Recommendation on good quality 3/8" metric deep socket set?
- Thread starter Duarte
- Start date
slipjointed
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 31, 2011
- Messages
- 665
Do you want somewhere you can buy new, or do you mind deal hunting?
If you're buying new and want very high quality, go with Wright. Hardwaresales.com has the cheapest price on a Wright deep metric set in 3/8. If you can find anything else you want to buy there that is a smaller item, buy that first and when you get your package, it will include a 5% code you can use for the sockets.
If you want just raw value, go with the SK 94549 set from Advance auto, $107 shipped and you get an entire socket set, not just Metric deep.
If you're willing to hunt, you can sometimes find good deals on snap-on, but I've given up on getting snap-on in a hurry. People are SO damn desperate to own snap-on, that they'll pay more than retail for it on ebay. It's just plain embarrasing that human beings will go that low just to own a name brand.
I recently found a pretty good deal on some SAE Snap-on stuff, so I bought it, but I'm not planning on buying any more in a hurry... if I get good deals, I get them, if I don't, I don't.
It's so bad, that if someone lists a Snap-on ratchet in the classifieds here for 25 cents less than the average ebay selling price, it will have five buyers in line within 5 minutes of the ad being posted. It actually kind of disgusts me.
MadMark
Well-known member
I like SK because the smaller sizes 10 to 15mm are like a semi deep, very handy on an exhaust stud in a tight spot.
I don't mind used, as long as they are not rusted and the chrome is peeling. I would prefer to spend $50 or less. I am not a pro and don't need to invest in truck tools at truck prices..
I am considering this K-D set from Harry Epstein.. but I have no experience with the brand..
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/MiscInventory/91276.html
I am considering this K-D set from Harry Epstein.. but I have no experience with the brand..
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/MiscInventory/91276.html
For a weekend warrior value wise you cannot go wrong with the Craftsman module sets
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934271000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4
For every day use SK/Used Truck Brand [ebay] would be my choice.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934271000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4
For every day use SK/Used Truck Brand [ebay] would be my choice.
powertrip
Well-known member
Cman on ebay or a sears friends/family sale would probably be your best bet. Usa made and the best and easiest warranty. Also probably the cheapest usa made sockets you will find. Dont spend a premium price for other usa sockets you will not be able to tell the difference. Buy the cman and get a really good ratchet. Sockets dont matter as much as the ratchet.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934545000P?prdNo=10&blockNo=10&blockType=G10
Buy a 9mm & 11mm and you've got a full set of all the metric deeps Sears makes 9-19mm for around $25 + tax. Buy online and pickup in store to get online pricing. 15% off tonight.
That is an old picture, they are dual marked now, laser etched and stamped. I have both and now prefer my laser etched ones, much easier to read.
Buy a 9mm & 11mm and you've got a full set of all the metric deeps Sears makes 9-19mm for around $25 + tax. Buy online and pickup in store to get online pricing. 15% off tonight.
That is an old picture, they are dual marked now, laser etched and stamped. I have both and now prefer my laser etched ones, much easier to read.
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Gtamazing
Banned
I just picked up a 60 piece Sk 1/4" set. I was less than impressed with the quality.
So you don't have to run out and buy a chrome socket when you do something like this:
Taking off a power steering pump on my parts car
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Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The KD set linked is the same as a Craftsman set only without the great warranty. I would say for the money and durability go with Craftsman. watch for their holiday sales and pounce.
If you want to spend some money, look at Proto. Well made, excellent fit and finish and a wider selection of sizes.
If you want to spend some money, look at Proto. Well made, excellent fit and finish and a wider selection of sizes.
tbobbo
Banned
I like this recommendation, they are tougher.....I am a pro, I got tired of breaking chrome sockets by hand. (My chrome has NEVER seen a impact either) Yes sometimes you need the clearance, but I use my impact sockets for hand use as well. (Grey pnuematic great sockets good price) I only need a chrome maybe once a week. Impacts are by far tougher, by far a better deal, to me the clearance issue comes up less than the pain of broken chrome sockets.
I have to agree with this, I bought some 3/8" drive Proto 12pt sockets and they are fantastic. Top shelf all the way, manufacturing on those is basically perfect. Super wide range of sizes too, I think my SAEs go from 1/4" all the way to 1" in 3/8" drive.
dwm
Well-known member
Other than the fact that it's missing 18mm, I like the Toptul GAAQ3701. $65 for 37 sockets is quite reasonable and by my eyes the quality is better than my Craftsman. I've only got about a year of use on mine but they've held up fine. They're my portables that I keep in Lisle holders hanging on pegboard. I don't like the markings nearly as much as my Grey Pneumatic Duo-Sockets, but it hasn't been an issue.
The more stuff I get from Toptul, the more impressed I am at their quality control in this price range. I wish it was easier to get the things I want from their catalog, and I wish they had more offerings (esp. in SAE sizes).
The more stuff I get from Toptul, the more impressed I am at their quality control in this price range. I wish it was easier to get the things I want from their catalog, and I wish they had more offerings (esp. in SAE sizes).
So you don't have to run out and buy a chrome socket when you do something like this:
Taking off a power steering pump on my parts car
i'm not sure what you're trying to show there. an impact socket would fit depth-wise just as easily - they're not generally any LONGER than chrome, and especially in 3/8's i find the additional girth almost never an issue.
are you saying you wouldn't use an impact socket on a ratchet? cuz..
ahm
i'm not sure what you're trying to show there. an impact socket would fit depth-wise just as easily - they're not generally any LONGER than chrome, and especially in 3/8's i find the additional girth almost never an issue.
are you saying you wouldn't use an impact socket on a ratchet? cuz..
ahm
No the hole it fit through on the pump pulley would've been too small for an impact.
ahh - now i see the socket behind the pulley.. i'm guessing that's where my 1/4" impact deeps come into play
i think it was cripes at one point had 'master set' of 1/4" impact sockets - shorts/deeps/swivels in both sae + metric for like $50 or something.
i do still have and use chrome on occasion, but by and large - 95%+ - i'm using impact sockets whether its on a ratchet/air ratchet/or impact. sometimes when i'm working on something for fun i like the feel of my nepros semi-deep chromes on a good ratchet, but usually, i want the job done as quickly as possible and not having to switch between chrome and metric because i need to use the impact is just another timesaver...
ahm
If you are on a tight budget I'd suggest you go with craftsman if you want some good USA sockets. They are not the best but the advantage is that they are still good enough for many people and at least they are guaranteed so getting a replacement is as easy as stopping by your local sears. If you can get them on sale you'll probably spend about $20. The Harbor freight pro sockets actually are pretty good too and are made in Taiwan. I'm talking about the sets that come in a pack of 9 or 10 and are hanging on the shelf. The bargain ones sold in a box are junk. A set of 9 or 10 or whatever should cost you about $10 when on sale. These are supposed to have a lifetime guarantee as well so exchanges should be as easy as stopping into your local HF store. Anyway recommend these over other 'cheap' brands due to the ease of exchange and good initial quality. If you want something better, you can try Wright, Snap-on, SK etc. but expect to pay like 3x-4x the price or more. Personally, I have a mixture of craftsman and HF sockets which I keep in the truck (I will cry less if stolen) and I am working on assembling a nice set of wright which I keep at the home base
powertrip
Well-known member
Great advise.If you are on a tight budget I'd suggest you go with craftsman if you want some good USA sockets. They are not the best but the advantage is that they are still good enough for many people and at least they are guaranteed so getting a replacement is as easy as stopping by your local sears. If you can get them on sale you'll probably spend about $20. The Harbor freight pro sockets actually are pretty good too and are made in Taiwan. I'm talking about the sets that come in a pack of 9 or 10 and are hanging on the shelf. The bargain ones sold in a box are junk. A set of 9 or 10 or whatever should cost you about $10 when on sale. These are supposed to have a lifetime guarantee as well so exchanges should be as easy as stopping into your local HF store. Anyway recommend these over other 'cheap' brands due to the ease of exchange and good initial quality. If you want something better, you can try Wright, Snap-on, SK etc. but expect to pay like 3x-4x the price or more. Personally, I have a mixture of craftsman and HF sockets which I keep in the truck (I will cry less if stolen) and I am working on assembling a nice set of wright which I keep at the home base