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need a hex socket set

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n8n

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what to buy? I was doing a full service on my Jeep and my USA Craftsman 10mm hex socket broke before the drain plug in my transfer case came out. I'm annoyed because a) I know that the xfer case was replaced 50K miles ago and b) this might be the first time I ever used this socket. I remember having Proto when I worked in a factory years ago but that doesn't seem to be readily available. What doesn't ****?
 
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Bondo

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Ayuh,.... 10mm, what drive,..?? if 1/4", go to a 3/8" drive,.....

I'm still wrenchin' 'bout everyday, my sockets run from snap-on to mac, to craftsman, which is my newest set,..... Many of my tools came from dead or dyin' former Mechanics, either face to face, or at auctions,....
I still buy stuff occasionally from harbor fright too of course,..... I just make sure there's room for my fingers to go, when I get to abusin' the wrench,.... ;)
 
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BlakeTheCarGuy

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In a professional setting I’ve been really impressed by Capri torx and hex bit sockets. They are well made and have a good warranty if an issue does arise. I bought the master set I think it’s 88 pieces for $200 but it’s well worth it. If you look at the pictures of the twisted Snap-on ones I posted today I got at the pawn shop that’s exactly why I don’t use Snap-on ones I’ve had too many twist. These I’ve never had one twist or snap.
 
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ChevyEFI

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If a hex key works, use it. If the old piece is socket and full size bit, and you want a soxket, cut and insert. If you want to upgrade, look at the Bondhus catalog.
 
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n8n

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It's a 3/8" drive socket, I was using a 1/2" drive breaker bar and adapter. The hex part started spinning in the chromed socket part before the drain plug came loose. Yes, the fill plug was already out, this isn't my first rodeo :)

All the smaller ones in that set show signs of use and I have a 9mm "Powerkraft" that I think I had to buy for a brake job on a SAAB but now I don't trust any of them in a high stress scenario and would like to replace them all. Looking for something I can order as I'm in a tool desert, no stores sell anything decent. I did just go to Advance up the street to see if they had a GearWrench display no such luck, everything they have is "TEQ" and I don't even know what the heck that is. I just snugged the fill plug back in with a regular allen wrench and will have to deal with this next weekend.
 
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BlakeTheCarGuy

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n8n said:
It's a 3/8" drive socket, I was using a 1/2" drive breaker bar and adapter. The hex part started spinning in the chromed socket part before the drain plug came loose. Yes, the fill plug was already out, this isn't my first rodeo :)

All the smaller ones in that set show signs of use and I have a 9mm "Powerkraft" that I think I had to buy for a brake job on a SAAB but now I don't trust any of them in a high stress scenario and would like to replace them all. Looking for something I can order as I'm in a tool desert, no stores sell anything decent. I did just go to Advance up the street to see if they had a GearWrench display no such luck, everything they have is "TEQ" and I don't even know what the heck that is. I just snugged the fill plug back in with a regular allen wrench and will have to deal with this next weekend.
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The TEQ is rebranded Gearwrench. Not sure how warranty will be in the future though as they are discontinuing that brand for Diehard in its place. I haven’t had really good luck with Gearwrench bit sockets I typically snap them off or have them come loose in the socket as your Craftsman did. Gearwrench makes some good stuff but the bit sockets are not one of their strong points from my experience.
 
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speed bump

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My VIMs have been good, so have my bondhus. In a pinch I pick up the DeWalt from the farm store and they are fine as well.
 
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n8n

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BlakeTheCarGuy said:
In a professional setting I’ve been really impressed by Capri torx and hex bit sockets. They are well made and have a good warranty if an issue does arise. I bought the master set I think it’s 88 pieces for $200 but it’s well worth it. If you look at the pictures of the twisted Snap-on ones I posted today I got at the pawn shop that’s exactly why I don’t use Snap-on ones I’ve had too many twist. These I’ve never had one twist or snap.
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Thanks. Any opinion on Capri vs. Tekton? I have an SK set in my Amazon cart right now but the other two are literally 1/4 the price. I don't mind paying for quality but then again, I am probably not going to use this particular socket for another 50K miles :)
 
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Firebrick43

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I use hex sockets for cnc machines which is constant and high torque. The only ones I have found that I will say are really good is the protos. Even snap on ones twist and ****.
 
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BlakeTheCarGuy

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n8n said:
Thanks. Any opinion on Capri vs. Tekton? I have an SK set in my Amazon cart right now but the other two are literally 1/4 the price. I don't mind paying for quality but then again, I am probably not going to use this particular socket for another 50K miles :)
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In my opinion those are both close to the same quality. They seem to be very good. I purchased some bigger Tekton ones that I don’t use quite as often as the Capri and they are very well too. Feel equal to the Capri. A suggestion is check out the price on both of their websites versus Amazon because both brands give you points towards future purchases if you needed something else.
Another brand I’ve had success with is PowerTorque from O’Reilly before I bought the big set from Capri that primarily is what I used and they done very well. If you have an O’Reilly in your area that’s an option.
 
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Zewnten

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when you say proto isn't available do you mean local pickup? Lately all of my tool purchases have been proto as they're the only ones with it on hand. My vote would have been proto.
 
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n8n

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Zewnten said:
when you say proto isn't available do you mean local pickup? Lately all of my tool purchases have been proto as they're the only ones with it on hand. My vote would have been proto.
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Can I buy them online? I have to say based on the abuse I put my factory tools through I'd buy them in a heartbeat if I could find them. Maybe my googling skills aren't the best. and please don't tell me they're not the same as they were 20 years ago...
 
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Zewnten

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I have the 1/2 drive impact sets and they hold up just fine. Bit twisted rather than breaking but that's ok with me.
 
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Firebrick43

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That is the only proto set (other than SAE which is the same length) that I know of. I typically like that length but do have a set of astro shorties as well. I don't use them much but they have been a life saver when needed.

Astro Pneumatic Tool 94418H

I am not going say they are as strong as the proto's however, just because I have not used them to the same extent, they very well may be.
 
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Dakotadadv8

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Craftsman V Series at Lowes at $64.98 interesting set.

CRAFTSMAN 12-Piece 3/8-in Drive Set Hex Bit Standard (Sae) and Metric Combination Driver Socket Set​

 
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charbar

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If you have a plug that seems extra tight, give it a smack or two with a hammer and then try to take it out. You'd be surprised how much difference it can make.

I don't have much to say about the hex sockets. The Snap Ons are my go to. A few years back I did buy a cheapy Neiko brand set for the shop, mainly because it has some pretty small sizes that come in handy sometimes. It also has pretty big sizes that I have abused a time or two on ag equipment and Ive had no issues with them. They definitely arent a 'go-to' set if you are using them every day though.

If I was a DIYer and had a NAPA close, then a lot of my tools would be Carlyle probably. Might be another option for you.
 
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n8n

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Firebrick43 said:
That is the only proto set (other than SAE which is the same length) that I know of. I typically like that length but do have a set of astro shorties as well. I don't use them much but they have been a life saver when needed.

Astro Pneumatic Tool 94418H

I am not going say they are as strong as the proto's however, just because I have not used them to the same extent, they very well may be.
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Thanks for that. I'm ordering those now, the fact that they're one piece makes me think they'll be good. Plus if I can use them on an impact so much the better. Only flaw is no 9mm.
 
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BlakeTheCarGuy

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Firebrick43 said:
I have never seen a 9mm hex. For years I didn't understand why some sets had 7mm but I have used them on some burkhardt weber milling machines and some Junkers Cam grinders, both german ****.
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My Ford Escape has one brake caliper that’s 9mm hex for the bolts and one that’s a 7mm for the hex. That’s the only time I’ve ever used 9mm hex is on Ford. Both my calipers have been replaced too but I’ve seen both sizes on others as well. Also only brand I’ve used 11mm hex on too.
 
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n8n

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Firebrick43 said:
I have never seen a 9mm hex. For years I didn't understand why some sets had 7mm but I have used them on some burkhardt weber milling machines and some Junkers Cam grinders, both german ****.
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I bought one, pretty sure it was for a brake job on a SAAB something or other. Owner broke his leg so I helped out. Also had to buy an e-torx socket for the same job that didn't come with my SK "master set"
 
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Zewnten

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n8n said:
Can I buy them online? I have to say based on the abuse I put my factory tools through I'd buy them in a heartbeat if I could find them. Maybe my googling skills aren't the best. and please don't tell me they're not the same as they were 20 years ago...
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I buy proto from circle c online
 
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johnny_boy02

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I have broken so many Craftsman hex sockets I consider them a consumable at this point….

I have a Tekton 1/2” impact set and Tekton 3/8” chrome set now. Between the 2 I can do pretty much everything I need/have encountered. Have not broken one yet, but I’m sure it will happen.
 
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n8n

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Firebrick43 said:
Proto metric hex sockets

The sets I have are 4 or 5 years old
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More I look at those that may be the set I had when I worked in a factory (company provided tools). They look odd to me now but I do remember putting them through some unholy abuse. Those and some Heyco open ended wrenches, I guess they figured out what worked and could put up with every day use on big machines. Now I have to find somewhere that can get them to me before next weekend, Amazon looks like it'll be a week just to ship...
 
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KnurledNut

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n8n said:
More I look at those that may be the set I had when I worked in a factory (company provided tools). They look odd to me now but I do remember putting them through some unholy abuse. Those and some Heyco open ended wrenches, I guess they figured out what worked and could put up with every day use on big machines. Now I have to find somewhere that can get them to me before next weekend, Amazon looks like it'll be a week just to ship...
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Try McMaster Carr. Their UPS shipping is crazy fast. Not sure if they are selling Proto currently, but a quick phone call will answer that.
 
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bobg03

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I have Protos, they have never failed me. SK would be my second choice. If space allows I typically tap the socket in with a small dead blow, typically sits better in the head, I ain't fixing anything to make a living tho...YMMV
 
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Firebrick43

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n8n said:
More I look at those that may be the set I had when I worked in a factory (company provided tools). They look odd to me now but I do remember putting them through some unholy abuse. Those and some Heyco open ended wrenches, I guess they figured out what worked and could put up with every day use on big machines. Now I have to find somewhere that can get them to me before next weekend, Amazon looks like it'll be a week just to ship...
Click to expand...
That is why I like the proto hex bit sockets to. I had snap ons and in a few months they were all twisted up/rounded off, others blackhawk/sk/craftsman would just break/shatter. I couldn't get bits fast enough for the snap ons.

I used my 18" ratchets on the protos all the time and would always tell myself "this is surely going to break this time"

The 4mm eventually did wear a little on the corners, which it got used each and every day to take sometimes over 100 panel screws out with a milwaukee impact. A little careful grinding to not over heat the steel and it was as good as new, just a little shorter.
 
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n8n

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KnurledNut said:
Try McMaster Carr. Their UPS shipping is crazy fast. Not sure if they are selling Proto currently, but a quick phone call will answer that.
Click to expand...

Good call, should have thought of that. I actually just ordered some taps from them last Sunday and they were waiting for me when I got home Tuesday (the Irwin/Hanson "master set" doesn't include UNF smaller than #10, of course I needed a #8 to clean up the female *** bolt on a Magnalite saucepan... so I ordered #4,5,6,8 UNF and #5 UNC so it really is a "master set" now. Amazon should be delivering a Huot tap index in a few hours...) Only thing about McMaster is they don't give brand names on their web site, but everything is usually good quality.

How is it I'm almost 50 and it still seems like every time I go to do something I'm buying more tools? As in, constantly buying more tools? And seriously, I've had this tap and die set for several years and this may have been the first time I went to use it (I also have my grandfather's old SAE only Ace Super Set that I was using previously; I decided it was time to get some non-crappy metric stuff so just ordered the whole thing) and the ONE TOOL I NEEDED wasn't in there... The taps I received from McMaster, re: comment above, were marked "GTD" which is Greenfield correct?
 
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n8n

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Firebrick43 said:
That is why I like the proto hex bit sockets to. I had snap ons and in a few months they were all twisted up/rounded off, others blackhawk/sk/craftsman would just break/shatter. I couldn't get bits fast enough for the snap ons.

I used my 18" ratchets on the protos all the time and would always tell myself "this is surely going to break this time"

The 4mm eventually did wear a little on the corners, which it got used each and every day to take sometimes over 100 panel screws out with a milwaukee impact. A little careful grinding to not over heat the steel and it was as good as new, just a little shorter.
Click to expand...

In the Craftsman's defense, it was on the end of a 24" breaker bar. Never understood why New Process used steel plugs in an aluminum case, you'd think they would have used brass instead...?
 
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infinite97

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I have 1/4” / 3/8” drive stubby hex bit sets - standard is Sunex, ordered online, metric is snap-on, because I needed it RIGHT THEN. No issues with either set yet.

I have 3/8” drive extra-long ball end metric and SAE, both snap-on. With the ball end, I didn’t want to take any chances of rounding / stripping, so I paid the price.

i have 1/2” drive impact metric and SAE, both GP.

The stubby and extra-long ball ends I needed for specific jobs.
 
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AJHD

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I sold all my mismatched and unused hex and torx socket sets awhile back.

I kept my Astro stubby torx and Sunex stubby hex (Astro's set wasn't available yet). But I intended to replace everything else I sold with better versions.

Problem is hex and torx are rarely used tools for me, even when I worked in a shop. I don't know why. So I can't justify to myself the investment by going the Snap On or even BluePoint route. I also want to avoid the cheaper and unknown brands.

I'm not convinced by Icon and they don't offer enough variety yet. Tekton prices continue to rise. Gearwrench prices are insane for mostly made in China now.

So I ordered Capri's smaller torx and metric hex sets. They should suffice for now. I'll buy more as I need them.
 
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