Hand Tool Sets & Kits

Hand Tool Sets & Kits groups tools sold together in a case or organizer. Socket sets make up a big share, in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2-inch drive, including deep and stubby impact sockets from DURATECH, E-Torx sets from LEXIVON, lug nut sets and bolt extractors. There are also screwdriver and bit kits from Amartisan and Wera, home repair kits from Sundpey and Hi-Spec, ratcheting crimper sets, wire stripper kits, wood chisel sets with honing guides and compact cordless rotary tool kits.

For socket sets, the drive size sets the scale of the work: 1/4-inch for small fasteners and interior trim, 3/8-inch for general automotive and household jobs, and 1/2-inch for lug nuts and suspension bolts. Six-point sockets grip the flats of a fastener and are less likely to round it off than 12-point. If you use an impact wrench, buy impact-rated sockets, usually black chrome-molybdenum steel, rather than chrome sockets. Check whether a set covers SAE, metric or both, and look at the size range. For crimper kits, match the die to the terminal type and wire gauge. For general home kits, judge by what is included rather than piece count, since bits inflate totals.

Many Canadian homes and vehicles mix metric and SAE fasteners, so a set covering both is practical. A case with labelled slots helps you spot missing pieces before a job.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use regular chrome sockets on an impact wrench?

It is not recommended. Chrome vanadium sockets are hard but brittle and can crack or shatter under the repeated hammering of an impact tool. Impact sockets are made from chrome-molybdenum steel with thicker walls that absorb those blows. They are usually finished in black oxide or phosphate, making them easy to tell apart from hand-ratchet sockets.

What drive size socket set do I need?

For general home and automotive work, a 3/8-inch drive set covers the widest range. Add a 1/4-inch set for small fasteners in appliances, electronics and interior trim, and a 1/2-inch drive set for lug nuts, suspension parts and other high-torque bolts. Adapters let one ratchet use sockets from another drive size when needed.

What is the difference between 6-point and 12-point sockets?

A 6-point socket contacts the flat sides of a hex fastener, spreading force and reducing the chance of rounding a tight or corroded bolt. A 12-point socket can engage the fastener at twice as many angles, handy in tight spaces with limited ratchet swing. For impact and high-torque work, 6-point is the usual choice.

Are E-Torx sockets the same as Torx bits?

No. Torx bits are male drivers that fit into a star-shaped recess in a screw head. E-Torx sockets are female and fit over an external star-shaped bolt head, common on newer vehicles and some equipment. Sizes are labelled with an E prefix, such as E10 or E14, and are not interchangeable with T-size bits.