The key to a long lasting tool is Chrome Vanadium. Buy wrenches & sockets made from this steel alloy and the tool will likely out last you.

Tom Hargrave
www.stir-plate.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of Loren Busch
Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2010 8:43 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Big tools for your big nuts; now Vanagon Tools Rant

 RE: Tools Today vs Granddads Tools
A few years back I ran into an article concerning tools, primarily socket sets, that explained a puzzle many of us have had over pricing on sockets.
Question:  What is the difference between the expensive sockets that sell for $139 a set vs those that sell for $13.99 a set?  Other than brand name and marketing?  Well, it seems there might not be that much difference for the user.  For many years good sockets, that would hold up, were expensive to manufacture due to the alloys used, the forging process, and the heat treating afterward.  But a few years ago a new alloy was developed and new heating and forging processes that dramatically reduced the cost of creating a good, strong, accurate and reliable socket.  And the new factories being built in Asia were being built to use this new approach.  Consequently we started to see socket sets at prices that were a fraction of what we were used to seeing.  Testing showed a mixed bag as far a quality was concerned but the vast majority of the cheap sockets were just as good and consistent in quality as the  the much more expensive Big Name products.  So, what do we get at Harbor Freight vs Craftsman vs Snap On or the others?  Probably only the lifetime warranty and pride of ownership.  And for the casual mechanic that is only using his tools on occasion any difference will likely never show.
BTW, did some online searching on the subject but was unable to find any discussion on the old vs new forging methods.