Good brand for new socket set?

[ehall]

Simple example, ratchets have moving parts and require periodic servicing (most of them require lube straight out of the box, to prevent wear). So at the very least you want something that has a removable plate on the head, open it up and slop some grease on the drive plate, and close it up again.

Here's a basic Crescent brand ratchet (Amazon), something nobody would think woah that's a good ratchet. See the two screws on the back of the head? Pop those out and the front cover comes off

Not a single craftsman 3/8 ratchet on Amazon has a removable cover. Use it till it slips or breaks or burns up, and then throw it away. Junk. And most of them are more expensive than the Crescent.

 

[Talyn]

No? http://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-254...1419099468&sr=8-1&keywords=craftsman+84+teeth

What's this then:
http://garagebulletin.com/tag/ratchet/

Most craftsman ratchets can be taken apart, rebuilt and lubed. The lower level ones don't use screws but if you looked there is a snap ring that comes off. Just because you can take it apart doesn't mean crap as far as quality is concerned.

 

[ehall]

Okay you win, there is an $80 craftsman that can be lubed as easily as $15 second-shelf brands

BTW I have a couple of Craftsman ratchets with snap rings and the rings just break on removal. After the 2nd return the local Sears told me not to bring them back anymore. Junk.

 

[Talyn]

Okay you win, there is an $80 craftsman that can be lubed as easily as $15 second-shelf brands

Ok, even the cheapest Craftsman ratchets can be serviced: http://grandmighty.com/2011/02/how-to-service-your-craftsman-ratchet/

 

[ehall]

Yeah the snap rings break

 

[BoringDave]

I better have the rest of my broken craftsman stuff replaced before sears goes bankrupt soon.

My local Ace hardware is selling Craftsman now. I even seen them warranty a breaker bar for someone while I was standing in the checkout line.

I'm the same way every time a take back a Husky brand tool. All mine that I bought 20 years ago say made in USA on them. They don't say anything other then the size now that they are owned by Home Depot.

 

[anthrax323]

This thread has a lot of good tips... I never would've even glanced at the composite HF ratchet prior to reading it.

Someone mentioned Proto as a good brand, and I had to throw in my $0.02...

A good crescent wrench is worth its weight in gold. I inherited an old Proto crescent from my grandfather amongst other odds and ends (heavy industry engineer), and only in the last couple of years (when I really started getting into wrenching in a serious way) have I realized how incredible the damn thing is. I have nearly a dozen other chromed POS crescents (Craftsman, HF, and beyond) that all have marred jaws from slop in the adjuster.

The Proto is a beast (I believe it's a 10" model, parkerized finish). I've used cheater bars on it in a pinch and have yet to screw up a nut/bolt or damage the wrench in any way.

It's the best accessory to a socket set you can possibly have on a trail if space is at a premium. I'm tempted to order one of the newer ones to see if they're still of the same quality.

A full set of box wrenches is ideal if space allows, though. But damn... I never thought a freakin crescent wrench would put a smile on my face.

 

[xcm]

Yeah the snap rings break

So they dont make em with serviceable internals... EXCEPT THOSE....
and they dont make em for less than $80, except those....


Cranky old guy is cranky?
Sure, they dont make em like they used to, lets all collectively get the **** over it.


ps, ever used a pair of crescant flush cuts? they are utter shit. the moral of the story? no brand is god mode.

 

[souske]

So they dont make em with serviceable internals... EXCEPT THOSE....
and they dont make em for less than $80, except those....


Cranky old guy is cranky?
Sure, they dont make em like they used to, lets all collectively get the **** over it.


ps, ever used a pair of crescant flush cuts? they are utter shit. the moral of the story? no brand is god mode.

You mad bro?

 

[xcm]

2014 called, they want 2013's meme back.

 

[ehall]

xcm mangina attack

 

[rockclimber]

I don't think I have ever lubricated a ratchet. I have some in my tool box from my dad that are older than I am. Never an issue.

 

[ehall]

Well you should, it prevents rounding the teeth and pawl and blocks out oxidation. Especially for yard/car tools that get dropped in the mud. A little spritz of lithium grease when they are new, and a refresh every few years as needed.

 

[XJlimitedx99]

I picked up a Kobalt set from Lowes and could not have been happier with it. The quality is there and the price is right. They got me through my entire lift with no issues. I broke several sockets but none of my Kobalts. They also have a lifetime warranty on them! I bought a 1/2" drive torque wrench also and have been very pleased with that aswell.

 

[firehawk618]

The Harbor Freight "pro" series of sockets / wrenches have served me VERY well over the years.

 

[tcpoland]

Wow I love all the feedback here..... I have to agree with solar bell, for organizers Ernst manufacturing makes some of the best socket rails I have seen. I have the twist lock ones in my box at work. The single rails are great and u can lay them flat if you have shallow drawers like you said, also each rail comes with a full set of stickers to label the sizes on the clips of the rail which I like for easier identification. Also word to the wise when I got mine I noticed amazon had the same ones a fair bit cheaper.
As for ratchets.... The tool truck ones are worth the money, look on eBay and u can probably find them for 1/2 price of what the rep wants, the high tooth count in them makes a huge difference when your working in a tight spot or just doing a lot of work. Sockets are still something I am on the lookout for something affordable. At work I have snap on and they are great, low profile o.d. comes means you can do things you would normally have to swap for an open end on. If I had the money I would absolutely invest in snap on sockets at home, in the mean time I have just come to dislike my craftsman and harbor freight stuff. I am tempted to give blue point a shoot but I haven't had a chance to work with any yet.

 

[md21722]

Blue Point is Taiwan or China and feels like it.