Impact sockets - Proto or Williams USA

[Pontiac787]

I've been looking at getting a set of impact sockets. I've narrowed it down to Williams USA and Proto. Both are very similar in price. What are your thoughts on one vs. the other?

 

[scissorman]

I have no experience with either brand so no help there but I own a full set of IR impact sockets and haven't had any issues with them and they can be bought at a decent price.

This is where I've bought my sockets from. http://www.flexibleindustrial.com/

 

[stonesfan68]

I don't think that you can go wrong with either brand. Which brand can be more easily warrantied for you?

 

[gdocktor3]

Either will work. I'd go with Proto, especially on eBay. Proto sells cheap on eBay for some reason.

 

[bcradio]

Yikes I'd go with neither.

Proto is very soft and will deform in short order. I have no experience with Williams so I would have to pick them of the two.

 

[G-Ram]

I've had no issues with any of my Proto impact sockets, new or old. I'd say go for em [emoji106]


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[Know Wosad]

I grab whatever I have and Proto-SK and Williams can all be found here. They're all loose. When I need to grab a complete set I reach for Tekton in a plasticated case.
Never an issue. They're impact sockets, not heart valves.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Proto impact sockets are tapered down on the smaller sizes, versus being machined down to size nearly the entire length through like Wright, SK, and Williams. I'd go for one of those three unless Proto is the only one with certain sizes. The SK has really nice durable laser etching (and the sockets are still stamped too), so that's nice!

 

[Badasssapper67]

It seems like the different brands cheap out in different areas, so it depends on what you're working with/for.
For auto, general stuff just about any impact except the really cheap crud from china is going to work 3/4" and smaller.
For me, 3/4" and above 1/2" drive impacts, it has to be Cornwell. It's my experience that they hold up best to heavy use. Do I have science behind that statement? No. Just my experience.
For 3/8 drive impacts I have a lot of Mac stuff and some Armstrong impact swivel sockets that I love!!!
I have never really used the 1/4" impacts, don't know why I thought I'd have a use for them.
If budget is an issue Grey Pneumatic and similar are good bangs for the buck.

 

[DetroitDIESEL444]

I have proto a mix of proto, cornwell, snap on and craftsman, all used professionally, the cornwells and proto ones hold up the best.... but definitely cornwell seem to have no wear at the drive ends.

 

[TheGrooveking]

There is a difference, I have both and the difference is the hex broaching only goes about an inch deep, then it is circular below that.

TheGrooveking

 

[Pontiac787]

Thanks for the comments. I'll take a look at Cornwell also. I think my local Ace may have some US made craftsman so I'll check those as well.

GK,

Which brand has the shallow broaching?

 

[TheGrooveking]

Williams.

TheGrooveking

 

[neonlazer]

I got 1/2 Williams impact sockets..no negatives so far! I would go for proto in a heartbeat if it was on sale. I only bought Williams to match all my other Williams USA sockets.

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[Pontiac787]

The SK has really nice durable laser etching (and the sockets are still stamped too), so that's nice!

I'm really digging those SK!

 

[lugnut71]

I have Williams USA, same song different verse, look identical to snap on

 

[Derek420]

I got the proto and they are awesome but my favorites are Armstrong either is a fine choice but Armstrong look the best and are laser etched and stamped and proto is stamped or at least mine are.