S-K 1/4" Drive Metric and SAE Socket Set

This 1/4" Drive socket set is probably one of the handiest tools for the homeowner who does light duty repairs on lawn equipment, automobiles, bicycles, electronics, and the like. I find myself reaching for my 1/4" drive sockets almost exclusively, eschewing my heavy duty 1/2" drive almost entirely, and choosing my standard duty 3/8" drive about 1/3 as often as the handy 1/4" set.

The drive size refers to the square drive that snaps into the socket, 1/4" drive obviously being the smallest size commonly available, while ratchet wrenches go as large as 3/4" drive, but those are for working on heavy equipment only and have a handle about two feet long.

Sockets included are both metric and SAE sizes and deep well and standard depth in each type are part of the set. Metric sizes run from 5mm to 13mm while SAE run from 3/16" to 1/2" These sizes will take care of about 85% of your household jobs, and actually, of the SAE sizes, 3/8" 7/16" and 1/2" are by far the most commonly used. You will occasionally find use for some of the other ones, and for the metric sizes 11, 12, and 13mm generally are used the most often.

The deep well sockets are extremely handy (but extremely expensive as well) and are used for taking apart electronics and automotive components where the bolt end projects far above the nut, making it impossible to get a purchase with a standard socket. Again, only some of the larger sizes will see much use.

The sockets are six-point-type, which is an important feature for the smaller sized fasteners that these are designed for. If you've ever rounded the corner off a fastener with a 12-point wrench, you'll know why you need six point sockets on the more delicate fasteners. The SK sockets are specially relieved at the corners so that the pressure goes on the side flats of the fastener rather than catching at the corners only. Six point sockets with relieved corners are a nice thoughtful feature that will save you some time and probably foul vocabulary, if you're like me.

The set is made in America and includes a lifetime guarantee on all components. It includes a handle that makes the sockets into nut drivers that work like a screwdriver, a fine tooth round head reversible ratchet, and two extension bars (1 1/2" and 5") to lengthen the reach of the tool. All components are hard chrome plated for long life and easy maintenance. The entire 32-piece kit comes in a steel box for storage and portability.

I would give this set a five star rating for someone who really needed all the functionality of the various sizes, but it is a little expensive ($200) for a person who will only occasionally need to turn a fastener. There are light duty 1/4" drive sets that are available, if you look, at much more homeowner friendly prices. You could also buy a few sockets and a ratchet, but that might cost almost as much as a whole set. My advice to you is, if you need a set quite often, it pays to buy the best. If you only need to turn a wrench once in a blue moon, buy a cheap set for $15 or $20.00. With the light duty use a 1/4" set is designed for, it will probably work just fine, and if it doesn't you're only out a few bucks. Not $200.

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