Why do my sockets keep stripping!

[96ToyoCam164K]

I bought a tool set for $12.99 from advanced auto parts lol.

Well in the process of doing this compressor stuff I keep having the sockets strip when I attempt to torque them at the proper torque.

I've had like 2 or 3 sockets ruined when trying to remove the bolt. I don't know if it's just the tool set or if I'm not using small enough sockets.

I'm like my gosh, this tool set can't be for loosening anything on a vehicle except interior parts!

[Chris Crash]

Because it's a 12.99 socket set. Cheap quality, probably 12 pt sockets. Try to return what's left of it and get some real tools!

[Mister_Perkins]

yeah, i dont think the tool sets are very good. I would go to harbor freight if you want to save money. Thats where I get my impact sockets, and they work great. no problems what so ever, and i have a 700ft/lb 3/8" impact lol

[mail2_jb]

I heard that 9pt, 12pt 16pt etc sockets are notorius for stripping. These multi point sockets are easy to insert (because guess what, multiple point to form hex/square shape), but they don't grab the bolt/nut very well.
I always try to use hex sockets and never stripped any bolt/nuts yet. If it is too tight, i just spray some wd40 or pbblaster and it will loosen much faster.
I've bought and used HF socket sets (hex, of course) and they all work very well.
However I always wish for that snap-on set though

[96ToyoCam164K]

Originally Posted by mail2_jb

I heard that 9pt, 12pt 16pt etc sockets are notorius for stripping. These multi point sockets are easy to insert (because guess what, multiple point to form hex/square shape), but they don't grab the bolt/nut very well.
I always try to use hex sockets and never stripped any bolt/nuts yet. If it is too tight, i just spray some wd40 or pbblaster and it will loosen much faster.
I've bought and used HF socket sets (hex, of course) and they all work very well.
However I always wish for that snap-on set though

yeah I've actually come to like the hex sockets but the compressor I ordered came with bolts and didn't want to use the hex bolts that were already on the old one

There's a place called ToolKing in my area. It's an online store but they have 1 and only 1 location down the street from my house.

However, I do find Autozone's tools to be really high quality. And the guy at advanced told me the toolset is Craftsman with a rebadged name

[fenixus]

I have been using Autozone's Duralast 3/8 socket set (metric/SAE) for almost 3 years with zero trouble, very durable sockets (6-point), great ratchet which I really like. cost me like $40 but really works.

Formerly I used (literally once) a Great Neck cheap socket set, but guess what, they made it the way you need to use stupid 1/4 adapter on sockets for 3/8 ratchet (whatever, but adapter is needed) and that crap breaks in no time... it broke on loosening a 25ft-lbs caliper pin bolt the first time I used it! hehee ... right Made In China tools ... distributed by Great Neck NY based company ... way to go

on top of that I use a multitude of tools from HFT and so far nothing snapped

[mail2_jb]

This happened to me too. I was using a set from walmart and the stupid adapter broke while loosening the oil pan bolt.
I went to Lowes and got the kobalt one (costs more than the entire walmart set) and that one is rock solid.

HF tools (though made in china and cheap), seems to be much better quality that walmart or autozone no-name brand items.

Originally Posted by fenixus

I have been using Autozone's Duralast 3/8 socket set (metric/SAE) for almost 3 years with zero trouble, very durable sockets (6-point), great ratchet which I really like. cost me like $40 but really works.

Formerly I used (literally once) a Great Neck cheap socket set, but guess what, they made it the way you need to use stupid 1/4 adapter on sockets for 3/8 ratchet (whatever, but adapter is needed) and that crap breaks in no time... it broke on loosening a 25ft-lbs caliper pin bolt the first time I used it! hehee ... right Made In China tools ... distributed by Great Neck NY based company ... way to go

on top of that I use a multitude of tools from HFT and so far nothing snapped

[Hajoca]

You get what you pay for.

[fenixus]

Look for Pittsburgh Or Pittsburgh Pro brand of tools in HFT, they are made in USA and despite my hardest efforts I haven't broken any of them yet

solid as a rock and cheap like peanuts

[BMR]

I've got lots of HF tools. Quality is mostly good. The ratchets that came with my socket sets were crap; replaced them with Sears. I bought a set of Torx bits, 3/8" drive, that twisted off like they were made of peanut butter. But wrenches, sockets, allen wrenches, pry bars, compressed air fittings, hoses, hose reel, etc., all good.

[pmesfun]

HFT is good stuff. My main tool set is a Craftsman, no problem with that. I beat the crap out of the HFT electrical impact when I used it on the spring compressors, worked fine, along with the HFT impact socket set.

[csharp100]

Craftsman tools and some other brands are made by the Danaher Tool Group. Craftsman tools are of good quality but Sears does not make the tools. Craftsman tool specs are sent out to bid during a contract year and the lowest bidder gets the contract. Regular hand tools should not be used with impact wrenches. The walls on impact sockets are thicker then hand tool sockets. When it comes to tools, you DO get what you pay for. My main set is craftsman and some of the other tools I have are of a lessor quality. For me, it depends on how often I am going to use the tools. i.e. Drag link sockets. How often do you use drag link sockets? If you're a mechanic working on cars all day long, it might be different.

[Mister_Perkins]

I am a mechanic, and I have a lot of Craftsman and HF Tools.

almost all of my impact sockets are Harbor Freight.. Even my Swivle sockets. Well Besides my huge swivle sockets, but HF and Craftsman do not carry them.

My wrenches are all craftsman, most of my sockets are HF and Craftsman.

My screw drivers all all craftsman besides one set of Snap-on with cushion grips (lol)

Taps are Craftsman

Pulley Removers, Scrapers, Allen Wrenches, Air Chucks, Pry bars, hammers are all from HF / Craftsman

The only thing that I really invest my money into as far as tools of quality is Ratchets and Impacts. I get those from Snap-on or Matco

Other than that everything else is Snap-On and Matco like my Air Line tools, Multimeter, Flashlight, Electric Impact 1/4" ; 3/8" ; 1"

I seriously recommend for the starting mechanic, backyard mechanic, someone who does it for fun, or the professional mechanic .. dont spend your money on expensive tools! Craftsman and Harbor Freight both have Lifetime warranties on almost everything you get anyways. Like I said, I would recommend getting your ratchets and air tools from Snapon or Matco though

[ghettosled]

all of my sockets are craftsman. while i do have a number of impact sockets, i have used regular sockets on my impact gun and only cracked 2 thus far. its nice bringing them back to the store for free replacements. my other tools are a mix between craftsman and HF.

[mail2_jb]

I have some HF Pittsburgh sockets and they are made in china (chrome vanadium plated ). I never saw anything made in USA in my HF store . And the torque wrench is also by Pittsburge, made in china. (i haven't see the Pro brand though in my HF store)

Pittsburgh sockets are really good quality, used in many DIY applications, holding on strongly and never ruined anything so far.

Originally Posted by fenixus

Look for Pittsburgh Or Pittsburgh Pro brand of tools in HFT, they are made in USA and despite my hardest efforts I haven't broken any of them yet

solid as a rock and cheap like peanuts