Every once in a while I need a large socket wrench, which is any size larger than 15/16″, currently the biggest in my tools. For example, I went to take out the heating elements and anode in an electric water heater and found that I needed a 1-1/2″ socket. So far I have found a Craftsman set for $300, item #0943140. 20 sockets 7/8″ – 2-1/4″, plus the ratchet and three extension bars. (The only place I can find details is to go to the Sears eCatalog for Craftsman, and go to page 62-63. Sorry, the way the eCatalog comes up, can’t seem to post a link to it).
http://tinyurl.com/m5mpp
Suggestions on a good buy?
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Find an industrial supply or a good tool store (not the big boxes) and ask for what you need.
You can buy sockets and wrenches individually....you don't need to buy sets.
You can good lifetime quality in an 1 1/2" socket for a LONG ways short of $300.
The idea is to have an array of sizes at hand so that I am equipped to deal with unknown sizes I might encounter.
Edited 8/17/2006 9:11 pm ET by alfie
I spent a number of years as a construction millwright and had a wide range of sockets up to 4". I had full sets of 1/2', 3/4" and 1" drive sets, along with companion impact sockets..... and never used about 75% of them.
When you get into the larger sizes, you're better off. IMO, to just buy them as you need them....unless you just like spending the money and having the array handy.
You can usually get up to 2" sockets in 1/2" drive.
I quit buying Craftsman a number of years ago.
I understand what you mean. Thing is, there is a cost associated with buying them as you go along, unless you are going to the supplier anyway. Plus, there is a time delay. However, your point is well taken. It is unlikley that more than a few would ever get used.
It is unlikley that more than a few would ever get used.
I've used most of mine for pressing bearings and seals. Real handy to have the variety of diameters. And sturdy enough you can beat on them.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Have you tried going to Sears? I know I've bought larger then 1" at Sears in the past individually. Depending on how large your going you may need to purchase a 3/4" drive ratchet.
Hi, check harbor freight, northern supply, and mSC, I bought a 1" whole set fro work years age for about 75.00, still works great!
Yeah I did, thanks. The Craftsman link I gave above is from Sears. The 3/4" driver alone is $90. That's why the $300 set caught my eye.
Yup. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40996
Full set of 3/4 drive sockets, 7/8-2". Sockets are good, ratchets aren't great and if you use it as much as I do it'll fail. Rather than waiting for their warranty replacement I went to ebay and bought a (used) Wright 3/4" drive ratchet. Fantastic quality for the same price as the socket set, 50 bucks. Light use, you won't need another ratchet. I've been known to add an 8' cheater and bounce my 190lbs on the end.
I ordered a set for a client yesterday. BOed for a month. He's waiting. And probably will never wear out the ratchet.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
My use is light, and this looks much better than $300. Thanks.
in large sizes, the cheapy impact sockets are just as good as the high dollar ones. I bougth a snap on 1 7/8 couple years ago and it was like $48 for one socket
Order it individually from Snap-On Tool @
http://www.snapon.com/
I'd hit up harbor freight and get the cheap set. It doesnt sound like you are looking to do industrial maintainence, just have some for "just in case". Cant beat the harbor freight set for that.
I think plumbers have things called "bonnet" wrenches maybe? Basically a long socket with a handle that slips through the end. Used to extract valves from deep in walls and such. Not nearly as expensive and perhaps designed for your purpose?
I get slammed for my Harbor Freight stuff ( the store is less than 3 miles from my house) every week they have specials... i got 3 6ft levels (pretty nice and they read correct) on sale for 6.99 ea one got dropped and they replaced it no questions...
i have the 3/4" and 1" drive sockets from them... never used the ratchet but the sockets seem ok...
I have sets of tools all over... I'll go and spend $150 at harbor freight and put together a box and set of tools and leave it at whatever property... just worth it to me if i have to run by and fix something basic... for $150 i can have a set of wrenches, screwdrivers, sockets, allens, voltage tester, even a few supplies tape rags, flashlight, droplight, extension cord, degreaser..ect.. and a tool box...
in my experience they will replace anything no questions...
p
I buy harbor freight so when my buddy want to borrow a tool, they dont get the snap ons.
LOL a buddy wanted to borrow my lazer today... i had this cheap harbor freight one sitting there the electrican likes that i'll set him a line to run his conduit by and it'll point up where i want the ceiling fans ect... anyway i tell him go buy one at harbor freight for $20.... what he really wants is my hilti with the remote that you can use outside in full sun but i just act stupid.... he's a good guy but he still has one of my bull floats and my portable elec pipe threader (over a year) somethings u just can loan out... my hard rule is "if it takes fuel" i don't loan it.... everyone wants to "just use my bobcats for a few hours" NO NO NO hell NO... not as many nos if you ask for my wife
p
So far, Harbor Freight sounds good for my infrequent use. I have to investigate Bonnet wrenches to satisfy my curiosity. Aside: I like good tools (who doesn't?) but one can part with significant dollars in a hurry this way. So I appreciate the input from all.
A cheap set of 3/4" drive sockets will probably work O.K. for ya, as several folks have said. I wouldn't suggest a 3/4" drive ratchet at all. Instead I'd suggest buying a 3/4" breaker bar. No moving parts, and they're a lot cheaper.If you don't wanna spring for the 3/4" breaker bar, buy an adapter to go from a 1/2" breaker bar up to a 3/4" socket. That will get you by in many cases.
Socket sets seem to typically come with a ratchet. Thanks for the suggestion on the breaker bar.
They also come with a breaker bar. Mine's no longer straight. That's when I sprang for the better ratchet. My breaker bar still does work, unlike the original ratchet.
I've also broken Snap-On ratchets, which is what got me to buy the 3/4" drive in the first place. Gotta admit, that Chinese 3/4" ratchet outlasted the Snap-On 1/2" ratchet with similar abuse.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
this is one ime Harbor Friegt is the store you need...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Two suggestions...
First, being careful not to be seen by anyone you know, sneak into a Harbor Freight store and buy a 3/4" drive socket set, being careful to pay cash.
Second, try Autozone or another parts store if you're only looking for individual sockets. I'm not sure about the pricing on their large sockets (see my first suggestion,) but I was able to pick up a 3/4 in socket to weld to a lug nut for three bucks a couple of weeks ago.
Matt
I'll make sure I carry $50 cash in my pocket. Thus far my standing in the local community is intact ... perhaps because there is no HF store near me.
With all of the big, tough guys here, I'm surprised anyone cares whether anyone sees them entering/in/leaving a Harbor Freight store. I have Snap-On for the things I use and have used mose because I got tired of Craftsman chrome peeling and slicing my hands (I don't like bleeding in people's vehicles), open end wrenches flaring and rounding the points on nuts and bolts, and screwdriver tips breaking. For the things I won't use "all the time", I'll buy cheaper tools. I don't worry about any stigma with going there. Impact sockets are a good way to not have redundant tools since they will be fine for ratchet or impace use. They're a softer metal and won't shatter when used with an impact wrench, like regular sockets can. They do rust, though, so a light wipe with an oily rag helps here.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
For those big sockets a swap meet is a good source.
I have a bunch of misc stuff up past 2" and the cheapos are as good as snap-on for the little bit of use they get.
I'd buy a breaker bar before a ratchet, you won't be using it much & you can get a lot more leverage with the breaker bar.
The one time a cheap-o won't work, chances are the better grade won't either.
I've got a 3' Rigid pipe wrench, quality counts there, and a 3' crescent wrench too.
When you need those, you're already in a world of hurt & quality is worth paying for.
Joe H
a big socket set is a bit tricky. Usually reallly really big nuts can be rusted on, and really hard to break free. Which then leads me to WD-40, and my cheater bar. a chunk of 6 foot 1inch diameter black iron pipe. I snapped the head clean off a sears 1/2 inch rachet oops... snapped the bolt with my 3/4" breaker bar, and I know it would have been a little ugly if the socket let go, so I was glad it was a high quality socket. ( I was pulling parts from an old pos jeep at a pick n pull for my old pos jeep)
These guys tend to have a good selection of reasonably priced used stuff.
http://www.re-tool.com/location.html
I like the idea of a swap meet. I have stuff I don't use that I'd gladly trade. A breaker bar rather than a ratchet for large sockets sounds good.
Having the set gives you the option to know what you need in critcal uses. How big of a nut are we talking in a Jeep? If you know that its going to be a pain the "insurance" of a brand name is nice, but if its there at least you have it.
I was breaking loose a 1inch nut on a trailer hitch. The jeep started to have issues. well it was a 2-stroke, burning a quart every 125 miles, so I traded it for a toyota and have been much happier
Jeff
Enco, Grainger, & McMaster-Carr are good sources as well. Most of Enco products are china imports but of pretty decent quality. I get good to very good quality from McMaster-Carr. Have also received the best service from McMaster-Carr as well (had an order delivered <6 hours after after placing it one time. Found out later that it could've been quicker if I was actually in a hurry to get it.)
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRHM?KNC-DV6174368836
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/start.shtml
http://www.mcmaster.com/
Lowes and dpot have bonnet wrench. Look cheap, are cheap (under 10$) but work fine. Used them many of times.
Craftsman has a set for $219 you might want to look at. 16 pc 3/4 drive, 7/8 thru 1-7/8 #9-46304
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Mechanics+Tools&pid=00946304000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Mechanics+Tool+Sets&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes
Anything bigger than that set I would wait to buy individually which sears does carry and for a heck of a lot less than snap-on.
-Day
way to much money...
Harbor Frieght is more than likely his better bet...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Yeah that is a bit of cash but if I were a betting man I'd bet that set will go on sale for oh... $170-180 at some point. I was just giving him a crapsman alternative to the $300 set he found. $180 is easier to swallow than $300.
Yes, I concede that HF is dirt cheap.
-Day
Yeah, I had first found that set at Sears on-line. Then got interested in the bigger set because the additional $80 gets you quite a bit.
Here is what I have found:1. Indeed HD carries plumber’s wrenches, probably the bonnet wrenches discussed above. You can buy them individually or in a set for $20. They are called shower and tub wrenches and max out at 1-7/16". That is 1/16" shy of my immediate need.2. Harbor Freight $49.99 + $8.99 ship = $58.98 (same link as given above):
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=409963. Northern Tools $79.99 + $22.28 ship = $102.27
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200304199_200304199&issearch=5583854.. Enco $50.91; discontinued.
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=800-0030
I have bought machinist tools from them before and like their stuff, including specific branded stuff I could not find elsewhere. Of all the web sites, this is the simplest to find items, and filter down on criteria. If it were available, I would have bought this set.Grainger, McMaster, and MSC - some relevant socket sets, way beyond the $’s discussed in this thread.So it comes down to HF or Northern. When the spirit moves me I’ll order one or the other. Thanks to all for the input. Posted my findings above in case anyone else is ever looking for such a set of sockets and finds the information useful.
Edited 8/19/2006 12:10 pm ET by alfie
Socket set from Harbor Freight arrived earlier today. It is satisfactory. The casting is not the best I have ever seen, however, it looks like for occasional use the sockets will be fine. For the price paid, I got value. BTW, the sockets are in a metal case rather than a plastic one as advertised. One latch is quite twisted, probably happened in shipping, no big deal. Reasonably well packed and strapped; these things happen.
Thanks for all the input above.
Good choice. The sockets will outlast the ratchet.
Pretty, you didn't pay for.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Actually they are reasonably pretty. There are cracks/holes in the casting, but at these sizes the wall thicknesses are such the sockets are probably strong enough for normal use.
at these sizes the wall thicknesses are such the sockets are probably strong enough for normal use.
Mine get used, with substantial cheaters (why my breaker bar's no longer straight), on these tractors. BTW, the shrimpy-looking tractor is a full-sized backhoe. That's my hat and earmuffs on the rock.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
We need to have a fest at your place one of these days, so we can all coem put and play with the toys.(-:
Women need a reason to have sex. Men just need a place. - Billy Crystal
LOL...
That rock didn't make it off the job. Too heavy to pick up. 25-30 tons. And too heavy to push. All I could do was flip it out of the house site. Nice rock. Hated to bury it.
Bertha came to live here in lieu of a good-sized farm tractor. Twice the tractor for half the money. Obviously w/out pto. Manual says she'll do 30 mph on pavement. Not with me driving.
But if you really wanna have fun, Bertha's next job is a new driveway. 400' elev change over 1/2 mile. 80' trees and large gulleys. She's got a set of teeth now. Widow-maker canopy by next week. And rarin' to go.
Come on down.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
"But if you really wanna have fun, Bertha's next job is a new driveway. 400' elev change over 1/2 mile. 80' trees and large gulleys."
It would take more than that to scare me. When do we start?
Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?
All right!!!
Got some new bandsaw blades in today. Canopy should be in place by Tues. Rifle holder too. That's in case of nosy bureaucrats. Feel free to take a turkey.
If you weld better than I do, come early.
Here's a progress pic of the driveway we use, DW on the compact. Turned out OK. The next driveway goes to the other peak. You good with a road grader also? I've got a pair of Galions, one is motorized.
BTW, you have wonderful tag lines.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Bury it ???Man, I'da put it in the front yard !
Just call me doodyhead.
Yeah, I really liked that one too.
Client can't believe anybody would want a rock. I've dragged home a few, but smaller that I could pick up. Left a nice one for later delivery and some ahole sprayed graffiti on it.
Coulda rolled that big one onto my trailer, but without Bertha here, would have been real interesting getting it off. Not to mention getting it out of the driveway so I could drive to the house. Sometimes the logistics are just not worth the effort.
I lined his driveway with almost-as-big ones, readily available if I change my mind or find somebody who's excited. A few are small enough I could even load with his full-sized backhoe.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
a few well placed holes ,some wedges and shims,
a love tap here and there ,shoot we coulda had
several hundred fire place fronts all roughed in and
ready to finish ,might of took several months though,
man that was one fine lookin rock, my wife gets on me
when I stop and move the contents of our car trunk
around to pick up a big azz rock toadd to my growing
rock collection .
Allright! You've got a car trunk. I've got rocks. I can load. When do I expect you?
This is what the bottom of the driveway looked like when I started:PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
If you have a TSC (Tractor Suppy Co) store in your area, they've got inexpensive socket sets for working on tractors and heavy machinery. I'm sure they're made in china like everything else, but the prices are usually low enough to make it worth it. I live in the south and TSC stores are everywhere here.
Good call.....
and their rep isn't as bad as HF.............
yet.
"It's always better to have regrets for things you've done than for things you wish you had done..........."ponytl
If all you need it for is an occasional water heater element just get the socket made for WH elements - http://a-1catalog.com/watheatelwre.html. Cost - about 5 bucks. Works well enough that it's all we carry on our 10 service trucks.
It started out that way and then turned into an excuse to get a set of large sockets, which I have needed once in a while. In any case, for WH's the WH socket is still a good idea. I cannot get the anode out with the socket - not enough clearance between the edge of the hole in the wall and the nut. Thanks for the link.
There ia a German company called Stahwille I don't know how to pronounce it but they make a huge range of quality spanners and socket etc. I have no idea who distributes it in the US but is probably on the WEB.
Regards from OZ John B
You can make it fool proof but not idiot proof
Stahwille tools are VERY expensive.. think high end BMW mechanic.
I have a few wrenches vy them and they are VERY strong but also supprisingly light.
james
I've never seen them hands-on but on the web they look good. And expensive, which james has confirmed.