Review on Channellock 34212 Drive Metric Socket by Rich Schobinger

Pretty good set, rock solid value for what you get, currently half the price of the corresponding Gearwrench set 80327 which is my personal favourite. There is no extension in this set, only 6 inch and 2 inch extension and no rotating extension; This set has a 3" and a 6" extension and the swivel works the same as the 1.5" extension. Both sets have swivel grips that act as an extra extension due to the 1/4 adapter on the end of the grip, which is nice, although the spinner grip in this set is probably the cheapest feeling in my hand, while the gearwrench is the nicest Of all the pieces connect positively so no complaints as I've read some reviews that they fit loosely but my set is fine and the sockets seem to be true to size. As for sockets, this set hits 13 in deep and shallow but misses 12. I noticed some people were shocked that they missed 12, but that's a size I almost never use where 13 has been in daily use. In the Gearwrench set they left out 13 shallows but added 14 deeps which strikes me as much more questionable. My solution for the Gearwrench set is to put the 3" extension in the box along with the swivel. An adapter and short 13mm jack that I snag in the end comes out almost every time I use the set. I can easily close the case if I assemble the contents correctly (because the kit was designed for a long ratchet and now there is only a short one). I'm only missing 12mm for this set, and a short one will do. I ordered a short 12mm, short 14mm and short 15mm heads and they fit nicely in the finger grooves under the ratchet, spinner handle and extension. It assembles easily and takes this kit to the next level. I wouldn't even consider a 15mm set in a 1/4 set unless I had both medium and swivel sets in my main shop tool kit. Gearwrench and they are very comfortable. The metal body of this set is good and bad at the same time. It's actually quite small, at least compared to the 80327, although I understand it could be smaller. It's pretty solid, and it's clearly labeled what goes where, which feels overdone. The insert is hard plastic and I think a softer foam would be better as they don't rattle and are easier to take out. The latch seems to have brought potential to the case, it's brand new now and works well but it looks like it's going to be a weekly connection, it's just not a very positive feeling. The only other area where the quality is a bit lower. My expectations are a ratchet. This is a push button ratchet which isn't my personal preference but it works great and holds the parts securely. It's a 45-tooth design, and while it's a lot better than, say, a Craftsman raised-plate monobloc ratchet, it still has a bit of crunch in the mechanism, and the selector switch, while solid, is a bit difficult to operate in a direction. If the retainers are open I'll definitely take them apart, clean and super grease them up and see if I can sort those things out, but if not I might trade them in for a professional port freight ratchet or parts store 72+ tooth ratchet to a cheap price. Comparatively, the 84 tooth Gearwrench is my favorite ratchet (and I've used or have used almost every ratchet available), but it costs nearly as much as this entire set. There is nothing wrong with a ratchet in this set but I could do better and I will probably think every time I use it but I will use it. In general, this is much more text than you need in such a sentence. . For the price you can't beat it and if you're looking for a compact car kit you can do a lot worse and have to spend a lot more to get better. As I'm installing it in an extra car so I have some tools for emergencies I've increased it to 15mm and it will be the only set of sockets for that car and I'm comfortable with that. Now you can find many acceptable buttons to complete the set.