Here is the story. On Monday I had to replace yet another battery alternator combo on one of my Mail trucks, third in as many days. I was tired of straining my self doing it without 1/2" drive metric sockets, 3/8" just wswn't quite enough. So I went out to buy a 13 mm 1/2" drive when I spotted the Snap On truck. So $17.55 later, I turn the 3 bolts with great ease. Now, I want to know your opinions of SO sockets. Are they worth the premium price, or are my Blackhawk, SK, Craftsman the same thing?
Snap On sockets
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krusty the clown
Member Emeritus
i think they are but your going to get a lot of different opinions. the question is do YOU?
Good question! I'm not sure yet. I can tell a little difference, but I have not used any Mac, Matco, or Cornwell sockets. I know 2 people who only use SO sockets, but they don't think the brand of ratchets matter. I don't agree with them about that at all. So here I am just curious about others opinion.
zuspiel
Well-known member
What Krusty said...
The Cmans work just fine. All my complete sets are Cman. That said, I do have SO SAE from 3/8 to 11/16. Those are my most used ones and I splurged and got all three lengths (short, semi-deep, deep). The shorts are a touch shorter than the Cmans, the semis are perfect for using them with a stubby flex ratchet, and the longs are... well, they complete the collection
If you use non-quick release ratchets (SO...), they are nice because they have grooves so they are easier to pull off. That might keep you from growing a big bump on your head (don't ask how I know...
)zuspiel
Well-known member
Merkava_4
Banned
They are definitely better than Blackhawk, SK, and Craftsman (eschoendorff will drop by and disagree - you wait
). The other industrial brands that approach that level of quality are Williams, Armstrong, and PROTO.Did you pay too much for the socket? That depends on what the socket was able to do for you. If it made your life easier and saved the day, then I'd say no.
krusty the clown
Member Emeritus
Now you know why I thought to ask you guys. When two people tell you the same thing, and you know that they don't know each other, and it sounds crazy you start to question yourself a little bit. I know that I am sane, Thanks.
I can get Proto and Armstrong at a discount, so I think a little comparison will be in order.
I can get Proto and Armstrong at a discount, so I think a little comparison will be in order.
zuspiel
Well-known member
Now, I'm not sure if I'd describe anybody here (myself included) as quite sane...
Comparisons are great! Get one size each, see what you like best and post a review
krusty the clown
Member Emeritus
sane is like "normal"........it's just a setting on the clothes dryer
Merkava_4
Banned
The Williams version could quite possibly be dang near the same.
Chris Adams
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You know, I have a few sockets.
IMG]
[/IMG]
And a few ratchets.
Ratchets there is a difference, but it’s not worth the price premium.
Sockets, come on, what difference?
My cheap Pittsburg sockets from HF (not in the picture) that I carry to the wrecking yard, well none have ever broke and I stand on the cheap HF ratchets all the time.
My shop stuff I treat with more respect.
And have also never broke one.
I’ve had buddies break my sockets but it usually involved a breaker bar, stupidity, and the wrong drive socket.
Never broke a half inch unless it was on the bolt way wrong and someone was yanking on it at an angle. And those that broke were Snap-On and Craftsman. Then a cheap brand did the job, but with me, not my idiot friend on the breaker bar.
There are a lot of different design sockets some great, some lousy, but most any modern premium socket will last a lifetime if you don't major abuse them.
IMG]
And a few ratchets.
Ratchets there is a difference, but it’s not worth the price premium.
Sockets, come on, what difference?
My cheap Pittsburg sockets from HF (not in the picture) that I carry to the wrecking yard, well none have ever broke and I stand on the cheap HF ratchets all the time.
My shop stuff I treat with more respect.
And have also never broke one.
I’ve had buddies break my sockets but it usually involved a breaker bar, stupidity, and the wrong drive socket.
Never broke a half inch unless it was on the bolt way wrong and someone was yanking on it at an angle. And those that broke were Snap-On and Craftsman. Then a cheap brand did the job, but with me, not my idiot friend on the breaker bar.
There are a lot of different design sockets some great, some lousy, but most any modern premium socket will last a lifetime if you don't major abuse them.
You know, I have a few sockets.
IMG][/IMG]
And a few ratchets.
Ratchets there is a difference, but it’s not worth the price premium.
Sockets, come on, what difference?
My cheap Pittsburg sockets from HF (not in the picture) that I carry to the wrecking yard, well none have ever broke and I stand on the cheap HF ratchets all the time.
My shop stuff I treat with more respect.
And have also never broke one.
I’ve had buddies break my sockets but it usually involved a breaker bar, stupidity, and the wrong drive socket.
Never broke a half inch unless it was on the bolt way wrong and someone was yanking on it at an angle. And those that broke were Snap-On and Craftsman. Then a cheap brand did the job, but with me, not my idiot friend on the breaker bar.
There are a lot of different design sockets some great, some lousy, but most any modern premium socket will last a lifetime if you don't major abuse them.
This is a good piont, If you break a craftsman 3/8 socket its SO counterpart may (and probably will) take care of it, but you really should step up in drive size. Besides you can buy the larger drive craftsman socket and the drive tool for the price of the Snap On socket
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Frank Elson
Well-known member
I've got two Snap On sockets - but I haven't used either of them yet
zuspiel
Well-known member
Chris,
nice collection there and I agree with your assessment except if you also consider SO Dual80 ratchets. Those, I think, just might be worth the outrageous price...
Who makes these two ratchets? The one circled in blue looks cool and the head on the one circled in orange is tiny for a 1/2"...
nice collection there and I agree with your assessment except if you also consider SO Dual80 ratchets. Those, I think, just might be worth the outrageous price...
Who makes these two ratchets? The one circled in blue looks cool and the head on the one circled in orange is tiny for a 1/2"...
zuspiel
Well-known member
I've got two Snap On sockets - but I haven't used either of them yet
Well, so you should write "None of my SO sockets have ever broken", right?
gotmud13613
Well-known member
Chris,
nice collection there and I agree with your assessment except if you also consider SO Dual80 ratchets. Those, I think, just might be worth the outrageous price...
Who makes these two ratchets? The one circled in blue looks cool and the head on the one circled in orange is tiny for a 1/2"...
The one in blue I believe is a stainless craftsman and the other i think is a micro mac or proto.
As far as sockets go, all I ever used is C-Man or SK never had a problem with either (broke a few, but didn't have to chase down a truck for replacement) 16 years of use and only about 5-8 have been replaced. I never could afford new Snap On sockets, and I have got this far so why change. The only gripe I have about SO is there screwdrivers, They just plain **** imho ( I must of got a brittle batch )
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Chris Adams
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Yup on both. proto and Stainless Craftsman. That Craftsman was used for a lot of years as my main ratchet, with no problems. Now I hate to use it because I can't warranty it.
Chris Adams
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I would like to try one of the Dual80 units, but really can't justify it. Too bad.
As gotmud13613 said, Proto and Stainless Craftsman. The long big Dawg 3/8 didn't make the photo, guess it's just shy...
paramudduck
Well-known member
I have broken many more Snap on sockets then any other brand. I have no ideal why this is. Last Snap on I broke I got the bolt loose and out with a Craftsman socket.
MOPARHOUND!
Well-known member
Should it ever break, contact Adam on the CraftsmanToolTalk board, if he can't fix it (works for Sears doing tool repair, etc.), he may well know a "horse trader" to contact for a repair kit, thread has a great kit to ratchet chart also:
http://www.craftsmantooltalk.com/BBS/Craftsman_Tool_Collection/9105/9105/flat-page1.htmlml
WVU Tuba Dale
Well-known member
I have been using Craftsman sockets with a SnapOn ratchets with no problem so far. The trick, as said before, is to use the right drive size.
Vinko
Well-known member
Did you pay too much for the socket? That depends on what the socket was able to do for you. If it made your life easier and saved the day, then I'd say no.
This pretty much says it for me.
buening
Well-known member
I have a complete hodge-podge of sockets. My toolbox consists of Craftsman, S-K Wayne (old stuff), Indestro Super, Proto, Mac, Matco, Snap On, Husky, Williams, and more. I honestly don't see a huge difference in quality or fit when using any of the brands, with the exception of Indestro Super. You guys probably know what I mean there! Those sockets seem like they are built for tanks. The newer Craftsman seem to be a little lighter and thinner than the other older stuff, but I've yet to break a socket. Then again, I use my head and go up a drive size when something is tough to get off, or grab the impact sockets and impact gun. I'm not a guy that uses a 3/8" drive ratchet with a 4' breaker pipe on a 1/2" socket.
Ratchets are a whole nother ballgame though. The 80 tooth snappy compared to my other ratchets is night and day due to the fine teeth.
Ratchets are a whole nother ballgame though. The 80 tooth snappy compared to my other ratchets is night and day due to the fine teeth.
Gregster
Well-known member
I have Cman sockets. Whenever I have a hard time getting a grip on a rusted head.. you know the 10mm's that aren't 10mm anymore but aren't 9mm's. I borrow one of my bosses 10mm SO sockets. The bolt or nut comes right out with the SO whereas with the Cman it would have stripped...
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Now that's just *** backwards...
Yeah... I am picky about ratchets, but Craftsman sockets work for me every time. SK's are disappointing though....
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Now that's odd... usually the bolt head strips, not the socket. In fact, I can only think of two sockets that I have stripped out - one Cman and one SK. Both 1/4" drive.
I "upgraded" from CMan ratchets to Gearwrench...the difference is like night and day
Chris Adams
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Well, there are 4 makes of socket holders in that box... Sort of a joke but here goes;
Most common are the cheap HF plastic trays. Usually sold on sale for 5 or 6 bucks for three.
They have been modified by me. First mod, they don’t sell the metric on sale so I only buy SAE.
Next mod labeling the Metric. Got the 3/8 and ¼ labeled correctly, but the ½ still has the little cheap stickers they give you. Got the nice labels in a box, just been busy.
Other mods to the trays include cutting the ends of some. No way can I find or want 5/8 and 11/16 ¼ drive sockets, much less in 6 and 12 point. So I sawed the ends of the trays off neat. The trays are plenty strong so even with an end cut off you can carry them around.
Since I have the metric sizes to fill the metric ¼ inch they are still full length.
Then mixed in with them are HF metal strip socket holders. Those I mounted on red particle board. Just to keep them standing up, and looking like they belong.
Down in the lower right there is a Craftsman socket holder with my specialty sockets on it. It’s screwed to a board as it was intended to clip to a tool tray that I haven’t seen since 1986.
Upper right hand is a homemade ¾ inch socket holder. Cost 3 bucks for a 6 foot 1x1 an Home Depot, then used a little of the particle board left over from putting a top on my Craftsman industrial box.
Cut the 1x1 into 1 inch and 1.5 inch lengths. Fasted them to the board with counter sunk 1.5 inch screws. Also used wood glue, the screws work as permanent clamps for the glue. Total time to build about an hour. I could not find ANY production ¾ socket holders, and was tired of them floating around loose. Works great but boy are they heavy.
And of course the extension holders are just what they look like, wood with paint. I like it because I got tired of either letting them roll around when I opened the drawer, or having to pry them off of socket strips laid on their side. I can see at a glance if any extension is missing as the slots are bare wood, not painted.
I use lug nuts or small washers as place holders for the 10 sockets I’m missing. That way everything looks complete so sockets that are out are instantly noticeable.
Still want the ten missing sockets but they are hard to find. Thinking of running a classified here offering to trade for the missing ones, at 2-10 to one as I have lots of new/nice USA made socket duplicates.
