, since Craftsman seems to have decided to make **** rachets now.
byoungblood
Well-known member
Grainger keeps Proto on hand as well, though their prices are probably close to full list unless you've got an account.
Depending on your area, check to see if you have a Wright dealer.
FergusonTO35
Well-known member
MSC Industrial supply has Blackhawk and Proto at very good prices.
HandyManny
Well-known member
For readily available I give Duralast a vote.
Losing and breaking a lot of sockets sounds like a pretty serious problem to me. Losing them isn't just you not having a socket anymore, its a socket someplace where it likely should not be, and potentially some kind of hazard. Breaking a lot of any decent socket doesn't seem too good either. Maybe work on some professional practices like organizing your sockets so you can tell if one is missing easily.
Craftsman sets, or pick up a batch of singles in the sizes you lose the most from a swap meet or yard sale.
Craftsman sets, or pick up a batch of singles in the sizes you lose the most from a swap meet or yard sale.
crewchief888
Well-known member
i pick up most of my spare sockets in singles from flea mkt or swap meet.
but for readily available, i'll head to autozone.
i cant swing a dead cat around here without hitting an autozone.
i can think of 4 az within 4 miles.
along with orielly, napa, carquest, and a couple more i cant think of right now
but for readily available, i'll head to autozone.
i cant swing a dead cat around here without hitting an autozone.
i can think of 4 az within 4 miles.
along with orielly, napa, carquest, and a couple more i cant think of right now
IBJanky
Well-known member
Harbor Freight 
myke
myke
plinker
Well-known member
I have quite a bit of Napa stuff, I get good service from the semi local store.
Thier newer stuff is rebranded Gearwrench/Danaher and most of thier service tools are KD marked or not. Mine are about 50/50 marked KD/not marked.
Allen is also good stuff, same as US made Napa, Craftsman,Masterforce (Menards brand), Kobalt (2nd generation stuff) and some others I cant think of at the moment
Same here, Allen is USA made (if I remember right) and at my Farm & Fleet they are priced less or equal to Craftsman.
My understanding is that Allen had gone the way of KD: Mostly rebadged GearWrench/Import. The Napa in my neighborhood didn't have much Allen in stock, but if I recall correctly, all of it was China, not USA made.
Scout Driver
Well-known member
This is what I am seeing too. Most all of the Allen tools at Fleet Farm are usually USA made.
As far as the OP's situation, maybe buying loose sockets at flea markets or swap meets would be an option? Keeping a few rails or buckets loaded up with some spares may be more convienient and cheaper.
Scott