Thinking about new 3/8 sockets
- Thread starter bratwurst
- Start date
Wamsutta
Well-known member
You are confusing Blue-Point with USA made Williams. It's the USA made Williams (not Taiwan made Williams) that are similar in quality to Snap-on.
powertrip
Well-known member
Not the same as Snap-on. Snap-on is USA top tier, Blue Point is their mostly Asian made budget line. I'm almost positive the Blue point sockets are Taiwan. Honestly its sounds like wasted money if you have a decent USA set of Craftsman, you won't notice a difference.
Well I just feel like I could use an extra set of sockets, and I know Cman is not what they used to be.
Maybe I will look around for a used set of mac or cornwell etc
How are Williams tools I never had anything form them?
I bought most of my basic hand tools in the early 90's. I got some bluepoint off the snap-on truck back then. I no longer use it, felt cheap and chunky. It's all been replaced with snap-on and now after my roadbox was stolen, gearwrench! I have had no issues with GW.
jsmeece
Well-known member
https://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=KDT80550P
Look no further! Best deal out there at the moment, well in my opinion.
or If you prefer the 84 teeth ratchets get this one.
http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=KDT80550F
Look no further! Best deal out there at the moment, well in my opinion.
or If you prefer the 84 teeth ratchets get this one.
http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=KDT80550F
Last edited:
Professional Tool User
Well-known member
Snap on currently uses Williams as its industrial tool brand. They've got a US made line and a Taiwan made line. I've got some of their US made sockets which I don't use that much. On an objective basis, the only thing I can tell apart compared to my Snap on sockets is that the tolerances are a bit looser from measuring. Other than that, I can't objectively say anything good or bad about them. If I were to buy them all over again, I probably would have gone with their Made in Taiwan line or other Made in Taiwan options like Tekton. Sockets are one of those things that you don't break that often and you're better off spending the money on things where you can't get away with buying cheap tools.
GrayFlattop
Well-known member
Williams (USA) sockets are very good and typically the best pricing is from Tools delivered:
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/38-Inch-Drive_c_2652.html
Williams was an independent company that has been around for a long time - going back to the 1880'shttp://alloy-artifacts.org/williams-supercompany.html
I don't know exactly when they were purchased by Snap-on, but they are part of the "Snap-on tool group". Williams tools are not the same as Snap-on. Within Williams tools, you can have items made in the US or items imported from Taiwan. While the Quality from Taiwan is likely pretty good - I can't say for certain as I only have US Williams sockets (among others). You can tell the C.O.O. difference with Williams items as the Taiwan items have a numerical part number (31943) whereas the ones produced in the US are alpha-numeric (i.e. MSB-12HRC).
Williams was frequently sold through industrial distribution and as far as I can remember, never really had a lot of visibility.
In terms of quality, if Snap-on is the best socket made (arguably), you're getting about 95 % of the quality for perhaps 25% of the price with Williams.
I'd put Proto right up - between Williams and Snap-on as well. Armstrong (when they were around) was about the same as Williams
Depending on what time period your Craftsman stuff is from, you may have surprisingly good quality to middling quality. I know my Craftsman stuff from the 70's and 80's was top quality and a stone-cold value.
I've worn out a lot of Craftsman tools, but didn't want to get them replaced by something made in China and like you, I felt the need to "upgrade" in the last few years. I have a hodge-podge of SO, Proto, Williams, Armstrong, Bonney and even some Taiwan sockets from OEM.
I've had the chrome peel off of Craftsman as well as Snap-on sockets and the occasional Proto. Chances are good you will be hard-pressed to break any of them. If you feel you need or want additional sockets, buy what you like and can afford. If you use your tools for a living, you will be fine with Williams, Proto or Snap-on.
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/38-Inch-Drive_c_2652.html
Williams was an independent company that has been around for a long time - going back to the 1880'shttp://alloy-artifacts.org/williams-supercompany.html
I don't know exactly when they were purchased by Snap-on, but they are part of the "Snap-on tool group". Williams tools are not the same as Snap-on. Within Williams tools, you can have items made in the US or items imported from Taiwan. While the Quality from Taiwan is likely pretty good - I can't say for certain as I only have US Williams sockets (among others). You can tell the C.O.O. difference with Williams items as the Taiwan items have a numerical part number (31943) whereas the ones produced in the US are alpha-numeric (i.e. MSB-12HRC).
Williams was frequently sold through industrial distribution and as far as I can remember, never really had a lot of visibility.
In terms of quality, if Snap-on is the best socket made (arguably), you're getting about 95 % of the quality for perhaps 25% of the price with Williams.
I'd put Proto right up - between Williams and Snap-on as well. Armstrong (when they were around) was about the same as Williams
Depending on what time period your Craftsman stuff is from, you may have surprisingly good quality to middling quality. I know my Craftsman stuff from the 70's and 80's was top quality and a stone-cold value.
I've worn out a lot of Craftsman tools, but didn't want to get them replaced by something made in China and like you, I felt the need to "upgrade" in the last few years. I have a hodge-podge of SO, Proto, Williams, Armstrong, Bonney and even some Taiwan sockets from OEM.
I've had the chrome peel off of Craftsman as well as Snap-on sockets and the occasional Proto. Chances are good you will be hard-pressed to break any of them. If you feel you need or want additional sockets, buy what you like and can afford. If you use your tools for a living, you will be fine with Williams, Proto or Snap-on.
powertrip
Well-known member
Not what they used to be? What's that got to do with the sockets you already have? That's like getting rid of a perfectly good Detroit made truck because the new ones are made in Mexico even though the Detroit made truck is perfectly usable. I'll never understand this logic. If that's the case everyone will be selling their dad's hand me down Craftsman tools since they aren't what they used to be. Buy new because you want to (like you stated) not because what you have is now currently made in China when yours are USA.
Sent from my SM-G935V using The Garage Journal mobile app
Last edited:
I sometimes wonder if Williams USA sockets might be a bit soft. I have a few that have noticeable dents in them after only a few uses. Trouble is I haven't had a chance to try another brand in the same application to see if I was just pushing things too hard since these were usually one-off situations, like using a 5/8" 8 point on some rusted square head bolts. I like a lot of Williams tools, but I'm a bit unsure about the sockets right now.
Last edited:
Alpine4x4
Well-known member
If you feel the need to upgrade, grab some Snap-On from Ebay. Usually much less expensive than on the truck. I have a mix of Snap-On, Sunex, Pittsburgh, and Cman sockets in my box and cant say the Snappy is worth the price premium to replace perfectly good sockets. The only snappy I buy now is to expand sets I have with too many skips or that I just dont have.
Negen
Well-known member
Depends on what to work on but if you Want something different koken zeal is nice same with non zeal
Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app
_Riddle
Well-known member
I think Gearwrench sockets are still made in Taiwan. I recently picked up a 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2" Gearwrench socket + ratchet sets. The sockets appear to be decent quality, and I like the knurling. The shallow broach on the deep sockets is also a nice feature. The chrome finish isn't as nice as the Tekton sockets I recently bought but it's acceptable. I'd buy them again, but give Tekton a good look too.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
They have two product lines --- they have a Taiwan line that's similar to Blue-Point, and then they have a USA line that's made in the same factory as the Snap-on. Their product catalog will tell you which is which.
sweet victory
Well-known member
Some Blue Blue stuff is USA Made and identical to Snap On. For instance, if you look at their impact locking extensions. The 3/8" Drive ones are branded Snap On. If you look at the 1/4" or 1/2" set, they're branded Blue Point, but have an identical locking mechanism and are USA made. Not sure why they went this route.
But as far as sockets go, you're correct. Williams USA is good stuff; we have several 3/4" drive USA made Williams sets at work. I believe Williams also made sockets for Kobalt in the early 2000's, so if you find usa made Kobalt
sockets on ebay, they're rebranded Williams socket.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Check out toolsdelivered.com. They got some pretty good prices on USA Williams sockets.
AreYaSerious
Well-known member
If they're in good shape I'd rock the USA craftsman sockets. You are not going to notice a difference, they're great sockets.
If you must buy new and must be USA made, Williams.
If you're looking for budget sockets: Gearwrench and Tekton. (Taiwan) other brands are decent too.
If you must buy new and must be USA made, Williams.
If you're looking for budget sockets: Gearwrench and Tekton. (Taiwan) other brands are decent too.
straightcut
Well-known member
I did as Negen suggested and just purchased a set of Koken 6 point 3/8" drive (non Zeal) sockets - excellent quality. I bought them because I needed larger font so I could read the size.
I'm getting old!
A few years ago, I upgraded my ratchets from Craftsman to Snap-On and S-K. It took me a while to adjust to non-quick release, but I'm glad I make the switch!
I'm getting old!A few years ago, I upgraded my ratchets from Craftsman to Snap-On and S-K. It took me a while to adjust to non-quick release, but I'm glad I make the switch!
AreYaSerious
Well-known member
Are they really that good?
Last edited:
Wamsutta
Well-known member
OK --- why is Hazet or Ko-ken superior to Snap-on ? Let's hear it.
Superior design with the undercut/shoulder, and knurling that is actually useful. The tolerances are excellent, they're very strong, and almost always less expensive than USA made. I'll add that everything I've bought from both companies had outstanding fit and finish. It seems like both take pride in QC. Win, win, win...
IMO
Wamsutta, you know how you like the "flippable" S-o wrench design? It's kinda like that, but with sockets.
Ko-ken probably has the deepest bench as far as socket types and sizes than any manufacturer in the world. And they've been doing it since 1925. Hazet has been around since 1868.
Last edited:
AreYaSerious
Well-known member
I swear I'm trying to stick with mid grade tools because I'm not a professional, and I can't justify the costs but I end up adding a few top quality items in my box because of posts like this. Thanks for the informative post.
Mid grade in price maybe, but not in quality. World class in my book.
Gedore has an excellent design too, but they are expensive to get here in the states and they don't have a huge socket selection.
Even if S-o sockets were the same price as Ko-ken or Hazet, I'd still forego the S-o just because of design.
Last edited:
Yep, they have the good design too. Even Gearwrench does. As does Carlyle.
Lots of Taiwan made sockets have the design features I'm talking about.
Just not any USA made, which is a shame.
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.
Last edited:
Jazz1
Well-known member
My SAE Craftsman are 40 years old, any other brand would be a downgrade
If you just want something cheap with decent ratchets see if you can find a Allied/Channellock 171 piece set that’s still made in Taiwan. I got a couple of Allied ones on clearance for $20 10 years ago at Wal-Mart and I use them as beater sets (this was before they boosted the tool count by adding lots of bits to the set). They had 72 tooth ratchets and have held up to all sorts of use and abuse.
I have Craftsman (USA, Chinese, Max Axess, Universal, Mach you name it), Williams, Proto, Snap On, Stanley, etc. Honestly if it isn’t my Metrinch set I use these the other 90% of the time.
I have Craftsman (USA, Chinese, Max Axess, Universal, Mach you name it), Williams, Proto, Snap On, Stanley, etc. Honestly if it isn’t my Metrinch set I use these the other 90% of the time.
Last edited:
driftpin
Well-known member
This past year I bought a set of S-K 1/4" and 3/8" metric and SAE sockets and ratchets, and a set of their flare-nut wrenches in metric and SAE. It was during their 40%-off sale I saw on-here. It was well-worth the expense.
I have a Wright metric 3/8" socket & ratchet set, with a set of their open-ended wrenches, that I was given by my parents over 50 years-ago. They have given me great service.
Those are my two recommendations. I suggest looking at Wright and at S-K. Great quality and reasonable prices. This past week I got an email that S-K is offering 25% off.
I have a Wright metric 3/8" socket & ratchet set, with a set of their open-ended wrenches, that I was given by my parents over 50 years-ago. They have given me great service.
Those are my two recommendations. I suggest looking at Wright and at S-K. Great quality and reasonable prices. This past week I got an email that S-K is offering 25% off.
Last edited:
In agreement with M6er here. If I was doing what the OP is thinking about, I might add Wright for my 3/8" and 1/2" SAEs. Or not. Lots of good choices out there, though.