Opinions on HF 3/4 drive socket set

[tvtaurus]

Interested to see what the opinions are about this set. I'm mostly looking at picking it up to have some larger sockets on hand. My craftsman set goes up to 1 1/4". Once you get into these larger size sockets you are looking like $20-25 a socket. Are these at least usable for the odd occasion that I may need them. If I pick these up with the 20% off coupon I don't really feel that I could go wrong.

http://m.harborfreight.com/21-piece-sae-3-4-quarter-inch-industrial-quality-socket-set-40996.html

 

[jdlong]

I got a HF set years ago and they are OK for occasional use. Never had an issue other than the old sockets I have are thick and grainy. The new ones look better. If I was to do it all over again today, for a little more money, the Tekton set is what I would get because of the 6 point sockets verses 12 that the HF set has. Otherwise the sets are practically identical. They are offered in SAE and Metric.

 

[Al Borland]

While the sockets might be O.K., those roundhead HF ratchets...
At least in the smaller sizes, they like to slip when you are really pulling on them.

 

[vettex2]

I use them to drive in control arm bushings with a press

I've never really used them as sockets

 

[Dr Stan]

I use them to drive in control arm bushings with a press

I've never really used them as sockets

Best use of HF sockets I've ever heard of. Several decades ago I bought a Wright 1/2" drive ratchet and impact sockets at a flea market. Figured I'd never break the sockets. Later I acquired a Snap On pneumatic impact wrench so I was already set up for it. BTW, never had an issue with Wright products.

 

[ecotec]

I got a HF set years ago and they are OK for occasional use. If I was to do it all over again today, for a little more money, the Tekton set is what I would get because of the 6 point sockets verses 12 that the HF set has. Otherwise the sets are practically identical. They are offered in SAE and Metric.

This is a valid point. The Tekton is $83ish a set on Amazon. The HF is 59.99-20% off coupon... so $48 a set.

The $70 extra for the two socket sets seems like the smart choice.

I would also point out that if you estate sale yard sale, you can add better sockets as you find them for cheap.

 

[jdlong]

While the sockets might be O.K., those roundhead HF ratchets...
At least in the smaller sizes, they like to slip when you are really pulling on them.

I have put a pipe and reducer on my HF 3/4 on a few occasions for a ratcheting cheater bar on some really nasty suspension bolts. It has held up. The tooth count is very low. That may have some to do with it. I dunno. Never had it apart.

 

[DFB]

Just remember its a pretty thin wall 12 point compared to like the Tekton 3/4 drive set which is 6 pt the walls are thicker.

I had picked one the HF sets last summer with the 20% off for resale under my tool tent. A backyard wrencher requested if I could get them a 3/4" set


The guy bought it was happy as can be too It was on my table for two weeks before he came back and if I had a buck for every guy that fingered it during that time I would have had more money too!


FWIW the storage case is really flimsy and will probably split over time if you hauled it around enough, finish on the sockets was pretty poor. Tekton ain't great either but this wasn't better by no means. But compared to the Tekton set I have the drive tools and extensions "seem" to be essentially the same at least in overall size. I did replace my ratchet drive already once with replacement kit. Frieght has replacement warranty though I don't know if they replace with the ratchet they sell singly or not. That one is shorter I think.

It will probably do what your wanting it for.

Even though they top out at 1-1/2" I would be more interested the 3/4 impacts. And the deep axle nut set is decent to have too That's also 1/2 drive. I sold a lot of the big 24" 1/2 breaker bars they have too and seemed decent enough could ad a 1/2 to 3/4 adapter and go that route

Here's a link for the Tekton and there is also money off right now too.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...-4-in-drive-jumbo-socket-set-sae?cm_vc=-10005

All that said I might get the metric one next time around seemed to be lot of interest in it even more than SAE

 

[3baygarage]

Take a look back at yesterday's posts?

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=355596

 

[zendriver]

I have this set and have used it a couple of times on the backhoe. Seems like a 3/4" socket set, great for the money.

The whole "ok for occasional use" chant, always makes for a smile.

Use them everyday, If they break, take them back and get another. If they are being taken back every week, well than maybe they are not up to snuff.

Assuming they are not worthy makes little sense, IMO.

 

[jdlong]

The whole "ok for occasional use" chant, always makes for a smile.

Occasional is all I know because I don't own a back hoe. LOL.

 

[jdlong]

Just remember its a pretty thin wall 12 point compared to like the Tekton 3/4 drive set which is 6 pt the walls are thicker.

I had to go and look at one of my HF sockets from years ago. Looks thicker and grainier than the OP's pic of what they offer today.

 

[DFB]

^^^ Couldn't really say if there was any difference in wall thickness from just looking the photos but I hope that's amber colored grease and not rust

 

[jdlong]

^^^ Couldn't really say if there was any difference in wall thickness from just looking the photos but I hope that's amber colored grease and not rust

I was outside working with them one day. Took a break and came back to pouring down rain.

 

[Strouty]

I too have older ones, even HF has dropped the quality of the tools. I used to buy the 6 sets of sockets they offered for like $60, it had 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" drive in metric and SAE each set came with a ratchet and it's own metal case. The sockets were great, in fact I still have some floating around, the ratchets were pretty crappy. Even as a teenager I was using a mix of HF, Craftsman, and SK. Now I like my Snap On, but I still have most of my HF 3/4" and 1" drive sockets.

As others have said toss the ratchet and buy a decent one and you will have a very usable set.

 

[Surreal001]

If you just want some larger sockets and don't actually need 3/4" drive, HF has wheel bearing socket sets that get pretty big in 1/2" drive. Just used some at the neighbors and now I know what I'm picking up next time I am at HF.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

 

[tvtaurus]

If you just want some larger sockets and don't actually need 3/4" drive, HF has wheel bearing socket sets that get pretty big in 1/2" drive. Just used some at the neighbors and now I know what I'm picking up next time I am at HF.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

I am looking for the larger size sockets. 1/2" drive is all I need. I am mostly looking for larger inch sockets for wheel bearings.

 

[wolf_from_wv]

I bought the standard set a few years ago. I've used the ratchet with a 1/2" adapter on suspension bolts. I've used the sockets when I didn't have a 1/2" socket to fit or needed 2. They've worked so far, but aren't an everyday item.

 

[Kev442]

I bought the HF SAE set last year. I really wanted the Tekton 6 point set except that one of my uses will be on square nuts on the tractor wheels. I'm pretty disappointed in how sloppy/oversize the sockets are, especially the smaller ones.
I needed both my 1/2 and the 3/4 worked against each other to remove bumper bolts, was probably the 13/16ths. The 3/4s drive socket was so loose it about rounded off the nut, which is almost unheard of over 9/16ths usually.

 

[Strouty]

Sounds like the new stuff is really junk.

 

[tvtaurus]

Sounds like the new stuff is really junk.

Sounds like I should pass on these.