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Quality USA made sockets set

jontar

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May 1, 2012
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199
Hi


I'm going to be buying a 1/2dr metric socket set, and need some suggestions.

It must be USA made, something like Blackhawk (looked at 1712-mnb), Proto, or US made Williams.

Thought about SK, maybe Wright, Gedore is way to expensive, Klein only makes a 1/2 dr SAE set.

Need help
 
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General Geoff

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Jan 12, 2013
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Allentown, Pennsylvania
Up to what size?

SK 19-piece metric 1/2", that's the 12 pt but I think they offer the same in 6pt if you prefer. Goes from 10mm up to 28mm, not missing a single size. IMO if I'm turning something bigger than 28, I'll reach for the 3/4" drive stuff.

If you want bigger in 1/2" though, SK does offer a 24-piece set that goes up to 32mm without missing any, plus a 36mm. About 75 bucks more for that though, for five extra seldom-used sizes.
 

shoturtle

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Jan 15, 2012
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Frankfurt AM
For metric I would look at the Armstrong or US Williams if you want deep sockets. Proto only has 12pt in 1/2dr deep metric sockets. But the standard length 6pt metric are excellent.

But for standard length chrome, the proto's are the nicest of the 3 brands.
 
Last edited:

brianpgriset

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Sep 29, 2006
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Location
Beaumont, TX
Hi


I'm going to be buying a 1/2dr metric socket set, and need some suggestions.

It must be USA made, something like Blackhawk (looked at 1712-mnb), Proto, or US made Williams.

Thought about SK, maybe Wright, Gedore is way to expensive, Klein only makes a 1/2 dr SAE set.

Need help

I just got the 24 piece metric shallow SK set to 36mm in the mail yesterday and I was very pleased. SK gets my vote.
 

woody 73

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Apr 14, 2009
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The Great State Up North
I do hope I will not get burned at the stake and I think my two cents is heard by many on the GJ but if I was the op I would pick up a few of the nice made in the USA Industrial sockets from Craftsman at the off store sites in his home town.

Or pick up some nice sets from Harry Epsteins either way you can not go wrong.
 

dirtydogintex

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Sep 28, 2012
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inner looper-3rd Div Houston w & n
New?
From my experience,
USA CM, USA Williams, USA Proto in that order if
money is an object and warranty convenience is important.

Given reasonable usage (not abuse) all of them are good values and should last a long time....
 

bimmerZ5

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Aug 16, 2008
Messages
1,790
for sockets, I have mostly craftsman, with a decent amount of Armstrong, and a few SK and gearwrench, along with very few other brands like husky, facom, etc. the Armstrong are no doubt a serious socket compared to craftsman... they are just heavier, thicker, etc. but the finish is about the same. the SK are really pretty... their superkrome thing is really different compared to anything I've seen come out of the danahar/apex family. that said, I wish I had more gearwrench... the quality is really nice and the value is incredible... not as shiny as SK, but finish wise it might be the best stuff I've seen from danahar/apex. I can't compare to what I haven't used or seen... but since you want USA, my opinion would be go SK.
 
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Polski-Chevy

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Jun 25, 2012
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Indiana
If my vote counts, I too would get USA Williams.

For what I spent on a few Snappy sockets I could've gotten a complete set from Williams.
 

stratman977

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Jan 26, 2012
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633
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Belle Vernon, PA
I can't figure out why but Armstrong doesn't make deep metric 1/2 inch drive sockets. Their 6pt master set has 12pt deep metric in it because of this.
 

NHBandit

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Jan 11, 2012
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East Tennessee
I see alot of guys reccomending Williams. I even have a few old Williams wrenches I've had for many years. My question though is where do you go when you break something ? Are there any retail stores that will exchange them or is it a matter of paying to ship them back & waiting for the replacement ? The convienience of being able to exchange Craftsman stuff TODAY at any Sears was always a good reason for me to shop there. At least for my home use tools. The tools I used to make a living came off a truck & cost considerably more.
 

AZ_Catskinner

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Jan 29, 2011
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Location
Morenci, AZ
All are good choices, but Gedore completely rules out the USA made criteria.

Honestly, I think you are on the right track with Blackhawk.
 

hifi_hokie

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Nov 2, 2010
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Hillsborough, NC

dirtydogintex

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inner looper-3rd Div Houston w & n
Think he meant to say

I can't figure out why but Armstrong doesn't make 6pt. deep metric 1/2 inch drive sockets. Their 6pt master set has 12pt deep metric in it because of this.

'6pt.' got ate by the internets??


EDIT
Anyone else having to refresh several times before ALL the posts appear?
 

Steve_P

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Sep 15, 2010
Messages
5,185
I have Williams and SK I bought new in the last few yrs; both are very nice; the plating is prettier on SK, otherwise I don't think there's much difference. The last Armstrong I bought, a few yrs ago, is the same as Cman IMO, so I see no sense in buying Armstrong over Cman. Cman is fine also if you can live with nickel plating and no chrome on top (all I have from 5-10 yrs old are like this)
 

Hyster Gareth

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Sep 4, 2011
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434
Location
Ottawa ON
Go with the Williams. There is nothing wrong with the 36 tooth ratchet unless clearance is a big issue.

They are also branded for CAT although with Caterpillar's prices they will be more expensive. I prefer them and looking to grab a few for myself!

I've been mulling over getting at least one of the Williams 936-clones instead of the full Dual 80 set in 1/4" through 1/2", because the price is that tempting...gah, decisions... :bounce:
 

6PTsocket

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Mar 12, 2014
Messages
4,593
For metric I would look at the Armstrong or US Williams if you want deep sockets. Proto only has 12pt in 1/2dr deep metric sockets. But the standard length 6pt metric are excellent.

But for standard length chrome, the proto's are the nicest of the 3 brands.
Hasn't Apex shut down Armstrong? Finding stock is hit or miss.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
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