Where does Tekton rank?
- Thread starter CoThG
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BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I’d say it’s right in the middle maybe a little higher between low end and top of the line. Good tools with a great warranty. It’s pretty much the Craftsman of its time.
This is the real answer. It's in that muddy middle with Gearwrench, Sunex, etc.
What are your needs for sockets? Pro mechanic? Weekend warrior? Homeowner/maintenance type? Do you currently have a problem with rounding fasteners? Chrome peeling? Just worn out? All that matters and you are the only one with the pertinent answers.
My opinion is that Tekton sockets are very adequate with zero frills. Individuals sizes readily available and some of the best customer service in the business. I have some that function fine (for me). Not fitment or finish issues. I won;t compare to things I don't have experience with so I won't compare them to "tool truck" brands. I have mostly SK which I like better for probably no reasons other than I paid a lot more for them and I really try to support domestic tool makers.
Good luck.
My opinion is that Tekton sockets are very adequate with zero frills. Individuals sizes readily available and some of the best customer service in the business. I have some that function fine (for me). Not fitment or finish issues. I won;t compare to things I don't have experience with so I won't compare them to "tool truck" brands. I have mostly SK which I like better for probably no reasons other than I paid a lot more for them and I really try to support domestic tool makers.
Good luck.
Your Craftsman are already flank drive.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
No. Your USA sockets likely already have this as most sockets made in the last several decades.
My Craftsman sockets are 1970s to mid 1980s vintage. They don't look like they have a flank drive like broaching.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
If you're not having issues I wouldn't be dying to upgrade. Although I would agree your sockets are old enough to potentially have normal pointed corner design.
Well stated. Good tools at a good price with a great warranty. To get much better, you have to pay a lot more or search for used and NOS… which is a fun time in and of itself… but not everyone can really afford to do this.
Lucid Moments
Well-known member
No. I am a fan of Tekton because for me they hit the sweet spot for price and quality and they have fantastic customer service and they sell single so when I loose that damn 10mm (again) it is easy to buy just that one. But unless you are having problems with your Craftsman sockets or are missing a bunch and don't like mismatched sets then it isn't worth a do over for Tekton.
Thanks for the insight, but what about upgrading to Snap On?
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Absolutely, I'm a shareholder so go big.
Get all of the things.
Can you post pictures?
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Are we talking six point or 12 point Craftsman sockets? If 12 point, nope, no off corner engagement back in the day. Six point, maybe but, it was less noticeable back in the day. However, if the Craftsman are still getting the job done all of these years later, why upgrade?
Unless the Craftsman are failing to perform the tasks you demand of them, save your money
It's a mix of both.Are we talking six point or 12 point Craftsman sockets? If 12 point, nope, no off corner engagement back in the day. Six point, maybe but, it was less noticeable back in the day. However, if the Craftsman are still getting the job done all of these years later, why upgrade?
Unless the Craftsman are failing to perform the tasks you demand of them, save your money
rancherbill
Well-known member
Do you have a problem with rounding fasteners? There are many problems and other places to spend money
kudakev615
Well-known member
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could you just put this info in your signature so that its at the bottom of every single one of your post. its so redundant and it would save you having to type it out multiple times a week
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Lucid Moments
Well-known member
I would not upgrade to Snap On myself. I am strictly a home gamer and for that purpose I think that the benefits of Snap On sockets just do not match the cost of their product. I do admit that I have a few Snap On ratchets and I am a fan of those, but I admit that for me they are a pure luxury, and that a Tekton ratchet (I have a few of those too) or for that matter a Craftsman would do the same job for me.
I don't want anyone to think I am knocking Snap On here. If you are a professional mechanic they are absolutely justifiable, and if you have disposable income and just want to have a really great tool then go for it. But in my opinion for an amateur the cost benefit analysis (as informal as mine is) just doesn't work.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Fantastic idea. However, I don't know how to do that. Don't feel bad or left out. Call your broker and buy some SNA so you can get on the gravy train too.could you just put this info in your signature so that its at the bottom of every single one of your post. its so redundant and it would save you having to type it out multiple times a week
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Received my first Craftsman tool kit (ratchets and sockets) back in 1980 as a HS graduation gift. They are NOT flank drive style. A few years ago I replaced them with US made Williams sockets (they have versions made in Taiwan). Williams is supposedly the OEM for Snap-on sockets. Living in Massachusetts where they salt the roads and with my newest car a 2006, I deal with rust. There is no comparison on how well the Williams sockets grip compared to the old Craftsman, and I am removing bolts that I didn't expect to.
Recently, I was helping a friend remove a very rusted bolt that held on the agitator to his washing machine. His five year old Craftsman sockets (with flank drive) had rounded off the bolt. My Williams socket was able to grab on to, and unfortunately, further round the bolt.
I purchased the socket sets from Zoro who in turn had the sets dropped shipped from Williams. While they fit the nuts and bolts very well, the stamping of the numbers is incredibly poor. They are shallow and my aging eyes find them difficult to read, many don't even have a consistent stamping depth. One was stamped upside down. Also, the sets shipped from the factory often had two of the same socket or were missing a socket. Zoro, to their credit, quickly took care of the incorrectly assembled sets.
They are getting the job done in a rusty environment, wish I had bought them sooner.
If your socket slips while torquing down a fastener, then it is worn out and needs to be replaced. If not, then what you have is fine. I have noticed 12pt tends to wear faster than 6pt, but you have to use the socket A LOT for this to happen.
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Like others have said I’d keep the sockets. BUT, craftsman ratchets of that era have terrible back drag. If that bothers you as much as it bothers me, I’d replace the ratchets. I did and I’m very happy with the Tekton ratchets. Or, if you want to splurge, try a SO dual 80.
ihateminimumwage
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...In 6 months or so when they're back in stock.
timc930
Well-known member
I upgraded all of my craftsman (wrenches/sockets/extensions/pliers/screwdrivers etc to SK, and ratchets to Snapon.
I did buy some Gearwrench floppy box head ratcheting wrenches.
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IRQVET
Well-known member
I just upgraded my old Craftsmen set to a new Tekton set, I love these things personally.
I got the 3/8 master set and (2) 1/4 sets in both SAE and metric. Made $44 buck on this purchase in loyalty bucks, and bought a few more Tekton toys.
From the research I’ve done, Tekton is in the upper middle quality wise. Unless your making a living with this stuff, that should be considered moving forward.
But a full set with no skips and braker bar included, its a no brainer at this price IMHO.
I got the 3/8 master set and (2) 1/4 sets in both SAE and metric. Made $44 buck on this purchase in loyalty bucks, and bought a few more Tekton toys.
From the research I’ve done, Tekton is in the upper middle quality wise. Unless your making a living with this stuff, that should be considered moving forward.
But a full set with no skips and braker bar included, its a no brainer at this price IMHO.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
To get an honest opinion, you'd have to have a guy who has extensive experience with both Tekton and truck brand sockets. Usually a guy will have one or the other; not both.
Mekks082
Active member
Sold the rest of my Craftsman G2D sets and replaced with tekton. Was sick of them breaking and chrome peeling.
I ordered the big set of chrome 1/2” drive metric sockets a few years back. They’re ok. Not great, not awful. Had I think two sockets with some sharp burrs on the edges but a file fixed that pretty fast. I like the fact the set doesn’t skip sizes. Being totally honest at the end of the day I probably wouldn’t buy it again.
VolvoRyan
Well-known member
I'm a super snob with lots of tool truck and other "high end" sockets.
Tekton is awesome. My whole salvage yard tool kit is Tekton... and they get abused. Their kits are well thought out. I absolutely adore their 1/4" metric socket/ratchet/extension kit. I have two of these, but the previous version with the spinner handle that I can plug the ratchet into.
Tekton definitely leads that "niche" by a mile. I had trouble with Gearwrench sockets camming open and not giving me my fastener back. Not so with Tekton.
-Ryan
turnthewrench 2.0
Well-known member
That would be an upgrade, but do you need it?
JohntheKDguy
Member
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2023
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- 21
I have two Tekton tamper proof torx sets that I have yet to use any of. I do not turn wrenches for a living so I may never need them. Just wanted them.
One thing for sure about Tekon though. Once you are on their mailing
Iist they will never leave you alone.
One thing for sure about Tekon though. Once you are on their mailing
Iist they will never leave you alone.
IRQVET
Well-known member
Not related to their chrome sockets, but I recently made my first warranty claim regarding several of there impact sockets, and the laser etching wearing off. Mine were about 5-7 years old, they warrantied them with no issues. Which was refreshing.
Their newer versions are etched and stamped, which is a much better design IMHO.
Their newer versions are etched and stamped, which is a much better design IMHO.