Best Sockets & Socket Sets
The Stanley 92-824 Black Chrome and Laser Etched Socket Set includes 69 pieces that meet or exceed the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) specifications for combination wrenches, sockets, and ratchets. The laser etched sockets provide hi-visibility markings, making it easier to read compared to standard marked sockets. What's in the Box 30 1/4-inch sockets, 33 3/8-inch sockets, 1 3/8-drive pear head ratchet arm, 1 1/4-inch pear head ratchet arm, 1 3/8-inch spark plug socket (5/8-inch), 1 3/8-inch spark plug socket (13/16-inch), 1 1/4-inch extension bar (3-inch), 1 3/8-inch extension bar (6-inch), blow molded case, and color graphic sleeve. About Stanley Sockets and Ratchets Stanley sockets feature the proprietary Max-Drive design, a unique radius corner design which provides 15 percent more torque, making it easy to tighten fasteners and simplifies the turning of rounded corners. 69-piece black chrome and laser etched socket set meets or exceeds ANSI standards for sockets and ratchets.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Both sets have a few sizes the other does not have but are very similar (the Stanley has a few smaller sockets and a ¼” wrench, the Crescent has a few larger sockets). The case supplied with the Stanley set is very poor, the sockets can be almost impossible to remove without breaking your nails. Although this is a pretty nice set for the money but I found a much better set for about the same amount of money: Crescent CSWS10 3/8-Inch Drive Socket Wrench Set, 52-Piece. The case for these sockets is much better, everything fits nicely and sockets are easily removed as they are not ‘clamped in’ as with the Stanley sockets."
"Good quality tools, awful case."
"There are ten, I know because I counted, metal screws bored into the carrying case holding on that plastic shell. These guys put ten metal screws into holding on a plastic shell with no purpose other than to be thrown away, but use plastic screws to hold together the actual carrying case that's supposed to last the lifetime of the product."
"this set has been under the back seat of my work truck for the last four years the case is in as good shape as the day i bought. I love the way they store when your done with your work you can just start snapping them back in place and it keeps you from loosing pieces because you can see if you left one out."
"Like others have said, this is a good set of tools."
"The black chrome look is nice, not that looks are important when using a ratchet set, but they do look nicer than the usual chrome socket sets I have seen. The black chrome does make it very easy to see what the socket size is so you don't have to search or squint for sizes like you might on a chrome set."
The STANLEY STMT71652 123pc Socket Set offers a complete range of SAE and metric-sized sockets and drive tools. Stanley sockets feature our Max-Drive design, a unique radius corner design that provides 15% more torque* to tighten fasteners easily and simplify the turning of rounded corners. Stanley - Black & Decker.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Added a little color to the raised lettering with a paint marker."
"First, the set looks to be high quality--especially the ratchets--and you can't beat having a lifetime warranty. Of course, if I wanted to return it Amazon would have enabled that at no cost to me, but since these tools have a lifetime warranty and the wear was very slight, I'm fine with keeping them."
"Decent set, bought as a Christmas starter kit for my teen son, should keep him from losing my tools. Stanley does make decent quality (China) sockets for the money, I have concerns about the use of plastic in their teardrop ratchets (see pic) but time will tell how they hold up."
"I assume this was an intentional implement during the design process in attempts to prevent the items from coming loose during shipment and user transport, but I think they erred a little to far on the side of precaution in this particular regard."
"I only needed the socket set so I went with the 50 piece set."
"Although the sockets, small tools and ratchets seem the same, The wrenches have definitely been downgraded. They kind of remind me of those cheap Indian made wrench sets you buy at auto parts stores."
"If you've ever had the experience of owning other sets where the sockets don't lock, you know it's a nightmare when you open/close the case."
"The locking spring ball on the ratchet heads is set in concrete epoxy or the like, such that any effort to place or remove a socket from the ratchet requires a good American vise and a rubber mallet for success."
Each kit includes pear-head ratchets, deep well sockets, standard sockets, a spinner handle, extension bars, spark plug sockets, a set of bits, and a durable plastic carry case. The Stanley 82-839 Black Chrome and Laser Etched Socket Set includes 99 pieces that meet or exceed the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) specifications for combination wrenches, sockets, and ratchets. The laser etched sockets provide hi-visibility markings, making it easier to read compared to standard marked sockets. About Stanley Sockets and Ratchets Stanley sockets feature the proprietary Max-Drive design, a unique radius corner design which provides 15 percent more torque, making it easy to tighten fasteners and simplifies the turning of rounded corners. 99-piece black chrome and laser etched socket set meets or exceeds ANSI standards for sockets and ratchets.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I will use them occasionally at work and to make repairs on my car and around the house; by keeping them in the factory box I imagine they will look good for years. I like to keep a clean grease rag in the box I was delighted to find that the lid will close easily with the rag in place. I will probably change out the 1/4 drive screwdriver bits for torx bits and use my 6 in 1 screwdriver."
"My knee Jerk reaction on this set is: +Easy to read #'s etched onto the tools. +Seems to be decent build quality. +The case, which is black, comes opened to display, in a yellow cardboard box (Stanley flavor), with a clear plastic cover, with 15 plastic/wood screws, 3/8"(about?). I took a folded news paper page, lined it up with the inside of the plastic tool case, and stuck in the tool box, closed it, then used my knife to trim the excess, Ie what stuck out of the closed box. A thick sheet of flexible plastic might work as well, to hold your sockets securely in place."
"Just enough tools to get a lot of mechanical work done on cars with relatively thin case to put it on truck without taking up much space."
"What keeps me from giving it 5 stars is that some of the sockets don't hold in their places and will fall out when I go to close it."
"Perfect for working on car and around the house stuff, now my son wants a set :-)."
"This Set Is Not Everything Youll need But it will get most of the job done if your working on cars at home this set is a must for you love tge Quality and everything."
"Purchased as a gift for my husband."
"The tool kit arrived without the 1/2" combination wrench, and there are oily fingerprints all over the inside of the case as if it has been used for a project."
Best Drive Sockets
TEKTON impact sockets efficiently transfer torque from impact wrench to fastener, loosening the most stubborn nuts and bolts. Made from high-strength chrome vanadium steel, our impact sockets are more resistant to drive end round out than standard impact sockets, resulting in a longer useable life. Drive Deep Chrome Vanadium Sockets are built for use with impact wrenches to loosen the most stubborn fasteners without stripping them. Made from forged and heat treated chrome vanadium steel with a corrosion-resistant black phosphate finish.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The price is relatively low considering how nice the set is and I would recommend to anyone looking for a nice set of impact sockets."
"I have not used this yet but I needed it for changing the tires on our cars.We have 4 cars all have different size lugs.I had to try and get the lug off the Neon and had to use a breaker bar to get it off.It took a 19mm socket which I have.So now I have all I need for the other cars.I never want to be stuck like that again.The tire people put 200ft pounds torque on the lug nuts which is 100 ft pounds.I could not get the lugs loose with the X wrench ."
"These so far have hold up pretty well the numbers to tend to fade after a month of constant use and cleaning reason for.4 stars but as socket well made and the case is thin plastic but if take care of it last."
"They stand behind them with the best warranty and offer top notch customer service."
"Good fit and finish, all for a great price."
"This can be used for your tire lug nuts but used caution as these can scratch your rims if you are not careful..."
"Great product by tekton like always."
"Purchased these to work on my vehicle, seeing as this was one of the only "complete" sets on the market."
Best Individual Sockets
The tool's socket contains 54 hardened steel spring pins for long-lasting durability. As the fastener is turned, the torque is transmitted through the outer pins to the walls of the socket, making this socket an ideal choice for heavy-duty personal or professional use. The tool's socket contains 54 hardened steel spring pins for long-lasting durability. As the fastener is turned, the torque is transmitted through the outer pins to the walls of the socket, making this socket an ideal choice for heavy-duty personal or professional use. Drill adaptor turns any drill into a Power Socket Set.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"in my electric drill, this thing is a bit loose, doesn't keep straight, so I don't get a nice stable feeling."
"Loved it so much that I ordered 3 more - one for my car, one for my son, and an extra."
"You don't even have to be properly lined-up with the bolt for this thing to work!"
"Tried to buy the cheap cheap one on a lighting deal."
"Great quality, a little hard to get over bolts but easy enough once you get use to it."
"Have not been able to use a lot yet, but it definitely grabs and turns things other connections cannot in the few times I have tested it."
"Had to replace a broken toilet seat anchor for a discontinued Kohler low profile one piece toilet."
"The first time I used this the little 'prongs' in side stuck down (not all but most of them) and I had to pry them back up."
Best Socket Sets
Includes universal joint and extra long 10-inch extension, tools not found in most sets.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I had a small job to do around the house and decided to try out the Tekton 1/4 drive set to see how it preformed as compared to the other tools I own. Yes it had the big Tekton logo on the front of it, also present were "1/4 DRIVE" in raised lettering so you know what is inside. The next thing that sticks out are the full length metal pins that act as the hinges for the case, no folding plastic joints that will separate after a couple of dozen cycles leaving the user with a two piece blow molded case that is duct taped together. After squeezing the case in a variety of locations such as the corners, middle and each side individually leaves no doubt how durable it is. The ratchet features a push button release and a thumb switch to reverse direction, with the 72 teeth gearing it's operation is extremely smooth. On the left side is a 2.5" wide X 5.5" long X 1" deep storage section for extra bits, nuts and bolts or whatever you need. Another surprise and important feature is the addition of a 5.5mm size, they are almost impossible to find on other brands and if you ever worked on one of Henry's cars, a 5.5mm is a necessity. The upper case includes a 3" and a 6" 1/4" drive extension with a 5/8" and a 3/4" knurl respectively, both feature a spring and ball that lock into the detente on the socket."
"I had a Craftsman 250 "Made in USA" mechanics tool set that I really disliked from the beginning. The last straw with the Craftsman, other than the poor fit and finish, was the 36 tooth design for the ratchets. I was servicing my Ariens snow thrower and had a devil of a time removing the 8 bolts so I could grease the gears (because there wasn't a lot of room to swing the ratchet and the 36 tooth design required approx 15 degrees of swing arc). The only purpose of 12 point sockets, in my opinion, are to strip bolts! If I had to point out any flaws, it MIGHT be that the 1/4 drive ratchet is a little short (at least based on what I'm used to). Also.. the sockets on the top part of the case snap into place (if they didn't they'd fall when you close the case) - they snap it pretty snug (which is good) and can be a little difficult to take out (really grasping at straws here..). A 1/2 drive socket set would also be in order (but I have a Tekton 1/2 drive ratchet to use with my 1/2 Tekton impact sockets so I didn't need the duplication)."
"Tekton represents a great value quality tool for the homeowner or DIYer, or even the professional mechanic looking for inexpensive quality tools."
"But compare the competition-. none of the them are any longer with the exception of expensive extra long Proto or Snap-On ratchets not part of a kit."
"I have read and viewed so many great reviews on the TEKTON brand."
Best Screwdriver Sets
22 magnetic tips made from S2 Alloy steel, HRC(56-62).we use weakness magnetic on the tips so that won't destroy your sensitive electronic products but enough to keep the small screws. Universal screwdriver tool set for electronics,laptops,computer,eyeglasses,smartphones,toys,iPhone,PC,watches,game consoles,Macbook air and most handheld devices.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I must admit I was reluctant to get this kit due to the price but decided to make the jump after reading the reviews & I must say this is one good looking kit."
"I would definately recommend this set to anyone looking to add a high quality precision driver set to their work bench or tool set."
"The only thing I could complain about if I cared to is that the magnet is only so strong (something that doesn't bother me) and because of the telescoping feature there is no place inside the handle itself to store tools on the go."
"These bits seem very durable and the whole set is better made and cheaper than the Boxer set I got 2 years ago whose bits are all mangled from applying the smallest torque."
"I bought the set because it contains drivers you need for electronic watch repair, but I have used them for all sorts of things in the garage and around the house."
"Okay so I had many IT repair starter kits inside my cart before finally deciding on this product. THE SELECTION: I'm confident this product will have all the screws I would need for PC, phone, tablet work."
"One thing that could make this a better package is for an improvement on the case; it is a little cheap."
"This set is amazing!"
Best Screwdrivers
Industrial strength, heat treated bits, contains: 3/8", 5/16" and 1/4" nut drivers, #1 and #2 Phillips, 1/4" and 3/16" slotted, T10 and T15 TORX, and #1 and #2 square recess.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"(same size as the bits) They come in different thicknesses. You can still pull the bits out, and the magnets will come out with the bit."
"It ships with two sets of tips which can be interchanged with other tips according to job needs."
"The package was sealed so they did not just fall out, this is a quality control issue."
"These things give you so many options and such great quality compared to the big box store ones that offer the same options."
"It fits every time and is easy to carry because it has all the bits within itself."
"As a maintenance technician for a high rise apartment complex, there is no tool I use more than this one."
"I had a Klein screwdriver for 20 years."
"Just what I expect from Klein Tools."
Best Wrenches
Drive Click Torque Wrench lets you work with confidence, eliminating guessing and the common tendency to overtighten fasteners. Simple and easy to use, this wrench has a reversible ratcheting head that drives fasteners in both directions and measures torque in the clockwise direction. drive torque wrench (1) Storage case (1) Operator's manual with torque conversion chart. Wrench emits a click that can be heard and felt when the preset value is reached.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Update 9/18/2015. I got my replacement yesterday and I'm really satisfied on how Russ from Tekton took care of this, I asked how to return the other original item and instead let me hang on to it."
"It has a nice solid audible click when you reach the desired torque rating."
"The adjuster works ok but sometimes it's difficult to get it to lock down properly."
"Excellent quality for the price."
"Bought this mainly for torquing boat trailer lug nuts."
"It gets REALLY hard to adjust to higher foot pounds."
"Value for quality, I have bought this brand in impact sockets and wrenches and all have been as good as any out there."
"I was surprised but in a good way."
Best Threading & Cutting Tools
Ideal for sheet metal fabrication or PDR and rust proofing access holes because the snap-in plugs fit perfectly. Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The way I broke the bit was trying to seat the cutter into a hole that I had already started and I was at an angle rather than square so it snagged and my Milwaukee Mag Hole Shooter is a heavy duty drill and it won over the broach bit. I decided to use a drill bushing pressed into a plastic sheet as an alignment jig for a pilot bit and then used that to get my interior web holes started for the box tubing. They are worth the money but again, you kinda need to have a little bit of experience with metal cutting to appreciate these vs a twist drill."
"I blame myself because I became inpatient and increased both pressure and speed on the cutter."
"They cut really great, I always use a #30 drill bit as a guide hole, but the pilots are very sharp and two extra are included."
"I was impressed when I first opened the box - not only was the tool made in the USA, it is made 30 minutes away from me in Flint Michigan."
"The only thing i can say negative about it is that the cutter ends can be very difficult to get back off of the shank, i would much prefer to pay a little bit more and have a seperate shank for each one, then you use the same shank for the same cutter and you only have to take it off of the shank when the tool gets dull."
"Going through thin sheet metal with a hand drill, you do have to be a little careful not to push too hard, since they go through so fast."
"Step bits are pretty expensive, messy, and don't play well with thin stock on a drill press. They are ingeniously engineered so the cut outs don't get stuck in the drill body."
"I had some of the cheap "made in China" spot weld drills prior to buying this."
Best Pliers
There's no slipping and no need to waste strength squeezing the pliers — ensuring operator safety and more efficient work. Cobra's unique jaw configuration can grip any shape object — flat, round, hex, or square. And their thin head design helps you get into spaces other pliers can't, so there's no need to change tools when working in tight confines. The steel Knipex uses is precisely hardened with a maximum of 0.8 percent carbon and defined parts of chromium and vanadium, guaranteeing optimum cutting performance and service life — even though it requires special production and costs a bit more. It all started back in 1882 when C. Gustav Putsch set up his own forge shop in Cronenberg (now a suburb of Wuppertal), and the company is now run by a fourth generation of that family. The world's leading brand in pliers today, Knipex is focused on the performance, service life, and ergonomics of its tools in order to meet the high expectations of professional users. Fast Adjustment Directly on the Work Piece, Just Position the Upper Jaw to the Work Piece , Push Button and Move Close the Lower Jaw.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"These channies will lock in place, and stay in place, with the push of a button, until you implement another width."
"it isn't a big deal unless you are limited with one hand while the other is hold ing a part of keeping your balance up on or under something in a confined area."
"Working in a fast paced automotive manufacturing/industrial automation setting, the right tool can mean the difference in thousands of dollars due to down time so having these is a god send."
"These are the best adjustable pliers made and the only type in my tool bag."
"These old pliers are already in the roundfile and have gone to pliers heaven."
"Great tool."
"I recently bought this tool to replace my insulated Knipex pliers that were stolen on a job site."
"You can buy one pair of these or 15 pairs of Chinese made ones and spend more in the long run."