"That don't make no sense!"

I have an ancient set of Crapsman 1/2 drive sockets. Reefing on that dozer, I busticated the 3/4 inch one, and the 11/16ths has been missing for a while.

So, I went to Deep Homo to get some replacements.

Here's where The Stupid comes in:

3/8ths drive 6 point sockets - yup anything you want.

1/2 drive 6 point? No can do, they're all 12 point.

WTH? If I'm up to 1/2" drive that means I'm REEFING on that sumbitch. Logically, the bigger the drive, the more a beefy 6 point socket is important. I can get away with 12 point sockets on the 3/8ths drive.

Completely bass ackwards.

I did find a cheapo set of 1/2" 6 pointers at Walmart but I suspect reefing on them is contraindicated. They'll do until I can locate a good set.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: PHPaul,

I have split a few Craftsman sockets, and a lot of the replacements are 12 point, which I agree, are useless for heavy work.

Get the black, high impact sockets from Harbor Freight. They are cheap, and as far as I am concerned, unbreakable. Make sure to order the 6 pt, as they make 12 pt as well.

I had a 240 pound friend in his late 20s using a 24" bar to break loose some 7/8 nuts on a rusty bush hog. The nuts came loose; the socket was unmarked. For what it's worth, the 24" bar was from Harbor Freight also.

All I can offer is, keep on the sunny side of life.

I'm with you fellers...

Whatever you do, STAY OUT OF THE WOOLWORTH’S!

quote:

I have an ancient set of Crapsman 1/2 drive sockets.

Watch your language there, young feller, this here’s a family establishment.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
I did find a cheapo set of 1/2" 6 pointers at Walmart but I suspect reefing on them is contraindicated. They'll do until I can locate a good set.

If you want them fancy sockets, I ‘kin order ‘em for you. Have ‘em here in a couple weeks.

Well ain't this place a geographic oddity. Two weeks from everywhere!

Sounds like you need a set of impact sockets, even the cheapos will be hard to bust

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
Sounds like you need a set of impact sockets, even the cheapos will be hard to bust

I actually have a set of HF impacts. They're fine and that's what I went to while I was waiting to get to town to buy replacements for my regular set.

There are no longer ANY 6-Point 1/2" Drive 'Crapsman' sockets (NOT Made in USA any longer either) available in ANY size unless you buy Impact sockets. That said, they're certainly suitable for hand use and better/stronger than the chrome hand tool sockets they're currently selling anyway!

You probably know this, but Craftsman tools are available thru Lowes and the selection I've seen (in multiple stores) is extensive. If you don't have a store within striking distance, you can order online and have them shipped 'Downeast'....

Just to add - I definitely feel your pain! My long time pet peeve about Craftsman, dating back to the mid-1990's/early-2000's time frame (when they were STILL Made in USA), is that they did not offer 1/2" Drive 6-Point sockets (a least in sets) larger than 7/8" Deep & 15/16" Shallow. As I would ONLY buy 6-Point Sockets and preferred to buy in sets as they cost less and included metal storage trays, my collection of larger 1/2" Drive sockets is composed of random sizes based on specific needs. I was always waiting for them to offer the 6-Point sets in large sizes, but that obviously never happened!

It's been a long downhill slide for Craftsman ever since!

There’s always Ebay........ really. You can find Craftsman Vintage sockets to replace your broken ones.

I never figgered you for a paterfamilias.

I understand your frustration but the real problem is where you are shopping for tools.... neither HomeDepot, Lowes or especially Wallyworld is a place to buy a professional grade tool.

eBay for single socket replacements. You can find them for $2-$5 per socket usually, and get the exact size you need.

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:
There’s always Ebay........ really. You can find Craftsman Vintage sockets to replace your broken ones.

And flea markets.

You boys need to change your life. You don't use off brand tools, of which craftsman is one, for any kind of serious work. Its OK that you do, but why complain here about your choice? Long, long ago, like well over 55 years I was much like the chinese army. My main transportation was my own foot power. If I wanted to go someplace, I hoofed it. And along the way, I'd pick up any tools I found.

I know I'm opening my self to complaints about other never seeing tools along the roads, but they're there unless I got to them first. I even had my own tool chest, so to speak. It was a tiny little milsurp "crystal" case. But as I went I began to accumulate some top quality tools. Often known as "Snap-On". I kept them well hid and didn't share with my snooty brother or father, unless he asked. Then I stood watch the entire time. Leave nothing to chance. I discovered they saw no difference. And if either somehow came into a better brand, I could be pretty sure my little tool box was the source.

You can, or might be able to break a Snap-On or even a Matco or Mack tools socket. But you've got to work at it to get it done. If you don't mind waiting or not getting your job done, the super economy ones might be OK for you. But calling them economy is just stupid. They're just cheap junk.

If you want quality, head out to a swap meet where real mechanic's go, not pretenders like we've been hearing from. Hint: my mother never could figure out why I'd need more than a screwdriver (there are different kinds and sizes?) and a pair of rusty pliers.

In my ignorance, I haven't seen a real tool catalog in decades. Just find a Snap-On truck crash landed at a car dealership and buy what you need. I know, it costs money, like real money, not pocket change.

If you want to do a job, get professional quality tools.

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:

quote:

I have an ancient set of Crapsman 1/2 drive sockets.

Watch your language there, young feller, this here’s a family establishment.

I believe you’ll find management disagrees with your characterization of SF. The boss has, on more than one occasion, allowed as how SF is a forum for adult conversation.

quote:

Originally posted by rburg:
You boys need to change your life. You don't use off brand tools, of which craftsman is one,

Didn’t used to be. Wasn’t Snap-On or Matco, but it was serviceable stuff.

quote:

You boys need to change your life. You don't use off brand tools, of which craftsman is one, for any kind of serious work. Its OK that you do, but why complain here about your choice?

If I had your money, I'd have Snap On too. I'd rather replace the occasional $5.00 socket than blow $12K on a Snap On box. Even used, the price of Snap On and other top shelf brands are just flat out of my reach.

Every once in a while I'll luck into something at a yard sale but that's the only way S/O finds it's way into my box.

;

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:

quote:

I have an ancient set of Crapsman 1/2 drive sockets.

Watch your language there, young feller, this here’s a family establishment.

I believe you’ll find management disagrees with your characterization of SF. The boss has, on more than one occasion, allowed as how SF is a forum for adult conversation.

quote:

Originally posted by rburg:
You boys need to change your life. You don't use off brand tools, of which craftsman is one,

Didn’t used to be. Wasn’t Snap-On or Matco, but it was serviceable stuff.

Past tense. I know, there was a Sears in every shopping mall. No more.

As for yard sales, I stop at them if my wife will let me. She hates them with a passion. My only salvation is that I'm snooty, while she can't tell the difference. A wrench is a wrench, and when she's done with it, she just drops it where she finished. Sons on the other hand are allergic to work and terrified of any tool with that name on it. I brings along a world of hurt from dad.

Ebay. Single sockets there.