I need a socket set..

"norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback" (norskracer98)
11/10/2014 at 20:24 • Filed to: None

What brand would Oppo recommend? I've used Craftsman ones that my grandfather has and I've kinda used my dad's Kobalt set. So Oppo, what brand should I ask for for Christmas? Figure that this would be kinda important for when ever I get a car. That way I can do some stuff on my own. So, enough of my rambling. Recommend something pweese

DISCUSSION (29)

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 20:26

Craftsman, especially if they still have that lifetime warranty.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 20:27

Craftsman. When Black Friday rolls around, you'll be able to get a nice set for relatively cheap. Also, 20 years down the road when one piece breaks, you go back to Sears and say "This broke." and they will replace it.

Jcarr > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 20:27

My Craftsman set has been rock-solid.

Steve in Manhattan > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 20:27

Snap-On - the best, but expensive. Most shops use them.

jkm7680 > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 20:27

Craftsman is always good quality. Sears carries them if you want to go take a look-see. Snap-On makes great stuff also but I don't think they've got smaller sets.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 20:28

Blue Point. It's Snap On, but doesn't say Snap On, so it's half the price. Supposedly they're the budget line, but it's the same tool.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 20:28

Snap-On, it they're not too expensive, otherwise Craftsman.

Trunk Impaired 318 > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 20:30

Ive got a 100 something piece Craftsman set and its pretty much got everything I could ever need and if something breaks I can take it to Sears and they'll replace it for FREE with literally no questions asked.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 20:31

I use a couple of 1/2" drive Bahco socket and spanner sets for work on the Landrovers and lots of other machinery, and couldn't see myself changing from them. Saying that, I've never had the chance to use any 'pro' tools like Snap-On so couldn't compare properly. Not sure if helpful :/

promoted by the color red > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 20:31

Harbor Freight. Don't expect them to hold up if you're working in an auto shop, but they're fine for weekend use.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
11/10/2014 at 20:31

That's only if Sears are still around.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 20:32

I use to buy craftsman before they started making it all in China. Now my go to socket brand is armstrong. Proto is another quality brand.

BrownMiataDieselWagon > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 20:33

Snap-On. If you're going to make a serious investment in tools, buy the best.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
11/10/2014 at 20:34

Valid point.

lonestranger > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 20:34

Craftsman, because lifetime warranty redeemable by walking in to any Sears store.

Canadian answer: Mastercraft, because lifetime warranty redeemable by walking in to any Canadian Tire store.

Tohru > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 20:35

Craftsman, Snap-on, Matco, Mac Tools, or Cornwell.

Source: Used to be a full-time mechanic.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 20:38

Craftsman. My dad exclusively uses them and he has sets older than me that he used at work daily that still look and work like brand new.

phenotyp > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 20:41

Craftsman every day of the week.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 20:45

For the money, it's hard to beat Craftsman. As a guy who has a bunch of shitty HF tools at work and nice Craftsman and SK tools at home, you get what you pay for. I generally prefer SK, since they're not Snap On pricey, but my Craftsman sockets and their high end ratchets (the ones without the release button, though the tear drop ones are good too) are excellent.

Agrajag > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 20:50

Kinja'd!!!

Truevalue has this 140 piece set on sale for $40. They're okay quality but have the same lifetime warranty policy as Sears.

dogisbadob > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 20:52

I bought one of the last US-made Craftsman sets a couple years ago; now they're all Chinese.

You're better off going to Harbor Freight. Yeah they're Chinese too, but at least they're priced commensurate with the COO (Sears/Kmart did not pass the savings on to the customer).

Clown Shoe Pilot > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 21:38

I have a TON of Craftsman tools. Craftsman has always been contract manufactured by others. In the last several years, they've switched from US contract manufacturing to overseas. The stuff in the stores now is all made in China. The Craftsman Industrial stuff is supposed to still be US made but I haven't bought any to check. I've had all my stuff since before they moved production, some of it over 20 years. I've broken some ratchets and F'd up some screwdrivers and never had a problem getting replacement tools at Sears.

I've got a fair amount of SK tools as well. I've been VERY happy with them. SK makes good stuff and it's priced fairly reasonably. You can get it from Amazon.

If the folks gifting this socket set to you are made from cash, Snap On is the way to go. I've got a little bit of Snap On and it's nice stuff. If I was made of money, I'd have more of it.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 22:02

I have some Kobalt sockets and Husky wrenches and have nothing bad to say about either of them.

Wait until Black Friday.

Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 22:29

I have a team mechanix set that came with a bunch of extra tools, my grandpa gave it to me, and while its not a well known brand, it seems to work pretty well.

http://www.amazon.com/Team-Mechanix-…

BoulderZ > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 23:26

I've been using my Craftsman sockets for the last 28 years. I thought it was an awesome Christmas present at the time when my brother and I each got one. And while it was indeed an awesome present, it was only about 15 years later that I figured out it was a brilliant move by my Dad also not to have us borrowing his sockets anymore. His were SK and Husky, and he still uses them regularly, too. All my Craftsman stuff has been great, but I don't think any of it is from their now-in-China manufacturing. If it's for Christmas, can't hurt to ask for Snap-On, Mac, or Cornwell.

I've only truly messed up two Craftsman tools. One was a torque wrench where the ratchet head just started spinning freely. That was when they still did lifetime warranty on torque wrenches. The other was while doing electrical work in a house I opened up a light switch box and had a bad feeling the breaker wasn't really switched off (really old and poorly maintained wiring in that house). I used the shaft of the screw driver to briefly ground the hot wire to the grounded metal junction box. The bright blue spark told me it was live, and left a nice little arc-weld notch in the blade of the screwdriver. It works fine, so I keep it as a reminder to test (preferably with a test light, but...) and be certain a circuit is off before you grab it. 110V AC on a 15 Amp breaker hurts enough to want to avoid it.

Sally O'Broder > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
11/10/2014 at 23:28

Craftsman tools are now sold outside of Sears at certain retailers, what with its CEO being a goddamned moron and not understanding how brands work and all.

Sally O'Broder > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 23:30

Craftsman.

Source: Compulsive wrench wench.

shop-teacher > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 23:42

The Craftsman sockets are fine, but the ratchets are garbage. I'd get a Craftsman set, but then I'd buy good used ratchets off of Craigslist (Snap On, Mac, Matco, Cornwell, etc.)

Husky and Kobalt sets are also perfectly fine do it yourself tool sets.

atfsgeoff > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/11/2014 at 01:32

I can't recommend Craftsman these days, their quality has really gone downhill in recent years.

I recommend Grey Pneumatic Duo sockets. Here is the 3/8" drive set.

http://www.amazon.com/Grey-Pneumatic…

Kinja'd!!!

Has both SAE and metric, shallow and deep wall. Goes from 5/16" to 1", and from 7mm to 22mm, skipping no sizes. They're also impact-rated, for if/when you get an impact wrench.

You'll eventually also want a 1/4" set (with smaller sockets) and a 1/2" set (with larger sockets) to complement this, but 3/8" is usually the most often-used drive size.