Hands-On: Stanley’s 69pc Black Chrome Socket Set
By Sean O'Hara
About two weeks before the holidays, a sweet-looking case of tools showed up to the Toolmonger shop accompanied by our good friend and Stanley Santa, Jimmy Addison (who some of you might remember from the Break S@#t week demo we did a while back). Under his arm he carried a black chrome socket set. We couldn’t wait to play with them.
Saying that I’m a fan of chrome tools is a bit of an understatement — I’m drawn to them like birds to shiny objects. Since Stanley’s black chrome socket set is both awesome-looking and shiny, it’s a win all the way around. I’d never had my hands on a set of black chrome before, so we decided to do what we always do in such cases: beat ‘em up and use them.
Getting the box open was a little more fun than we thought. It’s a DIY type of affair. To more clearly show what you’re getting, about a dozen screws hold the plastic shield over the sockets.
After removing the shield you need to attach the top of the case together at the hinge with a screwdriver; a push to the red pins and you’ve just assembled your box. It may sound strange, but to get the full effect of the black chrome you really need to see them in person; a photo just doesn’t do it justice.
Around the Toolmonger shop we very much appreciate sturdy, molded cases. Mechanics tools don’t have a pleasant life in the shop here, so any extra protection is a welcome thing.
The biggest advantage to the black chrome (besides looking nice) is that the black sets off the large gold etching so much you can read it about 5 feet away. It’s a huge advantage over squinting and reaching for glasses. It’s also metric and SAE, so it wound up going with us wherever we were just because you have a good shot of having all your bases covered.
It wasn’t really surprising that we liked the ratchets since they were the regular Stanley mechanics ratchets dipped in black. They are the solid, easy-to-handle, old friends we’ve come to depend on over the years.
Once in service, the black chrome was as at home as any other tool in the shop. Changing plugs or just turning the odd bolt or two the 69 piece set went where the jobs were — and they were many.
In the end, the black sheep of Stanley’s mechanics tools is more a matter of taste than anything else. They function just like any other set of sockets and ratchets, and except for the color difference they’re the same tools you’ll find wrapped in standard chrome. There’s an old saying that, with all things being equal ($65 for either version), go with the one that looks better. In the case of silver or black and gold, it’s a tough call.
69pc Black Chrome Socket Set [Stanley]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon
December 30th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
These look great but I can imagine getting pissed off if you drop a black socket down the collection of black plastic covers and undertrays on modern cars. Least if its shiny chrome you have half a chance.
December 30th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Lol, true enough Jaxx, the “NOOOOOOOOO!” would be heard from miles around.
December 30th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
I love the look, but finding a black socket in a car or on my shop floor (black foam) would be frustrating with my eyesight.
December 30th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Looks exactly like the Home Depot “Husky” set that I bought. Stanley must rebrand them under the Husky name. Plus you get a lifetime warranty on it.
December 30th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
@jack
You can often tell who the OEM is on a item by looking at the first 6 digits of the UPC
December 30th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
@ Old as Dirt
Keep the racist comments to yourself. Yes, jobs are everywhere but here in the states, but take the opinion somewhere else. The last comment I read of yours on a different post I believe was ignorant. Got something to say about the TOOL itself, that’s cool, but the off topic comments can be left out.
I like the black chrome on these tools are quite nice, and I agree that the finish in person is way better than the pictures let on. The ratchet has a good feel to it, and it’s a great basic set. I think that dropping a socket in the grass at night would definitely be a pain.
December 30th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
As a professional diesel mechanic, I always laugh when I see these black sockets. I think Stanley does this fully knowing you’ll lose half the set within a short period of time. What I wouldn’t give for a fluorescent orange chrome!
On a related note: here’s a great link about who makes what tools for whom!
http://www.bricklin.org/techcentral/TCArticleWhotools.htm
December 31st, 2009 at 1:35 am
Lenny, you get a gold star for a bricklin.org link
December 31st, 2009 at 4:24 am
Having dropped a few sockets into the grass at night, I admit I fear the black finish for that aspect, but I do like the way it makes the size so easily visible.
December 31st, 2009 at 7:16 am
Re:
LennyNero Says:
On a related note: here’s a great link about who makes what tools for whom!
——-
I don’t think that article is entirely accurate. Especially, in regards to Snap-on manufacturing Kobalt tools. At one time a subsidiary of Snap-on, J.H. Williams produced some hand tools for Kobalt. They now no longer do. I believe it is now a subsidiary of Danaher, Armstrong Tools that produces tools for Kobalt.
December 31st, 2009 at 7:31 am
@PutnamEco
I believe you are correct - again take a look at the UPC - the fisrt 6 digits tell you who the owner of the UPC is - hence the OEM. - Easco Hand Tools - or Armstrong-KD (bot subs of Danaher)
December 31st, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Interesting info on the Big 3 tool makers. Thanks for the link.
January 1st, 2010 at 8:05 pm
i have nice set of Black colored sockets and wrenches, I only have a few of them left. Most of them either I left them under the hood or just lost them.
January 2nd, 2010 at 7:36 am
Gotta admit, the stealth factor of these tools is something that never occurred to me.
January 2nd, 2010 at 10:59 am
LennyNero:
Unfortunately that link is way out of date. SK divested itself from Facom a few years ago, and Stanley bought Facom recently. The link is not worth visiting. Thanks for the post though.
January 3rd, 2010 at 1:47 pm
@Joe
That was my unsderstanding too. SK now says that they are an independent company. Thier website says:
“In 2005, SK was bought by its own management,
and is now independently operated by two shareholders”
January 4th, 2010 at 10:35 am
I was under the impression that black sockets could be used on air tools but chrome sockets were only to be used with hand tools. Is that still correct? If so, does the fact that these are black chrome create some confusion?
January 4th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
Re:
Mark Says:
I was under the impression that black sockets could be used on air tools
————–
Confusing black chrome for a black oxide finish. You should only use IMPACT rated sockets on air tools (or electric impacts) Not all black tools are rated for impact use.
Black oxide coatings have a flat not glossy finish like black chrome. Chrome would flake off an impact socket.
May 2nd, 2010 at 8:03 pm
I have had the Husky version of this toolset for several years… Maybe I am just luck, but I still have every single one of them - absolutely no problems with losing them in “the blackness”.
Actually, since virtually every other tool that I own is chromed, the black finish actually makes these easier to spot when I have a bunch of tools all over the workbench.
May 28th, 2010 at 7:14 am
My dad has this set and its a very nice set and very reasonably priced, with the black finish separating it from hundreds of other similar sets.
when I use it, I always end up with black stuff on my hands (from the tools, not from the grease), and the more common sockets and ratchets are starting to lose their finish.
Not a big deal, but they do rub off.