Ratchets for the DIY’er

[Dzmax77]

My toolbox consist of the following ratchets and sockets:

Kobalt USA (Danaher) 1/2, 3/8, 1/4;
Craftsman USA (Danaher) 3/8;
Williams (old Snap On models) 3/8, 1/4;
Duralast (Autozone) 3/8”

Craftsman (USA) SAE/Metric 3/8” 12pt & 6pt, SAE/Metric 1/4” 6pt;
Armstrong (USA) 1/4” SAE/Metric 6pt;
Stanley SAE/Metric 3/8” 12pt (not sure if its Taiwan or USA made);
Husky Metric 1/4” deep sockets;
Kobalt USA 3/8” socket drivers;
Neiko metric 12pt triple sq hex with a few extra Carlyle from NAPA.

Most of my collection are old NOS USA made Danaher sold by Craftsman and Kobalt and Im looking to add USA made 1/2 sockets but it’s hard. Menards still has some odd Master Force (Denaher USA) but not enough to make a set. Also, they charge 2-3x for collecting and shipping online orders. Ebay is starting to gouge on USA Danaher made sockets and anything currently USA made is beyond a reasonable price for a home gamer like me.

Suggestions on acquiring additional sockets or suggestions on what I may be missing to complete a reasonable set DIY set?

 

[M6erfan]

Budget

 

[Dzmax77]

Budget

$75-100 for a new 1/2” SAE/Metric set of Danaher made sockets may be pushing it. Or no? I’d probably use them a few times a year. I’d like to stick with USA made but thats not possible anymore.

Last year, Meijer was discounting Tekton tools they had and saw a post about 1/2” socket and impact socket sets, both SAE & Metric for less than $60 but I got there too late. Shelves were cleaned out. I know they’re Taiwanese but at that price, I would’ve made a compromise.

 

[M6erfan]

Garage sales/flea mkts

Sorry, that's the best I got

 

[Dzmax77]

Yes, unless I go premium and buy new SK, Proto, Wright or Louis VSnap On, it’s either getting lucky with a second hand set or just buying a currently produced Husky/Craftsman/Cobalt socket set made from some State owned conglomerate in Asia. I just don’t like doing that without looking at any other option...

 

[mikebaker1129]

I would post a WTB ad in the forum.
There are a lot of us that have tools that are surplus to our needs.
Craftsman may be your easiest to put together as a Brand if you are wanting a Matching set.


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[Shootinok]

Pawn shops
I’ve replaced missing pieces in socket and wrench sets by checking pawn shops.


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[mrjaw14]

Old Armstrong set, or used wright, SK on sale, snap on Bogo, Williams USA sets. It’ll be over $100 though.

I bought 6 & 12 pt shallow 1/2 and I have deep in what I could find. I rarely use 1/2, but nice to know it’s there

 

[kngelv]

You could get both of these sets on Amazon right now the SK is $129 and the Williams made in the USA is $97. You could probably find them for a better price on Harry Epstein’s website I know they sell a SK set with a ratchet and extension for $138. I don’t know why people come on here and talk about getting USA made stuff but then don’t want to actually pay for them they’re not that much more than Taiwan sets unless you’re buying Harbor Freight stuff.

James

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007DFZ4G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DNVZXO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[ThePostman]

Long handle flex head 3/8" ratchet. I use mine everyday, but I'm going to tell you don't cheap out here, for a DIYer, it will outlive you. What's a onetime purchase of possibly $150 worth to you for a lifetime of service. My favorite is a Proto/Mac, if you play promos and timing right, it can be had $100.
Cheater bar for your 1/2"s, along the lines of 2-3 foot $10 schedule 40 piece of pipe that will fit your ratchets, or a wider diameter perhaps for who knows what down the line, available in any plumbing department.

 

[IndyGarage]

I like my Wera Zyklop ratchets for their versatility - best 1/4 inch I own. The 3/8 is pretty good - I also have the 1/2, but the usefulness of the features seems to diminish in the larger size.

A couple years ago I bought a Crestalloy 3/8 flex head long handle that gets a lot of use on tough jobs. I think it was under $30 at Menards. I figured I would replace it with a Snap on if I liked it, but haven't had the need to yet.

I also have a couple of Wright 1/4 inch ratchets with 3/8 heads on them - a standard and a flex head - and both of those come in real handy.

 

[d.mcfarland]

The Williams USA made sockets might be close to that budget, right?

 

[Dzmax77]

Long handle flex head 3/8" ratchet. I use mine everyday, but I'm going to tell you don't cheap out here, for a DIYer, it will outlive you. What's a onetime purchase of possibly $150 worth to you for a lifetime of service. My favorite is a Proto/Mac, if you play promos and timing right, it can be had $100.
Cheater bar for your 1/2"s, along the lines of 2-3 foot $10 schedule 40 piece of pipe that will fit your ratchets, or a wider diameter perhaps for who knows what down the line, available in any plumbing department.

Thanks. This is good advice. I will start looking for a flex head but Im biased towards Williams since they appear to be reasonably priced and long lasting. Could be wrong on that though.

 

[Dzmax77]

The Williams USA made sockets might be close to that budget, right?

Williams USA is expensive, Williams Taiwan is cheaper. This is more of a case of ‘want’ than need. I feel like my set is naked without a 1/2” set... lol

 

[Dzmax77]

You could get both of these sets on Amazon right now the SK is $129 and the Williams made in the USA is $97. You could probably find them for a better price on Harry Epstein’s website I know they sell a SK set with a ratchet and extension for $138. I don’t know why people come on here and talk about getting USA made stuff but then don’t want to actually pay for them they’re not that much more than Taiwan sets unless you’re buying Harbor Freight stuff.

James

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007DFZ4G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DNVZXO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Yes, I like both but was looking to spend that much on both metric and sae. Probably would’ve been easier to find a few years ago with Danaher spurced sets but virtually impossible now.

As I said in another post, its an issue of ‘want’ not need. I suppose I can just get a Kobalt 1/2” set just to have in case I need them. bLowes had been having some deep discounts lately...

 

[Dzmax77]

Old Armstrong set, or used wright, SK on sale, snap on Bogo, Williams USA sets. It’ll be over $100 though.

I bought 6 & 12 pt shallow 1/2 and I have deep in what I could find. I rarely use 1/2, but nice to know it’s there

Ive been looking on Ebay, Cripes, Amazon, stock has dwindled on Armstrong. I love their tools. Good quality, cheaper than other Pro brands with good fit finish and steel quality.

 

[bonneyman]

Pawn shops
I’ve replaced missing pieces in socket and wrench sets by checking pawn shops.


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I'm one or two pieces away from completing my 1970's S-K socket set 3/8" drive that started with a NOS socket box for $3. About a month and a half of looking and maybe $25 spent and I'm that close. And remember seeing 1/2" drive stuff during that time.

Yard sales, pawn shops, thrift stores are all good. I regularly find Williams, Proto, older Craftsman, Bonney, S-K, and other vintage brands for cheap. Just keep your eyes open and keep scrounging.

You gotta have the money or the time.

 

[ForrestT]

Flea Markets. I put a set of 1/2” together with old snap on, p&c, and Proto for pennies on the dollar. Maybe $40 at most. All excellent USA made brands. Could’ve put a craftsman set together for even cheaper. Even had some craftsman in the set that I pulled out when I found better stuff.


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[Iowafox]

You should really get a set of Torx socket bits. Anymore new cars are using them more and more. I also suggest getting a 1/4dr roto head ratchet. They are a life saver using them for everything from cars to putting together kid furniture a roto head ratchet in 1/4dr is a must have. For a good first try the Pittsburgh Pro green handle I have a few and they are tanks!
I also think add a few swivel joints those are handy as hell!

 

[ForrestT]

Flea Markets. I put a set of 1/2” together with old snap on, p&c, and Proto for pennies on the dollar. Maybe $40 at most. All excellent USA made brands. Could’ve put a craftsman set together for even cheaper. Even had some craftsman in the set that I pulled out when I found better stuff.


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I will say that I don’t use 1/2” drive often. Once or twice a year. Not a car guy. Not an ag machinery guy. It’s good to have when you need it.


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[MJK]

What do you plan on working on?

 

[Shelbylex]

I would recommend keeping an eye on a good flex. You rarely need them but sometimes they can save you. I bought a used SO flex with some tools and did not like using it. Almost sold it till one day I had to adjust parking break in a tight angled spot. That was a saver!
Agree on Torx - periodically come useful.
Try buying SO, SK, Koken when you pass yard sales - they sometimes come cheap and having already multiple sets you can afford slowly building fancier secondary sets with little money.

...If you plan doing heave work, look for 3/4 sets cheap. I bought PLVMB and Bon -E - Con incomplete SAE sets for 90$ ( both, 13/16 sockets in PLVMB and do not recall how many in Bon-E-Con, still sitting in my friends house 100 miles from me...). Deals are there - just do not rush

Somebody should give an opinion on SO flex bent handle. I think it might be very useful and will buy one if I find a cheap deal.

 

[Shocker]

Hehe, I have the PLVMB 3/4 ratchet like that. It is my primary for working on RV's and the like. The other is a HUGE Proto.

If you search around you can find 3/4 pretty cheap. I bought a full set of SAE and Metric 6pt Armstrong sockets new for $50.

 

[Draftpick1]

Williams USA is expensive, Williams Taiwan is cheaper. This is more of a case of ‘want’ than need. I feel like my set is naked without a 1/2” set... lol

Look at Zoro tools and find a 15-20 % off coupon for USA Wiliiams or Proto sets. Here is 2 sets under $100 and will be even cheaper with a coupon

https://www.zoro.com/williams-12-drive-socket-set-wss-15rc/i/G7169681/

https://www.zoro.com/williams-12-drive-socket-set-mss-15rc/i/G7613807/

 

[bmwrd0]

If I was going to buy a set of 1/2" now, I would buy impact. Not even bother with chrome at all.

 

[BrandoJames]

If I was going to buy a set of 1/2" now, I would buy impact. Not even bother with chrome at all.

I'd agree with the above, although it's important to remember that impact sockets are slightly thicker than chrome. I was watching a SMA video where Eric O. was replacing a starter. He had to switch from impact to chrome due to clearance. I think this would be a rare occurrence for a DIYer, but it could happen.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Like most around here I like the nicer tools try to get the best deals on good tools, but honestly I can work with almost any brand. I think the difference between best & worst is not that much any more, I have a cheap set of chinese cm I keep in one truck, they work fine. I use a hd husky 4 in 1 screwdriver, a lot, just saying you can get by with almost any tool out there.

 

[Matt XYZ]

I picked up a set of metric Husky USA 1/2 sockets for $20 a few months ago. Basically brand new. They may fit what you are looking for without the inflated Craftsman prices if you check Ebay. I found these after a quick search both for around $25 with shipping currently.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-HUSKY-1...023243?hash=item4dbf10ae4b:g:Yh0AAOSwLYRgKzg2

https://www.ebay.com/itm/11-HUSKY-1...022163?hash=item4dbf10aa13:g:iukAAOSwWelgKy-W

 

[Dzmax77]

Sorry, busy with work and no time to check these posts out. Thanks for everyone’s input !

 

[Qualitytools]

Look into getting a swivel head ratchet.

 

[seagullplayer]

I always consider warranty issues when I think about "better tools".

First I consider how hard it would be to get a replacement for an older better made tool.

Then I think, well if it's better made whats the odds of ever needing the warranty anyway.

Then I recall, I'm not needing the warranty on the tools I'm using now!

I just "upgraded" my 3/8" set with the Milwaukee flat sided stuff. Looks like it will last me a lifetime at home. The ratchet is nice, but I do prefer one with the push button release. But this one worked fine last weekend on the DIL's car. And looks rather impressive in the tool box.

At home I find the handiest socket set to be one of those blow molded cases with "everything" in it. So when I crawl under or bend over or sit down, I don't have to go back to the box for a different size.

 

[Dzmax77]

So a flex head, breaker bar, more sockets - 1/2”, Hex & Torx. I am looking for NOS Kobalt USA torx & Hex sockets. I think Cripes has some but want the complete set.

This is the actual inventory of my ratchets now.