Yeah, OP's parts store socket set is probably carbon steel. Those don't last long around harden nuts and bolts. OP can check out the HF 64 pc chrome vanadium set and add a 1/2" metric socket set. All for about $40 on sale. Maybe some extension bars and a 1/2"-drive 18" (or 25") breaker bar too.
http://www.harborfreight.com/64-piece-14-38-and-12-socket-set-67995.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-high-visibility-12-drive-metric-socket-set-67916.html
The old 6-point HF Pittsburgh set I have was made in Taiwan, then they switched to 12-point sockets made in China. Many of the wrenches are made in India. I have HF tools from all these countries.
HF's teardrop ratchets are pretty good, IMO better than the Craftsman (some call Crapsman) 36 teeth ones they've been making in the past decade. However, HF in recent months downgraded the 48 teeth ratchets to 36 teeth but still advertised 48. Still I would check these out if you want to add a ratchet or two. Can't beat the value.
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-drive-heavy-duty-quick-release-ratchet-40591.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-drive-heavy-duty-quick-release-ratchet-40582.html
=================
I was looking at Danaher again but they only showed Matco Tools under the group. Gone were the GearWrench, KD, Armstrong, etc. All these got spun off to a new company called Apex Tool Group. So I don't know if today's Craftsman are made by Apex or Danaher. Some say GearWrenches already started import tools from China since it was spun off last July.
I picked up some old Danaher sockets on sale at Lowes as they replaced their Danaher line by tools made in Taiwan. The new ratchets have 72 teeth. Really smooth. I'll check out what they'll put on sale on Black Friday.
However, even the broaches of the Harbor Freight sockets have the rounded verticies and curved edges GearWrench calls "Surface Drive Technology". IMO HF sockets with lifetime warranty actually look better made than today's Craftsman. But time will tell how long they'll hold up. But for most I think HF tools are pretty good value when on sale (they jacked up the prices this year).
http://www.gearwrench.com/catalog/ratchets_and_sockets/sockets/standard/
http://www.harborfreight.com/64-piece-14-38-and-12-socket-set-67995.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-high-visibility-12-drive-metric-socket-set-67916.html
The old 6-point HF Pittsburgh set I have was made in Taiwan, then they switched to 12-point sockets made in China. Many of the wrenches are made in India. I have HF tools from all these countries.
HF's teardrop ratchets are pretty good, IMO better than the Craftsman (some call Crapsman) 36 teeth ones they've been making in the past decade. However, HF in recent months downgraded the 48 teeth ratchets to 36 teeth but still advertised 48. Still I would check these out if you want to add a ratchet or two. Can't beat the value.
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-drive-heavy-duty-quick-release-ratchet-40591.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-drive-heavy-duty-quick-release-ratchet-40582.html
=================
I was looking at Danaher again but they only showed Matco Tools under the group. Gone were the GearWrench, KD, Armstrong, etc. All these got spun off to a new company called Apex Tool Group. So I don't know if today's Craftsman are made by Apex or Danaher. Some say GearWrenches already started import tools from China since it was spun off last July.
I picked up some old Danaher sockets on sale at Lowes as they replaced their Danaher line by tools made in Taiwan. The new ratchets have 72 teeth. Really smooth. I'll check out what they'll put on sale on Black Friday.
However, even the broaches of the Harbor Freight sockets have the rounded verticies and curved edges GearWrench calls "Surface Drive Technology". IMO HF sockets with lifetime warranty actually look better made than today's Craftsman. But time will tell how long they'll hold up. But for most I think HF tools are pretty good value when on sale (they jacked up the prices this year).
http://www.gearwrench.com/catalog/ratchets_and_sockets/sockets/standard/
