What to Look for in a Socket Set

A socket set includes a variety of wrench heads for different sized bolts. Not all socket sets are made equal. Here are some things to look for in a socket wrench set.

A Good Alloy
Alloy steel is a compound of steel and other materials that is heat forged to create very durable products. Low alloy is often used for good socket wrench sets. Consider the materials your sockets are made from to know whether they will stand up to the tough jobs.

Metric and Inch Units
Having the right sizes of sockets is important. Some socket sets come only in inch measurements and others are in metric. Some sets have both. Think about which auto makers you will mostly be dealing with, as foreign cars tend to use metric nuts and bolts, while U.S. cars may have inch-based sizes. Another alternative is to build your own mix-and-match system with metric and inch-based socket heads, but this can be expensive and hard to keep track of.

Deep Sockets
One of the big benefits of a socket wrench set is that the actual head for the bolt fits sideways onto the ratchet tool. That helps users get into tight spaces around the engine block or in other areas of the vehicle. But shallow socket heads won't do for getting into some spaces. Think about how long your socket heads need to be for accessing specific bolt locations and choose socket sets accordingly.

Warranties
The best socket sets offer warranties on the parts, including moving parts like ratchet tools. Look for a warranty as a mark of a superior product.

Air Tool Sockets
Some socket sets have the ability to hook up to a compressor to get tighter bolts. These are great for all kinds of car work, around chrome or under the hood, where standard bolt tensions are recommended. Think about the impact an air driven wrench set will make on your projects and see if it's worth the investment in a much more expensive set of wrenches.

Easy Snap-On Parts
Another good measure of a socket set is how well the parts attach to each other. Socket heads should fit neatly onto the ratchet arm. There shouldn't be any wiggling or looseness when these are assembled. The ratchet part should be easily reversible. Most ratchet pieces have a small toggle piece that you set to block the wrench either clockwise or counter-clockwise. Easy operation is a big deal for a socket set. Using a clunky one gets old fast.

Related Questions and Answers

Is a Swivel Socket Set Best for Car Repair?

In today's smaller engine spaces, a swivel socket set is best for hard to reach bolts, such as those on the reverse side of the engine, even lying on a backboard. As engines are poised to become smaller still - to act primarily as power generation stations for some cars - and just smaller on others, the amount of space between components is getting tighter and tighter. It is hard to get a standard socket and drive into some spots. Even with a long extension and a deep socket. In this case, a swivel socket set is the only answer. Plus, a mirror so that you can guide the socket to the bolt. The only thing to be wary of with a swivel socket set is the stiffness of the drive. You may find that you cannot put the same amount of force on a swivel set as you can on a fixed set.

What Auto Repair Jobs Require a Deep Socket Set?

A deep socket set for your ratchet and drive is mandatory for any type of work involving your car's exhaust manifold where it is sometimes nearly impossible to reach bolts with a standard socket head. For example, if you are working on the reverse side of the manifold pipe flange, you will find that you need a deep socket, as well as an extension so that you can find the purchase you need to move the bolt. Be careful of applying too much pressure, as you can easily deform the bolt. The same can be said of using C-clamps where you may have to torque (tighten) up to an inch or more. And, if you are trying to remove the upper cylinder block, you will find many of the bolts are recessed and require not only the long socket, but also an extension.

What is an Insulated Socket Set Used for?

An insulated socket set is used in situations where standard metal ratchet and drivers expose the user to unacceptably high voltage risks. For example, if a technician were to work on the battery set of a hybrid auto of any make. Battery voltages in hybrids commonly are in the 56 to 148 kilowatt hour range. Using a standard set of metal tools would expose the technician to unacceptably high voltages. If a standard tool were to be grounded in this situation, the voltage potential for the technician could be high enough to cause severe injury or burns. An insulated socket set, whose rating is 1,000 volts, can be dropped across the black and red leads of a high-voltage battery set, and the technician can pick up the tool without thinking of any injuries. There are many sources of insulated socket sets. You can find them at Sears, Kohl's, Lowe's or online at JC Whitney or Lowes.

Does a Universal Socket Set have Metric and Standard Socket Sizes?

Yes, a universal socket set will have both metric and standard socket sizes. It will also likely have not only hex-head sockets, but also star-style socket heeds. They may even be in metric and standard sizes, as well. You can obtain a good universal socket set at Sears, as the Craftsman line with its lifetime guarantee on replacement of tools is a great bonus. Plus, it makes it easier to find the inevitably missing socket heads that soon crop up, as you forget where you leave them, or you put them into the back of parts that end up recycled. One last note, try to stay away from very inexpensive socket sets, as they tend to distort after one use, and then they're good for doorstops.