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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Jan 2015 Posts: 914 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2015 Posts: 914 | I need to buy a 1.5" wrench.and or a socket.
Snap On is out of my budget. Sears which just
sold craftsman is now junk.
What brands are still in business, made in the USA,
and good quality?
Jeffrey
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,228 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,228 | Since you only need one socket why not look online for good old used USA tools like SK, Mac, Proto, Williams, Power Kraft, Husky, Craftsman and Snap On... I also find good tools at estate and yard sales all the time... Mike B  | | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,259 "Hey! I sound like Darth Vader!! | | "Hey! I sound like Darth Vader!! Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,259 | Almost daily, on boom truck hydraulic work, I use 1-1/8" and up non-brand name wrenches. We'll get up to a 4"+ socket for hinge pin nuts. I think these wrenches are as old as me and still have plenty of life in them. If you're going to take a socket that large, put it on the end of a 3/4" or 1" impact, you might see some wear if the sockets get a lot of use. Otherwise, I think even the "junk" Sears stuff would be fine. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 273 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 273 | Since you only need one socket why not look online for good old used USA tools like SK....... SK all the way! Sorry for the poetry, but I've had a SK socket set for 40-some years and never broke one, or had any problems, no matter how much abuse I gave them - as in 'snipes'. JMO
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | ...if I could find some more SK I'd buy them. I had a nice socket/ratchet set give to me in 1977 by the guys at the plant. They are still my "go to" sockets. Just saying....but I also have the "old" craftsman, a very few snap-on and use them all.
....I will add that in 1969 my wife (at that time) worked at Western Auto. I have a set of Westline sockets that have done very well. She also bought me some "western Auto" boxed end wrenches" and 3 or 4 of them are my favorite "go to" wrenches". Nice, thick and long with different size one each end. I know we need "combination" wrenches but I try to stay away from that kind unless I have a need for them.
Back on topic: for the BIG sockets I try to keep a watch at Northern Tool not far from me. It seems about once a year they throw all their sockets into a wooden bin and for a couple bucks each you can load up. They are not pretty but thick and appears to be tough. Most impact type sockets have that old matte black finish anyway. I'm hoping they will want to clean house again before or after Christmas. I'm gonna buy'em out!!! | | | | | Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 843 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 843 | Over the years I have a few caterpillar sockets who made them close to a proto socket?most Australians have sidcrome sockets they were Australian made and very good made offshore now
57 3200 pickup 265 V8 with service tray
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,715 back yard wrench turner | | back yard wrench turner Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,715 | I have this bookmarked: Made in America
Wayne1938 1-Ton Farm TruckStovebolt Gallery Forums1989 Silverado 1996 Mustang GT convertible When I die, I hope she doesn't sell everything for what I told her I paid for it! | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 321 | Still made in the USA...nothing is cheap tho... http://www.armstrongtools.com/Good luck in your search.... MikeC
1951 Chevy 3800 1-TonHoward KnappIn the Stovebolt Gallery1948 Chevy 1-Ton (sold Nov 2017)1953 Chevy 1-Ton (sold 10/1/2016) | | | | | Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 164 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 164 | I believe Wright tools are still U.S. made. A bit pricey but not as expensive as snap on | | |
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