PSA: Your cheap ratchet set will cost you more in the long run

I was helping my buddy swap out his alternator last weekend in his driveway outside Austin. He pulls out this $20 ratchet set from some off brand and the socket splits right on the first bolt. Had to drive 20 minutes to borrow my Snap-on set to finish the job. That cheap set probably cost him more in gas and time than just buying a decent one from the start. Anyone else run into this issue with budget tool kits?

2 comments

2 Comments

terry16d ago

Man I used to be one of those guys who thought "a wrench is a wrench" and bought the cheapest stuff I could find. I remember reading a post like this a few years ago and rolling my eyes, thinking it was just brand snobs showing off. Then my $15 socket set literally exploded on a caliper bolt in a Pep Boys parking lot, and I had to get a ride to Harbor Freight and back. That $15 set ended up costing me about three hours of my Saturday and an extra trip. Now I get it, you really do pay for that quality with your time and sanity.

ward.fiona6d agoMost Upvoted

i mean i get it, that sounds annoying but like... is it really that deep? sockets break sometimes, it happens. you spent an extra few hours one time, big deal. im still using my harbor freight set from like 8 years ago and its been fine for everything ive thrown at it. maybe you just got a dud or overtightened it or something. i dunno, i feel like people act like having your tools break is some life ruining tragedy when its really just a minor inconvenience. plus you can always just swap it out under warranty if you buy from the right place.