Socket purchase -noob question
#46
Rennlist Member
^X2 on the above. Some tools are just worth the extra money.
#47
Rennlist Member
^^Me too^^ I've got a bunch of Craftsman stuff that's well over 40 years old. About a year ago I brought back an old 3/8" ratchet handle that had broken (the gears not the actual handle). Sure enough, they replaced it with a brand new one. The new one is visibly smaller/thinner and lighter than the original and doesn't really instill a lot of confidence in it's longevity. So far it's been fine, though I use several of my other ratchets more often.
#48
Rennlist Member
#50
Race Director
Snap-On tools for most of us is akin to a 300-pound guy buying a carbon-fiber seat post for his bike...
#52
Race Director
BUT as soon as you start pushing extremes (IE using a 3/8" socket through an adapter to 1/2" on the end of a 24" breaker bar because you don't have a 1/2" socket in 6 point, or in deep well, or for whatever other reason) you're going to start snapping HF stuff quick. I just twisted a HF 3/8" extension apart replacing my engine mounts a couple months ago..
The benefit, however, is that for the price of craftsman, you can get the same tool from HF, as well as the 1/2" socket in 6 point or in deep well or whatever other tool you need, so you don't have to try to make something work instead of just having the right tool.
#53
Captain Obvious
Super User
Super User
Get a Mastercraft socket set from Canadian Tire when it's on sale (get the ones that are $200-up before the sale), a set of triple square sockets, some pliers, screw drivers and so as as they come on sale at CT and a spark plug ratchet that looks like this: https://www.google.ca/search?q=spark...P_JjCH0lpwnGM:
#54
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by KoB
Guy asks what sockets to buy, and starts a four page (and counting) thread. Sheesh.
BTW, what's the best oil?
BTW, what's the best oil?
#55
Three Wheelin'
#56
Rennlist Member
So lots talk about the brand of tools, but not what tools are needed. In addition to sockets both short and long from 8mm-22mm you may need the following sockets. If you get inside the motor, you will need 12 point sockets (at least a 10mm)
1. Triple Square Socket Set
2. Torx Socket Set
3. Internal Torx Socket Set
4. 11mm Flare Nut Wrench (for bleeding brakes)
5. 24 MM Wrench
6. 19MM Deep Socket for Lugs
7. Torque Wrench (ft pound and inch pound)
8. Swivel/Extensions
9. 32mm Socket (axle nuts)
10. Good assortment of screwdrivers
11. Metric Hex Head (allan key) sockets
With the tools above, you should pretty much be able to take apart the entire car.
For the record, I use mostly craftsman. Their return policy and quality has become crap though. Harbor Freight is good for jacks. Their 2 Ton Low Profile Steel Jack is heavy, but gets under everything and lisfts over two feet with a minimum height of under 3".
BTW, you need a jack, jackstands and breaker bar.
1. Triple Square Socket Set
2. Torx Socket Set
3. Internal Torx Socket Set
4. 11mm Flare Nut Wrench (for bleeding brakes)
5. 24 MM Wrench
6. 19MM Deep Socket for Lugs
7. Torque Wrench (ft pound and inch pound)
8. Swivel/Extensions
9. 32mm Socket (axle nuts)
10. Good assortment of screwdrivers
11. Metric Hex Head (allan key) sockets
With the tools above, you should pretty much be able to take apart the entire car.
For the record, I use mostly craftsman. Their return policy and quality has become crap though. Harbor Freight is good for jacks. Their 2 Ton Low Profile Steel Jack is heavy, but gets under everything and lisfts over two feet with a minimum height of under 3".
BTW, you need a jack, jackstands and breaker bar.
#57
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by JayG
Says the one who reuses brake fluid after bleeding
Now that being said, you were supposed to talk about oil, not my brake fluid. Come on guys, let's talk oil!
#58
My point exactly. If you are a pro usuing them day in/day out, snapon makes sense.
For most normal people, HF and others are fine
Most HF tools are not garbage. A few, sure, but their sockets and wrenches are fine.
It all comes down use and cost. If I had unlimited funds like some here, I might consider snapon for all my tools
BTW., the old craftsman tools were made by Moore Drop Forge, the same as Snapon I believe
Same with the HF torque wrench. For most stuff, they are fine. Rebuilding an engine, well no.
BTW, I had my HF torque wrenches tested and they were within 1 %. I can buy at least 20 of them for the cost of 1 snapon one
For most normal people, HF and others are fine
Most HF tools are not garbage. A few, sure, but their sockets and wrenches are fine.
It all comes down use and cost. If I had unlimited funds like some here, I might consider snapon for all my tools
BTW., the old craftsman tools were made by Moore Drop Forge, the same as Snapon I believe
Same with the HF torque wrench. For most stuff, they are fine. Rebuilding an engine, well no.
BTW, I had my HF torque wrenches tested and they were within 1 %. I can buy at least 20 of them for the cost of 1 snapon one
This post makes zero sense to me...it's like buying the cheapest tires you can for your car, as most people are not pros and would never exploit the benefits of a good tires. Then these same people wonder why their tireso are crap in the rain, or just crap in general. I personally don't care what people use. But to say the HF stuff is fine is BS, it's garbage and no amount of justification will change that
#59
Race Director
Not to mention, who the hell are you? Your opinion about HF tools is just that. My opinion is that some, not all, harbor freight tools work perfectly fine.
#60
Rennlist Member
This post makes zero sense to me...it's like buying the cheapest tires you can for your car, as most people are not pros and would never exploit the benefits of a good tires. Then these same people wonder why their tireso are crap in the rain, or just crap in general. I personally don't care what people use. But to say the HF stuff is fine is BS, it's garbage and no amount of justification will change that
a·nal·o·gy
əˈnaləjē/Submit
noun
a comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.
"an analogy between the workings of nature and those of human societies"
a correspondence or partial similarity.
"the syndrome is called deep dysgraphia because of its analogy to deep dyslexia"
a thing that is comparable to something else in significant respects.
"works of art were seen as an analogy for works of nature"...
Tires have real handling and safety benefits, as well as huge variables due to weather, temperature, road conditions and driving parameters. In the case of a socket, it either works or it doesn't. A Snap-On socket of the proper size doesn't tighten a bolt or nut any better or differently than a HF socket of the proper size. While the question of whether it's suitable for professional applications is real and somewhat relevant, it's already been addressed several times in this thread and I think we all agree that (at least some) HF tools probably aren't up to the standards of professional use. To say HF stuff is garbage is just silly... Marketing people love cool-aide drinkers