Which Socket Brand or Brands if Starting From Scratch?

[Thoger]

I always like sk as well. My work box is full of craftsman,proto,sk,cornwell, wera, etc. But my garage set i have found gear wrench to be really good for the money. I also like the sets make tjem easy to take with me when i travel.

 

[Rickster]

Tools break and need to be replaced. If you're buying used you can get any of those manf tools you listed reasonably, but are you going to be able to replace a broken one easily? I have several sets with oddball replacements in them, doesn't bother me a whole lot. But if it would bother you then you may want to target brands that you can easily find replacements for.

 

[Ton ton]

Maybe he could go with Klein tools if he's an electrical best boy.

 

[Bradc1989]

I’m pretty much a proto fan boy as far as wrenches ratchets and sockets go, so I’ll vote for proto

 

[Mr_B]

out of OP choices I go Koken in 1/4 drive for sure .
If you like the Koken features get all in Koken, if not throw in some proto .

 

[CGarage]

I think for 1/4” drive, tolerances matter most.
Koken is excellent for that.
The tolerances are so tight, I think that you could get away with a less precise brand for the 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive sockets……something more mainstream.

 

[RickyPetite]

My toolbox choices agree with the brands you listed. I have enough money to buy brands I feel good supporting but I agree that Snap-on prices are excessive given my needs. I have lots of USA SK chrome sockets and bought as much as I could during their final closeout. Otherwise, I mainly have Proto and Wright. Of these, I prefer Wright since they just seem heavier and better built. For extensions, I really like Koken wobbles. The knurling is the best around. Not a big fan of Wera although I have a few of their ratchets as they seem kind of gimmicky and I rarely reach for them.

 

[NoahG]

Maybe he could go with Klein tools if he's an electrical best boy.

Honestly my most used wrenches when I rigged lighting more regularly were the Gearwrench Quadbox pair, and of course a 6” wide jaw c wrench.

 

[CGarage]

My toolbox choices agree with the brands you listed. I have enough money to buy brands I feel good supporting but I agree that Snap-on prices are excessive given my needs. I have lots of USA SK chrome sockets and bought as much as I could during their final closeout. Otherwise, I mainly have Proto and Wright. Of these, I prefer Wright since they just seem heavier and better built. For extensions, I really like Koken wobbles. The knurling is the best around. Not a big fan of Wera although I have a few of their ratchets as they seem kind of gimmicky and I rarely reach for them.

I have seen poor broaching and finishing in SK sockets recently produced (a set I got about 6 or 8 years ago).
I don’t understand the hoopla around SK. The ratchets are not cutting edge, either.

 

[kngelv]

I think I am going to go with Koken for all the 1/4" stuff. I plan on ordering some today and am looking at their nut grip sockets. We work on dirt bikes and mountain bikes almost daily so I think the Koken will be a good fit. Once received I will make a decision on 3/8" and 1/2" amongst Koken, Proto and Wright. Thanks for all the suggestions.

James

 

[CGarage]

I think I am going to go with Koken for all the 1/4" stuff. I plan on ordering some today and am looking at their nut grip sockets. We work on dirt bikes and mountain bikes almost daily so I think the Koken will be a good fit. Once received I will make a decision on 3/8" and 1/2" amongst Koken, Proto and Wright. Thanks for all the suggestions.

James

I think you should consider the Gray Pneumatic and Sunex offerings for 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive.
Do you need SAE or just Metric? ? ?

 

[kngelv]

Sunex

I think you should consider the Gray Pneumatic and Sunex offerings for 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive.
Do you need SAE or just Metric? ? ?

I'm good on impacts - USA Craftsman and Proto. No Taiwan on regular sockets.

James

 

[redragoon]

I can also add Vessel (screwdrivers), Tone (wrences/ratchets/sockets), KTC (adjustable wrenches), and Engineer (Pliers) from Japan.
These have been great tools in my usage that were near Gearwrench/Taiwan prices. Make an Amazon.jp account and much of it will ship from Tokyo for less than the US distributors.

I can also recommend Stahlwille, Wera, Wiha, and Knipex from Europe.

 

[CGarage]

Sunex

I'm good on impacts - USA Craftsman and Proto. No Taiwan on regular sockets.

James

You’re missing the point. Most everyone says buy impacts instead of chrome sockets these days. They can do the job of both.

 

[mslim]

I was under Local 2 when I lived in Chicago, now I work for a display fabrication studio.

Is it still called "wingnut" work?

 

[NoahG]

Is it still called "wingnut" work?

Lol no I never heard that one but I like it, gonna add it to my lexicon.

 

[Grokew]

It’s all based on preference for me but if I was starting out today my choices would be Tekton, Capri, or anything from the auto parts stores which have all came a long way with tools in the last few years. At least in my opinion and I say that from a standpoint of using the tools on an everyday basis at both home and work. I’ve yet to break anything from any of those brands. I have tools from the four big parts stores and they all hold up really well. I do have my fancy stuff too but honestly for most things I find myself grabbing the less expensive stuff. I’ve used the German stuff like Hazet, Stahlwhile, etc and they just don’t feel as good as a decent made Taiwan or USA tool. What I did when I started was go to the pawn shop and piece together stuff. I can fill up a box for $20 so that was the cheapest route to go. Proto, Williams and Wright aren’t bad either just not readily available like the stuff I listed. But it’s all preference and that’s what I would do if starting out. Hopefully you find the best options for you.

Would you seriously consider Duralast?

 

[Robs94Bronco]

Depends on how much money you are willing spend. Over priced rent-to-own tools and 20%+ financing and waiting a week to get stuff "repaired".... find a tool truck.
Internet based tools are a good option like Tekton, Sunex etc. but the warranty process is labor intensive. I would just do the Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, Harbor Freight brands. Warranty process is much easier and convenient.

 

[Steve_P]

You’re missing the point. Most everyone says buy impacts instead of chrome sockets these days. They can do the job of both.

You could probably do this on 1/2" drive and get by 90%+ of the time; you couldn't do the same on 1/4 and 3/8 drive because of thickness of the impact sockets reduce access. I'm surprised I'm typing this on GJ, but...
Also, WRT your other comments, the reason a lot of industrial brands don't sell on Amazon is because they'd put their local B&M dealers out of business. These are the guys that have been selling their tools for 50+ years in some cases. When internet sales first started off you could buy PPG automotive paint online. PPG quickly put a stop to this as it was hurting their small dealers.

 

[DAustin]

Snap on all the way. In this scenario I'll be rich and have a Megan Fox look-alike come in and clean my tools every day. Not that I've ever thought about something like this.

 

[threewood]

I have 2013 era SK and Proto. I would not buy SK ever again. The Proto are good considering the price. I have been looking at used Snap On as replacements for the SK.

 

[dnschmidt]

I really like TOPTUL. The prices you quoted are when they made US market entry. It seems the current price levels have made them much less attractive as a value option compared to what they were once priced at in the recent past.

That's because I wasn't trying to get rich but just keep busy. That stated they still are, at twice the price I charged, the best bang for the buck on planet Earth.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

An addendum for anyone curious. The wait time on Williams MiUSA is pretty long if it’s out of stock. I’m still getting bits and pieces from orders 2-4 months ago. So if you want sockets today, I’d go Proto. Ko-ken varies but if it’s out of stock it’s usually a couple of weeks.

 

[mikester]

All of my 1/4" 6 pt stuff is older Craftsman with a couple of Kobalt and Blackhawk sockets making up sizes Craftsman didnt offer. The 3/8" 6 pts that stay in the garage are also older Craftsman.Ive got SAE and Metric 12pt Proto shallow sockets on rails for trips to the junkyards.
Years ago I bought misc Toptul 1/2" sockets. They werent bad in my opinion but at the time a few sizes were out of stock from Mike Wren. I wound up selling all of the Toptul sockets I had in an ad here on the forum. To replace them I bought Tekton 6 pt shallow and deep sets. Ive been using them for over a year and honestly I think theyre really good quality for the price.
They have every size I would ever use. Free shipping. Im sure theyll last me for a long time.

 

[CGarage]

That's because I wasn't trying to get rich but just keep busy. That stated they still are, at twice the price I charged, the best bang for the buck on planet Earth.

I am lost. Are you the US TOPTUL importer / distributor?

 

[Boogerman]

Really depends on your perspective. If you trying to get by cheap like many recommend, buy import set impact sockets and HF ratchet and be done. If you want to use nice tools last your lifetime and tailored more to work better and more pleasant to use, buy Proto. Or Williams USA second choice. I've had lots Williams, old and new, good but prefer Proto. Koken nice, but hard to source. Wright I've had and they okay, but nothing get excited about.

I have focused my tools after 40+ years of buying/using a wide range on Proto for most tools, and Snap-on for the rest, with a few others thrown in. I prefer Proto sockets above all others, except 1/4" drive, where I prefer Snap-on. Koken I've tried have been good, but lack availability eliminates them. Unless your hobby is seeking out obscure sources on internet. I'd wager I've bought, used, worn out, and sold 50 to 100 times the tools you own and use as a hobbyist, so this perspective is from heavy use and experience, not from GJ tool collector. So, keep that in mind, it biases me towards something different than many. I'm concerned with reliability and performance and satisfaction in use, not towards impressive layouts in a model home toolbox display and cost savings.

If you really have no preference between the ones you mentioned, just buy the ones most easily purchased by you in the range of tools you want. Or, if money an objective, the ones cheapest. Cost not concern to me, so Proto/Snap-on recommendation reflects that. The best, not the best for the money. With a few shiny Koken and SK superchromes thrown in, and a few old favorite Indestro, Wizard, Williams, Bahco, Wiha, Klein, MAC, Cornwell, etc. And every quality plier brand known; pliers desirability more on design/quality than brand.

 

[dnschmidt]

I am lost. Are you the US TOPTUL importer / distributor?

Was.

 

[CGarage]

I have never found a Proto ratchet to be that amazing that I would go out of my way for it. I prefer the external knurling on sockets like Snap-On and Hazet. The Koken sockets are really, really precisely made and the fit is almost too good.

 

[username2]

Jumping into this pretty late, but I'd probably buy a set of Hecho en Taiwan impact sockets and call it good. Brand is fairly unimportant as long as it seems reasonably well known. The large sets seems pretty cheap.

If you've got tolerably thin wall impacts already, you might consider whether you need new ones at all.

 

[John Timmins]

I retired from the merchant marine. Every US flag ship I was on had WILLIAMS tools. Most everything was ordered from the Grainger catalog. We HAD to have quality tools on ships. We weren't interested in the warranty.....just good tools. I would not hesitate to buy Williams sockets.

I would like to add that a friend of mine retired as the only 50 year Snap-On dealer. What he offered younger mechanics is the Blue Point line of tools to keep their expenses down. He would sell them Blue Point sockets and replace the ratchet with the equivalent Snap On. Some day if the guy remained a mechanic and wanted to upgrade, he would buy back the Blue Point sockets and give the guy a "skinny deal" of the SO sockets.

 

[jgeoffr]

Just picked up some Proto metric sockets and a set of Torx bit sockets to replace some Craftsman. Very pleased with the finish so far with the exception of the socket rails. Wasn't thrilled at all to put the clips on the rails and it is literally painful to lock in some of the smaller sockets going to move to an alternative rail system ASAP!

 

[roofdweller49]

Yeah those Proto rails **** (the snap on stamped steel ones are equally crappy to get the smaller sockets off)

I have 2013 era SK and Proto. I would not buy SK ever again. The Proto are good considering the price. I have been looking at used Snap On as replacements for the SK.

What did you not like about the SK? I always read about how good SK stuff is/was - but it seems to be all old timers who last purchased tools in 1975 - I can never find anything metric on the used side of things anyway - the old ratchets seem charming in the same way an old car can be charming, I guess (I feel the same way about the ancient 24 tooth Proto ratchets)

 

[Steve_P]

all of my SK sockets are from 5-10 years ago and are great, no issues. The SK chrome is prettier than Williams USA, which I think is because of SK using hexavalent chromium vs trivalent for Williams; at least that's what it appears like on what I have.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Yeah those Proto rails **** (the snap on stamped steel ones are equally crappy to get the smaller sockets off)


What did you not like about the SK? I always read about how good SK stuff is/was - but it seems to be all old timers who last purchased tools in 1975 - I can never find anything metric on the used side of things anyway - the old ratchets seem charming in the same way an old car can be charming, I guess (I feel the same way about the ancient 24 tooth Proto ratchets)

Ideal-era SK had all kinds of finish issues. I remember reading about how great SK was from the guys on here and then buying stuff from about 5 years ago and it all had issues from flaking chrome to off-center broaching on the sockets. I still have a set of metric SK sockets but I absolutely trash the **** out of them because I can't stand them as they rust like crazy, the ball detents on the inside of the square drive are so inconsistent that half the sockets just pull right off the ratchet without any real effort, and they are loose as all hell once on the ratchet. If they didn't have so many problems I would've bought a ton of sets. They are really strong and fit the fasteners great. I think the SK of yesteryear was the better option. The ratchets have always been great, at least for me. I thoroughly enjoy my SK roundhead ratchets.

 

[jgeoffr]

Yeah those Proto rails **** (the snap on stamped steel ones are equally crappy to get the smaller sockets off)


What did you not like about the SK? I always read about how good SK stuff is/was - but it seems to be all old timers who last purchased tools in 1975 - I can never find anything metric on the used side of things anyway - the old ratchets seem charming in the same way an old car can be charming, I guess (I feel the same way about the ancient 24 tooth Proto ratchets)

On the plus side I found a good use for my SK 7635 lock ring pliers. The straight tips fit perfectly in the clips and enabled me to expand them to fit on the rail.

 

[GTO]

If I had to start all over again, I would go with Tekton.

 

[Nutria]

I was in this position in 2015. I was in a hurry to get stuff replaced ASAP, so I went with CMan Industrial, available at that time from Summit. If I had been in less of a hurry, I would have just hit the sales and fleas to get me most of the way there with used USA stuff.

 

[Old Donn]

As an amateur, my USA made Craftsman have done the job. That said, if I had to start over, it would be Tekton and/or Gear Wrench. Better than average quality at a price that won't require a 2nd mortgage.

 

[BWWgarage]

Starting again it would probably be Koken sockets, Williams extensions, snap on ratchets, screwdrivers and pry bars, knipex pliers/cutters, wera Allen wrenches.

Not sure about wrenchs, I’m loving the facom 440 set, but not sure if I’d want a regular profile too.

Reviving an old thread ... curious why you would do Williams extensions? Thanks!

 

[f121]

Reviving an old thread ... curious why you would do Williams extensions? Thanks!

The Williams Taiwan extensions I’ve got are really nicely made, the locking ones work well and are a fraction of the price of snap on.