Shop break-in

[norson]

My home shop was broken into a week ago and they got some good stuff before they got scared off. Most of the tools I can replace without too much trouble, but they cleaned out my socket drawer. Some of these sockets I had for sixty years. I had four sets of 1/2 inch, three of 3/8 and two of 1/4 inch. They were of good quality, but not made anymore. Craftsman is no longer something I would consider because of the poor quality of the new product. Some of the names I'm looking at are Proto, SK and Mac. I would prefer sticking with established names. I would appreciate some suggestions and comparisons to older brands such as Craftsman.
Norm

 

[Sticky Grips]

Sorry to hear about the theft.

I have quite a collection of SK and Gearwrench. Obviously being made in the US, SK would be my first choice. For ancillary stuff, I go to Gearwrench.

Have you considered locking boxes and an alarm system? Everything in my shop is locked up and monitored by my home's security system and cameras.

 

[M6erfan]

Sorry for your loss. I HATE f'n thieves!

 

[jakemac]

SK can be a bit pricier than import mid brands, but they're made in the US and the company's customer service is first class.

The new SK, under Ideal ownership, just released a dual pawl teardrop ratchet (LP90) in 3/8dr and the new DT series ratchet (for those who prefer the round head). Both have had bugs, but when working correctly they've both been compared favorably to SnapOn's FL80.

If you don't care about were the tools are made, members here have recommended Tekton, Wright, and Carlyle (from NAPA if the store carries it).


I actively avoid box store brands if it isn't an emergency for a number of reasons not necessarily having to do with quality.

 

[anndel]

Sorry to hear about your loss. If you're ok with imports Tekton, Sunex or Carlyle are great brands. I have a bunch listed above plus Snap On, MAC and SK. THey all work great.

 

[lugnut71]

Williams, usa.

 

[four.cycle]

I would appreciate some suggestions and comparisons to older brands such as Craftsman.

are you looking for only new? or used? or both?

Best deal I've seen lately on a 1/2" drive METRIC set is the one listed a couple hours ago in the classified section here:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=375542

I own that same Granco set. Just got it on Ebay for $40 shipped, and I thought I stole it from a lady who didn't know what she had.
They look exactly like Thorsen.
Granco was strictly a contract supplier for military/government.
Facility was in Grandview, Missouri. They got swallowed up by another company.
( Granco Industries Inc., 4009 E. 138th St., P.O. Box 17, Grandview, Mo. 64030-0171 phone: (816) 966 9400 email: [email protected] )

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Last time I lost a set, I searched Ebay for "1/2 drive socket set" and ended up with a nice Indestro Super set delivered for a little less than Harbor Freight.

 

[HanShotFirst]

Oh man, nothing lower than a thief; so sorry to hear about that.

Let's face it, everyone has the same warranty, the difference is in how it's honored. In my book, no one honors their warranty better than SK.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Norm: I doubt I am the only Member who would like to abuse two undersized sockets by hammering them onto a pair of nuts; and twisting one to the left, and one to the right.

ProTo,, SK, USA Williams, and Wright are all good current brands for use as new replacements.
The used market it wide open.

 

[Mr_B]

Bad news, you have any insurance cover the cost .
SK wright Williams or maybe gearwrench toptul or carlyle could be options pending on your preferences, good chance you can grab some of it used in good brands if not in major hurry .

 

[homec]

Off-topic, but do you have an alarm system? Might be worth thinking about... Might not cost as much as you think. There are some decent options now for DIY without contracts, if that's what you'd prefer. I'm having one installed because I think my house was being cased. It's kinda late now but now that the thief knows there's some good stuff in your shop, he may very well be back. That tends to happen. I know someone that was broken into 3 separate times within a single year.

 

[JohnDeere1]

Wright or Williams USA which is same as snap on but way cheaper proto is also nice and cheap on eBay also blackhawk is good and very cheap on eBay right now just looked at some sets $20-40

 

[Ranch]

Oh man, nothing lower than a thief; so sorry to hear about that.

Let's face it, everyone has the same warranty, the difference is in how it's honored. In my book, no one honors their warranty better than SK.

This. Their products are top notch and customer service is amazing. I’ve recently replaced my 1/4” and 3/8” sockets with SK and can’t recommend them enough.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[apollo11]

Off-topic, but do you have an alarm system? Might be worth thinking about... Might not cost as much as you think. There are some decent options now for DIY without contracts, if that's what you'd prefer. I'm having one installed because I think my house was being cased. It's kinda late now but now that the thief knows there's some good stuff in your shop, he may very well be back. That tends to happen. I know someone that was broken into 3 separate times within a single year.

another off topic

WYZE, 20 bucks cor a cam and it notifys you by phone

https://www.wyzecam.com/

 

[CJM8515]

Anyone new lately seen your garage? Delivery drivers been by and seen it? New neighbors or shady characters around?

 

[tarmy]

I have alot of the older Craftsman...as they started downhill...I migrated to SK...on Amazon.

All my impacts are SK...really like them.

I would think the SK will serve you well...

 

[royesses]

SK get them at Harry J Epstein's for a low price.

 

[softailgarage]

I hate hearing about break ins as much as I hate thieves, sorry for your loss. Being the owner of vintage Craftsman sockets I've pondered the thought of what I would do if they ever walked off. Ebay. You can still find tons of vintage Craftsman sockets at decent prices on Ebay.

 

[norson]

I used some log chain to secure the door until I can install a security door. Bought a sensor for initial protection. BUT, I will be installing a camera system and alarm system. They did come back before I got the movement sensor. Six days after the first break-in they tried but the chain and high security padlock kept them out. Pretty sure it was the "bicycle boys", but there is a new neighbor looks a little dicey. Hate to get too judgmental.
I really appreciate the recommended tool names.
Norm

 

[pl_silverado]

I got a German Shepherd contained by an electric fence. No one comes near my house anymore. Even the UPS guy leaves packages at the end of the driveway lol.

 

[Sticky Grips]

I used some log chain to secure the door until I can install a security door. Bought a sensor for initial protection. BUT, I will be installing a camera system and alarm system. They did come back before I got the movement sensor. Six days after the first break-in they tried but the chain and high security padlock kept them out. Pretty sure it was the "bicycle boys", but there is a new neighbor looks a little dicey. Hate to get too judgmental.
I really appreciate the recommended tool names.
Norm

I installed a Honeywell system and use alarmgrid to monitor it. After the initial purchase and fiddling with the system, it's waaaay cheaper than having ADT install a system that doesn't really monitor every entrance. I pay about 30/month on my entire house's monitoring, cellphone backup. you even get an app w/ the phone to turn on/off.

Every door has a sensor, motion sensors in rooms, and smoke alarm and CO alarms are tied into the system.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I installed a Honeywell system and use alarmgrid to monitor it. After the initial purchase and fiddling with the system, it's waaaay cheaper than having ADT install a system that doesn't really monitor every entrance. I pay about 30/month on my entire house's monitoring, cellphone backup. you even get an app w/ the phone to turn on/off.

Every door has a sensor, motion sensors in rooms, and smoke alarm and CO alarms are tied into the system.

+1, I had the local alarm company install a Honeywell system in my house and shop. The shop is on the same system as the house but is set up as a separate zone with its own keyboard and panel. I sleep a lot better after it was installed and don't wake up from the dream that my shop was wiped out anymore. It is about $30 a month monitoring fee. I also have cameras, two big dogs, and everything is well lit. The alarm guy told me that the best thing is to have everything well lit. Apparently the creeps don't like to be seen. With the cost to run Led spotlights it isn't that expensive.


Sorry I don't have a recommendation of what good sockets to get most of mine are decades old as well. Check the local pawn shops, you may fine you old ones.

Chris

 

[driftpin]

Speaking of burglaries, I saw that Serena Williams, the tennis star, had her Palm Beach Gardens FL home burglarized while she was at the US Open in NY. Claimed loss: $400K.

I have a buddy who lives next to Venus & Serena's father. It's rural country in Palm Beach County, FL, the lots are about 10 acres, hard to come-by. The property lines go to the middle of the streets, they're mostly dirt roads throughout the area, the rights of way were never deeded-over to the county government, so the owners are responsible for maintaining the road grading. Plenty of owners with heavy equipment around there. My friend said, "those girls drive like bats out of hell, in their Jaguars!" when they come to see daddy.

I hate thieves. Anything that happens to a thief is deserved.

 

[JRC3]

I HATE f'n thieves!

Especially some douchebag POS who stills tools someone uses for their very livelihood and to make a living.

Either way they steal your life. It takes time to work to buy those things. Time away from family and recreation. Time spent abusing your back to work to pay for your things.

 

[vssjim]

I would go over Ebay for replacements and I would stay with SK for now as there seem to be a lot of great used tool sets over there in the sets you are looking for. Sorry to hear about the local crooks.

 

[Grimly]

Especially some douchebag POS who stills tools someone uses for their very livelihood and to make a living.

Either way they steal your life. It takes time to work to buy those things. Time away from family and recreation. Time spent abusing your back to work to pay for your things.

Exactly so.
Each and every tool I've bought in recent years had a cost in back and joint pain associated with it.
Should I be fortunate enough to encounter and capture a thief, I will exact the same amount of pain on him. Whether I do that slowly or quickly is up to me.

 

[dan360]

Sorry to read this. Break-ins are ramping up around here, too.

Proto and SK are still good choices. Pawn shops are good places to find them used, as the same for Williams, Wright, Bonney, Armstrong, older good Craftsman, etc etc etc.


Seems the pawn shops around here know what Snap-on, Mac, and Matco are, but 50/50 on Cornwell and the industrial names like Wright, Proto, et al are normally found in the same bin as the craftsman stuff.

Klein is a good choice, too. They made a line of sockets for a bit that are a dead ringer for older SK stuff.

I digress, but my security camera system is mounted both from above and at knee level. License plates show up beautifully.....

 

[Philbert]

I was thinking about building me one of those block mailbox stations, you know the o as that encase a mailbox in block. I was thinking I could wire in 4 cameras to get 4 views of my street and the house. As well as see the vehicles and license plates of possible casers.

P.s. plus it might help defend my mailbox from vehicle batters

 

[Flatheadpopup]

Sorry to hear about your tools being stolen. There is nothing lower than a thief. As far as replacement tools go--my 3/8 sockets and ratchets are SK while the 1/2 stuff is all Proto. I personally like the Proto sockets a little bit better but both brands are of good quality.