Looking to buy 3/8 impact sockets.

[Rule60]

I have the following Tool Trucks that visit my factory, Snap-On, Gearwrench/SK Tools and Matco.

I have mostly Harbor Freight tools because they have worked for me for most the time I have been at my job. Also have a few Snap-On and Gearwrench items that I have replaced due to the harbor freight breaking.

I got a promotion so to speak at work and I would like some better tools because of the different work load and impact sockets can be used on a ratchet. I mostly work on industrial machinery.

I am looking at the Matco ADV series and they seem fairly decent.

I like what tools I have from Snap-On but the price and my wife don't get along. (Happy wife happy life).

I like my ratcheting Gearwrench wrenches but they leave something to be desired in my book. They have held up nice and I haven't broke any trh not to abuse them. ( Looking at getting the SK X frame wrenches as soon as some spare cash comes in. I have wrenches so why rush. )

Haven't used anything from SK Tools but have heard good things about them.

Really not looking to travel much or buy off the internet. I know better deals can be had but time is not what I have due to wife leaving for work as soon as I get home and having to watch the kids ( 2 years, 4 years and help my 8 year old with homework ).


Thanks for you input
Tom

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[dsimatt]

Ive got a few of the adv sets and they do a good job for the money, you wont regret buying them.

Unless you get the snapons cheap they are not worth the price and wear out quick to

 

[IMStuner]

Look into Sunex impact sockets and Amazon direct sells them at a decent price. Life time warranty but made in Taiwan if that bothers you. I find the quality to be superb.

I current also have Snap-On imapacts and the pricing is ridiculous.


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[gdocktor3]

No matter which brand you go with, you'll be satisfied. They're all reputable, professional grade tools. If you don't mind buying online, I also recommend Sunex. Actually, I thought Matco trucks sold Sunex?

 

[CJM8515]

Look into Sunex impact sockets and Amazon direct sells them at a decent price. Life time warranty but made in Taiwan if that bothers you. I find the quality to be superb.

I current also have Snap-On imapacts and the pricing is ridiculous.


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Agreed on the sunex. I LOVE my master 3/8 set.

 

[Katodog]

Go to your local O'Reilly, look for the Power Torque 3/8" drive deep swivel impact sockets. They're around 6 bucks right now on clearance. There's SAE and metric (can't find the metric listing), and typically in the back corner in the little clearance carousel. I picked up a set of each and they are nice to work with. I'd say they're on par with most impact sockets, but the deepwell and swivel features are nice to have.

We've had them on clearance for a while now, don't know why. They're probably getting rid of the sets or changing packaging or something.

 

[lugnut71]

I vote Williams USA, excellent quality, check them on amazon, company is owned by snap on , sockets look identical

 

[Tom.C]

Sunex and done.

 

[shockwave]

Look at those matco adv we have a set that has held up better than my cornwell or snap on impacts and sunex is oem I believe same as blue power thru cornwell too

 

[Tenex]

I like my Sunex 3/8 impacts. If you are going to buy Taiwanese then I would just get them instead of overpaying for the Matco ADV. The thing about impact sockets is that even the cheap ones are relatively good.

 

[dsmnickk90]

I have SK and like them

 

[ecotec]

I would suggest Grey Pneumatic.

 

[Sugarfryz]

I hate to admit this but, I have a full shirt and deep 1/2 impact sets that are matco adv, matco hardline, and snap on to be fair the snap ons were free.

In all honesty, there's no noticeable difference in performance between the three. If I could do it again, I would just keep the matco adv, and sell the snap on. Only downside is the adv is a bit thick but who cares

 

[KEH]

I'll add Wright sockets to the good advice given above.

KEH

 

[timothylockhart]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IE9BRTM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[CNGsaves]

Late to the party as about year ago Sunex had $100 rebate on each master set. That was time to get smokin' deal on great impact sockets.

Lately there has been some smaller rebates, but even then Sunex is still the best deal for excellent quality.

Here's 3/8" Sunex master set (80 piece) for $219
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E4H2VCY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Next after Sunex for reasonable price (yet still quality impacts) would be Gray Pneumatic.

 

[justme-]

I have snapon 1/2" drive impacts, sk 3/8 drive and Taiwan made 3/8 drive impacts. The 20 year old Taiwan made sockets from Walmart hold up the best to wear...sadly
Sk have worn the fastest, and while the snapon are the most expensive ( buy them 2nd hand!) My snap on guy will warranty them whenever. We tend to warranty out certain sizes at least annually.

 

[danscobra6]

Just got these today. Tekton 13Pc. 3/8" Drive 6-Point Deep Impact Socket Set METRIC. Starts at 7mm-19mm including the sometimes missing from other sets, 15 and 18 mm. eBay. $28.98

 

[02camaro86]

Look into Sunex impact sockets and Amazon direct sells them at a decent price. Life time warranty but made in Taiwan if that bothers you. I find the quality to be superb.

I current also have Snap-On imapacts and the pricing is ridiculous.


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sunex gets my vote, I have their master 1/2in metic set and plane on the standard shortly. I don't use 3/8s impact I just go chrome for those.

I also just got the x frames and oh my lord they are great

 

[e30bradley]

Sunex.. I've been using them professionally for years. Not a single complaint. There swivels are great too.

 

[md21722]

A lot of folks on here say Sunex are great for the money. I suppose they are great for their cost, but they have loose tolerances compared to the hardline domestic impacts, and possibly some other imports. I don't care for Sunex impacts. I plan on comparing Matco ADV series against the hardline domestics soon. If they are made to as good a tolerance as the hardline domestics I will be buying some myself.

 

[fordgasm]

Id get the Sunex master 3/8 set.

 

[anndel]

I have Snap Ons at my home shop and Sunex for my truck box. I bought the Sunex from Amazon and at 1/4 the cost of SO, they're just as good and comparable. My SO driver sells Sunex as well and tells me he can't keep them in stock.

 

[gdocktor3]

A lot of folks on here say Sunex are great for the money. I suppose they are great for their cost, but they have loose tolerances compared to the hardline domestic impacts, and possibly some other imports. I don't care for Sunex impacts. I plan on comparing Matco ADV series against the hardline domestics soon. If they are made to as good a tolerance as the hardline domestics I will be buying some myself.

It has long been speculated that Sunex is the OEM of the ADV series. I have Sunex and Snappy flank drive impacts and they're almost identical in every way. I do not notice a difference in tolerance.

 

[md21722]

It has long been speculated that Sunex is the OEM of the ADV series. I have Sunex and Snappy flank drive impacts and they're almost identical in every way. I do not notice a difference in tolerance.

I don't know if Sunex has a factory in Taiwan or if they have PTP make them. The Matco ADV are similar to Sunex, but are definitely different. The Sunex have flat drive ends like Snap On impacts, whereas the ADV are recessed like the Matco hardline. The Sunex also have the lowest chamfer angle on the fastener end. A higher chamfer angle like on the Snap On and Matco/Matco ADV should provide better contact with the fastener. I've always found the Sunex to clank around more across the board. I measured one and it was .013" looser than the Matco hardline of the same size.

 

[md21722]

OP,

Based on your requirements, it sounds like the Matco ADV are the way to go. They should be as good or better than Sunex and if you break one or wear one out, your Matco truck can replace it.

 

[Mr_B]

For 3/8 drive I would go for grey pneumatic master set mainly as less bulky sockets more usable and you don't beat 3/8 so hard as 1/2 drive on impact use.
They good value design and quality for cost and come in nice blow molded socket case that can be handy .
If 1/2 drive I would say Matco ADV but for 3/8 I would consider it unneeded expenditure for a bulky socket that might not fit all work areas while the GP ones are only bit thicker than cv sockets.

 

[bcradio]

A lot of folks on here say Sunex are great for the money. I suppose they are great for their cost, but they have loose tolerances compared to the hardline domestic impacts, and possibly some other imports. I don't care for Sunex impacts. I plan on comparing Matco ADV series against the hardline domestics soon. If they are made to as good a tolerance as the hardline domestics I will be buying some myself.

My experience greatly differs from yours then.

My Sunex impact sockets have very good tolerances. Close to or better than all of the domestics I have used and certainly well enough to use on anything.

 

[Derek420]

I bought my 3/8 Cornwell set 8-19 mm off eBay for $25 shipped and they are brand new your crazy for not internet buying eBay is where the deals are my friend. Also just got the 28" 1/2 Cornwell flex head fine tooth ratchet for $70 and 18" mac axis flex head ratchet for $70 both were brand new never used. You gotta consider eBay or pawn shops even. Good luck on your choice out of the ones you gave I'd go Sk for price and USA made those adv sets from Matco are Taiwan but that don't make them bad just not worth the mark up go sunex

 

[IMStuner]

For 3/8 drive I would go for grey pneumatic master set mainly as less bulky sockets more usable and you don't beat 3/8 so hard as 1/2 drive on impact use.
They good value design and quality for cost and come in nice blow molded socket case that can be handy .
If 1/2 drive I would say Matco ADV but for 3/8 I would consider it unneeded expenditure for a bulky socket that might not fit all work areas while the GP ones are only bit thicker than cv sockets.

Doesn't Matco only make toolboxes now ? I order my Greys Pneumatic from Amazon and replacement was a pain in the ***. I had to drop them off with a dealer and had the dealer make the swap. Great tools but ****** warranty process.


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[Hendricks433]

At the time the GearWrench 3/8 44 piece set was quite a bit cheaper than the Sunex and Grey pneumatic so I went with that.

Haven't used it much yet but quality seems great and reviews were great.

 

[md21722]

Doesn't Matco only make toolboxes now ? I order my Greys Pneumatic from Amazon and replacement was a pain in the ***. I had to drop them off with a dealer and had the dealer make the swap. Great tools but ****** warranty process.


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They're the only thing Matco ever made themselves.

 

[Mr_B]

Doesn't Matco only make toolboxes now ? I order my Greys Pneumatic from Amazon and replacement was a pain in the ***. I had to drop them off with a dealer and had the dealer make the swap. Great tools but ****** warranty process.


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Yeh GP warranty not the easiest but I not needed use it yet and I beat on 3/8 impacts pretty hard. Matco wouldn't be my first brand choice as can do better for less money easily but as OP got interest and dealer then okay for him.
Sunex are pretty good from ones I seen and used but not got any in that brand myself but if had set I liked at right price I would happily try them .
No need over think or spend for a 3/8 drive impact socket master set .

 

[Tenex]

My experience greatly differs from yours then.

My Sunex impact sockets have very good tolerances. Close to or better than all of the domestics I have used and certainly well enough to use on anything.

Mine too. My Sunex are still fairly new and they don't like to let go of nuts so I sometimes have to thread them back on a few turns and pull just to get the two separated.

 

[Your local SK Guy]

I have the following Tool Trucks that visit my factory, Snap-On, Gearwrench/SK Tools and Matco.

I have mostly Harbor Freight tools because they have worked for me for most the time I have been at my job. Also have a few Snap-On and Gearwrench items that I have replaced due to the harbor freight breaking.

I got a promotion so to speak at work and I would like some better tools because of the different work load and impact sockets can be used on a ratchet. I mostly work on industrial machinery.

I am looking at the Matco ADV series and they seem fairly decent.

I like what tools I have from Snap-On but the price and my wife don't get along. (Happy wife happy life).

I like my ratcheting Gearwrench wrenches but they leave something to be desired in my book. They have held up nice and I haven't broke any trh not to abuse them. ( Looking at getting the SK X frame wrenches as soon as some spare cash comes in. I have wrenches so why rush. )

Haven't used anything from SK Tools but have heard good things about them.

Really not looking to travel much or buy off the internet. I know better deals can be had but time is not what I have due to wife leaving for work as soon as I get home and having to watch the kids ( 2 years, 4 years and help my 8 year old with homework ).


Thanks for you input
Tom

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Your SK/GW guy should be able to order you Sunex and Grey Pneumatic sets. You will just pay a little more than buying them online. I'd say get SK, but I might be a little biased.

 

[Rule60]

Your SK/GW guy should be able to order you Sunex and Grey Pneumatic sets. You will just pay a little more than buying them online. I'd say get SK but, I might be a little biased.

Well it lioks like my SK/GW guy decided to go elseware lol. Didn't show this seek or last week and isn't answering calls or texts......

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[FOCUS.FREAK]

I have purchased from tools delivered before they sell Williams USA and Taiwan. I have the 3/8 USA deep 7-19 and have been beating them and have not broken one yet. Great pricing too.

Tekton is a great option as well. Very price friendly. I have their 1/2 impacts and bought the 3/8 impacts for my friend. They have also been holding up amazing. Their customer service is amazing. Faster service than a tool truck [emoji15]. One call or email on their website and you can have the new piece in a day or two.


Adv from matco are great too. I have their 3/8 shallows and haven't broken a socket. Also I have the 3/8 drive 12 point set. Since I really only use the 10mm it seems to go out quickly.


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[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Have a look at grey pneumatic. Their sockets are thin and strong. I use them on both a ratchet and power tools. They've held up great

 

[johndeereman]

sunex or gearwrench both are Great.

 

[2000-cvpi]

I have the metric Sunex. They are the nicest sockets I've ever had. They fit better that my USA Craftsman, Sk and they have held up very well.