Your Thoughts on Hex Bit Socket Sets

[toolmutt]

I was considering purchasing this Proto hex bit socket set with a coupon code from MSC.

http://www.protoindustrial.com/en/industrial-tools/Proto/Hand-Sockets/Bit-Socket-Sets/J4990-MST_Proto%C2%AE-3|8%22-Drive-7-Piece-Metric-Short-Hex-Bit-Set-/

However, in my effort to participate in HJE Day, I've been contemplating this Wright set.

http://www.amazon.com/Wright-Tool-353-Dr-Metric/dp/B00279TBXE

I will also get the corresponding inch set of whichever brand prevails. Anyone have either and care to post a quick review?




P.S. Before anyone jumps in with "Snap-On or die!", I would love to have Snappy but can't justify the cost for a diy-er.

 

[Ruger_556]

I have that exact Proto set, they're strong. I haven't broken any and I'm one that breaks hex bits.

 

[Jlarson]

Almost all of our shop chrome hex bits are Proto, they get the job done and are tough. That's why we have them, we killed all the rest.

 

[Schurkey]

Are you ever going to need the 7 and 9 mm? Get the Proto.

How about the 2, 2.5, and 3 mm? Get the Wright.

My "set" is 4, 6, 8, 10 mm. I don't need any of the goofy sizes.

How much torque are you going to apply? I'd be looking for ball-hex drivers if the torque load isn't excessive.

 

[toolmutt]

Occasionally have to break loose a stuck, corroded fastener. I currently have some Craftsman and Husky, both of which can cause frustration. I've broken the ball off some Eklind ball hexes before.

 

[catalytic]

I have Wright sockets, so was planning to get the Wright sets...until I noticed that SK offers many more hex sizes per socket wrench size. So you might want to check out SK. HJE carries them, too.

 

[1foxracing]

I own & use the Wright Tool 360 set, I work metric motorcycles so I use them often and they fit great. Right now this set is listed on Amazon for $51.61, this set list for $185.55 so I would jump on that deal now if interested.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RIMS9M/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Amazon has the wrong set pictured but if you scroll down the page the 1 review listed is mine and you can see photo's of the actual set.

The last Proto tool I purchased was tagged "Made in USA from global materials" so that kind of worried me.

 

[LordPsychon]

Are you ever going to need the 7 and 9 mm? Get the Proto.

How about the 2, 2.5, and 3 mm? Get the Wright.

My "set" is 4, 6, 8, 10 mm. I don't need any of the goofy sizes.

How much torque are you going to apply? I'd be looking for ball-hex drivers if the torque load isn't excessive.

I have need of a 5mm on occasion so would that constitute a "goofy size"? Ball hex drivers are a very good idea for DIYers - easier angles, generally prevents over-torquing (once you break one you'll dial back the power). I like both the Proto and Wright sets but SK's another good option.

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

Proto is an excellent brand.. But I would rather buy the S-K as their is the best in the tool industry hands down with besides Craftsman.. And I think S-K Tools hex torx and swivels are much better then all truck tools brand and Proto...
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I am a ToolAholic, Sometimes I regret it, Especially when the Toolman wont give me no credit

 

[franzdom]

Are you ever going to need the 7 and 9 mm? Get the Proto.

How about the 2, 2.5, and 3 mm? Get the Wright.

My "set" is 4, 6, 8, 10 mm. I don't need any of the goofy sizes.

How much torque are you going to apply? I'd be looking for ball-hex drivers if the torque load isn't excessive.

I don't ever recall using 9mm but I have extensively used 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, and very extensively 5mm and 7mm.

 

[Askme42]

Proto is an excellent brand.. But I would rather buy the S-K as their is the best in the tool industry hands down with besides Craftsman.. And I think S-K Tools hex torx and swivels are much better then all truck tools brand and Proto...
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I am a ToolAholic, Sometimes I regret it, Especially when the Toolman wont give me no credit

Uh what?


I love me some sk but snap on gold bit drivers are pretty well accepted as top of the class.

 

[Tim37]

I have a set of proto 1/2" drive like long sae. I don't use them much but when I do they get used hard and they seem to take what I give them.

This may just be me but from personal experience the hex sockets that use the same size socket and dont tapper up or down seem stronger they tend to be more expensive but I guess that's how it goes.

 

[bcradio]

VIM is a good option at a fair price... it's what i'd get if looking now.

 

[toolmutt]

Thanks for all the replies.

I haven't broken any and I'm one that breaks hex bits.

Wright or Proto?

I own & use the Wright Tool 360 set, I work metric motorcycles so I use them often and they fit great. Right now this set is listed on Amazon for $51.61, this set list for $185.55 so I would jump on that deal now if interested.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RIMS9M/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Amazon has the wrong set pictured but if you scroll down the page the 1 review listed is mine and you can see photo's of the actual set.

I don't know that I have ever needed those bigger sizes. That would have been a great deal but it shows $142 for me now.

Ball hex drivers are a very good idea for DIYers - easier angles, generally prevents over-torquing (once you break one you'll dial back the power).

Both that I have broken were removing corroded fasteners.

Proto is an excellent brand.. But I would rather buy the S-K as their is the best in the tool industry hands down with besides Craftsman.. And I think S-K Tools hex torx and swivels are much better then all truck tools brand and Proto...
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I am a ToolAholic, Sometimes I regret it, Especially when the Toolman wont give me no credit

Uh what?


I love me some sk but snap on gold bit drivers are pretty well accepted as top of the class.

I agree that Proto makes quality tools. I have many and that is why I was set to buy the Proto set. Just considered the Wrights for HJE Day (to get that cool special wrench).

And I also agree, uh what?

 

[toolmutt]

I haven't broken any and I'm one that breaks hex bits.

Requote, I know.

croz, I noticed when I quote your post that there is text for an image. However, it is not appearing for me in your actual post. That's why I asked which set you have. Sorry.

 

[JettaGetUpandGo]

Not to muddy the waters, but I recently replaced my Craftsman hex bit set with the 26pc. set from VIM. They are made in Taiwan, but have been great so far. It's a complete set for about the price of the Wright from Amazon.

One bit arrived a little crooked in the holder, called VIM and they shipped a new one out right away and told me to keep the old one.

 

[1foxracing]

I don't know that I have ever needed those bigger sizes. That would have been a great deal but it shows $142 for me now.

Now it's at $143.35, when I posted that early this morning I bet you some guys jumped on them at that price and then it increased.

 

[toolmutt]

Yeah. I'm a late-nighter, but not that late!

 

[knobby]

Another option http://www.bondhus.com/bondhus_products/tool_categories/socket_bits/hex.html

 

[1foxracing]

Bondus would be a good set as well, I own that set too.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V126cxm5s-I/VFfeB21L8PI/AAAAAAACZdg/p-**-x8MB3Q/s720/DSC00008.JPG

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002SW9OA0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'm not a late nighter at all, I get up at 2:30AM for work and it just carries on to my days off as well. I have 2 big dogs that are use to going for their walk at 2:30 AM so even on my off days they wake me up to go outside.

 

[BillK]

tm,
Although I have Snap On at the shop, my set at home is Craftsman and I have never had a problem with them. I have probably had them 15 years. Don't use them all that often but they all still pretty much look like new Don't know what the price is on the Proto but I will say that MSC is usually pretty expensive unless its in one if the sale flyers.

 

[Finky198]

Any long term experience with Hf version I've had them for a year or 2 no issues so far anyone else have them good bad or otherwise ?

 

[thegroundpounder99]

I have many different sets from Snap On, Blue Point and VIM. I'd recommend the VIM, especially for home use. (Or professional for that matter) They're very good quality and hold up well. They make a lot of specialty sets to, one of my favorites is the ball torx bit set.

 

[espyking83]

SK and Proto are every bit as good as Snap On. Ive owned all and can say this for a fact. But do yourself a favor and buy longer ones, and i would definitely recommend ball-ends. Not sure what you work on but I found out the hard way that I should have gotten the longer ones first. Dont rule out Euro brands, IMO they make the best hex tools.

 

[espyking83]

Uh what?


I love me some sk but snap on gold bit drivers are pretty well accepted as top of the class.

Accepted by whom? Brain dead gorillas who got into debt right out of school to the Snap On guy before getting the chance to try anything else?

Snap On makes good tools but the notion that they're the best at everything is absolute horse ****.

 

[espyking83]

Occasionally have to break loose a stuck, corroded fastener. I currently have some Craftsman and Husky, both of which can cause frustration. I've broken the ball off some Eklind ball hexes before.

Not to be that 'know-it-all mechanic' but dousing fasteners with aero-kroil or Mouse Milk before trying to break it can work wonders.

 

[toolmutt]

All great info. Thanks, guys. But, please, don't turn this into a Snap-On v. the world argument. There are other threads for that.

Those Bondhus do look good. I've got a folding set from Bondhus that has been top notch. Decisions, decisions.

 

[espyking83]

I'm sorry, I will not derail this thread anymore.

 

[Stick Figure]

of the Hex bit sockets I've tried:

HF: Cheap cost for a LOT of sizes. I would add these to my box again in a heart beat just to start with wide selection if/when I needed them. I use an 8mm and 3/8 on a regular basis and neither show any wear, but neither have been worked that hard.

Craftsman: I've abused these pretty good over the year and had minimal problems with the exception of the 10mm and 3/8". Those are or at least were absolute junk. The area that necks down into the socket portion broke on repeated head bolts. I still have about a 2 inch scar on my left wrist where my wrist caught a stud when one of these broke.

Matco: I tried the long ball end set of these, and the 1/4" drive small size kit. They both wore out ridiculously quick. The small set I replaced by putting Bondus bits in them which have lasted much longer. The long set I replaced with a Snap on set.

Snap on: As said I've got the gold long ball sockets. They are strong but brittle. We had hard to get to 5mm head bolts on a turbo kit application. Where the Matco striped the corners first on the socket then on the fastener, the Snap on will just break the ball off. The good news is this saves the fastener. The bad news is I broke this so often the Snap on dealer ended up giving me a spare insert that I could just exchange out on a weakly basis.

The short non ball Snap on I've never had an issue with and overall they don't even show wear after a lot of use.

 

[Askme42]

Accepted by whom? Brain dead gorillas who got into debt right out of school to the Snap On guy before getting the chance to try anything else?

Snap On makes good tools but the notion that they're the best at everything is absolute horse ****.

I never said they were the best at everything. Their gold bit sockets are the best though.



That doesn't mean a homeowner of diy guy needs them. It just means they are the best.

 

[espyking83]

I never said they were the best at everything. Their gold bit sockets are the best though.



That doesn't mean a homeowner of diy guy needs them. It just means they are the best.

I'm going to take the high road here and just tell you that you're wrong.

 

[stage20]

I'm going to take the high road here and just tell you that you're wrong.

whos the best?

 

[espyking83]

whos the best?

PB Swiss, of course.

 

[itsvegas]

Snap On (Gold ) - I have the short non ball and they get alot of use on high torque stuff and never fails.

Gearwrench - I got a set of the long ball style and Im happy with them. I don't use them as much only when needed for hard to reach spots.

Craftsman - I dont really like these they wear fast it seems. These are more for light duty use it seems.

 

[sonvolt]

I've used Proto, SK, and Craftsman in an industrial setting for years. We use SHCS all day long on our machines and in some cases using water as coolant to grind PTFE without issue.

 

[Fedwrench]

I've used just about every ones with mixed results. One thing I will caution you on, is to avoid any set where the part of the hex bit that is seated into the chrome square drive bit holder, is smaller the rest of the bit. See the 10 mm hex bit in the wright set linked in the first post. Instant twist off when using a flex head ratchet under load for example.
I am fond of the one piece stubby impact rated versions offered by VIM and Blackhawk. Their shorter overall length improves access and I've yet to break one.
http://www.tooltopia.com/vim-vm600.aspx

 

[davethorik]

I have an SK 3/8 SAE set and a Wright 1/2 SAE set. Both are good sets. The largest in the SK set is a 3/8 and it uses a roll pin to retain the hex bit so it's "sloppy" however all the rest of that set and all of the Wrights are pressed in.

For what I do with these I do not need long bit sockets, I just have a full set of L keys up to 7/8 if I do need the length.

 

[efb16acrx]

I've got cornwell, vim, matco, snapon and sk bits. When something is REALLY stuck and I know I'm going to be hammering the **** out of it with the impact or hanging off my breaker bar, I grab the sk set. I don't even know where I got them but the bits are retained with a roll pin. If I was going to buy a new set, I'd probably get the impact rated VIM bits.

 

[thehorse13]

I have a socket Proto set and it works very well for breaking loose stubborn hex bolts. I also have a Craftsman (made in USA) T-handle set with the ball ends. From one DIYer to another, I have found that I need both of these sets, not just one.

 

[619DioFan]

Any long term experience with Hf version I've had them for a year or 2 no issues so far anyone else have them good bad or otherwise ?

I have a couple sets of the HF impact grade hex bits. they have held up really well.