Stainless Steel Socket Wrench Sockets... Cracking?

[Job]

Hello, everyone. I apologize for making this my first post, but I have a time window to meet if I'm going to return the following socket set and was hoping to gather some informed opinions.

I have a thing for stainless steel... Wait, scratch that. I have a passionate hate for rust. So when I spotted the following stainless steel sockets available online, I wanted them. What I didn't want, however, were irregularities on the inner perimeter of each socket...




They resemble bad welding jobs or something. Is this a sign of poor quality? In terms of the tool-making process, what could such irregularities indicate?

Thanks for listening.

 

[rlitman]

Looks to me like the marks of broaching. It also looks like a FANTASTICALLY well made tool.

 

[gdocktor3]

What brand are them there sockets? Do they all look like that or just the one?

 

[Job]

What brand are them there sockets? Do they all look like that or just the one?

The irregularities only occur in socket sizes 1/2", 12 mm, and above, for a total of 18 of 26 pieces. The maker seems to be relatively new, which is why I am cautious. They are called Pacific Professional Tool Company and are based out of Taiwan, though literature accompanying the set mentions American supplier Carpenter Technology as their steel source.

Looks to me like the marks of broaching. It also looks like a FANTASTICALLY well made tool.

Thank you for the input. The irregularities seem to be of excess material (resembling excess patches of solder/weld), not an absence--though the excess is very slight. ("Cracking" was the wrong word; I apologize.) Could this still indicate broaching or skiving marks?

Thanks also for the vote of confidence, hehe. I remain cautious.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Yeah, I'd say they look good. Broaching tool may not have been as sharp as it should have been and may have rubbed, rather than cut, portions of the broach. I wouldn't be worried, it happens.

 

[Superbec]

doubt those markings will influence tool ability to spin fasteners...


one thing you must have in mind , Stainless tools should be only used on stainless or non feritic materials, brass, aluminium or the like , and they are WEAKER than a common tool in crom vanadium .

 

[Wakefield]

Hot forging,cold forging,powdered metal process,casting----
I guess the choices as to how to manufacture are different with stainless as opposed to tool steels--I guess brands such as Armstrong Wright S*K KoKen and Snap On -and China tools have preferred ways of making their sockets

 

[gdocktor3]

Can we seem some pics of the other pieces like ratchets, extensions, universal, etc? What did this set cost?

 

[ptschram]

doubt those markings will influence tool ability to spin fasteners...


one thing you must have in mind , Stainless tools should be only used on stainless or non feritic materials, brass, aluminium or the like , and they are WEAKER than a common tool in crom vanadium .

This

I can't imagine a situation where I'd seek out a stainless tool

 

[rlitman]

This

I can't imagine a situation where I'd seek out a stainless tool

They're appropriate for turning stainless fasteners.

 

[1foxracing]

This looks like the kit, $263.00

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HFJFXXS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Job]

They're appropriate for turning stainless fasteners.

This is one of the reasons I had. I also plan on using these in a saltwater environment. Other possibly reasons to buy stainless include the ability to autoclave or use certain detergents in order to meet sterility requirements.

I appreciate the words of caution and look forward to using these appropriately, as I have decided to keep them. I come from a Ko-ken/Vessel background, so my experience with Snap-on is limited, but both the ratchet and sockets feel good in my hands and rock solid while fastening.

Thanks for curing my cold feet. In a year or so, I might be able to recommend these. In the meantime, the SAE set was $125 on eBay for anyone willing to give stainless a shot (though I cannot locate that auction now.)

 

[gdocktor3]

How's the ratchet? Looks like a bruiser. Do you know how many teeth?

 

[Job]

Ask and ye shall receive.

 

[californiaHank]

I've got a couple of stainless steel screwdrivers - bought them out of curiosity more than need. The theory is that regular tools could contaminate the fasteners. I think they're pretty much overkill for any normal work with SS fasteners, but stainless tools, including wrenches, are real common in the food processing industry and around hospital equipment. I have no plans to buy any, but if someone were to give me a set of Aven SS combo wrenches, I'd happily add them to my boat tool kit.

 

[ssdave]

Stainless tools for stainless fasteners are to avoid contaminating the fastener with steel particles. If you rub stainless with non-stainless steel, it transfers minute particles of iron to the stainless. When those particles rust, they will cause the stainless steel to rust also. This "cancer" of rust continues to grow and damages the stainless steel.

This is why you never want to clean stainless steel items with steel wool.

 

[davethorik]

I wonder what alloy of stainless they use.

 

[Job]

The literature says 400 series and 17-4, but it doesn't say where each alloy was used.

Amen to rust cancer. I already broke the rules when I opened up the ratchet, though. I'll have to be more mindful..

 

[Derek420]

doubt those markings will influence tool ability to spin fasteners...


one thing you must have in mind , Stainless tools should be only used on stainless or non feritic materials, brass, aluminium or the like , and they are WEAKER than a common tool in crom vanadium .

Ditto... Lol... But he's right they don't go through the same hardening process and they would be the best for that rusty crusty bolt on the old car but okay for household use..I could snap one of those in a heart beat at the junk yard or even our mini van we live amongst the rust belt here in Indiana and they put a lot of salt on the road.. If you also live along east coast or mid west I'd just return them if you intended to mainly use them on your auto...Now they don't look bad at all I own thousands of sockets they aren't always perfect but look don't get you down the road. Also you get what you pay for..As for things made in Taiwan I think they produce a lot of nice stuff but you gotta stick to brands that strive for greatness and experience.

 

[rsanter]

I too love stainless, however stainless can rust just like steel can,
It all is determined by what grade of stainless steel is used and what it is exposed to.

The more rust resistant the alloy of stainless, the easier it can rust.

Bob

 

[jdlong]

doubt those markings will influence tool ability to spin fasteners...


one thing you must have in mind , Stainless tools should be only used on stainless or non feritic materials, brass, aluminium or the like , and they are WEAKER than a common tool in crom vanadium .

Yes. Stainless sockets are for stainless fasteners. And they are softer than chrome.

 

[anndel]

Looks like a decent set.

 

[drewvdw]

Ok, I gotta ask, why not regular chrome plated sockets? I've never had a rust issue with them.