"Universal Sockets", any good?

[pdq67]

I just saw these in Sears this week so have to ask if anybody uses them and how good do they work?

The 3/8" drive set isn't all that expensive so if they are OK, I might just buy them and throw them in with the rest of my tools.

pdq67

[Kevin Johnson]

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-19pc-uni ... 7xNonBrand

Read the reviews at the bottom.

[In-Tech]

The price is right and it looks good for those rare uses when you need an outside torx. Also will double for a socket limited header application it appears(Where the spark plug is too close to the header and can't get a wrench on it).

Kevin mentioned to read the reviews, they were interesting. Again, price looks good for more tools in the toolbox

Sorry I don't have an actual review.

[pdq67]

Maybe I missed it, but are the sockets forged?

Or powder stuff?

Oh, and I just found out my Son has the 3/8" set of sockets in our garage. As for ratchets, the only ones I use are my Thorsen #77, "knife & fork", ratchets! To me, the old #77 Thorsen ratchets are the best in the WORLD!!

pdq67

[Keith Morganstein]

Oh, and I just found out my Son has the 3/8" set of sockets in our garage.

pdq67

Ok, so you tell us. Are they any good?

[pdq67]

Like I said, I just found them laying on his small work bench so haven't had a chance to use any of them, plus, he's not around very often, so I haven't had a chance to ask him how he likes them.

I'm more worried about them being forged vs made of a Powder Metallurgy material due to PM not being strong in "Charpy"... Might take a steady pull, but if I bang on a breaker bar to pop something loose, will one crack like an egg??

Kinda like removing a sbc crank timing chain PM sprocket using a dull cold chisel and a 3-pound hammer!!

pdq67

[pdq67]

Again....

Does anybody know if these are forged??

pdq67

[Dave Koehler]

Ever see a cast socket?

[Kevin Johnson]

Again....

Does anybody know if these are forged??

pdq67

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/show ... stcount=19

Actually it is fairly easy to make the distinction. But you have to know what to look for.

A powder socket will have a much smoother interior wall surfaces. The "formed" sockets will look like they were stamped. Gall marks where the forming die was with-drawn will be typical characteristic.

The bottom on the cavity will also witness "flow lines" where the die bottomed. A powder socket on the other hand will be smooth with a "bulged" appearance in the surface contour.

[af2]

When in doubt use the felt pen method. If the line stays it is forged, if it disappears in front of you it is PM.......

[Kevin Johnson]

I have had a sinter forged Porsche 928 connecting rod sitting near my desk for many years now. I just made several marks on it with a Sharpie and they did not disappear. So, works for some but not all.

[pdq67]

I guess eventually I will find out if these are any good because I bought a Cobalt 3/8" SAE set today. They were on "special" so I jumped.

Unconditional life time guarantee so why not..

pdq67