Ive had a craftman set for several years. My most used sockets(1/4" and 3/8" 6 point sets) are getting pretty worn out. Theyre starting mess the heads of bolts up. After craftsman went to china i bought some gearwrench sockets and combination wrenches for work. They were nice and have worked well but ive heard recently the quality has went down hill. But now im needing to get to some more sockets. I always have a project car or motorcycle going on so thats my main use for them. Ive been looking a sk and williams usa but idk if the added cost is worth it for me. I havent seen any newer gearwrench in person so im not sure if theyre that bad or if people are exaggerating. Or even newer craftsman sockets if theyre quality. Any opinions or suggestions? Would prefer someone who offers a pretty complete line up. Lifetime Warranty is nice but not a must for me since i live in the boonies and would have to ship any claims and that would eat up alot of the cost of just replacing the socket. I do plan on warranting the craftsman and using as backup/in truck set.
Socket set for weekend warrior
- Thread starter mike14_07
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KBigg
Well-known member
I suggest Tekton or Gearwrench. I have some of both and am very pleased with the quality. Tektons warranty process was hassle free but I haven't broken a gearwrench to test it. I'm assuming its trouble free as well. Haven't bought any craftsmen in 3 or 4 years so i cant speak on that. SK tools seem popular here, and Williams is Snap-ons Industrial brand so they're probably pretty good quality.
The Fall
Well-known member
SK, Williams, Proto and Wright would be my answer. But if that's out of the budget, preference would be given to anything outta Taiwan. All of my chrome sockets and most of my impacts say USA on them, but it's hard to beat Williams' Taiwanese offerings for value. Pretty affordable and they'll stick around
Handyandy23
Well-known member
This is a really open ended question considering there is no mention of budget, or what types of sockets you're looking for. Do you just want a shallow socket set? Or shallow and deep? Or like a big full kit in a blow molded case with ratchets, etc?
Just based off you saying you're in the boonies and sending stuff out is a pain, I was going to suggest Tekton. I haven't had to use it but from what I've seen you just have to submit a picture of your defective tool, and they'll send you a replacement. That saves you from having to ship out low-dollar sockets individually.
You could end up getting 50 different answers from 50 different people when it comes to sockets. I think for a DIYer everything from HF and up is going to be suitable and comparable. If you spend a bit more you might get slightly thinner socket walls, or nicer looking chrome plating, but for functionality anything from Taiwan from any company is probably going to be very similar.
Just based off you saying you're in the boonies and sending stuff out is a pain, I was going to suggest Tekton. I haven't had to use it but from what I've seen you just have to submit a picture of your defective tool, and they'll send you a replacement. That saves you from having to ship out low-dollar sockets individually.
You could end up getting 50 different answers from 50 different people when it comes to sockets. I think for a DIYer everything from HF and up is going to be suitable and comparable. If you spend a bit more you might get slightly thinner socket walls, or nicer looking chrome plating, but for functionality anything from Taiwan from any company is probably going to be very similar.
Bretny
Well-known member
Kobalt and husky has some nice stuff. Easily to exchange too.
I exchanged some craftsman stuff i bought 15yrs ago. They went way down hill and the price went up. Il be buying husky when i need other things.
Stay away from HF and the autozone stuff. Autozone required you to keep the recpt for a broken tool exchange.
I exchanged some craftsman stuff i bought 15yrs ago. They went way down hill and the price went up. Il be buying husky when i need other things.
Stay away from HF and the autozone stuff. Autozone required you to keep the recpt for a broken tool exchange.
I think husky is potentially a problem. I have heard from others here that they had problems with paperwork/managers when doing an exchange. I have had a different problem when trying to buy a replacement for a wrench I lost. Their displays aren't well organized and their inventory control *****. Multiple stores didn't have it and they didn't know they didn't have it.
With Kobalt, I think, over the next 10 years, Lowes will only have craftsman....
I rate HF (if local) and Tekton (internet) as better bets.
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Budget is cheaper than snap on. I want to buy a full set 1/4"-1/2" shallow and deep, 6 and 12 pt.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
That’s easy then. But SK from HJE and be done with it.
bushmechanic
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Gearwrench. Quality and price together.
DFB
Well-known member
Well if you actually "wore out" your Craftsman sockets until they were unusable as you say maybe you should just go right ahead and buy Snappy's 
NoMoreGreen
Well-known member
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I am buying Williams USA, however I will note I can not find a complete set of 1/2 inch drive 6 pt sockets from Williams.
I guess I will buy another brands 1/2.
NMG
I guess I will buy another brands 1/2.
NMG
NoMoreGreen
Well-known member
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Ill add, I have some KOBALT that I have been buying lately. Its being clearance near me for .50 to .75 cents a socket.
The HF have some CR-MO impact sockets. it's actually very good (yes I have the metric sets, all of them). haven't tried their regular chrome sockets for extreme use (I don't have them), but their wrench ***** at least the long handle ones I have ***** when using it on rusted stuck nuts.....
I haven't tried to warranty at autozone at least not on tools. They have a brand of impact that I have is also very good...
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
I was looking at the 74 piece Sunex impact 1/4" set. About two bills on AMZ.
But I'm thinking the metric-only 43? pc SK set would suit me and be less to carry / store / organize. A little more for fewer sockets, but would probably suit me well.
But I'm thinking the metric-only 43? pc SK set would suit me and be less to carry / store / organize. A little more for fewer sockets, but would probably suit me well.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Some of my Craftsman 1/4" and 3/8" sockets are over 50 years old. The newest ones are over 40 years old. No signs of wear and they do NOT "round off" fasteners !
1foxracing
Well-known member
Here is a nice Dewalt 192-Pc set for $130 ( It's currently $180 on Amazon)
https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/de...aqNrVWLQ-_heg15NPh8JR9lv739NCaEBoCpFEQAvD_BwE
All 3 drive sizes (all six point) Metric & SAE.
The good thing about Dewalt is if you do bust something you call them on their 1-800 # and they will ship you replacements. No proof of purchase, no photo's to be sent, and no shipping the broken tool back.
https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/de...aqNrVWLQ-_heg15NPh8JR9lv739NCaEBoCpFEQAvD_BwE
All 3 drive sizes (all six point) Metric & SAE.
The good thing about Dewalt is if you do bust something you call them on their 1-800 # and they will ship you replacements. No proof of purchase, no photo's to be sent, and no shipping the broken tool back.
I abused mine for a few years on my cordless impacr drivers. Regret it now
Why so many sockets for a DIY. Personally I have 1/4, and 3/8 chrome deep and shallow 6 point, and 1/2" deep and shallow 6 point, and it has been plenty. I recently added a small 3/8 sae and small metric set of 12pt, but to have full sets of 6 and 12 point is total overkill IMO
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I would wait until all of the new stuff is released later this summer but, I would go here for sockets.
www.tekton.com
www.tekton.com
NoMoreGreen
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If I could go back in time, I would get 6PT Impact sockets, and 12pt Chrome Sockets.
Just food for thought if you are wanting both 6pt and 12pt.
NMG.
Just food for thought if you are wanting both 6pt and 12pt.
NMG.
Ratchet Guy
Well-known member
get the ktc or koken, you wont look back after, a little bit more but very well worth the money
Handyandy23
Well-known member
IMO just warranty / replace the few worn sockets in your current set, and then buy a set of impact sockets to use with the impact drivers.
No matter what quality sockets you buy, an impact is going to mess up your chromies. They just aren't designed for that kind of hammering.
You could replace the worn out 1/4 and 3/8 chrome ones with almost anything and it would be suitable for using with a ratchet and never break, and then have a set of impact sockets as well so you always have the right tool for the job.
snickers muncher
Well-known member
Last month I exchanged a Autozone Duralast tool. There was no problem. They took a quick look to see what the problem was, gave me the new one, and kept the old one.
Bretny
Well-known member
There impact sockets are great. I have owned them for many years. I own a set that came in the metal case. Wish they still did that or even offeed it.
Thats what i was trying to exchange. Duralast torx socket/set.
For the Shallows, I would go with the Astro Nano sockets. I love mine.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JBK1FHG/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JBK1FHG/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Sunex impacts for 1/2”. Great quality/price ratio and they have 6 and 12 point available. Warranty is great, generally no questions asked, just send an email or make a phone call.
Grey Pneumatic Duo thin wall impacts for 3/8”. Can use them on a ratchet or on an impact. No issues, quality is great, and they are no thicker than a chrome equivalent. I do believe there are 12pt duo sockets as well. Warranty is only available through certified retailers.
Tekton for 1/4”. I just bought the new revised socket set from them and the quality/finish is better than my Taiwan Gearwrench that these are replacing. Customer service gets great reviews from members on here and Tekton does have active forum presence. I don’t see a need for 12 point in 1/4” drive size.
Grey Pneumatic Duo thin wall impacts for 3/8”. Can use them on a ratchet or on an impact. No issues, quality is great, and they are no thicker than a chrome equivalent. I do believe there are 12pt duo sockets as well. Warranty is only available through certified retailers.
Tekton for 1/4”. I just bought the new revised socket set from them and the quality/finish is better than my Taiwan Gearwrench that these are replacing. Customer service gets great reviews from members on here and Tekton does have active forum presence. I don’t see a need for 12 point in 1/4” drive size.
Would you mind posting some photos of the Craftsman sockets that are worn out to a point they are not reliably usable?
Many mentioned Tekon and I too believe they are the best overall for the budget buyer. I do not own any chrome Tekton sockets, but I have almost all the impacts they make and a few other tools from them and have no regrets of the choice to purchase them. Gearwrench is problematic when it comes to returns. Not in what the policy reads, but in the execution of the policy.
I personally have only a few tools from Williams, Koken, Kabo, Nepros, etc .. and although I do like them, they fall short ONLY in the service provided by Tekton. Not that I have broken any, but product replacement is simply not as easy as with Tekton.
Although I am not opposed to China Craftsman, I do place them in line with Husky and Kobalt. I could very well be wrong, but I feel that Gearwrench and Tekton are of a higher quality than those in that group. I also have some sets from OEM and VIM that I am very happy with. Not normal sockets, but more specialty ones like etorx, triple square, etc. My personal opinion, owning and using some of their products, SnapOn is just a waste for normal tools. They do offer some specialty stuff that you just cannot get elsewhere though. That applies to Kent Moore, OEM and others that play in that market too. MAC and Matco are all just rebranded, so I believe them to be a waste of money unless you want or require the truck service that comes with them.
Many mentioned Tekon and I too believe they are the best overall for the budget buyer. I do not own any chrome Tekton sockets, but I have almost all the impacts they make and a few other tools from them and have no regrets of the choice to purchase them. Gearwrench is problematic when it comes to returns. Not in what the policy reads, but in the execution of the policy.
I personally have only a few tools from Williams, Koken, Kabo, Nepros, etc .. and although I do like them, they fall short ONLY in the service provided by Tekton. Not that I have broken any, but product replacement is simply not as easy as with Tekton.
Although I am not opposed to China Craftsman, I do place them in line with Husky and Kobalt. I could very well be wrong, but I feel that Gearwrench and Tekton are of a higher quality than those in that group. I also have some sets from OEM and VIM that I am very happy with. Not normal sockets, but more specialty ones like etorx, triple square, etc. My personal opinion, owning and using some of their products, SnapOn is just a waste for normal tools. They do offer some specialty stuff that you just cannot get elsewhere though. That applies to Kent Moore, OEM and others that play in that market too. MAC and Matco are all just rebranded, so I believe them to be a waste of money unless you want or require the truck service that comes with them.
ptgarcia
Well-known member
In your case, I wouldn't waste money on anything more expensive than Tekton. You said yourself you abused your Craftsman for years and they are just now failing. This go around, buy all the tools you need (for instance, impact and chrome sockets) and use them as intended. Tekton are made for guys just like you (and me): good tools at a good price backe by a good warranty. I'd buy Tekton, and if a particular tool can't hang, then replace it with something better.
PhantomEB
Well-known member
Craftsman is making a comeback up here in Canada.
I would just update every 3-4 years a ratchet set and gear wrench, multi bit screw driver, some pliers.
I would just update every 3-4 years a ratchet set and gear wrench, multi bit screw driver, some pliers.