Best Socket Set?

[Keel McDonald]

Good morning all. I am looking to buy a really good quality socket set for my son. I was curious what you guys deem to be the best. I only have a few criteria.
1. Must be made in USA
2. Must have lifetime warranty/guarantee
3. Must be easy to deal with in case I need to replace any of them

Any suggestions?

[David G Baker]

Good morning all. I am looking to buy a really good quality socket set for my son. I was curious what you guys deem to be the best. I only have a few criteria.
1. Must be made in USA
2. Must have lifetime warranty/guarantee
3. Must be easy to deal with in case I need to replace any of them

Any suggestions?
SNAP-ON is the only answer you need but it will cost you.

[Keel McDonald]

SNAP-ON is the only answer you need but it will cost you.

David,

I must admit, those are impressive, but I guess they are a bit out of my price range. Any other good quality sockets that are less expensive?

[Jim Becker]

I'm not even remotely knowledgeable on this topic, but I suspect that meeting all three of your requirements will be difficult. If you can settle on the bottom two, you'll likely have more choices.

Unless things have changed recently, this is one area that Craftsman has always done well. Most of my socket sets and wrenches are from there and the one time I had something go awry, they cheerfully replaced it. But at this point, I don't even bother to "shop" for individual items...I just buy whatever brand the store I'm in for other things has, be it HD, Lowes or very, very, very rarely, Sears.

[Keel McDonald]

I'm not even remotely knowledgeable on this topic, but I suspect that meeting all three of your requirements will be difficult. If you can settle on the bottom two, you'll likely have more choices.

Unless things have changed recently, this is one area that Craftsman has always done well. Most of my socket sets and wrenches are from there and the one time I had something go awry, they cheerfully replaced it. But at this point, I don't even bother to "shop" for individual items...I just buy whatever brand the store I'm in for other things has, be it HD, Lowes or very, very, very rarely, Sears.

Jim,

I have 2 sets of Craftsman sockets, but they are the older sets. They have always gladly replaced the only 2 tools I've ever had to return. I was just under the impression that they "don't make them like they used to."

[Al Willits]

Keel, how much do you want to spend, what drive does he need and does he like 6 or 12 point sockets, deep well or standard lenght, and metric or standard???

If you add easy to deal with Sears is better than snap on, you have to find a snap on dealer where Sears you just go to the store.

Craftsman would be my first choice, but not sure if they're US made or not.

Al

[Greg Cole]

Keel,
Craftsman stuff is ok so long as it's not used all day every day... or you will be headed to Sears weekly with things needing to be replaced. That said, I have an assortment of Craftsman stuff for mechanic type hand tools. I put myself through college as an auto mechanic & craftsman was not allowed in the shop, but tools in that environment see "use" unlike the average home owner dishes out.:rolleyes:
Not sure exactly when the episode of "Made in America" was filmed, but Cliff err... John Ratzenburgers show.... went through the factory that made the tear drop style ratchets. Might still be made here, might not.
FWIW, I have a couple of the Gear Wrench sets & love them... and some of the configurations with swivel box end, stubby sets etc are awful handy.

Greg

[Keel McDonald]

Al,

Let me also add that I'm not looking for a professional quality set, but also don't want to just settle for shotty made tools. From personal experience, I would like a set with both standard and metric sockets. As far as deep well or standard length, both would be ideal. It never fails that when I am working on my truck, or whatever project that needs a socket, I usually end up pulling both of my sets out because one side of the bolt needs a deep well socket, and the other side needs the standard length. I guess it's just the paradox I live in.

Are there quality sockets sets out there that are made outside the USA? I'm no expert on tools either, but like to buy American-made whenever possible.

[Steve Clardy]

I've always purchased Snap-on.

Mac is another good brand. Usa made

[Chuck Wintle]

Craftsman are no longer made in the US. I have an older set that is american made and it is stamped "Made in the USA" right onto the handle of the rachets and the body of the sockets. The new ones sold by Sears are not stamped in a similar fashion. :(

The only other brands that come to mind and are made in the US are Snap-On and Mac tools. :)

[Al Willits]

Mac is another good brand from what I see in the shops and talk to the mechanics.
Not sure how they compare in cost though.

Your gonna find tool snobs in hand tools just like woodworking, you'll find the good pro mechanics will adapt their tool boxes to whatever tool works best for them.

Haven't bought tools for a few years, as I still have a ton of them and I've heard Craftsman isn't the tool it once was, but you mentioned you couldn't afford snap on, so your expectations are gonna have to be a bit less, remember most that break most major brand tools are misusing them.


Al

[Matt Meiser]

Most of my tools are Craftsman, but I got most of them 10-15 years ago. On average I break a socket or two a year, usually splitting out the side, usually when I've got a piece of pipe on the end of the breaker bar. (See Al's comment above :rolleyes:) There's never a question when I take them back and I'm in and out in a couple minutes. I haven't noticed that I break the replacements any faster (i.e. I haven't started breaking say a 9/16 socket every time.)

The Kobalt stuff at Lowes and the Husky stuff at Home Depot are tempting but I also remember buying a set of "Crew Chief" wrenches at Autoworks, which has been out of business for 10-15 years. At the time Autoworks was a division of Shucks/Kragen. Now Shucks/Kragen owns Murrays so they again have stores in the area, but I'm thinking I'll have a hard time getting them replaced under the lifetime warranty--not that I've needed to. Same goes for anyone who bought the Popular Mechanics line of lifetime warranty tools that Wal-Mart sold for a few years. My thought is that Craftsman is pretty core to Sears and they are more likely to be around in 10-20-50 years.

Snap-On is really nice, but I've had trouble getting nozzles for a Snap-On sandblaster my dad had. The Snap-On dealer wouldn't stop at our house and wouldn't commit to being anywhere I could meet him at a particular time. His words were to the effect that it wasn't worth his time. He would only tell me where he was going that day and I had to drive around until I found him. I'm sure a big part of that was the particular dealer, but I can run to Sears on a Sunday afternoon and get what I need. And if they happen to be out of it they will typically break open a set to get it for you if you are in a hurry, or if not they will send it to your house no charge.

[Jim O'Dell]

Another brand that used to be pretty good, and used to be USA made were the SK tools. I believe they are still around, but not sure where they are made now. Don't see them too often anymore. Jim.

[Mark Rios]

As has been mentioned, Snap-On is what you're asking for, but maybe not what you want to spend. Also mentioned, Mac Tools are also sold to pro shops everyday. Another mechanic tool manufacturer that doesn't come up too often is Matco. Matco is sold the same way as Snap-On and Mac, Through local franchisees that go to the business, i.e., bodyshops, mechanic shops, dealerships, etc.

After having spent over 40 years with my family's bodyshops, I consider the quality order to be as I listed above, First would be Snap-on, then Mac and then Matco. You can find them online and by looking in your local yellow pages. You can also just go down to your nearest dealership and ask one of the mechanics or service manager if they have the number for their dealer. Someone (quite a few probably) will have a card, a pen, a mini screwdriver, or something like that with the dealers name and number on it. Or you can ask what day the tool dealer services that particular shop and approximately what time and you can go on the truck yourself. They will usually stay at each shop between 20 to 40 minutes, or even as long as an hour depending on the size of the shop.

I've got to politely disagree with Al a little bit on the ease of getting tools replaced. Once you know who your particular tool dealer is and have his (or her) number, IF you break a tool you can just call him or her up and meet them at their next stop. This is entirely personal opinion , of course but, I just do not find it easy to go to my local mall (where most Sears are found) and deal with the parking and evil mall shoppers. :D

And speaking of tools breaking and/or needing replacement, if the normal home handyman EVER breaks a Snap-On wrench, socket or ratchet it will only be once in your life (provided of course you're not using say, a ratchet for a hammer or something like that :D). Therefore, your trips to the Snap-On truck for tool replacement will also be only once.

One of my tenants is a mechanic for a chevy dealership and so whenever I don't like the way the tip on one of my screwdrivers looks or if one of my ratchets starts to feel a little funny in the gear head or whatever, I just give the tool to my tenant on Tuesday night (he sees his dealer on Wednesdays) and I get them back the next night. The point being that with Snap-On tools you don't have to have a break to get a tool replaced. Even normal wear is guaranteed.

Just my .02 cents.

[Michael Hammers]

Proto, has Lifetime warranty, American, also Blackhawk, slightly less industrial brand of stanley/proto.

[Al Willits]

Ya don't have to politely disagree Mark, makes me suspicious ...:D:D
Although was nice you didn't flame me to cinders...hehe

Good point, but....

I'm betting the average person will be able to find a open Sears more often than tracking down your SO dealer, been there done that.

Also if you have a shop your SO dealer is much more inclined to stop by than if your a homeowner...yup, been there done that too...:D

Not being critial of SO, just its hard to justify the cost for most hobbiest, I made my living with hand tools so I bought the best I could, the major percentage being SO.
For those who occasionally need a hand tool, maybe something cheaper will work.
Kinda like festool huh? :D

Once again, personal choice.

Al...who thinks maybe we need a stir the pot icon...:D

[Greg Cole]

We have a small machine shop here at work and 4 guys that are gearheads (me included). We make some machine parts & overhaul some machinery here... I do all our purchasing of any & everything here. I've tried to get the Snap On guy here a few times as we've got a 6 car dealerships immediately surrounding us. He all but said we weren't worth his time either... the auto dealerships have MANY more technicians & sales for him. We wouldn't be into the specialty auto tools and much of that is where they all but have a strangle hold on that niche.
Example....I was going to buy a box and a bunch of impact sockets, wrenches etc etc etc for a "company tool set". My initial budget was $30K (after doing a little homework and putting together the I want list) & I spent much less and pieced together a more comprehensive war chest of tools than I would have gotten from the travelling tool truck.:rolleyes: I didn't tell the Snap On guy what I was thinking-planning on buying, as I wanted to get a feel for his "style". Obviously I didn't like it....
I used the left over $ to buy comsumables for the machine shop & don't miss not having a $8500 chest versus a $1500 one.. nevermind the name on the contents of said chest. FWIW we don't use'em every day all day either...

Greg

[Jason Roehl]

I've pretty much always bought Craftsman sockets and wrenches, and I do most of my own repair work on my vehicles (it's a sickness, I know). I don't think I've ever trashed a socket or a wrench from them, only flathead screwdrivers (wanna guess how?). Anyway, if I had the money to do it over, I would get their newer laser-engraved sockets THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY READ! Not that you CAN'T read the normal ones, but they're difficult in low light or when I'm tired.

BTW, Matt, if you're going to put a breaker bar on a socket, try a 1/2" or even a 3/4" drive--a little more meat. Even better is to use an impact wrench--the sockets are softer and less likely to split (though I have stretched a couple).

One other option would be to get the Metrinch set. The sockets and wrenches have lobes that grip the flats of hex bolts and nuts, so one size covers both an SAE size and a Metric size--about 1/2 the tools. I keep that set in my work truck to save some space. They're not perfect but they have come in handy many times.

[Peter Stahl]

Good morning all. I am looking to buy a really good quality socket set for my son. I was curious what you guys deem to be the best. I only have a few criteria.
1. Must be made in USA
2. Must have lifetime warranty/guarantee
3. Must be easy to deal with in case I need to replace any of them

Any suggestions?

Check out this link. Lots of manufacturers still around. Says Craftsman hand tools are still made in USA.

Pete

http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/tools.html

[John Newell]

I have a mixture of Snap-On, Mac, Craftsman and S-K from my long-ago auto-wrenching days. However, I recently had to outfit a new toolbox for a new truck and wound up buying Craftsman socket and combination wrenches in the box. I'd suggest you consider that because:

1. The quality, while not Snap-On level, is very good for the price. I gotta say, if you put breaker bars on and bust a socket, you really have nothing to complain about. (see #3 below)

2. They're frequently on sale at very good prices.

3. Although the Craftsman tools you buy today are not as good as what you bought 30 years ago, the warranty hasn't changed.

For the mix of price, quality and warranty (and the ease of getting the warranty honored), I'd think hard about Craftsman. Just don't buy anything with a cord attached to it... ;)

[Lee Schierer]

I have to agree with the Craftsman tools. I own a pretty good set and I can count on one hand the number of sockets I've broken. I do seem to wear out Philips screw drivers and I don't use my flat screw drivers prying open cans like Jason does......:D. Most of my Craftsman stuff is 30-40 years old and still in fine shape and will probably go to my grandkids. For the price, they are hard to beat. Sears stores are everywhere and I've never had a hassle returning tools for replacement on the few occassions I've needed to do that.

Be sure to read the "lifetime" warranty clause for the tool closely. Most have to be returned to the manufacturer (most likely in China) if you can still find the company in 4-5 years when a tool breaks. Note whether there is an actual address for that company on the package for that tool. I doubt that Lowes or HD will hand you a new one off the shelf at any of their locations even a couple of days after you bought it.

[Jeffrey Makiel]

I recommend Craftsman mechanics tools....and I'm not that big of a fan of Sears, at least for anything with a cord attached. If I was professional, I might consider something else but my wage would have to be pretty high to buy Snap-on stuff these days.

-Jeff :)

[Heather Thompson]

I would go with Craftsman, bought mine when I was in my early twenties (I am not your typical girl-grease and oil as opposed to nail polish) broke a number of tools, never a question when I went in for replacement. I actually modified an open end wrench with a torch to get a bolt out, brought it back to Sears and they replaced it no problem, the bend was not your typical bend. :D

Heather

PS Just went out to the shop and looked in the tool chest, my recently replaced tools state forged in the USA.

[David G Baker]

I have several sets of Craftsman tools, the newest is probably 30 years old. I have never had any problems with Craftsman hand tools. I buy the cheaper socket sets at garage sales and use them to press bearings, etc but save my Craftsman tools to use as they were intended.
I don't know if they still are in business, Armstrong made great tools. I worked at the Southern Pacific Railroad General Shops in Sacramento CA when I was a kid and most of my issued tools were Armstrong. The mechanics that I worked with had the same set of Armstrong tools they were issued many years prior to my working there and their tools were still in great condition.

[Greg Cole]

Jason,
That size screwdriver is purchased with the sole intention of misusing....Can't say as I buy that screwdriver for anything other than a chisel with a soft grip or for the use of "do not use as a pry bar"..... what's that all about anyway?:D Oh yea, I open metal containers like paint cans with it too....
Also 1/2" drive sockets of the non-impact variety can suddenly all but disappear from an impact gun in use :confused:. Poof, gone. Returning about 1/10 of a socket still gets a replacement from Sears.
Wanna see an electrician get nervous. just ask him to hand me his biggest screwdriver.... (our electrical technician at work will NOT let me near his beloved screwdrivers after giving me one once & he knew what I was going to do with it, tee hee).

Greg

[Randy Denby]

There's a truck I see around pretty often selling "Cornwell" tools. I wonder how they rate? Also remember Proto, S K , etc.....

[Keel McDonald]

Well, I appreciate all who chimed in today. I learned that the more I learn, the less I know. I've honestly never heard of some of the brand names you all have mentioned. That's one reason I like to post this type of inquiry here on the creek. It never ceases to amaze me just how much knowledge we have here in this forum. I think I'll probably just stick with Craftsman. I wish I could afford some of those other tools.

[John Newell]

I was just looking back at the OP...



3. Must be easy to deal with in case I need to replace any of them



Snap-on and Mac fail that test, unless you work in a garage or somewhere else where Snappy stops in each week. Sears, OTOH, probably gets the highest score on that particular point. Even in places where the big boxes will never go you can find a Sears...

[Chris Padilla]

Sears: Craftsman...end of thread. ;)

[Matt Mutus]

How old is your son? Unless he's starting a new job as a professional mechanic, buying something like snap-on would be serious overkill.

I have a lot of snap-on tools and I have to say their customer service is probably the worst thing I've ever been involved with. If something happens to your rep, you are screwed. That happened at a place I worked (the driver retired) and a lot of guys who invested tens of thousands of dollars in snap-on were left hanging with no way to exchange broken tools or get new tools. No other reps in the area would come by because everyone was already outfitted, so there was no regular collection in it for them. Snap-on sells great tools, but they should sell them in a freaking store, instead of deploying greedy middle men who can't properly represent the brand because they are busy trying to scrounge enough money to afford a snap-on truck. GAH!

Whew that felt good.

Craftsman is fine. :)

[Steven Wilson]

I'm a confirmed hater of Craftsman powered tools but their handtools are reasonably priced and have wide availability. I like to peruse ReTool and other places to fill in the spaces in my socket aresenal. As a step up I would probably go with SK.

[Jason Roehl]

I have to toss in something here, while I have abused flathead screwdrivers on many occasions, I almost never open a paint can (I'm a painter), as Lee suggested, with one. The reason is that they tend to tear up the lid and then they don't close properly. I carry a "church key" on my keyring--it's labeled a "paint can closer", but I know what a bottle opener looks like. On the other end is a very small curl--approximately 1mm--that opens the most stubborn paint cans. So it's that or my painter's 5-in-1 tool (most often). I've even honestly broken a flathead screwdriver using it as intended--broke the tip clean off trying to turn a stubborn screw.

Back to your regularly scheduled thread now.

[Randal Stevenson]

In the USA Craftsman hand tools are made by Dahaner (who also make Kobalt, NOW). Most of Dahaners stuff is USA made, although they have at least one factory in either China or Taiwan (ROC). That factory makes Gearwrenches.
The Craftsman labeled Gearwrenches are made in the USA, I believe in the same factory as the Armstrong Gearwrenches.
Craftsman did start having foreign made sockets, ratchets, etc., when Stanley took over the original maker in the 80's. The Canada stuff is also Foreign (Stanley).
The FTC both changed and fined people over the labeling, Stanley has been fined over different brands being labeled as made in the USA, or USA when they were not. Husky, Mac, and a few others of their brands have been hit by this. The Mac division has tried to change this on their stuff that I see from the trucks.

As for the tool trucks, most will not stop by your house. You will have to run one down and then hope that they will swap something for you. Snap~On tried to recruit me as a dealer, and I have know a few others (NOT INTERESTED). I know the games, loss rates, tricks corporate has played with people, etc.
I have MULTIPLE brands in my box, of which several brands, are lifetime warranty that the companies are no longer in business (Gramps was a Mechanic 2x and had his own shop in the 20's). I had to replace some Snap~On lately, and as KC no longer has its own central office, and we have no dealer, I had to email Snap~On, they sent a box, with a RMA type number, then I sent them the items with a list included (in case of damaged box) and received replacements. There are some things of theirs I prefer, but for the budget, get Craftsman and get the better ratchets (the new low profile, or the older tank style, 45 tooth, with spinner attached) instead of the junk ones. Do get breaker bars, AND USE THEM, and then you will have to supliment as neccassary (5.5MM deep socket for Fords from tool truck, website, etc). If you need numbers for the ratchets, pm or email me.

[Al Willits]

Not sure but doesn't sears have a craftsman and a sears brand tool, seems to me I've seen tools with out the craftsman stamp, wondering if so, are they made overseas??

Al

[Jason Roehl]

Not sure but doesn't sears have a craftsman and a sears brand tool, seems to me I've seen tools with out the craftsman stamp, wondering if so, are they made overseas??

Al

That would be the "Companion" brand, I believe, and I don't think they carry a lifetime warranty like the Craftsman name does, and from what I've seen of them, they look like low-quality, low-durability tools.

[Greg Funk]

I've used Craftsmen sockets all my life have broken less than 5 parts in that time. Unless your son is a mechanic there is no economic justification for using Snap-on. I have a couple of Snap-on torque wrenches but I can't see paying extra for the sockets. Get 6 point not 12 point.

Greg

[Andrew Nemeth]

Just to clear a few things up. I was in Sears a few hours ago to get something with my fiancee and I took a look at their hand tools as I have not looked at them for a while.

Sears sells both Craftsman and Sears labeled products. The Craftsman hand tools are their upper line and carry a full lifetime warranty. Most of the Craftsman labeled hand tools still carry a "Made in the USA" logo on the box, most of the Sears branded tools did not.

I am in no way partial to Sears or Craftsman tools however I have both good and bad experiences with them. I find their hand tools to be of good quality although they are a bit pricey. What you are paying for is the convenience of being able to walk in a store 15 years from now and hand them a flathead screwdriver that you broke prying a something apart (we have all done it) and walk out with a new one. I worked at a Sears when I was younger and we never reused a hand tool warranty, never! I have sold and traded all my Craftsman power tools and I don't regret it at all. However, I can't recall ever changing my spark plugs and wishing I had a Snap-On or MAC tools socket, and I certainly don't think it would have made the job any easier if I had.

Keel, IMHO, if your son is a weekend warrior who would likes (or needs) to work on his car every once in a while, he will be well served by most any non generic tools you buy. Craftsman tools have the advantage of a no hassal lifetime warranty with easy point of sale access.

[Mike Henderson]

I have Craftsman and Snap-On tools and have not had trouble with either. I'm not a mechanic but I use to do all the work on my vehicles and the tools held up fine. Couple of times I took things back to Sears they replaced them no questions asked.

I also prefer the six point sockets over the 12 point.

Mike

[added note] I got to thinking about how old many of my tools are. I bought many of them in 1968 from pawn shops which makes it 40 years that I've owned them - and they were used when I bought them. I have a few from my father who probably bought them prior to WWII.

[John Newell]

I also prefer the six point sockets over the 12 point.

That, and the discussion of fine vs coarse ratchets, are separate (and worthwhile) discussions - no right answer, in my opinion. The six point sockets and coarse ratchets (assuming Sears still sells both) are stronger, and the six point sockets are less likely to round over a hex head, but some jobs (in particular, vehicle work) really need twelve point sockets and/or fine-pitch ratchets. Our friends who stick pipe onto socket wrenches should confine themselves to six point sockets :D (or, better, impact sockets)... ;)

[Roy Hatch]

Life is too short to spend it reading all of these posts, but I will take a moment to describe my experience.

In April 1956 when my wife was in the hospital with our first child, I stopped by Sears and bought a set of tools. Sockets, ratchets, open end wrenches, etc. Now, almost 52 years later, I still use them. I have broken a few (only when misusing a tool) and have found that Sears takes great delight replacing with new. Why not, it's their least expensive advertising and possibly some of their best.

Now that she is no longer giving birth to children, I have learned a different approach to buying new tools.

Roy

[Wes Bischel]

Also 1/2" drive sockets of the non-impact variety can suddenly all but disappear from an impact gun in use :confused:. Poof, gone. Returning about 1/10 of a socket still gets a replacement from Sears.
Greg

:D:D:D

I've only seen the aftermath of that mistake!:D

Now I feel old - this thread got me thinking how old my Craftsman sets were - 20 years? - no, 25? - no, oh geez 30 years old!:eek::(

Wes

[Tom Sweeney]

As a former mechanic who now works for Snap on tools 2nd largest customer after the US Gov't. I'd say that the actual craftsman sockets are fine for most people. When I was 16 years old -31 years ago - My dad & I drove to an uncles house to pick up an old tool box of my Dads for me to use. in it were mostly craftsman tools from when he owned a garage in the late 60s. After 15 years as a mechanic & many more years in between I still own some of those tools. I've bought / owned probably $25,000 (when that was a lot of money)worth of MAC, Snap on, Matco, Craftsman, etc. The pro brands are nicer finished, heavier duty & much more expensive, but I have had very few problems with Craftsman. I do like the looks of the old fogey craftsman sockets where you can actually read the sizes & if they are made in the USA would buy that set in a heartbeat!

[Jim Mattheiss]

My first set of 3/8 inch sockets (Sears brand) and the 1/4 socket assortment set (Craftsman brand) are now 25+ years old. Damn - how time flies.

I can't see how a starter "mechanic" set needs to be Snap-On. My 8 year old son has a set of Kobalt cutting pliers, a 5-in-1 screwdriver and a hammer. When he gets older I'll pick up a basic wrench set and a basic socket set from Sears, Lowes or Home Depot.

If he becomes a full time mechanic he can spring for the Snap-On's himself.

BTW - the 3/8 inch Sears sockets are still in regular use. I did buy a used S-K Swivel-Head ratchet to replace the Sears one, but beyond that I'm satisfied. 25 years of occasional use - if they evaporated tomorrow they down owe me anything.

This approach fit's my woodworking tool selection - Jet contractor tablesaw versus a Unisaw - Porter Cable sander versus Fein/Festool - RIDGID shopvac versus Fein/Festool.

This is by no means a criticism of Unisaw/Fein/Festool et owners. If you want it and enjoy it, go for it. Live and let live.

Cheers

Jim

[Mark Rios]

.........I can't see how a starter "mechanic" set needs to be Snap-On. My 8 year old son has a set of Kobalt cutting pliers, a 5-in-1 screwdriver and a hammer. When he gets older I'll pick up a basic wrench set and a basic socket set from Sears, Lowes or Home Depot................

Cheers

Jim


NOW JUST HOLD THE PHONE FOR ONE CONFABULATIN' MINUTE!!!


This set of tools of is for a child (or up to a teen)??? How in a pork chop's name did I miss that? I was thinkin' of Keel's son as being an adult for some bonehead reason.

So, yeah, a nice set of Craftsman sockets, ratchets and wrenches would do just fine.








(Man!...I gotta learn to read better.) :D

[Randal Stevenson]

That, and the discussion of fine vs coarse ratchets, are separate (and worthwhile) discussions - no right answer, in my opinion. The six point sockets and coarse ratchets (assuming Sears still sells both) are stronger, and the six point sockets are less likely to round over a hex head, but some jobs (in particular, vehicle work) really need twelve point sockets and/or fine-pitch ratchets. Our friends who stick pipe onto socket wrenches should confine themselves to six point sockets :D (or, better, impact sockets)... ;)


Sears standard non sealed ratchets are the coarse ones. They are fine if you ocassionally open/clean and regrease them (no longer oil). Their finer non sealed ones are 45 teeth (round head ratchets, examples 43176, 44977) of these, the later with its knurled spinner in the way, is nearly impossible to normally get gunk into the gears. Then they now have the sealed, thin profile, fine tooth (60 tooth) ratchets. (example 44996) These are wonderfull, but so tightly constructed, that when I knew I had gunk in it (jumping a tooth occassionally), I tried to open/clean and regrease it, and the parts went bye-bye.
Six point sockets are recommended, with only a few exceptions, for 12 point bolt heads on things like Ford Drive shafts, and some Dodge Ram vans (maybe commercial only).

Back in the 80's (and again a couple of years ago), Sears Dropped the Craftsman name and warranty on certain items, like pocket knives. They changed these to Sears brand for a while, then back to Craftsman again. Now, they have dropped the non replacable bladed pocket knives, with utility knife bladed pocket knives.
Instead of some of that, they are changing both warranty and brand names on a few items, like the tape measures. In older days, people replaced the insides of tapes, and broken handles on hammers. Now we are going back to that. Some of the other items, like metal shears, that got returned from being dull, are now only being branded, with the original makers name.
They also went toward enforcing the no commercial use policy in the 80's, and things like their own mechanics, stopped using their tools (can't get replaced), so they laxed on that, but now are slowly going back towards that. (IE, don't wear a mechanics uniform into them).

If you go there for tools, watch the sales, as you missed a great starter set a couple of weeks ago. NO fluff, like a lot of their sets have.

AND AGAIN, I stress, GET BREAKER BARS. So much of peoples ratchet problems are from not using breaker bars, or when having resistance, not switching to the next drive size.

[Keel McDonald]

Wow, I had no idea that so many more of you would voice an opinion since I last checked in yesterday afternoon. Thanks.

Let me clear up a few things. I would like to buy a good quality set of socket for my son (3 years old). I guess I thought you all should know that, sorry. I realize that he is far too young to use them now. I have started buying him tools, good quality tools, for his birthday so that by the time he's 18 or so he'll have a good head start. I don't want to buy just the cheapest things on the market just because he very young and won't know the difference. I want to teach him the difference between buying good tools and settling for cheap tools. I just like to get the most bang for my buck.

[Al Willits]

I seemed to have missed the 3 year old part too.

Buy him the cheap stuff from HD and make sure there's no sharp edges, at three I doubt he'd know the difference, then save the extra you would have spent for better tools later in his life.

Less of course he's a child prodigy and rebuilds Hemi's on the side...:D


Al

[Rob Bodenschatz]

Wow. Usually when I see a thread this long it's about dust collection, Festool, Sawstop, EZ, safety, forum contributions or politics. Alas, you guys have spent days talking about...


Socket Sets.


Amazing.

:D:D:D:D:D

[Keel McDonald]

I seemed to have missed the 3 year old part too.

Buy him the cheap stuff from HD and make sure there's no sharp edges, at three I doubt he'd know the difference, then save the extra you would have spent for better tools later in his life.

Less of course he's a child prodigy and rebuilds Hemi's on the side...:D


Al

No thanks. I'll stick to well-made tools, as I stated in my last post. These tools are for later in his life.

[Al Willits]

Just thinking at that younger age how many might get lost before he gets older?

Al...who still loses tools at 60 ... :)

[Andrew Nemeth]

I have started buying him tools, good quality tools, for his birthday so that by the time he's 18 or so he'll have a good head start.

Now, I've heard people start saving for a college education... You gotta be a great dad!

[Kyle Kraft]

Allen makes decent sockets in the USA and they are available at 'nards (Menards). I had a gazillion piece set of them at my last employer and they held up nicely. I think we purchased the big set from Grainger.

[Keel McDonald]

Now, I've heard people start saving for a college education... You gotta be a great dad!

Well, it's not that he won't get all my tools when I die, but I'd like to think that won't be for several more decades. My dad started doing that for me when I turned 16. I just thought it would be nice when he is out on his own to have some tools to fix, repair, build, etc. Keep in mind, I don't plan on stockpiling him with large power tools, but certainly with most of the hand tools anyone might commonly need.

[Matt Mutus]

three? :eek:

Start him out with playskool, then move him up to craftsman in a few year. :)

[Keel McDonald]

three? :eek:

Start him out with playskool, then move him up to craftsman in a few year. :)

No thanks. He has plenty of toys.

[Al Willits]

So the Bridgeport vertical mill isn't part of the starter set????:D

On a serious note, kudo's for getting involved, unfortunately many parents don't

Al

[Pat Germain]

FYI, I have a few Kobalt tools from Lowe's and they're OK. I actually did buy a Kobalt breaker bar and... It broke. Lowe's exchanged it with no questions asked.

All my other hand tools are Craftsman. As a home user, it's just too darned difficult and expensive to deal with Snap-On and similar dealers.

Fun Fact: Many K-Mart stores are now featuring a Sears tool store which makes going with Craftsman even more convenient. No more schlepping to the mall! (K-Mart now owns Sears. No, it's not the other way around.)

Note to elitist Snap-On dealers: If you got off your high-horse and started serving homeowners like the Schwann guy, you'd make more money!

[Matt Meiser]

So basically, you are starting a hope chest. Only his has drawers with ball-bearing slides? :D

[Matt Meiser]

BTW, Matt, if you're going to put a breaker bar on a socket, try a 1/2" or even a 3/4" drive--a little more meat. Even better is to use an impact wrench--the sockets are softer and less likely to split (though I have stretched a couple).

I do only use it for 1/2" drive stuff mostly. I have broken a 3/8-1/2" adapter once or twice though. Also use my 1/2" impact when I can. Unfortunately it doesn't run well of my portable compressor which is in the attached garage where I do most of my work on the cars.

What's worse is that my breaker bar (an ancient garage sale find my dad gave me) has a hole in the handle end that takes a 1/2" extension for extra leverage. I have a good foot of them :D

[Jim O'Dell]

Please tell me he won't have access to these sockets for a few years. I'd hate to see a thread with a picture of one of the sockets planted on/in your forehead!! :D At least he's past the terrible 2's. :rolleyes: Jim.

[David G Baker]

When my children reached the age where they wanted to start using dad's tools, guess what they got for Christmas and birthdays. A Craftsman tool box filled with the standard set of end wrenches, sockets, screw drivers and Allen wrenches. I figured that the tools would be a much better gift than something they would out grow in a month or so. Wonder if they still have the tools?
I probably would have stayed out of this thread if I had know the tools were for a 3 year old.

[Joe Mioux]

I don't know who makes them, but I have had lots of good service from Napa's tools. I have a store here in town and the tools have a lifetime guarantee.

Joe

[George Summers]

I too have some Craftsman handtools that are 50 years old and have lasted through home use (cars, etc). A xouple of replacements over that time but not many.

As a side note, if you go with Craftsman, check out the QVC website. They usually have some sort of set on sale for a very good price. they will still be backed by Sears.

George

[Michael Gibbons]

When I got got out of H.S. I worked in a dealership as a trainee mechanic. I used to do alot of warranty work which was quite repetative. One of the jobs was changing O2 sensors. But they had a cord so you needed a socket that had a slot cut in it. I asked the Snap-On guy if he had one and he said Yeah-$68 bucks. :eek::eek::eek: I asked him if he's on crack. I went back to my tool box,got out the air grinder with the disc on it and did the needed sacrifical surgery on a 4 dollar craftsman socket and it worked just fine..$68 bucks-my-you-know-what!!!