recommend a 1/2 drive metric socket set- 6 point

[Steve_P]

prefer US made and I'm not going to pay Snap On $. Oh, and something I can buy new.

I've been buying the US made Williams sockets but they only have 12 point in 1/2 drive metric- which is the exact opposite of what you'd expect they should make if they were only going to make one style (6 vs 12 pt). Then I checked Wright and saw they had 12 pt also. Odd.

I was at Sears and they had some small 1/2 drive sets, ~10-19 mm but was looking for something more inclusive with larger sizes. I know I can buy the small set and then larger sized singles and may end up doing that as an option. I checked sears' useless website and it continues to be useless- giving me 1500 matches for "craftsman 1/2 drive metric socket set 6 point" including gear wrench brand sockets, cman wrenches, etc. I would hope they have a big set of 1/2 drive metric sockets but I'm not going to look for four hrs to find it. But if anyone knows a pn, post it up.

So, recommend away.

 

[GSteg]

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00915885000P?prdNo=1

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00915887000P?prdNo=3

nvm didn't realize you were looking for regular chrome sockets.

 

[Strouty]

Lowes has all the USA made sockets and wrenches on clearance, I saw some impacts, deep and shallow. Prices wasn't fire sale, but it was cheaper than the chinese ****.

 

[BajaBound]

X2 for the craftsman 1/2" set

 

[chewy7]

this is what i have s-k 1955, i think i only paid like 75 or so a little cheaper than what amazon is currently priced.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007DFZ4G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

or these could work if you need larger sizes s-k 1959
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002NYCCC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

all s-k and made in usa. my s-k 1955 set were probably new old stock, which would be similar to new production i would think.

 

[pipsters]

Sears sells up to 22mm in 6 point chrome shallow. I believe up to 21 mm in deep. I think the idea behind the 12 points on larger sockets is the contact area is so large it doesn't matter.

 

[Fedwrench]

There's a couple ways to look at this. First, do you really need Chrome? If you're using 1/2 drive you probably have room to use an impact socket.
Secondly, how large of sizes do you need? Craftsman will get up to 22mm in a chrome shallow 6 point socket.
Here's a very nice Proto set that goes up to 24mm in chrome 6 point trim:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VXX30O/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Proto is really the only industrial brand that does metric well. Their quality is great too.

However, my recommendation for a good 1/2 drive 6 point metric selection would be to run with either Grey Pneumatic or Sunex impact sockets. They are not US made. However, they are a durable Taiwanese made product available in a wide selection of sizes. their walls aren't much thicker than 1/2 drive chrome and the price depending on where you shop, is a lot cheaper.
Good luck in your quest.

 

[Scout Driver]

Allen or SK.

Scott

 

[pipsters]

Allen or SK.

Scott

The NOS Allen is Danaher and is the exact same as my Craftsman, at least as far as extensions are concerned.

The new stuff is Chinese and probably produced at the same factory that produces Chinese Craftsman as well.

 

[Skin]

prefer US made and I'm not going to pay Snap On $. Oh, and something I can buy new.

I've been buying the US made Williams sockets but they only have 12 point in 1/2 drive metric- which is the exact opposite of what you'd expect they should make if they were only going to make one style (6 vs 12 pt). Then I checked Wright and saw they had 12 pt also. Odd.

Not odd. 12pt can be used on either type fastener and depending on your field there are instances where you will encounter 12pt bolts.

Craftsman, Snap-On, Matco, Proto, SK etc.. Take your pick. Once you get into the 25mm/~1" sizes you'll pretty much always be able to fit an impact socket so chrome become a bit redundant.

 

[Steve_P]

Thanks for the replies. Although I can't say I go over 19mm too often w/o switching to an impact socket, I'd still like to have a set with sizes thru the low to mid 20s- so cman is still an option.

are those SK sets, esp the #1955, new production? I haven't kept up if they have new product on the shelves yet.

The protos are an option as well.

I can't ever recall running across a 12 pt metric bolt/nut- although I'm sure they're out there.

 

[chewy7]

the sk set is probably old new old stock, at least the one set that i have.

 

[MadMark]

Proto is really the only industrial brand that does metric well. Their quality is great too.

Do Proto Metric sockets fit better than Armstrong, SK or Williams? Just Curious

 

[Fedwrench]

Do Proto Metric sockets fit better than Armstrong, SK or Williams? Just Curious

I think Proto's current fit and finish is as good as any tool truck brand and much better than Armstrong's. Unfortunately, current Armstrong chrome sockets are basically the same as Craftsman down to the double detent on the square drive. I can't compare Proto to the new SK as I haven't seen any of the new SK Don't forget there are two different grades of Williams sockets, US made and imported. There are no williams 1/2 drive 6 point metric sockets to compare but, I would say the 3/8 drive versions are equal in quality with Proto having larger size markings but, williams being cheaper (depending on where you shop).

 

[ibedayank]

I think Proto's current fit and finish is as good as any tool truck brand and much better than Armstrong's. Unfortunately, current Armstrong chrome sockets are basically the same as Craftsman down to the double detent on the square drive. I can't compare Proto to the new SK as I haven't seen any of the new SK Don't forget there are two different grades of Williams sockets, US made and imported. There are no williams 1/2 drive 6 point metric sockets to compare but, I would say the 3/8 drive versions are equal in quality with Proto having larger size markings but, williams being cheaper (depending on where you shop).

armstrong...owned by apex tool group danaher and cooper tools joined to form apex

 

[dwm]

I really like my new Grey Pneumatic Duo-Socket set. Not US-made (Taiwan). Not chrome, but that's part of the reason I bought them... even when the etching wears off, the black-filled roll-stamped markings at the base will still be easy for my aging eyes to read. The quality appears better than I expected for the price, and they don't skip sizes (they also cover a wider range than most). I have the 81635MRD 3/8" drive set (7mm-22mm deep and shallow), and since receiving it I've added the 82629MD and 82629M sets to my wish list. Those sets are 10-36mm with no sizes skipped, though I don't picture myself using 1/2" drive in the bigger sizes. My recollection is that my own vehicles don't have anything above 25mm except the front hub retainers on the BMW which are 12-point (I have a Snap-On 3/4" drive 12-point socket for those).

Of course if you want chrome, they won't interest you. And the ratchet, while pretty nice mechanically for a quick-release, isn't well-balanced to my hands.

 

[TheGrooveking]

SK or Proto. I wish Wright made 6 pt 1/2" drive metric sockets though.

TheGrooveking

 

[street131]

like the groove king said, proto or sk are a good way to go, you will have a tough time breaking any socket with their name on it. The US allens that they sold at menards are also a very good option. Pretty much you just have to pick and choose according to your price range because they are all good solid sockets.

 

[Wrenches of Death]

I think Proto's current fit and finish is as good as any tool truck brand...

The same can be said for their impact sockets, too. Proto still makes very good hand tools.

You damn sure don't want to pay retail if you can help it though.

At least the powers that be didn't "pull a Mac" on Proto. At least not yet.

WoD

 

[Steve_P]

thanks for the replies. I really like my US made williams sockets- the only negative is the mm sizes have small stampings on the "older" ones. But it looks like the newer production ones have a larger stamping for the size- the last set I bought had some mixed in with a larger size stamped on them that doesn't get lost with the PN like my others (really poor thinking on that one).

And, from what I've seen (I've bought a few armstrong in the last yr), new armstrong "chrome" sockets are the same as cman; only with a different name.

So, it looks like it's down to Proto, Cman, SK. I am not in a rush so I'll probably wait a few weeks or months and see what the new SK looks like and their pricing.

 

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

Just buy the crafstman set and be done with. you're not going to break a socket. they're made in the usa and are warrantied anyway if you do and they're affordable, why make it anymore difficult?

 

[Gtamazing]

Amazon has been discounting their Proto socket sets 70% off and rotating them every couple of days.Keep an eye over there for the 1/2" 6 point metrics. The last few days has been impacts. I'm watching for 3/8 metrics.

 

[WhiteTrash]

I really like the Gray Pnuematic Duo-sockets. They are impact grade sockets that are the thickness of chrome sockets. It eliminates the need to own both sets. Had I not just purchased Craftsman's ultimate 299 pc set that includes every size 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch drive socket, I would have gone that route. True, they are not US made, but I have never heard anything bad about them and the space saved from not having to have impact and chrome is worth a lot.