Hey folks.
I'm looking to finally replace an old cheap set of sockets I have that are about 15 years old. They are an import I guess - given as a gift. Ratchet sometimes "sticks" when ratcheting, head is a bit "loose", and the horrible "case" does not keep the sockets orderly.
I rarely use it right now - maybe a couple times a year, but when I do use it - I keep saying to myself, "I really need to replace this". (And I'd replace it with something decent that would last forever - and since eventually I will likely use it more frequently than 2x/yr)
So I was originally thinking of getting a Craftsman set - the only problem is that they seem to have gone down in quality, and some Sears stores are starting to give people a hassle about replacement.
While at Lowe's recently - I checked out their Kobalt line. I didn't care for their ratchet very much - it seems to have the same "flaw" as many sockets.... The direction "lever" is very um wimpy. Not that I would anticipate using it as a hammer, slipping, and breaking it off... (even if I did I could swap it out for free) - but I just didn't like the look of it.
Usenet searches in general reveal that the older Kobalt tools were probably really good. However quality apparently has changed a bit when Lowe's moved to a different manufacturer?
Husky - went to Home Depot yesterday. I checked out ther 3/8" drive teardrop socket. Very nicely constructed, including built in spinner on the head. The ratchet included in their kits does not have a quick-release - because the back of the rotating shaft houses a beefy directional "latch". One thing I did notice is that putting a socket on it, while the socket fit snugly on the ratchet... It did not "seat" itself all the way back. There was a gap of about 1/16" or maybe 3/32" between the socket and the face of the ratchet. If I pushed it further back it would sit for a while, but then want to pop back out a little. Not sure if this is by design or an un-important defect.
Anyway - I guess I'm just soliciting advice. I do think the Husky is the way to go - and with a 10% coupon, I could get the 93 piece set, including tax, to be about $77. Not a bad price for something that my kids will someday likely own. Although with Xmas here - Craftsman has a lot of sales going - and I am not so sure Husky hand tools go on sale at Home Depot very often. (ever?)
Dirk