Need advice on a socket/ratchet set.

[fangstang]

I'm looking to get a couple of sets of sockets and ratchets. I am not a professional mechanic or technician so I do not need anything super expensive like Snap-On. I just like to have some nice tools for when I work on my truck or around the house. I am also not looking at anything from China. I'd like something at least from Taiwan. I heard the quality is very good for the money. That being said, I was looking at sets from GearWrench and Tekton. I know nothing about them, thats why I am posting here. I want a 1/4" and 3/8" set. There is a deal going on right now with GearWrench on the 80550 pkge that is their 3/8" 57 piece 6pt metric and SAE set that includes short and long sockets, extensions, 2x 84 tooth ratchets(long and short) for around $100 and you get their 51 piece, 1/4" socket set with their 120XP ratchet for free. Separately, they retail for much more.

3/8" and 1/4" set BOGO free
https://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-57-Piece-6-Point-51-Piece-Standard/dp/B0186IXCY8
1/4"
https://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-8...475&sr=1-3&keywords=gearwrench+1/4+socket+set
3/8"
https://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-8...592&sr=1-5&keywords=gearwrench+3/8+socket+set

The Tekton sets also look nice and are a bit cheaper but have fewer sockets in their sets.

3/8"
https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-8-Inc...=1513483676&sr=1-1&keywords=tekton+socket+set
1/4"
https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-4-Inc...=1513483676&sr=1-7&keywords=tekton+socket+set

Anyone have any experience with these 2 companies? The only thing I am not 100% sure about on the GearWrench is that the ratchets dont have a lock for the sockets.

 

[GOTSVT?]

Since you have ruled out snap on, consider Blue Point.

 

[SID297]

SK makes some good stuff. Hit up CL and buy old Craftsman stuff.

 

[Gary Macomber]

Look at Husky tools, they are now owned by Home Depot, have a lifetime warranty, made in Taiwan by Stanley. The lifetime warranty is super easy, bring a broken tool to Home Depot and get a new one on the spot. I just bought a bunch for the shop I run including their 52 inch box.

 

[Pribilof]

I have a mix of old craftsman, new Tektron, and Husky. Happy with all.

 

[kevinatfms]

Look at Husky tools, they are now owned by Home Depot, have a lifetime warranty, made in Taiwan by Stanley. The lifetime warranty is super easy, bring a broken tool to Home Depot and get a new one on the spot. I just bought a bunch for the shop I run including their 52 inch box.

This.

I had Snap-On, Matco, Mac and Craftsman. All were great but the money for them is ridiculous. Lately i have been going with Husky for small tools. The only thing they dont have is the swiveling impact sockets from what i have found(i still have most of my matco stuff).

 

[Blown 89]

Get the gearwrench set. They come with one of the best ratchets on the market and a lifetime warranty. Unlike wrenches there isn't much difference between the high end sockets and the low to mid tier. If you're going to spend money on tools do it elsewhere....screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, etc.

If you end up with another socket set get the gearwrench 120XP ratchet anyway. A lot of the tool boards recommend it over the Snapon...it's that good. At $100 for both the 3/8" and 1/4" set it doesn't make sense not to at least get the sockets. If they suck you're only out $100 and you got two really nice ratchets.

If the Amazon deal expires www.tooldiscounters.com has a deal where you buy a 3/8" set they gave you the 1/4" set with it. Nationaltoolwarehouse.com as well.
http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=KDT80550P

Take the money you save and get some Westling Machine socket holders:
http://westlingmachine.com/ToolHolders.html

 

[stang910]

I find it hard to beat the Duralast kits from Autozone. Both 1/4 and 3/8 sets have the all right size sockets with the 1/4 only missing a 13mm shallow and deep. The price is hard to beat for what you get. The ratchets don't last, but when it breaks you can replace them with either craftsman, kobalt or snap on and honestly I've broken more snap on ratchets than another other brand.

 

[fangstang]

Thanks for all the replies, guys. I started looking at the SK sets too.

 

[fangstang]

Get the gearwrench set. They come with one of the best ratchets on the market and a lifetime warranty. Unlike wrenches there isn't much difference between the high end sockets and the low to mid tier. If you're going to spend money on tools do it elsewhere....screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, etc.

If you end up with another socket set get the gearwrench 120XP ratchet anyway. A lot of the tool boards recommend it over the Snapon...it's that good. At $100 for both the 3/8" and 1/4" set it doesn't make sense not to at least get the sockets. If they suck you're only out $100 and you got two really nice ratchets.

If the Amazon deal expires www.tooldiscounters.com has a deal where you buy a 3/8" set they gave you the 1/4" set with it. Nationaltoolwarehouse.com as well.
http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=KDT80550P

Take the money you save and get some Westling Machine socket holders:
http://westlingmachine.com/ToolHolders.html

I looked at both places yesterday when I did some research on prices. Tool discounter seems to have some not so good reviews. I'm kinda iffy on them but they do have the best deal on both 120xp sets. No one is even close. Any experience ordering from them?

 

[Blown 89]

I looked at both places yesterday when I did some research on prices. Tool discounter seems to have some not so good reviews. I'm kinda iffy on them but they do have the best deal on both 120xp sets. No one is even close. Any experience ordering from them?

I bought a set from them and shipping was painfully slow since they didn't have any stock left. They missed their ship date by two or three weeks. I didn't mind since they were the only place running that deal at the time.

 

[fangstang]

I bought a set from them and shipping was painfully slow since they didn't have any stock left. They missed their ship date by two or three weeks. I didn't mind since they were the only place running that deal at the time.

I guess I can wait, especially for the price. They're the only ones offering that BOGO free with the 120XP 3/8" kit. Its always the 57 piece, dual 84 tooth 3/8" kit that everyone else is offering. I wouldnt mind either to be honest. I can always buy the 120XP ratchet if I wanted it.

Did you order over phone or their site? I would probably call to see if they have any in stock first.

 

[DaleM]

Try Proto

Sent from my [device_name] using the svtperformance.com mobile app

 

[PhoenixM3]

I’m at a point in my life where I don’t need Snap On tools, but I want them. I’ll likely choke when I see the prices, though. I have many Craftsman and Husky stuff.

 

[beau t]

Our local auto zone and advanced auto carry gear wrench and 3 to 4 times a year do a half off sale, that being said i have yet to break 1 of these ratchets mostly use 1/2in stuff. It may be worth looking at your local parts stores and ask if they do these types of sales.

also Hoamskilet posted a S-K sale looks like 40% off
Heck of a sale going on.....good quality US tools:

https://www.sktools.com/?cid=sk-holiday1
unsure how to give him credit for this but Thanks Hoamskilet!

 

[98 svt]

Craftsman

 

[fangstang]

Thanks for the link

 

[Lzr96Snake]

I have a lot of Snap-on, Matco and Mac stuff mainly from when I was younger, working at dealerships, making weekly payments when the tool trucks would come around. I can’t bring myself to pay that kind of money for tools anymore.

I’ve had good luck with Kobalt stuff from Lowe’s. I really like their ratchets. Most all of my wrenches are Gear Wrench now. I really like them as well. As others have said SK makes good tools as well.

 

[CV355]

SK makes some good stuff. Hit up CL and buy old Craftsman stuff.

SK is awesome- just shy of Snap-on pricing.

Most of my tools are Craftsman. Never had a problem, though there is a noticeable difference between a Craftsman ratchet and a Snap on ratchet.

I'm seeing a growing trend of people going with full Harbor Freight sets. Their professional line is actually quite nice (obvious Snap-on and Ingersoll-Rand rip offs) but decent for the money. I keep a small set of HF tools with me at work for incidentals.

 

[SID297]

SK is awesome- just shy of Snap-on pricing.

Most of my tools are Craftsman. Never had a problem, though there is a noticeable difference between a Craftsman ratchet and a Snap on ratchet.

I'm seeing a growing trend of people going with full Harbor Freight sets. Their professional line is actually quite nice (obvious Snap-on and Ingersoll-Rand rip offs) but decent for the money. I keep a small set of HF tools with me at work for incidentals.

I was lucky enough to build out my collection back when Craftsman was still worth the money. Since they moved production to China they simply aren't a value anymore.

I know a lot of people that like Kolbalt tools from Lowes.