21 Piece SAE/Metric, Go-Thru Socket Set from HF

Status
Not open for further replies.
V

Vikas

Joined
Jul 22, 2005
Messages
11,980
Location
NorthEast
Just picked this up at ridiculously cheap price ($18). The quality is not bad at all. It is made in Taiwan and is better than typical made in China tools.

image_2610.jpg


I did my annual HF trip yesterday and picked up few other goodies too based on epic pass/fail thread on garagejournal.

A similar Gearwrench one can be had at Sears, also at a good price ($50) which I was initially considering. But seriously, how many socket sets are needed for a guy who does not even change his own oil ???? :-)

- Vikas
 
You only need the right one...
It might even be in that set, but in my experience, probably not...
33.gif

Interesting socket and rachet design though.

If you think you're going to get into fixing stuff, get a huge reasonable quality socket set, and a complete set of regular wrenches up to 1 1/4". I found it makes working on my mechanical junk much more fun.
 
I paid $139 for my Armstrong pass through 1/4" set, no tax with shipping, this week. It included a 1/4" pass through micrometer torque wrench. All made in USA, Chicago. Small set, was a good value. I don't think pass through is made anymore by Armstrong. It seems like a lot to pay up front, but I have no regrets. Sticker price is way more. Ten years from now, God willing, I will still enjoy it. I don't get a lot of satisfaction from seeing China on my things, so at least this.
 
I think you got a nice set there Vikas, and at a good price. Remember HF guarantees their hand tools with a no questions asked forever warrenty.

As far as spending $139 bucks on a 1/4 socket set I'm more frugal with my money, or lack of, depends how one looks at it. But if you wish to thats fine with me. I also still have the first combo wrench set I bought for myself 53 years ago, made in Japan.
 
BTW, yes that is a nice set Vikas, and I also think Taiwan seems a little better than C. But it's changing fast. I like the hex drives and the adapters, and the handle. Don't know how they can make all that for the money. I wanted an American made 1/4 torque wrench, and my so called expensive set had that included. I don't think it was expensive at all.

If the US military stops buying Armstrong tools,among others, I suppose the workers will just go home and collect unemployment. It takes one generation to lose the old skills. I always worked hard for my money, and appreciate what a decent job means not just for me, but to others. Well what do I know.
 
Couple of sockets from that set had problematic springed ball. I called HF and they are mailing me two sockets. Customer Service seemed top notch. The phone was picked on the first ring!

- Vikas
 
Rightm H/F did not get as big as they are by treating customers bad. They are turning into one of the big tool sellers in the U.S.A. and with good warrenties.

Valvue for money spent.
 
Well, it is worth $18 that I spent but I can certainly see why somebody would spend $116 on a better set.

There is too much slop in the sockets for using on really tight fasteners. On a 5/8 spark plug, I could easily fit the 15mm socket. A Gearwrench 15mm or Craftsman 15mm will NOT fit on the 5/8 spark plug.

I has room to store 1/4 scredriver bits. I had few spare bits and flexible shaft so throw them in the case. So, now this can be also used as a screwdriver. It now becomes sort go to toolset for light work.

But if I had spent $30 asking price, I would be returning it :-(

- Vikas
 
I can't fault HF on their warranty policy; I've never had a problem returning things that break for a replacement. However, you have to be wary of what to buy there. For instance, I like their breaker bars, but won't buy their torque wrenches.
 
I bought it and returned it when I noticed that every through socket tool manufacturer uses a different technique so the sockets aren't interchangeable.
 
I would take the HF junk back and get the Gearwrench at that price. HF has low prices but sells so much low quality China junk you don't know what you are getting. It has replaced affordable American or quality tools since they are not being sold in any real volume. It's like you have two choices-over priced high quality American made or low price unacceptable quality China junk. They could at least make the stuff acceptable quality without raising the price much.
 
Most of the H-F tools are acceptable quality, and some are even quite good.

Although anything made in India runs a good chance of being scrap metal.

That said, the current Sears $25 sale on the 49 pc GearWrench Vortex set (made in China) is a much better value for a pass-through set. The sockets are precisely made, with a mirror polish and nice chrome inside and out.
 
I figure Danaher either sends or buys machines that make the dimensional quality good, doesn't matter where it's made. As the Chinese factory is more successful, they can invest in better machines and processes. Just like the USA used to do in the old days when they made tools.

I am somewhat amazed at the variety Sears stocks, and noticed the Armstrong tools are very high priced. The same torque wrench I got with a socket set for 139 is on sale for 215 just for the tw. I got a good deal on that. I don't imagine too many people buy at those prices to avoid supporting China. They win, it's over, except for the shouting as they say.

I am pretty sure Craftsman USA is made by Armstrong the more I look at them. I always considered Armstrong equal to the best.
 
IMO HF quality for the most part is unacceptable even for ocassional use and not even up to Craftsman standard of quality (let alone other higher quality tools) and not that much cheaper if cheaper at all.
 
It depends on what you get at HF. I've used/abused a HF deep-well 3/8" socket set for years. It keeps on going. Likewise a $15 4.5" angle grinder. It works, use hearing/eye protection and good grinding disks, and is fine for occasional use.

The GearWrench pass-through set above I picked up today. It looks to be very handy as a tool kit to keep in the trunk. ALL the sockets are pass-through. Some of the 1/4" drive sockets I'll never use because of their size. The 3/8" sockets will be useful. There are odd fasteners that I wish I had a ratchet-end wrench for. This set will be used for those.
 
I see nothing wrong with H/F tools, I do not make my living with them, heck I do not my living doing anything anymore. I'm retired. HarborFreight has a no questions asked warrenty, and work fine for my occasional use.

I might add, living on a fixed income is not condusive to buying high priced tools, unless ofcourse one wishes to spend all of their savings. Investments are good if done right, even in todays economy.
 
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
IMO HF quality for the most part is unacceptable even for ocassional use and not even up to Craftsman standard of quality (let alone other higher quality tools) and not that much cheaper if cheaper at all.


How many H/F tools do you now own? How many have you owned? How many have you broken?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

The Critic
Quinn (HF) Master Impact Socket Sets
Replies
19
Views
13K
GMBoy
J
  • Locked
HF impact set
Replies
14
Views
2K
Job
9
  • Locked
HF Go thru/Pass Thru Socket Set.
Replies
12
Views
5K
SS1970chrysler
W
  • Locked
Black Friday GearWrench sets
Replies
1
Views
2K
Warstud
D
  • Locked
New Wrench Set
Replies
15
Views
9K
Merkava_4
Back
Top Bottom