Recommend SAE allen socket set?

[5mall5nail5]

Hi all - I have an assortment of chinese metric allen sockets (3/8") which work ok. I have a few that are twisted but otherwise work fine.

Thinking of picking up a decent set of SAE sockets because I didn't have one this weekend and had to use an allen key. It worked, but obviously could have gone faster.

Any recommendations for good but reasonably priced 3/8" allen key sockets (SAE first, and maybe Metric, or if they come together that'd work too). My 6mm allen key socket for instance is twisted, but I can live with that.

Thanks!

 

[biscuit141]

I have a snap on metric set I am selling. I just don't use them often enough.

 

[chris6278]

go with sk or snap on

 

[Jawn]

I'm happy with the SK stuff I got a few months back.

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-5161-sk-hand-tool-19723.aspx

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-5156-sk-hand-tool-19708.aspx

Not the exact metric set (I think I got mine piecemeal from a few sources), but mostly the same ones.

 

[MarkH]

Not the cheapest but watch ebay, proto.

 

[Trucky]

Cman is the "cheap-ish"/easily replaceable option.. but I use some singles I got from True Value ("Master Mechanic"). Never broken one yet, and in the same time period, I've snapped three Craftsman and one Lisle. Oh, and that's just in 3/8ths size. Not drive. The literal size of the bit.

Now I'm sure half the folks on here want to say Snap On, but honestly that stuff is just way too expensive for just general use. If you want a "professional" (just under the tool trucks) brand, go with SK, Armstrong, or Wright. But honestly those True Values are wicked cheap and tough to boot.

 

[pipsters]

I've beat the **** out of my Harbor Freight $8 set...S2 tool steel and all...real good value unless you are made of gold then I guess you could get Snap-On...

 

[bobcatdan]

Good set on a budget: SK. i would check Epstein, may have a deal on wright or another good USA brand.

 

[shoturtle]

Go with wiha, the tips are really hard, and do not twist easily. The socket portion are made by heyco. You get excellent quality without breaking the bank.

1/4 dr
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002U0L9JY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

and 3/8 drive
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002U0L9KI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[sberry]

Its a **** shoot anymore so I say shoot cheap, I too have bought some cheap that work super and some branded nothing to write home about. I snagged a set of metrics from Walmart thinking I might upgrade,,, they have been super, no need, about 15$. Bought a set of Torx a couple weeks ago when we destroy some others, did the job.

Its a free country but I am about done buying hi dollar tools in many cases, the cheap has gotten so much better.

 

[shoturtle]

I brought a set of metric form pep boys when they close out their power built tools for 7 dollars. They are pretty well made bits form taiwan. But i do notice they flex a bit more then the wiha bits that I also have when under higher torque.

If you are planning to used them allot, get a bit hard steel set. The taiwan made ones are good, but they cam a bit faster then the german ones I have. But not badly.

 

[jtfc]

i used to have all craftsman in torx and hex. now i have a collection of cornwell and napa stuff.the napa stuff i got on sale just recently and they work daily with so far no issues. btw i think the napa stuff is rebranded gearwrench or maybe its the other way around either way they look the same.

 

[PRH44]

I have SK for my extended 6" set they hold up really well not cheap. I purchased a set of craftsman 8 piece SAE and Metric they were on sale for 15 bucks each for that price you cant go wrong.
Bondhus is another good set a little more than craftsman
I would 2nd the Wiha also

 

[5mall5nail5]

Thanks everyone - Wiha is winning so far for one reason alone - Amazon Prime. Free shipping 2 day, so that will work great for the project I am working on. If anyone has a last minute link to some more awesome-er ones, let's hear it else I think I may pick up the Wiha's.

Thanks Shoturtle for that link

 

[shoturtle]

You are welcome. And the wiha bits are better then some tool truck brand tips.

 

[5mall5nail5]

You are welcome. And the wiha bits are better then some tool truck brand tips.

Have you ever hit them with an impact gun? I may need to invest in an impact set later on, if there is such a thing.

 

[RAYJAY]

go with sk or snap on

we have a couple of sets of the snap -on allen sets at work they **** big time round off all the time the gear wrench ones rock never had a problem with them, got the re badge NAPA set a couple of years ago and there still going strong and yes i use them ever single day.....

 

[shoturtle]

If you are not repeatedly hitting them with an impact gun they will work, but if you need impact all the time, get an impact set. Over time the constant impact will crack the socket.

I use impact bits on my impact driver as it accept 1/4 bits. If you need impact with 3/8 or 1/2 I would go with sunex or gearwrench for impact. If you want to spend big money, proto impact are great.

 

[chris6278]

we have a couple of sets of the snap -on allen sets at work they **** big time round off all the time the gear wrench ones rock never had a problem with them, got the re badge NAPA set a couple of years ago and there still going strong and yes i use them ever single day.....

use my snap on sets everyday with no issues

 

[mccaer01]

I use my cornwell ones with my cordless impact all the time with no fails to date, quite reasonably priced as well

 

[rsanter]

I love my snap on ones but have had decent luck with the cman stuff if it's not used really hard

Bob

 

[otis66]

I like my Snap On's but SK would be nice too.

 

[chris142]

don't get the ones with a ball on the end. I threw away 2 worthless cornwell set's that would break everytime I used them

 

[shoturtle]

Ball end are ment to seat the fastener with difficult angles, the non ball are to break and tighten down.

 

[Trucky]

Ball end are ment to seat he fastener with difficult angles, the non ball are to break and tighten down.

This. Never do your final tightening with ball-end hex bits, because they will break, and if the tips get stuck inside the head of the bolt, it's a royal PITA to get them out (sometimes).

 

[trents99]

For around the house you could get by with the ones mentioned. I use the Proto impacts at work everyday and swear by them. The ability to replace just the allen section of the socket instead of buying a new socket was important. Not the cheapest but I have seen them on ebay before in the $45 range used.

 

[Notwerk]

No love for Bondhus?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002SW9IKG/?tag=atomicindus08-20