What socket set would you buy?

[cn90]

I have used Craftsman sockets/wrenches for 30 years. Great product made in USA back in the days.
I have seen the new craftsman at the store, they still look decent.
Buy the set on sales and you will save a truck load of money.

Re Harbor Freight: I only buy "crude" tools there, things such as:
- Hammer
- Pry Bar
- Big screwdriver
- Floor Jack
- Impact Socket (the 1/2-inch type)

I agree with someone above that their wrenches, sockets lack the finesse.

[oragex]

We have something similar to Craftsman here in Canada, it's being sold at a popular hardware store, Canadian Tire, and as mentioned, each week there's something at 50% sale, so we wait until the needed tools go on sale and buy them dirty cheap. This store has the Mastercraft line, similar to Craftsman, and also an even more solid brand, Mastercraft Maximum which I've heard it's very robust. I use the basic Mastercraft tools, a 3/8 ratchet with the set of sockets. I have them for about 15 years, and did everything with these, including suspension bolts up to 19mm. Someone mentioned the Stanley thing; I have a 3/8" ratchet & sockets set bought recently for, I think, around $20 CAD on sale. The sockets are solid, the ratchet not so much but I still use it because it's light and easy to work with.

I you want something special, there are old, very well made tools/sockets on Ebay for not much.

[northernlights]

It was a 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" drive kit with deep sockets for the 1/4" and 3/8" drive. Both metric and SAE.

I have a bunch of Craftsman tools, but to me the 12 point sockets make it really easy to round off a nut or bolt that is rusty, to the point that I basically gave up on them and stick to 6 point for anything funny. This means I have a bunch of 12 points that I won't use, which is not a good use of cash. I have a few random S-K sockets and an ancient breaker bar that feel more like a commercial product than something for a consumer. It seems that S-K is often perceived as being oddball enough that the prices are lower than Snap-On, Mac or Matco.

Speaking of used, these days SAE is so close to extinct that (in case you haven't checked) you may be surprised what you can find on ebay for decent prices, at least compared to metric tools. It might be worth buying used SAE and new metric.

[Seaway]

Take a look at the Duralast socket sets at Autozone. People give the ratchets great reviews. The other nice thing about them is that they have a lifetime guarantee. If it breaks, simply take it back to the store and they will exchange it, no paperwork needed. I have a small 1/4" set that I bought as sort of a "throw away" cheap set for emergencies but it quickly turned into my go-to ratchet. It has been heavily used and flawless for 3 years. I wouldn't hesitate to get another set.

As far as wrenches are concerned, I would get a set of ratcheting wrenches, but that is a whole other discussion.

[erikv11]

+1 to northernlights: out of all of my sockets only 2 or 3 of them are 12 point and that is by accident or for the 12 point bolts on the fly wheel; I find them worthless.

[mecheng]

Craftsman used to be the best quality for the money by far, they even made some of their wrenches in Japan. I haven't looked at their recent stuff so I can't comment.

I think a decent kit of sockets with ratchets is fine for the DIY, some of the others have posted some decent brands. We have a version of HF in Canada called Princess Auto which is okay for some stuff but I wouldnt' by a tool set from them. Stanely, Craftsman, Mastercraft I think are better.

I like to splurge on the ratchet as it is used most often and good quality ratchets are quicker and heavier. Weight helps when you are trying to losen stubborn bolts using a rubber mallet. I use Gray Tools for ratchets, they are all made in Canada used by professionals in remote places and are a beast of a tool.

I also found cheap pliers loose their teeth quickly due to poorly hardened steel. I use ChannelLock pliers, not cheap but worth it. So the $5 you spend on the plier is wasted, even if you get a new one.

[98v70dad]

I don't use the 12 points either. The Lowes set I bought was lacking some 6 points in smaller sizes so I replaced them with 6 points for a few dollars.

[98v70dad]

I don't use the 12 points either. The Lowes set I bought was lacking some 6 points in smaller sizes so I replaced them with 6 points for a few dollars.

[dosbricks]

36mm Axle nut removal
Above: Craftsman 1/2" drive
Below: Harbor Freight 1/2" drive

[j-dawg]

HF is a mixed bag, I think. I've got a Hahbah Freight breaker bar (the same one dosbrix just posted) and two clocker torque wrenches, and those are fantastic. My HF Welding mask and gloves get the job done for half the price of Home Depot. Looking to potentially pick up one of their 1/2" electric impacts, because I hear nothing but good about it. On the other hand, I bought a socket set once and the sockets started stripping out the first time I used them, the ratchet felt like total garbage, the adapter barely fit, etc etc.

Granted, I paid $2 for the set, but y'know. The good Harbor Freight stuff is surprisingly good. The crappy Harbor Freight stuff is really crappy. Don't order stuff online - go to the store and actually hold things in your hand before buying from Harbor Freight.

http://www.meyette.us/hf_tool_sale.pdf