Sort of a poll on socket set

[Bikeric]

For home use, any pre-assembled kit that comes with assorted ratchets, wrenches (standard sizes, not Metric) a hammer and pliers should do fine.

I don’t want to discuss Brands because that just leads to arguments from people that bought inferior tools than me

Best tool set I bought for my Bronco was a ratcheting set of hollow sockets. Ford decided to build the Bronco with an excessively long bolts. I don’t care for using deep sockets anymore after using my hollow set because I get better leverage and it’s impossible to slip off the nuts now.

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[Arokcrwlr]

This little HF ratchet/bit set is AWESOME and I highly recommend it - I use it a lot!

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-...-head-ratchet-and-bit-set-35-piece-58074.html

 

[broadicustomworks]

Lots of opinions probably left to see on this, but happy to see most do agree.

For hand tools like sockets and such, I have both Craftsman and Kobalt with a few oddball ones in there for specialty sizes up to 2". They've held up just fine and I don't cry a river when I have to sacrifice a socket for some work that requires something drastic.

For wrenches I have several plain old boxed end wrenches that serve their purpose well, mostly Craftsman. But if I were starting over I'd invest in some Gearwrench brand or even Channellock Brand ratcheting wrenches. I find I use those now 99% of the time. Unless I need a wrench to use as an "extension" on another one, then I use the Craftsman ones.

For screwdrivers the regular old Craftsman or Kobalt work well, buy new once they wear out. I really like Klein Brand ones though. You can feel the quality difference. Invest in some good driver bits when you buy those for the 1/4" driver. You'll be thankful you did.

Pliers I like Channellock brand but have several cheaper ones I hold onto even though they have been known to not grip when I want them to or give me a nice blood blister when I didn't want them to. I have a set of those odd Robogrip pliers that I seem to gravitate towards, pretty handy for most sized needs. Not a ton of torque with them, but quite useful in a pinch.

 

[Arokcrwlr]

Best tool set I bought for my Bronco was a ratcheting set of hollow sockets. Ford decided to build the Bronco with an excessively long bolts. I don’t care for using deep sockets anymore after using my hollow set because I get better leverage and it’s impossible to slip off the nuts now.

Yes! A set of pass thru ratchet/sockets is good to have. Great on things like sway bar end links that need an allen key to keep the boots from getting buggered...

 

[zuke]

I use a lot of Gearwrench, having bought my first set of their ratcheting wrenches over 20 years ago, and they are still going strong..

Other wise I have quite the variety and will get brand specific in certain classes, while not really caring in others, For full sets carried in the wheeling rigs and the RV, I have Kobalt.

Most Pliers and Vice Grips; Irwin

Locking (Channel lock type) pliers; GearWrench Pit Bulls

Ratchets; Gearwrench and Kobalt

Cutting Pliers; Knipex

Line Wrenches; Snap-On.... don't ever skimp on line wrenches, and Snap-On's are on point!

Ratcheting Wrenches; Gear Wrench

Regular Wrenches; HF and Kobalt

Screw Drivers; Mostly Craftsmen, But keep some Cheap HFs around for destructive use

Impact sockets HF

Regular Sockets, Kobalt mostly, but a wide variety.

Air Tools; HF

Cordless Tools; Kobalt

People seem to get religious about battery powered tools, But Kobalt has served me well there, and has a sufficient variety to cover my needs without having to keep a bunch of different chargers and batteries.

 

[Area51BS]

For home use, any pre-assembled kit that comes with assorted ratchets, wrenches (standard sizes, not Metric) a hammer and pliers should do fine.

I don’t want to discuss Brands because that just leads to arguments from people that bought inferior tools than me

Best tool set I bought for my Bronco was a ratcheting set of hollow sockets. Ford decided to build the Bronco with an excessively long bolts. I don’t care for using deep sockets anymore after using my hollow set because I get better leverage and it’s impossible to slip off the nuts now.

I’m strictly looking at socket sets only. No ratchets or extensions. I do like the idea of hollow for the smaller sizes. Glad I posted. Wasn’t even thinking about those. Of course that requires a new ratchet.

 

[Area51BS]

Lots of opinions probably left to see on this, but happy to see most do agree.

For hand tools like sockets and such, I have both Craftsman and Kobalt with a few oddball ones in there for specialty sizes up to 2". They've held up just fine and I don't cry a river when I have to sacrifice a socket for some work that requires something drastic.

For wrenches I have several plain old boxed end wrenches that serve their purpose well, mostly Craftsman. But if I were starting over I'd invest in some Gearwrench brand or even Channellock Brand ratcheting wrenches. I find I use those now 99% of the time. Unless I need a wrench to use as an "extension" on another one, then I use the Craftsman ones.

For screwdrivers the regular old Craftsman or Kobalt work well, buy new once they wear out. I really like Klein Brand ones though. You can feel the quality difference. Invest in some good driver bits when you buy those for the 1/4" driver. You'll be thankful you did.

Pliers I like Channellock brand but have several cheaper ones I hold onto even though they have been known to not grip when I want them to or give me a nice blood blister when I didn't want them to. I have a set of those odd Robogrip pliers that I seem to gravitate towards, pretty handy for most sized needs. Not a ton of torque with them, but quite useful in a pinch.

Agree on Klein screw drivers. I use them for work too. Very nice tools.

 

[Area51BS]

This little HF ratchet/bit set is AWESOME and I highly recommend it - I use it a lot!

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-...-head-ratchet-and-bit-set-35-piece-58074.html

I’ve looked at those small sets. Especially the Wiha. This is what I’ve been using for 30 years.

 

[ABorges]

What’s a descent brand of 6point standard and deep well 3/8-1/2 drive sockets. I need a new set for home use. So Snap on level pricing is out of the question. But made well enough to work on the Bronco. My current original Craftsman set from decades ago has become worn, missing and mismatched. See what turns up to be majority purchase lately by your responses. Sure I could just go buy a set. It’s always fun to see responses on forum and might be a deal out there I’m not aware of. Thanks

edit. While at it. Torx plus

You can't go wrong with Craftsman, but if it is light use, Harbor Freight is the way to go and I'm pretty sure they come with a lifetime warranty.

 

[swamp2]

I like Wright for sockets. One of the last US made sockets. SK went to China recently.

I know for both tools and many other products like bicycle parts, made in Taiwan is often very different and better than made in China.

On a related point, what is a solid mid-range set of US or Taiwanese screwdrivers? Lifetime warranty would be great.

Also, for all sorts of tool and related threads, check out garagejournal.com forums.

 

[Arokcrwlr]

I know this is mainly about sockets, but for pliers Knipex is my go to - made in Germany by German fanatics...

 

[Bugkillah]

Sears craftsmen at home, kobalt set in jeep, harbor freight in work truck, bronco roll kit in bronco.

 

[rgwinn]

I carry the Dewalt full mechanics set in my Bronco. Similar to this one;
Dewalt Socket Set

I like the molded case, lets me know if I’m missing something

 

[Num Num]

I am not really a fan of the plastic boxes, one false move and they are all over the place. Good visibility to find what you’re looking for. Trade off I guess.

 

[rgwinn]

I am not really a fan of the plastic boxes, one false move and they are all over the place. Good visibility to find what you’re looking for. Trade off I guess.

True. And yes I have done it a couple times.

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