Mill, drill, and tap a socket

[stevec]

My experience with machining sockets has taught me not to even consider HSS, carbide all the way.
Here's a pic of a socket I machined.
   
I machined off the ½" square drive hole off the end so the handwheel would slide all the way onto the vise screw. In retrospect I should have used a deep socket and left the sq. hole there.
I did also machine off the chrome on the OD of the socket so it's press fit would have more bite.