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What're you people using for a socket set?

Discussion in 'Garage / Workshop' started by kyledamon, May 21, 2019.

  1. May 21, 2019 at 4:35 AM
    #1
    kyledamon

    kyledamon [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm in the market for a new socket kit. The husky kit my stepdad got be for Christmas 15+ years ago is still going strong except for its essentially a mickey moused assortment of sockets at this point. I can't go on any longer with my only 10mm socket a 3/8 drive deep. Rather than buy the sockets one by one I figure I'll just buy another kit. Husky has worked well so I'm good with either another of those kits or one from Lowes. I am leaning towards Kobalt just due to the color coded Metric/SAE. I've also noticed Craftsman at Lowes now as well.

    My question is, what are you guys/gals running for socket set/kits? Has anyone picked up some recently that are a good deal and a good mix of tools that you actually need? A lot of them come with a lot of things I don't need like the small versions of the open end wrenches. I'm not a master mechanic by any means so the big box store kits are probably the best value for me but I am open to suggestions.

    Thanks for any insight!
     
  2. May 21, 2019 at 4:39 AM
    #2
    Extra Hard Taco

    Extra Hard Taco Survivor of the winter of misery and death.

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  3. May 21, 2019 at 4:45 AM
    #3
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    Randy
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    I really like the color coded harbor freight ones. They feel really nice, and come in 1/4” 3/8” and 1/2” drive, both normal and deep sets. Their ratchets are nice too, at least their “pro” line. Each set has a little socket holder but no case to keep everything together. For me personally though that’s not an issue
     
  4. May 21, 2019 at 4:52 AM
    #4
    rnish

    rnish Well-Known Member

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  5. May 21, 2019 at 4:55 AM
    #5
    kyledamon

    kyledamon [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I've gotten socket holders from HF and I'm not a fan but I haven't gone the pro route. That's a good suggestion, thanks!

    Loving the instagram posts these days btw Randy!
     
    EatSleepTacos[QUOTED] likes this.
  6. May 21, 2019 at 4:55 AM
    #6
    Blue92

    Blue92 Well-Known Member

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  7. May 21, 2019 at 4:58 AM
    #7
    kyledamon

    kyledamon [OP] Well-Known Member

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  8. May 21, 2019 at 4:59 AM
    #8
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    Thank you! And yeah it’s worth at least checking out the pro stuff at HF. Pretty much all my hand tools are from there and take a beating.
     
  9. May 21, 2019 at 5:01 AM
    #9
    Justanotherhemi

    Justanotherhemi Space Cowboy/Ninja

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    I have a smaller huskey set from lowes I have used for years. I have a big craftman set that I only use when the huskey does not have the socket I need
     
    kyledamon[OP] likes this.
  10. May 21, 2019 at 5:07 AM
    #10
    113tac

    113tac Well-Known Member

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    I got tekton deep and regular impact sockets from Amazon for my truck tool bag. The seem good so far and are a good price.

    Edit: also got some socket holders from amazon since the box the sockets come in take up a lot of room. My ratchets are in some small tool bags
     
    rob1208 and kyledamon[OP] like this.
  11. May 21, 2019 at 5:09 AM
    #11
    kyledamon

    kyledamon [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm sure they do! And you can't beat the warranty. Ok, that may be the route I go. I'll let you know
     
    EatSleepTacos[QUOTED] likes this.
  12. May 21, 2019 at 5:17 AM
    #12
    Blue92

    Blue92 Well-Known Member

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    Gearwrench is a brand thats been around for awhile, but theyre starting to venture into tool truck style distribution. That kit was only $50 when I got it 2 years ago, they've gotten a lot more popular which means higher prices. Which is justified, their stuff is excellent quality. I havent broken any of my gearwrench tools, and if I do they carry a lifetime warranty.
     
  13. May 21, 2019 at 5:20 AM
    #13
    InSight Retrofits

    InSight Retrofits Closed

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    I use Gearwrench professionally (I have thousands and thousands worth of Snap On, Matco, Gearwrench, Milwaukee etc tools) and their sockets are affordable and come in near complete sets that only skip numbers that truly don't matter.
    I think my 8mm-36mm shallow and deep 1/2" impact set was between $80 and 120 (I don't remember) and I have never broken one. Plus the same thing on the Snap On truck would be like $900-1200. Screw that lol
     
  14. May 21, 2019 at 5:23 AM
    #14
    Ariesgtturbo

    Ariesgtturbo Well-Known Member

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    Do they still have a lifetime warranty?

    I had an older pop-up camper and bought a complete tool set to keep in it... and I did notice the tolerances were off a bit (sockets running either slightly big or small) - so I had to sometimes change from metric to SAE to get the best fit... but overall, I agree.

    My home tools are a mix of craftsman & kobalt...
     
    shane100700 likes this.
  15. May 21, 2019 at 5:24 AM
    #15
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    As far as I know, yes. I’ve never utilized it but I will soon for a set of flex head ratcheting wrenches. It’s as simple as bringing in the busted tool, filling out w piece of paper and leaving with the new one.
     
  16. May 21, 2019 at 5:26 AM
    #16
    Sparky.

    Sparky. Bought, built, totaled

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    Gear wrench is all my company uses on commercial high rises in Seattle. We use them on impact guns all the time and I’ve never heard of them having any problems
     
  17. May 21, 2019 at 5:31 AM
    #17
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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    Check your local pawn shops, and believe it or not, eBay.

    My home box has double everything. For those times you need 2. And you will.

    Each vehicle has a fair set for that vehicle.

    Most of mine have been gifts over 50 years, hot sale purchases, dads sets when he passed, etc.

    But I've gotten some great buys on Craftsman sockets off eBay, especailly more 'specialty' in nature. Like a small 8 point (double square) set, 6 point thin walls in 1/4 3/8 and 1/2, etc.
     
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  18. May 21, 2019 at 5:35 AM
    #18
    kakwvu

    kakwvu Almost Heaven

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    I have an SK toolset. Probably more than some are willing to spend, but it’s American made still and not as pricey as other brands. After several cheaper boxes rusting up or having bad tolerances for fitment, I bought a nice set and it’s been fantastic.
     
    Biscuits likes this.
  19. May 21, 2019 at 5:38 AM
    #19
    Ariesgtturbo

    Ariesgtturbo Well-Known Member

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    Also, buy 5 extra each of 10mm in standard socket, deep-well, open-ended wrench, and ratcheting wrench... :notsure: o_O
     
    Tatts521, kyledamon[OP] and kakwvu like this.
  20. May 21, 2019 at 5:43 AM
    #20
    jowybyo

    jowybyo Well-Known Member

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    I don't really put a lot of stock in warranties on tools. If a tool breaks while I'm using it (especially if I think it was an unwarranted failure), I don't really want the same tool again (looking at you Craftsman 17mm 12p. chrome socket that split on me). I'd rather replace it with something less likely to break. This is doubly important to me if I'm going to put the tool in my truck with the intention of potentially relying on them to get me out of a shitty situation, far from help. But even at home in the garage, it's pretty annoying to have to run to the store to replace broken tools in the middle of a project. I won't scratch a whole brand from my tool list, but most individual tools only get one chance with me.

    That said, I use a mix combination that consist mostly of older MAC Tools and MIUSA Craftsman stuff. I did really have a "separate" kit that only stays in the truck. The tools I keep in my truck also get used nearly every week and certainly for every truck project. This makes sure that I always have the correct tools in my kit and that they get used enough to weed out the crappy tools.
     

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