Survey with Prize - What Interior Socket Color?

[eschoendorff]

I am not an industrial user, but I like the silver better - as far as looks go. In reality, I would want whatever inside finish was the most durable.

I have noticed that some of my sockets seems to have a coarse inconsistent finish on the inside. To me, that rough inconsistent finish is more of an issue than the color. Oddly enough, I have noticed this issue on USA made sockets - where my imported sockets (like GearWrench) seem almost flawless in finish on the inside. Strange but true...

 

[DaMaN]

Silver color for me. I like them to be same color all around.

I'm not industrial user

 

[rlb1953]

I voted silver. As others have mentioned, silver makes it easier to tell if there is grease and dirt stuck inside. Generally I'll wipe down my tools before I put them away, and by that time it is usually getting dark.

Most of my tools are "industrial" (gray, proto etc) but no, I don't use them for a living.

roger

 

[canbug]

I voted silver because when I do clean my sockets I want to see them all shinny. It doesn't happen all the time, but thats why I voted that way.
I am not an industrial user.

 

[Flash21]

I'm not an industrial user. I like the uniform color inside the socket - so I voted for silver. It allow you to see better inside the socket as well to see if you have some grease or other crud hanging out down there.

 

[cruiser808]

I vote silver. I'm just old school and my equally old school Proto sockets are all silver. I'm a former industrial user; got promoted to a desk and computer.

 

[a390st]

I voted champagne for the interior of the socket. I really don't care to any degree, and it wouldn't even begin to affect my decision of which socket to purchase. I have seen most brands of sockets over the years, and there are more champagne ones out there than people seem to realize.
I would love it if the finish were more durable and rust resistant, though. If they are going to rust, outside of small specks of rust on the chrome, they do so on the inside. It would be nice if for an extra $.25 - $.50 per socket there could be a better finish on the inside. I used to buy A LOT of tools at sales to supply the shop, and have seen more sockets with rusty insides than you can shake a stick at. They may even look new from the outside and be rusted inside. Pretty soon the rust is working its way up the side to the working surfaces and it makes the socket difficult to use.

I am an industrial user.

 

[ToolGlutton]

Not an industrial user.

The color I want is not in the poll. I want black. In that way, the black engine oil will no longer be an issue for my sockets anymore.

I use my impact sockets almost all the time (because they are black), unless the wall is too thick to fit the fastener.

 

[Jbullfrog]

The inside color shouldn't affect the performance of the sockets. Mine get stored with the opening down, so I wouldn't see the inside of them other than when I am cleaning them out. I am a farm shop mechanic and Handyman, which some consider industrial. I have a set of Armstrong 3/4" impact sockets

 

[blue302stang]

I voted for silver since i like the uniform color of a socket. I mainly use impact sockets, but the few chrome ones i do have all have the silver center. It almost looks like the gold is worn already which i really wouldn't want in a new socket. I am an industrial user

 

[hamburglar]

I have to admit I like the idea of color coding. I wonder if you couldn't powder coat the outsides so that all sizes were different colors like some nut drivers?

 

[warrent]

Not industrial user now. I like the silver. Easier to find when you drop in down in the frame. Shiney or shiney.

 

[monkeyplasm]

I say gold primarily because it's a pain getting the nice shiny silver/chrome cleaned up in the interior of sockets (I do a lot of offroad truck work). I could just do a reasonable job of cleaning the sockets' interiors; it's still look pretty good and I can call it a day..until tomorrow when I get them all loaded with grease again.

 

[Mugenlude]

I voted doesn't matter, as long as the strength is the same I don't see any issue. I'm not an industrial user...

I also like the idea of providing a more differentiating color for SAE and Metric sizes.

 

[mickeyone]

Really doesnt matter,but the color coding is good idea for metric and standard.The outsides too with nice laser cut markings in contrast color They dont always go back on the right rack in industrial setting .Easy Id would be big plus .

 

[Stanger]

Color doesn't matter to me. Also not an industrial user.

 

[dxdexter]

I voted "doesn't matter". To be honest they look very similar and if I had purchased a set I would not even notice that they were colored unless I had something to compare them to.

I am not an industrial user, but was during the 80's.

 

[SCguy]

I like the silver. The champagne looks corroded or something at first glance. The silver is basic, yes, but I think you will find most people, including myself prefer sockets of one color.

Industrial Tool User- nope

RD

 

[Merkava_4]

Not an industrial user at this time.

I very much prefer silver inside my sockets.

Thank you.

 

[gotmud13613]

I voted Silver.

It just looks cleaner, and probably easier to clean the grease and gunk out.

I am also impressed on how smooth the GearWrench sockets are inside and out, very easy to keep clean. Although my style cleaning is just putting them in the parts washer at the end of the day, giving them a quick scrub and putting them away.

The champagne to me looks kinda like a (cheap) tainted metal.

I do use some industrial tools.

 

[JB740i]

Doesn't really matter to me although I guess I think silver looks better.

Not an industrial tool user, but I do have some.

 

[dps]

I don't think it much matters, though if you could put a plated or anodized look, it would good looking. Pic borrowed from another thread:

 

[Treorp55]

I voted for silver just thinking that it looks cleaner. But honestly, i will end up using my tools to make a living, so as long as they help me achieve that, it really doesnt matter. Silver just looks cleaner to me!

 

[Itzkwik]

Another vote for it doesn't matter. If they're as good a quality as my other Gearwrench products, the color of the inside won't matter.
Not an industrial user.

 

[Lyaec350]

It doesn't much matter to me, I think the champagne looks a bit like rust though--might want to keep them silver for warranty returns and the like.

I am a home tool user.

 

[tim096]

I voted it does nt matter I love your wrenches

 

[tim096]

I am an industerial user . I work in a fleet shop

 

[RAYJAY]

silver here and yes we are a industrial tool user (newspaper presses)

 

[CAT_serviceman927]

I voted doesn't matter. I work on heavy equipment, I guess that makes me industrial, and my tools get everything from oil and grease to mud and coal powder on them. So chances are, unless it is a socket I rarely use, the inside isn't going to be clean for very long.

 

[Nova72]

silver. the champagne looks dirty right out of the box.

 

[jniolon]

mine is a 'does not matter' response... I think all but my impacts are silver...being Craftsman, Proto and a few snappys... as long as they work like they should, the color adds no function....

been in a steel mill for nearly 40 years... so I guess I'm industrial user

john

 

[grillmasterp]

Non-Industrial User

Interior cosmetic finish does not really matter on good quality tool
If its uniform, I am unlikely to notice
If paint is obvious, I may be concerned that the manufacturer is trying to
hide something.

 

[Crasen]

It doesn't matter to me as long the durability is the same. I mean it is an industrial tool. it can be black oxide for all i care. I am an industrial tool user.

 

[Benw455]

I am not an Industrial tool user. But I perfer the silver.

 

[1320stang]

I voted Silver, and I'm not an industrial user.

Granted, I never knew the inside was painted, I just figured it was chrome on the inside that wasn't shiny, like the inside of my '65 Mustang Bumper.

I do like the idea of differentiating between metric and SAE though. However, my idea would be a groove with color inside of it, or a groove machined in different locations on the two different sockets (at the base where it wouldn't matter) or possibly different knurling patterns.

I don't own any of the laser etched sockets, but getting worn off would worry me even though I'm a hobbiest. And the anodized looking Pittsburg sockets at Harbor Freight look pretty cheap.

 

[wrenchr]

I said silver but the gold looks neat to!!

 

[wrenchr]

Oh and I'm no industrial user!!

 

[Joe B.]

Silver....

Never an industrial user but I have managed operations that have purchased tools for industrial needs.

 

['69 Super Sport]

SILVER It looks much nicer

 

[orangeastre]

Socket's need be no other colour than silver on the inside.
Industrial user mon-fri...