Snug Sockets

[hahmed]

As a weekend warrior I decided to finally get a decent socket set. After reading rave reviews I settled on a 12 point socket set from GearWrench.

I was working with 12 point rod bolts and the GearWrench 10mm socket had some play on fit. I had to get a Craftsman set for 3/8" 12 point rod bolts (new bolts) and they had half the play and were origin China.

I don't want to ruin fasteners as I noticed the ones that are torqued high show wear marks on them.

Now do I have to go all the way up to Mac or Snap On to get confidence of quality socket set where each size is super snug?

I am considering indulging in S-K tools sockets as they look more wallet friendly. But I also hear great things about Sunex sockets but I got burned by GearWrench. So the question is are they snug?

 

[FuzzyTiger]

There's a few factors in terms of the quality of a socket I think. The fit obviously matters but the geometry and design matters just as much. And also how the socket behaves under stress. I have some cheap Stanley sockets which appear to fit really well but I know for a fact that they flex quite a bit and have slipped off and probably rounded fasteners for that reason.

The gearwrench sockets may not necessarily be bad just because the fit isn't the tightest.

But if you're looking to upgrade, my vote is for Koken Zeal. The quality of them is absolutely fantastic. Even better when I consider the price.

 

[Jersey Drew]

You may want to also consider the fact that you only need one or two sizes for your particular needs, you could buy the very best in those sizes and not buy complete sets to save on some money

 

[ChevyEFI]

I was working with 12 point rod bolts and the GearWrench 10mm socket had some play on fit. I had to get a Craftsman set for 3/8" 12 point rod bolts (new bolts) and they had half the play and were origin China.


I don't want to ruin fasteners as I noticed the ones that are torqued high show wear marks on them.

Did you try a 3/8" socket, assuming you had one in 12pt?

You are unlikely to round 12 point fasteners with 12 pt sockets, unless there is damage/rust, or a defect.

 

[BiggityBen]

i am a huge SK fan but all of my SK wrenches are sloppy at times. they are 12 point box combo wrenches. when i put my Snap On 12 point flank drives on the same nut/bolt, it is a perfectly tight fit. i have Mac sockets and SK sockets (both 6 point) pretty much exclusively and they're both a good fit always. SK seems to be weird with their 12 point fits. no issue with any SK 6 point including their ratcheting X frame wrenches. i also have SK's stubby wrench set in 12 point and they're the same as the regular size in fit. never found any other issue with any SK product except their 12 point fits.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Ever since Gearwrench production went to China it hasn’t been too good in my opinion. The SK usually are very tight fit so is the older Craftsman stuff that I have. I think the SK would be good. They are having some sales on their website right now so it would be even lighter on your wallet.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[hahmed]

Did you try a 3/8" socket, assuming you had one in 12pt?

You are unlikely to round 12 point fasteners with 12 pt sockets, unless there is damage/rust, or a defect.

To clarify there were the old rod bolts were in 10mm and the new in 3/8". I had a GearWrench 12 point socket set in metric, and Craftsman 12 point socket set in SAE.

It wasn't going to round the 12 point fastener but I felt on the 6 point fasteners these 12 point sockets may cause damage on higher torqued bolts.

I wasn't confident in GearWrench to purchase their 6 point sockets as the 12 point experience left more to be desired.

 

[hahmed]

i am a huge SK fan but all of my SK wrenches are sloppy at times. they are 12 point box combo wrenches. when i put my Snap On 12 point flank drives on the same nut/bolt, it is a perfectly tight fit. i have Mac sockets and SK sockets (both 6 point) pretty much exclusively and they're both a good fit always. SK seems to be weird with their 12 point fits. no issue with any SK 6 point including their ratcheting X frame wrenches. i also have SK's stubby wrench set in 12 point and they're the same as the regular size in fit. never found any other issue with any SK product except their 12 point fits.

THANKS! This is the info I needed. How are the GearWrench wrenches in comparison, if you have tried them. I hear a lot of rave reviews on their ratcheting wrenches but I feel most people don't seem to be bothered by looser fits.

I feel a lot more confident when I feel it snug.

 

[hahmed]

Ever since Gearwrench production went to China it hasn’t been too good in my opinion. The SK usually are very tight fit so is the older Craftsman stuff that I have. I think the SK would be good. They are having some sales on their website right now so it would be even lighter on your wallet.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

Yeah SK Tools looks nice and I am waiting to see their Steals and Deals promise for Thanksgiving.

For impact sockets Sunex seems to be priced so attractively for a weekend warrior. I just haven't heard how their sockets fit.

 

[hahmed]

There's a few factors in terms of the quality of a socket I think. The fit obviously matters but the geometry and design matters just as much. And also how the socket behaves under stress. I have some cheap Stanley sockets which appear to fit really well but I know for a fact that they flex quite a bit and have slipped off and probably rounded fasteners for that reason.

The gearwrench sockets may not necessarily be bad just because the fit isn't the tightest.

But if you're looking to upgrade, my vote is for Koken Zeal. The quality of them is absolutely fantastic. Even better when I consider the price.

Looking into Koken Zeal, found an interesting thread here. Just not sure how easy they'd be to source.

 

[BroncoAZ]

I purchased sets of Wiha sockets last year, they are 12 point and the tightest sockets I’ve used. I also purchased some Wiha combination wrenches, much tighter than my Wrightgrip 2.0 on both ends. The socket sets are on sale right now at KC Tools. The 3/8” set goes from 6-24mm on the standard depth, I think it skips only 23mm. COO Taiwan.

https://www.kctoolco.com/wiha-33799...-3-8-drive-with-ratchet-extensions-63-pieces/

For impact sockets I have and like Sunex. The last chrome tools I bought from them was a set of awful line wrenches that were COO India and utter junk.

 

[dede2897234]

Looking into Koken Zeal, found an interesting thread here. Just not sure how easy they'd be to source.

Hi hahmed,

The regular Ko-ken line sockets are manufactured to tight tolerances as well. I own a metric semi-deep socket set and individual spark plug sockets. They're awesome!

Here is a link to a Ko-ken 3/8" drive, metric, 12 point socket set from U.S. based Palmac Tools: Ko-ken 12pt.

The set is on sale and at a great price!

Dave

 

[pizza]

Looking into Koken Zeal, found an interesting thread here. Just not sure how easy they'd be to source.

just fyi, i think the zeal line is only metric 6pt.

koken's regular line has everything though and is also good.

here's their catalog: http://www.koken-tool.co.jp/catalog/KOKEN_201908ENSP.pdf

i'd go koken.

as for where to buy, your choices are pretty much azjp (can order direct) and rakuten (via a shopping agent / package forwarder). if you were in the US, i'd say order from palmac, a distributor that has recently expanded their inventory to cover most of the catalog.

maybe FuzzyTiger knows of a better option for .ca shopping?

 

[driz]

The very best way I’ve seen to avoid rounding fasteners is buy just about ANY 6 point socket set. I learned that working on old cars while living in the Rust Belt my whole life. Those 12 points may be the mainstream tool of choice because of tight clearances and easy positioning but beyond that they simply BLOW. I tossed all mine on the spares pile and rarely find cause yo need one .


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Qualitytools]

KOKEN ZEAL, you will not be disappointed! Quality at an amazing price

 

[lardy1]

My SK sockets are everything I've ever needed a socket to be. I have 6 and 12 point but tend to prefer the 6 point. My SK SuperKrome wrenches are nice too. SK seems to take a lot of heat in Garage Journal but my experience with them has been fantastic. I have come to prefer a satin finish on wrenches but the SK's are still a very nice set of wrenches.

 

[Fedwrench]

If you're looking at chrome 12 point sockets, I would recommend looking at Proto. They're not cheap but, often you can find a deal.

Some socket play comes from the off corner engagement design especially in 12 point wherein the socket is designed to not to contact the corner of the fastener but, rather further back from the edge.

 

[Showkey]

Remember you can have the best sockets made........if the nuts and bolt head sizes are not true to size, it makes no difference in actual day to day use.

Socket design is also in play : The sockets are sized to drive the nut off the flank of the socket.

 

[seber]

If you're looking at chrome 12 point sockets, I would recommend looking at Proto. They're not cheap but, often you can find a deal.

Some socket play comes from the off corner engagement design especially in 12 point wherein the socket is designed to not to contact the corner of the fastener but, rather further back from the edge.

Just because the engagement is off corner is no reason for a loose fit. I keep hearing that statement, but it makes no sense. It is an excuse for loose tolerance. The manufacturer can get away with it because the engagement still works, but a bad fit is still an indicator of worn dies or just plain poor quality.

 

[richfinn]

The very best way I’ve seen to avoid rounding fasteners is buy just about ANY 6 point socket set. I learned that working on old cars while living in the Rust Belt my whole life. Those 12 points may be the mainstream tool of choice because of tight clearances and easy positioning but beyond that they simply BLOW. I tossed all mine on the spares pile and rarely find cause yo need one .


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

He is dealing with 12 point fasteners!!!

 

[richfinn]

Another vote for Ko-Ken from me

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Yeah SK Tools looks nice and I am waiting to see their Steals and Deals promise for Thanksgiving.

For impact sockets Sunex seems to be priced so attractively for a weekend warrior. I just haven't heard how their sockets fit.

Sunex is good for sure. They are pretty snug as well from my experience.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[SeisMec]

It's completely unreasonable to expect any 10 mm socket to fit snuggly where a 3/8" is required. They are just not interchangeable!

9.5250 mm = 0.3750 inches = 3/8 inches
10.000 mm = 0.3937 inches

 

[Fly YX]

At home its just a cluster of different brands. But in my work box I have Snap On SK and Wright. I'm in the SK Socket of the month club. I probably would have more Wright sockets if not for that. Wright is probably my go to tool brand. Haven't noticed any of my sockets at work that are loose when I use them.

 

[hahmed]

It's completely unreasonable to expect any 10 mm socket to fit snuggly where a 3/8" is required. They are just not interchangeable!

9.5250 mm = 0.3750 inches = 3/8 inches
10.000 mm = 0.3937 inches

Haha sorry you misunderstood. Old bolts 10mm, new bolts 3/8.

10mm GW 12 point socked on old rod bolts
3/8 CM 12 point socket on new rod bolts

 

[hahmed]

He is dealing with 12 point fasteners!!!

Actually need 6 point mainly. The 12 point was one engine job. I ended up buying the GearWrench 12 point set for it. But won't be using it again.

If I ever need to do it again I will just buy the two sizes in 12 point I need for it.

 

[hahmed]

just fyi, i think the zeal line is only metric 6pt.

koken's regular line has everything though and is also good.

here's their catalog: http://www.koken-tool.co.jp/catalog/KOKEN_201908ENSP.pdf

i'd go koken.

as for where to buy, your choices are pretty much azjp (can order direct) and rakuten (via a shopping agent / package forwarder). if you were in the US, i'd say order from palmac, a distributor that has recently expanded their inventory to cover most of the catalog.

maybe FuzzyTiger knows of a better option for .ca shopping?

How does one tell Zeal line from regular line? Is the Z in the product code indication it is Zeal?

Thanks for the tips! I will look at those spots.

 

[hahmed]

I purchased sets of Wiha sockets last year, they are 12 point and the tightest sockets I’ve used. I also purchased some Wiha combination wrenches, much tighter than my Wrightgrip 2.0 on both ends. The socket sets are on sale right now at KC Tools. The 3/8” set goes from 6-24mm on the standard depth, I think it skips only 23mm. COO Taiwan.

https://www.kctoolco.com/wiha-33799...-3-8-drive-with-ratchet-extensions-63-pieces/

For impact sockets I have and like Sunex. The last chrome tools I bought from them was a set of awful line wrenches that were COO India and utter junk.

Oh man I really wanted Koken for the knurl finger grip on the sockets. But looks like these have them too. Darn this is a steal price, I will need a good excuse to turn these down.

Edit: found my excuse, looks like koken are lower profile and work in tighter spaces. Haha

 

[Qualitytools]

How does one tell Zeal line from regular line? Is the Z in the product code indication it is Zeal?

Thanks for the tips! I will look at those spots.

Yes the Z indicates the Zeal which has tighter tolerances. I was so impressed by the 3/8 set that I purchased that I ordered the deep set also.

 

[Wamsutta]

The best fitting sockets in my experience have been the MAC (R) series.

M96R = 1/4'' drive 9/32'' shallow 6-point.
M614MMR = 1/4'' drive 14mm shallow 6-point.

The (R) at the end of the part number means Revised to include Macdrive off corner engagement. These sockets are a delight to use. They fit the fastener perfect and also fit the extension perfect with the detents in the correct location.

 

[FuzzyTiger]

just fyi, i think the zeal line is only metric 6pt.

koken's regular line has everything though and is also good.

here's their catalog: http://www.koken-tool.co.jp/catalog/KOKEN_201908ENSP.pdf

i'd go koken.

as for where to buy, your choices are pretty much azjp (can order direct) and rakuten (via a shopping agent / package forwarder). if you were in the US, i'd say order from palmac, a distributor that has recently expanded their inventory to cover most of the catalog.

maybe FuzzyTiger knows of a better option for .ca shopping?

Amazon JP seems to be the best option for Canada that I've found.

 

[richfinn]

Actually need 6 point mainly. The 12 point was one engine job. I ended up buying the GearWrench 12 point set for it. But won't be using it again.

If I ever need to do it again I will just buy the two sizes in 12 point I need for it.

This is why Ko-Ken is a great idea, you can just order whatever specific sockets you need and not bother with the full set.

That said if you want 6 point sets, they are very good value for money

 

[visionguru]

This Snap On 10mm crowfoot is what I used when torquing down valve stem jam nuts. I guess Snap On 12pt socket should fit similarly.

It has the same amount of play as a the box end of a no-name cheap 10mm wrench on a 10mm 6pt bolt. Have you tried a 10mm box wrench to see if the 10mm socket is indeed too loose?

This is a video about how sockets are made:

The socket size seems formed in 1 step, which seem not hard to control. That suggests that "the snugness" is pretty much a choice, nothing to separate top quality brands vs store brands. A cheap socket could be more snug than name brands. Unless you have actual measurements, just buying by brands might not address your complaint. Regardless brands, you might not get much more "snug" than your Craftsman socket.

 

[SeisMec]

Haha sorry you misunderstood. Old bolts 10mm, new bolts 3/8.

10mm GW 12 point socked on old rod bolts
3/8 CM 12 point socket on new rod bolts

My bad. You were clear enough, I should have understood.

 

[Wakefield]

He is dealing with 12 point fasteners!!!

need good 12 point sockets !

 

[seber]

The socket size seems formed in 1 step, which seem not hard to control. That suggests that "the snugness" is pretty much a choice, nothing to separate top quality brands vs store brands. A cheap socket could be more snug than name brands. Unless you have actual measurements, just buying by brands might not address your complaint. Regardless brands, you might not get much more "snug" than your Craftsman socket.

Steel grows and then shrinks during heat treat. How much in the case of a socket, I don't know, but if I were not sure of my heat treat control or if i just didn't feel like spending a lot of money finding out, I would just make the socket a little oversize. Accuracy is always more expensive. No exceptions.

 

[hahmed]

I purchased sets of Wiha sockets last year, they are 12 point and the tightest sockets I’ve used. I also purchased some Wiha combination wrenches, much tighter than my Wrightgrip 2.0 on both ends. The socket sets are on sale right now at KC Tools. The 3/8” set goes from 6-24mm on the standard depth, I think it skips only 23mm. COO Taiwan.

https://www.kctoolco.com/wiha-33799...-3-8-drive-with-ratchet-extensions-63-pieces/

For impact sockets I have and like Sunex. The last chrome tools I bought from them was a set of awful line wrenches that were COO India and utter junk.

Getting back to this since the price is so good. I really love their socket tray set but it skips 16mm and I have needed that in my last project.

This is the set:
https://www.kctoolco.com/wiha-33795-metric-3-8-drive-professional-socket-tray-set-24-pieces/

When you say tightest sockets are you comparing to tool truck brands?

 

[BroncoAZ]

Getting back to this since the price is so good. I really love their socket tray set but it skips 16mm and I have needed that in my last project.

This is the set:
https://www.kctoolco.com/wiha-33795-metric-3-8-drive-professional-socket-tray-set-24-pieces/

When you say tightest sockets are you comparing to tool truck brands?

I wouldn’t buy that set when for $40 more you get all the SAE and a much larger range of metric without skips other than 23mm.

My comparison is to old USA Craftsman, newer GearWrench, and Sunex impact sockets. I don’t have any tool truck stuff.

 

[Jtels85]

I have fulls sets of Craftsman USA G2, Gearwrench and SK. I can honestly say that the SK feel like they have the tightest fitment on a fastener. I would trust any of those brands but you can’t go wrong with SK. They make some fantastic sockets!