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Thinking about new 3/8 sockets

I

Ilikeike

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Joined
Jan 8, 2015
Messages
2,452
Location
Northern Ca.
I've been replacing and adding to my 30~50 year old Craftsman tools and moving the CMan to the carhualer tool box,truck and cabin,
going with mostly SK in 1/4" and 3/8" and Proto are filling my 1/2" socket trays since they're easy for me to get a Grainger 20min away and I get a discount,that helps.

I really like the new Wright grip wrenches I just bought, they're very nice.,Summit Racing price matched a set I found cheaper elsewhere,and 1 day free shipping. I'd like to see some of their sockets.

Ratchets,
I have a couple proto .SK and Carlyle ratchets, Carlyle are real nice for the price,and the rest of the Carlyle line I've seen at NAPA look good also.
But,
I prefer Snap-on,they just feel the smoothest to me compared to most. I've purchased 3 Snap on ratchets on ebay in the last couple of months.
 
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Firebrick43

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May 12, 2015
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14,261
Location
West central Indiana
I have a hazet set of socket and while differs they are not better unless your a germophile. The only tool of their is "superior" is ther deep offset box end wrenches.

It's of my opionion that Sk is equal to snap on in quality (but not QC). The price and chrome quality has been excellent. I have however had a mis stamped one and a 1/4 drive included in a 3/8 set. Both promptly replaced.

Wright are damn good sockets just not as bright chrome as sk. More expensive than sk but my 3/4 and 1" size are all wrights due to a great deal (used)

Proto is under wright but plain, still strong. Thier hex bit sockets are superior to anyone else's including snap on.

Williams USA are ok but they are soft and I have chrome peeling issues on sockets
 
D

dr_clyde

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Joined
Jan 7, 2009
Messages
6,481
Location
Holland, MI
I have Blue-Point, USA Craftsman, SK, and Snap-On sockets. Some odd Matco and Proto here and there.

The Blue-Point sockets are an excellent deal for the money. They are very high quality, reasonably priced, and have the same lifetime warranty with truck service.

I bought my Snap-On sockets because they were on sale, and I wanted them. No other real practical reason, the Cman and BP I was using were fine.

I've only ever broken SK and Cman sockets. I did strip out one of my BP sockets, but I was driving thousands of pole barn screws with it, and it was my fault.

The BP kits have a TON of sizes, they are very complete. Same with my SO. They included sizes I have never even used.

SK stops a bit short of the others size wise in their sets, but the sockets are very nice, and other than the one I broke, never had a problem with them. The smaller deeps are more like semi-deeps, so if you really need the depth, get another brand.
 
M

MadMark

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Sep 21, 2009
Messages
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Location
New York City
M6erfan said:
Yep, they have the good design too. Even G
There's a rumor that Tekton is redesigning their sockets and if they add these features, with their B&M and Amazon presence, I think they will be big winners in the U.S market.
Click to expand...

M6erfan, I'd like to hear more about a Tekton redesign.
Their current stuff reminds me of TopTul.
 
M

M6erfan

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Dec 6, 2014
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'Merica!
MadMark said:
M6erfan, I'd like to hear more about a Tekton redesign.
Their current stuff reminds me of TopTul.
Click to expand...

I would too. There was a thread a while back where Dave from Tekton eluded too a socket redesign, I haven't heard anything since...
 
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lbhsbz

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Jan 13, 2010
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Location
Long Beach CA
M6erfan said:
I agree that there will be no noticable difference going from your C'man sockets to Williams, Proto, etc. Heck, even Snap-on.

You want to try something different (and superior IMO) try Hazet or Ko-ken.
Click to expand...

I disagree. The reason my toolbox is full of Snappy and some MAC sockets is the depth of the broach. In automotive work, many fasteners are started with a socket, and if a short bolt falls to the bottom of the socket, it's a pain. Craftsman has always had a very deep broach, along with most other brands (at least 20 years ago).
 
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M6erfan

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'Merica!
lbhsbz said:
I disagree. The reason my toolbox is full of Snappy and some MAC sockets is the depth of the broach. In automotive work, many fasteners are started with a socket, and if a short bolt falls to the bottom of the socket, it's a pain. Craftsman has always had a very deep broach, along with most other brands (at least 20 years ago).
Click to expand...

Fair enough, but whenever the subject of broaching comes up some love shallow, some love deep broaching. So it's really personal preference.

I have shallow broached sockets and still sometimes have to shove a bit of paper towel in there to hold the nut out enough.
 
N

Negen

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Joined
Jul 15, 2015
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Location
Seatltle WA
AreYaSerious said:
How is that an upgrade to USA Craftsman?
Click to expand...
I am not sure about Williams but proto has proper detents. Craftsman that I had/have are double detents which do not always work proper with wobble extensions. With Sk it is hit or miss if they will even come with detents. Proto has some really nice chrome much better than craftsman. Even black hawk seems to be an upgrade to craftsman.

Nothing wrong with craftsman if you have them I wouldn't replace them but would get some specific sockets you may need. Universal joint or low profile. Some years of craftsman do seem better than others. The older the better it seems. The laser etched I hate the most.

Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app
 
OP
B

bratwurst

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Jan 12, 2019
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Wa state
So I looked at a set of bluePoint sockets today and boy they are good quality from the looks of them
 
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Tallpilot

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Jan 13, 2017
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Location
Orlando
M6erfan said:
Fair enough, but whenever the subject of broaching comes up some love shallow, some love deep broaching. So it's really personal preference.

I have shallow broached sockets and still sometimes have to shove a bit of paper towel in there to hold the nut out enough.
Click to expand...

Like so many options it is situational which is better. I ended up with Williams deep sockets with a shallow broach and Gearwrench mid length with a deeper broach. That has seemed to cover most situations so far.
 
J

JiminAZ

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Joined
Jul 11, 2018
Messages
341
Location
Phoenix, AZ
OP I went down this road over the past year. My early 80s Cman socket sets were worn, lost, and a few cracked over the years. Sears demise was obvious but in the end I wanted new sockets. I’m a home user. Just wanted new good stuff.

I also wanted US made. Snap on pricing was past my flinch point, and the truck model doesn’t work well for a home user.

I tried SK, US Williams, and Proto. Watched for deals and took my time. SK from HJ Epstein, US Williams mostly from Amazon whenever their pricing algorithm dropped prices below market, also used eBay for used as new US Williams. Bought Proto used as new from the classifieds here at GJ.

If I had to pick one for metric 3/8 drive it would be Proto. The reason is simple. They’re all quality, but Proto has large size stamping in the sockets and that makes things easier for my older eyes.

The others are good too. Pick any and you’ll be fine.
 
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