socket sets - my review
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 35
socket sets - my review
I was going to get a set off ebay but I went to a flea market and found this guy with a huge box of of sockets.
So I stayed there for about half an hour picking out the ones I needed. It was fun. I got what I was missing. That meant SAE deep sockets up to 1", metric shallow up to 27mm and also metric deep as small as 4mm and also SAE deep smaller than 1/4".
The downside was, it is mixed. Mostly craftsman, mostly new, but not all, some used SK, Williams, Benchtop and Master Mechanic. The upside was, it would have been pretty hard to find these by buying sets, probably $50 or more. I spent $1 per socket on the average, including the huge deep ones that go for almost $8 each new. Very doubtful I will use deep 5mm or deep 3/16" but maybe I will.
My primary socket set, that is 3/8" drive, SAE, is by Benchtop, a Taiwanese Craftsman knock-off. Chrome-Vanadium, and surprisingly good. Not like the newer Taiwan stuff you see. I got it years ago from KMart and it never failed.
The Chinest stuff is disposable of course.
Now this is for occasional alternator replacement and O2 sensor once in a while. For every day use, I don't know.
I still have new Craftsman, deep metric 10mm-19mm arriving soon off ebay. Then the only thing I will need is a good 1/2" and 1/4" ratchet. my Taiwan Benchtop is starting to slip into neutral sometimes. Pretty good ratchet overall.
So I stayed there for about half an hour picking out the ones I needed. It was fun. I got what I was missing. That meant SAE deep sockets up to 1", metric shallow up to 27mm and also metric deep as small as 4mm and also SAE deep smaller than 1/4".
The downside was, it is mixed. Mostly craftsman, mostly new, but not all, some used SK, Williams, Benchtop and Master Mechanic. The upside was, it would have been pretty hard to find these by buying sets, probably $50 or more. I spent $1 per socket on the average, including the huge deep ones that go for almost $8 each new. Very doubtful I will use deep 5mm or deep 3/16" but maybe I will.
My primary socket set, that is 3/8" drive, SAE, is by Benchtop, a Taiwanese Craftsman knock-off. Chrome-Vanadium, and surprisingly good. Not like the newer Taiwan stuff you see. I got it years ago from KMart and it never failed.
The Chinest stuff is disposable of course.
Now this is for occasional alternator replacement and O2 sensor once in a while. For every day use, I don't know.
I still have new Craftsman, deep metric 10mm-19mm arriving soon off ebay. Then the only thing I will need is a good 1/2" and 1/4" ratchet. my Taiwan Benchtop is starting to slip into neutral sometimes. Pretty good ratchet overall.
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 56
Likes: 2
From: Katy, TX
socket sets - my review
I've found the enclosed link to be a good source of inexpensive tools. These are "Harbor Freight" quality. I purchased a 3/4" breaker bar that works fine for me. Just yesterday, I purchased a set of metric hex sockets ($7.65?) and a 3-lb shop hammer ($3). I'll let you know about quality when I get them. I think they'll be fine for my needs (occasional DIY work).
regards
The Toolmans Shed
regards
The Toolmans Shed
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
socket sets - my review
As a mechanic for the last 20 years I can say I have an assortment of most brands.I started with Craftsman,but couldn't stand the wrench or ratchet handles for very long.I have Snap-On ratchets and combo wrenches.Matco ratcheting wrenches and tons of Cornwell sockets.Snap-On has gotten outrageous(sp) as far as pricing and returns(can't return a chrome socket that looks like its been on an impact),and now that I don't owe them anything the guy never comes by.I see Cornwell and Matco every week and never have a problem returning anything.The Matco guy is even starting to get some of my Snap-On tools replaced for me.As far as Craftsman goes the quality of tool has improved tremendously,but I still can bring myself to go to the mall to buy tools(nothing is worth dealing with all the kids at the mall).All my tools are stuffed in a Cornwell 72" top and bottom rollerchest that I move with a flatbed.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach, Ms.
socket sets - my review
I like to shop the pawn shops in my area. Sears will replace a craftsman socket or wrench no matter where you got it. The deals can be great. At one shop locally you can fill a quart baggie with sockets for $5.00.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
Likes: 5
From: Valley Center, CA
socket sets - my review
I am a big fan of Craftsman and Husky tools. The only exception is Craftsman's version of Vise Grips. They work only sometimes and the mechanism for releasing the handle pinches about every other time. John
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 42,686
Likes: 3,152
From: Fraziers Bottom, WV
socket sets - my review
I have never had a problem with Craftsman tools. Yes, I have broken a few and they replaced them without a problem. I have torque wrench from craftsmen and it broke over time. The guy at the counter said Sears wants us to send them in for repair. He then said "It looks good and clean, I will replace it."
I do buy MAC and SNAP ON from time to time and I buy the speciality tools from them.
I found that MAC and Snap On items like "Ball joint press, Lock plate/stearing colunm puller and Power stearing pump pulley puller" are best. That list does not all inclusive!
I do buy MAC and SNAP ON from time to time and I buy the speciality tools from them.
I found that MAC and Snap On items like "Ball joint press, Lock plate/stearing colunm puller and Power stearing pump pulley puller" are best. That list does not all inclusive!
Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
socket sets - my review
A couple of weeks ago I bought a table saw blade from Craftsman for $48. Last night it shed a carbide tooth -- yesh - sure woke me up.
Anyway, I took it back to Sears today and they replaced it - no hassle, no charge.
Yeah, yeah, I know, it shouldn't have broke in the first place, but things do break and it's nice to know a store stands behind its products.
BTW, a few weeks ago I bought a 10" Craftsman 3/8 extension for $9.98 -- this week the 3, 5, 8, 10" set is on sale for $9.94 -- sigh...
Anyway, I took it back to Sears today and they replaced it - no hassle, no charge.
Yeah, yeah, I know, it shouldn't have broke in the first place, but things do break and it's nice to know a store stands behind its products.
BTW, a few weeks ago I bought a 10" Craftsman 3/8 extension for $9.98 -- this week the 3, 5, 8, 10" set is on sale for $9.94 -- sigh...
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
From: Rose City, MI
socket sets - my review
I bought a 1/2 in drive impact from these guys. i paid 19.99 for it and it doesnt have enough power for my needs but the socket set that i got from them has been exelent. Not the best quality but they get the job done. http://www.cumminstools.com/ i also have a set of craftsman in the back seat of the truck at all times just incase. 
oh btw i got a 15/16 matco wrench from a paw shop for $15 last fall is that a good price for a tool i have only found need for once so far?????
oh btw i got a 15/16 matco wrench from a paw shop for $15 last fall is that a good price for a tool i have only found need for once so far?????
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 887
Likes: 0
From: MN
socket sets - my review
My tools are 50/50 snapon and craftsman. I got my snapon stuff by winning a national H.S. technical competition. They are great tools, but I can buy 4 times as much craftsman for the same amount. Craftsman has great quality tools and I only break them when I do stuff your not supposed to do i.e. 3/8" ratchet with a 2' cheater bar. Snapon and mac are made for pro's, the better the tools, the easier you can beat the flat rate. Spend more to make more.
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: downingtown pa
socket sets - my review
I'm only 17, and as much as i'd love to own snap-on or other high dollar tools, i just cant afford it. I have alot of craftsman tools, ad some cummins tools. I bought a nice torque wrench from a cummins tool sale and have had no trouble with it. I also bought a socket set from a company called task force, and although it was cheap, the tools seem good quality and finish, and i have yet to break something. My high school auto shop used S.K. tools, and i always broke the sockets for some reason, but they were always replaced quick. I also like husky's wrenches alot they seem like good tools for the money. I will probably stick with craftsman, because thats the quality i can afford.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 491
Likes: 2
From: Spicewood, TX.
socket sets - my review
I am using it all from Snap-on the HF...It just depends on what you are using the tools for...Its nice to lose the HF tools, but when I lose a Snap-on tool, I cry!!!
If I need a tool to get in a corner, I take a HF and put the torch to it and bend/cut it...
There ain't none of them fit your hand like the Snap-on, and you cant beat there selection..
Now I did like Craftsman, until I took my ratchet in the other day and they gave me a REBUILT ractchet????
Whats up with this???
If I need a tool to get in a corner, I take a HF and put the torch to it and bend/cut it...
There ain't none of them fit your hand like the Snap-on, and you cant beat there selection..
Now I did like Craftsman, until I took my ratchet in the other day and they gave me a REBUILT ractchet????
Whats up with this???
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,587
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach
socket sets - my review
The rebuilt thing isn't crap. A rebuilt ratchet is just the old handle with a new mechanism, hows that crap? They also keep some newer type ratchets on hand and they should just swap em out. Older style ratchets are sent in to be rebuilt also.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 887
Likes: 0
From: MN
socket sets - my review
Well you can get screwed with ratchets that others turned in that are dinged up real bad. You also don't always get the exact same size and type. True I like getting the more expensive ones, but when you run into a space problem, and you used to have one that would fit and they gave you one that won't, well 