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Which 1/4 & 3/8 socket set for under $100?

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zanemoseley

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I don't do much auto work aside from oil changes but have a woodworking shop in my basement and like having tools when the need arises. I have a small Stanley set I keep in the garage for oil changes but am looking to get a decent 1/4 & 3/8 socket set for my basement shop. I already have a 1/2" Kobalt socket set I bought for changing mower blades. I want to get something that has both standard sockets as well as deep well.

The 69 piece black chrome Stanley set at Amazon looks pretty nice for about $60. Also looked at Craftsman and Kobalt offerings, both of them will be pushing $100. One thing I don't like about the black chrome Stanley set is that if I break a socket I gotta go through the hassle of contacting them. If I break a Kobalt I can go to the store and replace it with a duplicate for under $5. Also any additional accessories won't be black chrome but not sure what that might be.

So should I just go for the Stanley set for light use or upgrade to the Kobalt or Craftsman set? I'd like this to be the last time I buy a socket set. And no I'm not spending $500 on a Snap-On set.
 
Unless you are a mechanic, I recommend buying tools as you go/when needed.

What's the point of buying tools if they will just sit.

Craftsman should be ok, make sure you get 6 and 12 point sockets when needed.
 
Well I guess what I'm getting at is I don't have a set for my basement. If I need a socket I have to walk across my basement and into the garage. I usually agree on buying specialty tools when needed but I feel like a good socket set is a basic tool. I saw all the Craftsman sockets/wrenches are made in China, doesn't surprise me but that was one advantage they had going for them.
 
1/4 drive shears off easily, 3/8 is the minimum needed for tough nuts and bolts. Sears is good (except for their new Craftsman line, Evolv), as are Home Depot Husk, and Harbor Freight Pittsburgh Pro. Sears shipping is usually free if you pickup in-store, but they also have a Shop Your Way Max program (not to be confused with Shop Your Way) that gives free shipping, and you should be able to get a free 30-day trial for it.
 
Skip 12 point sockets.
Craftsman ain't what it used to be.
Do you have a Harbor Freight close to you?

If all you do with the one set is change oil, I'd just take that set to the basement.
 
For sockets, ratchets, and wrenches, Craftsman is still what it used to be, with almost all of them still made in the USA. Sears offers 3 different grades of Craftsman, with their Evolv version being the worst. Harbor Freight's Pittsburgh Pro series is usually made in Taiwan, probably by Apex, which has long manufactured high quality.
 
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