Okay, I know I'm going to catch flak for this one, but it's really itching my brain, and this seems to be the appropriate place to post this question. I have seen a snap-on socket break under light duty. They are not invincible. I have yet to see a cheap socket break at all. I have seen extensions break, but that seems to be kinda common.

My question is, what is it about chinese tools that makes them so inferior? They are made using the same steel, using what I would assume are the same manufacturing processes. So why do people avoid them like the plague? I can spot the super-cheap nickel plated shitty sockets from a mile away. Those are obviously not going to last. But some are made with what seems to be quality polished steel, and are drop forged for strength. What is wrong with it?

 

It's all about the brand and apparently snap-on likes to snap-off nowadays as your observation isn't actually too uncommon.. It's possible snap-on has chosen poorer quality steel in order to not fall too far behind the chinese made stuff in terms of costs. Snap-on can also hide behind their brand as quality stuff, regardless of anything. Hard to say, I'd hope someone would do a comprehensive review of this crap someday soon so we can see if snap-on still really is the best or not.

 

I'm trying to summon up the courage to buy some cheaper 1/2'' drive sockets. The only time I use 1/2'' sockets at all is working on suspension which I rarely do, so I just use impact sockets on my ratchet. I want a complete set of regular sockets, and I don't want to spend a fortune. Up until now I've bought most of my tools from autozone, and I like the duralast brand better than craftsman, but their 1/2'' drive selection SUCKS. I mean, WOW it sucks; and their pricing is questionable on these sets.

 

snap-on are the best tools on the market hands down. they have a warranty that blows almost all others away. craftsman have a similar warranty but theres tools are about 1/3 the quality.


the reason real business owners use snap-on is because if you take a close look they are designed to use in tight spots. vs a el'cheapo they just don't fit correctly.

ive used many many different brands and my favorite is snap-on the feel in your hand is unmatched & they are designed so that you can get into a tight spot but still put the torque you need to break them nut or bolt loose.

SK makes great tools also but warranty on those is a little harder, luckly we have an ace hardware that carries them & they almost always have a replacement in stock.

3rd on my list is craftsman ONLY because of the warranty take a look at a craftsman set next to a snap on set (metric wrench set for example) when you look closely you will immediately understand why snap-on is the best.

 

I agree somewhat that snap-on has a good overall design, but the duralast tools are almost replicating the same design and feel. As far as ratchets, I don't mind forking over a few extra bucks for a good quality tool. However, sockets are a wallet burner for me. I have a huge socket collection already, but it's all 1/4 and 3/8 drive, standard, metric, shallow, deep, 6 and 12 point, specialty and swivel heads. It wasn't too bad, but now it's time to start working on my 1/2'' drive sockets, and they're expensive as a **** by comparison. Just in sockets alone, if I were to match what I have in 3/8'', I would probably dump an easy $500 on 1/2'' drive sockets. I have a baby coming in july and I just can't afford to buy high dollar stuff. But it's really itching at me hard because I love tools and rely on them to get a buck every now and then.

 

So why do you need regular sockets if you use the 1/2" rarely and you've already got an impact set that works for you? I think I'm in the same boat as you.

 

I live in Ohio near Cleveland. If you've ever been here, you'd realize this area is notorious for potholes. There's so many huge potholes everywhere it's crazy, hence major suspension problems. It seems like I'm moving into more suspension work over engine work, so I would do good to invest in a 1/2'' drive set. But I am ripping my hair out over it.

 

But how is the 1/2" impact drive set not sufficient? I mean I bet you get rust there too and so you'd likely need the impact set, no?

 

True, but I don't and can't use air tools. I usually find myself working on a car on the side of the road or in someone else's driveway. I just feel weird not having a complete socket set. It's kindof a complex issue with me, because my tools (however cheap) are like my second child. I even keep a folder with all my receipts in it protected with sheet protectors, along with computer copies of the receipts [kinda like their birth certificates].

I could (and probably will) just buy chinese sets for now, and I know they would work great, but it just bothers me how people look down on chinese tools so badly, I can't wrap my head around it. It scares me. I think I need a therapist.

 

what's wrong with a complete impact socket set from harborfreight? As for an impact gun, maybe you could get a portable battery powered one which can be pretty powerful. wtf are you doing on the side of the road fixing your car?

 

not my car... this is a ford area, bigtime. I can't even think about driving a honda because i don't want to insult my in-laws that are ford workers. There are a ton of tauruses up here, and it seems like every one of them has failing inner tie rods. I don't know if it was just some messup at ford's end, or if it's the potholes killing them.

The last time I had to take off an axle nut, I used a 1/2'' breaker bar with a socket I rented at autozone. Me and another guy were standing on it trying to break it free. An air tool would've saved the day bigtime. Thinkin about buying a portable air compressor makes me wanna barf. My wife will never understand :p

 

i come across most my tools in some sort of trade or lot purchase, but if i buy a tool it usually goes like this.

1/4: decent hand tools, good adapters, warrantied socket set, quality air tools.
3/8: QUALITY!!
1/2;impact: nice set of impact sockets, strong hand tools, sockets where ever i can find them if i so happen to need one if the drive sockets wont work.

almost everything i use is metric, i plan to be really putting my tool to the test in about 4 hours

 

Okay, you guys have convinced me I think, but I hope we're still talking about the same kinds of "tools" here jk

 

And btw... if you're wondering why I am trolling around a honda forum when I am pretty-much limited to fords, it's obvious: i miss my crx, and the ford crowd is too redneck for me

 

People who say Snapon tools are the same as any other tools have less than 10 years experience s a professional technician. Any tech with a lot of experience will tell you that Snappy tools are worth the money. A lot of R&D goes into the tools, and form and fitment are part of what makes the superior, not just quality. With that said I have roughly 40k worth of tools. Mostly Snapon some Cornwell and Matco. BUT my 1/2 socket set is from Homedepot. Husky brand. It is a little over 13 years old and I have never saw the need to replace it...

 

That eases my mind a bit more

 

ya i wouldnt skimp on 3/8 drive anything since they see a lot more abuse then they really should.

i agree with the above guy. all mechanics i kno that are my fathers age use snap on because it kicks major ****.

and yes we talkin bout the same tools. lol