Sockets to complete a used 3/8 Snap on ratchet set

[BOG]

I managed to grab a used 3/8 Snap on ratchet and extension set off ebay at a good price .... I need some sockets to complete the set ....

I'm not buying Snap On sockets as they are too expensive and to be honest I'm not that convinced on the durability of the Snap On sockets. Most of the used snap on sockets I see on ebay, look like absolute **** chipped chrome, rust ....this may be that they are properly used by pros so they get a lot of wear and tear compared to other brands.....but I like nice things and I like to take care of my stuff and don't like spending money on used dirty, rusted garabage even if it's snap on...

So please fire away with recommendations I'm in the UK so I'd rather not import USA stuff (Williams USA can be had for decent money here off amazon.com)..... I'm either going for deep and shallow or semi-deep...

 

[measuredtwice]

I managed to grab a used 3/8 Snap on ratchet and extension set off ebay at a good price .... I need some sockets to complete the set ....

I'm not buying Snap On sockets as they are too expensive and to be honest I'm not that convinced on the durability of the Snap On sockets. Most of the used snap on sockets I see on ebay, look like absolute **** chipped chrome, rust ....this may be that they are properly used by pros so they get a lot of wear and tear compared to other brands.....but I like nice things I I like to take care of my stuff and don't like spending money on used dirty rusted garabage even if it's snap on...

So please fire away with recommendations I'm in the UK so I'd rather not import USA stuff (Williams USA can be had for decent money here off amazon.com)..... I'm either going for deep and shallow or semi-deep...

How many socket sets do you have already? Didn't you recently order and cancel a Williams USA set and then order a Toptul Taiwan set? --> https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=465097

The Hazet set from that previous discussion was a nice price compared to what it would cost here in the USA. The Williams set you cancelled would be similar to Snap-On.

Do I remember correctly that you are buying for home use? With light use most socket sets will be hold up good. The stuff on Ebay that looks terrible was probably heavily used or neglected. Even good stuff will look like garbage once there's rust. For example Koken makes good stuff but it doesn't look as good when it's abused/neglected and rusty.

 

[BOG]

Yeah I canceled the Williams and sold the Toptul set to a friend it was too big/heavy to be practical for me didn't lose any money sold it for what I got it for....plus I already have decent wrenches etc....lesson learned don't buy massive big tool sets it's just a pain in the backside to lug all that stuff around....so I have no sockets at this point

I got this Snap on set for £80 delivery included so I don't think it was a bad deal it's almost new the extensions are unused....just need some sockets now

And yes home use I'm not a pro...

I've read somewhere that today taiwan chrome is better than USA/European chrome because of new regulations? If you go on amazon.de and read reviews of Hazet tools there is a lot of moaning about rust and even sockets being delivered rusted brand new...

 

[sk farmer]

in the uk? if you can access usa made williams i would go with that. some say it is the same as snap-on, some say no. if not, they are damn close and they are no doubt from the same family.

 

[ForrestT]

Sorry to throw a different brand at you, but the [emoji817] best advice I ever got on this forum was from a guy who advised get a snap on ratchet and SK sockets. I tried that advice and can’t be happier with the SK sockets. I’m more partial to my new Tekton 90 tooth ratchets for the money, but the older f830 snap on is my go to for stubborn stuff. Hope this helps. If no to SK, the Williams stuff sure looks nice. No experience with it.


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[measuredtwice]

I would look for deals on new sockets from Hazet, Proto, Mac, Williams (USA stuff), Snap-On, Koken... listed in no particular order. In the USA, I find a lot of deals on brand new high quality sockets. I don't know about deals from the UK though.

 

[BrandoJames]

I really like Snap-on's Blue Point chrome sockets that are made in Taiwan. On Snap-on's website, they sell Blue-Point chrome metric sockets individually, but they're only $3 to $4 a pop. I built a set of Blue Point shallow sockets for like $40 bucks. Just watch out for Snap-on's shipping fee, which was like $15 total (probably more for UK). But even with shipping, it's a nice set--I use them a lot for DIY work.

https://shop.snapon.com/categories/Shallow,-mm,-Chrome-(Blue-Point)/682205

 

[measuredtwice]

I really like Snap-on's Blue Point chrome sockets that are made in Taiwan. On Snap-on's website, they sell Blue-Point chrome metric sockets individually, but they're only $3 to $4 a pop. I built a set of Blue Point shallow sockets for like $40 bucks. Just watch out for Snap-on's shipping fee, which was like $15 total (probably more for UK). But even with shipping, it's a nice set--I use them a lot for DIY work.

https://shop.snapon.com/categories/Shallow,-mm,-Chrome-(Blue-Point)/682205

I've never used Blue Point sockets but as far as the $3 - $4 per socket price is concerned, it is more than I've paid for Proto and Williams (USA) sockets. This year I've bought rails full of Blackhawk USA for 33 cents per socket and Williams/Proto sockets for $1-$2 each. All new. I've even bought new Snap-On sockets for $5 shipped on the secondary market. Also, new. It did take some hunting and patience to find deals though. But you could probably meet or beat that $3-$4 price with Proto or Williams from Zoro with a coupon.

 

[Jersey Drew]

sunex or gray pneumatic, easily found on amazon.

 

[BrandoJames]

I've never used Blue Point sockets but as far as the $3 - $4 per socket price is concerned, it is more than I've paid for Proto and Williams (USA) sockets. This year I've bought rails full of Blackhawk USA for 33 cents per socket and Williams/Proto sockets for $1-$2 each. All new. I've even bought new Snap-On sockets for $5 shipped on the secondary market. Also, new. It did take some hunting and patience to find deals though. But you could probably meet or beat that $3-$4 price with Proto or Williams from Zoro with a coupon.

Was this like three decades ago? Why don't you provide a link to the 33 cent Blackhawk sockets--I'd like to see that. The only merchant you even bother to mention is Zoro, and their Proto sockets are way more than what you've claimed here. Link below to the Zoro site, hopefully the OP has that magic coupon.

https://www.zoro.com/search?q=proto...WK BY PROTO&variants.attributes.Finish=Chrome

 

[measuredtwice]

Was this like three decades ago? Why don't you provide a link to the 33 cent Blackhawk sockets--I'd like to see that. The only merchant you even bother to mention is Zoro, and their Proto sockets are way more than what you've claimed here. Link below to the Zoro site, hopefully the OP has that magic coupon.

https://www.zoro.com/search?q=proto...WK BY PROTO&variants.attributes.Finish=Chrome

Like I said in my post, these were deals that I found on the secondary market. And like I previously said, deals require some effort to find.

I gave Zoro as an example of an easy low effort source for USA made sockets at a price comparable to the $3-4 price you quoted for the Blue Point imports. If you buy a 12 piece socket set for $50 with free shipping from Zoro and used a frequent 20% off coupon to get it for $40, then you pay $3.33 per socket. Even without the coupon it is just a bit over $4 per socket. But coupons are frequently available in the USA. And like I previously said, it meets or beats the $3-4 price you quoted for the Blue Point sockets.

For example, https://www.zoro.com/proto-38-in-drive-socket-set-metric-12-pcs-j52216/i/G2310052/

You and I both bought in the USA. Some of these deals may or may not be common in the UK.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Williams is what I would say or Proto Or Blackhawk or Tekton or Gearwrench


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[username2]

Those boxes are cool setups, very stylish.

I'd be strongly tempted to buy sets of thinwall impact sockets, probably Taiwanese. Cheap, and you can, well, impact on them.

 

[Sidchrome]

Williams or Koken are a good quality to price ratio imo. I got some Williams from Amazon recently at a great discount. Williams are probably a nice fit with your Snapon set.

 

[Legion Prime]

Honestly I'd look at Tekton. I don't know what the availability over there is but the Tekton I've bought has been well priced and well made. The 90T ratchet I have from them is phenomenal and I'd recommend them based on that purchase alone. Of course being in England I would avail myself of the opportunity to snag at least a couple of King **** sockets on principle alone.
https://www.kingdicktools.co.uk/socketry/product.asp?item=3-8-square-drive-328-293

 

[visionguru]

Not sure the availability of Gearwrench in UK. This would be my choice to complete a general service set. Cut a foam piece, cut slots for each socket.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00829RMAM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[BrandoJames]

Like I said in my post, these were deals that I found on the secondary market. And like I previously said, deals require some effort to find. I gave Zoro as an example of an easy low effort source for USA made sockets at a price comparable to the $3-4 price you quoted for the Blue Point imports. If you buy a 12 piece socket set for $50 with free shipping from Zoro and used a frequent 20% off coupon to get it for $40, then you pay $3.33 per socket. Even without the coupon it is just a bit over $4 per socket. But coupons are frequently available in the USA. And like I previously said, it meets or beats the $3-4 price you quoted for the Blue Point sockets.

For example, https://www.zoro.com/proto-38-in-drive-socket-set-metric-12-pcs-j52216/i/G2310052/

Sorry, per your Zoro link: free shipping is for orders $75 and above. So no free shipping. You also linked to a 12 point socket set; the Blue-Points are 6 point. A Zoro/Proto 6 point set is $55. That’s not $3.33 a socket, it’s more like $4.50 a socket. In fairness to you, that’s a good price point for U.S.A. made sockets.

If you had simply provided a link to that Proto 6 point set at $55, then we’d be in agreement. There’s no need to make claims about non-existent free shipping, elusive 20% coupons, or 33 cent sockets that you bought at a flea market.

 

[Don1357]

When you say 'complete the set' you mean you are missing one or two sockets here and there? Here in the US some pawn shops have shelves with tools, in which often you find boxes with loose sockets of various brands and sizes. I have fished there to complete holes on my sets at $1~$2 a socket.

Once you develop a healthy disregard for matching sets your life becomes cheaper and easier.

 

[measuredtwice]

Sorry, per your Zoro link: free shipping is for orders $75 and above. So no free shipping. You also linked to a 12 point socket set; the Blue-Points are 6 point. A Zoro/Proto 6 point set is $55. That’s not $3.33 a socket, it’s more like $4.50 a socket. In fairness to you, that’s a good price point for U.S.A. made sockets.

If you had simply provided a link to that Proto 6 point set at $55, then we’d be in agreement. There’s no need to make claims about non-existent free shipping, elusive 20% coupons, or 33 cent sockets that you bought at a flea market.

I didn't know you wanted 6 point. Prices shift a bit, earlier this year there was a much better deal from Zoro on a larger set. That deal may pop up again in the future. Your quote of $4.50 doesn't include the use of any coupons. If you use a 20% off coupon it is $3.67.

If you log in with an account, you get free shipping over $50. If you don't sign up for a free account it's over $75. This is a recent change.

If someone can't figure out free shipping or the coupons that they regularly email to subscribers then that person has bigger problems to worry about. This was the easy example. Haha.

I didn't buy anything from a flea market.

 

[BOG]

When you say 'complete the set' you mean you are missing one or two sockets here and there? Here in the US some pawn shops have shelves with tools, in which often you find boxes with loose sockets of various brands and sizes. I have fished there to complete holes on my sets at $1~$2 a socket.

Once you develop a healthy disregard for matching sets your life becomes cheaper and easier.

No complete.... as in add sockets to the ratchet and extensions so I have full set

 

[BOG]

Honestly I'd look at Tekton. I don't know what the availability over there is but the Tekton I've bought has been well priced and well made. The 90T ratchet I have from them is phenomenal and I'd recommend them based on that purchase alone. Of course being in England I would avail myself of the opportunity to snag at least a couple of King **** sockets on principle alone.
https://www.kingdicktools.co.uk/socketry/product.asp?item=3-8-square-drive-328-293

King **** don't do 6 point 3/8 sockets for some reason... they have some cool t-shirts though

 

[Legion Prime]

Ah geez, I didn't even notice they're all 12's. Good catch, almost as good as noticing they sell TShirts. I know what I'm getting myself for christmas or whatever.

 

[Don1357]

No complete.... as in add sockets to the ratchet and extensions so I have full set

I believe that something more important than the sockets themselves is what you use to organize them. I'm currently using something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007QV3WGK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Several companies have them, rebranded under their own name. I have one for metric, one for SAE, and a few individual strips for some specialized sockets.

 

[BOG]

I believe that something more important than the sockets themselves is what you use to organize them. I'm currently using something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007QV3WGK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Several companies have them, rebranded under their own name. I have one for metric, one for SAE, and a few individual strips for some specialized sockets.

I've got some Kaizen foam or whatever it's called on route so deep and shallow sockets should easily fit in the same case as the ratchet/extension I'm a bit OCD and want everything in one box/case....


I just need metric and only 8 10 12 14 17 19 and that's about it (Japanese car) so I have all my screwdrivers in one case all my wrenches in one case and the socket set in one case.


I quite like this from Dewalt could easily fit all my car tools in there

 

[BOG]

Got some sockets for the used snap on set, deep and shalow Sealey Premier AK series (I bought the rails separately) and a set of Mac super short 3/8's

I didn't really need the Mac Super short but I got a good deal on them...

So all in all I paid for all of this including the used snap on set £175....