Trail Tool Kit - Socket Edition

Bogus One

Red Skull
Joined
May 21, 2020
Member Number
905
Messages
160
I'm looking to "rebuild" my Trail Tool Kit so that I'm not taking my quality **** (primarily sockets) out to get lost in the rocks and sand. Where's the best place to order up cheap stuff without buying a 54 piece kit, half of which will go in the trash.
I don't need a 4mm (included), but I do need a 17 & 19mm (not included), that kind of thing.

Obviously, a long winded way to ask where can I order individual sockets EASILY?
 
Home Depot sells Husky brand individual sockets and wrenches. In the past I've made a list of random sizes I need and got it all from there. Reasonably priced and convenient. Lowes sells Craftsman stuff individually. Never looked online for stuff before.
 
Pawn shops sometimes have a good assortment of presorted individual tools. Ones by me will usually give ya a bit of a deal if buying multiple pieces.
 
How many sockets we talking?

are you looking to carry 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2, deep and regular, sae & metric?

For my trail bag I carry mostly 3/8 stuff with a 3/8 to 1/4 adapter for the smaller stuff. Only regular depth and only the sizes I know I'll need. Most of it is leftover from other **** sets and some HF fill ins. The ratchet is an old craftsman that was good, but not good enough for daily use.
 
I got a 212 Kobalt kit from Lowe’s for $64.00 this year. Look for the orange stickers , kits are usually cheaper. Don’t look for the tool packs, walk around and look for the price tags on the shelf. Some times they will have the product in a different area .
 
I think finding kit that best fits your needs is probably going to be the cheapest route. But I've bought some individual sockets on eBay when I needed a size I didn't have on hand. If you only want a handful of sizes, that's probably what I'd do.
 
JohnnyJ said:
How many sockets we talking?

are you looking to carry 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2, deep and regular, sae & metric?

For my trail bag I carry mostly 3/8 stuff with a 3/8 to 1/4 adapter for the smaller stuff. Only regular depth and only the sizes I know I'll need. Most of it is leftover from other **** sets and some HF fill ins. The ratchet is an old craftsman that was good, but not good enough for daily use.
Click to expand...
3/8?🤔

nOOB question:
Why not 1/2?
Pretty much all I carry is 1/2.

My 3/8 and 1/4 are one Husky tool set.
 
I just invested in a 3/4-40" long breaker bar:
20230429_135246.jpg

20230429_135251.jpg
 
I just bought a cheap hf 3/8 set for all my rigs. Tow rig is Sae, everything else is metric. Same ratchet in all packs. My main socket set in the garage was missing some sizes, (same with combo wrench set), but was able to buy cheap Craftsman individuals on Amazon.
 
I carry a 3/8 drive ratchet with 7/16, 1/2 and 9/16 sockets plus a deep well 5/8 for plugs. Other than that, I rely on JohnnyJ for anything else. :lmao: I have a complete set of sockets with 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 back at the tow rig.
 
CDA 455 II said:
3/8?🤔

nOOB question:
Why not 1/2?
Pretty much all I carry is 1/2.

My 3/8 and 1/4 are one Husky tool set.
Click to expand...

3/8" ratchet can fit more places than 1/2". To use smaller sockets I'd have to reduce 1/2 to 1/4 drive, which is really awkward. When I'm in the shop, I generally use my 3/8 drive the most. I only break out 1/2 drive if I'm working with lugnuts or bolts larger than 1/2" . I think I got in this habit once I had a 3/8" milwaukee impact.

I was just moving my buggy tools from a bag to a tool roll so here's what I have for sockets on a HF tool rail chopped down to size:

3/8 drive: 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 3/4, 7/8, 13mm, 15, and 17, 3/8 to 1/4 adapter
1/4 drive: 1/4, 5/16, 8mm, 10

I carry one 3/8 ratchet and a short and medium extension. This should likely get something snugged up enough to get off the trail. I think that covers the majority of what is on the buggy short of link bolts. This made me realize I should put a few adjustable wrenches in the box that can handle up to 1-1/8".
 
JohnnyJ said:
3/8" ratchet can fit more places than 1/2". To use smaller sockets I'd have to reduce 1/2 to 1/4 drive, which is really awkward. When I'm in the shop, I generally use my 3/8 drive the most. I only break out 1/2 drive if I'm working with lugnuts or bolts larger than 1/2" . I think I got in this habit once I had a 3/8" milwaukee impact.

I was just moving my buggy tools from a bag to a tool roll so here's what I have for sockets on a HF tool rail chopped down to size:

3/8 drive: 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 3/4, 7/8, 13mm, 15, and 17, 3/8 to 1/4 adapter
1/4 drive: 1/4, 5/16, 8mm, 10

I carry one 3/8 ratchet and a short and medium extension. This should likely get something snugged up enough to get off the trail. I think that covers the majority of what is on the buggy short of link bolts. This made me realize I should put a few adjustable wrenches in the box that can handle up to 1-1/8".
Click to expand...
I got ya covered.
 
The Milwaukee sets are nice. I like the square sockets:smokin: Snagged a 1/4 an 3/8 set from Gearwrench a while back for like $100 for the pair. I have no complaints about them either.
 
JohnnyJ said:
3/8" ratchet can fit more places than 1/2". To use smaller sockets I'd have to reduce 1/2 to 1/4 drive, which is really awkward. When I'm in the shop, I generally use my 3/8 drive the most. I only break out 1/2 drive if I'm working with lugnuts or bolts larger than 1/2" . I think I got in this habit once I had a 3/8" milwaukee impact.

I was just moving my buggy tools from a bag to a tool roll so here's what I have for sockets on a HF tool rail chopped down to size:

3/8 drive: 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 3/4, 7/8, 13mm, 15, and 17, 3/8 to 1/4 adapter
1/4 drive: 1/4, 5/16, 8mm, 10

I carry one 3/8 ratchet and a short and medium extension. This should likely get something snugged up enough to get off the trail. I think that covers the majority of what is on the buggy short of link bolts. This made me realize I should put a few adjustable wrenches in the box that can handle up to 1-1/8".
Click to expand...
I think the reason why I mostly use 1/2 is because my dad's has/uses 1/2.

Working on and modifying my 30y.o. Bronco; I'm dealing with factory-torqued frozen nuts and bolts.
IMHO; 1/2 is a minimum size.

Although you bring up a good point about fit.
For that I want to invest in two sets of ratcheting wrenches.
 
CDA 455 II said:
Working on and modifying my 30y.o. Bronco; I'm dealing with factory-torqued frozen nuts and bolts.
IMHO; 1/2 is a minimum size.
Click to expand...
I think you're confusing the concept here. I don't think the intent of a trail tool kit involves busting free old ****.
 
This set from HF can usually be had for under $30 on sale. It with my little M12 3/8 impact covers most smaller trail repairs. Comes with a 3/8 to 1/2 adapter. I stuck a 1/2-3/8 adapter in one of the bigger sockets so I can use my bigger 1/2 impact when needed.

I keep bigger impacts in my tail bag, but this little set is easy to grab in a hurry and it's nice and organized.
 

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I have yet to find individual tools that are a decent price per piece. The best way always seems to be a kit that's on sale, then strip it down to whatever you need and throw the rest in your overflow drawer.

For trail/travel tools I'm not brand picky... Anything mid-level quality is good enough.
 
CDA 455 II said:
3/8?🤔

nOOB question:
Why not 1/2?
Pretty much all I carry is 1/2.

My 3/8 and 1/4 are one Husky tool set.
Click to expand...
At home most things are done with 3/8. Smaller profile and lighter weight. Same principle applies for carrying on the trail.

I rarely ever use 1/4”, so don’t carry that on the trail.
 
Yotota said:
I have yet to find individual tools that are a decent price per piece. The best way always seems to be a kit that's on sale, then strip it down to whatever you need and throw the rest in your overflow drawer.

For trail/travel tools I'm not brand picky... Anything mid-level quality is good enough.
Click to expand...

the basis of my trail tools is from this when it was on sale:

www.harborfreight.com

Tool Set with Case, 130 Piece

Amazing deals on this 130Pc Tool Set With Case at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com www.harborfreight.com

I laughed when someone borrowed the hammer and used it. I swapped some wrenches and other parts from other kit leftovers when I couldn't stomach using some of the HF crap. But I won't cry if some of this gets lost.
 
posford said:
I think you're confusing the concept here. I don't think the intent of a trail tool kit involves busting free old ****.
Click to expand...
Good point; let me clarify:
Rather than invest and carry both 3/8 and 1/2; I invest and carry impact 1/2.
My point/meaning:
1/2 impact sockets can handle said old frozen **** and everything below.

I used 3/8 on dashboard panels and other small stuff in the interior; otherwise 1/2 is 99.5% used.
I have a Husky 3/8-1/4 socket/wrench set; I use them occasionally.

I need/want to invest in 1/2 shallow impact sockets.
 
CDA 455 II said:
Good point; let me clarify:
Rather than invest and carry both 3/8 and 1/2; I invest and carry impact 1/2.
My point/meaning:
1/2 impact sockets can handle said old frozen **** and everything below.

I used 3/8 on dashboard panels and other small stuff in the interior; otherwise 1/2 is 99.5% used.
I have a Husky 3/8-1/4 socket/wrench set; I use them occasionally.

I need/want to invest in 1/2 shallow impact sockets.
Click to expand...
All fun until you're laying underneath your truck trying to change a starter with a giant 1/2" drive impact socket, ratchet, and probably at least 1 extension.
 
i have decent craftsman socket set that is just for the wheeler, 1/2 3/8 and 1/4 drive bunch of sockets and a case. total over kill but i have the room and it nice having it when needed.
 
posford said:
All fun until you're laying underneath your truck trying to change a starter with a giant 1/2" drive impact socket, ratchet, and probably at least 1 extension.
Click to expand...
That's exactly how I changed mine (in the driveway). :grinpimp::smokin:

It sound like what one is used to using.
As stated; that's how I changed my starter, everything size-appropriate for what I'm used to.

Now; If I had to use everything in 3/4, THAT would be heavy/awkward size for sure.
 
posford said:
All fun until you're laying underneath your truck trying to change a starter with a giant 1/2" drive impact socket, ratchet, and probably at least 1 extension.
Click to expand...
You must be a limp wristed soy boy if 1/2 stuff is a problem. I bought stuff in the same order he did and it works fine. The only real argument for 3/8 is that the ratchet bead fits in tighter spaces but on his Bronco that's not really a big deal vs some new vehicle.
 
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