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Socket Set Advice Needed!

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blazer1

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Apr 22, 2011
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73
Location
Gilbert, Az
OK...new here and my first thread and 2nd time I put something here. I love your forum here.

I am a casual self repair guy, meaning I don't do a lot due to lack of knowledge but am learning. I recently bought both a metric and standard set of 3/8 drive sockets, along with ratchets. A friend who is a mechanic advised me to buy a set of 1/4 drive sockets. So, on limited budget, should I get the metric or standard sizes? Or go ahead and just get both?

BTW, I have been buying Craftsman. This is an effort to upgrade from my Dollar General tool set I had.

I am proud to say though I do have a set also of Snap On sockets, standard, set of 8 and a Snap On ratchet...all 3/8 drive. Came across at pawn shop for $40. :beer:
 
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Keep

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Jan 1, 2009
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1,398
Location
Oshawa, Ontario
You should be fine with Craftsman. Do not listen to all the "Craftsman is ****" stuff you will probably get in this thread.

Keep an eye on the classifieds, you see 1/4 sets pop up all the time at great prices.
 
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matthew

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Dec 4, 2009
Messages
1,347
I'm just an amateur tool user as well, but 1/4" is probably my favourite (my father taught me that) - it's very handy for a lot of things in confined spaces, and helps me avoid the tendency to overtighten things.

On a budget you could put together just the basics that you need, even just one group of sockets at a time. You'd have about $40 in it by the time you got metric + SAE in both regular and deep, plus another $20 in a cheap ratchet and extension or two...

...but what I'd consider doing is looking for Gearwrench 80300 or a similar set, it's a very complete 1/4" drive set. Typically sells for a little over $100 from what I've seen, but it's been sold for under $70 online (perhaps Advance Auto? Amazon?).



Up until recently I'd have said to just start with an SAE set if it's for just household use, but I've started to run across metric in more non-automotive applications. You'll need the metric if you're going to use it on most cars, anyways, so might as well get both.
 
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matthew

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Dec 4, 2009
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Two other thoughts:

1) If the set you choose doesn't have one, you may want to pick up a spinner handle. Should be able to find one somewhat cheaper than that, and they're fairly handy for hose clamps and places you might otherwise use nutdrivers.

2) The difference between the standard tools and superior tools is not always about strength or durability, sometimes it's just the subtle features. Knurling on the extensions, for example. So I'm not overly familiar with Craftsman, but while a little more basic, this set would probably do the job just fine, as long as you can get it at the right price point.
 
B

bigpasta

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Jan 31, 2011
Messages
69
Location
CA
I'm not posting to say "Craftsman is ****". I'm saying that this Craftsman 1/4 set has serious quality control issues. I bought it because multiple senior members on here recommended it and I ended up returning it. I don't know why people keep recommending it.

More info:

Budget Sockets


-Bp
 
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hofferwood

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May 8, 2010
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DownRiver Michigan
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