[xrad]

I was looking around for a quality set of triple square bits. MAC and Snap-On were about 20-30 each. Nice, but I want a set and did not want to spend 150$ for a set.



Found a company called Genius tools (Chinese ..by their ISO cert and factory pics). Normally I buy american as much as possible. But they have a 100mm metric set of 12pts which look like impact material. All other brands were two piece (3/8th drive and hardened bit) And the cost was very reasonable (25$ shipped for the set). By the looks of the other tools this company offers, they seem well built for a Chinese brand(but you never know until you try them).



I have always been a Matco or snap-on user, but I thought I would give these a try. No 'opinions or reviews' on the net. I will let you know how they work out.



http://www.geniustools.net/home.html

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[Sho968]

Interesting ... My local Shuck's Auto Parts had their brand (made in China, set of 6/8/10/12mm triple squares), but I needed 14mm (for EuroVan) so I ended up buying Snap-on set (~$200).



I know who doesn't have triple square: Craftsman, SK, ...

Hazet has short and long versions (Samstag sales), but they are as much or more than Snap-ons in terms of cost.

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[RS Barn]

We use these at least once a week. I would only recommend Snap On. The bits don't wear at the ends (others do) and there isn't any play in the socket part.

I used a customers imports and had lots of isues.

Pete

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[wonko]

[quote name='RS Barn' post='50985' date='Apr 16 2008, 07:30 PM']We use these at least once a week. I would only recommend Snap On. The bits don't wear at the ends (others do) and there isn't any play in the socket part.

I used a customers imports and had lots of isues.

Pete[/quote]



Pete was quite kind in his remarks. As they were my tools, I can be more blunt. In short, they were crap. Fortunately we got some from NAPA, but even those were far less than optimal. I will buy some good ones and bin the rest.



Those bolts are designed to strip. If you look at them they are even designed to be drilled out. The only hope you have of getting them out with some regularity is to have relly good, sharp, clean teeth on the head. The imports just weren't up to the task.



Frankly if we didn't have the parts car we were able to rob replacement bolts from Friday night, I think we would have cried.

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[xrad]

the long neck ones I got on ebay worked fine on the axle bolts. of course, most of these were torqued to the right spec by someone else so they were not hard to get off.

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[blue968]

I had just replaced my cams and I had bought Snap On tripple square and I didnt strip 1 bolt. They were really tight!!! Keeped the ratchet square and with the nice Snap On triple square socket i had complete succes!!! I really dont think it would have worked out as well if I had bought the Chinesee junk (no offense) I would rather pay for quality rather than stripping the bolts.

The way i see it is pay now or pay later, pay for the quality tool and you want have to waste time drilling. Time is Money!!!!

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[wonko]

I should also say that we were able to do one engine with the cheapos before trouble mounted. Once we got about one bolt into the second engine, we stripped about half the bolts before giving up. You could see that the patina had worn out right where they came in contact with the bolts.



The cheap tools looked like they were pressed rather than machined. The points were rounded to start with, and only became more so as it was used. This was in stark contrast to the Snap-On tool (unfortunately the wrong size) which was crisp and sharp. The difference was very obvious. We found some at NAPA that were kind of an inbetween quality. The big downside there was that they were about 3" long and had no head, so we had to use a socket to turn it. Not ideal.



I would love to find some that are cheaper. I just want them to be of a quality that i won't have to worry about.

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[Ryan]

Funny thing is that I went to the Porsche dealer to order a new cheesehead bolt that I had boogered up and when it came in , it was now a hex-head bolt. Is Porsche getting away from these goofy bolts? I could have gone to the hardware store and saved some money and time if I knew a hex would be a valid replacement. You try to remain true and look what happens....

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[xrad]

I did notice some light wear on the Genius 3square tools I purchased. I have used them a bit, but certainly not very much...I plan to get the snap-on set..

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[wonko]

I found another tool manufacturer that is comparable to Craftsman, and the other American made brands. Basically Snap-On quality at Sears prices. They are called SK Tools. I purchased their 3 square set and was very impressed. Nicely machined. Tight tolerances. $34.82 from Amazon for 6,8,10 & 12mm sockets.

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[earossi]

[quote name='wonko' post='54544' date='Jun 11 2008, 02:56 AM']I found another tool manufacturer that is comparable to Craftsman, and the other American made brands. Basically Snap-On quality at Sears prices. They are called SK Tools. I purchased their 3 square set and was very impressed. Nicely machined. Tight tolerances. $34.82 from Amazon for 6,8,10 & 12mm sockets.[/quote]



I went the other way on triple square. I first purchased the SK set off of Ebay. I have used SK tools over the years, and generally they are very nice. When I used the triple squares on the cam saddle bolts, they "seemed" a little loose, Then I stripped out one of the bolt heads and stopped work until I could purchase the Snap On 8mm triple square (for about $33 - direct ship from Snap On). The first thing I noted when I fitted the Snap On to a cam bearing saddle on the car was that it fit snuggly.....and was not loose as was the SK socket. I would swear that their has got to be some dimensional difference between the two sockets. At any rate, I then proceeded to break loose all the remaining bolts acceptably.



I don't know about how well the Snap Ons will wear, but right out of the box they are a better fit. Go figure.

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[xrad]

most of my main tools and sockets are snap-on, and they are 10-20 years old and have worn very little. One breaker bar pin sheared,but I did have a 3 foot pipe on it!



As a rule, if it is a six point head, i use six point socket, etc.. never any problems with snappy stuff.



and today, I had a new snap on breaker bar on an impact socket trying to get some frozen lugs off my other german car, and bang, the impact socket end cracked, but snappy was fine! Lug was fine too. (impact socket not from the snappy dealer)

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[xrad]

so i'm at the tire dealer tody dumping 800$ on new bimmer tires, and up pulls the snap-on truck.



yeehaaa...i was half tired of talking with the blonde chemist in the waiting room, so out to the truck. Snap-on guy was real cool...bought a nice mini set of triple square 6,8,10 sizes for 68$. Cheaper than internet!!



then, back to the waiting room but blonde was gone, (cute and smart...not too sure if I really like that combo??!!)



oh yeah, snap-on T-squares much better quality than Genius, but Genius tool size and shape was better...

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