What brand socket set?

[MudTJ]

My current stuff is craftsman but i don't like the ratchets cause they have a big amount of play between the teeth and i keep wearing them out. I have also lost a few sockets, i think i'm going to make these my trail tools and get new ones for the garage. The only craftsman stuff i saw that i liked was a 213 peice set i think and it was $299 i think. It included 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 with i think standard and deep sockets for all of it. Also had a few wrenches and other little bullshit screwdrivers and stuff. It had some newer kind of ratchet that is supposed to be lower profile and have a smaller swing. I was hoping to spend a little less than that but will spend that much if i have to, but what kind of tools do yall use that are resonably affordable and durable/have a warranty. Snap on and Mack are nice but probably out of my spending range. So what other brands do you suggest.

[CrustyJeep]

Why does your ratchet have to be the same brand as your sockets??? Go find what you like. Personally, I like S-K rachets the best. Nothing really wrong with Craftsman sockets I don't think, but their rachets suck donkey (most rachets suck donkey, actually).

[krombig]

Listen to Crusty. Buy Craftsman sockets, and whatever ratchet you like. I personally like Snap On ratchets. I only use my crapsman ratchets when I know I'm gonna put hammer marks on it.

[BUZZISCRAZY2]

i think craftsman has a pro series.......you'd think it would have a diffrent feel, but i'm sure it's not cheaper
Try huskey brand.........lol

[PARANOID56]

yea, another vote for husky

[D60]

Yep, Craftsman does make several versions/levels of ratchets. The ones that are always bad-mouthed are the cheapest ones they provide in all their kits. However I have no experience w their more expensive ratchets. They are selling their 3 piece (1/4, 3/8 and 1/2) low profile ratchet set for about $80 in the latest gift book (good thru February).

Does anyone have experience w their thin body ratchets? Otherwise SK might be the way to go.

NEVER pay full retail for the Craftsman 2xx piece kits, they put them on sale all the time. I got my 251 pc kit for about $140 but it no longer exists, they now do something like a 243 pc kit that goes on sale for around $180 quite regularly.

At least some of the Husky stuff looks a lot like Stanley stuff at Wally World

[Les H.]

My favorite 3/8 ratchet is the craftsman pro series that is bent at the handle.Used it preferibly in the shop over all the rest.My.02

[YJ4RoX]

i am 99% certain Stanley makes Husky. I just bought a Husky 8 drawer tool chest and the box had a stanley shipping address on it.

As for rachets, craftsman sucks ass, i have two stanleys i beat the hell out of and they are holding up fine. I just got a set of Husky for christmas and they seem to be sturdy and they are affordable. Snap on is still the best rachet i have used. My buddy has a Cobalt from lowe's that has held up well.

[Toyota FJ40]

I have the Craftsman thin profile ratchets, and like them more than anything I have tried including snap-on. They have fine teeth, they are pretty low profile, and they feel awesome in your hand. Go to the sears near you and pick one up to feel how nice they really feel, after that you will want one for sure. As far as other craftsman ratchets they are garbage, even the other professionals aren't that great.

[hammer74]

Craftsman nor husky is worth a shit. Your going to have to come off that wallet to get some quality ratchets. Try the big three and see which one's you like the best. Talking shop online is one thing but putting a ratchet in your hand to see how it feels to you is another. Matco, Mac and Snap On all make great ratchets. When all else fails spend enough cash and you will get good quality stuff.
Good luck.

[bigboysbigtoys]

I have a set of Craftsmen sockets, and they are great, broke one, with a huge blood breaker bar. Snap-On I find is way over priced, even my boss who's been a mechanic for 35 years, and always had everything snap-on, now is buying crafstmen. I to really like the S-K rachets. though I have Snap-On Rachets, thats where spending the money is worth it. My trail set of tools is MasterCraft Perfessional Series. AKA Canadian Tire brand, cheap, guaranteed for life. and I've not broken anything yet. Has a nice feel to it too.
I'd go craftsmen, unless you want to spend a few grand on basic hand tools.

[Toyota_Jim]

snap on sockets here. lots of snappy ratchets but my favs are the round head ones.

[ZJim]

If you want a ratcher with a smoother feel than the Craftsman, the Husky cheapos have a better feel. I tried them out this weekend at Home Depot since I'm looking for some better ratchets. I'd have no problem buying a Snapon or Matco ratchet, but buying Mat/Snapon stuff like combination wrenches just seems like a waste of cash to me. Going to the tool store and buying what feels and looks good to you is where it's really at! I really like everything made by Matco and Snapon, but that doesn't mean I can justify the price for most of it! Middle of the road is best IMO for box wrenches, screwdrivers, and especially sockets if you've got a limited amount of cash to spend.

[chumly2071]

from http://www.danaher.com/business/strategic_detail.asp?key=12


"Danaher Tool Group and Matco®, enjoy a leading share position in the multi-billion dollar mechanics hand tool market.

The Hand Tool Group is growing substantially faster than the industry growth rate, driving growth through geographic expansion and share gains, as well as innovative new products that improve safety, strength, speed and access. Danaher is committed to deliver customer-driven new product innovation through user-preferred brands such as, Armstrong®, Matco®, Sears Craftsman®, AllenTM, KD-Tools®, Holo-Krome®, NAPA®, and SATA."

I remembered this topic from the past, and knew that Danaher made several of the brands...

[D60]

Yeah, but I think it would be a mistake to assume Danaher makes all Craftsman hand tools. I dunno what "Napa" is since I thought Napa's tools were called "Evercraft," and from what I've seen of them, if Danaher is making those it's definitely on a lower level.