Who all makes drive accessories?
- Thread starter jeejay
- Start date
The point is, half the time I get results from wholesalers in China or India when doing general searches, so I'm looking to find part numbers to search for instead (seems to work better, based on the few online catalogs I've found so far).
B_Bimmer
Well-known member
What kind of "drive accessories" are you looking for?
beamrider
Well-known member
Glad to see I'm not the only one wondering.
454ragtop
Well-known member
You're kidding right? Name any co. that makes sockets and they most likely make "drive accessories".
That's fine, what I'm asking then is for you to name any/every co. who makes sockets...
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B_Bimmer
Well-known member
I really like the newer proto extensions. The knurling is what I consider perfect for depth and position. Tolerances matter with any drive accessories as well. Poor quality results in slop in every joint that makes turning in a tight spot frustrating. I always wanted to set up a test with a tower of several extensions and measure degrees of movement, then compare between several brands and drive sizes, the results would be very interesting to me.
Anyway, a list of manufacturers I would consider if I were searching for such things: Mac, Snap On, Proto, SK, and depending on the item readily available vintage craftsman. I like my tools to say USA, if you don't there is also gearwrench, harbor fright, random Japanese manufacturers, some pretty decent European companies, and literally thousands of other brands and rebrands.
Anyway, a list of manufacturers I would consider if I were searching for such things: Mac, Snap On, Proto, SK, and depending on the item readily available vintage craftsman. I like my tools to say USA, if you don't there is also gearwrench, harbor fright, random Japanese manufacturers, some pretty decent European companies, and literally thousands of other brands and rebrands.
Thanks, I'm really considering all of them based on random criteria, because I've found that different lengths, drive sizes, or other functional variations—apart from whatever are most typical—tend to be nobody's specialty, like one or two things by one company and one or two by another (SK for example make x-frame wrenches, oh the innovation, interesting nonetheless), so that's how I've found out about the few tool makers I know of (and will add those here for everyone's info).
So, in alphabetical order, I'll include links to the drive accessories category or tools in general (as I find them or as recommended):
* under construction
So, in alphabetical order, I'll include links to the drive accessories category or tools in general (as I find them or as recommended):
- Allied acc. (AlliedInternational)
- AmPro (hand acc. / impact acc.)
- Apex (in tools, ApexGroup)
- Armstrong (in tool subcategories, ApexGroup)
- ATD (chrome acc. / impact acc.)
- Bahco (drive acc. by size)
- Capri (socket bits)
- Carlyle (in tools, by Napa)
- ChannelLock (sets)
- Craftsman (in catalog)
- Crescent acc. (ApexGroup)
- Draper (in socketry by size)
- Duralast (hand tools, at AutoZone)
- Expert (drive acc. by size, ExpertBritool / StanleyExpert)
- EzRed (ratchets)
- Facom (drive acc. by size, StanleyFacom)
- GearWrench acc. (ApexGroup)
- Gedore (in catalog)
- Genius (in hand / impact / automotive)
- GreyPneumatic acc.
- Hans (hand acc. / impact acc.)
- HarvestForge acc. (AlliedInternational)
- Heyco acc.
- Husky (hand tools, at HomeDepot)
- IngersollRand (impact acc. by size)
- Irwin (bit holders / impact acc.)
- KingTony (hand acc. / impact acc.)
- Knipex (insulated acc. in catalog)
- Kobalt (mechanic's tools, etc. at Lowes)
- Koken (drive acc. by subcategory/size)
- Mac acc. (StanleyMacTools)
- Napa (in catalog)
- PerformanceTool (in hand / pro, WilmarCorp)
- Pittsburgh (at HFT)
- ProGrade acc. (AlliedInternational)
- Proto acc. (ProtoBlackhawk / ProtoExpert / StanleyProto)
- Sidchrome (acc., etc. StanleySidchrome)
- SK (in catalog)
- Snap-on (hand tools, drive acc. by size)
- Stahlwille (hand acc. / impact acc.)
- Stanley (socket acc. / automotive sets, StanleyStanley, pizzapizza?)
- Steelman (in pro / tools)
- Sunex (in socket subcategories)
- Taparia acc.
- Tekton acc. (MichiganIndustrial)
- Titan (in mechanic's tools)
- Toptul (in products/catalog)
- Urrea (in catalog)
- USAG (acc. in catalogue, StanleyUSAG, there's the pizza!)
- VIM acc. (& more in catalog)
- Wera (drive acc. by ratchet style)
- Witte (drive bits)
- Wright (drive acc. by size)
* under construction
and the rest are for a rainy day...
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four.cycle
Well-known member
jeejay said:
List of US Tool Brands and Manufacturers:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5858981#post5858981
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four.cycle
Well-known member
jeejay - I do not see WRIGHT on your list there.
nice stuff. not cheap.
nice stuff. not cheap.
General Geoff
Well-known member
Don't forget Koken. They make all kinds of neat stuff for socket wrenches. Check out this multi wrench. The possibilities of configuration are endless with extensions and breaker bars.
They also make the best wobble-fix extensions IMO.
They also make the best wobble-fix extensions IMO.
Attachments
hautpot
Well-known member
Steritool, ISI, Hazet, Stahwille, Gedore, Nepros, CW, Proxxon, Felo, Fuller, Wiha, Knipex, Taparia, Tone, Koken, Lezyne, USAG, Apex, Bahco, Beitou, the list is endless.
I could very easily grab a list for you of sockets made from every material, for every possible machine, from every continent... but why???? just stick to the ones that are talked about the most.
I could very easily grab a list for you of sockets made from every material, for every possible machine, from every continent... but why???? just stick to the ones that are talked about the most.
mixing up too many brands can also bit you in the *** 
some companies put the ball slightly off or taper extensions and drive broaches a little differently, so while everything will work, you won't get the most out of the system. Also there is alot of production variance, and slop is a hassle, its oftentimes not unreasonable to wantt to test this before you commit to a purchase, this is true no matter what brand or price. But most companies make parts that play well together and this isn't rocket science if you use common sense.
some companies put the ball slightly off or taper extensions and drive broaches a little differently, so while everything will work, you won't get the most out of the system. Also there is alot of production variance, and slop is a hassle, its oftentimes not unreasonable to wantt to test this before you commit to a purchase, this is true no matter what brand or price. But most companies make parts that play well together and this isn't rocket science if you use common sense.
Because these kinds of tools can be difficult to search for, specifically by size and type (or whatever) without getting a bunch of erroneous results that bury what I was trying to browse. No one site that sells the tools is likely to have as much variety as you'd find looking at the manufacturers individually.
For example, on Amazon I'll find some tools only available on their US site and some only from the UK sister site (by the same tool maker), and if I didn't have a part number in the first place I wouldn't even know that, because I'd get thousands of other things popping up that weren't related to my search. I'd rather look at what might be out there by who all makes the kind of thing I'm interested in than get everything out there that has to do with something else.
Another problem is that people who sell them (or automatons) are somehow listing the wrong specs, more often than not, and I can't even tell what the measurements are, unless I check the site of who made it. An example of that would be looking for a deeper than average socket, well the sellers are including the plastic tab (that they hang it on the shelf with) in its length, just to give someone the impression it's twice as deep as it actually is. But if I go to a site like this one, I'll find a diagram with measurements and a part number, so I can then search for a socket that is actually longer, without having to read a bunch of misinformation in between (and you have to be careful with some manufacturers even, I think Tekton is including the plastic tab in their socket measurement and calling the whole thing a "product", so it's better to find a diagram). Of course, the one I looked up had the wrong specs listed by the seller, but I was pretty sure the manufacturer wouldn't go to the trouble of making a diagram to specify misinformation. Yeah it's anyone's guess, but typically if you have the part number, that's better than any description a seller pulls out of who knows where.
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geartow
Well-known member
Evercraft ,carlise, napa. Duralast,husky, kobalt,stanley. That's enuff.
gdocktor3
Well-known member
Just buy SK if you want USA tools. KD or Allen are also cheaper USA made tools. If you want nice Taiwan stuff, buy Gearwrench. If you want the cheapest of all, buy HF. One of the best investments a new mechanic can make is a 48 piece set from SK, then add a nice fine tooth ratchet like a dual 80, maxx 88 or even a Gearwrench 120xp.
Also, try adding "made in USA" to your google searches.
Example - go to google and type in - 1/2" ratchet made in USA.
Also, try adding "made in USA" to your google searches.
Example - go to google and type in - 1/2" ratchet made in USA.
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Could be, I'll eventually look into them (window shopping a skyscraper as it were).
gdocktor3
Well-known member
Op did you see this http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43274&page=5
Trying to get away from googling this stuff, it's funny though, a bunch of those companies from Chindia are using American sounding names (then the language on their page is all foreign).
gdocktor3
Well-known member
What exactly are you looking to buy and what's your price range? If you can provide that info, other members will share links to the tools they've purchased that match your criteria.
A few pointers - Williams sells USA and Taiwan made tools. The USA made tools will have letters in the part numbers, while the Taiwan tools are only numbers. The Taiwan Williams stuff is the same as Bluepoint. Also, Matco hand tools are mostly rebranded Armstrong. You can save money buying from the oem companies. Here's a link showing USA made tools and their rebranded equivalents http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249851
Also, Snap On, Matco, Apex, SK, Cornwell, etc all have online catalogs listing dimensions etc and if you email them will be more than happy to mail you a catalog.
A few pointers - Williams sells USA and Taiwan made tools. The USA made tools will have letters in the part numbers, while the Taiwan tools are only numbers. The Taiwan Williams stuff is the same as Bluepoint. Also, Matco hand tools are mostly rebranded Armstrong. You can save money buying from the oem companies. Here's a link showing USA made tools and their rebranded equivalents http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249851
Also, Snap On, Matco, Apex, SK, Cornwell, etc all have online catalogs listing dimensions etc and if you email them will be more than happy to mail you a catalog.
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It depends on what's available. Wouldn't know unless I could see what everyone makes (in this particular subcategory).
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gdocktor3
Well-known member
So let me see if I understand this. You want a list of every "drive accessory" that's made by every brand and then you'll decide what you want or need??
Certainly. It's like I said, there are the typical parts (same types and sizes of tools) that just about everyone in this area makes, then there are others that you find here and there. Take for example drive handles, if I hadn't asked this question, I wouldn't have come across the "bull bar" made by Wright. It's interesting to see some variations (not much of a description there though, is it self describing bs?)... I don't know about that, but try searching for drive handles alone, and then tell me how many pages you have to look through to find that one (relatively speaking it may be infinitely more unlikely).
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Wamsutta
Well-known member
The easiest way to search is to download the catalog, pick the drive accessory you want, and then enter that part number with the brand name into Google.
This is a total waste unless you are comitted to buying something decent. If you're windo shopping low/mid range taiwan stuff, just **** it and pick gearwrench or carlysle. The only catalog that would need downloading is something like toptul or koken. Beyond that, just buy snap on. If you need USA, pick williams, proto, or SK. EU brands are excellent, but not really adding anything to the mix if they are not already in your wheelhouse of parts.
There are few standouts in this areas, but they are all pricy. A set of snapon extensions cost as much as a rail of their shallow sockets, for example. The better ones are still 80% of that in cost, so not cheap. If you need cheap just grab whatever from the list above is in your pricerange. But also consider making your budget by redacting tools and going minimalist. Th egood brands don't discount by the piece/lot size like Cman.
CMan USA is also decent in 3/8 and 1/2 if you can find it around as NOS. Again catalog doesn't help you need to eyeball parts for sale on the shelf or on Ebay and hope they were not mon/fri leftovers.
Good luck, but don't over think this unless you have a budget and a plan as to why you should pay for something signigifisanlt above average. average isn't terrible these days from Taiwan, but its not exceptional either.
There are few standouts in this areas, but they are all pricy. A set of snapon extensions cost as much as a rail of their shallow sockets, for example. The better ones are still 80% of that in cost, so not cheap. If you need cheap just grab whatever from the list above is in your pricerange. But also consider making your budget by redacting tools and going minimalist. Th egood brands don't discount by the piece/lot size like Cman.
CMan USA is also decent in 3/8 and 1/2 if you can find it around as NOS. Again catalog doesn't help you need to eyeball parts for sale on the shelf or on Ebay and hope they were not mon/fri leftovers.
Good luck, but don't over think this unless you have a budget and a plan as to why you should pay for something signigifisanlt above average. average isn't terrible these days from Taiwan, but its not exceptional either.
gdocktor3
Well-known member
His point is if you aren't willing to pay the money for the better brand names, why waste your time looking into all these different brands. As for different design and functions, it seems the cheaper brands have more of the gimmicky tools that you really don't need. Double indexing ratchets and ratcheting breaker bars, etc. Stuff that appeals more to home owners because of the "2 for 1" aspect.
Finky198
Well-known member
OH NO this guy Sounds like the Reincarnation of Winlinmac ... 
If you want me to buy that, first show me how you've compared all brands and include everthing that qualifies as a functional tool or not. Details, no generalizations.
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Great, I'm getting trolled for asking who makes sockets!
gdocktor3
Well-known member
OH NO this guy Sounds like the Reincarnation of Winlinmac ...
LOL I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING WHEN I FIRST SAW THIS THREAD!!
I even searched for winlinmac and saw he hasn't been active lately. Must have moved on to a different forum. Or he's playing Pokemon
That's too funny.
Alrighty, I'll try to keep this on topic by getting back to that list.
Found some others here & there to borrow from, and will make this my list of lists...
Found some others here & there to borrow from, and will make this my list of lists...
- USA made tools names I have never heard of
- The Truck Tool Equivalents Thread 2.0
- German-Hand-Tools
- Tools of Japan
- Best Taiwan tools companies
- Tool manufacturing companies by country (wikipedia)
- Automotive tool manufacturers (wikipedia)
- Industrial tool manufacturers (wikipedia)
- Tool Brands (wikipedia)
- Hand Tool Manufacturers (ToolArchives)
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Isn't this like going to a fashion forum and asking 'who makes pants' ... ??
Just a thought.
