Snap-On Sockets

[bubinga]

I decided to go with Williams sockets. From what I understand, they are the same sockets and mostly likely made in the same factory. They don't come with a magnetic rail, which I really like about Snap-On, but it was $87 with no shipping charge on Amazon versus $234 + $22 shipping+- from Snap- On. This was a no brainer. I wanted to add a good quality US made set of shallow SAE sockets - fit the bill and didn't break the bank.

What set did you get!

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

The Snap On had pealing chrome?

Yes. Not quite as bad as the Icon but it was still peeling.

 

[GCS]

I’m a big fan of SO sockets & tools.

I couldn’t afford them for years & mainly used CM. Some Proto.
I’ve split numerous CM and a few Proto over the years.(working professionally) NEVER a SO.
I have also have CM open end wrenches spread. NEVER a SO.

Also, I have taken off rounded nuts with SO sockets that nothing else could.

Over the years if I had to replace tools I replaced them with SO.
I personally believe that I would have been further ahead buying SO from the get go.
Buy once cry once is very realistic if wrenching professionally.

My home shop has been also upgraded to mostly SO.
I have NEVER had to replace/warranty a SO tool from my home shop.

Are SO expensive? F’n “A”! But to me they’re worth it.
Quality costs $$. No doubt about iT.
I totally disagree that SO is not worth it.
If you believe they’re noT, then don’t buy them.

I have had people say SO are not necessary or overkill for home.
I disagree. Depends on what you’re doing & what’s your time worth.

You may have a brand with a lifetime warranty, but if it brakes, you’re dead in the water Until you can get it replaced. I’ve had this happen several times.
When I start a job I want to finish it. Not wait to the store opens the next day.
If they even have a replacement in stock. This was a major reason I got away from CM. And I’m talking years ago before they started having problems. I would have to have it ordered or wait for the upcoming shipment.

No Thanks!

again, if you are average joe homeowner it probably doesn’t make a ****.
But if you’re doing some serious wrenching, and you believe that your time is worth something I’d recommend quality tools which includes SO

just my .02

 

[mudflap]

After working 30 yrs at the County garage as a Master Diesel Tech. All i can say is..if i had it to do over, i would buy Gearwrench and Tekton..and be a Harley Tech. I would have more money, and my body would be alot less beat up. Maybe i would buy a SO hat for the style points..

 

[mudflap]

I’m a big fan of SO sockets & tools.

I couldn’t afford them for years & mainly used CM. Some Proto.
I’ve split numerous CM and a few Proto over the years.(working professionally) NEVER a SO.
I have also have CM open end wrenches spread. NEVER a SO.

Also, I have taken off rounded nuts with SO sockets that nothing else could.

Over the years if I had to replace tools I replaced them with SO.
I personally believe that I would have been further ahead buying SO from the get go.
Buy once cry once is very realistic if wrenching professionally.

My home shop has been also upgraded to mostly SO.
I have NEVER had to replace/warranty a SO tool from my home shop.

Are SO expensive? F’n “A”! But to me they’re worth it.
Quality costs $$. No doubt about iT.
I totally disagree that SO is not worth it.
If you believe they’re noT, then don’t buy them.

I have had people say SO are not necessary or overkill for home.
I disagree. Depends on what you’re doing & what’s your time worth.

You may have a brand with a lifetime warranty, but if it brakes, you’re dead in the water Until you can get it replaced. I’ve had this happen several times.
When I start a job I want to finish it. Not wait to the store opens the next day.
If they even have a replacement in stock. This was a major reason I got away from CM. And I’m talking years ago before they started having problems. I would have to have it ordered or wait for the upcoming shipment.

No Thanks!

again, if you are average joe homeowner it probably doesn’t make a ****.
But if you’re doing some serious wrenching, and you believe that your time is worth something I’d recommend quality tools which includes SO

just my .02

Unless you have duplicates..you will be waiting on the SO truck until next week. Or meet up with him at his house, or one of his other stops. What a PITA...

 

[ecotec]

Where Snap-on does better then most would be 12pt sockets, they are generally considered the thinnest. FDX also seem to be worthwhile, but they are kinda specialty as mentioned, not something I would want to be using everyday on new or rusty bolts (severely corroded bolts are their strong point, IE the 13mm that's now a 12.5mm-ish). At times I've seen Snap-on run BOGO flyer deals for say a deep set and the shallow set is "free". That makes it pretty worthwhile and brings the price closer to affordable. Williams seems to be a good deal in general.

I'm not really sure what I would replace chrome sockets with if I had to buy tools over again, the market has changed a lot in the last ten plus years. Then again, given I'm using impact sockets in all drive sizes 95% of the time, so I'm not sure that it matters much. It's not often I need a chrome 6pt socket. But I have run into things at times where a 12pt chrome is the only thing thin walled enough to fit.

How many 12pt sockets does the average guy need?

I have needed a deep 30mm impact, 12mm shallow impact, and a pre-flank drive 3/8” (for beam clamps).

If you are not an airframe mechanic, in my opinion, you probably don’t need many 12pt sockets.

I have all the sets in 12pt… but not because of a real need.

 

[Caa311]

Before the flankdrive patent ran out I used to say every man should have a rack of 3/8 snap on sockets and ratchet. Also a snap on ratchet screwdriver. Every thing else is negotiable. I bought mine at 18 years old and it was one of the best investments I ever made and still have them. Today everyone is copying them so it doesn't matter as much. I bought the skip set of metric Ko-ken 3/8 and love them so much I bought a second set. $35 incredible! Their 72 tooth ratchet is awesome also.

 

[bubinga]

What is a "skip set" of metric Ko-ken 3/8?

 

[mudflap]

What is a "skip set" of metric Ko-ken 3/8?

I think that means he lost the 10mm....lol.

 

[Wrench97]

What is a "skip set" of metric Ko-ken 3/8?

A set of sockets that aggravates you because it's missing sizes like 11mm, 16mm, 20mm.
If you are going to make a sockets set make all the sizes.

 

[bubinga]

A set of sockets that aggravates you because it's missing sizes like 11mm, 16mm, 20mm.
If you are going to make a sockets set make all the sizes.

And the 18mm

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

And the 18mm

Even funnier when a set includes a 9mm but skips the 16 and 18mm. What’s up with that? Not Snap-On but a lot of others do.

 

[seber]

Unless you have duplicates..you will be waiting on the SO truck until next week. Or meet up with him at his house, or one of his other stops. What a PITA...

Every mechanic I know has duplicate sockets in the basic sizes. In others, it is almost always possible to sub a deep wall.

 

[bubinga]

Even funnier when a set includes a 9mm but skips the 16 and 18mm. What’s up with that? Not Snap-On but a lot of others do.

IKR? like no one uses 16 and 18mm.

 

[bubinga]

What is a "skip set" of metric Ko-ken 3/8?

LOL Wonder is Koken skips the 13MM I see a lot of Japan cars don't use 13mm heads.

 

[threewood]

This thread is a good discussion. I'm of the opinion that SO sockets are among the best but I doubt there is enough of a difference at the top of the heap to justify the price. I love Snap On too. Ratchets, wrenches, flare wrenches...Snap On has been the best fit and finish I have used. As far as sockets, I think Williams is about as good as SO. The only aspect I believe is different is the material makeup of the metal itself.

If you want the best, whip out the wallet. They will not disappoint.

 

[plinker]

How many 12pt sockets does the average guy need?

I have needed a deep 30mm impact, 12mm shallow impact, and a pre-flank drive 3/8” (for beam clamps).

If you are not an airframe mechanic, in my opinion, you probably don’t need many 12pt sockets.

I have all the sets in 12pt… but not because of a real need.

In all reality, not very many. But, it depends on what you do. I used more 12pt's with truck & equipment then with automotive (truck & equipment needed less bit sockets, torx & hex pretty much covered it)

More of the 12pt argument as I see it is having all bases covered (shallow sockets pretty much cover it too), and the 12pt are typically thinner then a 6pt, which can make a difference at times.

 

[CGarage]

Seems to me a lot of the socket sets back in the 70s and 80s were more often offered as 12 point sets and these were sold all the time for automotive use.

It seems to me that the demand for 6 point is something that started showing up in auto technician only circles around the 1990s.

Am I off my rocker on this? I seem to see far more 12 point sets in 3/8 and 1/2 drive available for sale made during the 70s to 80s era than 6 point sets from this time period.

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

IKR? like no one uses 16 and 18mm.

18mm is very common. Especially on late model trucks.

 

[rockettauto]

Thanks for the input. I did want US made. I checked Wright Tool on Amazon and they are around $95 - less than half the price of Snap-On. This is just for DYI tinkering at home, but at the same time, I am building a heck of a tool collection and want the best. Or at least some tool truck quality. I'll take a look at Proto, but I know they were bought by Stanley Black and Decker I believe. I would only have Snap-On sets in metric and SAE for 3/8" drive as I feel that size gets the most use. I already have the metric Snap-On shallow set and several Snap-On ratchets.

Wright meets or exceeds snap-on quality IMO. Particularly in wrenches but possibly sockets as well.

 

[CGarage]

Doesn’t Williams manufacture the Snap-On sockets?

 

[ecotec]

Doesn’t Williams manufacture the Snap-On sockets?

Snap-on owns Williams… and some USA Williams looks like Snap-on… but some USA Williams has a different look… and then there is imported Williams.

 

[bubinga]

18mm is very common. Especially on late model trucks.

IKR?=I Know Right?
Of course they are common.
But it's like the manufacturers or sellers think no one uses them.
My 01 Grand Prix uses a lot of 18 mm too!

 

[Wrench97]

Seems to me a lot of the socket sets back in the 70s and 80s were more often offered as 12 point sets and these were sold all the time for automotive use.

It seems to me that the demand for 6 point is something that started showing up in auto technician only circles around the 1990s.

Am I off my rocker on this? I seem to see far more 12 point sets in 3/8 and 1/2 drive available for sale made during the 70s to 80s era than 6 point sets from this time period.

No I bought Snap On 6 points in the 70's 7/16, 1/2, and 9/16 were always popular 6 point sizes due to rusty hardware, metric OEM fasteners seemed to hold up better and require 6 point less often until they invented salt brine..........................

 

[Wrench97]

Doesn’t Williams manufacture the Snap-On sockets?

Other way around I believe.

 

[bubinga]

Other way around I believe.

I've also heard Williams is Snap On's industrial line.
As in sold to factories and Mills and the government for the armed forces etc.

 

[Wrench97]

Williams is the industrial side of Snap On but they are also available on Amazon and tool warehouses.
Here is the Williams long handle swivel head 3/8" ratchet for about half the cost of the Snappy version> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007YR9QF2/?tag=atomicindus08-20
The ratchets are of course 36 tooth.

 

[ecotec]

I've also heard Williams is Snap On's industrial line.
As in sold to factories in Mills and the government for the armed forces etc.

Sometimes sections of assembly line come with a tool attached (often a speeder wrench… I don’t know what they are for adjusting). Often the speeder wrenches are Williams USA.

 

[bubinga]

Sometimes sections of assembly line come with a tool attached (often a speeder wrench… I don’t know what they are for adjusting). Often the speeder wrenches are Williams USA.

l have some Williams, l like them!

 

[82355]

All of my chrome sockets are 12 point, and all of my impact sockets are 6 point.

I then have a bunch of random 12 point impact sockets for specific applications.

I will always reach for a 12 point socket instead of a 6 point, unless I am fighting a fastener.

Martin

 

[Pinemarten]

If you break a socket.......(which should be a very rare occurrence).....you need a back up socket in your box. The socket will always break when the store is closed, or the day after the tool truck came by. As a retired tech, the tool truck is never going to drop by my shop or my buddy's shop. You need redundancy in your tools.

I'd have decent set of cheaper metric and SAE sockets to prevent downtime. A person should also carry some decent tools with them in their vehicle. A cheap HF socket or wrench set with you beats a Snap-on set back in the shop!

 

[bubinga]

Williams is the industrial side of Snap On but they are also available on Amazon and tool warehouses.
Here is the Williams long handle swivel head 3/8" ratchet for about half the cost of the Snappy version> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007YR9QF2/?tag=atomicindus08-20
The ratchets are of course 36 tooth.

Still nice rats. though.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Still nice rats. though.

Yeah, for 36 teeth, the Williams ratchets are actually pretty smooth.

 

[dz44130]

Are Snap-On sockets worth the money? I know they are quality and made in USA, but $234 for a set of SAE shallow 6-point sockets is pretty steep. That is 9-10 times what I paid for a set of DeWalt sockets. I have some DeWalt, GearWrench, SK and one set of Snap-On. When I look inside at the way they are made and the broaching, clearly Snap-On looks better to me. Very refined and precise. I have not looked at Matco or Mac. If I am going to spend the money for tool truck quality sockets, I would go with Snap-On. I don't think SK is made in USA anymore. I would appreciate any input on what you guys think on sockets.

Are Snap-On sockets worth the money? I know they are quality and made in USA, but $234 for a set of SAE shallow 6-point sockets is pretty steep. That is 9-10 times what I paid for a set of DeWalt sockets. I have some DeWalt, GearWrench, SK and one set of Snap-On. When I look inside at the way they are made and the broaching, clearly Snap-On looks better to me. Very refined and precise. I have not looked at Matco or Mac. If I am going to spend the money for tool truck quality sockets, I would go with Snap-On. I don't think SK is made in USA anymore. I would appreciate any input on what you guys think on sockets.

Whatever you invest in Snap On hand tools divide the number in ½ because you could always sell them for that if needed in a hurry. Other truck brands not so fast. Matco, forget about getting anything close, it’s all re-branded Amazon tools anyhow. Anything else, nobody will really pay anything for used. Snap On is the only brand that holds its value for 10-20 years.

 

[Pinemarten]

Snap-on semi deep sockets $308.............Icon semi deeps $45 (less if you use coupon). I think a better investment strategy would be to save the $263 difference for a rainy day, and avoid the fire sale disposal of the Snap-ons. That way you won't have to buy a set of replacement semi deep sockets while recovering from hard times.

 

[AEAdam]

I get it. Old thread. Just my 2 cents.

I paid roughly 1/2 retail and have pretty much all Snap On everything. I personally wouldn’t pay $200 for a set of SAE sockets. But $100 for a 3/8” set of metric, vs a $50 set from someone else isn’t significant enough to make any difference to me.

Obviously depends on what you want, but let’s keep this in perspective. Snap On will always be perceived as expensive because they ARE the most expensive tools. The question I have is, why does anyone care? They are the most expensive hand tools by comparison, but not at all expensive.

I have 4 sets of basic sockets I use regularly. 3/8” shallow and semi deep, and 1/4” shallow and semi. I paid about $100 for each 3/8 set and less, maybe $70 for the 1/4” sets. $350 for my sockets? I can save that on a single repair. Did a simple brake job yesterday saving $250 in labor in about an hour. That job alone could have paid for half of my sockets.

 

[AEAdam]

Whatever you invest in Snap On hand tools divide the number in ½ because you could always sell them for that if needed in a hurry. Other truck brands not so fast. Matco, forget about getting anything close, it’s all re-branded Amazon tools anyhow. Anything else, nobody will really pay anything for used. Snap On is the only brand that holds its value for 10-20 years.

Bought my KR761 tool box for $800 5 years ago. It’s a 20yr old box in beautiful shape. I’ll bet I could get $1500 for that box right now. Was that a dumb purchase? An expensive box?

I drove a Porsche as my daily driver for 10 years, 100,000 miles and sold it for what I paid for it. Expensive car or cheap car?

 

[VolvoRyan]

Is it just me, or are recent Snap-On sockets hard to read? My chrome sockets have tiny writing, and the Semi-Deep impacts have a stupid, lightly outlined NASCAR font on them. I'm reaching that cheerful age where I can't read anything with my normal glasses on. Not quite at the point of needing readers, but it's not fun. Bi-focals in a safety lens are pretty crummy.

Otherwise, Snap-On stuff is always nice. Price is a little ouchy, but anything made in the US of A is not cheap. People saying you can get Gearwrench for pennies on the dollar forget that even brands like SK were selling for not cheap money right before the pandemic. IIRC, I was paying $150 for a set of SK sockets? With Snap-On at $250, it was not that insane. Of course, most SK fans only bought during the Steals and Deals and wonder why they basically went out of business.

-Ryan

 

[a390st]

I have just about every brand of socket. Matco are Taiwan now, but old ones were great. SO is good and would be my first choice if using every day where a truck regularly visits. I really like Wright, because they last, fit well, are priced right, and are a heritage US company. I can't say on current Mac or Cornwell. Williams is fine, and I have some old Kobalt Williams that are better than US Craftsman, but I prefer SO or Wright. Stahlwille makes good sockets, and they are rebated like Wright and other older style sockets. I will say that the newer SO markings stink, and aren't very visible without good light.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Never thought about how visible markings on SO sockets were. Always bring the whole set and select the ones that fit.