Which Brand has the Hardest Socket? Rockwell Hardness Tool Testing

[@mewtwosdad2230]

Wife: What's your hardness level? Me: Between an SK Wayne and Mac Wife: Guess we'll try tomorrow...

[@forgedsteelwrench9249]

😆

[@northwestrockgem9745]

@Marilynn Hurney actually she's here with me!!

[@northwestrockgem9745]

Glad you said Wayne after I was about to explode.. 😳

[@boywonder8175]

😂

[@JimmyMakingitwork]

The engineering in something as simple as a socket would amaze most people. Not only base metals, but forming, machining, hardening, plating and quality control. What I’m curious about is why one brand can sell 20 sockets in a blow molded case for $19 and another brand charges $41 per socket? Is there any way to dive into development cost investment between brands? I know many are reverse engineered to save in this area.

[@gtcam723]

Man there are a ton of variables. Material, number of QA operations, tolerances, number of thermal processing cycles, finish prep, finish itself, frequency of tooling replacement, country of manufacture, and last but not least - business model….. Those are just the variables off the top of my head.

[@Lagos3sgte]

Keep in mind that the harder the metal, the more brittle it becomes. You need to section the sockets and check the internal hardness to get an accurate idea of how these compare.

[@mauricioespinoza5390]

I'm sure the harness is evenly distributed throughout if it was really thick then yes the harness would vary greatly depending on the alloy of metal used. IMO the chrome plating should be removed to get better test data.

[@travispratt6327]

That’s true for any given specific alloy, but there’s more alloys than you can shake a stick at and one alloy may be less brittle and harder than another one that’s more brittle while being softer. Therefore you can’t just assume because one is harder it’s going to be more brittle, it could be harder and less brittle, especially if it’s more money.

[@travispratt6327]

Also, “brittle” isn’t really a useful term for metals. Usually you use toughness and strength. Brittleness is the tendency to break before it bends, but that doesn’t really tell you much (except that if it’s bending the manufacturer could have hardened it a little more and if it’s breaking they could have hardened it less, but again only useful when comparing the exact same alloy, and steel has many different ones). Strength tells you how much force can be applied before it fails, either by bending or breaking, and toughness tells you its impact resistance or energy absorption before failing. All of them are going to vary, sometimes drastically, by specific alloy and not necessarily be dictated by how hard the metal is. It’s all about compromises. They can make the metal very corrosion resistant with high chromium or other additives, but that will sacrifice strength. They can use exotic metal combinations that make manufacturing, machining and quality control much harder but result in a superior product in every way, but that adds lots of cost, usually more than most people would think worth it. Or, they could find a way to make a superior product and not have the extra costs, and those are the ones I look for, KZbin testing channels are good at finding those gems =)

[@AstroTools]

While ASME B107.1 is a classic and a requirement across any brand you might manufacturer for, each brand will provide a target range depending on material. So it's no accident most of these brands are where they are, it's by design. While near 50Rc may seem high, it's really not anything to worry about as long as its being used by hand. Problem is many people won't use them only by hand, and if they break it's still seen as a poor quality perception even from impact abuse. This is why the most common spec for this category is 44-48Rc among professional brands in our experience.

[@marct7905]

My black chrome Stanley set is awesome. Stanley makes some husky sets. There is a 100% identical husky set as my Stanley. It came with two size wrenches deep and short sockets for both. I use them on my makita impact no problems.

[@charlieretherford]

Can you do a hardness test on screwdriver tips

[@minutemarvels247]

That would be interesting

[@themaintenanceman1]

Very cool video! I Wasn’t expecting the end results but I’m super impressed that husky was second. Great job 🤜🤛

[@CSLFiero]

with steel, hardness is often a tradeoff to toughness. A soft socket will return to spec after plastic deflection. A ideal quality is a socket which is only just hard enough. The SK Wayne has metalurgy and heat treat has resulted in a soft socket, but it's the SK wayne socket you used in the 19mm/3/4 testing. This is a wise pick because if it's hard enough for ratchets to fail, then staying within spec after flexing to 300ft lbs is a very desirable trait.

[@embreesmith7613]

the real question is .. does Rockwell Hardness mean anything in a Socket ..??

[@ViperMods_216]

Wear resistance but really can't use impact on the real hard ones

[@regibson23]

Apparently not since some of his oldest and most durable sockets have the lowest hardness.

[@canative2468]

Hardness is the most important value a socket has. Vanadium or meligneum are metals that are added to steel to allow steel to be harden with becoming brittle. During the harding process, they allow carbon to be trapped in the steels grain structure.

[@86dieselman]

Based on my experience with sockets failing, YES!

[@jamesfair9751]

Joe T you can and I have used chrome sockets with impact but they will break eventually or sometimes immediately but the biggest reason I only use impact sockets with impact is because they truly do transfer more of the energy to the fastener. I’ve seen too many times a bolt that wouldn’t come loose with a chrome socket and with the same impact gun using impact socket it come loose surprisingly quick.

[@MaximRecoil]

I wish you would have tested a current Williams USA socket, since, according to many people online, they are Snap-on sockets with a different name stamped on them.

[@Senkino5o]

Don't like that selfie stick but this's a top topic for me, installing structural steel, work on industrial sites and working on mining and heavy construction equipment means I tend to use an impact much of the time and that's the only real time you need to know if a socket is up to snuff, especially if you're going to modify sockets and use chrome.

[@dbfcrell8300]

When I was a kid, I had a set of deep 6 point SAE sockets that I believe were stamped, hardened steel. In hindsight, I now understand what theses sockets were for, and if I hadn't mistreated them, I'd still have them today. They were for getting into extra tight places due to their super thin wall, they'd go where a normal socket couldn't. They were like a last resort socket if no other tool could get around the thing you were trying to loosen. Some of you may know the cheap spark plug removal socket/tool that came with your lawnmower or generator or other power device? These sockets were along those lines. SOMEONE SHOULD STILL MAKE THE DEEP AND REGULAR SETS- They were really useful.

[@gtcam723]

It would be interesting to see that done again, but with the sockets now and also testing through the chrome and also on a spot where chrome has been removed.

[@regibson23]

My wife went to Nebraska! I think the sideways testing is more relevant than testing it upright. You can test the wall hardness when it's sideways.

[@marct7905]

He did go into that about 5:45 in. Similar results.

[@tyrrellroach5872]

So what I’m noticing is that the softer sockets tend to have thicker walls at least going off what he was saying and the thinner sockets tended to be harder. So the quality soft sockets relied on more material to keep up the strength. And I’m guessing the harder sockets have more chromium and the softer ones have less. But then again it may be from the hardening process as well.

[@kcuhc84]

I liked the video. The socket hardness tells some of the story. This may be a herd task but......... how about some way of finding the torque setting where a socket breaks or splits? Harness and wall thickness will be taken into account. This would probably take a huge amount of torque.

[@jamesfair9751]

It depends on the material for the impact sockets. The crv impact sockets are still very hard. It’s the crm that are softer and truly hold up better under impact.

[@fivespeed3026]

You should do a torture test with these sockets on an impact gun. See what it takes to break them.

[@CalebsCars]

Doesn't take much to break the snap on....ask me how I know lol

[@lowridingtrucks88]

​@@CalebsCarsSame here

[@matthewstoch8670]

Some super useful data, thank you for the work involved in this piece. I bought into the Icon line a couple years back and own full sets of Metric/Standard wrenches and Sockets. been curious how their strength was compared to others.

[@jamesstephenson2346]

I love these vids, (and watch every one you post!) But hardness is only one small part in what makes a "good" chrome socket. And actually, too hard cam certainly be a bad thing, as it can become brittle.

[@andrewscott8892]

You should do an updated version and also attempt to group them or list them with the oem of each one

[@canative2468]

What a great job you are doing, your one of the few tool channels I watch that provides real tool testing data. As an engineer , i can only say thank you so much for giving us real useful data on tool quality. I have been using Husky socket and always suspected where very good tools.

[@XChaoticComposerX]

another great video from you. i keep all your scientific videos for ref...

[@BradsWorkbench]

Pittsburgh sales 2 different impact sockets. The one you tested looked like their CrV but the ones with the laser etchings are CrMo which are said to be better for use on an impact.

[@ClientGraphics]

I think I have some of the laser etched ones around somewhere. I might have to go back and do a part 2 of a few more brands.

[@rodw]

Very nicely done Chris !!! Merry Christmas to you and Amy. It's always a treat to see a video using tools or equipment that most people don't have access to. It would be interesting to see another graph showing the value of each. Hardness to money spent for a set of sockets? Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and videos, Rodney

[@peterxyz3541]

I’m glad I bought a set of Husky sockets to replace my Stanley...I need to (lifetime warranty) replace 4 sockets and the 1/4” Stanley wrench.

[@thebackwoodsmechanic5029]

This is something I've been waiting for. These test show us which brand is better strength of metal for sockets but I would like to see breaking points You should do the old brands versus new brands to see the results

[@leonguyot4991]

most interesting, but as others have said, hard may also mean brittle, I suppose it is all down to the composition of the alloy, the fineness of the grain structure c/w the depth of the hardening process, Socket strength is also dependent on wall thickness and 6 point verses 12 point sockets, I have just invested a lot of money in a new set of SK sockets, which may, or may not be the same as the old Wayne SK socket you tested. I suppose the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Further, how about the affect of the chroming process? hydrogen embrittlement ?

[@babeparrish5621]

Wow I really thought the husky sockets we're not very good quality I just bought a 200-piece socket set for $80 guess I'll have to give them a shot now.

[@coytus94]

I've heard mixed things about how they perform. Some good and some bad. Most likely depends on if you get a bad batch or not. Husky most likely doesn't have the best quality control apparently lol

[@SeymourButts7817]

I bought a set of husky but I returned them the same day the chrome finish was not good on the sockets and the small wrenches were machined very bad as well I bout a dewalt set and it was better but not by a lot

[@jeffparker360]

Another great video. This answers the questions a lot of us have been wondering.👍

[@FlHookHuntHarvest]

Just found your videos. You seem to be a Cal tech with too much time lol. Keep the videos coming.

[@coreysuttles1362]

Very very interesting video, I really enjoyed this!!!

[@boosted2.4_sky]

Personally I feel the hardness scale is one of those things where a higher number doesn't necessarily mean that it's less resistant to breaking... on the contrary, I would think that it will give more opportunity to crack if not used properly sort of the way I view pistons..... 2618 compared to 4032 forging....2618 (softer) gives you more opportunity to keep going whereas the 4032 (harder) one wrong move and it could crack... but, under good conditions and used properly both could last a long time and do their job....🏁

[@amoscardoza5253]

Sweet vid bro!

[@themaintenanceman1]

Amos Cardoza what’s up bro?!

[@markkobza8129]

the harder the socket the less give or flex it will split or break first, thats why impact sockets are cr mo ,and chrome ones are cr-v. the constant hitting on the impact needs to be more flexible, thats why you are not supposed to use chrome sockets in impacts, they can actually break the anvil, because it is softer than the socket.

[@WorkHorseLT]

Husky best bang for your buck

[@5jjt]

200 price socket sets are$79 right now!

[@WorkHorseLT]

@@5jjt yeah I know that but it has alot of 12 points if it has more 6 points I would get it it's worth it 12 points don't work in the rust belt

[@2011nickp]

The husky 200pc socket set is now $59!!!

[@WorkHorseLT]

@@2011nickp that's a good deal but too many 12 points

[@jamesfair9751]

Thomas Richmond I like to have a few 12 points around because there are 12 point fasteners out there just like there are 8 point which also work on 4 point square heads.

[@halrhoads6194]

Surprising results. I'll be looking into Husky.

[@rupunzel6299]

Not surprising, modern materials technology, heat treatment and production is replicated world wide. No single industrialized Nation has any exclusivity on high quality tool production. What does influence purchase price more than any other factor is perception and what the purchaser wants to believe is bad or good. While there are differences, the actual functional differences are a lot less than most want to believe. Couple this with nearly every tool brand today has a "lifetime" warranty, shopping for best value is the prudent act to do.

[@halrhoads6194]

@@rupunzel6299 Oooo, look at the big brain on Rupunzel! lol Seriously, thoughtful and well said. Thanks.

[@rupunzel6299]

@@halrhoads6194 The goal and intent here is to help hand tool buyers and users to decide if they want to contribute vast amounts of their $ to bankers-investors-stock holders of Snap-On when the are plenty of equal and better alternatives at far lower $. What Snap-On has done to so many getting into the craft-art-trade of wrenching for a living is saddle them with enormous debt with extreme difficulty for them to getting out of. While it can be debated this is a choice, predatory practices like this can also be viewed as criminal,,,, or identical to Usury.

[@FinallyMe78]

Great video. I wonder how the chrome plating affects the hardness readings compared to the inside metal.

[@rodw]

That is a really good question. Good insight !!

[@ClientGraphics]

I believe the chrome plating on a socket is around 0.004-0.010in and would be 68 to 72HRC with just a surface test. Direct Rockwell C Major load of 150kgf will test to a depth of around 0.018-0.022in. punching through the chrome and shattering it like glass getting to the good stuff.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Very cool video as well taking us all back to college

[@johnp556]

Very cool they let him use the machine. Think about it, our tax dollars pay for these institutions, there should be more access like this to their equipment.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

@@johnp556 okay

[@markarmstrong3394]

Amazing SK WAYNE softest but still one of the very best

[@I_discovered_civilization]

Mark Armstrong like any brand, there are some things they make that are really good and other stuff not as good as other brands. So you got to do your homework, and read reviews and tests and try to get the best quality for your money spent. There is no one single brand that makes the best in everything they make. People who only buy one brand are being willfully ignorant and trying to justify wasting their money on some tools that aren’t the best or even decent just cause it has a brand on it. Personally I’ve owned Craftsman, Makita, Bosch, Ridgid, Dewalt, Husky, Kobalt, and when I was in a pinch needing something immediately I’ve bought the cheapest option to just get the job done like Porter Cable and Harbor Freight. My personal preference is to look at Makita first for cordless power tools, they’ve just proven to be well designed, ergonomic, and dependable. Another reason for Makita over other top tier power tool brands is they make all their own motors unlike brands that source their motors from other manufacturers, which allows them to design every tool from the ground up. This is the advantage Makita has over other cordless brands that have to answer to their parent company that limits them on budget and producing bottom line numbers which results in rush to market products and cutting corners leading to hit or miss products with design flaws. Husky hand tools because they are well made quality being at an affordable price for their master ratcheting flex head wrench set and master reversible ratcheting wrench set and sockets, plus they offer lifetime no question asked warranties on most of their hand tools. Everyone has their opinions and preferences,

[@markarmstrong3394]

civilization true. I'm a truck mechanic and I use every brand. I barely own any tool truck brands because theirs others just as good or better. Yeah I got guys at work that will owe the tool trucks till they die. And yet the cheaper tools at times holds up better lol.

[@I_discovered_civilization]

Mark Armstrong yep 👍 At some point, you have to ask yourself if spending x2, x3x, x4 cost is worth it when there are quality options that won’t break the bank, making you a slave to debt. The way I look at it is if you need to be put on a payment plan just to afford something then that means you can’t afford it. That’s part of the problem we Americans have, we try to keep up with others at the cost of going broke and living paycheck to paycheck. Best policy is to buy as much as you can outright either with cash or you can comfortably pay off at the end of the month and keep your debt only to your car note and mortgage/rent, and then maintain the vehicle properly and drive it until the wheels fall off, or at least own and maintain it properly for 10-15 years. Even with cars and houses, you want to be saving up and putting as much money as you can down so your not a slave going to work paying interest and making other people rich. Always try to live within your means, not live off of credit all the time. If people would just have a little financial discipline and not try to keep with or impress these petty types that often operate from a place of insecurity, you’ll be more confident and your wallet won’t be so empty all the time. Haha, sorry for the random tangent advice. Many people are never taught how to manage finances or think long term. Maybe some guy passing will read this and will help him make some better decisions and save him going down a bankrupt path. Anyway cheers, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year. Be safe out there. Surround yourself with good people, cut the negative people out of your life. If she’s more trouble than she’s worth leave her. Don’t drink and drive. Be kind to animals. God bless. 🇺🇸

[@markarmstrong3394]

@@I_discovered_civilization I would like to meet you and shake your hand. Yes I pay CASH for my tools. Cash for all my tools. If I cant afford it then I dont get it. I dont have any credit cards either lol. Saving to buy a house. Merry Christmas !!

[@I_discovered_civilization]

Mark Armstrong nice bro. 👍 My only suggestion is that it’s good to have a couple credit cards with no annual fees used to buy gas and groceries that’s paid off in full at the end of each month. The advantage here is it helps build your credit score and credit history, factors that are weighed in when determining if you can get the lowest interest when it comes time to get a mortgage for a house. Also, by using the credit card to buy something necessary like gas and groceries is that they offer cash back on all purchases, like 1% and have categories like gas and groceries offering more cash back like 2-3%. So if you do it right, you build your credit for free with no annual fee for long term advantage, and in the immediate short term or yearly reward you’re essentially getting a 1-3% discount on what you needed to spend anyway. For example let’s say you spend $600 a month on gas and groceries. That’s $7200 a year. And you get 2% back on $7200, that equates to $144. There’s basically no reason not to take advantage of saving $144 a year, just remember to exercise some discipline and treat whatever is put on them as needing to be paid in full at the end of the month, and not treat the money you have now as a reason to spend more since gas and grocery purchases are now on the card(s). Good luck and take care my friend. 👍

[@northwestrockgem9745]

That's right because Blackhawk is still made in the USA man IF THEY SAY SO

[@infotechsailor]

Very cool, wish you could also do the japanese brands. SK11, KTC NEPROS, workpro, etc

[@נוחיחזקאל]

Workpro is Chinese.

[@נוחיחזקאל]

I own a hardness tester. Could be interesting to compare your results of ratchets strength with hardness of the drives and ratchet gears of these tools remains.

[@davelewis2174]

Rockwell hardness means nothing without knowing the alloy of steel like 4340 8620 1045 and so on ,rule of thumb the harder the steel the more brittle .9310 will take high impacts but wears fast, were 8620 will resist wear but don't like impacts at the same hardness

[@nitrous07me]

I’ve had my 1/2 harbor freight impact sockets for almost 8 years & I use them professionally at the dealership & haven’t broke one yet

[@thebackwoodsmechanic5029]

Their impact sockets are great, so is the Jobsmart brand, both cheapest on the market

[@86dieselman]

Pittsburgh hand tools are one of the few real gems at HF once you get past the garbage sold there. I have had great experience with the quality of HF sockets. Cannot say the same about Tekton. Based on my experience with sockets, from now on it is ether Pittsburgh or Husky going forward.

[@midwestmind691]

Same here. When I first started out in the workforce I didn't have the money for mid range tools, let alone Snap On. Bought some HF hand tools thinking I'll replace them once I earn some money, 10 years later and haven't broke one yet and all still going strong.

[@oh-qn6ht]

Never broke one myself either. They do grow legs and walk off though.

[@JonMarshAnderson]

86dieselman what gave you trouble with the tektons? I was thinking of going with tekton for my chromes and sunex for my impacts

[@xephael3485]

Didn't someone else mention you should sand off chrome? Else you're just testing chrome plating hardness between brands?

[@ClientGraphics]

I believe the chrome plating is around 0.004-0.010in and would be 68 to 72HRC with just a surface test. Direct Rockwell C Major load of 150kgf will test to a depth of around 0.018-0.022in. punching through the chrome and shattering it like glass getting to the good stuff.

[@DS-wt7ul]

1:45 test start

[@mark3547]

Hello Chris. I recently watched your "Hardness" video concerning tool sockets and was very impressed. I'm a QC/QA Metrology Lab Tech. I've measured a variety of materials. The testing and analysis you did was exactly how its done. I really appreciated your video. Well done. I was also pleasantly surprised by the results. I'm a USA Craftsman guy. Glad to see it's HRC avg was comparable to Snap On. I have subscribed to your channel and am looking forward to reviewing more of your good work. Thanks.

[@ClientGraphics]

Thank you for watching and subscribing. I have a combination wrench video to do at some point. The results were really mixed due to size, brand, and age of when items were manufactured so I have yet to release it. One of these days soon maybe I'll put it together.

[@johnysilver1853]

Wow Husky is pretty good almost as SnapOn!

[@stans5270]

For me, the only surprise is the Tekton. But I only have 2 Mac sockets and they weren't as hard as Snap-on. Hardness tester? I'm old-school, I used a hammer. Or the bounce off the garage floor.

[@michaelmangino9819]

Cool vid, glad I've got 250husky sockets , that I paid 105$ for!Haha snap on is a joke for 744$ for a 44pc 1/4 set w ratchet

[@ryanoliver4062]

A lot of that is just us labor and us manufacturing cost, I would agree that snap on has gone over board on price but if you look at sk, Williams USA, Wright, matco, Cornwell or Proto just to name a few, you will find that they are all on the higher side of the price scale.

[@maplemanz]

Did you factor in cylindrical correction when you checking the part on the OD?

[@johnp556]

Husky ftw.

[@502deth]

2 things. first, i dont know anything about how this testing works, but couldnt/wouldnt the thickness/quality of the chrome coating have a significant effect on the readings, to the point that you are measuring that just as much, if not more, than the actual metal hardness?? secondly, just about ever socket i ever broke was at teh thin part down in the hex area. i notice tht you checked hardness in the drive area. im assuming that it is also possible that these have a different temper on the working end that was missed here.

[@mrturner69]

while you cant pull anything direct from this data (in terms of longevity or performance) its still an interesting data point

[@5jjt]

Awesome information!

[@MidwestToolReview]

How/was the chrome coating factored into the HRC calculation?

[@mikelink1549]

Interesting, thanks for the video.

[@RanGer-498]

Good info

[@mArtinopapesso]

are the winning sockets the 'snap on',please?

[@primelricafrente]

Cool. New subs here... Possible to test milwaukee sockets

[@ViperMods_216]

Husky 🔨

[@thisguysgarage]

like the data driven testing.

[@ClientGraphics]

Thank you👌🏻

[@thisguysgarage]

@@ClientGraphics any time chris

[@shanepipkin4041]

can you check high end commercial blades on hardness stens Oregon oem fisher Barton

[@anthonymarino4260]

thanks for sharing

[@1970chevelle396]

I've seen a small hardness tester before.

[@felixhb12]

You want enough hardness so the socket won't deform, but soft enough so it won't shatter.

[@rubberbabybuggybumper6270]

With impact sockets yes.

[@hatsunemikufan4]

I have a socket set made from vibranium.

[@ermay3031]

Are they black sockets

[@michaspi]

de Jay Stanley Black Chrome

[@acjmathis]

Surprised with the Husky brand. Thank you for the time to produce this video.

[@ryankosik18]

Sk Wayne is old right? Like some 50 years ago?

[@ClientGraphics]

Yes it’s from the mid 1960’s

[@ryankosik18]

@@ClientGraphics so I have an sk ratchet with the diamond logo and the Pat. No. And 42470 part number on it. Would you know what decade that's from?

[@adama5392]

They made that SK ratchet for decades.. probably from the 80s but u never know for sure

[@VictorySpeedway]

You failed to use a V-shaped anvil for testing the side of the socket. Also, you failed to apply the reading to a cylindrical correction. Using a flat anvil puts the diamond penetrator at risk. If the sample slips, you could easily break the diamond.

[@נוחיחזקאל]

Cylindrical correction for this diameter is within standard deviation. The problem is the socket is elastic when measured from its side. Because it is hollow with relatively thin wall. Unlike Vickers micro hardness test, Rockwell measures the deflection of the damond tip under a standard load.

[@נוחיחזקאל]

1978 graduate.

[@patrickroach7289]

How hard is a grade 8 bolt?

[@larryborkstrom3580]

Surprised to see Mac and SK are the softest when they are great but not as as good as snap on thought be up up there with snap on

[@chadpharris]

When you say older Craftsman, do you think the newer stuff from Lowe's might now reach these numbers? Thanks for the info! I'm trying to build out my tool set and your videos have been a huge help.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Wow at Pittsburg being higher then napa

[@midori8735]

Was the husky made in Taiwan? I have an older set with made in Taiwan sockets and I feel that they are much better than the more common husky sockets made in China.

[@ClientGraphics]

That was a China made Husky from the 144 position ratchet set

[@MajorWeakness]

ICON right in the middle, just where I would like it to be!

[@BigInjun05]

This channel deserves 1 mill subs. Awesome content always. Wish you threw a newer sk socket on there.

[@נוחיחזקאל]

Blackhawk and Husky must have been made of AISI 4140 or at least AISI 1070.

[@rupunzel6299]

GOOD! The chrome plating should be ground off before hardness testing as the chrome plating does add some measure of hardness. More important, harder is not better as harder results in a socket that is easier to shatter or crack specially once the temperatures go down. Where hardness makes a difference in a socket is the hex opening where it engages the fastener to be driven. While it is easy to test the back end of the socket, testing the fastener driving surface of the socket is more meaningful. Most hand tools have a RC hardness of 45 which is plenty and more results in brittle, less is more ductile, prone to wear and lower strength. What this test illustrated nicely is now consistent modest $ brands are and how these brands have no significant function difference than the Snap-On with the highest measured RC number (more prone to crack or shatter). Modern metallurgy and heat treatment can produce virtually any degree of RC hardness in a socket or tool. As with most engineering-design realities, it is all a set of trade offs with no single factor being the determinant of a socket or tool being "superior".

[@ClientGraphics]

Cutting a socket in half and taking samples from the inner socket wall as well as the drive anvil would yield results more reflective of a manufactures QC process. That process however is very destructive and then I’d be out a lot of 19mm sockets since I can’t make them myself😂

[@rupunzel6299]

@@ClientGraphics That should be done as a more relevant comparison and the actual fastener contact-drive area can be properly tested once the chrome plating has been removed. FYI, RC49 is about 221,000psi tensile strength, RC 45 is about 206,000 psi tensile strength. Difference is not as much as one would believe. www.carbidedepot.com/formulas-hardness.htm 1960 series socket head cap screws (similar to metric grade 12.9) are spec'ed at 38 to 44 RC making them about equal to these sockets. Spun many a Snap-On and other brands of sockets on a lathe, they cut with zero difficult using carbide tooling... just like Socket head cap screws.

[@rupunzel6299]

@@ClientGraphics .pdf from NASA on high strength bolts-nuts-fastners (300,000+ psi tensile strength), These will easily shatter-crack a standard Snap-On or other socket in an effort to reach it's proper tension torque. At one point, Snap-On made "high performance" sockets designed to handle the higher torque of these aerospace fasters. Snap-On has since discontinued making them. Other brands have taken over this specialized socket - tooling market. ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19660005495.pdf

[@WorkHorseLT]

@@ClientGraphics no don't cut the poor sockets in half what did they do to you 😂😂 😂

[@intraw831]

So you’re telling me the China made (husky) is in second place compared to other brands made in Taiwan or USA?

[@intraw831]

Lord Raiden didn’t mean it in a bad way, I’m actually impressed

[@NutsandBoltsAuto]

Universal (spline) sockets and wrenches tested next! :D

[@سیدخلیلاحمدشاھ]

Please cheaking Elora socket Hardness test🔧

[@raulruiz8288]

How hard would you have to take these sockets to a breaking point

[@rupunzel6299]

Any of these sockets will easily rip the head of a common hex head fastener. Exceptions are speciality fasters in the aerospace industry which are a completely different item.

[@macdude3585]

U missing parts store brands.

[@johnsummers778]

Hardness and strength are two different things. An impact socket will be softer.

[@tannercarroll704]

Do you ever test matco

[@matikosik5248]

i would love to see people testing matco, it seems to be a relative cheap and good quality brand

[@Redux5150]

Randomly watched this video. I also go to UNL. Holy shit.

[@claytonpegram6035]

Harder is not always better .The harder you get the more fragile it gets

[@swangonzalez4797]

That would make Snap On suck big time

[@neatmachine]

Didn't go through all the responses, but does the chrome finish is skewing your results?

[@ClientGraphics]

Chrome plating is over 60HRc and up to 70. Rockwell C penetration depth at 45Hrc is around 0.11mm so it just crushes through the chrome plating no questions asked. Chrome plating tool thickness varies from 0.002 to maybe 0.038mm.

[@varrobook]

Just happened on to your channel, like your videos, go Blessed Sacrament comets

[@texasroots]

ClientGraphics, what series Craftsman USA socket was that you tested? You showed the craftsman made in usa side but not the series side. Please let us know. Most common older USA ones are -V- and most common newer USA ones are upside down G series. Thank you!

[@ClientGraphics]

Looks like it is a G series it was probably bought around 1994

[@texasroots]

@@ClientGraphics thanks for the quick reply. Great seeing that newer usa made craftsman perform so well. Being from the 90s its likely the upside down G series. Thanks.

[@alcerz984]

I’m surprised at husky great value for snap on quality

[@shahidshakir553]

Husky all day for the money.

[@Tailgatesntoolboxes]

What is this? A laser test?

[@ClientGraphics]

Rockwell test uses an indenter that is pushed into a metallic surface with a given force minor 10kgf and major load 150kgf. The hardness is inversely proportional to the depth travel between the two en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockwell_scale

[@bastiatboi4510]

Hardness doesn't mean anything without anything else taken into consideration

[@pl5624]

The napa would have been easco/kd

[@Chevyblazer88]

SK Wayne is from the 60s

[@ClientGraphics]

It most certainly is from the 60’s and I believe my dad told me this one was from 1967.

[@Chevyblazer88]

I looked it up awhile ago and the theSK Wayne trade mark was used from 1962-1969. I have a bunch of SK Wayne wrenches and sockets ive accumulated.

[@ViperMods_216]

Me likey this test🤗

[@pl5624]

Husky is Apex tools.