Snap On vs. Husky sockets

DerbyDad03 · 2014-04-25T14:51:38+00:00

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.

Apr 25, 2014 43 Replies

Rate this thread:

CMD 10 years ago

replying to trader_4, CMD wrote: Snap-on tools are worth the price if you value quality and functionality, which most professionals do. IMO the only viable, readily available tool is Craftsman. However the are several good second choices for the professional, such as Matco and Proto, for example. These manufacturers make specialty tools where Craftsman and (ugh) Husky do not. And as far as Husky tools go, I would not waste my money on them. They are absolute junk. There is a reason Snap-on tools (generally) cost ten times what a Husky tool does.

Vote

DieselMech 9 years ago

replying to DerbyDad03, DieselMech wrote: Genius tools are cheaper and of the same quality as SO if not better. I found also Kennedy tools to be of exceptional quality and well priced. However long

1/2 inch drive power-bar I would by only from SO. In many situations used 2m long steel pipe on it while working on excavator tracks without any sign of damage whatsoever. It's simply unbreakable.

Vote

Father Time 9 years ago

I'm sure the OP would have been interested in your critique when he asked the question... 2-1/2 years ago.

Vote

clare 9 years ago

I've seen the forked end of a SO "johnson bar" snapped off. as well as the pins broken - so they are not QUITE unbreakable.

Vote

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required