John wrote in with a doozy of a good question. From the sounds of it, he’s looking to build up his tool collection with wrenches and a socket set. He’s probably not interested in ultra-premium quality, or entry-level gimmicks. I addressed his question as best as possible, and am counting on seeing some great reader advice in the comments section.
I’m looking for your insights about sockets and wrenches. I have a few open-end (which I never seem to use) and adjustable wrenches, plus an old, incomplete socket set in a lousy case (where I have a hard time locating the size I need, and the etched-on size markings are hard to read).
I’m looking to upgrade these tools to a good set, but I’m confused about all the new-fangled tools (ratcheting wrenches; universal wrenches that claim to grab on to any size and shape fastener; standard, long and ‘open end’ sockets; etc.) Do you have an article that gives your advice on outfitting a home workshop with the most useful and best performing tools in this category? (If not, maybe you would address this in an upcoming post).
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A few years ago, the answer would be easy. Craftsman’s Professional line of tools were affordably priced, well-featured, and made in the USA. Now, the Professional tools are gone and in their place are new imported tools with different designs. There’s not much to differentiate the new Craftsman tools from competitors’ offerings.
Wrenches
To start, combination wrenches offer the most versatility, and those with 12pt box ends are generally preferred. There are a couple of affordable USA brands to consider, and if those prices are too high, Gearwrench is a decent quality import brand. Actually, some of my Gearwrench combo wrenches are better built and finished than my USA-made Craftsman Pro and Armstrong wrenches.
Dewalt wrenches are another option, but Gearwrench offers more set configurations. 8-10 fractional and the same number of metric wrenches are good to start off with.
If you can still find them, Craftsman’s USA-made “raised panel” wrenches, now found under Craftsman Industrial branding, are very affordable and great to start building a better tool set with. Even if you cannot find the USA-made versions, it’s hard to argue with the sale prices of these wrenches – $10 for 8pc sets, $20 for 9pc and even sometimes 12pc sets.
Ratcheting Wrenches
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Ratcheting wrenches help to speed up work and are especially useful when a wrench’s swinging arc is small, such as when there are a lot of obstructions. I prefer reversible ratcheting wrenches, then flex-end ones, in that order. Sometimes an application calls for flex-end wrenches, but it can be hard to justify purchasing multiple ratcheting wrench sets at once. Ratcheting wrenches are a convenience, but their box ends are often larger and bulkier than non-ratcheting wrenches. Ratcheting wrenches typically cost more than non-ratcheting combo wrenches.
Gearwrench is a great mid-level brand.
Personally, I don’t like zero-offset ratcheting wrenches. I bought Gearwrench X-Beam ratcheting wrenches when they were on sale, and it was a mistake.
Universal and Spline Wrenches
Universal and spline wrenches have box ends shaped to fit spline fasteners, but they also fit common 6pt hex nuts and bolts. They are said to fit rounded or damaged fasteners better than wrenches with 12pt box ends. A lot of the time this is a gimmick found on entry-level wrenches so that brands can tout “6-in-1” compatibility, or similar.
I checked out Proto’s spline ratcheting wrenches a while back and recently bought a few for ToolGuyd workshop use. They’re very good wrenches, but also very pricey.
Generally, regular combination wrenches will handle most needs home, hobbyist, and weekend warrior needs. “Universal” wrenches often advertise compatibility with fasteners that DIYers and homeowners will never ever come across. In those cases the universal aspect is marketing fluff.
One thing to avoid are wrenches that fit both fractional and metric fasteners. Ideally, one fastener size per wrench is the better way to go.
Sockets
With sockets, there are standard, deep, and crowfoot (open end) options. Craftsman still offers the greatest bang for the buck, but there are plenty of good sets by competing brands as well. Some Craftsman sockets still have etched size markings instead of engraved ones, others are dual-marked with both styles of markings.
Stanley and Gearwrench are also good brands with plenty of options. Professional and industrial-grade USA brands, such as Proto, Williams, and SK Hand Tool have reasonably affordable sets, but be mindful that Williams has both imported and USA-made options.
Crowfoot aren’t necessary unless you can get them on sale, you know you’ll need them, or you run into a situation where nothing else will fit. I have a set of inexpensive Craftsman fractional crowfoot sockets and use them a few times a year.
Standard/shallow sockets are what you’ll want to start with. 6pt sockets are typically the best way to go. If you find that you need 12pt, you can always get them later.
Deep sockets can be helpful when working with nuts on threaded rod or long bolts. There are also pass-through sockets. You can always pick up an inexpensive set of pass-thru sockets.
For a homeowner set, a sub-$100 Craftsman or Gearwrench set with 1/4″ and 3/8″ sockets should suffice. I would also look at Dewalt, Husky, and Stanley for a basic set. Expect to pay a lot more for USA-made industrial brands’ offerings.
You can always add accessories, such as breaker bars, straight and wobble extensions, and adapters, later on, as needed or when on sale.
You might also want to budget for an upgraded ratchet, or one with a different head shape or style. Socket sets often come with basic ratchets. I have found that a fine-tooth ratchet with 6pt sockets usually makes 12pt sockets unnecessary.
Pricing
You can buy basic wrench sets and a socket set with inch and metric sizes for about $100. Increasing the budget to $200 opens your options by quite a bit, and a budget of $250 allows for even greater purchasing flexibility.
Recommendations
These are just a few ideas for consideration.
If these tools aren’t being purchased for particular uses, but will be used as projects come up, it’s a good idea to start off with a smaller budget. Once you know what you use most often, you can plan out upgrades with greater cost efficiency. For instance, there’s no point in spending $300 to $1200 or more for a complete socket set when you use wrenches 95% of the time.
Socket Set: Craftsman 94pc set or 108pc set (via Sears). Both are ~$50 when on sale, but have different tools and socket marking styles. The 108pc set has 3/8″ deep sockets while the 94pc set doesn’t.
Stanley’s black chrome set ($60 via Amazon) seems to be highly regarded.
If you want more complete sets, there are quite a few Gearwrench options (via Amazon). Their 3/8″ set ($107 via Amazon) has a more complete range of sizes than the Craftsman sets, and it comes with a 120XP ratchet. But if you want a 1/4″ set as well, you’ll have to spend extra ($55 via Amazon). Note that there are two versions of these socket sets. The 120XP version of the 3/8″ set (80550P) has the better ratchet for a few bucks more than the standard set (80550), while the standard version of the 1/4″ set (80300) is nearly $40 cheaper than the 120XP version of the set (80300P).
Wrench Sets: Craftsman 12pc inch and metric sets (also via Sears). Both sets are $20 each when on sale. There are also 8pc wrench sets for $10 each during certain times of the year. These are not the greatest wrenches, and they’re a bit on the short side. If you find yourself wanting longer and stronger full-polish wrenched, Williams SuperCombo are decent, and there are many other premium brands to choose from as well.
Ratcheting wrenches can be incredibly useful, but can be pricey. Gearwrench reversible ratcheting wrenches start at ~$50 each for 8pc inch and metric sets. Some retailers’ sets have “cap stop” box ends that some users love, others hate.
My recommendation would be to start off with non-ratcheting combination wrenches and to look at ratcheting wrenches later on when the need arises or there’s a good sale.
Your Advice?
What would you recommend that a homeowner, hobbyist, or new weekend warrior consider for a good basic-but-versatile set of wrenches and sockets?
Jerry
A few thoughts from a farm maintanence man. Avoid the universal box end wrenches that claim to fit both standard and metric like the plague. They fit neither very well, and will slip when you least want them to.
The black chrome sockets and wrenches mentioned seem strong, but are hard to find when you drop them. Once you’ve spent a while on your hands and knees looking for a black socket in the grass or dark corners of what you are working on, you learn to appreciate shiny Crome that sparkles when shined on with a flashlight.
Also, look around, there are still some USA made Craftsman tools floating around, and while the imported ones may be as strong, the USa made ones seem to fit a little better in tight areas.
Also, for sockets, if you want to save money, get a set of cheaper sockets, but spring for a better quality ratchet. One of my favorite socket sets, believe it or not, is a Craftsman Pass through set. This is the one with the 6 point sockets, with SAE one one side of the case, metric on the other. Covers everything up to 7/8 inch, and the metric side doesn’t skip some sizes like a few sets I have run across. The case is sturdy, and a slot for every socket tells you at a glance if you have everything accounted for. If working on a riding mower or ATV, it is my grab and go set.
Joe
My reccomendation is kobalt. They r fairly good priced and they r pretty well made and if u r just looking for something for home use and not heavy use they work really well. For ratcheting combination wrenches id wait for black friday as sears usually has bug sets of them for very cheap. Got a full set of regular and stubby for 90$ on black friday 2 yrs ago. I also agree that the 12 pt sockets that r supposed to fit both can be loose on both metric and sae i prefer buying a set of both they fit much better
Joshua Latham
I have been picking up any remnants of USA made craftsman raised panel wrenches, so I can have multiple sets. I know the warranty is now not worth it because if i go in for replacement they will give me a chinese replacement, but as long as I don’t over extend the tool it will last a lifetime. I got a USA made 32 pc. raised panel combination set, and a USA set of metric and sae 6 pt. combination wrenches. Also a lot of times you can find USA craftsman socket sets on Ebay. A lot of people buy full toolbox sets and piece them out. I purchased a 14 piece 1/2 deep socket set on ebay for less than $20. Keep up the good work Stuart!
mike
Gearwrench has alot of nice sets that wont completely break the bank. their ratchets are great and sockets and wrenches are very nice as well.
I wont buy craftsman any longer as Sears most likely will not be around all that longer.
Stuart
Should Sears dissolve, Craftsman will survive, possibly independently. It’s too strong of a brand to disappear.
Josh
Harbor Freight is a surprisingly good place to get sockets and wrenches if you don’t care about CoO. Most HF stuff without moving parts is “good enough” and their warranty service is quite acceptable.
Noah
Their sockets are just as good, if not better, than other offshore brands, and for much less money.
Mac
Excellent advice Stuart. John will do well with your advice.
Jerry, we always have a telescoping magnet to find dropped sockets. Mostly it’s for nuts, washers, bolts etc. 🙂
Jerry
Yea, but with the type of work I do, I sometimes don’t know where to go with the magnet. The top of a combine is 10 + feet in the air, and sometimes my only clue as to which way it went is a clink clink as it falls.
SteveR
Buy a decent-quality set of wrenches; today you’ll need both SAE and metric sets. Stuart has suggested some good sets. Combination wrenches trump both open-end only wrenches and closed-end only wrench sets. Sometimes open-end wrenches are the only way to start a fastener, but they tend to round-off bolt heads or nuts. Combination sets are better, especially for final tightening.
Ratchet sets will also need SAE and metric components. The metric sockets and wrenches will primarily be used on your car. You can get by with a standard (shallow) set of sockets, although deep-well sockets will be needed on occasion. The deeps can be purchased as the need arises, or you can use your combination wrenches if there’s room. You can get by with a 3/8-drive socket set for now; a 1/4″ drive set is handy, but not as useful overall (I rarely use mine). Extensions often come with a set, and they’ll get you into tight spaces. If you need a longer one (over 6-inches in length), go to Sears/Lowes/HD and buy one off the rack. Also be aware that you usually get two (or more) extensions in a set; they do stack, so you may be able to get the length you need from what’s there. Smaller sockets can be purchased as needed that will fit your 3/8-drive ratchet.
I would tend to avoid 100-piece socket sets on principle. The more pieces you get for a low price, the worse the quality. That advice goes for just about any tool type. And ignore the claim that this is a “professional quality” set; it won’t be. Snap-on, Matco, etc., never make that claim, but they are the best tools out there for professional mechanics.
Incidentally, automotive techs prefer 6-point sockets; they are less prone to rounding a fastener. 12-point sockets will handle more fastener types (12-, 6- and 4-point standard, as well as spline). Fine-tooth ratchets (60 teeth on up) are good at handling low-clearance problems, so look for a set that has one, or budget to buy one someday. 12-point sockets are generally what you’ll get in a non-professional set, as they are more versatile.
You’re usually safe buying quality over a set with a large number of pieces; they work better, look better and are less prone to failure over the long haul.
Josh
I know for my first set I sought out a large (94 piece?) socket set with case. I find that most of the time I don’t use the majority of the sockets, but when I need one I almost always have the size I need. Homeowner needs are very different from mechanic needs, and I want to be able to try and finish whatever I’m working on without running to the store.
Anything I break and anything I use frequently enough will get replaced wit better quality
Pete
Socket set- Husky from home depot. The reason I say that is because they sell sets on a socket holder in metric and sae. You can get 1/4″ drive 3/8″ drive 1/2″ drive all standard sizes and in deep sockets as well. So you can buy the set you need when you need.
However if I was buying 1/2″ I would buy the impact set from Harbor Freight Tools which I think is 7/16″ all the way to 1-1/4″ maybe 1-1/2″ and their extendable 1/2″ ratchet all of which would be $30-35. Their extendable ratchets are AWESOME. I’ve put +300lbs on the smaller 1/4+3/8 drive combo wrench and didn’t break it. and on the 1/2″ drive I’ve put probably 450 lbs of force on the ratchet and it still didn’t break. Love those things. Also their composite wrenches are pretty cool too.
Ratchet wrenches-Harbor Freight has some badass ones that have two different sizes on each side of the wrench. I think they’re $20 a set on sale, SAE and metric are two different sets.
Box wrenches-anywhere really, they’re mostly the same. Craftsman, kobalt, husky, Stanley, are all owned by Stanley so I bet they’re all extremely similar.
Coach James
Kobalt and Craftsman are not owned by Stanley B&D.
Coach
Jim
I second this about the HF extendable ratchets. I have the 1/2″drive version, and it is my favorite tool for car work. It’s like having a ratcheting breaker bar that can shrink down to whatever length fits in the work area, and you can drop it down to the minimum length for speed once a stuck bolt is turning. I’ve definitely applied a few hundred pounds of force to the end of the handle when fully extended, with no signs of any wear and tear.
I’ve also been quite happy with their deep well half inch drive impact sockets, though the markings are often difficult to read in low light. Most of my use has been with ratchets, but I do break out my impact wrench every once on a while.
Based on this article and the comments here, I think I’ll be getting a set of Gearwrench ratcheting combination wrenches for the valve covers on my Subaru. Currently on sale at advance auto parts, $50 for an SAE and metric set.
Chris
I agree about the harbor freight extendable ratchets. I use the 3/8 drive rachet when doing my brakes and it extends far enough to give me that extra torque but not to far as to get in the way. I have done several jobs with it, have hammered one it and applied all kinds of pressure and it still works great. Love it!
Robert
Stuart,
I agree with your suggestion about the Craftsman 94 pc set. Once you get beyond that, you start getting into duplicates in different drive sizes, 12 point sockets that most consumers seldom have a need for, etc.
That said, Sears occasionally runs a great deal on the 154 pc set at different times of the year. Although it contains a number of the afformentioned duplicates, it also includes a 1/2 inch drive ratchet and sockets including some deep-wells. I once had to replace a kitchen faucet and found myself with an old faucet with an attitude. I could not break the thing loose, and had to step up to a 1/2 inch drive to get it done. That one project however more than paid for the cost of the set, and then some. Compared to the cost of hiring a plumber, it was way cheaper to buy the set including the 1/2 inch drive. Although it costs a little more, there’s no substitute for the larger drive size when you need it.
If you wait for a holiday sale price of 99 or even the occasional 89 dollars, the 154 piece set is well worth if for the additional drive size in my opinion.
Stuart
The 94pc is what I build my socket set around. It had everything I needed, and at ~$50 it allows for money to spent elsewhere.
When I needed deep sockets, I bought inch and metric sets when on sale. When I needed 1/2″, I bought shallow inch and metric sets, also on sale. The larger sets are appealing, but they do require a larger initial budget.
Like you, my 1/2″ sockets aren’t used as often as 3/8″ sockets, but their cost has been justified many times over by now.
Caleb
My first one (Craftsman) was almost 20 years ago but they sell similar ones now. It was around $80 for all 3 ratchets, shallow sockets for all 3 sizes, and deeps for the smaller 2. You can find something similar for around $100 now. It also included a spinner handle, hex keys, and some 6 point wrenches which I have rarely used (the obligatory count-inflator tools).
It worked well for a starting point, but eventually added the large wrench set (26 piece) for both inch and metric. Those sets include ignition wrenches, so I believe they have one set with all the normal sized wrenches that is like a 30 piece set.
I like the case that allows me to add more sockets and extensions. I now mostly use some smaller sets at home but break this one out if I need the bigger stuff. It also goes on road trips and repair trips.
seraph037
I now buy PROTO handtools almost exclusively. They may cost a little more up front, but they have already outlasted the competition. I work in a refinery as an Emergency Response tech / firefighter / HAZMAT tech, and use the hell outta my tools daily. i havent had one fail yet, and the only tools ive had to replace, are the ones that “walked away”! PROTO are also made in the USA, so thats another bonus!
Stuart
Proto tools are great, but they don’t just cost a little more up front – they cost a lot more. Someone looking to spend $100 on wrench sets and a socket set can easily spend more than that on just a small Proto wrench set.
Scott
Another vote for Harbor Freight! All my sockets and wrenches are from there and have had no problems with them under pretty good abuse (Homeowner/diy).
For homeowners I like the hard plastic cases, you can easily take anywhere and store them out of the way when not in use. If you know you are primarily going to be working in a garage close to a cart then the drawer holders are better.
Their indexable head ratchets are extremely handy for anybody.
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-ratchet-with-indexable-head-96092.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-ratchet-with-indexable-head-96090.html
Chris
I bought a Bahco s330 set recently. Really happy with the quality and has enough in it to cover general home usage.
SteveR
Robert–I hadn’t considered half-inch drive tools, as this was about a homeowner’s general needs. I agree, however, that they can provide the extra oomph you need with a stubborn fastener or plumbing item. They seem to be twice the size of a 3/8-drive, and the larger size helps in controlled release of of a fitting that may have 50-60 psi of water pressure behind it. PB Blaster (aerosol penetrating oil) will dissolve corrosion on a problem faucet. When I’m trying to remove a stubborn bolt, etc., I tend to use a breaker bar instead; there is less slippage than with a ratchet. Breaker bars are generally longer than ratchets, so they deliver more leverage. However, we all use what we have on hand (or what fits in the space available to work in), so whatever gets the job done.
Glenn
I wrote this before reading any comments so I was not swayed in any way at all.
My call is to buy the best you can afford. I am 54 and I am still using sockets and spanners I bought in my early 20’s . My father is a tradie and at 78 years of age is still using the Stalwhille socket set he was given as an apprentice.
Cheap spanners and sockets only result in frustration and busted knuckles. Not to mention damaged bolts and nuts.
Spend a little more now and you will be repaid with a lifetime’s use of decent and reliable tools.
seth
No offense, but the market has changed from what it was 30 years ago.
If you want to buy the kind of tools that will last a lifetime of use then you pretty much must buy a heavy industrial grade tool. No mid-range or consumer tool will withstand such use thanks to the steady cost-cutting measures by manufacturers.
Those industrial grade tools will be beyond most consumer’s budgets. That’s one big reason why buying used tools from the 70 ‘ s and 80’s has been so popular lately.
David
Have to disagree. If you look at the cost of those tools 30 years ago they weren’t cheap. I’m talking about the relative price. Good tools are not really more expensive now vs. 30 or 40 years ago. There were cheap alternatives then as well, they were just not marketed well and not as prevalent.
I think the difference is that people used to be willing to spend money on tools to last a lifetime and now would prefer not to. Not sure why that is. Perhaps because there are so many lower priced alternatives(?).
Ktash
I always reach for a ratcheting wrench over non ratcheting. I have both the reversible and non reversible. This is mainly for homeowner stuff, since I do diy and woodworking, but not much machinery unless it’s a quick and easy fix of something. I have some older craftsman combos and sockets that were given to me and some newer metric ratcheting combos from Kobalt and Harbor Freight. Happy to have the good Craftsman, but the Kobalt and HF work fine for me. I got the different colored ones from HF, and it sure makes it easy to pick out the one you need instead of fumbling to find the number. Many people may not care, but it cuts down on frustration when you are trying to figure out how to fix something that just broke and you are not that familiar with how to do it.
Paul
I agree with Jerry that the combination 12 pt inch/metric wrenches are not worth it.
But for the last 30 years I have owned and use every day a Metrinch 71 Piece Combination Wrench & Socket Set. They are unique because they are 6 pt. Every wrench I need to work on lawn equipment, my vehicles and around the home is in the set.
Bart
If you’re willing to spend a little bit more money on a set of wrenches that will last a lifetime, and are just as good, if not better than the truck brands, get some WrightGrips. $100 buys a 11pc metric set, the SAE is usually about $20 more.
Not necessarily a “Harry Homeowner” price, but for something you’ll be using as long as you are still physically capable and willing on working on something, it is still chump change. Most of us blow $200 on crap we only use for a few years and throw away all the time.
joe
I have the 227 kobalt piece that I bought for 100 dollars on one of those holliday deals, the 200 something piece I bought from sears and various impact and combination wrenches from harbor freight….they have all paid for themselves already and they still look brand new to me.
One example is this teenager hit me on the front passenger side once and her insurance estimated the damage to be 4000 dollars….they asked me that they could fix it or they could write me the check to take it to any place of my choice to get it fixed…i picked the check and fixed it myself for under 500 dollars with my tools. With the paint, I bought the fender already factory painted in my color.
So even thought I don’t use my mechanic tools that often, they already paid for themselves easy, plus I like tools.
Another example, another teenager his my f-150 in the back and messed up my two side benders plus the bumper and tailgate….this time the teen did not have insurance….etc etc with all that legal stuff….i asked him to pay for all the truck parts bought second hand….he agreed…just one fender brand new was 500 dollars just primed…i needed two…the bumper and tail gate plus the labor…went up easy….i did all the part used part changing with my tools for under 700 dollars buying factory painted used parts….fixing cars is pretty easy if you have the knowhow…point is I saved me yet more money.
The list goes on and on, being a DIYer has a lot of perks. The bad thing about being one in your circle of friends is being ask to fix their stuff over and over again for free…lol….i have an amazon kindle that I need to fix the USB port to…I have someone else ask me to install wood floor in their bedroom…i have a phone that acquaintance needs USB port fixing…I just replace an iphone screen the other day for my sisters husband…and the list goes on…lol
My two cents.
Ola
Bahcos 92 piece set is what I would recommend over here in Europe, 1/4″ (With a bits adapter) and 1/2″ sockets, wrenches, plus swivel head wrenches in a good and sturdy bag, replace the wrenches with ratching ones as you go and you are very well set. That set usually can be found for 100-125$ on sale.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bahco-Socket-92-Piece-4-Inch-2-Inch/dp/B000Y8V8TK/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1404202971&sr=8-16&keywords=bacho
Robert
Steve,
I agree with you regarding the use of a breaker bar. I don’t think however that I was completely clear about the circumstance. I didn’t purchase the set for the purpose of working on the faucet. I already had the set. My point was simply that the 1/2 inch drive saved the day, and more than paid for the entire set in that one job.
It’s almost always cheaper to purchase a set with the components you want in the first place, than to purchase them individually later on. In fact, it’s usually significantly cheaper. I agree with Stuart that the 94 pc set will address most needs of an average consumer. You may seldom need to reach for a 1/2 inch drive. My point is simply that when you can get a set including the 1/2 inch drive for under 100 or even under 90 dollars when on sale, it’s worth the extra bucks in my opinion to grab them.
If you use the 1/2 inch drive for even 1 task that would otherwise result in an expensive repair bill, you have generally much more than saved the difference. After that, you’ll appreciate having the 1/2 inch whenever those circumstances present themselves.
Sean
I would suggest the homeowner look at the Kobalt sets. The quality is surprisingly good. The ratchets are also above-average quality and have a high “tooth count.”
I have the Kobalt 227 piece set (search for it) which retails at $199 but goes on sale a couple times a year (black friday) for $99. $99 is an AMAZING deal. It has 3 drawers and storage on top for the 3 ratchets (1/2″, 3/8″, 1/4″) and various wrenches. There is plenty of space for 6-7 wrenches depending on the size, and I just threw in extra wrenches for the size here or there that was either skipped over or larger than the included ones. The bottom drawer is empty (after you take out the hex keys and put them up top) so you can through whatever you want in there like universal joints, extra ratchets, adapters, etc. I’ve filled mine up.
The case is a great way to keep your set organized even if you leave it in the garage, and it also isn’t too heavy to lift if you carry it around. I think it would survive (i.e. sockets stay in place) bouncing around in a truck.
I’m not sure you can walk into Lowes and found each socket sold individually for replacement purposes like I think you can at Home Depot with their Husky brand, but the warranty makes it clear that they will replace broken and LOST sockets. I think the deal with at the least the lost sockets is that you pay $5-10 shipping so that they recover their costs and you don’t cheat them. Never had to do it.
My Kobalt recommendation will probably be dismissed when I mention Harbor Freight, but they have some really feature-packed, cheap sets that I think most people would be happy with. They also have really odd-ball stuff that is hard to find elsewhere that you can add to your socket set like a digital torque reading adapter. They have some cool ratchets too (like double-ended with 2 drive sizes, etc.)
Unless you’re an auto mechanic or someone who uses sockets often, I think most homeowners (and even general contractors) would be happy with cheaper sets. As someone else said, socket quality seems to be far less important than ratchet quality. Spending more on wrenches is also worthwhile because you probably won’t need to buy too many.
Douglas Brown
Well I had no idea that there were so many different kinds of wrenches out there! I suppose I figured it could be that way, but had never really done my research. Now that my wife and I are starting to do more home improvement projects I need to be more in the know. I will follow your advice though and find a wrench set that are cheaper, for now, and maybe later on go bigger.
James
I have read this entire thread and appreciate the input for everyone.
I am a new homeowner and am slowly building / rebuilding my tools.
What are the most common sizes for wrenches that would get me through 90% of homeowner DIY tasks?
I am interested in getting some ratcheting wrenches but am not sure about buying a whole set. I know that there should probably be 3/8, 1/4, 1/2….but what other sizes are most common around the house? Lawnmower, etc?
Thanks.
Jerry
You should check on Channellock socket sets. Very well made and come in a nice and sturdy case. You can get them from Do it best. It comes with 144, 3/8 and 1/2 sizes, both deep and regular sockets. The combination wrenches are also good quality tools. It might be a little expensive but at least it doesn’t have lots of bits and hex keys like other “big” sets. It must be new product, because before they had a different style.
Here is the link, I didn’t find this set in Amazon or Sears, usually cheaper than do it best.
https://www.doitbest.com/products/48278
de
I wouldn’t buy that Chinese craftsman crap on a bet.