Socket Organization..Odds Ends...Warranty?

[ddawg16]

Now that I have my HF 44" lower box....I've pretty much emptied out my old Craftsman 24" box (wife gets it)

Besides all the sockets and wrenches I had, I also had one of those 120+ piece Craftsman sets....you know the one....1/2", 3/8", and 1/4" drive in both SAE, Metric, shallow and deep....along with a few wrenches. The same one where the lid on the small sockets unlocks as you are opening it and dumps ALL the sockets.

So I bought some socket organizers and moved all those sockets from the case to the organizers to sit in my HF top drawer. I like how it works.
Downside? It makes it obvious I need more sockets. I can't have those empty posts.....it would bug me.

I also started cleaning up all the misc sockets I had. I forgot how many SO's I had....more importantly, they go back a long ways....like 46 years back. They were some of my first tools. I've also got some Taiwan stuff that I'm trying to decide if I should toss them into a small back to keep in one of my vehicles...or toss....or, maybe give to my oldest son (16). Downside to that, it's not teaching him about the 'value' of good tools.

Lastly....some of my misc sockets look a little worn. I think the 12 points in the one close up photo below look a little too worn to be used. Do you think SO will warranty them?

I have one Craftsman that looks like it's had better days. Will they replace it?

Oh...on that pic of the Thorx? That is a cheap set. It's already in the trash.

 

[Magnum440d100]

Looking good!




That’s pretty much how I have my drawer set up. I was undecided on if I was going to have all the rails on one side, or divided side to side (SAE vs Metric). The 3 row Hansen’s decided that for me! Haha. While they may fit on one side, my OCD said to split them....

And yes, I have 99% of the missing sockets. This pic was taken when I was loading up for a junkyard trip. Pics help to remember what I took...

 

[signcrafter]

My first socket set was a cheap import set of 1/4 and 3/8 in a metal case. My Grandpa had two of these sets, think acquired from relatives that passed away because he had his own set of craftsman. He gave me one set and it served me for general tasks until I started doing more serious work on cars when I turned 16. Then I went and bought myself a nice 300 or so piece craftsman set of my own. My opinion import sockets are better then no sockets. Can always upgrade latter and he will see the difference between cheap and quality. I know I could tell the difference right away when I wasn't breaking sockets and stripping bolts using cheap tools. Probably actually taught me the importance of quality tools more then just starting out with good stuff right away.

 

[ddawg16]

Looking good!




That’s pretty much how I have my drawer set up. I was undecided on if I was going to have all the rails on one side, or divided side to side (SAE vs Metric). The 3 row Hansen’s decided that for me! Haha. While they may fit on one side, my OCD said to split them....

And yes, I have 99% of the missing sockets. This pic was taken when I was loading up for a junkyard trip. Pics help to remember what I took...

Hmmmm....I may have to rearrange my drawer like you did. I like it

 

[ddawg16]

My first socket set was a cheap import set of 1/4 and 3/8 in a metal case. My Grandpa had two of these sets, think acquired from relatives that passed away because he had his own set of craftsman. He gave me one set and it served me for general tasks until I started doing more serious work on cars when I turned 16. Then I went and bought myself a nice 300 or so piece craftsman set of my own. My opinion import sockets are better then no sockets. Can always upgrade latter and he will see the difference between cheap and quality. I know I could tell the difference right away when I wasn't breaking sockets and stripping bolts using cheap tools. Probably actually taught me the importance of quality tools more then just starting out with good stuff right away.

Did you keep the cheap ones?

 

[ddawg16]

Back to the warranty question.....do you think SO will warranty those 3 sockets I have that don't look so good?

 

[Handyandy23]

IMO it would be a good idea to pass the extra import sockets on to your son. From my experience using cheap tools is what gives you an appreciation of quality tools! You can really appreciate nice tools and exactly what features make them nice by using crappy ones and finding their short comings through use.

If you start out using the best you probably won't have a full appreciation for them, or even realize why they're the best. You wouldn't teach a young person to drive in a Porsche either.

As for filling in the missing sockets, guess it depends how **** you are. I recently filled in some missing spaces in my socket collection buying Kobalt singles on clearance. They might be lowish quality, but they were dirt cheap. You also have to figure if it was a size that didn't come in a standard set and you've never had to go out and buy yet, chances are you won't be using it often at all.

If I happen to run into a need for a 20mm socket I'm guessing the clearance Kobalt socket will work just fine. If I find some specialized need for one more often I could upgrade it.

This also kind of hinges on how OCD you are. Once you get a big enough collection you'll probably end up with lots of variety anyways so I don't worry about all my sockets being matchy match.

 

[signcrafter]

Did you keep the cheap ones?

Nope they are long gone. Think I gave them to someone else that needed them. But I did use them when it was all I had and ended seeing the difference between cheap and good tools.

 

[signcrafter]

Back to the warranty question.....do you think SO will warranty those 3 sockets I have that don't look so good?

Yes, email or call them and they will take care of you.

 

[serdvd6]

I did the same using Westling organizers, I got them without the size of the sockets printed on the holder so the OCD would stay in check!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MarvinBerry]

also had one of those 120+ piece Craftsman sets....you know the one....1/2", 3/8", and 1/4" drive in both SAE, Metric, shallow and deep....along with a few wrenches. The same one where the lid on the small sockets unlocks as you are opening it and dumps ALL the sockets.

----

I've also got some Taiwan stuff that I'm trying to decide if I should toss them into a small back to keep in one of my vehicles...or toss....or, maybe give to my oldest son (16). Downside to that, it's not teaching him about the 'value' of good tools.

I'd have been stoked to get any tools from my dad when I was 16. But his tool collection was a hammer screwdriver & duct tape. Oh the stories I could tell...

Apparently baffled my mom when they met & got married. Her dad was a master machinest at IBM in the 60s through early 80s when passed. She thought guys popped out of the womb with a ratchet in one hand & power tools in the other...

Couldn't understand why my old man could barely hang a bookshelf.

I'd try to teach the kid about the value of tools & being self sufficient regardless of the quality. Unless it's total worn put junk tools are tools, teach the lad how to fix **** without relying on others. That's the real value.

I bought one of those Cman socket sets myself back in the day as a teenager. Took the votech route in high school & quickly reached the point of needing both more & better then the crappy, very limited stuff my old man had.

Still have the old Cman set but threw the **** plastic case out long ago. For a long while they lived in a top chest...now that set lives in wooden portable chest that belonged to my gramps. One of the only things I have of his actually.

Only thing my dad ever taught me about tools & repairs was how not to do things & how to pay someone else to fix the problem.