I know they're all imports, but I'm not spending $50 per for snap-on sockets, when I can get the whole set from any of the above for less than that. Looking at swivel sockets and wondered if any members had an opinion. Home/DIY use, so not likely to be worn out. Price is pretty much a wash between them @ about $40 for the 1/4" set I'm looking at.

Snap-on and Cornwell for comparison.

I've been reading the blog at www.toolguyd.com and the guy seems to like Gearwrench.

Have used the Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches as a mechanic in an industrial situation. They held up well although I tried not to be abusive as I knew they were not top of the line tools. they worked as designed as long as I didn't use them to break loose heavy bolts. I suspect the sockets would be fine for day to day home use. And yes the majority of my tools were Snap On.

I used to have a set of those back in the 70's and found them pretty much useless. About the ONLY utility for these types of sockets is to use them as "nut runners", meaning you don't use them to break a nut of bolt loose you only use them to remove the fastener. When used in this manner even the cheapest Harbor Freight stuff will do the job. Just be aware that they won't do it very well.

What I found to be much more useful are the ball tipped extensions that allow a standard socket to swivel 7 or 8 degrees on the extension.

The problem with cheap wrenches isn't that they won't last, though that's likely with things like socket drivers, but that they're not machined well, so they may not perform on more challenging tasks. (E.g.: Slip off, knurl the bolt head or nut, snap.)

I have and use (in limited service or for specialty uses) all three of those brands. They are made in Taiwan, not China. For "consumer grade" or "homeowner grade" tools they should work just fine.

^I try to stick with American made stuff when I can or can justify the cost. My sockets are a mix of Craftsman, Blackhawk and SK with a few oddball Protos, Wrights and KD Tools mixed in. Even have a couple old Wizard deep wells. Ratchets are Craftsman or SK. I can justify these as they are the primary tools I use on most everything I work on. I figured, as was mentioned above, flex sockets would be a limited use item and not worth the cost of entry to me.

I originally figured on the Gearwrench set, but will likely go with either the Astro or the Sunex as both have hex bolts instead of friction fit pins at the joints.

quote:

Originally posted by bettysnephew:
Have used the Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches as a mechanic in an industrial situation. They held up well although I tried not to be abusive as I knew they were not top of the line tools. they worked as designed as long as I didn't use them to break loose heavy bolts. I suspect the sockets would be fine for day to day home use. And yes the majority of my tools were Snap On.

I have a set of gearwrenches used several times a week in the marine environment. Every once a year or two I have to swap one out. Sears swaps them out for free. But I've had the set for almost 10 years and they're great wrenches for the money. The snap on set is superior (aside from the quality) in the fact that the head is smaller in diameter and can get into more tight spaces than the gear wrench.

I'd go with gear wrench because you can swap them out very easily under warranty. I think advanced auto also just hands you a new one.