Im a weekender like the OP. Im confused as to what the original question was.
Are you looking for a set of 1/2 drive sockets that you don't have? And you have a problem with rounding bolts?
If you dont have any 1/2 drive sockets, go ahead with the SK 6 points.
If you have 1/2 drive sockets in 12 point, but dont have 6 point, go ahead with the SK 6 points.
If you already have the CM 1/2 drive in 6 point, then I guess I'd say, keep the CM and spend your money elsewhere and buy a different tool - as a fellow weekender with no air, a variety of big long breaker bars has been immensely helpful.
First of all, thanks to everyone who has responded to what seems to be "another Cman thread." I linked up some of (what I thought were) the more informative ones above. All replies were very helpful.
ajchien:
This thread is a little long, so my replies to this are buried in the thread. Basically, some of the fasteners I deal with have seen repetitive removal and installation. Specifically, I replaced these bolts because I didn't like how the fastener heads looked. Its not rounding as much as wear. Seeing some of the fancier tools, I was wondering if the "better" brands would limit this problem. The SK seems a little different inside the socket, so I brought them up. Do they grip better? Is their claim on "SureGrip" something real that is better on the fasteners? Someone above brought up how fasteners arent built to close tolerances, which is a solid point. Pipster (?) brought up Cman tolerances as good. However, do the "better" brands actually work better? Do they last longer for a guy like me (not professional). No, I'm not tied to that brand. USA made is key, though.
I have an incomplete 1/2 inch set. If I was going to round that out, I was thinking about upgrading to something "better," and that lead me to a series of questions on quality, fastner fit, and comparing the past, present, and possible future of Cman tools. You are investing in a tool line, and the availability, move to foreign sources (don't want), and possible quality is something I was considering in this decision.
Frankly, I was a little suprised about some of the focus on chrome in the other threads. I'm not sure what to think about all that. I do like the corrosion resistance, and no sharp chrome peel edges to cut my hands (as one poster in another thread discussed,) but I've never seen it on my older Cmans. I've never factored that into my decision, and I still don't know what to make of it. My Cman sockets have never been an issue with flaking. Breakage never seems to be a concern, either. I really like the 6 point Cman RP wrenches, and my ratchets are fine (some SK, some slim Cman), so this was just limited to sockets I was going to buy.
I do like the 1/2 inch and use it when I can. Feels good to me, so I wanted to broaden that tool range. I like 6 points and their grip on the fastener.
People on this board seem experienced and are quick to give you their opinion - which is much appreciated. Before I went and spend some more of my hard earned money, I wanted to ask about this. Reading the information on here steered me away from the Cman torque wrench, which was a big help. I need to be smart with my money, and I'm going to be at this for a while (knock on wood), so I was weighing the pros/cons of moving "up" from Cman.
Considering the previous threads, I should amend my equation from USA made + value - to - USA made + Value + Functional. I don't care if the chrome is dark or has an imperfection. Sharp, slicey, flakey edges are a no-no, but I really just want the job done and done right, and I'd like the tools to last (corrosion resistance and durability) and hold my fasteners well. Thats what "better" means to me.
Added:
I've never seen a non abused Cman socket fail (abused generally seems to be, from a non-pro standpoint, a chrome socket in an impact gun or wrong drive socket for the job), but if the new ones are in anyway less durable, I'd like to know that too. Who whats something to break when theyre "getting on it." Cmans don't seem to do this on me, and, with a proper quality tool used correctly, I don't expect them too. If theyre getting worse in this regard, I want to know about it. Thats obviously a factor, but I
seriously doubt that its a concern here. I will pay $200 more, easily if that ever is the case. My hands are valuable to me.
So I take the blame. I didn't even try to warranty it.
