NAPA EYE-D sockets

[Scotty_B]

I found a source for some NOS NAPA EYE-D socket sets at very reasonable prices.

Anyone have any experience with these? They are USA made. I'm inclined to think they are similar in quality to US made Craftsman sockets. Maybe similar to Armstrong?

They seem to be a great deal and might be an upgrade over my random collection of sockets (some quality, some dicy generics).

Any thoughts or insight?

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Same sockets as Armstrong and the last good era of USA Craftsman.

If you're seeing them online through "Hand Tools for Less" (whether through their website, Amazon or eBay) they're really good to deal with. I picked up a full set of shallow and deep 1/2" drive USA impact sockets, and some larger wrenches for a deal from them recently, really good communication.

 

[Loscaldazar]

USA Armstrong/Craftsman.

Not the greatest sockets out there

 

[Fedwrench]

There were two versions of the eye d high vis markings. The first generation only had the etched in gold size markings. Nothing was stamped into the socket. The second generation had the gold high vis size etching plus the size, part number, and USA stamped on each socket.

They're really nothing to get too excited over. Just basic no frills sockets that will get the job done. Unfortunately, they use that double detent retention cutout on the square drive end.

 

[Tuc04]

I have a set I carry in the car. They are nice for what they are, but they do have that "double detent" and I'm not a fan of that. The set I have only has the laser markings and I'd be concerned about it holding up long term if they were something I used often.

 

[Jtels85]

I also have a few sets of the Eye-D sockets and they're identical to Craftsman. I believe both the NAPA and Craftsman were made by Danahar and are probably 8-12 years old (give or take a couple years). As for the double detent, I personally have not had a problem with either brand of sockets on my ratchets. I've had them on Craftsman, MAC's, Carlyle, Gearwrench and Pittsburgh. The majority of my ratchets are sealed head.

I have heard of people having issues with the Craftsman socket detents on Snap On ratchets.

 

[Loscaldazar]

I also have a few sets of the Eye-D sockets and they're identical to Craftsman. I believe both the NAPA and Craftsman were made by Danahar and are probably 8-12 years old (give or take a couple years). As for the double detent, I personally have not had a problem with either brand of sockets on my ratchets. I've had them on Craftsman, MAC's, Carlyle, Gearwrench and Pittsburgh. The majority of my ratchets are sealed head.

I have heard of people having issues with the Craftsman socket detents on Snap On ratchets.

The double detents work poorly on pretty much every ratchet out there. They all work, but the fit is sloppy compared to other sockets. Not a major issue, but annoying when a simpler solution used for decades works better.

The double detents were never designed to work with just a standard ratchet with a retaining ball in the anvil. I don't feel like looking up the patents right now, but the anvil that was designed to use those sockets had the detent retaining ball as well as little square stick outs on the bottom of the anvil on all four sides to catch the bottom detent portion of the socket. The ratchet anvil never got brought to market and Apex got stuck with the worst design possible for detents in their sockets that are not only more expensive to machine, but have horrible fit on standard ratchet anvils.

 

[48548]

https://www.google.com/patents/US5910197

 

[Jtels85]

The double detents work poorly on pretty much every ratchet out there. They all work, but the fit is sloppy compared to other sockets. Not a major issue, but annoying when a simpler solution used for decades works better.

The double detents were never designed to work with just a standard ratchet with a retaining ball in the anvil. I don't feel like looking up the patents right now, but the anvil that was designed to use those sockets had the detent retaining ball as well as little square stick outs on the bottom of the anvil on all four sides to catch the bottom detent portion of the socket. The ratchet anvil never got brought to market and Apex got stuck with the worst design possible for detents in their sockets that are not only more expensive to machine, but have horrible fit on standard ratchet anvils.

Interesting! I never knew about that. I'm assuming the idea was to keep the socket planted more firmly onto the ratchet?