Stubby Sockets That Can Be Used With a Wrench Recommendations?

[HomeTheaterMan]

I saw a video of a guy using some stubby sockets that had a hex shape to the outside allowing him to use a wrench on them in tight spots. This seems like a socket set that would be very useful at times. Doing a Google search, the Quinn set at Harbor Freight is what keeps coming up. Most of the others don't seem to be able to be used with a wrench. I'd like a little better quality set than HF. Any recommendations? I was poking around Snap On's site, but I'm not really finding these.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

They are all Taiwan imports. I have a bunch of the Astro Pneumatic "Nano" sets and they are very handy to have. Make brake jobs much easier.

 

[Wrench97]

I'll second the Astro nano sets.

 

[nh_yota]

Astro Nano.

 

[rancherbill]

A quick search =

https://www.kmstools.com/milwaukee-...J04P-jZeluoV-XEnPUgX6qegwT95uOoxoCQU8QAvD_BwE

https://olsatools.ca/products/stubb...Jku_XolENmvmF7xtUiT8RZLZ5EZV0coBoCfgcQAvD_BwE

 

[four.cycle]

PowerTorque GM4234 - $15.99 at O'Reilly's Auto Parts today:

 

[mikey03]

There called “dual drive” sockets

 

[WhataTool]

Dual drive or Nano sockets.
Astro is going to have the widest range of options in SAE, Metric, 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" drive, E trox ect along with standard and long wrenches they snap into for each of those size ranges.

 

[ecotec]

Vim has them in universal.

I have the Astro Nano in 1/4” and 1/2”. I just got them, so I don’t know if they are worth it yet.

I had the 1/2” for a good while before I bought the ratchet that is specifically for them. They **** in a regular combination or other box end. I don’t have them in 3/8”, but I do not think that they would be any better than extra shallow sockets on a regular ratchet.

 

[KnurledNut]

There are some pass thru socket sets that are just external hex drive with ball retention.

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

They **** in a regular combination or other box end.

That's not encouraging to hear. That's basically the only reason I want them. I've had a Gearwrench pass through socket set for years that's fairly thin if I'm going to use a ratchet on them. These just looked like you could get in super tight spots with them and a wrench.

 

[toddmorr]

Check out the Tone rgd-** short sockets with the hex drive end. Very nice, made in Japan. Pretty sure they are shorter than anything else out there.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

That's not encouraging to hear. That's basically the only reason I want them. I've had a Gearwrench pass through socket set for years that's fairly thin if I'm going to use a ratchet on them. These just looked like you could get in super tight spots with them and a wrench.

If you get them, you will really want to get the purpose made ratchets for them. I wouldn't want to use them with a standard wrench.

 

[dscheidt]

That's not encouraging to hear. That's basically the only reason I want them. I've had a Gearwrench pass through socket set for years that's fairly thin if I'm going to use a ratchet on them. These just looked like you could get in super tight spots with them and a wrench.

You can, it's just that with a regular wrench, they fall off. the special wrench has a retaining clip, which makes them much more useful.

 

[ecotec]

That's not encouraging to hear. That's basically the only reason I want them. I've had a Gearwrench pass through socket set for years that's fairly thin if I'm going to use a ratchet on them. These just looked like you could get in super tight spots with them and a wrench.

You can… in THEIR ratcheting wrench with the retaining ring. In a regular wrench, they just fall out. I have their wrenches in 1/4” and 1/2”.

 

[Etchase]

Some Husky versions are still available at Home Depot called low profile, and of course the originator of these in the US market Sunex. The retaining ring is available in a variety of Pass Thru reversible ratchets from Apex including your Gearwrench version as well as others. or a variety of strut wrench kits, which I find vastly superior to these Astro wrenches. Also if you pull out a clip from socket rail, stick it into the socket, and trim the ears to fit whatever wrench your using, you solve any falling out problems you might have encounter without a retaining ring, and only added a mm to the profile. Offset ratcheting wrenches like Mountain are alternatives.

 

[KnurledNut]

Matco recently released reversible ratchets for the 17mm hex sockets:
https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/...drive-sockets?referer=RHVhbCBEcml2ZSBXcmVuY2g

https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/...drive-sockets?referer=RHVhbCBEcml2ZSBXcmVuY2g

 

[mikey03]

That's not encouraging to hear. That's basically the only reason I want them. I've had a Gearwrench pass through socket set for years that's fairly thin if I'm going to use a ratchet on them. These just looked like you could get in super tight spots with them and a wrench.

It sounds like something you want for very rare limited use. And yea man it should be fine for that.

 

[Fedwrench]

It sounds like something you want for very rare limited use. And yea man it should be fine for that.

Yea, no. Once you start using them, you may start reaching for them first. Depending on what you work on, I'd opt for the Astro Nano 1/4 metric set coupled with the VIM tool. Wide range of sizes in a compact set.

13-Piece 1/4" Drive Low Profile Nano Impact Sockets - Metric | Astro Pneumatic Tools

• At less than 3/4” long (18.5mm), sockets are 20% shorter than shallow impact sockets • All sockets feature a 11mm outside hex for increased access when us ...

www.astrotools.com

FRW11 - VIM Tools

11 X 11MM DD FLEX RATCHETING WRENCH

vimtools.com

On a side note, I find the shorter 10.5 or so long Nano socket wrenches to much more useful than the long ones. Sometime 18 inches is just too long for some applications.

10.5" Long Flex Head Nano Socket Ratchet Wrench | Astro Pneumatic Tools

• Designed to work with and retain Astro Nano style stubby impact sockets for a full working height of just 0.88” • The 10.5" length paired with extra ...

www.astrotools.com

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I'll add that the 18" stuff doesn't give me the same confidence as an 18" ratchet. They seem to have a little bit more flex to them than my more robust Dual 80 or Matco 88's. Still good to have, but I'm not reefing on them.

 

[mikey03]

I'll add that the 18" stuff doesn't give me the same confidence as an 18" ratchet. They seem to have a little bit more flex to them than my more robust Dual 80 or Matco 88's. Still good to have, but I'm not reefing on them.

$25 compared to $200+ though

 

[mikey03]

Matco recently released reversible ratchets for the 17mm hex sockets:
https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/...drive-sockets?referer=RHVhbCBEcml2ZSBXcmVuY2g

https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/...drive-sockets?referer=RHVhbCBEcml2ZSBXcmVuY2g

Oh damn man that’s a game changer!

I think Chris from Astro made a comment hinting that Astro makes these for them and it’s exclusive for a time period but maybe in a year or so he honestly didn’t say a time just that eventually they’d release them under there name for less without the same tool truck warranty

that’s what I think he hinted I and I know he can’t say for real

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

$25 compared to $200+ though

I agree, just pointing it out so people understand that they aren't as robust.