Recommend me a hex/torx socket set

[dleonard1122]

Title pretty much says it all. Need metric sizes, preferably a USA made set. A co-worker has this Silver Eagle set off the Matco truck that is nice, but I honestly don't know what all is out there.

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/SBS46SE/46-PC-SILVER-EAGLE-SOCKET-BIT-DRIVER-SET/

 

[Chuck122]

Vim makes some sets that look nice. They make some great soap, too
Of course snap on gold coloured bits are good but price-wise, they may as well be made of actual gold
I have a few SK and there is really nothing wrong with them

 

[jeffws]

Proto

 

[bob15]

Torx: Snap On gold, they are worth the money. check ebay or the classifieds on this site.

Hex: get a set that doesn't have the "step" in it. Get a set where if you break a bit, so can just take a hex key, cut the angle off and you're good to go.

Hex: Another option is Bondhus has the bits that will go into regular sockets (a cheaper alternative to go, which is what i did for a set of long ball-end hex keys)


bob

 

[Rogue1987]

I am not one to always tout the snap on koolaid. If you go look in my box there are tools from probably 90 different manufactures. But to be honest, I broke torx bit after torx bit (Probably partly through user error, I will admit), but I bought a set of the snap on gold torx sockets (The price is truly a hard pill to swallow. I think $240? I'm sure I got something "Free" to go with it though. haha) but I have not broke one yet.

Just my $0.02, and not worth that with inflation. Or deflation. Or mass printing of money. Something, really.

 

[LincolnCont.]

Hex: get a set that doesn't have the "step" in it. Get a set where if you break a bit, so can just take a hex key, cut the angle off and you're good to go.

bob

I just put in an order for some long hex socket sets and decided on getting ones with the step in them.(Wright) I don't know if they'll be a flop or not as I have not yet tried that style but I want to see if they will resist looking like a Twizzler as my Proto's and Lisle's have done in the smaller sizes.

I also thought about making my own from my impact sockets, drill and tap for a set screw, and then buy a set of Eklind's and just chop saw them to size, (two in one deal, regular sockets and when needed slip in the hex and tighten the screw) but I havent made that commitment yet... time consuming

 

[Ign]

I just ordered the VIMs as mentioned in post 8 here. Also picked up the power drive hex kit for $18. I got the fractionals but shoulda ordered the metrics too in hindsight
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=207839

 

[ChevyEFI]

Get a cheap socket set you like the sockets on.

When the bits break, replace them with Apex or Bondhus.

 

[Outlawmws]

We went through this recently...

Another vote for Proto...

 

[soulstryke]

I find the proto's too long and too thick for most places. I have used my cheap Westward set 10 times more than my proto set for the reason above.

 

[Nocturnal-G]

Wiha for torx, Bondhus for hex.

 

[wafrederick]

OTC sells a set,warranty is void if broken with an impact.Chrome hex and torx bit sockets are broken used on an impact a lot.Grey Pnuematic makes the impact grade torx and hex sockets.I only broke two GP torx bits so far,received replacements the next day.

 

[crewchief888]

for anything i know will require a bunch of torque to remove,
SO gold bits

i've twisted a couple of 5mm & 6mm bits, but never broken one, same for the gold torx bits.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I believe whatever brand you buy, you're going to break or round one off.

 

[bob15]

I just put in an order for some long hex socket sets and decided on getting ones with the step in them.(Wright) I don't know if they'll be a flop or not as I have not yet tried that style but I want to see if they will resist looking like a Twizzler as my Proto's and Lisle's have done in the smaller sizes.

Good luck with the Wright's. My first set were the stepped Wrights and found that they tended to snap before twisting. Still use the larger sizes, but replaced the ones that I use every day with Snap On and Proto. I prefer the twisting over the snapping.


bob

 

[djcslice]

This is the one on my list, mainly because of the compatibility with pass through ratchets and standard ratchets.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NI94DI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Nocturnal-G]

Here is a torque comparison test on different hex keys, they use the same steel for the hex bit sockets.

http://www.bondhus.com/technical_library/competitor_comparisons/torque_comparison.html