Snap On vs. Husky sockets

[DerbyDad03]

I was working on my brakes the other day and ran into a issue with one of the rotors. I called a mechanic friend for some advice and he stopped over. He asked me for a 14mm socket, so I handed him a 12 point Craftsman socket. I had already used it to R&R the caliper bracket, but it started slipping on one bolt when he tried to use it.

He went back to his truck and brought out a Snap On 6 point socket and it spun the bolt out with no problem. The bolt head was a little rounded, but the Snap On socket gripped it firmly. When he left, he let me hang onto the socket so I could finish up the job. He also suggested I get some some 6 point sockets of my own.

Later that day I went to Home Depot for some stuff and picked up a Husky

14mm 6 point deep wall socket while I was there. When I got home, I noticed 2 things that were different between the Snap On and the Husky.

First, the Husky has a tapered opening. The actual gripping walls of the Husky socket do not extend all the way to the open end of the socket.

You can the difference in these 2 pics, although I think my socket has an even deeper taper than the one in the picture.

The other difference was how much tighter the Snap On gripped the bolt head. Holding the socket on the bolt head, there was considerably more "wiggle" with the Husky socket vs. the Snap On.

Even though both brands carry a lifetime replacement warranty, the quality difference was readily apparent. I can certainly see why a professional would spend the extra money on the Snap On tools.

[trader_4]

Maybe, but the question is whether the Snap-On is really worththe price difference. Whenever I've looked at SO, the price difference isn't 10, 20%, it more like 2X or more. IDK if pros get a discount that could help even it out. I've used mostly Craftsman and can't recall a time when I felt the tool was the issue. A lot of it is using the right tool and using the tool right. In the case in point, where you have a bolt that is hard to get out, critical, etc, a 6 point is the preferred choice. And making sure you have the wrench square on, all the way on is important too. I would think those factors are going to make a bigger difference than the Husky socket vs the SO. If I had the choice, I'd go with the SO, but I'm not so sure they are worth the huge price differences that I've seen.

[philoÂÂ]

I've been using Craftsman for over 40 years and have had no problems...when I was working some of my co-workers did get "Snap-On" they were generally considered the best...though SK is also very good.

[DerbyDad03]

To your comment on "have the wrench square on" I think that the full walls of the SO have an advantage there. By that I mean that the tapered end of the Husky socket makes it easier to be sloppy. I think it would be tough for the full walled socket to be at an angle. This would be extremely important where visibility is an issue, like the caliper bracket bolts where you doing it mostly by feel.

Another advantage for the pros is that big truck that shows up during working hours. No lost time to run to the store when a tool breaks. Keep working and wait for the truck. No lost free time by having to shop after work. Not having to wait on the Returns line and/or check out line at Home Depot is worth part of the extra cost.

[Pico Rico]

Another advantage for the pros is the ability to deduct as a business expense the cost of your tools.

[Vic Smith]

My son is a professional mechanic. He has some Snap-On, but not wrenches. Doesn't see the value. The truck is convenient. He's still using some of the Craftsmen wrenches I used when I was a mechanic. And plenty of Pittsburgh brand from Harbor Freight. You can't tell anything from those pictures. Have to mic them.

12-points are nut-rounders for automotive use. I used them for packaging machines in tight spots. Could have just used a finer tooth ratchet. You don't need them. Nothing against Snap-On, but many mechanics never use them. I never did, and never rounded any nut that wasn't rusted to hell anyway.

[DerbyDad03]

What Snap-On does he use...and why?

Really? You can't tell that the Husky socket is tapered and the SO isn't? Look at the opening.

For what? The Husky wobbles on the bolt head, the SO does not. That's all I need as proof that the SO is manufactured to a tighter tolerance.

[notbob]

OK, a serious discussion.

I've been pulling one brand of wrench or another for 55 yrs. I know my wrenches. Snap-On? They buy from major companies and rebrand 'em to "Snap-0n". They usta buy from Bonney. Bonney was awesome, perhaps the best. They're gone. Bonney also invented the flank drive. They called it something else, but that is what Snap-On labeled it when Bonney's patent ran out and they allowed SO to sell the wrench technology under SO's name. Now, most companies have a flank drive equivalent. Even Craftsman. If you can afford the increased cost, buy a flank drive combo/box wrench (may have another name). It's worth the extra cost.

As for quality wrenches, who still makes good 'uns? Hard to say, as I don't wrench professionally, anymore. I jes baught a set of US made SAE sized Craftsmens. My serious wrenches? Proto. S&K. Seems everyone else has either disappeared or sold out to the Chinese.

Here's the bottom line. Even Chinese tools have a "replacement guarantee". Napa, Sears, True-Value, etc. I learned, when I lived 90 miles from the nearest Sears, that the old Craftsman guarentee is not worth spit if'n you gotta drive 3 hrs to replace that wrench. And I've broke more than a few Craftsman tools. So! ....iffin yer a pro, on the clock, you don't wanna wrench that may break. Iffin yer an old geezer, like me, who is tired of wrenchin', but does it if necessary, go with "replaceable". Not cheap, jes replaceable at a place that is near. ;)

nb

[Ralph Mowery]

Years ago I had a cheap set of sockets that cost around $ 5. They had a guarantee that if you sent them $ 5 for shipping and the broken part they would send you a new one. That made it more than the set cost if you add what it cost to send the old part back.

[Vic Smith]

A 3050 air chisel, and a deadfall hammer another mechanic gave him. That's it. He has some Matco. Mostly Pittsburgh.

That has nothing to do with taper, just fit. Could be tapered on the outside. Husky is a "cheap" brand. Why would anybody make a tapered wrench? Nuts have 90 degree flats.

[micky]

From a snap-on webpage "From the revolutionary idea of detachable sockets to the invention of the Flank Drive Wrenching System, the dedication to innovation has created a socket to fit just about every need. Snap-on tools manufactures over 1,500 different sockets in nine drive sizes and approximately 200 styles and types. Innovation helps us keep pace with the ever changing needs of the professional tool user. "

I guess, based on what you said, that Bonney invented the flank drive and Snap-On invented "the Flank Drive Wrenching System,", which is a set of flank drive sockets and some handles. Hey, got to give credit where credit is due.

Did Snap-on r eally come up with the idea of detachable sockets? I gotta say that is a good idea. Otherwise, I'd have to have 16 ratchets in SAE and who knows how many in metric. More with built in extensions. Plus a set of breaker bars and a set of speed handles.

[micky]

Before Chinese tools became common, there was a guy standing in the middle of Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, just before a viaduct that iirc led to Conduit Parkway, selling such things for $4. The only place at the time I ever saw the cheap ratchet socket sets at any price.

[DerbyDad03]

Wow. Either you really haven't looked at the pictures or you just keep missing my point.

Nevermind...it's not worth the trouble of trying to explain it.

[trader_4]

For the record, I see your point. It's obvious from the pics. The slight taper is probably so it's easier for the socket to align with and get on the bolt head. How much difference it makes in the socket staying on, is it a good thing or a bad thing, IDK. It sure doesn't look like something that was done to make it cheaper however. Also, with regard to the tightness of the fit, that can cut both ways too. If you make for a tight fit, then if the bolt head is rusty, corroded, etc it may be harder to get the socket on.

[nestork]

Snap-On is good quality, but people should be aware that much of their touted quality lies in the fact that they had a patent on their "flank drive" wrenches and sockets.

In both the USA and Canada a patent only lasts 17 years. Snap-On's patent has expired and now other companies are making "flank drive" wrenches and sockets, notably Cobalt tools, which I understand is Lowe's brand name just as Craftsman is a Sears brand name.

If I were in the market for a set of wrenches or sockets, I would buy the Cobalt from Lowes because they have the flank drive without the Snap-On price tag.

[clare]

SK, Snap-on, Herbrand,Proto, Craftsman, Gedore,all make pretty decent tools. Well, Herbrand DID - I guess they are no more. I still have most of my original Craftsman set from 1969.I love my SK spark plug socket from about the same time (ball type swivel) Both 6 and 12 point sockets have their place, but GOOD six pointers that are both thin and strong, are not so very common.

[clare]

The Husky is a lot easier to get onto the nut or bolt in tight quarters/in the dark. Aim it at the nut, wiggle it a bit, and it's on. With a straight socket you need to line it up, line up the flats, and push it on. You DO need to make sure either one is on all the way before putting the beef to it.

[clare]

Not here in Ontario. (unless you are self employed) And if you can, you can claim from ANY tool seller. aAll you need is an itemized reciept

[clare]

There were a fair number of clunky, cheap, and almost useable tools from India on the market in the early seventies. Mostly sold out of the trunks of beat-up chevies.

[Tony Hwang]

Hi, If one makes living depending on those tools. Only best will do. I have only few Snap 0n impact wrench sockets which more than adquate. I prefer good 6 point socket than 12 point one. Only exception is when working in limited space.