Socket Contact Points: Preliminary Thread

[DavidB]

Previously I have posted images showing the contact points of box end wrenches on fasteners. As an overview, I painted a nut with Dykem, placed it in the box end of a wrench, and torqued the nut to a set amount. This resulted in the contact points being shown on the nut. Click on one of the links at the end of this post for a better description of the process. I'm now getting ready to do the same thing with sockets. I plan to use 3/8" drive 13mm and 9/16" sockets this time to cover more sockets brands. Specifically, it'll allow me to include some older American sockets that I have in SAE.

The purpose of this post is to ask which brands people on the forum would like to see used. Better yet, if people would like to send a socket that would be great. If you want to send a socket you would be mentioned in the writeup for contributing as I have done in the previous posts. If you want to send a socket I can send it back when I am done but you will be responsible for shipping both ways. If on the other hand you want to send a socket (you pay shipping) for me to use and keep that would be ok too. To answer the question you're now thinking: Yes, I'm asking you to pay to send me a socket so that your brand can participate and all you'll get is the thanks of myself and possibly other members.

After the tests I plan to put some of the sockets up for sale in the classifieds for the cost of shipping only if they were sent to me for free. I won't say every one of them though since I might find some of the sockets interesting and want to keep them.

I have attempted to be overly clear about sockets I get sent from fellow members and what I plan to do with them. If I have not been or you have questions please feel free to post them to this thread. I don't want it to appear I'm trying to amass the world's largest collection of 13mm sockets. I am simply trying to get a larger amount of sockets to use for the write up.

I will edit this post later tonight with a list of sockets I already have including those that quattrojon has sent me.

If you have something you want to send please post here and PM me for my address.

If you want to see the previous results on wrenches please go to these posts:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59707
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=57071


I have some older sockets in 1/2" drive that I plan to adapt down to 3/8" so I can keep the same torque wrench.

The number of points follows the manufacturer.
Here is what I currently have:

13mm 3/8" drive short length
Cman 12 date code G1
Cman 6 date code G1
Gearwrench
Hazet 6
Stahlwille 6
Bonney 12 courtesy of Bonneyman
Metrinch courtesy of Lwlobo
Metrinch #2 courtesy of Lwlobo
Blackhawk 6 courtesy of Beeslr
HF Spline courtesy of Beeslr
GripTite courtesy of Beeslr
The following are courtesy of Quattrojon:
Teng Tool 6
KS Tools 6
Armstrong 6
King **** 12
Signet 6
Koken 6
Koken 12
Koken w/ surface drive


13mm 3/8" drive medium length
S-K 6
Snap-On 6

13mm 3/8" drive deep length
Kobalt 12
Toptul 6 courtesy of Beeslr

13mm 1/2" drive short length
Gedore 6

9/16" 3/8" drive short length
Cman 6 date code V
Cman 12 date code G1
Cman 6 date code G1
Challenger 12 PN 1218
Proto 12 PN 5218
Fleet 12
Stanley 6
SK 6
Task Force 12
No Name (Taiwan) 12
Facom 12 courtesy of Beeslr

9/16" 3/8" drive medium length
S-K 6 PN 40418

9/16" 3/8" drive deep length
Proto 12 courtesy of Beeslr
Williams 12 courtesy of Beeslr
TopTul 12 courtesy of Beeslr

9/16" 1/2" drive short length
Wizard 12
Hornet 12
OTC 12
Wright 12
Proto Pro 12
Cman 6 date code V
Husky (USA) 12
Fleet 12
Challenger 6
Stanley Pro 12
SK 6
Cornwell 6 (Impact)
Collins 12
Cornwell 12 courtesy of Beeslr
Armstrong 12 courtesy of Beeslr
Proto 12 courtesy of Beeslr
HF Spline courtesy of Beeslr


9/16" 1/2" drive deep length
Kobalt 12 (Williams Era)

* Sockets that I do not have yet but plan to.





These awesome folks have contributed either sockets or funds:
Quattrojon, Bonneyman, Bolster, Sarel.wagner, Lwlobo, Beeslr



These are the sockets requested that I currently don't have plans to get:
Matco, Mac Edge, Grey pneumatic


I'll see what else I can find at the flea market this weekend.

Thanks,
David

 

[quattrojon]

I would like to see Stahlwille, Cornwell and Matco tested. If anyone has a surplus socket, please send it to DavidB.

 

[mrholeshot]

I went back and read the other thread. I may have a differant outlook on Metrinch

 

[bonneyman]

I just picked up a 1/2 SAE/13mm dual Metrinch socket in 3/8" drive. Would that be useable to your test (seeing it's not a "true" 13mm), but designed to cover both sizes?

 

[Merkava_4]

David, you've got OCD something fierce, but that's not necessarily a bad thing; it can have its advantages.

 

[DavidB]

I just picked up a 1/2 SAE/13mm dual Metrinch socket in 3/8" drive. Would that be useable to your test (seeing it's not a "true" 13mm), but designed to cover both sizes?

Certainly. Quattrojon sent me a wrench to test in one of my previous posts. I figure it's marked as a 13mm so it qualifies.

Thanks,
David

 

[DavidB]

I've added a list of what I currently have to my original post.

Thanks,
David

 

[quattrojon]

David,

Have you had any more sockets pledged?

 

[iandh]

Wow, those threads make me feel great about my recent Craftsman pro purchase... I knew the box ends looked great on them, but it's nice to know they actually are great. Very impressive showing.

 

[DavidB]

David,

Have you had any more sockets pledged?

Nope, no one has yet. I did manage to find a few sockets at a flea market this weekend. I found some 9/16" 3/8" drive S-K, Challenger, and Proto sockets. I've added them to my original list. I'll check another flea market in the area soon.

Wow, those threads make me feel great about my recent Craftsman pro purchase... I knew the box ends looked great on them, but it's nice to know they actually are great. Very impressive showing.

Yes, the Cman pros leave similar marks as the Snap-On. I've heard that non-ratcheting GearWrenches are copies of Snap-On wrenches but didn't get one to test. I hope to get a GearWrench socket to test.

 

[bonneyman]

I'm attempting to get another 13mm Bonney so I can send it for the test (along with the Metrinch). I'd just love to see how Bonney (Loc-Rite) does next to Snap-On (Flank Drive).
Wright Drive would be neat to throw into the mix as well.

 

[mtkst19]

for what it is worth, a garage mate had the metrinch set and was made fun of for buying "gimmick" tools. Ill admit i was even skeptical and was in on the gimmick tool bashing. Yet i watched him take a completely rounded 30mm axle nut off w/ his metrich socket. that sold me. not enough to go out and buy them. but if i run into them for cheap amount of money i pick them up and keep them in my home box.

im also convinced that the metrich sockets and the newer mac sockets have a close resemblance. i just need to get the two together at the same time to prove it.

 

[quattrojon]

I would like to see Stahlwille, Cornwell and Matco tested. If anyone has a surplus socket, please send it to DavidB.

Edit - I would also like to see a Mac Edge socket tested.

 

[quattrojon]

Come on guy's......... if you want to read another excellent write up from DavidB, you need to send him sockets to test. Some of you must have 9/16 and 13mm sockets in ten fold!

 

[babzog]

I'd like to see TopTul in the test.

 

[bchee]

How about Grip-Tite from Sears?
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00910325000P

 

[DavidB]

So far these are the requested brands: Stahlwille, Cornwell, Matco, Metrinch, Bonney, Snap-On, Wright, Mac Edge, TopTul, Grip-Tite, and GearWrench. I've checked out the prices on some of these and most of the top tier names run about $10-$15 for a 3/8" drive 13mm socket. If I didn't mention it before, the sockets don't have to be new. Used but not abused is fine with me. If you have some of these sockets or others not listed and you're will to part with them cheap shoot me a PM. I'd really like to get some of the sockets quattrojon has asked for since he has been kind enough to send me some sockets and wrenches for free. I can't afford $10-$15 per socket for this but I'll dish out a few dollars for some used ones. If you have multiple sockets thats better since it saves me on shipping.

 

[tweety652]

if i give you, will you pay shipping?

 

[DavidB]

if i give you, will you pay shipping?

PM me info on what you have but yeah I will. The USPS has First-Class Mail Package that is only a couple of bucks for "light weight items". I think a socket would be lonely in a flat rate box.

 

[bchee]

I didn't any spline drive in the list. Is that correct?

 

[DavidB]

I didn't any spline drive in the list. Is that correct?

Correct, other than the Grip-Tite you listed (which looks to be a form of spline drive). Would happy like to investigate one of them too.

 

[quattrojon]

DavidB,

I was looking through my tools, and found an unused Snap-On 13mm, 6 point semi deep socket, that i didn't realise i had. Don't know whether you have any Snap-On sockets to test? I can mail it, if you don't mind delaying the test.

 

[FoMoCoPower]

Correct, other than the Grip-Tite you listed (which looks to be a form of spline drive). Would happy like to investigate one of them too.

Actually,it looks more like one of those gimmick socket sets with the lil fingers that move around when you go to tighten up against something.

 

[DavidB]

Actually,it looks more like one of those gimmick socket sets with the lil fingers that move around when you go to tighten up against something.

Hmm possibly. It's hard to tell from the pictures. I thought the fingers were fixed in place. If not then nevermind what I said.

 

[quattrojon]

Guys,

If you happen to be going to a yard sale/flea market/car boot sale this weekend, please be on the look out for any stray 13mm or 9/16 sockets, that you can send to DavidB.

Remember that David is prepared to donate a lot of his time to carry out these tests, for 'you' the GJ member's. I know that any sockets sent to him, would be gratefully received.
Many thanks Jon

 

[Bolster]

Jeez, you GJers are a tight bunch of bastards! Why won't you help this guy with his test? Y'all are going to love reading the results.

DavidB, PM me your PayPal addy, and I will donate a bit o' cash to the cause. Maybe so you can use it to ship sockets back to these cheap bastards.

Also I will be digging around in my pile and see if I have any of the sizes you require.

Sorry I did not see this thread until just today.

[EDIT] found a 9/16 OTC brand 12 pt, in 1/2 drive, can you use a 1/2 -> 3/8 adapter? Oh, wait, you have this socket already don't you?

Also, how will you control for worn sockets?

 

[DavidB]

Thanks Bolster! Thanks for the offer. I'll shoot you a PM in a few. Though honestly I'd rather have you use it on some sockets you might find and send those. Yes, I have an OTC. I don't really have any way to control for worn sockets. I just try to state if they're new or used and provide a good picture of the inside of the socket so folks can make up their own mind on the condition of the socket. I don't know what else I could do other than buy all new sockets but that doesn't help on some of the older stuff. I do keep away from sockets that look to be marred or abused.

Thanks again.

 

[quattrojon]

DavidB,

I will be placing an order with Koken sometime this week, so i will send a Koken socket along with the Snap-On.

 

[beelsr]

PM me your address and I'll go scrounge some stuff up.

 

[DavidB]

PM me your address and I'll go scrounge some stuff up.

Thanks! I'll sent my address in a few.

Quattrojon, thanks for the sockets as always.

 

[quattrojon]

David,

I would like to say a big thankyou to Steve and Amanda at Koken U.K, who have kindly donated some of Koken's finest for you to test. I will be sending Koken 'flat drive' sockets, in both six and twelve point versions, and also a Koken high torque 'surface drive' socket; all are 13mm.

 

[bchee]

David,

I would like to say a big thankyou to Steve and Amanda at Koken U.K, who have kindly donated some of Koken's finest for you to test. I will be sending Koken 'flat drive' sockets, in both six and twelve point versions, and also a Koken high torque 'surface drive' socket; all are 13mm.

Sweet I was really interested in those Koken ones

 

[quattrojon]

Sweet I was really interested in those Koken ones

I'm expecting good results from the Koken surface drive socket.

 

[DavidB]

A big thanks goes out to Bolster for sending some cash my way.

More thanks to quattrojon for finding some more sockets. I look forward to testing the Koken sockets. I've never heard of them before (a comment on myself not the company) but they look like nice tools. I'm also interested in seeing how the Koken surface drive turns out.

I've updated the list in the first post to reflect the Koken Sockets. It seems the request for sockets may be slowly gathering steam.

 

[quattrojon]

I am hoping that a few more members will send you some sockets. Come on fella's, i'm sure that some of you tool collectors/tool polishers (not looking at anyone in particular) must have a spare socket or two!

 

[DavidB]

The Germans are coming...well at least some of thier sockets are. Another member on the board, Sarel.wagner, contacted me and said he'd love to see Gedore, Metrinch and Gearwrench sockets tested. He also graciously offered to pay for these sockets. Bonnyman has already mentioned having a Metrinch but I don't have a Gedore or Gearwrench yet. My plan is currently to order a Gedore, Hazet, and Stahlwille from www.samstagsales.com using the funds from Sarel, Bolster, and filling in the rest myself. If anyone sees anything else on the site they'd like included and/or wants to contribute to the costs please let me know.

Thanks,
David

 

[Indy_500]

When you start this, are you going to create a new thread or just post the results on this one?

 

[DavidB]

When you start this, are you going to create a new thread or just post the results on this one?

A new thread. This one is just for planning and obtaining sockets.

 

[sarel.wagner]

Hi David,

Hope my modest contribution helps, its to a good cause. For those that do not know Gedore tools and company, a few links:

http://www.170220.com/TechArticles/index.php?topic=352.0;wap2 and http://www.gedoretools.com/index.php?dispatch=pages.view&page_id=3

Regards

 

[bonneyman]

OK, Dave, send me your street address and I'll donate my Bonney 13mm 12 point for the test. And I'll donate some cash thru paypal if you have such an account to help defray some of the costs. B-man