Sockets, I need sockets

[RumRiver5.0]

I hate to admit it but I am very short on sockets and I would just prefer to order a complete set of 1/4,3/8, 1/2 in both metric/standard/tall/short/6/12 point; the whole deal. Any recommendations? I can spend a grand but would rather not...

 

[Rabbit929]

Milwaukee makes a great set, 1/4 & 3/8ths drive all in one tray.
Blue point makes a good 1/2in drive set.
Avoid snap on if you don’t want to spend a fortune, crescent sockets are very good for the price.
Avoid the weird “square bite” sockets as they tend to mar bolts a little.

I really love my Milwaukee set and the case they come in. $145 on eBay. I sold my snap on impact sockets and bought another set of milwakee for my truck and a bunch of other stuff.

 

[Moosefire]

I saw this the other day...

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[GrantCee]

^^^ What Moosefire said. A while back I needed a "truck set" and bought the 3/8" set pictured. I was impressed with the quality. Though I really like the Wright and Ko-ken sockets in my garage sets, and have no plans to replace them, I could honestly get along very easily with the Tektons for regular use. Good quality at a good price with a good warranty (I don't worry about warranty on sockets, but some people do.) They're very tough to beat.

That being said, almost any sockets manufactured in the U.S., Japan, or even Taiwan will be sufficient for the task these days. Everyone here will have their favorites (as do I), but at the end of the day they're all pretty darned good.

Personally, I'd suggest looking for sets that have no skipped sizes. There are a lot of them to choose from.

 

[Robinson1]

If I was starting over the decision would be pretty simple for me

Williams 50602A 1/4 drive
SK 94549 3/8 drive
I'd skip chrome 1/2 drive and buy both Sunex master impact sets.
Sunex 2568 and 2569

 

[Fedwrench]

A second vote for Tekton especially if you just want sockets.

If you don't need ratchets or other accessories, they have no skip sizes in a very wide range.

register at Tekton.com and you get free shipping within the USA. You'll also earn 10% back on each purchase in rewards points that spend like cash on future orders.

The current Tekton sockets are well made, have nice large size markings and will come in well under your budget

The only drawbacks are tekton uses a red rail for metric and a black rail for SAE, and they don't offer a 1/4 drive 15mm. Other than that, they are a winner-winner-chicken dinner.

UPDATE: 12/28/2020 Tekton now offers 1/4 drive 15 mm sockets in shallow & deep. their rail sets have been updated too include 15 mm. Thank you Tekton.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

There is also JH Williams (Alpha Numeric PN's),Proto,Wright and SK if you are looking for a domestic product.

 

[Wamsutta]

I'd get all USA made Williams from ToolsDelivered.com if it were me.

 

[GrantCee]

There is also JH Williams (Alpha Numeric PN's),Proto,Wright and SK if you are looking for a domestic product.

And if you're really serious about domestic production, of those companies Wright is the only one that makes their wrenches, ratchets, sockets and attachments from US-sourced steel. They're also the only company that's still family owned.

(Edited to add: looks like SK may source some US steel as well.)

 

[M6erfan]

And if you're really serious about domestic production, of those companies Wright is the only one that makes their wrenches, ratchets, sockets and attachments from US-sourced steel. They're also the only company that's still family owned.

I thought SK uses U.S. sourced steel in their sockets/wrenches

 

[nicks78camaro]

I thought SK uses U.S. sourced steel in their sockets/wrenches

I thought Snap on did too

 

[roadruiner]

i would go s-k also u s and all and there deeps are basicly mid length best of both deep and mid

 

[joey1320]

I saw this the other day...

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https://www.tekton.com/6-point-socket-and-ratchet-set-bundle-skt95302
That's a phenomenal price for such a complete set.

I thought about recommending ICON from HF but putting together a cart with all their chrome sockets puts me at $197 (With their current ICON sale). For $150 you are getting 200+ pieces as opposed to the 72 I counted.

Tekton is really the way to go with such a sale.

 

[GrantCee]

I thought Snap on did too

SK I can believe; SO I doubt. They're way too involved with their "global sourcing" program.

 

[GrantCee]

I thought SK uses U.S. sourced steel in their sockets/wrenches

It appears I was wrong. I had to dig in their site to find it, but they do mention "made from U.S. steel". Their wording is such that it leaves some question as to how much and what, though.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Depending on what your future plans are, skip the 1/2". Buy a lug nut "flip" set for change wheels and tires.

Almost 50 years ago, I made the decision to NOT own 12 point sockets. I have NOT regretted it yet.

I also do NOT own any deep 1/4" sockets, nor any 1/4" impact sockets.

If I had to do it over, I would NOT buy 3/8" impacts. I think typical chrome sockets can handle most 3/8" impact wrench.

90% of my sockets are Craftsman Made in the USA. Some are over 50 yo. Most are over 40 yo. I can not remember ever breaking one. The others (impacts) are Sunex.

I am not a fan of "cases", especially for sockets. Probably because my sets grew over time and I have added different length extensions, universals, etc. I use cheap plastic rails to keep them organized in my tool box.

 

[KnurledNut]

I thought Snap on did too

They do. And virgin at that.

 

[measuredtwice]

SK I can believe; SO I doubt. They're way too involved with their "global sourcing" program.

Snap-On uses USA steel. Misinformation and disinformation spreads like wild fire on the internet so you have to make sure that your source is reliable.

Here's a quote from the Snap-On CEO in 2018
https://chiefexecutive.net/snap-on-ceo-pinchuk-talks-trade-policy-the-future-of-manufacturing/

"For example, Snap-on’s known for its tools, but we use $40 to $45 million worth of steel. Not so much, given what you might think from a company our size.... And by the way, that steel is U.S. steel for us. "

 

[Fedwrench]

I'd get all USA made Williams from ToolsDelivered.com if it were me.

Yeah but, your picture is of Taiwan made Williams sockets

The script and size markings are half that size on the US Made versions

Come on Merk, you can do better that that

 

[guitarbutt]

That Tekton three pack is the way to go. They're great and they're very complete sets

 

[lethal-6]

Take a look at the sunnex sets

 

[Northern26]

I''d go with the Tekton option, then use the $35 cash back to buy the 12-point sockets you want.

 

[rpcraft]

People may look down upon me but I love the cheap colored sockets you can buy at Harbor freight. They have a set for all ratchet sizes and it's like candy in your toolbox. I am also a big fan of them because when I am at a salvage yard using the impact on them I have zero guilt if the split, break, or lord forbid, I scrape the colors off. I did the math and with no coupons a complete set of shallow and deeps in each size comes to 149 bucks and I'd be willing to bet you could knock at least another 20 bucks off with skillful use of coupon codes. throw in a couple of their ratchets and one of those extension sets too and its a complete set. You might still be missing a few really large sets but at that point I would just buy some impact sockets in 1/2 inch size and use those to supplement your larger sizes. Just my .02 USD's

 

[qqzj]

I like your approach. I was thinking a few days ago how to remove chrome and rust from old sockets and powder coat them into various rainbow colors. That would be very cool. Cheap as well.

People may look down upon me but I love the cheap colored sockets you can buy at Harbor freight. They have a set for all ratchet sizes and it's like candy in your toolbox. I am also a big fan of them because when I am at a salvage yard using the impact on them I have zero guilt if the split, break, or lord forbid, I scrape the colors off. I did the math and with no coupons a complete set of shallow and deeps in each size comes to 149 bucks and I'd be willing to bet you could knock at least another 20 bucks off with skillful use of coupon codes. throw in a couple of their ratchets and one of those extension sets too and its a complete set. You might still be missing a few really large sets but at that point I would just buy some impact sockets in 1/2 inch size and use those to supplement your larger sizes. Just my .02 USD's

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[M6erfan]

I'll chime in for Tekton too. Really they're a one stop shop for what you need with free shipping, great warranty and 10% points towards next purchase. Pretty much a no brainer.

 

[bob15]

The Wright sockets are very nice. They also have large stampings of sizes for the slightly vision impaired (when I don't have the cheaters on)

 

[zktk01]

Since this is GJ, don't forget to get mid length and swivel sockets.

 

[rpcraft]

Since this is GJ, don't forget to get mid length and swivel sockets.

Good advice, I ran into a situation where a mid length socket would have been amazing to have. I only managed to bust a knuckle using a standard socket thought, lol.

 

[doug.j]

Every combination in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 of shallow/deep, 6pt/12pt, mm/sae, chrome/impact would be 3*2*2*2*2 = 48 sets. If I was buying from zero sets I'd get the Grey Pneumatic Duo kits to cover the basics and then get a few chrome sets.

 

[bbrins]

It appears I was wrong. I had to dig in their site to find it, but they do mention "made from U.S. steel". Their wording is such that it leaves some question as to how much and what, though.

No need to dig, it's right on their main page, "SK[emoji2400] Tools are proudly made in the U.S.A. with American steel, backed by a limited lifetime warranty.".

I assume that since the op wants to spend less than a grand on all of that, he isn't expecting everything to be made in USA. If I had to tool up again on a budget, I'd be seriously looking at Tekton.

 

[Rickster]

If I had to get a full set of sockets I’d go with the Gearwrench.

 

[zktk01]

If I had to get a full set of sockets I’d go with the Gearwrench.

Nothing wrong getting gear wrench or Tekton if you want all sizes covered.
You can even get the mid lengths and probably be under $500

 

[RumRiver5.0]

Tekton Shorts and talls it is. They come with their own trays and well my 72" box was made fun of due to a low amount of sockets cast everywhere around that drawer. I have a lot of projects and things going on, so avoiding a higher cost is best at this time. Thanks Guys

 

[Cgw1984]

The tektons are a good choice. Me personally, i am slowly building my set out of the usa made williams sets.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

My last 25 years were in the steel industry. At one point we made wire for arresting cables on aircraft carriers from Japanese steel. Steel for sockets would be a specialty steel and would depend on the mill not the country of origin.

Socket manufacturing is a very mature industry, all of them are going to be better than what you could buy not so long ago. So instead of looking at brands , look at what you want to do with the socket . Not all sockets are designed the same, some tall and thick walled, tough sockets , others are short and thin walled, handier but not as tough. If you are working on car you want the later, if you are working on a piece of machinery that the last guy impacted on , the former.

1/4 socket now have dimples, so I retired my various made in USA SAE ones without dimples and replaced them with a Gearwrench set. But when it came to the deeps, I went with Tekton as they were fully broached.

 

[pscrow86]

I picked up some Grey Pneumatic and Sunnex sockets for my road set. I liked the storage cases and the availability of six and twelve point sets.

 

[demarpaint]

I went with the US made Williams sockets. I bought them on Zoro with 20% off coupons. Some of their sockets are made in Taiwan as mentioned above. They're also very good from what I understand.

 

[PhantomEB]

Definitely the Tekton set then buck up for Hansen trays. Fill the gaps accordingly after.

Then the better ratchets you can afford. Then all you need is a decent set of extensions.

This will fill up your sockets drawer in the 72”.

Now time to discuss wrench drawer.....

 

[sk farmer]

i will be in the anything but tekton camp. they are still nothing more mit (michigan industrial tool). long time purveyors of lower than hf quality junk. mit is in the small print on their label or was anyway.

they have some flashy packaging and more complete kits than some and yes they relabel some us made tools but they make nothing. if you want to help american worker , buy the wilde versions and cut out the middle man.

they claim they are making the angle wrenches but when questioned on where you get crickets.................. or none of your damn business.

sk, proto. snap-on wright, etc. they will tell you or it can be figured out. but again tekton is the current golden child here and gets a pass. gearwrench, toptul and others have had that spot, sooner or later someone else will come along and knock them off.

if somebody likes them, that is their business and they have the right to say it but i am sure someone will come along and tell me i am wrong to not like them. hell i have had people attack me via private message when i say stuff like this.

 

[fordgasm]

I have a complete Tekton socket set in 1/4,3/8 & 1/2 and it’s been great.